Abstract: A new and distinct Vriesea cultivar named ‘Kiwi Dusk’ is disclosed, characterized by very stable, strongly reticulate variegated foliage of dark green/bronze/dark purple. Upright plant form with a dark purple heart.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Hebe, ‘Frozen Flame’, characterized by its vigorous growth habit, its narrow, variegated foliage with green-gray centers and white margins that is suffused with purple in cool temperatures in spring, and its free flowering habit with racemes of lavender flowers for 6 to 8 weeks in mid summer into autumn.

Abstract: This invention is a new and distinctive grapevine ‘IFG 104-253’. ‘IFG 104-253’ produces naturally large, elongated white seedless berries that require little or no exogenous application of gibberellic acid to obtain commercially acceptable berry size which ripen in mid-season.

Abstract: A new Pelargonium plant named ‘Amri Wits09,’ particularly distinguished by the clean white flowers with a bold red-purple blotch, light to medium green foliage, round and semi-compact habit, with good branching and garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ligustrum plant named ‘Sunshine’, characterized by its mixture of yellow green and medium green-colored growing season foliage, lack of flower production, and compact growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Delphinium hybrid cultivar named ‘Morning Sunrise’ is disclosed, characterized by an upright plant habit, vigorous growth and large, pure white flowers with a large quantity of petals. The new cultivar produces strong flower stems, freely and continuously flowering from early through late Summer. The new variety is a Delphinium hybrid, suitable for garden or outdoor container use.

Abstract: ‘AU Buck III’ is a new and distinct Chinese chestnut cultivar that is blight resistant, precocious and an annual bearer. It produces a medium to heavy crop load each year and a medium sized nut. Nut drop begins about September 25 and continues for a 4–5 week period. A large percentage of the nuts drop during the first three weeks of the period that nuts drop from this cultivar. ‘AU Buck III’ is a small to medium sized tree that is round in shape with low, dense, and spreading branches that was 6.71 meters tall, with a canopy covering an area of 41.85 square meters at 20 years old. ‘AU Buck III’ is the third cultivar to mature and drop nuts in a series of four Chinese chestnut cultivars that will provide for a continuous nut drop of a high energy wildlife food source from late August through mid-to-late November.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Balcebibu’, characterized by its single-type, light lavender-colored flower, medium green-colored foliage-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact, and mounded growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘SOGO F1582’, comprises its flowers of white border with pink overlaid toward pink base and the pink white labellum, freely flowering habit, upright, freely branching and sturdy flowering stems, and the excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Weigela plant named ‘Kolmagira’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; yellow green and dark green variegated leaves with purple-colored margins; pink-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Heuchera plant named ‘Crystal Spires’, characterized by its full, densely foliated and uniformly mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; silver-colored upper leaf surfaces and purple-colored lower leaf surfaces; numerous large white-colored flowers arranged on erect panicles; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Regal Geranium plant named ‘Oglger11010’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; early to mid-flowering habit; bright lilac and magenta-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Solenostemon plant named ‘Balcimoa’, characterized by its mixed yellow, green, and red-colored foliage, incised foliage, and vigorous, upright growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER6406’, characterized by its uniform, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; mid-season flowering response; inflorescences with dark pink-colored flower bracts; and excellent post-production longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by small anemone-type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 51 days of short day length, pure white ray florets; a yellow disc with a green eye, and a free branching habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by small decorative type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, bronze red ray florets, free branching habit, and a consistent natural season flowering habit during the last week of September.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large, pale-pink decorative type inflorescences with a darker pink center, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, free branching habit, and a consistent natural season flowering habit during the first week of September.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by small decorative type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, dark red ray florets, free branching habit, and a consistent natural season flowering habit during the second week of September.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large decorative type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, red inflorescences with a darker red center, free branching habit, and a consistent natural season flowering habit during the last week of September.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘VALOR’. This new strawberry plant named ‘VALOR’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its medium plant size; medium to large fruit; red to dark red fruit color; strong fruit skin firmness; medium to dark green foliage; good fruit flavor; medium sized foliage and short fruiting trusses.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large decorative type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, orange inflorescences with an orange-red center, free branching habit, and a consistent natural season flowering habit during the first week of September.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large decorative type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, pink inflorescences with a dark red-purple center, free branching habit, and a consistent natural season flowering habit during the second week of September.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER11406’, characterized by its uniform, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; early season flowering response; inflorescences with pink and creamy white bi-colored flower bracts; and excellent post-production longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER306’, characterized by its uniform, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; mid-season flowering response; inflorescences with light pink and creamy white bi-colored flower bracts; and excellent post-production longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by small anemone type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 51 days of short day length, bright yellow ray and disc florets, and a free branching habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large daisy type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 52 days of short day length, lavender pink ray florets, yellow disc with a green eye, and a free branching habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large daisy type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 51 days of short day length, lavender pink ray florets and lime green disc florets, and a free branching habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large daisy type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, bronze orange ray florets, and a free branching habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large anemone type inflorescences, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 53 days of short day length, lavender ray florets and large pale yellow discs, and a free branching habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER6904’, characterized by its uniform, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; early season flowering response; inflorescences with dark pink-colored flower bracts; and excellent post-production longevity.

