Abstract: A normally closed dome switch comprises a printed circuit board including a switch trace having first and second contact areas electrically insulated from one another, and a conductive switch dome having a central portion spaced from the printed circuit board and a plurality of contacting portions extending from the central portion such that each of the first and second contact areas is contacted by at least one of the contacting portions when the switch dome is unpressed such that the unpressed switch dome forms a closed switch between the first and second contact areas. The switch dome is resiliently pressable to urge the central portion toward the printed circuit board and pivot the contacting portions about a corresponding fulcrum to remove the plurality of contacting portions of the switch dome from contact with at least one of the first and second contact areas to open the switch.

Abstract: A hand scanner according to the invention may obtain an image of the hand and fingers including the bracelet crease/carpel delta area and palm surface regions up to the tips of the fingers using ultrasound measurement techniques. A hand scanner according to the invention may include a movable arcuate platen and an energy transducer. In a method according to the invention, the transducer may be moved back and forth while moving a platen surface in order to advance the hand and thereby produce a raster type scan image. In this manner, the image of the hand print may be collected as a raster image representative of the scanned surface of the friction ridge skin.

Abstract: Provided are chalcogenoxanthylium compounds which can effectively be used as sensitizers in photodynamic therapy, virucides in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and reversal agents of Pgp function in cancer cells. Further provided is a general method for the preparation of chalcogenoxanthylium compounds.

Abstract: Provides are improved methods for storing platelets and compositions that contain stored platelets for use in transfusions. The method entails obtaining a platelet concentrate from blood obtained from an individual and holding the platelet concentrate in at refrigerated temperatures under an atmosphere having a pressure of from 3.5 to 5 bars comprising more than 65% xenon and for at least one week. Also provided is a refrigerated composition that contains a platelet concentrate, wherein the platelet concentrate contains xenon, and wherein the platelet concentrate has been isolated from an individual for at least seven days.

Abstract: An aluminum heat exchanger having increased resistance to galvanic corrosion. The exterior of one end of the aluminum tube or connector is coated with a metal or metal alloy. This end is brazed onto a copper or copper alloy inlet or outlet tube. The metal or metal alloy coating inhibits the formation of galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: Devices and methods of creating an image of a biological object are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention there is a plane wave ultrasonic pulse generator, an ultrasonic wave manipulation device, an ultrasonic detector and an image generator. In a method according to the invention, a biological object is imaged by emitting an unfocussed ultrasonic energy wave front, reflecting at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy wave front from the object, altering a direction of the ultrasonic energy, detecting that energy, and using the detected energy to create an image of the object.

Abstract: Provided is a method for enhancing an immune response to a desired antigen in an individual. The method is performed by administering to the individual an agent capable of inhibiting class A macrophage scavenger receptor (SR-A) and optionally administering the desired antigen. Also provided is a method for enhancing an immune response to an antigen by administering to an individual a composition containing antigen presenting cells that are characterized by specifically inhibited SR-A. Substantially purified populations of mammalian dendritic cells characterized by specifically inhibited SR-A are also provided.

Abstract: The recovery and rescue system includes a sail (5) with rigging (10) fitted around a spreader conduit (4), with an intake and outlet nozzle, wherein a starting system (6) is provided, including mechanical (12-13) and electromechanical (17-18) opening mechanisms, in the first case operated by a manual lever (16) and in the second case operated by a button (19). Air driven through the intake of the spreading conduit (4) activates the starting system (6) in order to spread the sail (5) and by parachute means retain or brake the aircraft wherein the said system assembly is fitted. Said system can be housed inside the aircraft in a container provided for the purpose.

Abstract: One or more turbulent jet flows of fluid are discharged from inlet nozzles communicating with an inlet pipe to mix fluid in a reservoir, such as a water storage tank. The turbulent jet flows are directed to reach the surface of the fluid already existing in the reservoir. A horizontally disposed outlet section includes low loss contraction nozzles distributed throughout a lower portion of the reservoir to induce draining from all areas of the lower portion.

Abstract: An acoustic (sound or ultrasound) wave transmitter having a plurality of waveguides is described, and a method of making such a transmitter is described. Each waveguide can have a cladded core. The cladded core is capable of transmitting acoustic wave energy from a first end surface to a second end surface of the cladded core. The waveguides can be substantially fixed relative to each other by a binder. The binder can be formed by fusing the claddings together, potting a material between the waveguides and/or mechanically holding the waveguides.

