Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for expanding the mandibular or maxillary arch comprises a first forward orthodontic band; a second forward orthodontic band; a first spring-loaded rod and tube assembly between said first and second forward orthodontic bands; a first rear orthodontic band and a second rear orthodontic band; a second spring-loaded rod and tube assembly connecting said first forward and first rear orthodontic bands; and a third spring-loaded rod and tube assembly connecting said second forward and second rear orthodontic bands. Where both a maxillary and mandibular arch expander are used, they can be connected by a Herbst-type telescoping connector. The telescoping assembly has a first end connected to one of said forward and rear bands of said mandibular arch expander and a second end connected to the other of said forward and rear bands of said maxillary arch expander. The telescoping assembly includes a tube assembly and a rod slidably received in the tube assembly.

Abstract: A dental capsule for extruding high viscosity dental material providing reduced extrusion force. The dental capsule comprises a body portion, a transition portion and a discharge portion. The transition portion has an axis having an angular relationship with the axis of the body portion and the axis of the discharge portion. This relationship and transitional portion reduces the extrusion force required in extruding high viscosity dental material. In another embodiment of the present invention, a flexible piston having a conical front end is utilized to more fully extrude the dental material from the dental capsule. The dental capsule may have flexible walls with the flexible piston and walls cooperating to extrude substantially all of the dental material. The present invention, when used with high viscosity dental materials, results in less extrusion force required and does not damage the dental material during extrusion.

Abstract: A bonding system is provided that bonds a heat sink to a printed circuit assembly. The bonding system includes an adhesive applicator that is configured to hold an adhesive layer, and a heat sink holder that is configured to hold a heat sink while the adhesive applicator applies the adhesive layer to the heat sink.

Abstract: A camera comprising: (a) means for capturing an image of a real world scene as an image signal; (b) storage means for storing captured images and from which stored images can be read; (c) a screen; (d) a means for displaying on the screen a symbolic representation of the list of stored images and a user selected location within the list; (e) a user interface which allows a user to select the location within the list; and (f) means for displaying on the screen the image within the list corresponding to the selected location. A method which can be executed by a camera such as the above, is also provided.

Abstract: A composition and method for reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria in an aquatic environment. The composition includes isolated Bacillus cereus which are able to reduce a number of well known pathogenic bacterium from aquatic environments. The preferred Bacillus cereus is strain RRRL B-30535.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the regeneration of catalytic reactors. In particular it relates to methods for regenerating a fuel-processing catalyst while it is still being used to supply hydrogen to a fuel cell. The temperature of the catalyst may be adjusted, the air, steam or fuel feed rate may be adjusted. Alternatively, additives may be added to the feed.

Abstract: The invention is a combiner and a method for selectively combining modulated signals. The combiner includes a first modulator (12) with a selective input which receives at least one input signal and a first carrier signal and which outputs a first output modulated with the first carrier signal; a second modulator (14) with a selective input which receives at least one input signal and a second carrier signal and which outputs a second output modulated with the second carrier signal; means for combining (24?) the first and second amplified output signals to provide a combined output; and wherein the first and second carrier signals are selectably coherent or incoherent with the selection of first and second coherent carrier signals causing the combined output to comprise a single carrier of higher power and the selection of incoherent carrier signals causing the combined output to comprise two distinguishable carriers of lower power.

Abstract: The coil end-turn segments of a generator exciter rotor are retained using an end-turn retention assembly that includes an inner band and an outer band. The inner band is located around at least a portion of each of the end-turn segments and has two ends. The outer peripheral surface of the inner band is tapered such that the thickness of the inner band varies between its ends. The outer band is located around the inner band and also has two ends. The inner peripheral surface of the outer band is tapered in a fashion that is reverse to that of the inner band outer surface, and such that the outer band thickness varies between its ends. By forming oppositely configured tapers in the inner and outer bands, the outer bands will remain in place and not migrate axially away from the lamination core during exciter rotor rotation.

Abstract: Supported stereospecific catalysts and processes for the stereotactic propagation of a polymer chain derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as the polymerization of propylene to produce syndiotactic polypropylene or isotactic polypropylene. The supported catalyst comprises a stereospecific metallocene catalyst component and a co-catalyst component comprising an alkylalumoxane. Both the metallocene catalyst component and the co-catalyst component are supported on a particulate polyamide support comprising spheroidical particles of a polyamide having an average diameter with the range of 5-60 microns, and a porosity permitting distribution of a portion of the co-catalyst within the pore volume of the polyamide particles while retaining a substantial portion on the surface of the particles. The polyamide support is characterized by relatively low surface area, specifically a surface area less than 20 square meters per gram.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a distribution of sizes of input/output (I/O) operations in testing a data processing system. A plurality of I/O operations of different sizes are issued in response to a set of distribution parameter values. Each distribution parameter value specifies a number of I/O operations to issue for one or more sizes of I/O operations. The I/O operations are verified for correctness after completion. While issuing the I/O operations, performance characteristics of the data processing system are measured. In response to the performance characteristics relative to target performance characteristics, the distribution parameter values are selectively adjusted.

