Abstract: As disclosed herein, the present invention relates to an improved respirator having a respirator mask, respirator bellows, respirator conduits, and mounting straps attached to the torso of an operator. The respirator mask is positioned over a patient's face so as to cover the nose and mouth. The respirator bellows are positioned under the arms of the operator and are attached to the mounting straps, which may be configured as a vest that can be worn by the operator. The respirator bellows communicate with the respirator mask via the respirator conduits. The operator can deliver air or oxygen to the respirator mask by pumping the respirator bellows with his or her arms. Advantageously, the pumping motion is actuated without the use of hands. The hands-free pumping action allows the operator to firmly secure the respirator mask in proper position on the patient's face with both hands.

Abstract: A method of storing data in a database organizes the data in electronic objects and enriches the objects with ‘cognitive elements’. These elements allow a search of objects in the database which is similar to the human thinking process. One or more cognitive elements may be selected, leading to a list of objects with a relevance score based on the number of cognitive elements found for each object in the list. Computer programs allow to create such a database, to retrieve information from it, and to view information contained in it.

Abstract: An engine control device can include a throttle valve for adjusting an amount of air supplied to an engine, operation amount detecting sensors for detecting an operation amount of a throttle lever, a motor for driving the throttle valve between open and closed positions according to detection values of the operation amount detecting sensor 21a or the like, and throttle opening detecting sensors for detecting an opening of the throttle valve is provided with a limp-home mechanism for keeping the throttle valve in a mechanically neutral position when an abnormality occurs. When the throttle valve is in the mechanically neutral position, an ignition timing control can be switched in a stepwise manner over a predetermined time period from a regular ignition timing control to a limp-home ignition timing control.

Abstract: A method for identifying or quantifying an organism by a detecting its nucleotide sequence among at least 4 other homologous sequences comprising amplifying nucleic acids from the organism to generate target nucleotide sequences to be detected; contacting the target nucleotide sequences with single stranded capture nucleotide sequences bound by a single predetermined link to an insoluble solid support and discriminating the binding of a target nucleotide sequence specific of an organism with a signal resulting from a hybridization by complementary base pairing between the target nucleotide sequence and its corresponding capture nucleotide sequence is disclosed. The capture nucleotide sequence is bound to the insoluble solid support at a specific location on an array having a density of at least 4 different bound single stranded capture nucleotide sequences/cm2. The location of the signal on the array allows identification or quantification of the organism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a top surface of a workpiece surface influencing device and a method of using the same. The top surface of the workpiece surface influencing device is adapted for use in an electrochemical mechanical processing apparatus in which a solution becomes disposed onto a conductive surface of a workpiece and electrochemical mechanical processing of the conductive surface is performed while relative movement and physical contact exists between the top surface and the conductive surface. The top surface comprises a ceramic material that presents a substantially planar contact area to the conductive surface, the ceramic material having a hardness greater than that of the conductive surface. A plurality of channels are formed through the top surface.

Abstract: A casting ladle has a body (2) with a base (3) and walls (4, 6, 8) made of a laminated composite ceramic material that includes multiple layers of a woven fiber reinforcing fabric embedded in a ceramic matrix. A rigid support element (20) for attaching the ladle to a handling device is embedded within the composite ceramic material. In a preferred form, the reinforcing fabric is made of woven glass and the matrix material includes calcium silicate and silica.

Abstract: A securement device for Indwelling Catheters or Introducers having a pad with an adhesive backing for securement to the skin of a patient. A base is mounted on the pad having one or more spaced holes therethrough with an elongated strand extending through said hole or holes. The strand may be wrapped around or passed through a connector mounted on the base and the free end(s) thereof may be tied to the strand or to another strand arising from the base.

