Abstract: A system for molding dispensing valves includes first and second mold sections, at least one of which is movable with respect to the other between a closed position in which the mold sections form a plurality of dispensing valve mold cavities, and an open position in which the mold sections are spaced from each other and the mold cavities are open along a mold parting line. A transfer mechanism is movable between the first and second mold sections in the open positions of the mold sections for receiving molded valves from the cavities and transferring the valves from between the mold sections.

Abstract: A method comprises operating an engine of a vehicle to provide output torque to an input of a torque converter, determining whether the engine is in a cold start condition, fixing an input shaft of a transmission when the engine is in the cold start condition, and coupling the input shaft of the transmission to an output of the torque converter. A control module comprises a combustion control module that operates an engine of a vehicle to provide output torque to an input of a torque converter, a NPD module that determines whether the engine is in a cold start condition, and a transmission control module that fixes an input shaft of a transmission when the engine is in the cold start condition, wherein the input shaft of the transmission is in communication with an output of the torque converter.

Abstract: An activated carbon-metal oxide matrix is disclosed. The activated carbon-metal oxide matrix may be obtained by a method including the steps of: preoxidizing a carbon material, grinding the preoxidized carbon material; mixing the ground preoxidized material with a metal oxide to form a carbon mixture; extruding the carbon mixture; carbonizing and activating the extrudate. The activated carbon-metal oxide matrix may be used to remove odorous compounds, acidic gases, and volatile organic compounds from a gas.

Abstract: Various devices for controlling errant ping pong balls during play are disclosed. A first embodiment may be construed as a device, positioned underneath a ping pong table, the device comprising a plurality of faces extending vertically from the ground and meeting at an apex to form a pyramid. Errant ping pong balls become deflected upon striking the plurality of faces.

Abstract: During a video conference between a local endpoint and a remote endpoint, a display at the local endpoint may be configured to provide perspective-dependent views to local video conference participants. A local endpoint may receive a plurality of video streams and identify a first video stream that provides a first view of a remote participant and a second video stream that provides a second view of that participant taken concurrently from a different angle. A display at the local endpoint may display the first video stream at a first viewing angle that only allows the first view of the remote participant to be seen from a first region. The display may also concurrently display the second video stream at a second viewing angle that only allows the second view of the remote participant to be seen from a second region different than the first region.

Abstract: Methods for supporting conduits within a sanitary environment. Various methods may comprise supporting a first conduit support relative to a structure such that the conduit support does not present or form a horizontal surface whereon contaminants are able to accumulate thereon due to gravity and supporting a portion of a conduit within the conduit support. Other methods involve attaching or suspending one or more additional conduit supports for supporting other conduits such that other conduit supports do not present or form horizontal surfaces whereon contaminants are able to accumulate thereon due to gravity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials used to express an HBM-like polypeptide derived from HBM, LRP5 or LRP6 in animal cells and transgenic animals. The present invention also relates to transgenic animals expressing the HBM-like polypeptides. The invention provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in bone development, and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases involved in bone development and lipid modulation. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing and preventing osteoporosis.

Abstract: A method for a network infrastructure copy protection system. The method includes the step of applying a digital signature to a digital content file prior to transmission. Digital content files that are to be legitimately transmitted across the distributed computer network are modified by the application of digital signatures corresponding to the sender. As content files are transmitted across a distributed computer network, the distributed computer network examines the content files to determine whether they include the digital signatures. The examining is performed by hardware comprising the infrastructure of the distributed computer network. When content files include respective digital signatures, the content files are transmitted by the infrastructure. When the content files do not include the digital signatures, transmission of those content files not having digital signatures is blocked. The digital signatures are configured to identify the senders of the digital content files.

Abstract: A remodelable spacer for use in a bone plating procedure is fabricated from an extracellular matrix material. The remodelable spacer is positionable between a bone plate and a bone during an orthopaedic plating procedure. A method of using a remodelable spacer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transparent two-layer electrostatic dissipating coating includes a first layer comprising a transparent first binder polymer and a first intrinsically conducting polymer (ICP) in an amount sufficient to provide the first layer with a surface resistance of from about 103 to about 105?/?; and a second layer in direct contact with the first layer and comprising a transparent second binder polymer and a second ICP in an amount sufficient to provide the second layer with a surface resistance of from about 106 to about 1010?/?, wherein the coating has a light transmission of at least about 70% at a wavelength of 600 nm. Methods of making and using the coating are also described.

