Abstract: Disclosed are compounds having the formula: wherein X, Y, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, R5, RA, m, A, L, and B are as defined herein, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: An improved tee type nebulizer unit for medicinal use that delivers a mist of properly sized aerosol particles of medicament to the patient. A uniquely configured air flow baffle assembly, which is strategically positioned within the tee of the nebulizer unit, markedly increases the rate of liquid-to-aerosol conversion compared to prior art tee type nebulizer units. More particularly, due to the positioning and sizing of the air channeling pathways within the air flow baffle assembly, an increase in rate of aerosol mist production by factors of 200%-300% is realized.

Abstract: A communication device (100) and method (700) are disclosed for providing temporary communication features, temporary scheduling features, or combinations thereof associated with temporary membership in a private network (101), such as that associated with a hotel (102), resort (103), or cruise ship (105). An association module (209) can register (701) the communication device (100) with the private network (101) as a temporary member device. A private network information retriever (210) can then retrieve (702) one or both of private network directory information (109) and private network scheduling information (110). An integrator (211) can then integrate this information into an address book application (212) or a calendaring application (215) to provide additional functionality for the communication device (100).

Abstract: Techniques for locating wireless channels usable for transmitting media signals from personal media players that are adequately separated from wireless channels used for other purposes. One technique involves identifying a target channel and at least two additional channels within a certain proximity of the target channel, and evaluating a channel usability algorithm based on characteristics, such as the received signal strengths, of the target channel and the received signal strengths of each of the proximate channels. Based on evaluation of the algorithm, the target channel is deemed either usable or not usable to transmit the media signal. The most desirable available target channel(s) in a particular group or sub-group of wireless channels may also be identified.

Abstract: A communication device (100) and method (700) are disclosed for providing temporary communication features, temporary scheduling features, or combinations thereof associated with temporary membership in a private network (101), such as that associated with a hotel (102), resort (103), or cruise ship (105). An association module (209) can register (701) the communication device (100) with the private network (101) as a temporary member device. A private network information retriever (210) can then retrieve (702) one or both of private network directory information (109) and private network scheduling information (110). An integrator (211) can then integrate this information into an address book application (212) or a calendaring application (215) to provide additional functionality for the communication device (100).

Abstract: An improved tee type nebulizer unit for medicinal use that delivers a mist of properly sized aerosol particles of medicament to the patient. A uniquely configured air flow baffle assembly, which is strategically positioned within the tee of the nebulizer unit, markedly increases the rate of liquid-to-aerosol conversion compared to prior art tee type nebulizer units. More particularly, due to the positioning and sizing of the air channeling pathways within the air flow baffle assembly, an increase in rate of aerosol mist production by factors of 200%-300% is realized.

Abstract: A radiometer the calibration of collimated pulsed laser sources. In one embodiment the laser sources have wavelengths of 1064 nm and 1540-1570 nm wavelengths at irradiance levels of 7×10?5 to 5×1010 Watts/cm2, with pulse widths of 5-400 ns. A lens system used to focus beams from the laser sources includes two piano convex lenses and one aspheric lens, all with 1.5 micron and 1.06 micron anti-reflection coatings. An InGaAs avalanche photodiode (APD) detector and a linear amplifier generate an output voltage which represents the pulse and power of the input laser. The output voltage is captured on a fast oscilloscope and converted to irradiance through NIST calibration factors. The detector is kept at a constant predetermined temperature with a heater ring and feedback circuit. The detector is mounted on a translation stage for placing the detector at the proper position for the 1064 nm and 1540-1570 nm wavelengths.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus for use in transferring heat to a heat sink. Preferably, the heat sink is comprised of a natural gas supply line at a pressure reduction station. Alternately, the heat sink is comprised of a storage tank. The apparatus is comprised of a heat exchange vessel, adapted to contain an amount of a heat exchange fluid, and a heat source. The heat exchange vessel includes a sump section at a lower end thereof, and a heat transfer section for transferring heat to the heat sink. The heat exchange vessel further includes a single communication junction between the sump section and the heat transfer section which provides fluid communication therebetween. The heat source is associated with the sump section and adapted to add heat to the heat exchange fluid in order to cause the heat exchange fluid to evaporate in the heat exchange vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating laser designator and rangefinder test sets. The system includes a high speed detector module which receives a laser input signal, and outputs a laser output signal and an electrical pulse shaped output. A variable attenuator module receives the laser output signal and includes a rotating waveplate which rotates a polarization of the received laser output signal and a Glan laser polarizing beam splitter which receives the rotated laser output signal. The polarizing beam splitter passes only vertically polarized portions of the rotated laser output signal. An energy detector module receives the vertically polarized portions of the rotated laser output signal and includes a beam splitter which splits the vertically polarized portions of the rotated laser output signal into a first path pulse and a second path pulse. The second path pulse and the electrical pulse shaped output are used to calibrate a laser designator/rangefinder test set.

