Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber, optionally including one or more beads. A blister is supported adjacent to the dispersion chamber. A mouthpiece cover is removable from a mouthpiece, with movement of the mouthpiece cover causing the blister to open. An air flow path extends past or under the blister and into the dispersion chamber. As a result, the blister remains sealed until the inhaler is ready for use. The blister is then automatically opened when the mouthpiece cover is removed from the mouthpiece. Pharmaceutical dry powder is released from the blister and entrained in air flow through the inhaler, when the user inhales on the mouthpiece. The powder is dispersed in air within the dispersion chamber.

Abstract: The use of the 17 kDa outer surface lipoprotein (OspA) of Piscirickettsia salmonis, or its homologues, as the basis of, or part thereof, a recombinant vaccine for salmonid rickettsial septicaemia and other rickettsial diseases is disclosed. Surface antigens of the bacterial pathogen P. salmonis are characterized and an immunoreactive antigen, namely the 17 kDa outer surface lipoprotein OspA of P. salmonis, as well as the nucleic acid segment that encodes the OspA immunoreactive antigen, is identified and characterized. Diagnostic techniques including the use of hybridization probes and primers as well as the production of specific antigens and antibodies that may be used in immunization techniques for inducing immunity against P. salmonis and other rickettsial diseases are disclosed, as are the development of recombinant vaccines for SRS and other rickettsial diseases based on the 17 kDa lipoprotein OspA.

Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber, optionally including one or more beads. A blister is supported adjacent to the dispersion chamber. A mouthpiece cover is removable from a mouthpiece, with movement of the mouthpiece cover causing the blister to open. An air flow path extends past or under the blister and into the dispersion chamber. As a result, the blister remains sealed until the inhaler is ready for use. The blister is then automatically opened when the mouthpiece cover is removed from the mouthpiece. Pharmaceutical dry powder is released from the blister and entrained in air flow through the inhaler, when the user inhales on the mouthpiece. The powder is dispersed in air within the dispersion chamber.

Abstract: A terminal applicator (10) is disclosed having a shut height adjustment mechanism (60) for controlling the shut height (160) of the terminal barrel crimping bar (26). The mechanism includes upper and lower adjusting members (66, 64) having opposed ramp surfaces (110, 80), the lower adjusting member being attached to the tooling ram (36) and the upper adjusting member being rotationally coupled to the ram. By incrementally rotating the upper adjusting member (66), the relative spacing between a press ram (148) and the tooling ram assembly (18) can be adjusted, thereby changing the shut height (160) of the barrel crimping bar (26). The upper adjusting member includes an inner cylindrical surface (120) having serrations (122) formed therein that are engaged by resilient projections (98) that extend from an outer cylindrical surface (90) of the lower adjusting member (64).

Abstract: A pattern data processor system is disclosed that comprises a pattern storage device for storing pattern data, a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) pattern memory buffer for receiving and temporarily holding the pattern data from the pattern storage device, a shape processor for processing and decoding the pattern data, a shape divider, and a shape generator for generating a shape from the decoded pattern data. The shape processor comprises a programmable gate array device (FPGA) that dynamically decodes different pattern data formats with different decoding schemes, allowing for high speed processing. A Previous Output Shape (POS) Register is also disclosed, which uses information from previous shapes to decompress new shapes, thus allowing for variable length macro and pattern data, and conserving disk space.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for tracking call transaction data from incoming telephone calls, including attempted calls that have not been completed, made to individual predetermined subscribers during a defined time period. Information, including demographic breakdowns of calls, such as time of day, day of week, location of origin, etc. is reported automatically by the system. Through the use of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) platform, call transaction data for incoming calls are captured in response to terminating triggers at Service Switching Points (SSPs). The call originating phone number for each call may be used to access an existing telephone system billing database, called Customer Record Information System (CRIS), to obtain caller information, including zip code. The zip code, in turn, can be used to access a commercially available census data base to provide further demographic information.

Abstract: In a virtual implementation, intelligent processing permits use of selectively switched connections and selective billing procedures to emulate a foreign exchange service. On outgoing foreign exchange calls, a local switching system detects a predetermined event, such as dialing of an access code, as a trigger. In response to this trigger, the local switching system queries a central database, and the central database instructs that switching system to route the call through a foreign exchange central office switching system using the customer's own foreign exchange number. The foreign exchange office queries the database in response to all calls using the foreign exchange number, i.e. both for incoming and outgoing calls. For an outgoing call, the database instructs the foreign exchange central office switching system to route the call to the dialed number destination and to record the foreign exchange number as the point of call origin for billing purposes.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for tracking call transaction data from incoming telephone calls, including attempted calls that have not been completed, made to individual predetermined subscribers during a defined time period. Information, including demographic breakdowns of calls, such as time of day, day of week, location of origin, etc. is reported automatically by the system. Through the use of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) platform, call transaction data for incoming calls are captured in response to terminating triggers at Service Switching Points (SSPs). The call originating phone number for each call may be used to access an existing telephone system billing database, called Customer Record Information System (CRIS), to obtain caller information, including zip code. The zip code, in turn, can be used to access a commercially available census data base to provide further demographic information.

Abstract: A public switched telephone network having an advanced intelligent network and intelligent peripheral is utilized to provide a work-at-home office for one or more employees of one or more companies wherein those work-at-home employees are enabled to place business calls from their residence telephones with automatic billing of such calls to the employer. One residence directory number may be utilized by multiple work-at-home employees who may be employed by multiple employers. The work-at-home employees utilize personal identification numbers in conjunction with residence directory number identification in such a manner that the placement of the call and entry of the PIN identify the employer billing directory number to be charged. System administration is arranged so that the service may be activated or deactivated by a system administrator connecting with the intelligent peripheral from an authorized directory number and providing an activating-deactivating signal.

Abstract: A switching office translates a dialed extension number consisting of fewer digits than the minimum number normally required to identify a destination station into a Centrex number of at least the minimum number of digits. At least for those extension numbers identifying lines connected to a different switching office, the Centrex number triggers a query and response procedure to access data stored in a database in a central control. The accessed data is used to translate the Centrex number into an actual destination number uniquely identifying a particular communication line. The central control returns the destination number to the switching office for use in providing a requested communication service. Call processing methods and communication systems using these translations can extend a number of Centrex features, such as extension number dialing and extension number based call transfer, to a business subscriber's various premises served by different end offices.

Abstract: The Area Wide Centrex service is provided in a telephone communication network having a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems, each at a different location. Each of the central office switching systems connects to a number of local telephone lines, a number of which can be designated as members of a business group for a particular customer. Area Wide Centrex extends a number of service features to the business group over a broad area through multiple central offices by taking the programming intelligence capacity out of the central offices and moving it to a central point. Service features such as call routing are controlled by data stored in a central data base. Establishing or changing services for one or all of a particular customer's lines requires only reprogramming that customer's data in the central data base, without the need to reprogram each central office switch.

Abstract: In making entangled fibrous products by depositing fibers from streams of hot gas in which they are entrained, dust suppressant incorporated in the product by introducing at least a portion of it into the cooler region surrounding and separating the fiber-entraining streams of hot gas and communicating with the zone wherein the fibers are deposited minimizes smoke evolution as compared to introducing such portion into the hot gas streams.

Abstract: The use of an antistatic agent in the production of blowing wool insulation is disclosed. The antistat is a quanternary ammonium salt which is applied from an aqueous solution. The antistat reduces the tendency of the small fiber particles to dispense during pneumatical application.