Abstract: Compositions and methods using the compositions for treatment of peripheral hyperalgesia are provided. The compositions contain an anti-hyperalgesia effective amount of one or more compounds that directly or indirectly interact with peripheral opiate receptors, but that do not, upon topical or local administration, elicit central nervous system side effects.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises weighing component device for measuring weight of articles being processed, image acquisition device for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, processing device for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and processing device for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules.

Abstract: A temporary vent opening cover is disclosed which is securable over a vent opening in a floor or other surface during building construction to prevent debris from entering the vent opening and accumulating in duct work associated therewith. The cover includes a generally flat cover plate which is sized and shaped to cover the vent opening. The cover plate is spaced outwardly from the surface when the vent opening cover is secured over the vent opening. A plurality of air passages allow air to flow past the cover plate between the duct work and the workspace. A layer of air filter material covers the air passages and prevents debris from passing therethrough. A portion of cover plate may be dedicated to the display of promotional indicia.

Abstract: The clutch of a beach buggy. The clutch is provided with a friction enduring resilient annular member closely positioned between an actuating member and the outer cover of the clutch. Thus, when the engine of a beach buggy is started, the actuating member will be driven to rotate and the outer cover will be activated to rotate slowly by the pressing frictional force produced by the resilient annular member and the actuating member. At the same, a shift gear connected to the outer cover will also rotate slowly, improving the engagement between one of the transmission gears and the shifting gear before accelerating and accordingly preventing a beach buggy from rushing abruptly.

Abstract: A number of user interface techniques for virtual instruments implemented using a computer are disclosed. These techniques include providing a multi-sized user interface, separating a user interface into two control regions, providing a pop-out control panel, providing a graphical playlist indicator, inter-relating band controls, controlling button illumination, sliding information onto and off of a display panel, integrating visualizations into an instrument, and providing a pop-out control panel with control buttons.

Abstract: Floorboards for installation of floors in herringbone pattern are formed with two opposite sides inverted relative to each other. The invention further comprises methods for producing and making floorings comprising such floorboards, as well as fitting pieces and sets of parts for such floorings.

Abstract: A method of generating a CAD model of a part in a series of parts uses an assembly design table modified to provide the necessary parameters for creation of the model from the value of the parameters of the part that distinguish the part from the other parts in the series of parts. A user may identify the part to be modeled through a user interface on a computer on a network that communicates with a database of part numbers on a computer on the network and a CAD model server on the network.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for attaching a disc drive cover member to a disc drive base member. A fixture comprises a base and a stop guard, cradle and guide rails supported by the base. The disc drive base member is operatively receivingly engaged in the cradle adjacent the guide rails. The disc drive cover member is operatively abuttingly engaged at one end against the stop guard and pivoted toward the disc drive base member. Any substantial misalignment of the disc drive cover member with the disc drive base member causes the disc drive cover member to engage at least one of the guide rails and therefore be urged into proper alignment, preventing adverse contact between the disc drive cover member and the disc drive base member.

Abstract: A toaster structure comprises a rear plate, a rear door, and a safety switch. The rear plate has an opening at center portion with a pair of rails formed at respective sides of the opening, and a step below the lower end of the opening. The rear door comprises a pair of edges at respective sides, which align with the rails of the rear plate and will guide the rear door to slide along the rails up and down, whereas the step will receive the rear door and confine further movement. The safety switch is formed on the rear plate in align with one side of the step, and will be pressed by the rear door when the door is closed.

Abstract: The invention is a novel method for the late introduction of additives into a process for making condensation polymers. The method employs a reactive carrier that functions as a delivery vehicle for one or more additives. The reactive carrier reacts with the condensation polymers, thereby binding the reactive carrier in the polymer resin and preventing the emergence of the reactive carrier from the polymer resin during subsequent thermal processing.

