Abstract: A new cultivar of Colocasia plant named ‘PINEAPPLE PRINCESS’ that is characterized by a combination of a large yellow-green colored leaves with light purple veins, a matte finish, undulating purple leaf margins, burgundy colored petioles and a small to medium sized compact plant. In combination these characteristics distinguish ‘PINEAPPLE PRINCESS’ from all other varieties of Colocasia known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Kiamuna’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; vigorous growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; and numerous red and light red purple bi-colored flowers that are positioned above and beyond the foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Visinfwhiimp’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; vigorous growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; and numerous white-colored flowers that are positioned above and beyond the foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rose plant named ‘Emparaimp’, characterized by its long and upright flowering stems; strong plants; bright yellow-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of miniature rose with long lasting, novel peach blend flowers, and dark green and attractive foliage. It exhibits compact, uniform growth and flowering under greenhouse conditions when grown as a potted floral plant. The new variety propagates well from cuttings and by grafting. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Duemproybu’, characterized by its mounding and cascading plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and large dark violet-colored flowers that are held above and beyond the foliage in mounded umbels.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Duemplav’, characterized by its mounding and cascading plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and large lavender-colored flowers that are held above and beyond the foliage in mounded umbels.

Abstract: A new Petunia plant named ‘Pethorove’ particularly distinguished by its trailing, outwardly spreading plant habit, strong branching habit, floriferous habit, its single flowers that are pink colored with strong colored veins, and its good garden performance.

Abstract: A new Osteospermum plant named ‘Osectradepu’ particularly distinguished by its trailing, very vigorous growth habit, its deep purple colored flowers, facing upwards and its strong heat tolerance.

Abstract: A new and distinct form of Agastache plant characterized by medium size, light purplish pink flowers in narrow, tight clusters, purple calyces extending the flower color time for the plant, a low branching habit, a long bloom time, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Zaprimat’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; large salmon orange-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘Rosemary’, characterized by its intermediate plant habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; rapid growth rate; and strap-type leaves that are rose red in color in the center with mottled light and dark green-colored borders.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of the species Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev. is described. The parentage of this new cultivar is unknown, but it is most likely an open pollinated ‘Haywood’ as it was grown from seed collected from fruit purchased in a grocery store. The new cultivar is distinguished by a slightly later blooming and a bloom period that overlaps the bloom period of ‘AU Fitzgerald’ and ‘Hayward’.

Abstract: The invention is a portable sampling system for sampling various media for contaminants. The media sample can include gases, liquids, and dry powders. The contaminant sample can include gaseous components, particulates of various kinds, and microorganisms. The system can be used to sample the surfaces of fruits and vegetables, meat carcasses, the interior of envelopes of other containers, gases in rooms or containers, and surfaces such as countertops, a vehicle exterior, skin, and clothing.

Abstract: A miter saw. The saw includes a base on which a scale disk is connected and a bench is rotatably connected on the disk. An angle position device is connected to the bench. Notches are defined in an underside of the scale disk and the angle position device is engaged with one of the notches. A position member is movably connected to the body of the angle position device and a lever is connected to the position member which is pushed to contact a periphery of the scale disk to position the scale disk. A connection member is connected to the bench and a circuit saw assembly is pivotally connected to the connection member. A handle on the circular saw assembly can be pulled out and rotated to adjust an angle thereof.

Abstract: A hair styling iron A is provided comprising: a body 1 which includes a grip portion 4, a plate portion 6 including a heater H and a plate 8, and a fulcrum portion 5; and a sandwiching member 2 which includes a lever portion 15 opposed to said grip portion 4, a plate portion 17 equipped with a heater H and a plate 18 and opposed to the plate portion 6 of the body 1, and a fulcrum portion 16 located between the lever portion 15 and the plate portion 17 and pivotally supported by the fulcrum portion 16 of the body 1. Between the rearward portions of the fulcrum portions of the body 1 and the sandwiching member 2 is interposed a spring 12 which biases the plate portions 6 and 17 normally in the direction away from each other. Each of the plate portions 6 and 17 is provided with ridges 14 along the perimeter, and has been subjected to a flocking treatment from its perimeter to the outer surface.

