Abstract: A space-dividing wall panel system having a plurality of base panels which are serially connectable one with the other to define a vertically enlarged wall supported on a floor. Each base panel is defined by at least one horizontal box-beam rigidly connected to a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical uprights which are connected at the opposite ends of the box-beam and have a reduced thickness compared thereto. With this clearance between the faces of the box-beam and the uprights, the box-beam, cross rails at the ends of the uprights as well as additional extension panels are formed with longitudinally extending channels which are positioned free of interference with the vertical uprights and aligned with serially-adjacent channels of serially-adjacent wall panels.

Abstract: A method to selectively deposit a barrier layer on dielectric material that surrounds one or more metal interconnects on a substrate is disclosed. The barrier layer is selectively deposited on the metal film using a cyclical deposition process including a predetermined number of deposition cycles followed by a purge step. Each deposition cycle comprises alternately adsorbing a refractory metal-containing precursor and a reducing gas on the dielectric material formed on the substrate in a process chamber.

Abstract: A drinking water filter inhibits retrograde bacteria growth at the user outlet with the combination of a non-carbonaceous submicron filter element immediately upstream of the system outlet and a copper orifice element in the outlet downstream of the filter element. The copper orifice element preferably comprises a thin copper disc having a single orifice. The submicron filter element preferably comprises a hollow fiber bundle filter element.

Abstract: The sending of acknowledgments is managed. An acknowledgment is delayed by a receiver until a threshold number of packets is received by the receiver or another condition is satisfied, unless a further condition arises that provokes the sending of the acknowledgment prematurely. This allows delaying techniques to be used in situations in which such techniques are typically not tolerated.

Abstract: Encapsulated pigment for use in ink-jet ink formulations, improved ink-jet ink formulations using the encapsulated pigment, and methods for producing same. The pigment particles are pretreated with a polymer that is soluble in organic solvents, but substantially insoluble in water. The pigment particles are added to a solution of polymer/organic solvent, mixed to form a paste then collected after driving off the solvent. The encapsulated pigment can be used to prepare an ink-jet ink formulation by grinding it in a water carrier with a conventional polymer dispersant.

Abstract: A dog run and apparatus adapted to accommodate more than one dog. The apparatus includes a spring-tensioned run line. One end of a primary leash line is mounted on the run line via a swivel connection and pulley. One end of a secondary leash line is mounted on the primary leash line via a swivel connection and pulley. A second end of the primary and secondary leash lines is connected to a respective dog's collar. The elevation of the run line above grade and the linear dimensions of the run line and leash lines have been chosen to afford ample run area for the dogs and to provide room for maneuvering without causing the leash lines to tangle and snarl.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a conference call is facilitated by dynamically determining information streams to be received by a mixing unit.

Abstract: A tissue growth apparatus and method are provided for growing tissue by applying a tissue growth medium to the tissue and applying reduced, sub-atmospheric pressure at the growth medium and the tissue in a controlled manner for a selected time period. The application of reduced pressure at the growth medium and tissue promotes growth of the tissue within the tissue growth medium. The apparatus includes a tissue cover sealed over a tissue site. The apparatus also includes a tissue growth medium located beneath the tissue cover and in contact with the tissue to be grown. A vacuum pump supplies suction within the tissue cover over the tissue site to provide reduced pressure to the tissue and the tissue growth medium.

Abstract: A system includes a communication device that includes a number of interface cards and a switching complex. Upon receiving a data signal, an input card modifies header bits of the data signal to identify an input port on which the data signal was received. The switching complex uses the modified header bits to communicate the data signal to an output card and associated output port. In a particular embodiment, the switching complex may also modify header bits to identify the input card.

Abstract: A generator structure is provided for generating an AC power for a load. The generator structure includes a generator connectable to a load and an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the same. A generator controller is operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to a generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby. A communications link connects the generator control to a network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoassay device featuring a semi-quantitative, multi-level method for determining the presence and an amount of an analyte. The immunoassay involves a device comprising a layer with a porous medium deposited thereon. The device has several binding zones in which each zone comprises a defined amount of a binding reagent to bind and immobilize the analyte. The present invention also features an inscribed capillary channel having fluid barriers that allow control of a rate of migration of fluid along the porous medium. The device typically provides at least some of the binding zones within the capillary channels such that a solvent quickly traverses through the capillary channels and provides a semi-quantitative result. Preferably, any binding of an analyte is accompanied by a visual change in the binding zone such that one can easily detect visually an amount of analyte present in the sample.