Abstract: Compositions and methods using the compositions for treatment of peripheral hyperalgesia are provided. The compositions contain an anti-hyperalgesia effective amount of one or more compounds that directly or indirectly interact with peripheral opiate receptors, but that do not, upon topical or local administration, elicit substantial central nervous system effects. The anti-diarrheal compound 4-(p-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-N-N-dimethyl-&agr;,&agr;-diphenyl-1-piperidinebutyramide hydrochloride is preferred for use in the compositions and methods.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly including a seat belt buckle, the buckle including: a frame (26) defining a tongue-receiving slot (40); a latch plate (34) operably positioned in relation to the tongue-receiving slot and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; a latch spring (64) for biasing the latch plate toward the locked position; an ejector mechanism (28) located behind the tongue-receiving slot and rearwardly movable in response to inward movement of a tongue; the ejector including a first portion engageable by the tongue and rearwardly movable to a position beyond the location of the latch plate and a second portion (80) slidably receiving and supporting the latch plate, the second portion remaining in contact with the latch plate, preventing the latch plate from moving to its locked position even when the first portion has moved beyond the latch plate.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic injector for substantially concurrently loading fluid samples to be analyzed into multiple capillary tubes of a capillary electrophoresis system. The injector includes an enclosure defining a pressure chamber for holding multiple receptacles, each containing a fluid sample, and apertures in the enclosure for passing capillary tubes into a position inside the pressure chamber and in fluid communication with the samples in respective receptacles. Electrodes on the enclosure extend into the pressure chamber for reception in the receptacles. The pressure chamber is pressurized with gas to substantially concurrently force the fluid samples from respective receptacles into the capillary tubes in preparation for a capillary electrophoresis operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lysophospholipase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a tissue disorder associated with a response-to-injury process or proliferating cells in a mammal. These tissue disorders are associated with a novel cellular phenotype designated as “transition cells” which are described herein. This cellular phenotype is characterized in having an activated erk kinase signaling activity, a stimulated AP-1 binding activity, and at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of: (a) increased podosome formation, (b) increased flux of intracellular or extracellular hyaluronans or hyaladherins, (c) increased expression of a hyaladherin, (d) an inability to form focal adhesions, (e) increased metalloproteinase activity, and (f) increased expression of a hyaladherin. Example tissue disorders include fibrosis, inflammation, degeneration and invasive disorders such as occur in cancerous cells.

Abstract: Payment-based audiovisual playback system characterized by comprising a microprocessor unit, primarily including storage means for storing inter alia in digital form the visual and sound information to be used, and associated, through a number of interfaces, with display means for sound playback which provide a multimedia environment. The unit is controlled by a multitask operating system including a library of integrated tools and services in the storage means. The system is also associated, through an interface, with a telecommunications modem is connectable to an audiovisual information distribution network by a telecommunications modem and telecommunications links, the telecommunications functions also being managed by the multitask operating system.

Abstract: A method for sampling reaction products includes delivering a reactant through a sampling probe to contact a substance deposited on a substrate and reacting the reactant to form a reaction product. At least a portion of the reaction product is withdrawn through the sampling probe and analyzed. The sampling probe is contacted with the substrate during at least a portion of the delivering, reacting and withdrawing steps.

Abstract: A security system comprising a control panel and a plurality of individually-addressable security system modules connected to the control panel on a loop data bus. Each of the security system modules has a reference generating means for generating a variable reference voltage signal, which is controlled by control data received from the control panel. Each module also has means for selecting a loop input signal for analysis from a plurality of available loop input signals, and comparing means for comparing the selected loop input signal to the reference voltage signal. The comparing means generates an output signal when the selected loop input signal exceeds the reference voltage signal. The modules also have means for indicating to the control panel via the loop data bus the state of the reference generating means when the comparing means generates an output signal, whereby the control panel can determine the value of the selected loop input signal.

Abstract: A Modular Residential Multi-Media Distribution System provides a single centralized interface for all external Wide Area Networks (WANs) which are received into the home/office environment. The MRMDS allows extensive modular flexibility in re-provisioning new services via changing or adding removable interfaces. Each WAN is individually connected to a distributor in the MRMDS. The MRMDS distributor interfaces the external WANs to a multiple of home/office Home Network Interfaces for distribution to a multiple of communication devices.