Abstract: A transportable, trailer-mounted system for removing graffiti from exterior and interior surfaces is disclosed. The system includes a water supply tank, a pressure washer, provision for applying cleaning chemicals to surfaces, storage areas for cleaning chemicals, sandblasting apparatus, and painting apparatus. Also included are sources of electrical power, air compressor, painting equipment and surface preparation tools. Using the system enables the cleaning and restoration of graffiti-damaged surfaces in the minimum possible amount of time after the graffiti is applied. It is generally agreed that the prompt removal of graffiti reduces the incidence of graffiti application and that graffiti is more easily removed if removal is accomplished soon after it has been applied.

Abstract: A high-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp comprises an arc tube in which a pair of electrodes are provided and in which a rare gas as a starting gas, a material from which a free halogen is to be produced during a lighting operation, and mercury are enclosed. The arc tube satisfies X/L≧88, in which X(W) is a lighting operation power and L (mm) is a distance between the electrodes. The high-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp satisfies the following expression: 1.2≦&phgr;/(X×10−2+3.2)≦1.6 in which &phgr; (mm) is the inner diameter of the arc tube. Therefore, the high-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp has a high luminance, a good emission spectrum, and a long life.

Abstract: A compact and inexpensive LCD is provided by improving a drive method for compensating a crosstalk using a compensating pulse added to a signal voltage so that a drive IC and a periphery of the LCD panel are reduced in size. Only one of positive and negative compensating pulses is added in accordance with a predetermined period. Alternatively, the two compensating pulses are added at different times from each other in one horizontal scanning period. The compensating pulse preferably has a waveform including low frequency components. A width or a height of the compensating pulse varies in accordance with a location of the signal electrode, display pattern or other factors.

Abstract: A high molecular weight polyethylene prepared by preliminary polymerization is added at the time of main polymerization of an olefin, for example, propylene, to prepare an olefin (co)polymer composition comprising the above high molecular weight polyethylene finely dispersed as fine particles in the polyolefin, such as polypropylene, and a cross-linked structure is formed in the olefin (co)polymer composition. This process can provide a modified olefin (co)polymer composition improved in the strength in a molten state in terms of melt tension or the like and in crystallization temperature and excellent in moldability such as high-speed producibility, and a molded modified olefin (co)polymer composition excellent in properties such as heat resistance and rigidity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for diversification of heterologous DNA sequences in vivo. The present invention employs a recombination hotspot functionally coupled to the heterologous DNA. The process of recombination generates new versions of the foreign sequences by recombining their differences in new combinations. Errors in recombination generate additional sequence diversity.

Abstract: A cleansing and freshening unit having a twofold purpose of spreading a fresh odour in a toilet room and introducing active substances into flushing water with each flush, the unit comprises a holder with unfoldable flexible suspension means for suspending the unit from the rim of a toilet bowl, a reservoir for active substance, such as liquid containing cleansing and air freshening agent, detachably connected to the holder, and a porous mass being arranged in the holder so as to be located in a path of the flushing water when the unit is suspended from the rim of the toilet bowl, said porous mass communicating with the active substance contained in the reservoir.

Abstract: Methods and devices for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions through the pericardial space are disclosed which are particularly suited for performing minimally invasive procedures from the surface of the heart including electrophysiology mapping and ablation, drug delivery, restenosis prevention, stent placement, etc. Some embodiments of a device disclosed herein can also be used advantageously to perform a medical procedure in a selected lumen of a patient's body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a jigsaw including a base, a housing pivotally movable relative to the base about a first axis that extends longitudinally along the base, and a motor positioned within the housing. The jigsaw also includes a blade coupled to the motor by a drive mechanism adapted for reciprocating the blade in an up-and-down motion. The blade is laterally supported by a blade guide connected to the base that is pivotally movable about the first axis. When the housing is pivoted relative to the base about the first axis, the blade guide also pivots about the first axis to inhibit binding between the blade and the blade guide.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a ferroelectric capacitor which maintains high ferroelectricity. A silicon oxide layer 2, a lower electrode 12, a ferroelectric layer 8 and an upper electrode 10 are formed on a silicon substrate 2. The lower electrode 12 is formed by an alloy layer made of iridium and platinum. The alloy layer of the lower electrode 12 can be formed under appropriate lattice constant correspond with a kind and composition of the ferroelectric layer 8. So that, a ferroelectric layer having excellent ferroelectricity can be obtained. Also, it is possible to prevent vacancy of oxygen in the ferroelectric layer 8.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device of this invention comprises the steps: forming a first wiring layer on a semiconductor substrate on which a capacitor element with a capacitor dielectric film is formed, and the capacitor dielectric film is at least one film selected from the group consisting of a capacitor dielectric film with high dielectric constant and a ferroelectric film; conducting a first annealing to said semiconductor substrate; forming a second wiring layer on said first wiring layer; etching selectively the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer; and conducting a second annealing to the semiconductor substrate, so that the stress provided to the capacitor element can be reduced by annealing after forming each wiring layer, and thus, it can prevent the increase of leakage current and deterioration of dielectric breakdown voltage of the capacitor element having a capacitor dielectric film comprising a high capacitor dielectric film and a ferroelectric film.