Abstract: A tool is employed in conjunction with alignment, depth, and level detectors. The tool can use all or some of these detectors. The alignment detector provides an orthogonal laser line grid on an incident surface when the detector has a predefined relationship with the surface. The depth detector emits two sets of parallel laser planes that converge with each other. When the laser planes impact on an incident surface two sets of lines are formed. The laser lines from one laser plane set move closer to the lines from the other laser plane set as the depth detector moves closer to the surface—showing changes in depth or distance. The level detector employs two converging laser planes. An operator positions the level detector above an incident surface, so the laser planes' line of intersection appears on the surface if the surface is level. If the surface is not level, lines separate from each laser plane appear on the surface—signaling the need for a level adjustment.

Abstract: Aspects of a portable computer system capable of warming a user's hands are described. The portable computer system includes a lid, the lid housing a display screen and a base, the base hingedly coupled to the lid and housing processing hardware beneath a keyboard unit. The base further includes an adjustable ventilation interface that allows an alteration to a direction of warm air dispersing heat generated by operation of the processing hardware. The ventilation interface includes a plurality of vent openings and a mechanical controller substantially adjacent to the plurality of vent openings to adjust closure of the plurality of vent openings.

Abstract: A flexible heating cover assembly for an apparatus for heating samples of biological material with substantial temperature uniformity includes a housing having a plurality of engageable enclosure components; a resistive heater having a plurality of heater element areas; a heater backing plate providing stability to the resistive heater; a force distribution system that distributes a force over the heater backing plate; and a support plate providing stiffness for the force distribution system, wherein the arrangement of the resistive heater, the heater backing plate, the force distribution system and the support plate provide substantial temperature uniformity among a plurality of sample tubes for receiving samples of biological material. The flexible heating cover assembly improves the uniformity, efficiency, quality, reliability and controllability of the thermal response during thermal cycling of the biological material.

Abstract: A method and testing circuit are provided for tracking transistor stress degradation. A first array of P-channel field effect transistors (PFETs) is connected in parallel. The first array of PFETs is stressed by applying a low gate input and a high source and a high drain to the PFETs during a stress period. The first array of PFETs is tested by operating the PFETs in a saturated region during a test period. A reference array of PFETs is not stressed during the stress period. The reference array of PFETs is activated for testing to compare a saturated drain current performance with the first array of PFETs during the test period.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a subscriber having a first telephone number that is out-of-service comprises providing a database that is accessible at least through a second telephone number, and allowing the subscriber to access the database to post a message. The message is made available to an interested party. A system for a subscriber to communicate with an interested party is also provided.

Abstract: Described is a data processing system and processor that provides full multiprocessor speculation by which all instructions subsequent to barrier operations in a instruction sequence are speculatively executed before the barrier operation completes on the system bus. The processor comprises a load/store unit (LSU) with a barrier operation (BOP) controller that permits load instructions subsequent to syncs in an instruction sequence to be speculatively issued prior to the return of the sync acknowledgment. Data returned is immediately forwarded to the processor's execution units. The returned data and results of subsequent operations are held temporarily in rename registers. A multiprocessor speculation flag is set in the corresponding rename registers to indicate that the value is “barrier” speculative. When a barrier acknowledge is received by the BOP controller, the flag(s) of the corresponding rename register(s) are reset.

Abstract: The roadway at a road-rail crossing comprises rows of extruded rubber strips. The strips have a tongue-and-groove type of edge connection, which constrain the strips such that if one strip bounces the adjacent strips bounce too. Locking-strips fit between primary-strips, and have latches, which snap into place upon the locking-strips being driven downwards, from above.

Abstract: The present invention provides phosphotetrahydropyran compounds and the use thereof in treating diseases or conditions that are dependent on T-lymphocyte migration, as well as compositions containing said compounds.

Abstract: A lightweight, four stroke engine includes a crankcase enclosure and at least one piston assembly disposed within the crankcase enclosure. The piston assembly cooperates with the crankcase enclosure to provide an internal pressure to the crankcase enclosure which varies between a positive and a negative pressure. An air intake assembly is operatively coupled to a first section of the engine and the crankcase enclosure, the air intake assembly including at least one air conduit configured to provide non-combustive air flow from the first section of the engine to the crankcase enclosure of the engine. At least one valve is disposed within the air intake system, the valve being configured to restrict air flow from the crankcase enclosure when positively pressurized and to allow airflow into the crankcase enclosure when negatively pressurized.