Abstract: A pair of strap adjustment assemblies for a bicycle helmet is provided. A first pair of straps is connected to one side of the helmet and a second pair of straps is connected to the other side of the helmet. A first strap adjustment assembly includes a release lever and a base for engaging the first pair of straps. The lever can be moved from a closed position to an open position. When the lever is in the open position, the user can move the strap adjustment assembly along the first pair of straps to adjust the location of the strap adjustment assembly. When the lever is in the closed position, the first strap adjustment assembly draws together the first pair of straps at a desired location. A second strap adjustment assembly is similar the first strap adjustment assembly and engages the second pair of straps, which are connected to the other side of the helmet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid container adapted to store liquefied natural gas (LNG). The LNG storage container include a sealing wall directly contacting liquid contained in the tank and a structural wall, which is an exterior wall or inner structure integrated with the exterior wall. The container further includes a plurality of connectors mechanically connecting the sealing wall and the structural wall and an intermediate wall structure positioned between the structural wall and the interior wall. The intermediate wall structure is configured to move relative to at least one of the interior wall and the structural wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate for battery encasement comprising aluminum foil and an inner layer, wherein a resin film layer that comprises an aminated phenol polymer (A), a trivalent chromium compound (B), and a phosphorus compound (C) lies between the aluminum foil and the inner layer. The laminate for battery encasement of the present invention is excellent in adhesiveness, gas impermeability, etc., and therefore can be suitably used as a material for encasing a secondary battery, particularly a lithium ion polymer secondary battery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring by the Schlieren technique light beam deviations generated by a sample (EV) includes a source (S) of light beam for illuminating the sample (EV) therewith so as to have a transmitted beam. An imaging means is provided (L2, L3) for forming an image of the sample from the transmitted beam. A filtering means acts as a Schlieren filter (SF) for obtaining “Schlieren fringes” from the image. The Schlieren filter (SF) comprises a periodic structure (SFP) of a defined period. A detecting means (CCD) is provided for detecting the Schlieren fringes under operating conditions.

Abstract: A level shifting circuit with a power monitor enable for mixed-voltage applications is described. The level shifter translates signals from a first power supply voltage domain to a second. The level shifter provides a known output state, rather than an undefined mid-rail state, when either of the power supplies for the voltage domains is not adequately powered. In addition, the level shifter is IDDQ (quiescent current) compliant when static, drawing negligible current from the power supply. The level shifter can be used with a power monitor circuit, which controls the level shifter during power-up with an enable signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for processing a conductive surface on a front surface of a wafer to form a metallic interconnect structure is disclosed. The system for processing comprises an electrochemical mechanical processing (ECMPR) module configured to form a substantially planarized conductive layer on the front surface of the wafer, a chamber within the ECMPR module configured to remove conductive material from an edge region of the wafer, a CMP module configured to receive the wafer from the ECMPR module and polish the planarized conductive layer on the surface of the wafer to form the metallic interconnect structure, and a robot configured to transfer the wafer from the ECMPR module to the chemical mechanical polish (CMP) module. In one aspect of the invention, the ECMPR module deposits conductive material on the front surface of the wafer. The ECMPR module removes at least a portion of the conductive layer from the front surface of the wafer.

Abstract: Various embodiments involving structures and methods for illumination can be employed, for example, in projectors, head-mounted displays, helmet-mounted displays, back projection TVs, flat panel displays as well as other optical systems. Certain embodiments may include prism elements for illuminating, for example, a spatial light modulator. Light may be coupled to the prism in some cases using fiber optics or lightpipes. The optical system may also include a diffuser having scatter features arranged to scatter light appropriately to produce a desired luminance profile. Other embodiments are possible as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A method of bonding two elements such as wafers used in microelectronics applications is disclosed. One inventive aspect relates to a method for bonding comprising producing on a first main surface of a first element a first solder ball, producing on a first main surface of a second element a second solder ball, providing contact between the first solder ball and the second solder ball, bonding the first element and the second element by applying a reflow act whereby the solder balls melt and form a joined solder ball structure. Prior to the bonding, the first solder ball is laterally embedded in a nonconductive material, such that the upper part of the first solder ball is not covered by the non-conductive material. Devices related to such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balun device provides a more suitable technique for a broader band application which has been difficult for conventional baluns. The balun device has a balun unit, which is provided with a balanced line and an unbalanced line, and a matching circuit connected to the unbalanced line, wherein the matching circuit is composed of a high-pass filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a transdermal delivery system that can deliver high molecular weight pharmaceuticals and cosmetic agents to skin cells. A novel transdermal delivery system with therapeutic and cosmetic application and methods of use of the foregoing is disclosed.