Abstract: Live attenuated bacteria vaccines are provided. Also provided are methods by which such vaccines can be obtained, including: a method by which a copy of the dam gene from a pathogenic bacteria is cloned into a plasmid capable of replication in the same bacteria species such that it is overexpressed from either a lac promoter, tac promoter, araBAD promoter, trc promoter, trp promoter, T7, SP6, or T5 bacteriophage promoters, a native promoter from that species, or other appropriate promoter. The plasmid containing the dam gene is then transferred into the pathogens to cause increased expression of Dam resulting in the formation of a live attenuated bacterial vaccines. Alternative methods for producing the vaccine are also provided including altering or replacing the chromosomal promoter for the native dam gene so as to alter Dam expression or mutating or replacing the native dam gene so as to alter the expression of Dam in a pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: A method, device, and plurality of circuit enhancements for a rectifier system that enable reduction in lower order and higher order harmonics, without substantially reducing the rectifier's direct current output voltage. The rectifier system comprises a phase shifting primary transformer subsystem and a multi-pulse rectifier. At least one series impedance path is coupled to one of three input terminals/leads of the transformer subsystem and conducts one phase of three phase currents from a power supply to the transformer subsystem. The series impedance path provides low impedance to the 1st harmonic and substantially higher, inductive impedance to higher harmonics of the power supply frequency.

Abstract: A packaging for a stack of articles of absorbing materials such as cotton wool tampons or similar hygiene articles, and where the packaging protects the mentioned articles against soiling and spray from above, as well as the sides, and also preventing contamination from below. The packaging can stand steady on the supporting surface and a the same time easily permit the articles withdrawal, one by one, from the packaging. The packaging is constructed with supporting devices so that the withdrawal aperture faces downwards and is elevated above the supporting surface.

Abstract: An imaging system illuminates an object with infrared light to enhance visibility of buried structure beneath the surface of the object, and projects a visible light image of the buried structure onto the surface of the object. The system may include an infrared light source for generating the infrared light and a structure for diffusing the infrared light. The diffusing structure may include one or more layers of diffusing material for diffusing the light. The system further includes a video imaging device for receiving the infrared light reflected from the object and for generating a video image of the buried structure based on the reflected infrared light. The buried structure may be a subcutaneous blood vessel. A calibration procedure is described as well as embodiments for ensuring that the object is maintained in focus at the correct distance.

Abstract: Components, systems and methods for generating variable frequency AC voltage from a DC power supply are described. The components include a full-bridge (FB) parallel load resonant (PLR) converter which operates in discontinuous conduction mode. The PLR converter includes MOSFETs in an H-bridge configuration and employs a topology which minimizes inductance. The PLR converter can be coupled to a single or poly-phase bridge for use as an inverter. The inverter can be used to produce an AC sinusoidal waveform from a low voltage, high current DC power supply. Systems and techniques for modulating the output from the PLR converter to produce an AC sinusoidal waveform having desired characteristics, including frequency and voltage, are also provided. The PLR converter can also be coupled to a rectifier for use as a DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A pulse modulated converter comprising an input stage (1) for generating a first control signal (2) based on an input signal (3) and a first feedback signal (4), and a comparator (5) for generating a pulse width modulated signal (6) based on said first control signal and a reference signal (7), means for providing a hysteresis when generating the pulse width modulated signal (6), a power stage (8) for generating an amplified pulse width modulated signal (9), an output filter (10) for filtering said amplified pulse width modulated signal (9), so as to create an analog output signal (11). In said pulse modulated converter, the first feedback signal (4) is formed as a combination of a second feedback signal (12) and a third feedback signal (13). The second feedback signal (12) is derived from the amplified pulse width modulated signal (9) using a first predetermined transfer function (14).

Abstract: The Federal EPA has consistently limited the use of known toxicants (insecticides) to preclude their admixture into paints and coatings by contractors or homeowners for the purpose of repelling or killing insects on the dried or cured coating. The current invention is a method to repel, rather than kill, insects, arachnids, and other arthropods, utilizing materials taken from the EPA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) List, obviating onerous Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulations and greatly extending the useful life of the insect-repellant materials by binding them into the dried film solids—greatly slowing their evaporation and degradation and creating a timed release of insect repellant material. Furthermore, the current invention utilizes the insect repellant nature of these materials to repel insects from the surrounding area during coating application, thereby eliminating the need for applying insect repellants, such as DEET, to the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kitchen ventilation hood for ventilating the area above a cooking area and for exhausting air containing cooking by-products from a cooking station to an external environment through an exhaust duct while using a reduced airflow. The kitchen ventilation hood of the present invention is designed to minimize the required airflow through the hood in order to thoroughly evacuate the cooking by-products. The kitchen ventilation hood of the current invention has a structure incorporating an arched interior hood surface that directs the air to be ventilated through the air intake gap and the grease filter. The more efficient airflow resulting from the arched interior hood surface allows for removal of cooking by-products with a lower airflow than that required by currently available ventilation hoods. As such, the kitchen ventilation hood of the present invention represents a significant improvement over prior ventilation hoods.

Abstract: The Federal EPA has consistently limited the use of known toxicants (insecticides) to preclude their admixture into paints and coatings by contractors or homeowners for the purpose of repelling or killing insects on the dried or cured coating. The current invention is a method to repel rather than kill insects, arachnids, and other arthropods utilizing materials taken from the EPA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) List, obviating onerous Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulations and greatly extends the useful life of the insect-repellant materials by binding them into the dried film solids—greatly slowing their evaporation and degradation and creating a timed release of insect repellant material. Furthermore, the current invention utilizes the insect repellant nature of these materials to repel insects from the surrounding area during coating application, thereby eliminating the need for applying insect repellants such as DEET to the skin.