Abstract: This invention is directed to a molecular sieve having acid catalyst sites and a method of maintaining the acid catalyst sites of a template-containing silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve. The method comprises providing a template-containing silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve and heating the molecular sieve in an oxygen depleted environment under conditions effective to maintain or preserve the number of acid catalyst sites. The heated molecular sieve exhibits at least one peak in the infrared region in a range of from 3630 cm−1 to 3580 cm−1. Preferably, the heated molecular sieve exhibits a combined peak area in the 3630 cm−1 to 3580 cm−1 range of at least 10% of a total peak area of all peaks in an infrared region between 4000 cm−1 to 3400 cm−1.

Abstract: A cam drive assembly for an automotive engine comprises a crankshaft sprocket mounted for rotation with a crankshaft, a camshaft sprocket mounted for rotation with a camshaft, and a chain rotatably operable between the crankshaft sprocket and the camshaft sprocket. A chain tensioner provides tension to the chain and is supported only by an engine block side wall. The chain tensioner is comprised of a stationary portion and a flexible spring portion supported thereto, and a nylon shoe fixed to the flexible spring portion to provide a contact surface for the chain. The stationary portion has a geometrical interlocking feature to mate with a complementary geometric feature in the engine block side wall to restrict upper and lower movement of the chain tensioner. The geometrical interlocking feature of the chain tensioner may be a concave retention portion, which fits over a complementary convex nub in the engine block side wall to restrict movement of the chain tensioner by part interference.

Abstract: A fuser member having a support metallic core and a layer of material formed over the metallic core, the layer includes composite material, including a high molecular weight reactive polyfunctional poly(C(1-6) alkyl)siloxane polymer; a cross-linked poly(dialkylsiloxane) incorporating an oxide, wherein the poly(dialkylsiloxane) has a weight average molecular weight before crosslinking of about 5,000 to 80,000; and a silane crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Polymers and polymer conjugates comprising crosslinked Staphylococcal protein A, or crosslinked protein A-superantigen, or crosslinked functional derivatives thereof ranging in size from 12kDa to 1O,OOOkDa are useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ITP as well as neoplastic diseases. Compositions and pharmaceutical composition comprising chemically crosslinked polymers of protein A alone or protein A and bacterial enterotoxins, optionally further complexed with immunoglobulins and complement components, are disclosed, as are methods for making and using these compositions in the treatment of diseases. Plasma perfusates of protein A immunadsorbent columns in clinical use are shown to act through the leaching of polymers of protein A and protein A-Staphylococcal enterotoxin B having a broad range of molecular masses.

Abstract: A method for providing regions of substantially lower fluorine content in a fluorine containing dielectric is described incorporating exposing a region to ultraviolet radiation and annealing at an elevated temperature to remove partially disrupted fluorine from the region. The invention overcomes the problem of fluorine from a fluorine containing dielectric reacting with other materials while maintaining a bulk dielectric material of sufficiently high or original fluorine content to maintain an effective low dielectric constant in semiconductor chip wiring interconnect structures.

Abstract: A programmable data arithmetic array includes a set of data buses and a matrix of data arithmetic units including fixed function units and programmable function units connected to the set of data buses. Bidirectional interconnect is positioned between the set of data buses and the matrix of data arithmetic units.

Abstract: An automatic call distribution system utilizes a number of H.323 compatible devices. An automatic call distribution (ACD) server (52) interfaces with a computer telephony interface gateway (54) to route calls to agents or to a music/video server (56). Calls are received by a gateway and supplied to a gatekeeper that determines an IP address of the destination. The ACD server selects the destination in response to the number of agents available. In addition, customer calls can be received via e-mail, facsimile or the Internet. The call distribution system can instruct an agent to return an e-mail or facsimile message or to call a customer if desired. Calls from one H.323 device can be routed to another H.323 device by a third party application by sending a call control message to the device's application program interface that executes the message as if it were generated at the device itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning at least one motor brush in an electric motor having a motor housing, comprising a base ring secured to the motor housing, an upper ring disposed adjacent to and moveable relative to the base ring, and an indexing member for aligning the upper ring with the base ring. The base ring includes a first indexing portion, an axially inwardly facing surface disposed adjacent to the motor housing and a second axially outwardly facing surface offset from the first axially inwardly facing surface. The upper ring includes a second indexing portion, a third axially inwardly facing surface disposed adjacent to the second axially outwardly facing surface of the base ring and a fourth axially outwardly facing surface offset outward from the third axially inwardly facing surface.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for removing material from a body lumen. The devices and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary arteries and other blood vessels. In general, the device or catheter has a scoop-shaped cutting blade mounted on a catheter body for removing material from a body lumen. The cutting blade has a cutting edge that travels a curved path about a pivot point of the blade, preferably moving in an outward direction from the catheter body to engage the target material for removal. The scoop-shaped blade has a collection surface located behind the cutting edge to collect material removed from said body lumen. Advantageously, a scoop-shaped cutting blade according to the present invention facilitates material engagement and the collection surface may be used to bring material back into the catheter body as the blade begins to part-off material.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data over twisted pair copper wires using a low frequency offset, differential voltage, on-off keying (OOK) transmission technique are described. According to one embodiment, an analog or digital signal is sent or received and converted, if necessary, into or from serial format onto or out of a twisted pair. The signal uses an OOK modulated sinusoidal offset signal with an associated differential voltage. A floating reference ground set positive or negative for the differential nature of the transmission may be required. The OOK modulated offset low frequency is being keyed to the floating ground reference that is set to a minimum signal to noise ratio (SNR) level. The SNR level may be set by adjusting the voltage separation between floating ground and the offset of the sinusoidal low frequency wave. The amplitude of the sinusoidal wave may be adjusted to provide increased transmission distance and better SNR.

