Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an improved communications channel for telephone conference initiation and management are provided. Messages for initiating and managing a telephone conference are exchanged between a client computer and a gateway computer utilizing XML formatted messages transmitted over an instant messaging compatible protocol. The gateway computer converts the messages to web services requests and communicates with telephone conference network hardware utilizing the web services-based request. Status indicators from the telephone conference equipment is converted from web services requests to XML by the gateway and transmitted back to the client computer via the instant messaging protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic response telecommunication system and method. The present dynamic response system marries client, server and services with telecommunication service provider's back-end to provide a richer customer experience in place of or in combination with static voice answering or messaging. The present invention enables dynamic creation of a response to an incoming telephone call based on evaluation of a calling party's credentials against local information and call rules stored on a user's computer system or device or alternatively cached at the service provider. The result can be a dynamic response message, locale and announcer information for prompt playback in a specific language as well as action options for further call processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of an epoxy acrylate resin and a polymerized reactive diluent. The aqueous coaitng composition preferably has a volatile organic compound content of no greater than 0.4 kilogram per liter of solids.

Abstract: A water-free process for converting initially non-larvicidal evaporation suppressant powder into a larvicidal variant possessing utility both for abatement of use by mosquitoes of an open water catchment as a successful breeding site, and for conserving water by suppressing the evaporation of water from the same catchment. Lauryl alcohol is used as a blending agent to facilitate even distribution of mosquito-specific entomopathogens, eg., spores of Bacillus thurinqiensis variety Israelensis or Bacillus sphaericus, into the initially non-larvicidal evaporation suppressant powder. Cetyl alcohol and/or stearyl alcohol are the preferred monolayer-formers upon which effective evaporation suppression relies. For a variant larvicidal powder that lacks an effective evaporation suppression property, the same preferred monolayer-formers may be omitted from a blend of mosquito-specific pathogens, lauryl alcohol, and hydrated lime or, alternatively, acidified gypsum.

Abstract: Implantable electrical lead wires, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy wires, are coated with a metal, ceramic, or carbon to a thickness of about 100 nm or less to provide a non-reactive interface to polyurethane sheathing materials. Preferred is sputter coating an amorphous carbon intermediate the alloy wire and the polyurethane sheath.

Abstract: High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such as strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator systems, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provided the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structural integrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimp is accomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for using web services to notify a subscriber that an event has occurred at a voice mail switch and to retrieve the event is described. A notification server receives an event and an associated identifier from the voice mail switch. The identifier is correlated to a subscriber and an alert indicating that the event occurred is generated. The alert is sent to a destination selected by the subscriber. The alert includes an event reference that links the subscriber to the event through a network via a URL. The subscriber retrieves the event through a web portal view associated with the URL.

Abstract: Coatings for implantable electrodes consisting of single- or multi-walled nanotubes, nanotube ropes, carbon whiskers, and a combination of these are described. The nanotubes can be carbon or other conductive nanotube-forming materials such as a carbon-doped boron nitride. The nanotube coatings are grown “in situ” on a catalytic substrate surface from thermal decomposition, or they are bonded to the substrate using a metal or conductive metal oxide thin film binder deposited by means of a metal compound precursor in liquid form. In the latter case, the precursor/nanotube coating is then converted to a pure metal or conductive metal oxide, resulting in the desired surface coating with imbedded nanotubes.

Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method for providing extensible client mail functions to a plurality of clients via the Internet. The method includes a portal server receiving a request for mail functions from a client. In response to the request, a Java server page corresponding to the request is accessed. A plurality of tags contained within the Java server page are then accessed. The Java server page is subsequently processed using the tags, wherein the tags provide access to a mail server configured for providing the mail functions. The resulting processed Java server page is then transmitted back to the client. When requests from the client received, the Java server page corresponding to the request can be retrieved from a set of compiled Java server page classes. Extended mail functions can be provided by accessing a plurality of extended tags contained within the Java server page, wherein the mail functions are extended by adding the extended tags corresponding to new mail functionality of the mail server.

