Abstract: Interdigitated electrodes on a donor roll enable uncharged toner to be picked up from a fluidized bed reservoir. This layer of toner is subsequently charged by exposure to a corona device and delivered to a development zone, where it is used to develop an electrostatic latent image. Residual toner on the donor is neutralized by exposure to a second corona device and then stripped for return to the fluidized bed by applying an AC voltage between adjacent donor electrodes. So-called ion charging of the toner is known to cause the particles to have low adhesion, allowing development with DC fields alone. Optionally, an AC voltage can also be applied to adjacent donor electrodes in the development zone to enhance particle release. In addition to providing a means to impart adequate flow to the toner in this single component development system, the fluidized bed reservoir, in conjunction with ion charging, also provides a means for blending dry powder toners to achieve custom color development.

Abstract: For a person who for whatever reason is required to remain prone, i.e. lying face downward, for long periods of time, a parallelepiped housing has a cushion top for comfortably supporting the head of the person. The cushion top defines an opening ("view port") through which the person can look into the housing. Within the housing is a series of mirrors for redirecting the person's field of vision from downward to forward through an front aperture defined by the housing. Preferably the aperture is the absence of a front wall. A manually turned crank reachable by the person allows the person to selectively vertically adjust the his or her field of vision. In the preferred embodiment, the crank rotates a plurality of eccentric cams which pivot a mirror either forward or backward depending on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe repair composite material having a cloth layer bonded to the bottom of a shoe with a bonding adhesive layer. The cloth layer has a thickness of approximately 0.020 inches and is impregnated with a contact cement sold under the trademark DAP WELDWOOD.TM.. The bonding adhesive layer is made of double sided specialty coated tape sold under the trademark TESAFIX.TM., type 4964 Textile Fixing and Splicing Tape, having a thickness of approximately 0.020 inches. These two layers are bonded together and then covered with peel-removable paper to protect the contact cement and the bonding adhesive. In an alternative embodiment, the cloth layer is covered with a vinyl layer having a thickness of approximately 0.020 inches to provide a tough, inelastic and scuff-resistant outer layer. This vinyl layer provides a plurality of approximately 700 embossed protrusions per square inch to provide scuff-resistance and increased traction.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a DNA sequence encoding the carboxy-terminal 100 amino acids of the human .beta.-amyloid precursor protein C-100 APP) inserted into exon I of the neurofilament gene such that all or part of exon I has been deleted is disclosed. Expression of the nucleic acid sequence is under the control of neurofilament L-gene regulatory region. The mouse as a result of the expression exhibits a brain morphology of an increased amyloid accumulation, and increase in reactive astrocytes, an increased microglial activation and a decreased number of neurons, and also exhibits spatial memory impairment.

Abstract: A mute device for use with music drums including tom-toms, snares, and the like. The device includes a drum stick strike plate, and at least one sound post projecting from the strike plate. The sound post contacts the drum skin at a location where the skin is supported on the drum shell housing, when the strike plate is mounted on the drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heretofore unknown use for a aqueous reagent composition that serves as a universal rinse for performing and/or improving a variety of hematological analyses on automated analyzers. The universal rinse reagent comprises a phosphate buffer to maintain the rinse solution pH at from about 7.0 to about 7.6; a nonhemolytic nonionic surfactant, such as a Pluronic.RTM. an alkali metal salt, such as NaCi; antimicrobial and anti-oxidant compounds; and has an osmolality of about 285 to 305 mOsmol/kg. The universal rinse reagent composition is highly suitable for use in the rinse phases or cycles of all types of blood cell analysis methods and processes performed on semi- and fully-automated systems. The invention allows the replacement of mutiple and specific rinse solutions with the disclosed universal rinse to obtain accurate and acceptable results, independent of the types of blood cell analyses that are performed.