Abstract: A structure for protecting and guiding a flat cable connected between a traveling module and a protective cover of a scanner is disclosed. The protective structure includes an anti-bending member mounted onto the traveling module for preventing the flat cable from being over-bent at its first end. A guide channel member is disposed on the protective cover under the flat cable and along the moving direction of the traveling module for guiding the flat cable during moving of the traveling module and preventing the flat cable from being swung left and right. The second end of the flat cable is extended into the protective cover via a protective sheath fitted on the cover for preventing the second end of the flat cable from excess bending angle and keep the flat cable smoothly moving without deflection.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a transport container, preferably made of plastic material, especially for vegetables, fruit and the like, with a floorboard (2) and several, preferably four, collapsible side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) that are arranged circumferentially on the floorboard (2) and can be folded down onto it. According to a first aspect of the invention, the floorboard (2) is provided with an essentially rectangular frame (8) in which there extends a floor profile (9) with a smooth surface, said floor profile (9) being stiffened by the provision of several bulges (10) that are formed by the curvature of the floor profile (9) in several space directions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display including a plurality of parallel display electrodes wired over an electrode substance, terminals for the display electrodes led out to the end portion of the electrode substrate and connected to TCPs, the terminals having pitches smaller than those of the display electrodes, and leadout wirings for connecting the display electrodes and the terminals. The leadout wirings each consist of a portion extending from a respective display electrode as it is, a portion extended from the respective terminals as it is, and almost parallel, included linear wiring that connects the two extended portions. The length of the two extended portions and the width of the inclined linear wiring are adjusted so that the wiring resistances of the individual leadout wirings are substantially equal.

Abstract: Dual port memory array circuitry is provided that includes bit line voltage clamping circuitry. The clamping circuitry contains control transistors that are used to enable and disable the clamping circuitry. The clamping circuitry also contains voltage regulator transistors and feedback paths. When a write operation is performed on one port of the dual port memory array while a read operation is being performed on the other port of the dual port memory array, the bit line voltage clamping circuitry prevents the voltages on the read port bit lines from dropping too low. This allows the write operation to be performed rapidly, even if the memory cell being written to has been adversely affected by variations due to process, voltage, and temperature.

Abstract: The hub for the rotor (22) of a wind energy turbine (10) comprises a hollow body (28) rotatable around a rotation axis and provided with at least one flange (34) for mounting to the hollow body (28) a bearing for a rotor blade (26) and at least two stiffening webs (38) integrally formed with the hollow body (28) and radially extending within a flange area (36) of the hollow body (28) surrounded by the flange (34) to the center (40) of the flange area (36), wherein at least two openings are provided within the flange area (36) of the hollow body (28).

Abstract: This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in human or animal blood plasma or serum associated with disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in blood plasma or serum. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of neoplasia in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions.

Abstract: A purified heparinase I, II and III free of lyase activity and each having a molecular weight of 42,800 84,100, 70,800, respectively, are produced by culturing Flavobacterium heparinum. The kinetic properties of the heparinases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus that may impart a complicated bend deformation to an object to be machined such as a ceramic bar elongated in one direction or the like, and may reduce the non-uniformity in machining amount of the object to be machined upon the machining work of the object to be machined, specifically a correcting mechanism for deforming the object to be machined together with a jig holding the object to be machined is provided in a machining apparatus. The correcting mechanism includes a base, a plurality of levers provided at first ends with pins, a shaft fixed to the base for rotatably supporting the levers, and a plurality of correcting drive means coupled to second ends of said levers for pivoting the levers to the shaft to thereby pivoting the pins.

Abstract: A digital radio telephone comprises a radio portion for receiving a radio signal modulated by an encoded digital signal including control information, for demodulating and outputting the encoded digital signal, a control signal processing portion for decoding the demodulated encoded digital signal to obtain the control information, a telephone number information detecting means for detecting whether the decoded control information includes mate telephone number information, a memory for storing the telephone number information, a time information management means for specifying an incoming time of the telephone number information to output a time information, and a memory management means for recording the telephone number information corresponding to the time information into the memory.

