Abstract: A system/method is introduced that integrates middleware components without canonicalization of data at runtime, where the system/method receives inputs identifying at least a first and second middleware to be made interoperative (via a communication path between an in-port corresponding to the first middleware and an out-port corresponding to the second middleware), receives an incoming message at the in-port, handles the received message as a plurality of parts and where, for each part, a data-object is created based on an identified type factory, with the in-port populating the data-object with values from corresponding part of the message and passing the populated data object from the in-port corresponding to the first middleware to the out-port corresponding to the second middleware.

Abstract: A multipurpose vehicle furniture system for use proximate to a vehicle driver's seat, the system comprising: a first post having a first post first end, a first post body, and a first post second end mountable to the floor of the vehicle; a primary support having a primary support longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to a primary support lateral axis, a primary support top surface, a primary support bottom surface, a primary support first longitudinal side rotatably and slidably engageable to the first post, a primary support second longitudinal side, a primary support first lateral side, and a primary support second lateral side, the primary support disposable in a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position; a primary support rod; and a second support adjacent to the primary support with the primary support in the second position and the third position.

Abstract: A visual indicator device for use on a vehicle that includes a bed and a tailgate that engages with the bed and that may assume open and closed positions relative to the bed. The visual indicator device is for determining, from the cab of the vehicle via a rearview mirror, the status of the position of the tailgate. The visual indicator device includes a support mechanism including a first mechanism mounted to the bed and a second mechanism mounted to the tailgate, an actuation pin mechanism that intercouples the first and second mechanisms, and an indicator flag supported by the first mechanism and responsive to the position of the actuation pin mechanism so that the indicator flag has an indicating position when the tailgate is disengaged from the bed so that the actuation pin mechanism is out of engagement with the indicator flag, and has a rest position when the tailgate is engages with the bed whereby the actuation pin mechanism is in engagement with the indicator flag.

Abstract: A method of teaching accounting principles is disclosed in which two different colors are used to distinguish that which is owned and owed from that which has been used and earned. This is to establish the concept of double entry accounting. Question sets are used to distinguish assets, liabilities, income and expenditure from one another to facilitate their proper treatment in books of account. Words other than commonly accepted accounting words are used to denote accounting concepts before the teaching method moves on to using the commonly accepted accounting words.

Abstract: A system and method is introduced that integrates middleware components without canonicalization of data at runtime. An interface receives inputs identifying at least a first and second middleware to be made interoperative and a configurator configures at least an in-port and an out-port based on a binding and transport associated with the first and second middleware, respectively. Interoperation of the first and second middleware is effected via at least one communication path between the configured in-port and out-port, wherein the communication path allows an incoming message to pass from the in-port corresponding to said first middleware to the out-port corresponding to the second middleware without the creation of an intermediate canonical message.

Abstract: An energy transduction and conservation system has a rotatable primary driving arrangement and a rotatable driven arrangement, the driving and driven arrangements cooperating through an energy storage arrangement. The driving arrangement supplies energy to the energy storage arrangement through a one-way driving system which blocks energy release from the energy storage arrangement back to the driving arrangement. Relative rotation of the driving arrangement is transferred to the energy storage arrangement through a first releasable clutch acting on a one-way rotatable hub whereby energy stored is released only through the driven arrangement. A further one-way clutch is actuated by a differential angular rotational speed to disconnect the first releasable clutch and drive the hub at the same time the energy storage arrangement drives the driven arrangement.

Abstract: Hair and/or scalp treatment compositions comprise an antidandruff agent, an effective amount of a cannabinoid receptor (CBR) activating agent and a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier. Alternatively, the compositions may be shampoo compositions comprising from 3 to 50 wt % surfactant, a CB receptor activating agent and a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier, provided that the CB receptor activating agent is not palmitoylethanolamide. The compositions are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of the symptoms of dandruff and can reduce scalp itch, a symptom which is typically associated with dandruff.

Abstract: Disclosed are arrangements (700) that construct (803) attributes used by a consumer (703) to purchase an item, determine (803) how much of each attribute is contained in each candidate item, estimate (806) marginal costs for the attributes, establish (303) the preferences of the consumer for the various attributes, determine (803) utility scores for the candidate items that reflect the extent to which the candidate items provide the consumer with preferred attributes, and rank the candidate items, in an ordered list, in terms of their respective utility scores.

