Abstract: A compact medical diagnostic instrument includes at least one white LED which is coupled to a light guide made up of a single optical fiber or a bundle containing a small number of optical fibers to provide illumination of a medical target, such as the ear canal.

Abstract: A system and process are disclosed for analyzing a current state of compliance with a statutory regulation for a business process of an organization. The system includes establishing an administrator for the organization and obtaining structural information about the organization. A user is established related to the structural information. Questions are obtained about the business process from the administrator. The questions are distributed to the employee, an answer to the question is received from the employee, and a current level of compliance is generated based on the answer.

Abstract: A method of making a patient's dental prosthesis (e.g., a prosthesis tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) by acquiring an image of the patient's teeth that contain black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the color image. The acquired color image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth. Methods of whitening teeth are also disclosed.

Abstract: A remote detection system senses a condition and an electrical signal is generated that corresponds to the condition, which is communicated over a communication link. Both a system hardware and communication architecture and a software data processing system are provided to permit gathering, transmission, processing, storage, access, presentation and use of the data gathered by the detection, monitoring and management system of the present invention.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for obtaining approval of the mailing list campaign wherein a proposed mailing list campaign sample is forwarded to a list owner via a computer network such as the Internet. A determination is made if the list owner replies to the provided proposed mailing list campaign sample, and the mailing list campaign is then implemented in accordance with this determination.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for manufacture and use of a herbicidal formulation of chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicides. A number of different solvents have been found useful in this application. Furthermore, the use of surfactants that act as solvents for the acid herbicides has been discovered. These formulations have shown superior herbicidal activity when compared to standard salt and ester forms.

Abstract: A tank comprising a rounded bottom section with an inlet located at the lowest point of the rounded bottom section having openings to direct fluid against the curved side walls to form a circulation cell. An outlet is provided inside the tank located above and in close proximity to the inlet. The design of the tank, inlet and outlet provide a circulation pattern that can mix, maintain and resuspend fluids and slurries.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a prefabricated earth drain installed in a generally vertical manner in soil is improved for enhancing the expelling of pore water from the soil to the surface. The soil surrounding the earth drain is hydraulically fractured either while the drain is in place or while the earth drain is being installed. Propping agents may also be supplied to the surrounding soil after hydraulic fracturing for propping fractures in the soil to maintain continuous flow to the drain. Radially extending fissures may also be formed in the surrounding soil either mechanically or through the use of hydraulic jetting and a propping agent is supplied to these fissures either in the form of particulate material or a continuous ribbon of porous filter fabric.

Abstract: An elongated current limiting composite material comprising one or more high-temperature superconductor filaments and a second electrically conductive member, which may include a sheath of high bulk resistivity surrounding the filament. The current limiter exhibits dissipation in the range of 0.05-0.5 V/cm at currents of 3-10 times the operating current, thereby minimizing fault currents and improving recovery capability.

Abstract: The invention is an eye viewing device having a module holder formed at an observer end thereof. Replaceably received in the holder is a viewing module. The viewing module may comprise eyepiece optics, image signal generating elements, or combined eyepiece and image signal generating elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing a &dgr;-lactone of the formula: using an acyl halide of the formula: wherein R1, R2 R3 and X are described herein, as well as novel intermediates. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for enantioselectively producing the (R)-&dgr;-lactone.

Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: Organic electroluminescent compositions comprise

Abstract: Electroactive polymeric arylenes and intermediates useful for making such polymers are disclosed. The present invention also provides electroactive compositions comprising the electroactive polymeric arylenes, organic electronic devices which comprise these polymers and compositions, and methods of fabricating these devices.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable food stuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic instrument includes a housing containing at least one battery and a light source, such as a lamp, for illuminating a medical target. A switch includes a movable member that selectively moves at least one of the battery and the lamp into and out of electrical connection with the other. The instrument is preferably fabricated from a diecast or an extrusion process wherein a thin plastic sleeve member having text and/or graphic materials can be shrink fitted onto an extruded handle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a concrete floor slab using subgrade waterproofing in a manner that favors the use of water-based adhesives for affixing floor covering materials. The method comprises casting a hydratable cementitious composition onto a flooring membrane, the composition having a shrinkage reduction admixture and a water:cementitious binder ratio sufficiently low that substantially all of the water moisture is retained in the hydration reaction, and achieving a fully adhered bond with the flooring membrane.