Abstract: A method of playing an interactive, computerized, multi-player card game in which desired cards are selected by players, some of which may be virtual players generated by the game's software. Each real player uses a computer or similar device that is connected to a network. Virtual player card selection and betting is controlled by computer software. After each player has selected a card in a round, computer software determines what card each player is dealt. Null cards having no value in the scoring are dealt when there is a conflict in card selection or when a player fails to select a card within a time limit. The games follow the rules of poker.

Abstract: A gas analysis apparatus, and a method for calibrating it and for compensating measurement errors, are disclosed. This method and apparatus are particularly suited for use during a cardiopulmonary exercise test by a test subject. The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations of the subject's breath are measured, and errors are compensated based on the results of previous calibration. These compensated measurements, as well as other physiological data monitored during the cardiopulmonary exercise test quantities calculated from these measurements, are presented as a series of graphs in a logical order to enhance their diagnostic and prognostic value. A facemask and headstraps are adapted for use with the gas analysis apparatus. The facemask possesses a plurality of pins fitting into corresponding holes in the headstraps, and the headstraps possess quick-release attachment means to provide for quickly securing the face mask to or removing it from a subject.

Abstract: A method of multi-tier classification and calibration in noninvasive blood analyte prediction minimizes prediction error by limiting co-varying spectral interferents. Tissue samples are categorized based on subject demographic and instrumental skin measurements, including in vivo near-IR spectral measurements. A multi-tier intelligent pattern classification sequence organizes spectral data into clusters having a high degree of internal consistency in tissue properties. In each tier, categories are successively refined using subject demographics, spectral measurement information and other device measurements suitable for developing tissue classifications. The multi-tier classification approach to calibration utilizes multivariate statistical arguments and multi-tiered classification using spectral features.

Abstract: A system for mapping electrical activity of a patient's heart includes a set of electrodes spaced from the heart wall and a set of electrodes in contact with the heart wall. Voltage measurements from the electrodes are used to generate three-dimensional and two-dimensional maps of the electrical activity of the heart.

Abstract: A ballistic vest having an articulated body armor component and duty gear support component connected together such that the body armor and duty gear support component each support the weight of duty gear items positioned on a duty gear belt. The body armor component includes a rear panel fastened to the duty gear support component and a front panel attached to the duty gear component such that the front component can articulate over the duty gear portion based upon movement of a wearer.

Abstract: A protective article of outer-clothing (1,5) characterized in that the article: a) does not enshroud the head of the wearer; b} is not equipped with means for sensing and processing any electrical variations that the wearer's body produces; and c) incorporates an electricity conductive layer (12,14,16,17) which is selected to be of sufficiently low resistance that if, in use, prongs of a so-called stun gun are pressed against the article of clothing or located in proximity to the article and the gun is fired, the conductive layer (12,14,16,17) electrically interferes with the charge applied between the gun's prongs.

Abstract: A protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment, comprises a flexible inner member provided to be disposed inside the garment, an outer member provided to be disposed outside the garment and a securing device provided for releasably attaching the outer member to the inner member. The outer member further includes an outer protective pad. The securing device includes an inner magnetically attractive element attached to the inner member and an outer magnetically attractive element attached to the outer member. The outer magnetically attractive element and the inner magnetically attractive element are magnetically attractable to each other so as to hold the protective pad assembly in place on the garment. Moreover, one of the inner magnetically attractive element and the outer magnetically attractive element is a magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method allows for the construction of an inflatable, protective enclosure that provides a temporary, contaminant free environment for one or more individuals. The approach results in a protective suit and/or enclosure that is inexpensive, compactly stored and light-weight, yet provides a reliable source of filtered, contaminant-free air as well as upper-body and/or full-body protection for one or more persons. The protective suits/enclosures described produce an over pressure environment within the protective enclosure so that a positive flow of filtered air is maintained between the interior of the suit or enclosure and the outside environment, thus assuring that no contaminants may seep into the protected, contaminant free interior.

Abstract: A garment includes a body portion having a neck opening and a pair of arm openings formed therethrough. First and second breast exposing openings are formed through the body portion that are adapted to encircle and completely expose the breasts of the wearer. Thus, the body portion is free from any type of obstructive covering over the first and second breast exposing openings. The body portion may be formed from a single tube-shaped piece of material or it may be formed from a plurality of pieces of material. If desired, a bodice portion may extend from body portion. The body portion and the bodice portion may be formed from a single tube-shaped piece of material or from a plurality of pieces of material. The first and second breast exposing openings may have respective aesthetic decorations, such as decorative flower petals, provided thereabout.

