Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system.

Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.

Abstract: A coated abrasive article having a reinforced vulcanized fiber backing with an abrasive layer affixed thereto and methods of making and using the same. The reinforced vulcanized fiber backing has a backsize that comprises a reaction product of components selected from the group consisting of curable latex emulsions, phenolic resins, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for quick mounting of a barrier operator on a ground surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting frame positioned on the ground and mounting structure extending into the ground surface. Concrete may then be poured into the mounting frame to form an operator support on which the barrier operator is mounted. The mounting structure may be a mounting post received in an excavated portion of the ground, and the mounting post and excavated portion may then be filled with concrete. The concrete in the frame, mounting post, and mounting frame may communicate as to form a unitary mass with the mounting frame and mounting post. The mounting structure may be mounting rods secured directly with the ground. The mounting rods have a spiral flute for driving into and securing with the ground.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A heater is controlled by the control system to increase energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to improve order fulfilment and the management of installed software on a computer system. In preferred embodiments, a software catalog provides a proxy entry to a CD image stored on a system resource. When the proxy entry is selected by the computer user, the proxy entry is materialized, it is changed into an actual image of the software on the user's computer ready for use. In preferred embodiments, the proxy entry includes installation information. In other preferred embodiments, the software catalog is used in a system for the management of software installation and order fulfilment of purchased software. The proxy entry may also include ownership information such as a key or certificate to increase security from software piracy.

Abstract: A networked database is provided that contains a plurality of records having lists of digital music files for listeners along with relational data containing reviews and comments submitted by other individuals previously selected by the user. Furthermore, each of the previously selected individuals may have another plurality of additional individuals which they have selected that may review and comment on the listener's music files. Each individual in the relationship chain has the ability to view, review and comment on any digital music file which is visible throughout the related chain of individuals as determined by the relational database.

Abstract: The invention is a retinal prosthesis with an improved configuration mounting necessary components within and surrounding the eye. The present invention better allows for the implantation of electronics within the delicate eye structure. The invention further limits the necessary width of a thin film conductor passing through the sclera by use of a multiplexer external to the sclera and a demultiplexer internal to the sclera.

Abstract: A monomer suitable for use in forming low dielectric constant films in semiconductor devices comprising i) two dienophile groups (A-functional groups) attached to a single aromatic ring and ii) a second ring structure comprising two conjugated carbon-to-carbon double bonds and a leaving group L (B-functional group), characterized in that said single aromatic ring is directly covalently attached to one of the double bonded carbons of the B functional group or to a fused aromatic ring containing two such double bonded carbons of the B-functional group, and one A-functional group of one monomer is capable of reaction under cycloaddition reaction conditions with the B-functional group of a second monomer to thereby form a polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to inhibitors of CETP, and methods for producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention and methods of utilizing the inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prevention of various disorders mediated by CETP.

Abstract: A traffic violation or event detection, recording and processing system and method is disclosed which includes at least one camera (20 and 30) for monitoring a region under surveillance (31 and 33); means for supplying independently sourced and verifiable time, date and location of a violation; a storing means (54) for storing continuous images taken by the camera; a non-intrusive violation detection means for detecting vehicle presence and movement and for providing an indication of a violation; and processing means for identifying images stored in the storage means and which relate to a violation detected by the violation detection means so that images associated with a violation are identifiable and can be processed to provide evidence of the violation and also identify the vehicle associated with the violation.

Abstract: The weight of liquid in a tank subject to tilting is determined by measuring differences in air pressure in the ullage (the empty volume of the tank above the level of the liquid) and the air pressure produced by the weight of the liquid at the bottom of the tank. The pressures at the bottom of the tank are measured in a plurality of locations, and the differential pressures are combined to compensate for changes in the depth of the liquid when the tank is not level (e.g., when the tank is in an aircraft flying at an attitude other than straight and level). The electronics to measure the pressure and to process the pressure measurements are located remotely form the tanks, thus eliminating the possibility of ignition caused by the electronics when the liquid is fuel or other flammable liquid.

Abstract: Digital packets, defined by a sync byte and then 130 MPEG2 compressed QPSK signal bytes, from a satellite transponder are reformatted prior to transmission to television receivers in apartments in a building wired to distribute video signals. A side byte between such sync and signal bytes in each packet indicates (a) any QPSK packet uncorrectable error and (b) processing information which allows automatic reconfiguration at the settop box. Additional FEC bytes correct to 8 errors within a MPEG2QPSK packet. The system removes the FEC bytes and reframes the MPEG2QPSK packets into a superpacket by converting a first number of the MPEG2QPSK packets to a second number of MPEG2QAM packets. An added sync byte indicates the beginning of each such MPEG2QAM packet. The system adds side data bytes including any uncorrectable errors in each MPEG2QPSK packet and adds a new, less complicated FEC to each MPEG2QAM packet.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) being controllable by a tuning voltage, the VCXO having a crystal and an adjustable capacitor array. In one example, the VCXO includes an analog to digital converter converting the tuning voltage into corresponding digital values; a memory storing one or more parameters of the crystal and tuning profile; and a logic block receiving the digital values and the one or more parameters of the crystal and tuning profile, said logic block dynamically calculating one or more values for use in adjusting the adjustable capacitor array. In this way, the logic block can dynamically calculate and adjust the operations (i.e., the oscillation frequency) of the VCXO in real time.

Abstract: A circuit topology is configured to flatten out a phase- and amplitude-response over a specified range of frequencies. The circuit topology also provides a large cumulative phase-shift. In one embodiment, the circuit topology cascades a plurality of all-pass sections, with the center-frequencies of each all-pass section staggered to create a substantially flat phase-response over a frequency range. Further, in one embodiment the plurality of all-pass sections has at least one all-pass section that is different from another all-pass section. Each all-pass section includes a tunable capacitor and has a center-frequency that can be varied by electronically tuning the capacitor. Each center frequency is selected to obtain substantially constant amplitude and phase response over a desired frequency range and capacitance tuning range.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, determine performance data for query optimization of a query directed to a database table having multiple partitions. The performance data for the query optimization is presented in a user interface, and an option is provided in the user interface to create a non-spanning index for any of the partitions mentioned in the performance data.

Abstract: An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.

Abstract: A system may include and/or involve a first device, a second device, and logic to effect pairing of the first and second devices upon activation of contact sensors of both the first and second devices.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.

Abstract: An assembly for joining tissue is provided and includes an anvil assembly and a body portion juxtaposed with respect to one another along a shaft and arranged so as to be approximated with respect to one another; and an applicator supported on the anvil assembly and configured for retaining a wound treatment material therein and for dispensing the wound treatment material therefrom. A method for joining tissue is provided and includes the steps of dispensing the wound treatment material from the applicator so as to distribute wound treatment material onto at least one of a first tissue section and a second tissue section; and approximating the anvil assembly and the body portion to one another so that the first tissue section and the second tissue section are in contact with one another with the dispensed wound treatment material interposed there between.