Abstract: A drip edge device for a roof which includes a panel having top and bottom surfaces, the panel having an integrally formed flange protruding downwardly from the bottom surface, with the flange arranged so that an inner side can locate against a roof edge when an inner planar portion of the panel extends under roofing material adjacent the roof edge, and a lip also integrally formed with the device and positioned outwardly of the flange so as to form, together with the outer side of the flange and the bottom surface of an outer portion of the panel, a recess for a heating cable. At least one of the flange and lip are resilient and provide a restricted entry into the recess such that the recess can retain a heating cable sized to fit the recess when such cable has been pushed laterally into the recess.

Abstract: An immersion mold for a medical device balloon. The mold has a cavity adapted to receive a hollow parison expandable therein to form the balloon. The cavity has a length, a first end, a second end, and a cavity wall with inner and outer surfaces. The mold form cavity wall is provided with one or a plurality of through-holes along the length thereof to facilitate entrance and egress of a heated fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for image acquisition enables selective automated application of color management to color image data generated by an image-capturing device by the device driver for the device. In the image acquisition system, each image-capturing device has properties or operation parameters that can be set to control the operation of the device. During an image acquisition operation, color image data generated by the image-capturing device are transmitted to the device driver. If the operation parameters of the device are set to indicate that color management is to be performed, the device driver calls color management functions provided by the operating system to perform the desired color operation, such as a color space conversion, on the received color image data. The processed color image data are then sent to the image-processing application for further processing or editing.

Abstract: A system and method for image acquisition enables selective automated application of color management to color image data generated by an image-capturing device by the device driver for the device. In the image acquisition system, each image-capturing device has properties or operation parameters that can be set to control the operation of the device. During an image acquisition operation, color image data generated by the image-capturing device are transmitted to the device driver. If the operation parameters of the device are set to indicate that color management is to be performed, the device driver calls color management functions provided by the operating system to perform the desired color operation, such as a color space conversion, on the received color image data.

Abstract: A sensor for an inflatable cushion, the sensor including a base with a conductive area in an appropriate configuration relative to the area of the patient's anatomy positioned on the cushion. The conductive area of the base can be optimally configured to correspond to the bony prominences of the buttocks or ischia position on an air cell cushion. There are electrodes connected to the conductive area that generate an electromagnetic field of a predetermined configuration. A disturbance of the electromagnetic field created by a change in position of the patient is transmitted to an indicator so that an observer can determine if the patient is appropriately immersed in the cushion.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: A method and system for management of radio frequency coverage over a wide geographic area. A database is created specifying a geographic location for each of a large number of possible communication locations within a wide geographic area. Selected physical parameters are then associated with each communication location including: addresses; site plans; structural drawings; and, actual measured signal strength for multiple entities authorized to transmit at selected frequencies within that geographic area. Thereafter, communication locations may be automatically accessed by specifying either a physical location or by accessing those locations where measured signal strengths fall below a selected level. Once accessed, all stored physical parameters associated with a selected communication location may be displayed, including: photographs of the location, site plans, structural drawings and readiness data.

Abstract: A frictional printing device, system and method prints on thermal paper using heat generated by frictional contact. A frictional actuator motivates a frictional heating element to frictionally contact the thermal paper. The thermal paper is chemically treated to react to heat by changing color. Heat is generated by frictional contact of the frictional heating element against the thermal paper. The frictional contact may be provided through repetitive movement of the frictional heating element. An image is formed by selectively positioned frictional contact between the frictional heating element and the thermal paper.