Abstract: A novel glove for strengthening and conditioning the wearer's digits and related musculature, with an emphasis on the distal-interphlangeal joints. The glove provides a means for increasing resistance at, or alternatively prohibiting the flexion of, specific joints. Said means include annular rigid bands connected by elastic bands to a partial glove body, integral semicircular members that fit about the desired joints, and integral cylindrical members that fit about the desired joints. The exercises facilitated by the glove improve an athlete's ability to grasp an item, such as a ball, bat or an opponent. It will be appreciated that improved strength in the digits has a direct correlation with improved performance in a multitude of athletic endeavors.

Abstract: A wearing apparel made from fabric, and having a outside surface and an inside surface. The outside surface being the surface remote from a user wearing the wearing apparel. The wearing apparel having a front and a back, and the back of the wearing apparel having at least one pocket attached thereto. The pocket having an inside surface and an outside surface, with an aperture extending from the outside surface through to the inside surface of the pocket. A second aperture extends from the outside surface of the fabric through to the inside surface of the fabric, and a portion of the inside surface of the fabric blocks the second aperture.

Abstract: A releasably fastening apparel belt that uses a releasable fastening means, such as VELCRO®-type hook and loop fastener, which, compared to the traditional buckling and unbuckling process, is much more user-friendly for those of limited manual dexterity. A buckle assembly moveably fixed with respect to the portion of the belt having notches for the buckle's tongue gives the belt the appearance of being a traditional belt.

Abstract: A protective cup designed to protect the male genitalia from damage or injury that could result from blows to the pelvic area of a male wherein the protective cup is manufactured using a very high strength ballistic material for the primary protective cup structure and wherein the interior of the protective cup includes a resilient gel that provides additional cushioning to the male genitalia if the protective cup is subjected to heavy strikes from external sources.

Abstract: An easy release hinge assembly for connecting a covering member to a toilet base is disclosed. It has a mounting plate mountable on an upper rearward surface of the toilet base, and having two spaced apart through holes and two overhanging lateral wings. Fasteners are extendible through the through holes and then through a portion of the toilet base to mount the mounting plate thereon. There is also a hinge base member adapted to support the covering member in a pivotal fashion, the hinge base member having a pair of spaced essentially horizontally extending extension arms defining in part an opening for receiving the mounting plate therebetween. A lid is pivotably mounted on the hinge base to pivot between a first position where a rearward portion of the lid is positioned behind the mounting plate, and a second position where it is not.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-clog shredder that is used to shred solid matter entrained in a non-homogenous liquid-solid feed. In one embodiment of the invention, the shredder is located at the bottom of a toilet bowl and is used to shred solid disposable products such as napkins and diapers that are discarded in the toilet bowl. The shredder comprises a generally cylindrical cup that is open at one end, with a circular end-cap at the other end. The end-cap has an axial opening that allows the feed to pass through the cup. In one embodiment of the invention, the opening has recesses and/or teeth on the periphery of the opening. An impeller disposed against the circular end plate creates suction for transfer of the waste through the shredder. A cutting blade on the impeller assembly projects axially through the opening in the end-cap.

Abstract: A potty training device for male and female toddlers that is adaptable to be used as a training urinal for male toddlers. The convertible potty and urinal training device can be used the same way as conventional training potties but, in addition and unlike conventional training potties, is easily converted to a training urinal to train male toddlers to urinate in the standing position. This invention is comprised of a front, back, and side walls on a base with legs having a opening in the floor center. A removable waste container is mounted beneath the base for collecting waste making it adaptable to be used as a urinal for male toddlers. A removable seat with a opening in its bottom section is mated on the top and side brims of the urinal section making it adaptable to be used the same way as a conventional training potty.

