Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for altering cell function. In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising selenium (e.g., SEL-PLEX) and methods of using the same (e.g., as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment for neurodegenerative disease). Additionally, the present invention demonstrates that specific forms of selenium (e.g., SEL-PLEX) possess the ability to alter expression of genes associated with disease and/or aging while other forms of selenium (e.g., selenomethionine) do not.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for altering cell function. In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising selenium (e.g., SEL-PLEX) and methods of using the same (e.g., as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment for neurodegenerative disease). Additionally, the present invention demonstrates that specific forms of selenium (e.g., SEL-PLEX) possess the ability to alter expression of genes associated with disease and/or aging while other forms of selenium (e.g., selenomethionine) do not.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unique laminate sheet is disclosed herein including attaching at least one and preferably two or more sheets of laminate having a predetermined shape to a backer sheet using an adhesive. A protective sheet overlies the nested sheets of laminate attached to the backer sheet until such time as the assembly is applied to the predetermined surface.

Abstract: A containment apparatus for a multi-pass oven consisting of guide rails and tapered guide chutes having side rails. A tapered guide chute directs product pieces from one conveyor to the center of a receiving region of an underlying conveyor. Guide rails are placed along the sides of the receiving region of an underlying conveyor and maintain baking product pieces on the conveyor. Diverters on the distal end of each guide rail further move product pieces toward the center of the conveyor. Such diverters help ensure that pieces reach a subsequent guide chute or subsequent conveyor without falling off of the conveyor. Such guide rails, diverters, and guide chutes help prevent damage to, and loss of, product pieces while pieces pass through the oven. Guide rails, diverters, and guide chutes are particularly effective at maintaining round or cylindrical pieces within a multi-pass oven.

Abstract: An improved dough-rolling apparatus and method for rolling sheeted dough. The proposed invention comprises a dough-rolling apparatus having a dough sheeter, a sheeting conveyor having a ramped section, a roll-initiating curtain positioned above the ramped section, and a roll-completing curtain positioned above the conveyor and downstream from the roll-initiating conveyor. Sheeted and cut dough pieces are deposited onto a steel mesh, partially-ramped sheeter belt, where two wire-mesh rolling curtains are draped onto the sheeter belt to induce rolling of the dough pieces.

Abstract: A video surveillance camera comprising an image sensor, first housing, second housing, electronic circuit, and thermal barrier. The image sensor is located in the first housing, and the electronic circuit is located in the second housing. The thermal barrier has first and second sides with the first side located adjacent to the first housing and the second side located adjacent to the second housing. The image sensor and other electronics, such as the processor board associated with the image sensor or the camera power supply, are located in separate housings or chambers that are separated and insulated from each other by a thermal barrier, thereby minimizing the heat generated by the processor electronics or power supply from being transferred to the area of the image sensor.

Abstract: A video surveillance camera comprising a lens, lens holder, image sensor, base, and ring. The base has a plurality of slots, and the image sensor is mounted on the base. The lens is positioned in the lens holder, which has a plurality of arms with a pin. Each of the arms is positioned so that its respective pin is located in one of the plurality of slots in the base. The ring has a plurality of grooves for engagement with the pins and is rotatably engaged with the base such that rotation of the ring imparts axial movement to the lens relative to the image sensor.

Abstract: A distributed virtual multiprocessor having a plurality of nodes coupled to one another by a network. A first node of the distributed virtual multiprocessor page faults in response to an instruction that indicates a memory reference at a virtual address. The first node indexes a first address translation data structure maintained therein to obtain an intermediate address that corresponds to the virtual address, then transmits the intermediate address to a second node of the distributed virtual multiprocessor to request a copy of a memory page that corresponds to the intermediate address. The first node receives a copy of the memory page that corresponds to the intermediate address from the second node, stores the copy of the memory page at a physical address, then loads a second address translation data structure with translation information that indicates a translation of the virtual address to the physical address.

