Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for recruiting students. Using the methods and apparatus disclosed herein, educators can more efficiently recruit prospective students. Educational institutions can increase the efficiency of recruitment efforts by automatically generating outbound calls to prospective students. Outbound calls to prospective students are automatically generated when a prospective student is directed to call a recruitment center and the prospective student fails to call within a set time period. Outbound calls to prospective students are also automatically generated when a student is performing an online process to set an appointment and requests an immediate call. In addition, educational institutions can simplify the appointment scheduling process by incorporating an administrator's schedule into a student database.

Abstract: A combination brake and motor-generator comprises a disc brake including a brake caliper and one or more rotors; a brushless pancake electric motor-generator including a stator of one or more electromagnets and a rotor having a plurality of radially arrayed, angularly-spaced permanent magnets of alternating polarity. The rotor of the disc brake and the rotor of the motor-generator can be coupled to rotate together or the disc brake and motor-generator can share a common rotor.

Abstract: A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward item management systems and associated methods. Aspects of the invention are directed toward receiving items, inducting the items into the item management system and storing the items. In certain embodiments, inducting the item can include imaging at least a portion of the item and providing that image to a remote user. Other aspects of the invention include retrieving the items form storage and processing the items. In selected embodiments, processing an item can include processing the item in accordance with instructions provided by a remote user. In certain embodiments, at least some of the items that have been processed can then be returned to storage. Still other aspects of the invention can include monitoring various portions of the item management process. In selected embodiments, various aspects of the invention can be automated and/or computer controlled.

Abstract: A wall mount for attaching water treatment system to a wall plate consists of a platform and a vertical portion. The water treatment system rests on the platform. The water treatment systems extend through the back of the wall mount and extend through passages in the wall mount and into the water treatment system. The water tubes, when placed within the water treatment system, assist in maintaining the water treatment system on the wall mount.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming servo bursts on a magnetic storage disk are disclosed. The method comprises forming at least one phase-encoded servo burst to a surface of the disk using a printing-process step that writes all parts of the phase-encoded servo burst substantially simultaneously. The phase encoded by the at least one phase-encoded servo burst varies continuously with radial position.

Abstract: An air treatment system includes features for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. In one embodiment, a sensor air passage utilizes a low pressure region created by the blower to draw air through the passage. In another embodiment, a filter frame includes a plurality of connectors formed integrally with the filter frame. In another embodiment, a screen is positioned adjacent to the blower intake. The screen includes a plurality of angled strands oriented in a particular direction. In another embodiment, a remote control holder is formed integrally with the housing. In another embodiment, a gasket is positioned between the blower and the housing, forming a seal between the blower and the housing.

Abstract: A coaxial helically actuated disc brake is provided. The coaxial disc brake includes a pressure plate that is rotationally actuated and helically guided by a brake support structure to axially engage a brake pad carrier with a rotor. The pressure plate, brake pad carrier and rotor are all coaxial with the rotating member upon which the coaxial disc brake acts. Multiple concentric pressure plates and brake pad carriers can be used. Multiple brake pad carriers acting as stators can be coaxially stacked between multiple coaxial rotors. A low friction device, material or element can be placed between the pressure plate and brake pad carrier to allow for easier disengagement of the brake.

Abstract: A gaming machine symbol-bearing reels which are used to play a main game involving, the selection and display of a symbol combination. Bonus events or modifiers are also selected and displayed. This may be an automatic machine function, or the player may have the opportunity to operate a further selection reel, or control buttons. The selected bonus event or modifier may be applied to features associated with or separate from the main game, such as a feature game display to which play can transfer from the main game, or may be applied to subsequent main games which may consist of free spins of the reels, or may be paid for by the player.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward item management systems and associated methods. Aspects of the invention are directed toward receiving items, inducting the items into the item management system and storing the items. In certain embodiments, inducting the item can include imaging at least a portion of the item and providing that image to a remote user. Other aspects of the invention include retrieving the items form storage and processing the items. In selected embodiments, processing an item can include processing the item in accordance with instructions provided by a remote user. In certain embodiments, at least some of the items that have been processed can then be returned to storage. Still other aspects of the invention can include monitoring various portions of the item management process. In selected embodiments, various aspects of the invention can be automated and/or computer controlled.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed toward the centralized reception and processing of documents and the presentation of electronic representations of those documents to the document owners. For example, certain embodiments of the invention are directed toward a method of providing a virtual mailbox that includes providing a menu of disposition options electronically via a network to a remote user for disposition of materials having contents. The method can further include receiving instructions from the user relating to disposition of the materials and receiving the materials with contents intended for a remote user. The method can further include obtaining an image of the contents and storing the image of the contents. The method can still further include providing an image of the contents electronically via the network in a virtual mailbox accessible by the remote user, storing the contents in a storage location, and applying the disposition rules to the contents.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the identification of genes whose expression levels are altered by chronic exposure of a cell, tissue, or organism to one or more drugs of abuse (e.g. alcohol, stimulants, opiates, etc.). In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of monitoring the response of a cell a drug of abuse.