Abstract: A standing wheelchair includes a base frame, a pair of front driveable wheels connected to the front end of the frame, and a pair of rear wheels connected to the rear end of the frame. A seat assembly is connected to the front end of the frame and includes a seat portion that is pivotable between a generally horizontal, seated position and a raised, angled standing position. The seat portion pivots about a central stub pivot shaft located at the front thereof, with the stub pivot shaft being vertically offset above the seat portion. An actuator is connected between the front end of the seat assembly and the rear end of the seat assembly to actuate the seat portion between the seated and standing positions. An adjustable knee support assembly is connected to the front end of the seat assembly and is located behind the axles of the front wheels, and a footrest plate is connected to the frame at the front end between the front pair of wheels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a topical pharmaceutical composition for wound healing, which comprises (a) borneol and (b) bismuth subgallate in effective amounts. The topical pharmaceutical composition is capable of enhancing wound healing with minor irritations to injured skin, and preventing formation of scars or granulation tissues so as to help regenerate the skin with normal tenderness and appearances.

Abstract: A method for treating cardiac disease includes accessing a heart and restricting a blood supply to the heart to reduce a size of the heart. A constraining device is placed on the heart. The constraining device is secured to the heart with the constraining device having portions disposed on opposite sides of the heart to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart during diastole and permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. Access to the heart is closed while leaving the constraining device in place on the heart.

Abstract: A housing structure for fixedly holding an elongate lens array of rectangular cross section comprises an elongate groove extending along the length of the housing structure and having a width and a depth corresponding to a sectional height and width of the lens array so that the lens array can be fitted therein, and at least one protrusion of thermoplastic resin provided at an open edge extending along the groove to thereby partly define the groove. The protrusion is deformed to radially spread over part of the lens array. As a result, the lens array can be fixedly held in the groove.

Abstract: It is an object to provide signal storing circuits and related devices capable of storing resulting data even when the power supply thereto is suspended, and to provide the signal storing circuit which consumes less power. A logic processing circuit 56 comprises a combined logic block CB and a latching block LT. The latching block LT includes a line 104 for passing the resulting data OUT outputted by the logic block CB. A circular signal path (feedback loop) including a line 106 and another line 108 overlaps a part of the line 104. An inverter circuit INV2 made of a ferroelectric transistor is provided to the line 108. In this way, the resulting data OUT existing on the line 104 can be stored in ferroelectrical manner and the data right before the shut-off of the power supply can be reproduced on the line 104 with the recovery of the power supply.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling having a female coupling member, a male coupling member, and a clip member slidably mounted on the female coupling member for retaining the female and male coupling members together in a coupled state. The clip member is designed to prevent inadvertent actuation thereof, thereby preventing accidental disconnection of the female and male coupling members once they are in the coupled state. The clip member must be actuated from a lock position to an unlock position before the clip member can be actuated from its connect position to its disconnect position. Thus two separate movements of the clip member are required before the coupling can be disconnected and/or connected.

Abstract: An angled mounting plate is provided for mounting a connector at a bulkhead in an angled manner, such as for a coaxial or triaxial connector system. The angled mounting plate mounts to a yoke mounted around the connector. The yoke includes identical mounting halves held in place by fasteners. The yoke is held to the mounting plate by further fasteners. Vertical mounting plates can also be provided for mounting to the connectors. The bulkhead can be provided with mounting structure for mounting directly to the yokes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soft magnetic thin film having high reliability that is useful in a magnetic device such as a magnetic head, where the degradation of heat stability due to a high saturation magnetic flux density of the soft magnetic thin film, the degradation of resistance against surroundings and substrate breakage are suppressed. The magnetic thin film of the present invention comprises a magnetic film comprising approximately columnar, needle or branched magnetic crystal grains as a mother phase, which is formed by sputtering or the like. The magnetic crystal grains have an average maximum length more than 50 nm, and an average crystal size in a short direction of the approximately columnar or needle shape is more than 5 nm and less than 60 nm.

Abstract: An eye protection device for use in the welding of platinum jewelry items under magnification of a visor containing lens includes a pair of opposing support arms attached to a mounting bracket for attachment to the image magnification visor. A filter frame unit containing a welding filter screen is rotatably coupled to the opposing support arms to permit the filter frame to move between a stored, stowed, and a deployed position. The support arms are configured to hold the filter frame in the stowed position in a manner such that the frame can be moved to the deployed position with a quick movement of a user's head while worn.

Abstract: A method and composition for waterproofing a substrate includes applying a coating composition to a surface of the structural unit. The coating composition includes a) an organic solvent, b) a hydrocarbon resin and c) a copolymer having styrene and diene monomer units, a polymer having olefin monomer units, or a copolymer having styrene and olefin monomer units, or mixtures thereof.