Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, program, product and system for managing the, sale of a product. The system can determine if the product is a slow seller, determining a markdown to be applied to a price of the product, reconciling a markdown budget with the determined markdown to be applied to the price to determine whether the markdown will be applied, and adjusting the price of the product by the markdown. The system can also apply manual pricing data and promotion pricing data. The system integrates several tasks required for selling articles and services.

Abstract: A method, program product and system for managing the sale of a product or service. The method includes determining if the product or service is a slow seller, determining a markdown to be applied to a price of the product or service, reconciling a markdown budget with the determined markdown to be applied to the price to determine whether the markdown will be applied, and adjusting the price of the product or service by the markdown. The markdown can be determined using a markdown profile. The determination of the slow seller can be made by applying a predetermined rule set to the product or service.

Abstract: A method, program product and system for automated control of pricing of a product or service. The method includes determining an initial price of the product, monitoring actual sales of the product at retail outlets, and adjusting the initial price during a selling season of said product based on the actual sales of the product. The method can further include accepting input from a historical price database, and determining the initial price using historical prices of the product or a similar product. The method can further include repeatedly adjusting a price of the product during a selling season based on the actual sales of the product. The method can further include applying a markdown to the price of the product and using a markdown profile to determine the markdown. The method can further include performing slow seller analysis to determine the markdown. The determination that a product is a slow seller can be made by applying a predetermined rule set to the product.

Abstract: A method of and system for defining a sales promotion is disclosed. The method includes receiving a hierarchical listing of items, including a plurality of levels, each level including at least one node. The method also includes selecting a first node to define a first sales promotion, and selecting a second node below the first node to define a second sales promotion, wherein the second sales promotion is more specific than the first sales promotion. The system includes means for receiving a hierarchical listing of items, including a plurality of levels, each level including at least one node. The system also includes means for selecting a first node to define a first sales promotion, and means for selecting a second node below the first node to define a second sales promotion, wherein the second sales promotion is more specific than the first sales promotion.

Abstract: A low-profile integrated catalytic converter with a coupling assembly comprises a catalytic converter with a coupling assembly integrated into the inlet end of the catalytic converter, which is attached to a mounting flange or exhaust pipe. The coupling assembly comprises two or more flexible bellows, joined together at their periphery, and containing a plurality of undulating ribs. The respective ends of the flexible bellows assembly are secured to the catalytic converter. A coupling travel limiter can optionally be concentrically disposed within the bellows assembly to limit the flexibility of the coupling and direct an exhaust gas stream into the catalytic converter.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of HIV infection. In particular, the present invention provides non-nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase (RT), as well as methods to treat HIV infection using these non-nucleoside inhibitors of RT. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of substituted benzimidazoles, effective in the inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RT.

Abstract: A device is provided for discharging two gases from a vehicle to ambient air, one gas having pressure pulsation of a first magnitude. The device includes an elongated body connected with the vehicle and having a first inlet connected with a first gas source, a second inlet connected with a second gas source, an outlet fluidly communicable with ambient air, and an interior mixing chamber, the two inlets being fluidly communicable with the chamber such that the two gases flow into the chamber. The body combines the two gases within the mixing chamber to form a combined gas having pressure pulsation of a lesser, second magnitude and to discharge the combined gas to ambient air. Preferably, the body includes an outer tubular member having the first inlet and the outlet and an inner tubular member disposed within the outer member and including the second inlet and a plurality of ports.

Abstract: An catalytic converter is integrated with a flexible endcone to form an assembly. The assembly comprises a catalytic converter with a flexible endcone integrated connected to one end of the catalytic converter, which is optionally attached to a mounting flange or exhaust pipe. The endcone comprises a flexible bellow containing a plurality of undulating ribs. The flexible bellow is secured to an end of the catalytic converter at one or more interface points along the periphery of the flexible endcone assembly.

Abstract: A main frame assembly is for a paving vehicle having an engine and two wheel assemblies, at least one of the wheel assemblies being operably connectable with the engine for mobilizing the vehicle. The frame assembly includes a lower frame having two opposing sides, each side being configured to connect with a separate one of the two drive assemblies, and a mounting portion. An upper frame is connectable, preferably removably connectable, with the lower frame. The upper frame has a compartment configured to receive the engine and an attachment portion, the upper frame attachment portion being connected with the lower frame mounting portion so as to connect the upper and lower frames.

Abstract: A device is provided for discharging two gases from a vehicle to ambient air, one gas having pressure pulsation of a first magnitude. The device includes an elongated body connected with the vehicle and having a first inlet connected with a first gas source, a second inlet connected with a second gas source, an outlet fluidly communicable with ambient air, and an interior mixing chamber, the two inlets being fluidly communicable with the chamber such that the two gases flow into the chamber. The body combines the two gases within the mixing chamber to form a combined gas having pressure pulsation of a lesser, second magnitude and to discharge the combined gas to ambient air. Preferably, the body includes an outer tubular member having the first inlet and the outlet and an inner tubular member disposed within the outer member and including the second inlet and a plurality of ports.