Abstract: An integrated furniture system for subdividing a building space includes an overhead framework system and a furniture-supporting partition system integrated to be used together, separately, or in a partially overlapping arrangement. The overhead framework system is constructed to provide a relatively open meeting area, and includes at least one horizontally extending beam and posts supporting the beam overhead. The beam and posts are interconnected to form a space below the beam and between the posts, with the space having known height and width dimensions. The furniture-supporting partition system is constructed to subdivide the building space into an arrangement of physically separated offices. The furniture-supporting partition system includes side surfaces defining second width and height dimensions. The partition includes at least a portion positioned in the space under the beam and is potentially positioned completely under the beam in the space. The partition may or may not completely fill the space.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a measurement that characterizes the behavior of an acoustic wave in a heel bone. The apparatus is an integral unit having a base with a platform coupled to the base at a specified angle with respect to the base for receiving, centering and reproducibly orienting a foot. The apparatus has two transducer arms, each supporting an acoustic transducer in spaced relationship with respect to the foot of the subject and a member for mounting the first and second transducer arms in moveable relationship to the base so as to permit coupled two-dimensional motion of the first and second transducers over regions of the heel. The transducer units have transducer caps and an acoustically absorbing filler medium for emitting an acoustic wave with substantially the character of a point source over an opening angle of at least 30.degree..

Abstract: Fastener installation apparatus for operating cyclically so as to instal successively a plurality of fasteners includes a fastener installation head (11) having an aperture (35) in which part of a fastener is inserted, and a vacuum generator (20) for creating an airflow in through the aperture (35), along a pipe (31) and into a receptacle (15) for broken-off fastener parts. The presence of a fastener in the aperture (35) causes a change in the level of vacuum in the pipe (31) and receptacle (15). The level of vacuum is sensed by vacuum level detection means (45), which gives an electrical signal to the apparatus control unit (14a, 14b). The control unit allows the installation apparatus to continue its cyclical operation only upon the presence or absence of fastener in the aperture (35) at the appropriate points in the cycle of operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for the production of hot mix asphalt (HMA) by the treatment of virgin material alone or adding reclaimed or recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) of up to 100% of the HMA comprised of reclaimed asphaltic pavement (RAP). The HMA is first heated in either a parallel or a counter flow rotating drum which is supplied with hot combustion gases generated by a remote low NO.sub.x burner. The temperature of hot gases entering the drum is from about 400.degree. to 2,000.degree. F., and the temperature of gases exiting from the drum is from about 130.degree. to 220.degree. F. The HMA material optionally can be subjected to microwave radiation to raise the material to a final temperature, or optionally to only reorient the dipolar molecules of the material without any measurable heating of the material. The exhaust gas is treated and made environmentally safe.

Abstract: An apparatus for the pull-through blind installation of a headless tubular ferrule in a hole in a workpiece at a position therealong spaced from the nearer face of the workpiece includes an annular anvil for supporting the ferrule inside the workpiece hole; anvil supporting means for initially supporting the anvil at a position inside the workpiece hole; a mandrel having a stem extending through the anvil aperture; and an enlarged head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means of maintaining a constant tuned frequency as a wrist band antenna is lengthened and shortened. As a wrist band antenna is lengthened, the inductance of the antenna is generally increased. The present invention provides a wrist band the length of the antenna. As the wrist band is lengthened the inductance increases and the capacitance decreases thereby maintaining the tuned frequency substantially constant.

Abstract: Fastener installation apparatus for operating cylically so as to instal successively a plurality of fasteners of the type in which a portion is broken off at installation (e.g. breakstem blind rivets) comprises a fastener installation head (11) and a pipe (31) for conveying the broken-off portions away from the head to a receptacle (15). Detection device (48) is mounted adjacent the pipe (31) to detect the presence of a broken-off fastener portion at a pre-determined position (58) there along near the receptacle (15). When a portion is thus sensed, an electrical signal is sent by the detection device (48), via a relay (51), to the installation control system (14a, 14b), so as to allow cyclical operation of the system to continue.

Abstract: There is described a wet back device for generating waves in a liquid in a test tank or the like. Such devices are known and usually operate a wave generating board by a push-pull piston operation or a flapping wave generating board pivoted in the tank and rocked about a horizontal axis to move water in the tank and create waves therein. The device described is capable of producing the push-pull generated wave motion or the flapper type motion, or a combination of those motions and is provided with seals between the wave generating board and the tank walls or between individual wave generating boards (in a multiple board arrangement) and the walls of the tank. Closure plates are provided on the support frames for the boards. Gliding surfaces are provided to ensure reliable action and frame members are located to provide energy loss in fast flowing water in the tank.