Abstract: A method for providing extensible client address book functions to a plurality of clients via the Internet. The method includes a portal server receiving a request for address book functions from a client. In response to the request, a Java server page corresponding to the request is accessed. A plurality of tags contained within the Java server page are then accessed. The Java server page is subsequently processed using the tags, wherein the tags provide access to an address book server configured for providing the address book functions. The address book functions include contact information, phone number information, mailing information, and the like. The resulting processed Java server page is then transmitted back to the client. When requests from the client received, the Java server page corresponding to the request can be retrieved from a set of compiled Java server page classes.

Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method for providing extensible client calendar functions to a plurality of clients via the Internet. The method includes a portal server receiving a request for calendar functions from a client. In response to the request, a Java server page corresponding to the request is accessed. A plurality of tags contained within the Java server page are then accessed. The Java server page is subsequently processed using the tags, wherein the tags provide access to a calendar server configured for providing the calendar functions. Calendar functions include, for example, appointments, work scheduling, reminders, and the like. The resulting processed Java server page is then transmitted back to the client. When requests from the client received, the Java server page corresponding to the request can be retrieved from a set of compiled Java server page classes.

Abstract: A high temperature water gas shift catalyst comprising iron and at least one promoter is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of a high purity iron precursor and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst prepared according to the inventive method is more efficient in hydrogen production under the high temperature water gas shift reaction conditions in a fixed bed test than prior art catalysts of similar composition.

Abstract: A paint container liner system including disposable liners and an open container for receiving at least one of the disposable liners, the liners being sized and configured to fit into the inside of the container and around the rim of the container, the liners being maintained in position in the container by a suction generated during installation in one embodiment and by a noncuring adhesive interposed between the liner and container in another embodiment, the liners also being stretched around the rim of the container and in another embodiment configured with a rounded bottom to retain the liner in place during use, the system also including a container cap with a slot for supporting a paint brush during periods of nonuse.

Abstract: A patient support and software evaluate spinal instability by controlled isocentric rotation of the spine and measurement of rotation among vertebra to detect damaged vertebra having disproportionately large rotations.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a gas sample is described. The method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Pneumatic Focusing generally means increasing the pressure of the sample, column or cell to a pressure of from about 100 psi to about 15,000 psi, more typically from about 200 psi to about 2,000 psi. Examples including gas chromatography and absorption spectroscopy are illustrated herein. Numerous other examples could be given. The method is well suited for analyzing gaseous samples, such as ambient air samples, both continuously, and remotely, using computer control. Continuously sampling ambient air provides a method for real-time monitoring of air quality. Continuous monitoring allows for pollutant exposure and allows for the identification of emission sources.

Abstract: A silver recovery apparatus is provided for removing silver from waste solutions. The apparatus includes a vessel which defines an internal cylindrical chamber having a transverse cross sectional area. An inlet port is provided at a first end of the vessel and is adapted to receive the waste solution. An outlet port is similarly provided at a location suitable for discharging the waste solution from the vessel once substantially all silver has been removed. A silver replacement core is disposed within the vessel between the inlet and outlet ports. The core substantially fills the transverse cross sectional area of the internal chamber along a longitudinal length of the vessel. The silver replacement core includes sequentially arranged first, second, and third replacement media, wherein each media is composed of a metal which is electropositive relative to silver. The first and third replacement media each have an apparent density lower than that of the second replacement medium.

Abstract: Sealed insulating glass units with multiple-pane construction containing an intermediate taut, flexible heat shrunk plastic sheet are made using silicone edge sealant which exhibits a sheet creep of less than 0.018 cm after 500 hours at 71.degree. C. The plastic sheet remains substantially wrinkle free by the use of such silicone edge sealants.

Abstract: A weak pull-up disable method and mechanism therefor for use in association with a microcontroller incorporated in an integrated circuit. The weak pull-up disable mechanism is incorporated in the integrated circuit containing the microcontroller. The mechanism disables the weak pull-ups of I/O buffers of the microcontroller. The weak pull-ups serve to pull the voltage of the associated ports high. By so disabling the weak pull-ups, the need for a driver to sink the current when in input mode is eliminated. Elimination of the need for an external driver due to the weak pull-up disable mechanism reduces power consumption by the integrated circuit.