Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a gaming machine and associated method including a multiple-progressive wheel component. A player may win more than one wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.

Abstract: Disclosed are a game and associated method including a multiple-progressive wheel component. A player may win more than one wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.

Abstract: A device and a method of automatically identifying users for an electronic conversation is provided. A user interaction indicator is received at a first computer system from a second computer system. The user interaction indicator indicates an interaction by a user at the second computer system with a website. A determination is made concerning whether to initiate an electronic conversation with the user at the second computer system based on predefined criteria and the received user interaction indicator. If a determination to initiate the electronic conversation is made, the electronic conversation with the user at the second computer system is initiated. The electronic conversation may be initiated with a second user of the website, with an agent and/or with a social network. The agent is a computer generated entity. The social network may be associated with users of the website.

Abstract: A filter block may comprise activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides. The activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 90 microns and having a particle span of less than or equal to about 1.7. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 3.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs. A portion of the activated carbon filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. Another filter block may comprise mesoporous activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides, wherein the mesoporous activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 104 ?m and a particle span of less than or equal to about 2.05, and wherein at least a portion of the filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 2.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) header suitable for wireless ATM systems is provided. The ATM Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) are replaced with four and eight bit pointers, respectively. In addition, Generic Flow Control (GFC) and Header Error Control (HEC) fields are removed.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.

Abstract: The invention is related to compounds of Formula (I), (II), or (III): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, and/or phosphonate thereof, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds.

Abstract: The structure of the present invention provides pivotable coupling of a head to a handle. The head may assume various pitch angles relative to the handle. Once place at a particular pitch angle the head is releasably fixed-in-place and opposes pitching of the head relative to the handle to assume a new pitch angle. With the application of sufficient force on the head, the head is released from the fixed-in-place pitch angle and a new pitch angle is achieved.

Abstract: A method for killing microorganisms in water, by passing an aqueous feed solution comprising of water containing some form of halide salt into a non-membrane electrolysis cell comprising an anode and a cathode, adjacent to the anode, while flowing electrical current between the anode and the cathode to electrolyze the aqueous feed solution and convert the halide salt to anti-microbial mixed oxidants.

Abstract: The invention provides tandem single nucleotide polymorphisms and methods for their use, for example, in diagnosing Down Syndrome.

Abstract: Reputation based firewall policy techniques are described, in which, a computer-implemented method may be employed to collect data from a plurality of clients regarding an application attempting to access a network via the clients. The collected data may be exposed to a community of users to obtain feedback on the application which is used to produce a reputation for the application. The reputation may then be provided to the plurality of clients to determine whether to permit the attempt by the application.

Abstract: adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.

Abstract: A continuous sheet having a combination of acidic and basic water-absorbing resin particles that are essentially not neutralized and can be continuously manufactured on conventional papermaking apparatus, using a wet, dry, or wet-dry process to manufacture a water-absorbent sheet-like substrate containing 50%-100% by weight of the combination of acidic and basic water-absorbent particles. The acidic and basic essentially unneutralized resins can be contained in the sheet material articles of the present invention as separate acidic and basic resin particles, or as multicomponent particles containing both the acidic and basic resins. The sheet materials can be manufactured having new and unexpected structural integrity, with little or no shakeout or loss of superabsorbent particles during or after manufacture while exhibiting exceptional water absorption and retention properties.

Abstract: A leadframe for use in the assembly of integrated circuit chips comprising a base metal structure having an adherent layer of nickel covering said base metal; an adherent film of palladium on said nickel layer; and an adherent layer of palladium on said palladium film, selectively covering areas of said leadframe suitable for bonding wire attachment and solder attachment.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing surface-crosslinked superabsorbent polymer particles is disclosed. The superabsorbent polymer particles are surface crosslinked using about 20 to about 35 wt % of 1,3-propanediol as a cosolvent in a surface-crosslinking step. The use of 1,3-propanediol as a cosolvent reduces the amount of surface-crosslinking agent required to adequately surface crosslink the superabsorbent polymer, and reduces or eliminates the fouling of process equipment attributed to previous cosolvents used in a surface crosslinking step.

Abstract: A window latch assembly for locking first and second windows together includes a cover member coupled to the first window, and a handle pivotably coupled to the cover member. A lock member is fixedly coupled to the handle and has a lock portion adapted to protrude beyond a planar extent of the cover into a locked position, wherein the lock portion engages a lock keeper coupled to the second window, and an unlocked position, wherein the lock keeper is retracted inside the cover member. A mechanical finger is movable between a first position allowing the lock portion to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, and a second position preventing the lock portion from being moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby preventing damage of the first and second windows.

Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a lip that not only pivots between an extended operative position and a pendant position relative to a deck but also translates in its pendant position between blocking and non-blocking positions. A fastener connects the lip to a hinge in such a way as to minimize the stress between the fastener and the lip. The hinge includes a lip-facing surface into which the fastener is anchored, wherein the fastener is tilted out of perpendicularity to the lip-facing surface. The head of the fastener is held parallel to the lip even though an angled gap may exist between the lip and the lip-facing surface of the hinge.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of devices for capturing obstructions within passageways. The devices disclosed herein may include a flexible tubular body forming multiple flexible members arranged in a helical pattern. These flexible members may be expandable to form one or more cages when the tubular body is expanded to an increased diameter state. The cages may be generally centered around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body between the two ends of the body. Also disclosed herein are methods for capturing obstructions within passageways, methods for obtaining tissue samples from body passages, and methods for making devices for capturing obstructions within passageways.