Abstract: Various novel block cationomers comprising polyisobutylene (PIB) and poly(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) segments have been synthesized and characterized. The specific targets were various molecular weight diblocks (PDMAEMA+) and triblocks (PDMAEMA+-b-PIB-b-PDMAEMA+) with the PIB blocks in the DPn=50-200 (Mn=3,000-9,000 g/mol) range connected to blocks of PDMAEMA+ cations in the DPn=5-20 range. The overall synthetic strategy for the preparation of these block cationomers comprised four steps: 1) Synthesis by living cationic polymerization of mono- and di-allyltelechelic polyisobutylenes, 2) End group transformation to obtain PIBs fitted with termini capable of mediating the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of DMAEMA, 3) ATRP of DMAEMA and 4) Quaternization of PDMAEMA to PDMAEMA+I? by CH3I. Kinetic and model experiments provided guidance to develop convenient synthesis methods.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inactivating non-enveloped virus particles. The method includes the step of contacting the virus with a virucidally-enhanced alcoholic composition that includes an alcohol, and an enhancer selected from the group consisting of cationic oligomers and polymers, proton donors, chaotropic agents, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nitric oxide releasing pharmaceutical compounds. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that release nitric oxide under physiological conditions. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to new chemical compounds—diazeniumdiolates nitric oxide donors—that are based on ethambutol possessing physiological and biomedical activity.

Abstract: A process for curing photopolymer which comprises exposing the photopolymer to an image produced by a mask-free imaging apparatus. The image may be generated by a monochromatic display screen, e.g. a liquid crystal display, light emitting diodes, a cathode ray tube or plasma screen.

Abstract: A barrier operator is configured to learn and receive disparate wireless transmission signals to control movement of a barrier. The operator includes a receiver core circuit adapted to receive wireless transmission signals containing known and unknown formatted data words. A microcontroller is adapted to determine a fixed code portion of the unknown formatted data words. The microcontroller is also associated with a memory unit and connected to the receiver core circuit for storing in the memory unit the known formatted data words and the unknown formatted data words if the fixed code portion can be determined when the microcontroller is in a learn mode. The receiver core circuit may also scan only frequencies associated with learn codes, pre-selected frequencies, and incremental frequencies within a predetermined range of frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods to provide electrospun polymer/nanoparticle composite-fiber structures for use as lightweight, compliant, porous strain sensors for non-cyclic strain sensing. In one embodiment, the fibers in the nanocomposites comprise, for example, poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) dielectric polymer matrix with embedded electrically conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the composite-fiber structures of the present invention contain at least about 7 weight percent or more of CB and are electrically conducting in the as-spun, un-deformed state, and are thus called conductive polymer composites (CPC). In still another embodiment, the electrical resistance of a nanocomposite structure according to the invention increases with strain, and at sufficiently high strains the structure is rendered non-conductive.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing accumulated leaves and other debris from an overhead gutter of a building or the like, said apparatus including a blade adapted to skim a substantial portion of the internal skirt of said gutter to which leaves and debris are accumulated therein, and an elongated handle having one end adapted to be held by a user at a remote end substantially perpendicular to said blade.

Abstract: A cyclic transporting unit is provided. The transporting unit transports coins one by one in reverse directions in depositing and dispensing. A plurality of accommodating and dispensing portions are arranged along the transporting unit. Since coins enter and exit the transporting unit through a single coin inlet/outlet of the accommodating and dispensing portion, a depositing and transporting route and a dispensing and transporting route of the transporting unit can be made common to each other. The accommodating and dispensing portion accommodates coins with the coins not aligned, and dispenses accommodated coins one by one to the transporting unit by a rotary disc and a delivering disc.

Abstract: A product dispenser includes a housing having a backplate and a cover that, together, define a reservoir recess, and a refill unit received in the housing, the refill unit including a product reservoir positioned in the reservoir recess and holding product for dispensing, and a pump carried by the product reservoir and actuated to dispense the product. The cover pivots relative to the backplate and is pushed to pivot about a pivot point and actuate the pump. The pivot point is positioned such that the volume of the reservoir recess increases as the pump is actuated to dispense the product. The product reservoir may include a pair of cylindrical recess positioned on a common axis and projecting inwardly toward one another, and the cover may include a pair of inwardly projecting journals that are removably received in the cylindrical recesses, the cylindrical recesses and the journals acting together to form the pivot point of the cover.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for a trigger housing for an M240 Assault Rifle is provided having a switch accessible at the outside of the trigger housing for changing the firing of the rifle between semi-automatic and fully-automatic fire.

