Abstract: The shelf 16 is placed in the storage or shipping position shown in FIG. 2 with the projections 58 disposed in the grooves behind the flanges 34 and engaging the bottoms 60 of the embossments. A wrapper 18 may be placed around the components 12 and 16 for shipping and display in a retail store. The user would remove the shelf 16 from the stored position and slide the tongues 38 into the grooves (as shown in FIG. 4) until the covers 36 engage the tops 30 for supporting the shelf 16 in the cantilevered position (as shown in FIG. 5).

Abstract: A technique and associated device for stimulating multiple electrodes with multiple electrical signals in multiple regions of the spine without injury to the patient. The electrodes are applied to respective sides of the patient's spine, and a first electrical signal is applied to any electrodes in a treatment area of the lumbar region of the patient's spine, a second electrical signal is applied to any electrodes in a treatment area of the thoracic region of the patient's spine, and a third electrical signal is applied to any electrodes in a treatment area of the cervical region of the patient's spine to induce osteogenesis in at least one of the respective treated area's of the patient's spine. The first, second, and third electrical signals respectively generate different electrode currents in the respective treated areas and are ideally selected to create current densities that are approximately equal in respective treatment areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric chemokine receptor comprising two components: a first sequence comprising the N terminus through the last residue of the seven helix TM region of a first chemokine receptor joined with a second sequence comprising the C terminus of a second chemokine receptor extending from the first intracellular residue of the chemokine receptor to the last residue of the chemokine receptor. The chimeric chemokine receptor can be employed in various applications, such as ligand binding and screening assays and signalling assays. The chimeric chemokine receptor can also form a component of a chemokine receptor modulator design program.

Abstract: A system of self-organizing mobile robotic agents (MRAs) in a multi-robotic system (MRS) is disclosed. MRAs cooperate, learn and interact with the environment. The system uses various AI technologies including genetic algorithms, genetic programming and evolving artificial neural networks to develop emergent dynamic behaviors. The collective behaviors of autonomous intelligent robotic agents are applied to numerous applications. The system uses hybrid control architectures. The system also develops dynamic coalitions of groups of autonomous MRAs for formation and reformation in order to perform complex tasks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for traversing a queue of commands containing a mixture of read and write commands places a Next Valid Write Address pointer in each queue entry. In this manner, time savings are achieved by allowing preprocessing of the next write command to be executed. The method may be practiced by setting a next valid address pointer in all queue entries. Queue traversal may be forward, backward, or bi-directional.

Abstract: A microcavity structure includes a first waveguide that includes a first photonic crystal microcavity. A second waveguide includes a second photonic crystal microcavity. A microcavity active region is created by overlapping the first and second microcavities.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds of the formula Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of Formula I. Also disclosed are methods of treating various diseases or conditions, such as, for example, allergy, allergy-induced airway responses, and congestion (e.g., nasal congestion) using the compounds of Formula I. Also disclosed are methods of treating various diseases or conditions, such as, for example, allergy, allergy-induced airway responses, and congestion (e.g., nasal congestion) using the compounds of Formula I in combination with a H1 receptor antagonist.

Abstract: An aqueous polymer blend composition containing particles of a first polymer and particles of a second polymer with preferred molecular weight ranges is provided. Coatings prepared from the aqueous polymer blend composition may be employed as coatings which have water whitening resistance and provide resistance to efflorescence to cementitious substrates, such as roof tiles. A method of preparing a coated cementitious substrate with the aqueous polymer blend composition and an article containing the coated cementitious substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A needle safety apparatus is disclosed which includes an inner bearing disposed within an outer bearing. The inner bearing is moveable to extend telescopically in a first interior space defined by the outer bearing. A second interior space is defined by the inner bearing, while extendable linkage segments connect the hub to the inner bearing. A hub retains the proximal end of a needle, while the distal end of the needle extends through the second interior space. A wedging portion is movable with the inner bearing and pivots to secure the distal end of the needle within the second interior space when the distal end of the needle is retracted therethrough. A latch may be formed in the inner bearing to obstruct the first interior space and prevent the inner bearing from retracting therethrough.

Abstract: A needle safety apparatus is disclosed which includes an inner bearing disposed within an outer bearing. The inner bearing is moveable to extend telescopically in a first interior space defined by the outer bearing. A second interior space is defined by the inner bearing, while extendable linkage segments connect the hub to the inner bearing. A hub retains the proximal end of a needle, while the distal end of the needle extends through the second interior space. A wedging portion is movable with the inner bearing and pivots to secure the distal end of the needle within the second interior space when the distal end of the needle is retracted therethrough. A latch may be formed in the outer bearing to obstruct the first interior space and prevent the inner bearing from retracting therethrough.