Abstract: An insert and method for moving a heavy steel plate comprising drilling a hole through the steel plate, threading the hole, applying a thread locking compound on the threads in the hole in the steel plate, threadably attaching a hollow cylindrical insert into the threaded hole in the steel plate, the insert having male threads on the outer surface and female coil threads on the inner surface, which are adapted to receive an eyebolt used for lifting and moving the plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clear view cannula for use in surgical procedures having a tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve mounted about and slidably secured to the tubular body, and a plurality of shield members secured to the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is slidably movable relative to the tubular body causing the shield members to expand and deploy such that the shield members retain torn and fragmented soft tissue within an anatomical cavity. Means are provided on the tubular body to co-act with means on the cylindrical sleeve to lock the expanded and deployed shield members and secure the tubular body within an anatomical body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clear view cannula for use in surgical procedures having a tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve mounted about and slidably secured to the tubular body, and a plurality of shield members secured to the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is slidably movable relative to the tubular body causing the shield members to expand and deploy such that the shield members retain torn and fragmented soft tissue within an anatomical cavity. Means are provided on the tubular body to co-act with means on the cylindrical sleeve to lock the expanded and deployed shield members and secure the tubular body within an anatomical body.

Abstract: An insert and method for moving a heavy steel plate comprising drilling a hole through the steel plate, threading the hole, threadably attaching a hollow cylindrical insert into the threaded hole in the plate using a locking compound, the insert having male threads on the outer surface and female threads on the inner surface, which are adapted to receive an eyebolt used for lifting and moving the plate.

Abstract: A system and method of administering, tracking and managing of claims processing.

Abstract: A combined stairway and lift installation has a stairway which comprises a stack of horizontally movable step members whereby the stairway is retractable to expose a lift which is installed in a cavity which is covered by the stairway when the latter is extended. Uncovering of the lift allows it to be operated to raise its load carrying platform to the level of the top of the stairway. A chain is anchored by either end in the bottom step member. The chain is led from the anchorage up through the step members, alternately clockwise and counter clockwise around guide rollers mounted in each of the movable step members, clockwise around a guide roller and a motor-driven cog wheel in the top step member, and back down through the movable step members to the other anchorage again alternately clockwise and counter clockwise around further guide rollers mounted in each of the movable step members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically shifting between switching and routing packets efficiently to provide high packet throughput. The present invention provides a method for transmitting packets between an upstream node and a downstream node in a network that utilizes flow classification and labelling to redirect flows. The method includes the steps of establishing default virtual channels between the upstream node and the downstream node, receiving a packet at the downstream node, performing a flow classification at the downstream node on the packet to determine whether the packet belongs to a specified flow that should be redirected in the upstream node, selecting a free label at the downstream node, and informing the upstream node that future packets belonging to the specified flow should be sent with the selected free label attached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically shifting between switching and routing packets efficiently to provide high packet throughput. The present invention provides a method for transmitting packets between an upstream node and a downstream node in a network that utilizes flow classification and labelling to redirect flows. The method includes the steps of establishing default virtual channels between the upstream node and the downstream node, receiving a packet at the downstream node, performing a flow classification at the downstream node on the packet to determine whether the packet belongs to a specified flow that should be redirected in the upstream node, selecting a free label at the downstream node, and informing the upstream node that future packets belonging to the specified flow should be sent with the selected free label attached. Other embodiments of the present invention include a basic switching unit and a switch gateway unit for use in a system for transmitting packets in a network.

Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle for use in filling vessels with a liquid and for recovering liquid vapors generated by the liquid such as the filling of vehicle fuel tanks. The nozzle includes a valve system including a first valve for the liquid and a second valve for the vapor and an interconnection whereby the vapor valve is always open whenever the liquid valve is open. It also includes a common actuator for the two valves and an automatic shutoff system for the liquid valve, which automatic shutoff system includes a connection to the vapor line when the nozzle is being used in vacuum assisted vapor recovery systems and further forms part of a drain system for a vapor collection hood surrounding the spout of the nozzle so as to drain liquid received therein from the vapor flow path to preclude such vapor from contaminating components of a vapor recovery system.