Abstract: A residual picture is produced and encoded that is a residual picture that is a residual signal between a picture to be coded that is an input moving-picture video signal to be subjected to coding and a predictive picture produced from a reference picture that is a local decoded video signal for each of a plurality of rectangular zones, each composed of a specific number of pixels, into which a video area of the moving-picture video signal is divided. A boundary condition of each of a plurality of borders is obtained between the rectangular zones and another plurality of rectangular zones adjacent to the rectangular zones, and a border, of the reference picture, having a boundary condition that matches the boundary condition, is found by motion-vector search in the reference picture, and border motion-vector data is generated that is data on a motion vector from a border of the rectangular zone in the picture to be coded to the border of the reference picture thus found.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus includes a base, a supporting member extending from the base and a body restraining member slidably and pivotably coupled to the supporting member. A swivel mechanism detachably interconnects the supporting member to the body restraining member. The body restraining member includes a slide member with an enlarged cylindrical roller at one end. The swivel mechanism allows the cylindrical roller to be positioned to any height and any angular position within a substantially 360° range of motion. A pivotable supporting member may also be provided.

Abstract: A combination product container and pump includes a product container including a neck providing an open top, and a lug proximate a base of the neck. A pump is fitted within the open top and includes a piston. A cap provides a piston aperture and secures the pump to the container. The piston of the pump extends through the piston aperture. A dispensing tube port is offset from the piston. A collar key is fitted over the cap. The collar key includes an actuator aperture, and the piston extends through the actuator aperture. The collar key further includes a dispensing tube slot, and the dispensing tube port extends through the dispensing tube slot. The collar key also includes a notch that is circumferentially offset from the dispensing tube slot, the notch being fitted over the lug of the product container such that the dispensing tube slot and the dispensing tube port must occupy a particular orientation with respect to the lug.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for driving the head of an electric toothbrush. The mechanism includes a cam 20 rotatably driven by a motor 10 and an elongate transfer mechanism 30 having a receiver 40 for receiving the cam at one end and a mechanism for transferring oscillatory motion to a toothbrush head 60 at the other end thereof. Cam 20 has a projecting head 23 which is received in a substantially rectangular aperture 41 of the receiver 40. The long side of the substantially rectangular aperture has a length equal to or greater than the diameter of the circular motion of the projecting head 23, the short side has a length less than the long side of the rectangular aperture. Thus, in use, circular motion of the projecting head of the cam is converted into oscillatory pivoting motion of the transfer member 30 by action of the projecting head 23 against the short sides of the substantially rectangular aperture 41.

Abstract: An enclosure for a blender including a body portion adapted to be secured to a base, and a cover pivotally attached to the body portion. The body portion includes sidewalls, a back wall, and an abbreviated top wall. The cover includes sidewalls, a front wall, a top wall, and an abbreviated back wall. A flange extends outwardly from the sidewalls and the top wall of the body portion and a gasket is provided thereon to create a seal between the cover and the body portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: A conveying and dividing mechanism in which a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path facing each other can bidirectionally convey banknotes between each other and that can divide into multiple-direction banknotes conveyed from both the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path. A first dividing member is rockably provided at the intersection of the first conveyance path, the second conveyance path, a third conveyance path, and a fourth conveyance path. The first dividing member enables banknotes to be bidirectionally conveyed between the first and second conveyance paths. Further, the first dividing member enables bank notes conveyed from the first and second conveyance paths to be divided into the third and fourth conveyance paths.

Abstract: A novel hybrid fungus culture, designated J9277, of the mushroom species Agaricus bisporus produces crops of mushrooms having white, rounded, thick-fleshed caps and proportionally long stems in a relatively short interval of time. Diverse additional strains can be developed from J9277 by various means including somatic and tissue culture selection, basidiospore selection, and hybridization to other strains of Agaricus bisporus, and the resulting derivative strains can be screened for desirable commercial characteristics.

Abstract: A polymeric film having increased cut resistance comprising a polymeric matrix having dispersed therein a plurality of cut resistance enhancing fibers. These films are preferably made into gloves, for example medical or industrial gloves.