Abstract: A stratified bed of activated carbon having regions of functionalized and non-functionalized activated carbon can be utilized to remove contaminants from fluids such as groundwater. The functionalized region has activated carbon particles comprising a cationic or anionic compound that can remove organic or inorganic anionic or cationic compounds from the fluid to be treated. The non-functionalized region comprises powdered or granular activated carbon or adsorbent media downstream of the functionalized region and captures any leaching species or compounds from the functionalized region.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting conduits within a sanitary environment. Some supports are configured so as to avoid the formation of surfaces that might collect dust, debris, cleaning fluids, etc. when installed. In one embodiment, the support includes a pair of opposing support members that may be releasably and sealingly secured together. The upper support member may have a substantially uninterrupted convex surface that has a desired texture. The lower support member may be sized and shaped such that no portion thereof protrudes outwardly beyond the upper member to form any surfaces, pockets, etc. wherein dirt, debris, cleaning fluids, etc. may accumulate. A seal or grommet may be employed to establish a seal between the conduit and support to prevent the infiltration of dirt, debris, cleaning fluids, etc., between the conduit and the conduit support.

Abstract: An engine control system that regulates fuel to an engine after lean idle operation includes a first module that determines a rich mass fuel rate based on a lean operation mass air flow and a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio (AFR) and that calculates a time rich based on the rich mass fuel rate. A second module regulates fuel to the engine during a rich operation period after the lean idle operation to provide the rich mass fuel rate for the time rich.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of audio signals, wherein the audio signals each include a plurality of packets containing voice data associated with conference participants. One or more of the audio signals is associated with a video signal and at least one of the audio signals is associated with a voice-only conference participant. The method further includes determining an activity metric for each of the plurality of audio signals, wherein the activity metric indicates a confidence value that the audio signal is associated with a conference participant that is currently speaking. The method also includes encoding, for each of the plurality of audio signals, one or more packets of the plurality of packets with the activity metric and sending the plurality of audio signals encoded with an activity metric to a conference bridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials used to express an HBM-like polypeptide derived from HBM, LRP5 or LRP6 in animal cells and transgenic animals. The present invention also relates to transgenic animals expressing the HBM-like polypeptides. The invention provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in bone development, and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases involved in bone development and lipid modulation. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing and preventing osteoporosis.

Abstract: A device enables direct, continual analysis by mass spectrometry of one or more analytes in a complex liquid sample. A first sprayer nebulizes the liquid sample, forming sample droplets. A second sprayer provides multiple charged droplets of a liquid solvent or solution. The first sprayer forms a first angle (?) relative to the second sprayer such that the analytes are transferred to the charged droplets and are desolvated to generate free gas phase ions in an interface of a mass spectrometer (MS).

Abstract: The I-beam of this invention is formed from a pair of parallel flange members and a continuous web material affixed to and joining the flange members. The web material is formed so as to define a plurality of differently shaped holes therein that provide access for mechanical elements without compromising the compressive and tensile load capability of the I-beam. The web material is preferably formed from OSB and even more preferably ? inch thick OSB. In addition, the I-beam of this invention preferably has one end where the web material is continuous and does not define any openings therein. This portion of the I-beam thus allows the I-beam to be trimmed so standard lengths of the I-beam can be cut to the desired length for a particular application.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for displaying a videoconference includes receiving a first video feed. The first video feed includes a first plurality of video signals, each video signal from at least one source and originating from one or more sites. The method also includes assigning for a videoconference each video signal of the first plurality of video signals to a zone of a plurality of zones of a display window. Each zone of the plurality of zones is able to display one video signal at a time. The method further includes, for each zone of the plurality of zones of the display window to which more than one video signal has been assigned, switching the current video signal to be displayed in the zone to another video signal assigned to the zone based on a switching protocol.

Abstract: Non-verbal communications between users of wireless mobile devices are facilitated using image messages. An image message may e.g. convey information about the sender user, in particular, current information about the sender user. In one aspect, a user may select an image message category, and select an image message among the image messages of the selected image message category for transmission, to quickly, efficiently and graphically convey (current) information about the user. The process may be performed to form a mixed media message. Received image message to convey current information may be aged via time and/or color displays.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger seat active occupant restraint provides for absorbing energy from a passenger during sudden deceleration of a vehicle. The torso belt portion of a three-point restraint system is anchored using a spring and a displacement limiting linkage at the opposite end from its point of connection to the lap portion of the belt. During deceleration energy is transferred from the restrained occupant to the spring up to the displacement limit.