Abstract: The double pull body brace comprises a one-piece panel which engages around the torso and overlaps at the front. At the overlap, it is attached to itself by means of a hook-and-loop fastener so that a wide range of adjustment is possible. In the back, spaced cord guides are mounted on said panel. Each cord guide carries a plurality of cord guide lobes. An upper cord is engaged around the upper cord guide lobes, and a lower cord is engaged around the lower cord guide lobes. These cords are separately attached to pull tabs. When donned, the user pulls on the pull tabs to separately adjust upper and lower closure tension of the body brace. When in correct adjustment, the pull tabs are attached in place by hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: A back brace has left, right and back panels that substantially overlap to form a tubular back brace when worn. Leverage multiples tightening force during tightening. After each successive tightening by the lever, retaining bands retain the back brace in position. Pressure spreading layers have a secondary adjustment mechanism comprising a plurality of notches extending inward from upper and lower edges, and at least one hole aligned with each of the plurality of notches. The back panel has a window overlying the sacrum. The orthopedist can observe the engagement of the back brace in this area through the window. A malleable bar is attached to the back panel adjacent the window so that the orthopedist can adjust the malleable bar for proper fit. After the initial fitting, including adjustment of the back panel over the sacrum, the back brace may be readily donned and doffed by the patient.

Abstract: Isoflavones are modified by esterification at one or more of the C4?, C5, C6, and C7 positions to promote bioavailability, and especially to enhance solubility over the corresponding unesterified isoflavones. Preferred modifications produce a carboxylic acid hemiester or a phosphate ester which is biologically hydrolysable. Preferred starting isoflavones are genistin and daidzin, and still more preferably comprises an aglycone form such as genistein or daidzein. Esterified isoflavones may be employed therapeutically or prophylactically for a variety of conditions, provided as a dietary supplement, or added to natural or processed food-stuffs. Further preferred uses include incorporation of contemplated compounds into topical formulations, and especially cosmetic topical formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording node (100) at a consummer site that is used for the receiving, storing, determining and/or sending of utility commodity information. The recording node (100) is an integral part of networks (370) or can access networks (370) for the receiving and transmitting of information. The recording node (100) is part of a network process control system (300) that includes other nodes, such as a controller (200), computer (320), monitor (330), display (340) and communication node (360). The recording node (100) receives data on utility commodity flow rates, commodity pressure and environmental factors; stores the data; performs determinations on the data; and sends utility commodity information over the network (370) to consumers (380) and/or third parties (381). The utility commodity may be water, electricity and/or gas.

Abstract: An undrawn yarn is produced at increased quench delay and increased take-up speed to achieve improved ultimate elongation at a given crystallinity. Particularly preferred aspects include products comprising such yarns and methods for producing same.

Abstract: A blowgun has a movable mouthpiece coupled to a barrel, wherein a soft, and preferably fluid-soaked projectile is inserted into the barrel through the mouthpiece via a continuous channel that is formed by the mouthpiece and the barrel. After loading of the projectile, the channel is closed by moving the mouthpiece relative to the barrel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigation control system in which a device (irrigation scheduler) automatically modifies irrigation schedules of installed irrigation controllers to affect irrigating of the landscape based on the water requirements of the landscape plants and comprises: providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute irrigations on watering days by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and at least one irrigation valve; providing an irrigation scheduler programmed to execute irrigations on substantially equivalent watering days as the irrigation controller; and the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to control the execution of irrigations on watering days. Preferably the microprocessor uses either an ETo value or weather data used in calculating the ETo value to at least partially derive the improved irrigation schedule.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which an irrigation controller uses a regression model to estimate an evapotranspiration rate (estimated ETo), and uses the estimated ETo to affect an irrigation schedule executed by the controller. The regression model is preferably based upon a comparison of historical ETo values against corresponding historical environmental values, with the data advantageously spanning a time period of at least one month, and more preferably at least two months. Data for multiple environmental factors may also be used. The environmental factor(s) utilized may advantageously comprise one or more of temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, and soil moisture. Values relating the environmental factor(s) may enter the controller from a local sensor, a distal signal source, or both.

