Abstract: A technique for problem determination in a distributed application is provided. Testing results of the application are first obtained through execution of test cases of a test group in the application. The testing of the application is then adaptively refined when the testing results have one or more failures, to expose problems that caused the one or more failures.

Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a lower housing, a circuit board mounted in the lower housing, and an insulator block mounted on an upper surface of the circuit board holding a plurality of terminals that have contact heads extending above the insulator block and connector tails extending below the insulator block and attached to the circuit board. The contact heads extend through a face seal. An upper housing having an integral upstanding shroud is attached to the insulator block and/or the lower housing so that the contact heads are disposed within the shroud and the face seal is compressed between the insulator block and the upper housing. The shroud has an outer periphery and the insulator block has an outer periphery that is spaced inwardly of the outer periphery of the shroud to provide a space beneath the upper housing for attaching electrical and/or electronic components to the circuit board adjacent the insulator block.

Abstract: A hand held ultrasonic instrument (10) is provided in a portable unit that performs C-Mode imaging and collects 3D image data. In a preferred embodiment a transducer array (60), display unit (20), beamformer (40), power system, and image processor are integrated in one enclosure weighing less than three pounds. In operation, the portable unit is scanned across a target and the displayed image is conveniently presented to the operator whereby the displayed image corresponds exactly to the target, or a scaled fashion if desired.

Abstract: The present application describes a method and apparatus for implanting a medical device within a living body. The apparatus includes an elongate sleeve positionable with a living body, such as within a blood vessel, and a medical device insertable into the sleeve. During use, the sleeve is retained with the body, and the medical device is sealed within the sleeve. The sleeve substantially avoids biological growth onto the medical device, and thus permits removal of the medical device independently of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of operating a control unit of an emission abatement assembly includes communicating with an engine control unit of an internal combustion engine. An emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system includes an authorization and account control object in the packet switched network, multiple gateways between the circuit switched and packet switched networks providing controlled connectivity between those networks, and an information retrieval object in the packet switched network, wherein the authorization and account control object maintains a substantially real time record of user accounts and usage, and the information and retrieval object provides substantially real time retrieval of selected information from the authorization and account control object.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a method and system for monitoring traffic events at a predetermined location, using a temporary video camera set up to record traffic movements through an intersection or other location along a road. The method preferably comprises taking a video recording of the location, and then sending the recording to a foreign country where the recording can be reviewed manually at a reduced cost. To facilitate an accurate and consistent review of the recording, the invention preferably uses “event lines” that can be superimposed on the video monitor, wherein the event lines help determine when a vehicle has passed through an intersection, i.e., when a recordable traffic event occurs. The system also preferably uses a computer-operated program adapted to assist the operator in reviewing, verifying and summarizing the recorded information, wherein a particular key or keys can be pressed depending on the type of event to be indicated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conveying fluids (e.g., liquids, gases, and mixtures thereof) are disclosed. A turbopump in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention comprises an impeller defining at least one flow channel and a shroud defining an opening communicating with the at least one flow channel. In certain advantageous implementations, at least one inlet partial of the impeller extends into the opening defined by the shroud. The at least one inlet partial may advantageously be capable of supporting the opening in the shroud. In some cases, the impeller may include a plurality of these inlet partials.

Abstract: An apparatus which inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers is disclosed. The equipment must have an external wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected dimensions. An attachment mechanism includes a housing for a spindle having a first portion rotatable within the housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, and a crossmember at the end of the shaft having peripheral dimensions closely conforming to the internal dimensions of the slot. An abutment mechanism also emanates from the housing, and is located on opposite sides of the shaft intermediate the housing and the crossmember. The peripheral cross-sectional dimensions of the abutment mechanism and the shaft in combination closely conform to the dimensions of the slot. The length of the shaft from the housing to the crossmember is approximately equal to the thickness of the external wall of equipment.

Abstract: Intravascular devices (e.g., stents, stent grafts, covered stents, aneurysm coils, embolic agents and drug delivery catheters and balloons) are used in combination with fibrosing agents in order to induce fibrosis that may otherwise not occur when the implant is placed within an animal or to promote fibrosis betweent the devices and the host tissues. Compositions and methods are described for use in the treatment of aneurysms and unstable arterial (vulnerable) plaque.

