Abstract: A pivot port that can provide a pivot point for a surgical instrument. The pivot port may be held in a stationary position by a support arm assembly that is attached to a table. The pivot port may include either an adapter or a ball joint that can support the surgical instrument. The pivot port allows the instrument to pivot relative to a patient.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for performing a financial analysis of proposed captive reinsurance options. One described system includes a server computer and at least one terminal connected into a network with the server computer. The terminal receives inputs from, and provides outputs to, a user. A software module run by the server computer for performs a financial analysis of proposed captive reinsurance options based upon inputs received at the terminal from a user, including reinsurance structure, type of reinsurance, net premium cede, new insurance written and portfolio loan-to-value mix. The results of the financial analysis are displayed to the user at the terminal. In a further described system, the user explores alternative scenarios by inputting adjustments to assumptions used by the software module in performing the financial analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for attenuating gene expression in a cell using gene-targeted double stranded RNA (dsRNA). The dsRNA contains a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under physiologic conditions of the cell to the nucleotide sequence of at least a portion of the gene to be inhibited (the “target” gene).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for detecting a nucleic acid molecule having a particular nucleotide sequence. Such a nucleic acid molecule is generally referred to as the “target” sequence or molecule. The method of the present invention generally comprises the use of competitive priming of pre- or post-amplified nucleic acid molecules. The nucleic acid molecules subjected to such primer interrogation are generally immobilized to a solid support by hybridization of a target molecule to a primer anchored to a solid phase. Amplimer-mediated bridging of a particular primer, -labelled or unlabelled, is then used to detect the presence of a primer having a selected sequence. The method of the present invention is useful in a range of applications including inter alia diagnosis, nucleotide sequencing and the screening for nucleic acid-modifying molecules such as carcinogens.

Abstract: A self-contained toilet that has no water consumption and does not use chemicals. A toilet bowl cleaned by combining compressed air and liquid through jets to reduce flush volume. The flush liquid supply reclaimed through distillation. The dehydration chamber cleaned by scraping and blowing of the waste. The dehydration process coming from a highly efficient heat, air and grinding chamber. The air compressor pressurizing the tank to clean the bowl and/or empty and dehydrate the chamber contents. The compressor intake used to eliminate odors from the bowl and vent the humidity from the dehydration process. The dehydration process controlled through temperature sensors that detect relative humidity. A toilet wherein it will operate while being used, flush within two minutes and the dehydration process able to be interrupted repeatedly with other deposits of human waste then resume operation until fully dehydrated.

Abstract: A pivot port that can provide a pivot point for a surgical instrument. The pivot port may be held in a stationary position by a support arm assembly that is attached to a table. The pivot port may include either an adapter or a ball joint that can support the surgical instrument. The pivot port allows the instrument to pivot relative to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for attenuating gene expression in a cell using gene-targeted double stranded RNA (dsRNA). The dsRNA contains a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under physiologic conditions of the cell to the nucleotide sequence of at least a portion of the gene to be inhibited (the “target” gene).

Abstract: A self-contained toilet that has no water consumption and does not use chemicals. A toilet bowl cleaned by combining compressed air and liquid through jets to reduce flush volume. The flush liquid supply reclaimed through distillation. The dehydration chamber cleaned by scraping and blowing of the waste. The dehydration process coming from a highly efficient heat, air and grinding chamber. The air compressor pressurizing the tank to clean the bowl and/or empty and dehydrate the chamber contents. The compressor intake used to eliminate odors from the bowl and vent the humidity from the dehydration process. The dehydration process controlled through temperature sensors that detect relative humidity. A toilet wherein it will operate while being used, flush within two minutes and the dehydration process able to be interrupted repeatedly with other deposits of human waste then resume operation until fully dehydrated.

Abstract: A building assembly for efficiently and economically constructing walls and roofs for a building assembly that utilizes a prefabricated building panel. The prefabricated panels utilize miter-cuts when joined, form cores, interior and exterior walls, and roofs, when placed together. The walls are pre-formed, offsite according to the required size dimensions and then transported to the job site. The panels are made essentially of a expanded polystyrene panel having cores and channels. Each building panel also includes vertically disposed parallel voids that are approximately 4 in. in diameter, spaced approximately 2 to 4 ft. apart, and receive poured concrete and steel rebar to provide structural rigidity to the entire building assembly. The poured concrete includes rebars that protrude through the entire channel and coring system and are embedded in the slab, and which may be extended above the wall height to bend and overlap the roof for added structural support.

Abstract: A self-contained toilet that does not require water for operation and does not require chemicals for operation including a toilet bowl enclosure that is cleaned by compressed air pressure and provides for human waste to be forced down into a heat and grinding chamber that becomes closed off by a sliding door. The air pressure comes from an internal compressor and air tank which not only cleans the toilet bowl but is also used for forcing ventilation of odor and humidity while the evaporation and dehydration process is taking place and is further used to blow the dehydrated powder waste into a bag or holding area. The dehydration process can operate from one person while the toilet is being used by another; further the dehydration process can be interrupted repeatedly with other deposits of human waste and then resume operation until fully dehydrated. A humidity sensor is used to identify completion of the dehydration process which opens the valve to the powdered waste bag or containment area.

Abstract: A building assembly for efficiently and economically constructing walls, roofs, and floors for a building assembly that utilizes a prefabricated building panel made essentially of a plastic foam core with a thin coating of plastic resin or acrylic and portland cement applied on each side for structural rigidity, the building panel having a standardized semicircular recess disposed about its perimeter for receiving pre-sized, cylindrical connectors also made of foam with a coating, and half-round connectors that connect the panel to a slab, and that also fit in the horizontal perimeter recesses of each panel. Each building panel also includes vertically disposed parallel voids that are 4 in. in diameter, spaced 2 to 4 ft. apart, that receive poured concrete or rigid piping to provide structural rigidity to the entire building assembly. The poured concrete includes rebars that are tied to the slab and are used to tie to the roof. The building panels may be used for walls and are 24 ft. long, 4 ft.

Abstract: A proxy which is part of a firewall program controls exchanges of messages between two application entities. The proxy interrogates attempts to send a communication session by requesting entities with a server entity in accordance with defined authentication procedures. The Proxy interfaces with networking software to direct a communication stack to monitor connection messages to any address on specific ports. The requestor's address, and the server's address are extracted from the messages and checked fo compliance with a security policy such as one including an access control list. If either address is invalid, the proxy deletes the message. If both are valid, the message is relayed, and the ports used are tracked for a predetermined time. Reply messages are then sent using the address of the server entity so that the proxy is transparent to the requester.

Abstract: An internally illuminated sign in which a luminaire mounted on the border or periphery of the sign uniformly illuminates the face and/or faces of the sign thereby eliminating any necessity for providing human access to the interior of the sign for maintenance and relamping.

Abstract: A combined joint compound bucket and tape dispenser comprising a cylindrical container with a removable cover. A roll of dry-wall construction tape is suspended at the top of the container beneath the cover by a rod extending through the center of the tape and engaging slots in opposite sides of the container. The container includes two slotted apertures on one side of the container and a third slotted aperture on the other side of the container. The tape is reeled from the rod, out through a first aperture, guided down along the outside of the container, back into the container at the second aperture adjacent the bottom of the container. The tape passes through mud deposited in the container and exits the container on the opposite side through the third aperture. The tape is thus coated with the mud and may be torn from the container on a serrated edge at the desired lengths. A removable guide rail is also provided to guide the tape from the first to the second apertures.