Abstract: A method and apparatus that keeps information on all entities that are created when a model is built in a CAD system, including an indication of which command causes each entity to be added to or taken from the model. From this information, the system can determine the state of the model at any given time during its creation, without having to regenerate commands that generated the model at the determined state. For each new command, only those entities that are newly created are added to the database. The entities each have a version field that allows the same data to relate to different versions of the model.

Abstract: A user-controlled information disclosure process for web user identification. In this process, a user information database, a BrowserID Client applet, and a BrowserID Website database are configured at a user terminal. The user information database contains a plurality of information records about a user's identification information and access levels for the respective information records. The BrowserID Website database contains the names of web sites and access levels for the respective web sites. In response to a request for user information from a web site, the BrowserID Client applet checks the existing access level in the BrowserID Website database for the web site (or negotiates a new level), and if appropriate, retrieves the access key granted by the web site to gain access to a controlled portion of a website.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for expelling a viscous mass, comprising a nozzle having an open inlet end for receiving a viscous mass, an open outlet end for expelling the viscous mass, and a bore extending therethrough for communicating the viscous mass from the open inlet end to the open outlet end, a valve pin, extending through the bore of the nozzle, having a valve tip movable between an extended position for closing the open outlet end, and a retracted position for opening the open outlet end, a sleeve carried within the bore of the nozzle for guiding the valve pin between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled vending machine utilizing real-time monitoring of environmental parameters and feedback control for improved storage conditions for tobacco products such as cigars and other humidity sensitive products, is disclosed. A number of environmental parameters, such as temperature and humidity, are balanced using a closed loop feedback control process in response to measured system parameters. The vending machine includes a controller, one or more remote sensors which monitor the environmental conditions within the vending machine housing, a fan, a heater strip, a cooling unit, a humidifier, and a payment and selection system. The vending machine stores and maintains tobacco products, or other humidity sensitive products, at a recommended temperature and humidity, and includes means for continuously monitoring and controlling the environment to retain the freshness and value of the respective product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing an optical image of a scene to determine the spectral intensity of each pixel thereof, by: collecting incident light from the scene; scanning the incident light; passing the scanned light through an interferometer which outputs modulated light corresponding to a predetermined set of linear combinations of the spectral intensity of the light emitted from each pixel; focusing the light outputted from the interferometer on a detector array; and processing the output of the detector array to determine the spectral intensity of each pixel thereof.

Abstract: An immunoassay method that integrates a sample processing component that enables the testing of a variety of environmental matrixes and the components for performing the method, wherein the immunoassay utilizes a monoclonal anti-PCB antibody to detect the presence or absence of PCB based contamination in a sample when tested in a field or laboratory location.

Abstract: Purified plasminogen activator proteins obtained or derived from the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus saliva and salivary glands, methods for purifying the proteins, DNA sequences encoding these proteins, means for producing them using recombinant DNA technology, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these proteins and methods of treatment utilizing these proteins are provided.

Abstract: An antisense oligonucleotide of 10 to 35 nucleotides in length that can hybridize with a region of the .alpha..sub.1 subunit of the SA-Cat channel gene DNA or mRNA is provided, together with pharmaceutical compositions containing and methods utilizing such antisense oligonucleotide.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus for a global network communicator including an application-specific communications device suitable substantially only for global network communications and including a global network application specific user interface, network protocol processing circuitry operative for communication with the global network and for formatting data to a required protocol employed by the global network and for translating data received from the global network to a format acceptable to the user interface, a communication line interface interconnecting the network protocol processing circuitry to the global network and including logical and physical interface apparatus and modulation and demodulation apparatus for information transmitted to the global network and information received from the global network respectively and network access activation circuitry for initiating communication between the communicator and the global network.