Abstract: A composition for topical application to the scalp comprises (i) an anti-dandruff agent; (ii) conjugated linoleic acid; and (iii) a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a learning system and method that allows students with basic literacy to learn essential principles of accounting. No prior learning in accounting is presumed or required. Using a simple business simulation, students develop an accounting system for themselves. The learning system and method employs many of the key human learning senses of visual, auditory, kinesthetic, gustatory and olfactory. By creating a three dimensional accounting system and continually telling the story of the business as it evolves, students are using all of the necessary senses for effective and lasting learning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning solution, a wipe impregnated with the cleaning solution and packages/dispenser including such wipes which can be used to effectively clean a variety of articles such as optical lenses, optical glasses, camera and video camera lenses, head and face protective masks, scientific instruments including gauges, windows, mirrors household fixtures, bathroom fittings, motor vehicles, boats and their components and the like, as well as the hands of the cleaner. In particular, the cleaning solution comprises cineole in an amount of between about 20% and about 60% by weight of the solution and up to about 80% by weight of the solution of a suitable solvent. The invention is also directed to methods of producing a cleaning solution, of producing a wipe impregnated with the cleaning solution and packages/dispensers including such wipes as well as methods of cleaning surfaces and, in particular, of cleaning hands.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrical interconnect on an integrated lead suspension or suspension component of the type formed from a laminated sheet of material having a stainless steel layer, a conductive lead layer and an insulating layer separating the stainless steel and conductive lead layers. An aperture is formed through at least the insulating layer to expose the stainless steel layer at an interconnect site. An interconnect mask is applied around the interconnect site. Conductive material is electroplated onto the stainless steel layer at the interconnect site to form a plated interconnect. The mask is then removed. The method is used to form an interconnect bond pad on the same side of the stainless steel layer as the conductive lead layer in one embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing ultrasonic image signals is disclosed. The method involves receiving a plurality of input sample values representing reflected sound waves in a ultrasonic system, exponentiating each input sample to produce a plurality of respective exponentiated sample values, conditioning the exponentiated sample values to produce conditioned exponentiated sample values for receipt by an imageformer, and causing the imageformer to produce an image representing the ultrasonic sound waves in response to the conditioned exponentiated sample values.

Abstract: A system is presented for optimizing safe downcasting and similar programming idioms in an object-oriented programming language. The system operates by receiving a source program written in the object-oriented programming language. The system compiles this source program into an intermediate representation. Next, the system examines the intermediate representation to identify the use of a virtual function call to determine if an object of a given base class is a member of a given derived class. Such usage facilitates safe downcasting of the object from the given base class to the given derived class. If the intermediate representation uses the virtual function call in this manner, the system replaces the virtual function call with a comparison of a virtual function table pointer associated with the object to an address of a virtual function table associated with the given derived class. The compiler finishes compiling the intermediate representation into executable binary code.

Abstract: The present invention determines and monitors the connection pattern of data ports which are connected by multiconductor cables. An adapter jacket having an external contact is placed over a standardized cable such as an RJ45 cable which connects the data ports. An adapter board having a plurality of socket contacts is placed adjacent a plurality of data ports. An output and input module are coupled to the socket contacts. A micro-processor which is coupled to the output and input module scans the socket contacts to determine the connection pattern of the data ports.

Abstract: The present invention determines and monitors the connection pattern of data ports which are connected by multiconductor cables. An adapter jacket having an external contact is placed over a standardized cable such as an RJ45 cable which connects the data ports. An adapter board having a plurality of socket contacts is placed adjacent a plurality of data ports. An output and input module are coupled to the socket contacts. A micro-processor which is coupled to the output and input module scans the socket contacts to determine the connection pattern of the data ports.

Abstract: The present invention determines and monitors the connection pattern of data ports which are connected by multiconductor cables. An adapter jacket having an external contact is placed over a standardized cable such as an RJ45 cable which connects the data ports. An adapter board having a plurality of socket contacts is placed adjacent a plurality of data ports. An output and input module are coupled to the socket contacts. A micro-processor which is coupled to the output and input module scans the socket contacts to determine the connection pattern of the data ports.

Abstract: The present invention determines and monitors the connection pattern of data ports which are connected by multiconductor cables. An adapter jacket having an external contact is placed over a standardized cable such as an RJ45 cable which connects the data ports. An adapter board having a plurality of socket contacts is placed adjacent a plurality of data ports. An output and input module are coupled to the socket contacts. A micro-processor which is coupled to the output and input module scans the socket contacts to determine the connection pattern of the data ports.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for rearranging data units of a data word in accordance with a mask word, the mask word having a plurality of mask bits each associated with a data unit, each mask bit having one of a set condition and a clear condition. The system includes an array of interconnected swap modules organized in a series of swap stages, each swap module having two inputs and two outputs. Each swap module is configured to receive at each input a data unit and associated mask bits and couple the data units to the respective outputs in relation to the associated mask bit's condition.