Abstract: A method for treating hypothyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a thyroid, thereby reducing an inhibitory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. A method for treating hyperthyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a sympathetic ganglion which innervates the thyroid, thereby reducing a stimulatory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. Methods for treating calcium metabolism disorders by local administration of a neurotoxin to modulate calcitonin secretion are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system useful for controlling a process includes a computer-readable medium and a processor in communication with the computer-readable medium. The system further includes a first database and a second database. The first database stores first data representative of a first configuration of the process, while the second database stores second data representative of a second configuration of the process. A configuration routine of the system is stored in the computer-readable medium and configured to be executed by the processor to facilitate a modification of the first configuration of the process. A version control routine of the system is stored in the computer-readable medium and configured to be executed by the processor to store in the second database third data indicative of the modification of the first configuration of the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant viral nucleic acid selected from a (+) sense, single stranded RNA virus possessing a native subgenomic promoter encoding for a first viral subgenomic promoter, a nucleic acid sequence that codes for a viral coat protein whose transcription is regulated by the first viral subgenomic promoter, a second viral subgenomic promoter and a second nucleic acid sequence whose transcription is regulated by the second viral subgenomic promoter. The first and second viral subgenomic promoters of the recombinant viral nucleic acid do not have homologous sequences relative to each other. The recombinant viral nucleic acid provides the particular advantage that it systemically transcribes the second nucleic acid in the host. Host organisms encompassed by the present invention include procaryotes and eucaryotes, particularly animals and plants.

Abstract: The invention is a trigger sprayer comprising a tubular nozzle bushing and a nozzle cap rotatable on the bushing. The nozzle cap has an end wall with a first swirl chamber formed on the rear face thereof offset from the axis. Passages to a second chamber are diametrically opposite the first chamber. Both chambers have orifices directed out the front of the cap. The first orifices is surrounded by a foaming sleeve. The second orifice is positioned forward of the first orifice so that the spray cone emanating from the second orifice does not hit the foaming sleeve. The cap can be rotated to connect liquid from the delivery tube to the swirl chamber for one or the other orifices.

Abstract: A wellbore (10) in an earth formation (12) having a casing (14) and a plurality of pay or production zones (32, 34, 36) provided in the formation. A coiled tubing string (18) from a reel (20) is injected by an injector (24) into the wellbore (10) for first perforating casing section (38) at each pay zone (32, 34, 36) in a single pass of the coiled tubing (18) as shown in FIG. 1. Next, the coiled tubing (18) is utilized for hydraulic fracturing each of the pay zones (32, 34, 36) individually from the lowermost pay zone (32) to the uppermost pay zone (36) in a single pass of the coiled tubing (18). Each pay zone (32, 34, 36) is isolated for the hydraulic fracturing. An upper packer (44 or 54) is provided above each of the pay zones for isolation and a lower packer (56) or sand plug (50) is utilized for isolating the lower or outermost end of each pay zone (32, 34, 36). Swab cups (58, 54A, 56A, 54B, 56B) are also utilized for isolation of pay zones.

Abstract: The present invention delineates a carrier for an apparatus (10) which polishes a surface of a semiconductor wafer (56, 124). In a preferred embodiment, the carrier includes a rigid plate (34) connected to one or more diaphragms (40, 42) of soft, flexible material that provide pressurizable cavities (50, 52) having respective surfaces for contacting the back surface of the wafer. A plurality of conduits (28a, 28c) are used to selectively pressurize the diaphragm cavities. The carrier head may also include an inter-diaphragm cavity (54) formed between a portion of one diaphragm, a portion of another diaphragm, and the semiconductor wafer. The inter-diaphragm cavity is provided with its own conduit (28b) by which a source of pressurized fluid and a source of vacuum are selectively connected to the inter-diaphragm cavity. During operation, pressure and/or vacuum may be applied through one or more cavities to chuck (90) a wafer, and to pressurize (96) the cavities during polishing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to multiply-substituted fullerene derivatives of novel configurations, and methods for their preparation and use. The methods involve the combinatorial synthesis of a library of fullerene derivatives and comprises the steps of forming a mixture of fullerene derivatives by reacting the Cn fullerene with two or more reactive precursor compounds, and removing the unreacted compounds to yield the fullerene derivatives having the desired activity. Methods for the identification and screening of a combinatorial library of fullerenes by 3He-nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray mass spectrometry to define members with the optimal desired activity are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for decontaminating contaminated matter, such as an object or substance, with ultrasonic transient cavitation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container for containing a contaminated object, a pressure source for pressurizing the container to a predetermined pressure, a vibration source operably connected to the container, and a cleaning solution comprising a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance. The presence of the volatile substance in the cleaning solution, along with the pressurization and vibration thereof, enhances the effect of ultrasonic transient cavitation and improves decontamination of the contaminated matter.

Abstract: In a scroll compressor, under conditions favoring reverse operation, the scroll wraps are separated so as to provide a continuous, unimpeded path through the scrolls. Spring bias, a repositioning of driving contact areas and/or force areas can be used singly or in combination to cause separation of the wraps.