Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnecting an end of a cable comprising one or more twisted pair conductors, each of the conductors enveloped in an insulating covering, with the bifurcated contacts of a connecting block. The assembly comprises an insulated housing and a plurality of non-contacting conductive terminals disposed in the housing. Each of the terminals comprises a blade exposed along a front face of the housing and adapted to be inserted into one of the bifurcated contacts, and a piercing mechanism comprising at least one tooth. Each of the conductors is terminated by one of the terminals, the teeth puncturing the insulated covering of a free end of the conductor thereby bringing the terminal into conductive contact with the conductor.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste oil comprises the steps of (a) supplying a stream of the waste oil to a dehydrator to dehydrate the waste oil and obtain a stream of dehydrated waste oil; (b) supplying the stream of dehydrated waste oil to a fractionated distillation column having a lower tray, an upper tray and a middle tray therebetween, wherein the lower tray is operated at a temperature of 370 to 390° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure of 50 to 100 mmHg, the middle tray is operated at a temperature of 265 to 280° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure of 35 to 45 mmHg and the upper tray is operated at a temperature of 100 to 110° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure of 30 to 40 mmHg; (c) withdrawing from the distillation column a bottom product comprising a bituminous material; (d) withdrawing a first side stream from the distillation column between the first and second trays, the first side stream comprising a heavy oil having a viscosity of 130 to 180 cSt at 40° C.

Abstract: An injection system for the delivery of a gaseous substance to a patient respiratory system is described herein. The injection system includes a control unit and a valve assembly including a valve and a valve actuator allowing partial opening of the valve and controlled by the control unit. The control unit is supplied with gas flow data and controls the valve assembly so that the opening of the valve is a function to the gas flow to thereby enable the control over the concentration of the gaseous substance delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A dispenser for depositing at least one of lines and stripes of at least one material, comprising a trolley having front and back wheels and securing at least one container on a platform thereof, the trolley being movable between an in-use position, wherein the trolley is straighten up on the front wheels thereof allowing a content of the at least one container to be out from at least one aperture on a bottom part of the at least one container, and an out-of use position, wherein the trolley rests on rear wheels thereof and the content of the at least one container is stopped from flowing out from the at least one aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a TGF-?1 binding protein called r150. This protein has a GPI-anchor contained in r150 itself and not on a tightly associated protein and that it binds TGF-?1 with an affinity comparable to those of the signaling receptors. Furthermore, the released (soluble) form of this protein binds TGF-?1 independent of the types I and II receptors. Also, the soluble form inhibits the binding of TGF-? to its receptor. In addition, evidence that r150 is released from the cell surface by an endogenous phospholipase C is provided. Also, the creation of a mutant human keratinocyte cell line with a defect in GPI synthesis which displays reduced expression of r150 is described. Our results using these mutant keratinocytes suggest that the membrane anchored form of r150 is a negative modulator of TGF-beta responses.

Abstract: The snow ski is pivotally attached to a snowmobile in order for it to be pivotable about its longitudinal, steering and transversal axes that intersect each other. The ski has a ski sole from which integrally project first and second elongated front lateral keels and an elongated rear central keel. Moreover, rear ski sole depressions are made in the ski sole, at the vicinity of the rear keel. When the ski is in a straight-line position for allowing the snowmobile to move forward in a straight line, it adopts a flat ground-engaging position in which all three keels rest on the ground surface. When the ski is in a turn-carving position for allowing the snowmobile to move forward while turning in a desired direction, the ski is tilted sidewardly with only the central keel and a selected one of the first and second lateral keels resting on the ground, to carve the ground surface in order for the ski to exhibit a self-steering behavior with enhanced gripping effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mammalian staufen, a double-stranded RNA-binding protein involved in mRNA transport and localization. The invention further relates to the demonstration of the association of a RNA-binding protein with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), implicating staufen and related proteins in the transport of RNA to its site of translation. Broadly, the invention therefore relates to transport and translation of RNA. More specifically, the present invention relates to human and mouse staufen proteins and to the modulation of transport of RNA to the RER by these proteins. The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding mammalian staufen, as well as vectors and host cells harboring same. In addition, the present invention relates to screening assays for identifying modulators of staufen activity and to the identification of mutants thereof which abrogate their interaction with RER.

Abstract: A thermo- and photo stable composition comprising a chitosan/xanthan hydrogel including at least one thermo- or photo-sensitive substance chosen among the following: vitamins, amino-acids, nucleic acids, and polypeptides. The hydrogel can be adapted to release the thermo- or photo-sensible substances in either a human or an animal. The present invention also discloses a method of making these hydrogel composition. Additionally, the present invention presents a method of using these hydrogel composition in dermatology or as a food supplement.

Abstract: A method and system for the extraction of linear features from digital imagery is described herein. The proposed methodology is based on the tridimensional Radon transformation and on the generation of a multi-layer database having separate layers containing different types of information to allow the reconstruction of an output image where the linear features of the input image are restored.

Abstract: Provided herein is an inorganic-organic hybrid conjugated polymer having opto-electronic function and a process to make the same. The disclosed polymer contains inorganic or organic bulky groups in the polymer backbone or as pedant groups and has a general formula: wherein: A is a bulk group, comprising at least one silsesquioxane, serving as a positional anchor for the polymer. S serving as a spacer includes alkyl, cycyloalkyl group of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or aryl or substituted aryl of from 6 to 50 carbon atoms, or herteroaryl or substituted heteroaryl of from 4 to 50 carbons. CP represents any conjugated polymer segment at least one portion thereof comprising an opto-electronic function, for example, polyacetylenes, polyphenylenes, polyphenylenevinylenes, polythiophenes, polypyrroles, polyanilines, polyfluorences, and any conjugated co-polymer segment. x, y and z are positive integers, where x and z is equal or greater than 1.

Abstract: A new and distinct June-bearing strawberry cultivar named ‘Saint-Laurent d'Orléans’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of Eastern Central Canada and shows resistance to leaf diseases. Its high yields of very large, firm, light-red colored fruits, its long shelf life and high levels and activity of antioxidants essentially characterize ‘Saint-Laurent d'Orléans’.