Abstract: A device access controller residing in a first computer system for transferring virtual inputs and outputs representing operations of the first system between the first system and a second system. The device access controller includes a video controller for performing video display operations, a video memory for storing video data representing operations of the first system, a network controller for transferring information between the first system and the second system, a controller processor, and a device access controller bus interconnecting the video controller, the network controller and the processor.

Abstract: The placement of solder "balls" in a Ball Grid Array is accomplished by placing a solder strip in contact with the top surface of the ball grid array carrier. The pulsing of a laser directed at the solder in discrete positions permits the transfer of the solder to the gold dot, of the array of dots, on the carrier in registry with the laser output when activated. Selective solder placement is possible and increasingly higher throughput is achieved by the use of laser diode bars or optical fiber fans to effect solder transfer to a plurality of dots of the array simultaneously. The entire process can be automated by making the solder strip continuous through a recycling station arranged along a path along which the solder strip moves to the position where the carrier and the solder strip are moved into juxtaposition. The use of a transparent strip with a pattern of holes filled with solder paste permits easy transfer of the solder to the gold dots or islands on the carrier in registry with laser beam.

Abstract: A method for making arthropodicidal oxadiazines and intermediates which are racemic or enantiomerically enriched at their chiral center, the method for making the oxadiazines comprising reaction of an intermediate selected from ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is F, Cl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 fluroalkoxy,R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, andR.sup.4 is H or CO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).as well as certain selected intermediates including those depicted above, and methods of making them.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry is provided that is operative to detect telephone usage or doorbell activation, whereupon the circuitry causes a command signal, such as a muting signal recognizable by an audio or sound producing device, to be emitted and deactivate or mute the device. With respect to muting in response to a phone call, a manual operator input or detection of a telephone on-hook condition causes the device to be restored. Following doorbell activation induced muting, timing features of the circuitry cause a restoration signal to be sent to the device automatically after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The muting circuitry is particularly suited as an enhancement to a personal emergency response system, as well as for a remotely monitored alarm system that incorporates a listening device.

Abstract: A data retrieval system includes a data server a co-presence server and at least two co-presence data retrieval clients. The data server retrieves at least one of a plurality of data objects from a data repository. The co-presence data-retrieval clients communicate at least with the data server and with the co-presence server. The co-presence server includes community means for at least maintaining a list of users associated with a community and at least one virtual place having a list of users from the community at the virtual place. Each of the co-presence data retrieval clients includes object association means and co-presence means. The object association means associate a data object received from the data server with one of the at least one virtual places in the co-presence server. The co-presence means is associated with the one virtual place and associates the client with the community and enables communication at least with other co-presence means also associated with the one virtual place.

Abstract: A cordless, hydrocarbon fuel powered hairdryer. The invention incorporates a novel electronic control system which evaluates the thermal and electrical conditions within the hairdryer during its operation. Two fuel flow valves are provided. The first fuel flow valve is mechanically actuated and opens and closes the valve in the hydrocarbon fuel cartridge. The second fuel flow valve is a solenoid valve that cannot open without a predetermined voltage being supplied. Application of the predetermined voltage will allow gas to flow through this second valve and into the area where the fuel is ignited. Only when both valves (the mechanical and the solenoid) are open, can fuel flow. A microcontroller monitors the temperature conditions in the combustion area, and controls system conditions such as power to the solenoid valve and to the fan motor to prevent uncombusted gas from building up and presenting a safety hazard.

Abstract: The present invention permits reliable lifting and inverting of one or more casting core elements and positioning the one or more casting core elements in a mold flask. The invention generally includes an outer frame and an inner frame assembly, which are coupled such that they may move vertically relative to each other. The invention further includes apparatus which engage the casting core and invert the casting core, and further align the casting core to a mold to which the core is transferred. The present invention also allows for simultaneous engaging, inverting and aligning of a plurality of core elements. The present invention allows cores to be inventoried and located for automatic handling in a position that permits visual inspection and reliable handling and placement at high production rates therefor.