Abstract: A receiver, such as an HDTV receiver or a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), includes a plurality of tuners. Each tuner is adapted to receive television signals (RF1,RF2) comprising a plurality of channels and communicate the received television signals to a processor. A channel search or autoprogramming routine is disclosed for the detection of channels in the television signal wherein each tuner simultaneously tunes and interrogates a different channel in order to expedite the search. If a signal is not detected on a channel, that channel may be tuned and interrogated by a second tuner. A list is compiled of all the channels that contain a television signal to aid the viewer's selection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method therefor wherein instead of applying a high bias voltage 100 per cent of the time to leads susceptible to dendrite formation, the bias voltage is switched from a low bias voltage to a high voltage bias mode when the leads (19) are to be read or scanned by a microprocessor (14), and the bias voltage is then switched back to a low bias voltage mode when the lines are not being read, e.g., at other times, thereby greatly reducing the high bias “on” time and dramatically reducing the probability of dendrite formation. The reduction of high bias voltage “on” time is accomplished by programming the microprocessor (14) to switch the applicable input ports (16) to be output ports when the leads (19) are not to be read. As output ports, the output impedance and output voltage of the microprocessor are low as opposed to a high input impedance when the terminals are input terminals.

Abstract: An interface enables an RF signal, a DC power signal, and a data signal to be conveyed between two devices over a single RF cable. In an exemplary application of this invention, a steerable antenna system is coupled to a wireless adapter for use in a wireless network. The steerable antenna includes a plurality of panels that can be selectively activated in response to the data signal, which also determines a direction in which an RF signal is transmitted or received by a selected panel of the antenna. Low pass filters in each device isolate the DC power supply and the load from the other two signals. High pass filters isolate the radio in the wireless adapter and the antenna array from the DC and data signals. The data signal is preferably encoded into a Manchester format that passes through a bandpass filter provided in each device.

Abstract: Techniques for locating wireless channels usable for transmitting media signals from personal media players that are adequately separated from wireless channels used for other purposes. One technique involves identifying a target channel and at least two additional channels within a certain proximity of the target channel, and evaluating a channel usability algorithm based on characteristics, such as the received signal strengths, of the target channel and the received signal strengths of each of the proximate channels. Based on evaluation of the algorithm, the target channel is deemed either usable or not usable to transmit the media signal. The most desirable available target channel(s) in a particular group or sub-group of wireless channels may also be identified.

Abstract: A miniaturized pre-filled, single-use, disposable, small volume medication nebulizer unit for medicinal use that delivers a mist of properly sized aerosol particles of medicament to the patient with a very high level of efficiency. The nebulizer can be effectively used in conjunction with conventional tee and mouthpiece patient interface devices as well as with more sophisticated interface devices such as dosimetric/reservoir systems, or mechanical ventilator systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacterial isolates identified by their 16S rRNA DNA, that cause periodontal disease in companion animals, polynucleotide sequences contained therein, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotide sequences and vaccines comprising such bacteria, polynucleotides, or polypeptides. Also provided are methods for treating and preventing periodontal disease and kits for detecting and treating periodontal disease kits for detecting and preventing periodontal disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacterial isolates identified by their 16S rRNA DNA, that cause periodontal disease in companion animals, polynucleotide sequences contained therein, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotide sequences and vaccines comprising such bacteria, polynucleotides, or polypeptides. Also provided are methods for treating and preventing periodontal disease and kits for detecting and treating periodontal disease kits for detecting and preventing periodontal disease. In addition, methods for assessing the efficacy of a vaccine against periodontal diseases in an animal are provided.

Abstract: An electronically steerable antenna system includes a plurality of panels that are coupled together to form an N-sided polygon. Each panel includes a plurality of microstrip conductor patches forming a phased array antenna. In a first embodiment that includes beam steering, each panel can selectively transmit or receive in a direction that is either perpendicular to the panel, or to the left or right of perpendicular, depending upon relative delay line lengths applied to the left and right antennas. A second embodiment omits the beam steering capability for each panel and simply enables only one of the N different panels to be employed for transmitting or receiving a radiofrequency signal in a direction perpendicular to the panel. PIN diodes are preferably used for selecting the panel that is active, and in the first embodiment, for selecting the delay lines used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacterial isolates identified by their 16S rRNA DNA, that cause periodontal disease in companion animals, polynucleotide sequences contained therein, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotide sequences and vaccines comprising such bacteria, polynucleotides, or polypeptides. Also provided are methods for treating and preventing periodontal disease and kits for detecting and treating periodontal disease kits for detecting and preventing periodontal disease. In addition, methods for assessing the efficacy of a vaccine against periodontal diseases in an animal are provided.

Abstract: A wireless access point is equipped with both an omnidirectional antenna and a directable antenna that can be selectively directed to any of a plurality of directional spaces overlapping the network space served by the omnidirectional antenna. The directable antenna is directed to an optimal directional space for a client when the access point is communicating with the client at a high data rate. The access point can intermittently exchange information with other clients using the omnidirectional antenna. The omnidirectional antenna enables broadcast signals to be transmitted to any client in the entire network space, but at a lower data rate. A preferred data rate and an optimal client directional space are re-determined periodically or as necessary based on parameters such as the data rate, signal strength, and rate of success in communicating data.

Abstract: A wireless device is coupled to a multi-sector antenna that includes a plurality of different sectors, any of which can be activated to transmit and receive in a desired direction specific to that sector. Optionally, an omnidirectional antenna is included for initially establishing a wireless connection with another wireless device, such as an access point. A parameter indicative of signal quality, such as throughput or received signal strength indication (RSSI) is determined by polling with each antenna sector to establish a prioritized candidate list. If a receive Trigger becomes active in response to a parameter falling below a threshold level, a new candidate sector is selected from the current list based upon a next-best signal quality. The directionality of the multi-sector antenna provides a substantially higher data rate compared to that of the conventional omnidirectional antenna.