Abstract: A wheel assembly is for mobilizing a construction vehicle upon a base surface and includes a frame connected with the vehicle and configured to pivot about a first axis. At least one and preferably two axles are connected with the frame and configured to pivot respectively about a second axis and a third axis, the second and third axes each extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. Each axle has a longitudinal centerline extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the second axis. Two wheels are preferably connected with each axle so as to rotate generally about each axle centerline. When the wheels are disposed generally upon the base surface, the wheels roll with respect to the surface so as to at least partially mobilize the vehicle. Further, angular displacement of the frame and the axle about the second axis move the wheels within two perpendicular vertical planes.

Abstract: A wheel assembly is for mobilizing a construction vehicle upon a base surface and includes a frame connected with the vehicle and configured to pivot about a first axis. At least one and preferably two axles are connected with the frame and configured to pivot respectively about a second axis and a third axis, the second and third axes each extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. Each axle has a longitudinal centerline extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the second axis. Two wheels are preferably connected with each axle so as to rotate generally about each axle centerline. When the wheels are disposed generally upon the base surface, the wheels roll with respect to the surface so as to at least partially mobilize the vehicle. Further, angular displacement of the frame and the axle about the second axis move the wheels within two perpendicular vertical planes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of HIV infection. In particular, the present invention provides non-nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase (RT), as well as methods to treat HIV infection using these non-nucleoside inhibitors of RT. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of substituted benzimidazoles, effective in the inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RT.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a catalytic converter. A plurality of catalyst substrates having a periphery, an intake area and an outlet area, and comprising a catalyst, is longitudinally aligned. A mat support material is wrapped about the periphery of the catalyst substrates to form a subassembly. The subassembly is concentrically disposed within a shell. The shell is formed to have a non-linear geometry.

Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock system, allowing emergency exiting of a building, including an armature mount allowing considerable outward movement of the door with respect to the door frame on which the electromagnet is mounted, whereby outward movement of the door initiates a time delay door release, and gives an increased reassurance that the door will open in an emergency, and allows for improved tamper resistance and reduced false alarms, as the distance the door opens out of the door frame in response to actuation of a panic bar from within is greater than that of conventional systems. A tamper resistant door position sensor includes redundant magnetic reed switches for sensing the position of the door and can include an additional reed switch for detecting when an external magnet is placed near the sensor in an attempt to tamper with the system.

Abstract: A fuel tank cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and a fuel filter disposed within and attached directly to the cover to filter fuel from the fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring an analyte, such as glucose in a fluid sample, such as whole blood, by a reflectance reading device. The method includes making periodic intermediate calculations of analyte level and dynamically ascertaining when an analytical reaction has reached an end point. Once stable, the process stops making periodic calculations and reports the final, actual glucose concentration. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method is performed by a reflectance photometer using an analytical test strip containing reagents that react with an analyte of interest in the test fluid. The end point is determined by calculating an intermediate analyte level of the testing element at predetermined intervals and calculating a ratio value corresponding to the (n)th measurement to an (n-5)th measurement. When two consecutive ratio values are less than or equal to a predetermined value, the end point is deemed reached and the final analyte level ascertained.

Abstract: A drive track is for a wheel train for mobilizing a paving vehicle upon a ground surface, the wheel train including a drive wheel and a bogie wheel. The track comprises an endless body disposable about the wheel train and including a driven portion engageable by the drive wheel such that the drive wheel circulates the track about the wheel train. A generally annular rail portion is connected with the drive portion and has a continuous inner circumferential surface contactable with the bogie wheel, such that the bogie wheel rolls along the inner surface, and a continuous outer circumferential surface contactable with the ground surface. The rail portion supports the bogie wheel above the ground surface such that when the track circulates about the wheel train, a distance between the bogie wheel axis and the ground surface remains substantially constant as the bogie wheel rolls along the rail inner surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for strip insertion detection in an analytical meter system. The invention allows for individual meter calibration, adaptive thresholding and ambient light correction. Increased performance is economically realized, while providing enhanced meter accuracy in varying light conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring an analyte, such a glucose in a fluid sample, such as whole blood, by a reflectance reading device. The method includes making periodic intermediate calculations of analyte level and dynamically ascertaining when an analytical reaction has reached an end point. Once stable, the process stops making periodic calculations and reports the final, actual glucose concentration. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method is performed by a reflectance photometer using an analytical test strip containing reagents that react with an analyte of interest in the test fluid. The end point is determined by calculating an intermediate analyte level of the testing element at predetermined intervals and calculating a ratio value corresponding to the (n)th measurement to an (n-5)th measurement. When two consecutive ratio values are less than or equal to a predetermined value, the end point is deemed reached and the final analyte level ascertained.