Abstract: A bonded drive shaft includes an elongated tube having an internal bore and at least one end fitting for connecting to a drive component. The end fitting includes first and second locating portions that engage the internal bore to precisely and firmly locate the end fitting with respect to the tube. The end fitting also includes an adhesive gap portion positioned between the locating portions to form a generally annular adhesive receiving gap between the first locating portion, the second locating portion, the adhesive gap portion and the internal bore of the elongated tube. Adhesive is injected into the adhesive receiving gap to bond the end fitting to the elongated tube.

Abstract: Soft tissue implants (e.g., breast, pectoral, chin, facial, lip, and nasal implants) are used in combination with an anti-scarring agent in order to inhibit scarring that may otherwise occur when the implant is placed within an animal.

Abstract: Mechanisms for preventing sway and distributing uneven forces applied on an axle in a moving vehicle are described. An axle tube is segmented into three components: two end segments and a middle segment. Spindle shafts extend from the end segments into the middle segment but do not come into direct contact with one another. Portions of the spindle shaft that are in the middle segment are press-fitted in the middle segment using inserts. The middle segment of the axle tube free to rotate. The inserts allow for interaction between both ends of the spindle shafts such that a rotational force applied to one spindle shaft is communicated to another spindle shaft. The amount of anti-sway capability desired can be calibrated by adjusting the length of the inserts and shafts in the axle tube and the materials and density of the various components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of activating a silicon surface for subsequent patterning of molecules onto said surface, and to patterns produced by this method, and further to uses of said pattern.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of hepatocyte growth factor receptor. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding hepatocyte growth factor receptor. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of hepatocyte growth factor receptor expression and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with expression of hepatocyte growth factor receptor are provided.

Abstract: Suspender units of various forms for containers. Unit has a supporting ring (18) constructed to be connected with the rim of the container and a suspender (16, 16a-f, 96, 121, 121a-b, 162, 162a-c, 12d-e, 200, 204,262, 270). Suspender lies parallel with and along or between limiting planes of the ring. In important cases, suspender is molded of resin simultaneously with molding the ring, and an integral mouth-sealing surface while in other important cases the ring surrounds and is integrated with a central insert (12, 12a-c, 13, 13a, 104, 130, 161, 206, 220, 222, 222a-b) as by insert-molding, the insert carrying the suspender. Suspender is deflectable from a formed position to an upstanding position in which it is capable, via the ring, of carrying weight of the container and goods. Finger suspender (16) is joined to connector at a location (R) substantially offset from central axis of the package.

Abstract: A ball bat includes an aluminum, or other metal, tubular sleeve co-molded or post-mold bonded onto a predominantly cylindrical composite, or other non-metal, ball bat handle. An aluminum, or other metal, knob is attached to the metal tubular sleeve, via welding or another suitable attachment method. A barrel end closure, e.g. a barrel cap, may be attached to the end of the bat barrel in a similar manner. In such a case, a metal insert is co-molded, or post-mold bonded, onto the barrel end of the bat. A metal barrel cap is then welded to the metal insert to close the end of the ball bat. Alternatively, a cap retention device may be co-molded, or post-mold bonded, onto the barrel end of the bat. A plastic, or other suitable material, cap is then attached to the cap retention device.

Abstract: A woven tubular endoprosthesis comprising means for locking the endoprosthesis in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The means for locking the endoprosthesis may comprise locking protrusions, notches, a chemical bond, a curable bond, or other mechanism. The woven fibers comprising the endoprosthesis may be hollow and comprise circumferentially oriented polymeric chains, and may be filled with a curable material. A method of treatment using an endoprosthesis according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Skill enhancement tool for assessing and improving an individual's performance in multiple domains including processing of complex audio, visual and tactile perceptual inputs, operation of complex controls via manipulation, enacting complex motor sequences and complex cognitive tasks. The invention presents complex stimuli to an individual, monitors his or her reactions to the stimuli, and, in response to the user's reactions, changes the future stimuli to be presented in such a way as to alter the user's brain entrainment patterns to elicit improvement.

Abstract: A container security system has a container interior monitor portion with a container interior light sensing portion responsive to visible light. A different embodiment involves a monitoring device with a support, a door engaging member movable to and from an operational position, and a detection portion that generates an electrical signal in response to movement of the member away from the operational position. The support may be configured to be supported on an edge portion of a movable door. Alternatively, the monitoring device may include a wireless communication portion, and circuitry responsive to the signal and operatively coupled to the wireless communication portion.