Abstract: A system and method for towing a water sports apparatus over a body of water behind a towing vessel. The system includes a rider towline for coupling a rider of the water sports apparatus to the towing vessel. The rider towline includes a distal end adapted to the gripped by the rider, to enable the rider to be pulled over the body of water on the water sports apparatus during forward motion of the towing vessel. The towing system also includes a lift apparatus coupled with the rider towline and adapted to lift the rider towline during forward motion of the towing vessel, so that an uppermost point of the rider towline is above and behind the towing vessel.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to radiant energy systems and more particularly to systems exhibiting the retroreflection principle wherein the system comprises a focusing means and a surface exhibiting some degree of reflectivity positioned near the focal plane of the device, and wherein incident radiation falling within the field-of-view of said system is reflected back in a direction which is parallel to the incident radiation. The present invention has great applicability in military optical system applications for detecting the presence of an enemy employing surveillance equipment and for neutralizing this surveillance capability.

Abstract: An optical pickup comprises an objective-lens driving device including a movable section provided with an objective lens, a focusing coil, and tracking coils, and a fixed section provided with a single magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap, the focusing coil and the tracking coils being disposed in the magnetic gap. The point of application of a tracking-driving force, the point of application of a result force of focusing-driving forces occurring in and outside the magnetic gap, and the position of the center of gravity of the movable section are made to substantially coincide with each other. In addition, the objective lens and the magnetic circuit are disposed within an area of a window in a lower shell of a optical disk. Further, a through hole for accommodating a lower portion of a yoke of the magnetic circuit is provided in a mounting base on which the objective-lens driving device is mounted.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for staining based upon nucleic acid sequence that employ nudeic nucleic acid probes are provided. Said methods produce staining patterns that can be tailored for specific cytogenetic analyses. Said probes are appropriate for in situ hybridization and stain both interphase and metaphase chromosomal material with reliable signals. The nucleic acid probes are typically of a complexity greater than 50 kb, the complexity depending upon the cytogenetic application. Methods and reagents are provided for the detection of genetic rearrangements. Probes and test kits are provided for use in detecting genetic rearrangements, particularly for use in tumor cytogenetics, in the detection of disease related loci, specifically cancer, such as chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), retinoblastoma, ovarian and uterine cancers, and for biological dosimetry.

Abstract: The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of porcine adenovirus type 3 (PAV-3) is provided. Methods for construction of infectious PAV genomes by homologous recombination in procaryotic cells are provided. Recombinant PAV viruses are obtained by transfection of mammalian cells with recombinant PAV genomes. The PAV-3 genome can be used as a vector for the expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences, for example, for the preparation and administration of subunit vaccines to swine or other mammals. In addition, PAV-3 vectors can be used for gene therapy and expression of heterologous polypeptides. PAV-3 genome sequences can also be used for diagnostic purposes, to detect the presence of PAV-3 DNA in a subject or biological sample.

Abstract: A method of isolating, purifying and recrystallizing substantially pure lutein, preferably from saponified marigold oleoresin in its pure free form, apart from chemical impurities and other carotenoids. Lutein may be used as an analytical standard or in cancer prevention trials and as a safe and effective color additive for human food.

Abstract: A CAM system is provided for determining which data word in a CAM array exhibits the longest continuous, unmasked match with an input data value. The input data value is divided into non-overlapping subfields, thereby creating a series of keys, the first key of the series including either the least significant bit (LSB) or most significant bit (MSB) of the input data value. The CAM array is divided along columns into a similar series of non-overlapping sub-arrays corresponding to the subfields defined by the series of keys. A first CAM sub-array compares the first key with its stored rows of data bit values to generate a first match signal. The first match signal disables each row of the second CAM sub-array for which the corresponding row of the first CAM sub-array did not show a match. A second CAM sub-array then compares the second key with its enabled rows to generate a second match signal.

Abstract: A jacket for use by public service personnel such as policemen or the like is shorter than a usual jacket so it will not cover the wearer's hip area when worn. Straps are located on the bottom end of the jacket and will accommodate or support a utility belt adjacent to the wearer's hip area but beneath the jacket so the jacket does not cover the utility belt. The utility belt is thus easily accessed without moving the jacket.

Abstract: A hospital patient garment constituted of upper and lower garment panels that the patient assumes a position interposed between front and rear portions of the panels by wearing same and, thusly worn, concomitantly achieves alignment of edges for attachment to each other contributing to unassisted or minimal assistance in practicing a dressing-up use of the garment.

