Abstract: An improved tool for coring a portion of one or more hair follicles incorporates a mechanism that translates distal pushing forces that are applied to its handle to concomitant rotational movement of a hollow coring needle. Preferably, the force translation mechanism is realized by a helical threaded interface or a helical square rod interface between a handle and a rotating member that supports the needle. In another aspect, the tool includes a member that supports the hollow coring needle, the member having a cut-out that provides user access to the open proximal end of the needle. The tool can be made disposable by the use of injection molded plastic materials. The hollow coring needle is preferably realized from stainless steel and an anti-wear coating (such as a titanium nitride coating, a zirconium coating, or a diamond coating). In disposable applications, the tool is packaged in a sterilized manner, which avoids the need for the practitioner to sterilize the tool before use.

Abstract: A method for generating address lists from documents, which include e-mail address, stored on a computing device is provided. The method describes mapping at least one e-mail address from the documents to the address list. The mapped address list may be updated by its inclusion as one of the input documents. Duplicate entries can be excluded from the address list and an addressee identifier can be assigning to each e-mail addresses in the mapped address list, by using a mapping table, an address book, or a user assignment. Any user-specified organization of addresses existing in the input documents can be preserved in the mapped address list. The mapping of the e-mail addresses can be performed by applying one or more set-theoretic operations selected from one of union, intersection, and difference.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for allowing use of a Portal by Mobile Devices in a disconnected mode. The inventive system and method provide means to automatically create a Mobile Device specific content topology at the server side based on an existing user-defined connected content topology, user selectable options as well as dynamically changeable technical parameters, e.g. bandwidth, time, location, type of the target Mobile Device, downloads this Mobile Device specific content topology including its associated data to a target Mobile Device, and uses that Mobile Device specific content topology with its data by a local disconnected Portal frame work of a target Mobile Device in a disconnected mode. The Mobile Device specific content topology will be updated by a synchronization mechanism during connecting mode.

Abstract: Improved descriptive query techniques are provided. More particularly, techniques are provided for specifying and processing descriptive queries for data providers grouped into provider kinds with hierarchical containment relationships. The query may include arbitrary boolean combinations of arbitrary tests on the values of attributes of the data providers.

Abstract: Improved discovery techniques are provided. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a technique for making providers of a particular kind of data available to an application program includes the following steps/operations. The technique discovers whether one or more data providers are capable of providing the particular kind of data, wherein a discovered data provider is either a connected data provider or a virtual data provider. When a data provider capable of providing the particular kind of data is discovered and the discovered data provider is a virtual data provider, the technique instantiates the virtual data provider. When a data provider capable of providing the particular kind of data is discovered, the technique makes a data-provider handle for the discovered data provider available to the application program, with a common interface.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel cigarette packaging system for “making your own” smokeable cigarettes. The kit is easily opened and allows a smoker to assemble a smokeable cigarette quickly without requiring great effort. The kit is inexpensive, convenient to use and also convenient to carry and store as its compact size is such that it fits in a person's hand, a shirt or coat pocket as well as in a ladies bag or purse. The kit is also advantageous because it is less expensive than tailor made cigarettes, yet is not that much wider than a standard, typical package of cigarettes. The construction of the kit, is such that it keeps the unsmokeable tobacco elements in a separate compartment which serves to help maintain the freshness of the tobacco.

Abstract: A formulation is provided which is capable of performing as a liner layer between a rocket motor casing and the propellant grain disposed within the interior of the rocket motor casing. The composition produces relatively little smoke during the operation of the rocket motor and is capable of securely bonding a wide range of conventional propellants to a wide range of conventional casings. In one preferred formulation, the liner consists of from from about 50% to about 75% oxygen containing polymer; from about 3% to about 15% curing agent; from about 5% to about 50% filler and from about 0.01% to about 0.5% cure catalyst.

Abstract: Significant decreases in sidestream smoke production, approximately 30 to 70%, are obtained when compared to a tobacco filler rod wrapped in a conventional cigarette paper by double-wrapping the filler rod, first with a relatively non-porous paper having a Coresta porosity of about 1 to about 10% and then with a conventional cigarette paper.

Abstract: A novel cigarette system is described which has a greater number of puffs than a conventional cigarette of same dimensions and length of tobacco rod, namely at least about 14 puffs. The cigarettes are intended to be partially smoked, extinguished, stored and then resmoked. A filter is attached to the tobacco rod of the cigarette constructed to provide a per-puff delivery profile of tar, nicotine and flavor to the smoker which is approximately the same for both smokings of the cigarette. The greater-than-normal number of puffs may be achieved by employing a slower burning tobacco blend, greater tobacco density and/or burn rate retardant paper. An extinguishing and storage device is provided to extinguish the cigarette after the initial smoking of the cigarette and to store the extinguished cigarette between smokings.

Abstract: A novel cigarette is described which has a greater number of puffs, at least about 2 more, preferably at least about 4 more and more preferably at least about 6 more, than a conventional cigarette of same dimensions and length of tobacco rod. The cigarettes may be partially smoked, extinguished, stored and then resmoked. The greater-than-normal number of puffs may be achieved by employing a slower burning tobacco blend, a lower draw resistance tobacco, a greater tobacco density and/or a burn rate retardant wrapper.

Abstract: A combustor using D.sub.2 /NF.sub.3 /He is used in a laser gain generator in a cylindrical gas laser. The combustor includes a plurality of primary rings having fuel, oxidizer and diluent orifices therein. Fuel and oxidizer orifices form a triplet injector set that provides a reactant set. Two diluent orifices form a diluent injector set that provides a diluent set. These sets alternate about each primary ring and from one primary ring to the adjacent primary ring. Because the diluent set does not mix directly with the reactant set initially, a greater percentage of lasing products are formed because of the higher temperature in the reacting zone. Diluent is mixed as required at a later stage in the flow.