Abstract: Specific BRCA1 mutations, PCR primers and hybridization probes are used in nucleic acid-based methods for diagnostic of inheritable breast cancer susceptibility. Additionally, binding agents, such as antibodies, specific for peptides encoded by the subject BRCA1 mutants are used to identify expression products of diagnostic mutations/rare alleles in patient derived fluid or tissue samples. Compositions with high binding affinity for transcription or translation products of the disclosed BRCA1 mutations and alleles are used in therapeutic intervention. Such products include anti-sense nucleic acids, peptides encoded by the subject nucleic acids, and binding agents such as antibodies, specific for such peptides.

Abstract: A silicone-free release film comprises a linear ethylenic polymer having a density from 0.865 to 0.900 g/cc and an index of polydispersity of less than 5.0 and yields a maximum release force value of 39 g/cm at a film thickness of 0.10 to 0.15 mm in an adhesive peel test. The film is useful in manufacturing rolls and sheets of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant computer system comprises a plurality of processing nodes and a plurality of storage nodes interconnected by a network. The processing nodes perform processing operations in connection with user-generated processing requests. The processing nodes, in connection with processing a processing request, generate storage and retrieval requests for transmission to the storage node to enable storage of data thereon and retrieval of data therefrom. The storage nodes store data in at least one replicated partition group comprising a plurality of replicated partitions distributed across the storage nodes. A storage node, on receiving a retrieval request from a processing node provide the requested data to the processing node. In addition, on receiving a storage request from a processing node, a storage node initiates an update operation to update all of the replicated partitions in the replicated partition group.

Abstract: A protection system and technique for a set adjustable brightness control vel regardless of previous deactivation of system display component in a thermal weapon sight (TWS) when a lens cap is utilized for covering optics of the TWS.

Abstract: A water soluble derivative of buckministerfullerene (C.sub.60) having antiviral and virucidal properties is used to inhibit human retroviral replication and infections. The derivatized fullerene is symmetrically substituted with polar organic moieties containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally further containing oxygen or nitrogen.

Abstract: Hydroxylated milk glycerides having low levels of ethylenic unsaturation are disclosed. The hydroxylated milk glycerides can have enhanced resistance to rancidification and as such, are suitable for use in personal care compositions e.g., lotions, skin creams, lipsticks, eye shadow, and makeup. Personal care compositions comprising the hydroxylated milk glycerides can have enhanced properties as compared to personal care compositions which do not comprise the hydroxylated milk glycerides or alternatively comprise milk fat.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions, test kits and methods can be used to detect hydrogen peroxide or vanadium bromoperoxidase by generating a chemiluminescent signal in the presence of the analyte. Signal generation as well as reaction kinetics are improved by using a composition which comprises a 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione derivative; a halogen, pseudohalogen, halogen-providing or pseudohalogen-providing source; and a peroxide or peroxide-generating reagent composition.

Abstract: A releasable securing knob assembly including a biased leaf spring element hich securely locks a knob onto a shaft, so that removal can only be effected by accessing and debiasing the leaf spring through a slot within the knob.

Abstract: A discharge hose adapter adapts a standard marine thru hull fitting to a standard sanitation hose enabling discharge of a boat holding tank into a dump station. The adapter preferably includes a first component and a second component. The first end of the first component is frictionally engageable with the standard marine thru hull fitting, a first end of the second component is engageable with the second end of the first component, and a second end of the second component is engageable with the sanitation hose. The first component is preferably PVC injection molded plastic, and the second component is preferably compression molded rubber derived from vinyl monomers.

Abstract: A method for installing a liner in a swimming pool including a wall having a liner edge retainer extending along the upper periphery. With the pool containing water, an edge of a liner is attached to the retainer at a first position on the wall and a pulling device is attached to the liner edge at a position opposite the retainer attachment. The pulling device is manipulated to drag the liner along the pool bottom and up the wall to a position opposite the first position where the edge is then attached to the retainer. A substantial portion of the pool water is scooped up in the liner and the remaining water can be pumped from between the wall and liner. The method can be used to install a second liner over an existing first liner by using different liner edge retainers. More than one embodiment of the pulling device is disclosed.