Abstract: As worn by a firefighter or by an emergency rescue worker, a protective garment having a lower torso-covering portion and two leg-covering portions is equipped with a drag harness or drag harnesses. Each drag harness is accessible through an aperture or apertures somewhere in the lower torso-covering and leg-covering portions. In the illustrated and described embodiments, the protective garment is equipped with two knee pads. Each knee pad is manipulatable between a position wherein such knee pad covers the aperture or apertures in a given one of the leg-covering portions and positions wherein such knee pad does not cover the aperture or apertures in the given one of the leg-covering portions. Each knee pad may serve as a flap or may be completely detachable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reversible pants which can be worn in a conventional manner on the wearer's true waist with the added capability of being reversed to showcase a second side to simulate the fashion trend wherein the underwear is seemingly exposed above the pants' waistline, with the waistline dropped below the conventional waist and hips of the wearer.

Abstract: A protective helmet has a main helmet part configured to cover a significant part of a user's head to protect the user's head in the case of accidents; and an additional inflatable element attached to the main helmet body and inflatable in the event of an accident so as to protect a neck of the user.

Abstract: A disposable air exhaust system for eliminating aerosol effect in a toilet. The disposable air exhaust system includes first apparatus, second apparatus, and a suction device. The first apparatus disposably attaches to a rim of a bowl of the toilet and imparts a suction thereat to remove odorous particles and odorous air therefrom. The second apparatus disposably attaches to a seat of the toilet and imparts a suction thereat to remove odorous particles and odorous air therefrom. The suction device fluidly communicates with both the first apparatus and the second apparatus to create the suctions thereat to remove the odorous particles and the odorous air thereat, thereby eliminating the aerosol effect in the toilet.

Abstract: A trip lever assembly for initiating a flush cycle of a toilet is constructed to have a more solid and smooth feel with less play. The assembly includes a handle accessible with a stem extending into an interior of the toilet. An inner bushing fits onto the stem and inside of a fixed outer bushing. A trip arm connect the handle to a pull member operatively attached to the flush valve. The handle has an anti-rotation feature that engages an associated feature of the inner bushing so that the inner bushing mechanically couples and rotates with the handle. A high viscosity dampening grease is disposed between the inner bushing and the outer bushing to limit lateral play, and smooth the rotation of the handle.

Abstract: An actuator for beds, slatted beds or chairs of the type accommodating, in a cabinet, two drive units based on a spindle and a spindle nut configured as an adjustment element, cooperating with an arm of a rotary shaft for a backrest section and a legrest section, respectively, in the bed, the mattress support or the chair. The two spindles are rotational interconnected and are driven by a common reversible electric motor. By having just one motor and one transmissions, as well as no switching mechanism between the two spindles, a simple and inexpensive structure is provided.

Abstract: A portable lift cushion to provide aid in lifting a user may include a handle to allow the user to carry the portable lift cushion, a first housing section to house a portion of the portable lift cushion, a second housing section to house personal items of the user, a biasing device to compress within the first housing section when the user sits on the first housing section and expands within the first housing section when the user is no longer sitting on the first housing section. The biasing device may include a flexible support bar, and the flexible support bar may be substantially V shaped. The first housing section may include padding on an exterior surface of the first housing section, and the second housing section may include a sealing device to provide access to the interior of the second housing section. The first housing section may be formed from flexible material, and the flexible support bar may include a spring.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of apparatus, and methods for their use, which are designed to aide in lifting bed mattresses and tucking in bed covers. In some embodiments, kits are disclosed which include wedge apparatus for lifting bed mattresses, and tuck apparatus for tucking in bed covers. In other embodiments, wedge apparatus for lifting portions of bed mattresses are disclosed. In still other embodiments, tuck apparatus for tucking in bed covers are provided. Additional embodiments disclose methods for using the kits, wedge apparatus, and tuck apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bed comprising a mattress with a plurality of air chambers arranged in a grid, each chamber being equipped with at least one air connection. The bed is also equipped with a plurality of controllable valves, each valve being assigned to one of the air chambers and several sensors. A control unit is connected to the sensors and controls the valves individually in accordance with the output signals of the sensors. In addition, the inventive bed comprises an air source that is connected to the valves.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine and controlling method thereof is provided. In the drum type washing machine, a tub is provided, a drum is installed in the tub to rotate about a horizontal axis, a driving motor rotates the drum, a key input unit receives a washing instruction from a user, a memory stores a reference value for an eccentricity of the drum, a microcomputer controls washing and rinsing operations in accordance with a procedure set by the user upon an input of a start command through the key input unit and its prevents repetition of a preliminary spin drying operation using a measured eccentricity of the drum, and a driving control unit controls velocity of the driving motor in accordance with a control signal of the microcomputer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting the outer end of a telescopically extendable passenger bridge to an aircraft door aft of the wing. An inner part of the bridge is connected to a terminal building by a rotunda, and the outer part of the bridge carries a cabin for connection to the aircraft at a passenger door. The bridge is movable by a drive system positioned at the outermost end of the inner part of the bridge, and the outer part is pivotable in a vertical plane relative to the inner part. The bridge is moved to a docking position, and the drive system is positioned close to the leading edge of the aircraft wing. After telescopically extending the inner part of the bridge, the outer part is swung downward and is telescopically extended to an end position at which the cabin is docked against the aircraft body.