Abstract: Provided are methods for identifying dogs as likely to be genetically normal, carriers of, or affected with Oculo-skeletal dysplasia (OSD) by determining the presence or absence of a drd2 COL9A2 mutation and/or a drd1 COL9A3 mutation. Also provided is a method for selective breeding of dogs and kits useful for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for processing specimens (15), comprising an observation device (2), a specimen holder (3) for receiving the specimen (15) to be processed, and a tool holder (6), the tool holder (6) being pivotable in a plane normal to its longitudinal axis (L?) by a pivot arm (22), and being rotatable about its longitudinal axis (L?); furthermore a drive system for selectable execution of the pivoting of the pivot arm (22) is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for reducing the immunogenicity and increasing the circulating half-life of therapeutic proteins such as Factor VIII. The compositions comprise lipidic structures such as liposomes, micelles and cochleates comprising a negatively charged lipid and polyethylene glycol derivatized phosphatidyl ethanolamine.

Abstract: A vibrating microtome and measuring device for measuring the transverse offset of a vibrating knife comprises a light barrier into which the knife is placeable and a control application signal (pklo, pkhi) that describes the time course of the vibration of the knife and an electronic measurement system of the measuring device measures the coverage of the light barrier as an oscillating signal (tpm), and determines the transverse offset from the signal values at points in time that are defined by the control application signal.

Abstract: A lightweight bevel head attachment for a torch cutting machine includes a horizontal support tray, a rotation assembly mounted under the support tray, a tilt assembly coupled to the rotation assembly for rotation therewith about a vertical axis, a torch holder carried and pivoted by the title assembly, and a rack-and-pinion lift assembly having a mounting plate for attachment to the cutting machine carriage. The tilt assembly includes a pair of link arms housing a pulley system for transmitting pivotal motion at an input shaft to an output shaft on which the torch holder is mounted. The bevel head attachment can provide bevel angles in a range of about +/?75 degrees.

Abstract: An acoustic pulse array is described. The pulse array can include a plane wave pulse generator having a first side from which a first wave emanates, and a second side from which a second wave emanates. A first waveguide array can be attached to the generator on the first side of the generator, and a second waveguide array can be attached to a second side of the generator. One or more of the waveguides can be attached to the generator so as to orient the waveguide to transmit wave pulses in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the generator.

Abstract: An electromagnetic filter, which may include a feed-through conductor. The feed-through conductor may have an integral extension for contacting an electrically conductive clip. The clip may have an extension-engaging portion to contact the extension and a dielectric component-contacting end to contact a dielectric component. The dielectric component may be, for example, a varistor, a chip capacitor, or the like, capable of affecting a signal carried by the feed-through conductor. The dielectric component may be proximate to the feed-through conductor and may be oriented such that a primary dimension of the dielectric component is substantially parallel to the feed-through conductor. Another embodiment may include a bus. The invention may also be embodied as methods for assembling electromagnetic filters.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump assembly includes a pump body and a cassette removably attached thereto, wherein the cassette includes a race configured to provide a compression surface for a tube supported by the cassette. A roller assembly is operatively connected to the pump body, wherein the roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers configured to apply a predetermined force to the tube, thereby compressing the tube against the race. The peristaltic pump assembly further includes a regulator disposed in the pump body and operatively connected to the cassette, where the regulator is configured to regulate the predetermined force applied to the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method with which high molecular alcohols having an even number of carbon atoms such as 1-butanol, hexanol, octanol and decanol, and a mixture of these are efficiently collected through clean processes with the use of ethanol as a raw material. High molecular alcohols are produced from ethanol by using calcium phosphate-based compounds such as hydroxyapatite Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, tricalcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2, calcium monohydrogen phosphate CaHPO4.(0˜2)H2O, calcium diphosphate Ca2P2O7, octacalcium phosphate Ca8H2(PO4)6.5H2O, tetracalcium phosphate Ca4(PO4)2O or amorphous calcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2. nH2O as a catalyst, using ethanol as a starting material, and setting a contact time at 0.4 second or longer.