Abstract: An explosion-proof valve electrical disconnect assembly incorporates a vent valve contact disk which seals the can of a compact electrochemical cell and which faces a juxtaposed stripper contact disk welded at the center by a weld nugget at a weld point, forming a rigid, preferably increased thickness, mass. The underlying stripper contact disk is weakened about the weld point, surrounding the weld nugget to ensure pull-through of the stripper contact disk portion immediately adjacent to the weld connection to effect initial electrical separation of the two contact disks. Subsequent rupture of the vent valve contact disk releases high pressure gas internally from the cell. A semi-rigid assembly cup may support a rigid grommet functioning to sandwich the vent valve contact disk and the stripper contact disk facilitated by crimping of the can top about a deformable L-shaped cross-section annular assembly cup.

Abstract: An oral composition comprising an orally acceptable vehicle and an effective antiplaque amount of at least one substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent of the formulae: ##STR1##

Abstract: A feed accelerator system for use in a centrifuge, the system comprising a conveyor hub rotatably mounted within a rotating bowl, the hub including an inside surface and an outside surface. At least one feed slurry passageway is disposed between the inside surface of conveyor hub and the outside surface of the conveyor hub, and at least one helical blade having a plurality of turns is mounted to the outside surface of the conveyor hub. A vane apparatus is associated with the passageway and is disposed between two adjacent turns of the helical blade. The vane apparatus may include an inwardly extending baffle and/or an outwardly extending accelerator vane. Alternatively, a U-shaped channel may be associated with the passageway, the U-shaped channel including a plurality partitions attached to the discharge end of such channel so as to form a plurality of discharge channels and a flow directing and overspeeding vane disposed within each channel, each vane having a different forward discharge angle.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge comprises a bowl rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the bowl being provided with a cake discharge opening at one end and a liquid phase discharge opening. The bowl has a cylindrical portion and a beach portion disposed between the cylindrical portion and the cake discharge opening. A beach area is provided on an inner surface of the bowl at the beach portion of the bowl, the beach area including a first section and a second section with the second section located between the first section and the cake discharge opening. The second section of the beach area has a less steep or smaller slope than the first section. A conveyor is at least partially disposed inside the bowl for rotation about the longitudinal axis at an angular speed different from an angular rotational speed of the bowl. The conveyor includes a helical screw disposed inside the bowl for scrolling a deposited solids cake layer along the inner surface of the bowl towards the cake discharge opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and kit for the prediction of the response of a patient suffering from superficial bladder carcinoma to treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), by calculating the inducibility of the Interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene of the patient in a sample of peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells from the patient receiving BCG. The method includes the steps of culturing at least two aliquots of PBM from the patient where the cells in a first aliquot are cultured in the presence of an inducing agent for inducing expression of the IL-2 gene and the cells in the second aliquot are cultured in the absence of the inducing agent. The extent of expression of the IL-2 gene is quantitatively determined for each aliquot. The ratio of the extent of the expression of the IL-2 gene in the first aliquot to the extent of the expression of the IL-2 gene in the second aliquot is calculated, the ratio providing a measure of the inducibility of the IL-2 gene.

Abstract: A utensil for baking potatoes including at least one member having a bottom wall and a plurality of upwardly extending side walls, the bottom and side walls defining a partially enclosed cooking space between them, and at least one spike member having a first end and a second end, the first end being fixed to the bottom wall and the second end extending through the cooking space between the side walls.

Abstract: A laminated lowpass filter (100) is disclosed. The filter (100) has: a stack of dielectric substrates (301-312) having a ground via (209); a pi network coupled between an input (202) and an output (202'); and the ground via (209) is conductively filled and extends substantially through the sheets of dielectric (301-312) connecting a first ground plane (102) to a second ground plane (104) and is spaced a predetermined distance between a first and a second leg of the pi network, to define an isolation barrier that substantially minimizes the passage of stray signals therebetween.