Abstract: A system and method are used to complete a transaction associated with a gaming machine. The system and method assign the transaction to an employee of the casino and sense a biometric characteristic of the employee at a jackpot fill station. The sensed biometric characteristic is compared with a stored characteristic of the employee and a match is confirmed. The transaction is authorized if the match is confirmed.

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasound phased array transducer includes an acoustic backing, a first circuit, which may be a flexible circuit disposed over the acoustic backing or a ground plane, an acoustically absorptive interface layer disposed over the flexible circuit, and a piezoelectric layer disposed over the interface layer. A matching layer may be disposed over the piezoelectric layer, and a second circuit, which may be a ground plane or a flexible circuit, may be disposed over the matching layer. The piezoelectric layer and the matching layer are diced by forming kerfs extending through these layers and at least partially into the interface layer. Extending the kerfs into the interface layer reduces cross-talk between elements, electrically isolates the elements, and facilitates manufacturing by reducing the precision required in controlling the depth of the cut.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new substrate comprising olive oil waste as the nutrient for growing edible and medicinal shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) in aseptic plastic bags. The invention further provides the strain Ile-1, a new and distinct variety of the species Lentinus edodes, that grows very efficiently in the olive oil waste-containing substrate.

Abstract: A circuit structure for performing current amplification. The circuit structure may be standardized as a current amplifier cell such that many types of applications requiring current amplification may be created. The basic amplifier cell, which may accept voltage or current sources as an input signal, produces two identical output signals which may be used for feedback or serve as input to additional amplifier stages. This simple structure may be extended to perform current amplification with variable gain or AC or DC voltage-to-current conversion through the use of appropriately selected resistive elements.

Abstract: A method of immunizing against plaque forming diseases using display technology is provided. The method utilize novel agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases which rely upon presentation of an antigen or epitope on a display vehicle. The method further includes agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases, which rely upon presentation of an antibody, or an active portion thereof, on a display vehicle. Whether antigens or antibodies are employed, disaggregation of plaques results from the immunization.

Abstract: A fluid ejector pump is characterized by a longitudinally extending flow passage with a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. The fluid inlet end includes a Venturi tube inlet having a relatively larger diameter entry opening for being supplied with pressurized fluid and a relatively smaller diameter exit opening within the flow passage. An air inlet communicates with the flow passage adjacent the exit opening for the intake of air into the fluid exiting the Venturi tube inlet. A shaped deflector is located in the flow passage upstream of the exit opening, with the flow passage defining an annular gap around and along the deflector. An upstream end of the deflector has an upward angle causing acceleration of the fluid flowing upstream in the flow passage. A hi-low mixing effect is produced in the flow passage for greater mixing and turbulence of the fluid while vacuum or suction at the suction inlet is increased.

Abstract: A VLSI layout editor and method for using same that increases display and re-display speed and accuracy uses properties inherent to VLSI layouts that allows them to be displayed efficiently and accurately independent of the canonical expression of the VLSI design. The VLSI layout editor and methods for using same use precomputed images that each represent a portion of the VLSI layout, a hierarchy cache that includes multiple LOD versions of selected sub-designs in the pre-computed images, and selected direct determination of the viewable representation from the canonical expression for at least one LOD. Apparatus and methods according to the present invention can render a particular type of data whose canonical form is smaller than its corresponding displayed image thereof when the displayed image has geometric properties that allow heuristics and rasterization for dynamic and accurate expansion using selected combined techniques.

Abstract: An electrode providing electrical contact with a patient's skin includes a conductive member adapted for connection to an external electrical apparatus and a non-liquid water containing film for electrically interfacing to said patient's skin, the non-liquid film being electrically and mechanically connected to said conductive member. The non-liquid water containing film includes an electrically conductive organic polymer plasticized with a polyhydric alcohol with said organic polymer being derived from a monomeric mixture comprising from about 2 to 30 pph acrylic acid, 2 to 30 pph of a glycolvinylether and 0.01 to 1.5 pph of a crosslinking agent. Preferably the polyhydric alcohol is glycerol.

Abstract: An electronic device is formed with a housing having a perimeter edge. A controller is located within the housing. Additionally, a display surface extends in a smooth manner outwardly to the perimeter edge.

Abstract: A switching fabric handles transactions using a protocol that directs packets based on path routing information. Components participate in transactions using a protocol that issues packets based on physical location of a destination device over the switching fabric, by establishing a virtual link partner relationship between the components.