Abstract: Aerodynamically augmented hockey puck design uses the dynamics of airflow around a moving body to assist in overcoming the unwanted forces of friction that inherently exist between two opposing surfaces and may be used on either an ice or other non-ice playing surface. The puck influences airflow through a symmetric ducted venting system designed to duct or vent air from multiple inlets positioned above a boundary layer to opposing outlets. The ducted venting system reduces pressure differentials between the inlet and outlet of the air channel. Circular center pocket cavities of the upper and lower planar surfaces of the hockey puck are vented to the opposite edge of the outer cylindrical surface of the hockey puck. Elliptical air channels extend radially from the circular center pocket cavity and are symmetrically placed and positioned above the boundary layer around the outer cylindrical surface of the puck.

Abstract: A non-magnetic corrosion and galling resistant high strength steel suitable for use as non-magnetic components in directional drilling of oil and gas wells whose composition by weight includes: carbon up to 0.2%; silicon up to 1.0%; manganese from 10.0 to 20.0%; chromium from 13.5 to 18.0%; nickel from 1.0 to 7.0%; molybdenum from 1.5 to 4.0%; and nitrogen from 0.2 to 0.4%, the composition satisfying the formulae: (i) and (ii): nickel equivalence+chromium equivalence>35.

Abstract: A support for moving a large appliance, particularly a washing machine or dryer, includes first and second brackets for mounting on a base surface, a slide assembly connected to the first and second brackets, and a frame for mounting the appliance. The frame is connected to the slide assembly for slidable movement relative to the first and second brackets whereby the appliance moves in unison with the frame. The slide assembly includes two sets of interconnected slide tracks cooperating with each other and a plurality of rollers to facilitate sliding movement of the frame. The perimeter of the frame is adjustable to accommodate appliances of varying depth.

Abstract: A support for moving a large appliance, particularly a washing machine or dryer, includes first and second brackets for mounting on a base surface, a slide assembly connected to the first and second brackets, and a frame for mounting the appliance. The frame is connected to the slide assembly for slidable movement relative to the first and second brackets whereby the appliance moves in unison with the frame. The slide assembly includes two sets of interconnected slide tracks cooperating with each other and a plurality of rollers to facilitate sliding movement of the frame. The perimeter of the frame is adjustable to accommodate appliances of varying depth.

Abstract: This invention relates to gene delivery and expression, including gene therapy, by using vectors which encode stable mRNA and methods of using such vectors. In particular, this invention relates to vectors which establish controlled expression of recombinant IGF-I genes within tissues at certain levels. The vector includes a 5′ flanking region which includes necessary sequences for expression of a nucleic acid cassette, a 3′ flanking region including a 3′ UTR and/or 3′ NCR, and a linker which connects the 5′ flanking region to a nucleic acid sequence. The linker has a position for inserting a nucleic acid cassette. The linker does not contain the coding sequence of a gene that the linker is naturally associated with. The 3′ flanking region is 3′ to the position for inserting the nucleic acid cassette. The expression vectors of the present invention can also be regulated by a regulatory system and/or constructed with a coating.

Abstract: A distributed processing on-line automated trading system uses structured messages to represent each stage in the negotiation between a market maker (quoter) and a potential buyer or seller (requestor). Such a system is subject to uncertainties caused by the fact that a variable time is required for an order (buy or sell) message to be transmitted from the requestor to the quoter, or for a cancel (quote interrupt) message to be transmitted from the quoter to the requestor. Furthermore, it is possible that an equipment failure in the network, either in a communication link or even at the workstation of one of the traders, will prevent a small fraction of such order messages and cancel messages from reaching their intended destination within the relatively short time-frame typically associated with an on-line transaction system.

Abstract: A respective unique dormant address is permanently associated with each of two sibling computers located at a particular node of a communications network. A selected one of the sibling computers is activated by associating an overriding common active node address with the selected computer. Application programs running at other nodes of the network utilize this active node address and thus interface with whichever sibling computer is identified by the active node address. Accordingly, the dormant computer and its physical connection to the network may be monitored by the communications software using its unique dormant address and the dormant computer is always available to replace the active computer in a manner that is transparent to any other computers connected to other nodes of the network.

Abstract: A computer network system for simultaneously communicating between computer terminals at various bank locations for the purpose of entering a transaction for the exchange of currency of a selected currency pair provides a method for preventing a trading communication involving a selected currency pair between two banks wherein there is already a trading communication in progress between the two banks involving the same currency pair.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arm sling for preventing contracture of hand muscles, wherein the pocket portion is provided with a hole that interlocks with a grasping tube. A patient's fingers exit the sling via the hole and wrap about the grasping tube, the fingers being secured there about by a velcro fastened wrap.