Abstract: A frictional printing device, system and method prints on thermal paper using heat generated by frictional contact. A frictional actuator motivates a frictional heating element to frictionally contact the thermal paper. The thermal paper is chemically treated to react to heat by changing color. Heat is generated by frictional contact of the frictional heating element against the thermal paper. The frictional contact may be provided through repetitive movement of the frictional heating element. An image is formed by selectively positioned frictional contact between the frictional heating element and the thermal paper.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications network (100) comprises a multiplicity of Bluetooth™ units, some of which are fixed and act as base units (BS1; BS2; BS3; BS4) and some mobile (MS1; MS2; MS3; MS4). The fixed units are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) along with a telephony gateway (4) and a PABX (5) and PSTN (6). Methods for minimising signal interference as mobile units roam within the network are discussed.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications network (100) comprises a multiplicity of Bluetooth™ units, some of which are fixed and act as base units (BS1; BS2; BS3; BS4) and some mobile (MS1; MS2; MS3; MS4). The fixed units are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) along with a telephony gateway (4) and a PABX (5) and PSTN (6). Methods for controlling handoff of mobile units while roaming within the network are provided, as well a method for determining the order of handoffs and the positions of mobile positions within the network.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the photostabilizing of silver in medical materials are described. More particularly, the methods increase the photostabilization of silver in certain materials comprising hydrophilic, amphoteric and anionic polymers by subjecting the polymers to solutions containing an organic solvent and silver, during or after which one or more agents are added which facilitate the photostablization of the material.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for helping determine a condition of selected tissue of a patient based on a set of thermal images of the selected tissue acquired over a time period. The image set has image regions with corresponding characteristics indicative of a temperature condition of an associated part of the selected tissue, which had been subjected to a thermal challenge during part of the image acquisition time period. Feature values are determined based on the characteristics of selected image regions. A classifier is applied to the features to provide an indication of the condition of the selected tissue, such as indicating a likelihood of malignancy.

Abstract: Delivery of an exogenous gene to the respiratory epithelium in a lentiviral expression vector. Includes the preconditioning of the respiratory tract with a penetrating agent such as a detergent to cause tolerable transient damage to the superficial epithelial cell layer. The effective amount of the penetrating agent may be determined by measuring a drop of TPD. Utilising LPC the present inventors have found persistence of expression of an exogenous gene for periods exceed the turnover time of epithelial cells. Additionally amelioration of the pulmonary manifestation of Cystic Fibrosis has been monitored in a mouse modely using th epresent invention. Additionally a safe lentiviral particle packaging system is described where the Gag protei and the GagPol proteins are separately expressed with mutation of the frameshift site in nucleic acid encoding the GagPol protein ensuring that both proteins cannot expressed.

Abstract: The invention provides for the use of an effective amount of silver in the manufacture of a wound dressing comprising an anionic polymer, which dressing, when applied to the wound, gives a controlled release of ionic silver into the wound fluid for the prevention of staining of the underlying tissue.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the photostabilizing of silver in medical materials are described. More particularly, the methods increase the photostabilization of silver in certain materials comprising hydrophilic, amphoteric and anionic polymers by subjecting the polymers to solutions containing an organic solvent and silver, during or after which one or more agents are added which facilitate the photostablization of the material.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules from regions the soybean genome, which are associated with soybean cyst nematode resistance. The invention also relates to proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules as well as antibodies capable of recognizing these proteins. The invention also relates to nucleic acid markers from regions the soybean genome, which are associated with soybean cyst nematode resistance. Moreover, the invention relates to uses of such molecules, including, transforming soybean cyst nematode resistant soybean with constructs containing nucleic acid molecules from regions the soybean genome, which are associated with soybean cyst nematode resistance. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such molecules in a plant breeding program.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the photostabilizing of silver in medical materials are described. More particularly, the methods increase the photostabilization of silver in certain materials comprising hydrophilic, amphoteric and anionic polymers by subjecting the polymers to solutions containing an organic solvent and silver, during or after which one or more agents are added which facilitate the photostablization of the material.

Abstract: A thermal imaging apparatus (10) includes a table (12) having an opening 48 through which a prone patient's breast (24) can be suspended freely downward. The apparatus (10) further includes an air handling apparatus (14) which chills ambient air and directs the chilled air against the suspended breast (24), a thermal radiation sensor (16), and a mirror assembly (18, 20) which reflects thermal radiation from the suspended breast (24) to the sensor (16).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle child safety seat that permits the seat to be safely used by a child as well as by an adult without any modification of the seat. The convertible vehicle child safety seat is easily operated by any adult passenger of a vehicle without any special training or instructions. The convertible vehicle child safety seat automatically converts to a seat for an adult when it is not in use by a child. The convertible vehicle child safety seat is particularly suited for use in public transportation vehicles such as buses, railway passenger cars and the like, particularly since such vehicles have no provisions for protecting young children.