Abstract: Guided self-help is facilitated through use of so-called “active content” pages that are selectively filtered and retrieved as a function of a set of declarative “assertions.” An assertion typically is an individual statement or building block of a larger, more comprehensive diagnostic map. An assertions map is a smaller, more focused version of a diagnostic map that is executed against a user's computer system to diagnose a particular problem situation that the user has encountered. When a user encounters a technical problem, he or she navigates to a search window and enables a given command when entering a search string to identify fixes for the problem. A server process responds to the search request and downloads an assertions map that checks the state of the end user system and returns results.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems of repositioning teeth for use in orthodontic treatment, with particular applicability to removable elastic repositioning appliances. Such appliances may be challenged by traditional tooth movements which intrude the crown of the tooth or present tooth positions which reduce available points of purchase. These challenges may be overcome with a series of tooth movements in which a tooth is translated in a “root-first” position. The movements may take advantage of the inherent characteristics of elastic repositioning appliances in translating a tooth from a first position to a desired position along a gingival plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the DNA sequence for eukaryotic genes encoding &egr; cyclase isolated from romaine lettuce as well as vectors containing the same and hosts transformed with said vectors. The present invention provides methods for controlling the ratio of various carotenoids in a host and to the production of novel carotenoid pigments. The present invention also provides a method for treating disease by administering carotenoids obtained from transformed hosts, or by administering a composition containing the transformed hosts.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system controller and method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of generator sets are provided. Each generator set generates electrical power and includes a generator communications link for connecting a generator set to a network. A user interface allows a user to select a generator set and set values for various predetermined operating parameters of the selected generator sets. Thereafter, a communications link connectable to the network transmits the user set values of the predetermined operating parameters to the selected generator set.

Abstract: An apparatus, to be used when an open end of a hollow substrate contacts a coating solution to define a solution free interior portion of the substrate, for controlling the level of the coating solution relative to the substrate interior, the apparatus including: a gas container capable of changing in volume; a channel connecting the gas container to the solution free interior portion of the substrate to allow gas flow in either direction between the gas container and the solution free interior portion; and pressure means for exerting a changeable, continuous pressure on the gas container that automatically exerts an increasingly greater pressure on the gas container as the gas container expands in volume and that automatically exerts a decreasingly lesser pressure on the gas container as the gas container decreases in volume.

Abstract: Two-way resource reservation techniques for use in UMTS and other telecommunication systems. A determination is made as to whether a user requires resource reservations in both an uplink direction and a downlink direction within the system, and if the user requires such two-way resource reservations, a two-way protocol is implemented to establish the required resource reservations. The two-way protocol integrates resource negotiation procedures for both the uplink direction and the downlink direction so as to ensure that the required resource reservations are provided for both directions. The two-way protocol may be a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) based on a Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) resource negotiation procedure. The determination may be based on one or more flag bits which identify whether the user requires resource reservations for both the uplink and downlink directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to graft copolymers, useful as dispersants in ink jet ink compositions, which comprise two structurally distinct segments: a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment. The preferred hydrophilic segment is comprised preferably of a methacrylic acid polymer, or a copolymer thereof with another monomer, such as styrene sulfonic acid. The preferred hydrophobic segment comprises a polymer or copolymer containing electron rich functional groups comprised of a plurality of methacrylate derivatized monomers, preferably a methacrylate ester monomer, or a substituted methacrylate ester monomer (a methacrylate ester where the alkyl group is replaced with a siloxyl substituent, an oligomeric siloxane). The present invention also relates to aqueous ink compositions which include the polymeric dispersants of the present invention. A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a polymer comprising a monomeric hydrophobic head and a polymeric tail.

Abstract: A reporting system for collecting, communicating and analyzing information from a plurality of pest monitoring locations is disclosed. The monitored locations include activity sensing pest devices. These devices can include traps and/or passive and active monitoring devices not having a trapping or killing functionality. While traps may constitute the majority of activity sensing pest devices in a given pest control program, devices which only monitor pest activity may be preferred in some locations and applications. The system includes automatic reporting from the plurality of activity sensing pest devices and also includes physical inspection data. Preferably an automatic real-time communication system is used, with the preferred communication system being a radio-frequency (RF) or other over-the-air system. However, hardwired systems, use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as an interim data carrier, and other technologies may also be employed.

Abstract: A device for lapping a bar of the type which carries a plurality of sliders used in magnetic storage systems includes first, second and third actuators adapted to couple to the bar, and impart a first, second and third controllable force in response to a first, second and third control signal, respectively. An arm couples to the first, second and third actuators and applies a lapping force to the bar which presses the bar against a lapping surface thereby causing material to be removed from the bar. A controller provides the first, second and third control signals to the first, second and third actuators, respectively, to impart a plurality of forces onto the bar. The actuators are controlled to obtain a desired profile of the bar and to obtain a desired distribution of the lapping force across the profile of the bar.