Abstract: An irrigation scheduler modifies output of a preprogrammed irrigation schedule of an installed irrigation controller to at least partially improve irrigation of the corresponding landscape. Preferred embodiments accomplish this task using a microprocessor programmed to: (a) derive a first set of information from the output of an irrigation controller used to control an operation of an irrigation valve; (b) receive a second set of information comprising at least one of an environmental factor and a meteorological factor; and (c) use the first set of information and the second set of information to interfere with reception of the output by the valve.

Abstract: A foldable table includes a table top coupled to a frame, and a pedestal that is movably coupled to the frame via a first and second element, wherein first and second elements are coupled via a connector such that the connector limits a movement in which the table is unfolded from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

Abstract: An active noise control system is provided to specify an input transducer, an error transducer, an output transducer and an active noise controller for generating an anti-phase canceling acoustic signal to attenuate an input noise and to output a reduced noise. The active noise control system also performs on-line secondary path modeling. For this purpose the active noise control system comprises, in addition to known systems, a secondary path change detection circuitry (6), a signal distinguishing circuitry (7) and an auxiliary noise control circuitry (8), all of them being used to model said secondary path.

Abstract: The adsorption rate of proteins from solutions on surfaces in the region of interface layers is often so large that a depletion of the protein in the interface layer results. Due to this, the total reaction becomes transport-dependent, sensitively disrupting the determination of the rate constants. In known TIRF-analysis chambers or bio-sensor systems with a liquid interface layer of ˜10 ?m thickness and mass transport coefficients of 10?6-10?5 m/s it has up limitation. With the help of a TIRF-flow-through shear analyzer in which a certain volume unit of an immiscible fluid, for example an air bubble, is fed into the buffer flow, an ultra-thin liquid layer arises on the surface with a thickness of 100-200 nm, wherein interface surfaces below 10 nm thickness are technically possible.

Abstract: A collapsible chair has a front leg, a rear leg, a cross brace, a seat support rod, and a back rest, coupled together such that the chair collapses in a single movement. In especially preferred aspects, a collapsible chair comprises a connector that is slidably coupled to a leg and that further includes a first rotatable coupling to one end of a cross brace and a second rotatable coupling to one end of a seat support rod.

Abstract: A quad chair (100) with solid armrests (130) collapses in a single movement in which (a) the front legs (110) approximate each other when the front legs and the rear legs (120) pivot towards each other, and (b) the armrest slidingly moves along the front leg, rear leg, or cross brace (150).

Abstract: A method of separating a cell-containing sample into a substantially cell-depleted portion, and a cell-containing portion comprising at least one of a stem cell, a lymphocyte, and a leukocyte comprises a step in which the sample is received in a vessel with at least one flexible wall. In another step, an additive and particles are added to the sample, wherein the additive substantially binds to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the particles and wherein the particles substantially bind to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the additive, thereby producing a cell-containing network. In a further step, the network is separated from the substantially cell-depleted portion by applying a magnetic force.

Abstract: A collapsible chair has a seat (102), rear leg (110), and an armrest (160), and further has a back support element (120) and a pair of lateral cross braces (130, 140). The back support element is pivotally coupled to the rear leg, and the lower end of the back support element is movably guided along one first cross brace by a guiding element (150), while the armrest is coupled to the upper end of the other cross brace. Preferred collapsible chairs include a footrest (180) that moves upward and forward, when the backrest reclines. A locking mechanism (170) provides for reclining of the back support among a continuous set of positions.

Abstract: A chair with rigid armrest collapses in a single movement in which the front legs of the chair approximate each other as the front legs and the rear legs pivot towards each other, and in which the armrest slidingly moves relative to the front leg.

Abstract: A collapsible chair (100) with solid armrests (160) has a front leg (110), a rear leg (120), a seat support rod (130), and a back support rod (140) coupled together such that the back support rod reclines independently of the seat support rod, and that the chair collapses in a single movement in which the front legs approximate each other when the front legs pivot towards the rear legs.

Abstract: An irrigation controller provides a current to operate an irrigation valve assembly and superimposes a data stream on the current. The current may be either alternating current or direct current. Preferably the current is transmitted over a two-wire link. The irrigation valve assembly includes a decoder, a solenoid and an irrigation valve. It is contemplated that the decoder will communicate bi-directionally with the irrigation controller. The data stream will be an encoded control signal that is sent at a rate greater than 1 byte per second. Additionally, the encoded control signal may be sent at a rate greater than or less than the rate of the current.