Abstract: A zipper system for a safety swimming pool cover provides a convenient method of navigating around any vertical obstacles that may be within the pool cover area, when installing the pool cover over the pool. When a vertically extending obstacle, such as an entrance stair hand rail extends above the surface of a swimming pool cover, the swimming pool cover is split in the area of the obstacle, the zipper enables the user to securely navigate around the obstacle without compromising the tight fit of the swimming pool cover. The zipper closes the split area around the obstacle quickly and neatly. The zipper also prevents the entrance of debris into the pool around the split area. The zipper alternatively provides access to a selected area of the pool, such as a spa area. The spa area, when not in use, can be zipped and covered.

Abstract: A spa system includes a tub supported by a chassis, an enclosed space formed between the tub and the chassis, first and second vents through the chassis leading to the enclosed space, water heating and cooling devices coupled in series to a circulating system adapted to withdraw and return water relative to the tub, and a thermostat operatively coupled to the heating and cooling devices. The cooling device incorporates a fan operative for drawing air into the enclosed space through the first vent in response to activation of the cooling device, and a blower is operative for expelling air from the enclosed space through the second vent currently with the operation of the fan of the cooling device.

Abstract: A toddler bed frame system is convertible for use with either a twin or full size bed, and includes a toddler side wall having detachable components for this purpose. A first supporting leg is connected to one end of the toddler side wall, and a toddler headboard is detachably and pivotally mounted about the first supporting leg. A second supporting leg is connected to the opposite end of the toddler side wall, and a toddler footboard is detachably and pivotally mounted about the second supporting leg. A third supporting leg is connected to the opposite end of the toddler headboard, and a side rail panel is detachably and pivotally mounted about the third supporting leg. A fourth supporting leg is connected at a free end of the side rail panel. A fifth supporting leg is connected at a free end of the toddler footboard.

Abstract: A portable child bed in the nature of a cot. The cot includes a frame having a network of interconnected legs such that the frame is collapsible and expandable between open and closed configurations. The frame includes a stop to halt the expansion of the frame at a certain position. Flexible bedding depends from the frame in the nature of a hammock, with the flexible bedding being anchored at six positions about the frame. The frame of interconnected legs includes legs that are shaped to be out-of-the-way of the depending flexible bedding such that a child rests on the flexible bedding, not on the frame. Flexible straps run on an underside of the bedding and run to and between hubs of the frame.

Abstract: An overlay for a patient support is provided. The overlay is coupled to an air supply and includes an air permeable three-dimensional fiber network. The overlay is integrated into or coupled to the patient support in some embodiments.

Abstract: A bed has a retractable barrier combining vertical movement and transverse movement. The barrier comprises two parallel arms forming portions of a deformable parallelogram system, and each arm is attached the frame by a two-element telescopic mechanism comprising an inner element and an outer element that are constrained relative to each other by a shape connection suitable for varying the transverse position of the barrier element while it is being moved vertically.

Abstract: A siderail and support mechanism for a bed includes a siderail having a head edge and a foot edge. First and second support arms having upper and lower pivot shafts are configured to pivotally attach the siderail to a bed. At least one of the first support arm and the second support arm includes an edge configured to form a continuous face with one of the head edge and the foot edge of the siderail. In a further embodiment, a bed siderail and support mechanism includes a siderail for a bed including a central portion and at least one end portion. The end portion is configured to extend lower than the central portion to closely cooperate with a bed structure for preventing a patient from being trapped between the siderail and the bed. The siderails are configured to minimize potential trapping hazards.

Abstract: A bed with a movable side barrier comprising a main barrier element and a bottom extender is disclosed. The main barrier element is associated with a deformable parallelogram mechanism hinged to a frame of the bed, said mechanism includes a deployment bar hinged between two parallel arms, and the bottom extender is attached to the deployment bar via a horizontally-sliding connection and is constrained to slide along vertical guide means carried by the main barrier element.

Abstract: Disclosed are an articulating bed and methods of using the bed. The articulating bed includes a top frame and one or two underlying frames. The top frame includes a first side section and a second side section. One of the side sections is configured to slide in a lateral direction of the bed so as to vary a width of the bed. Further, the sections are configured to hingedly rotate. Various methods include sliding and hingedly rotating the side sections. Further, the methods includes sitting up a person lying on the bed and changing liners while the person is staying on the bed, using the sliding and hinged rotation features.