Abstract: The present invention provides swine cells of non-embryonic origin that can be maintained in culture in the undifferentiated state or differentiated to form cells of multiple cell types. Also provided are methods of isolation and culture, as well as uses for the cells, such as xenogeneic transplantation and/or tissue repair.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to activating gene expression or causing over-expression of a gene by recombination methods in situ. The invention also is directed generally to methods for expressing an endogenous gene in a cell at levels higher than those normally found in the cell. In one embodiment of the invention, expression of an endogenous gene is activated or increased following integration into the cell, by non-homologous or illegitimate recombination, of a regulatory sequence that activates expression of the gene. In another embodiment, the expression of the endogenous gene may be further increased by co-integration of one or more amplifiable markers, and selecting for increased copies of the one or more amplifiable markers located on the integrated vector. The invention also provides methods for the identification, activation, isolation, and/or expression of genes undiscoverable by current methods since no target sequence is necessary for integration.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to mammalian multipotent adult stem cells (MASC), and more specifically to methods for obtaining, maintaining and differentiating MASC to cells of multiple tissue types. Uses of MASC in the therapeutic treatment of disease are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficient amplification of a signal utilizing a modified Doherty amplifier system. A modified Doherty amplifier system includes a nonlinear main amplifier and a nonlinear auxiliary amplifier. An impedance-inverting network separates the main amplifier from an associated load. A second quarter wave transmission line separates the auxiliary amplifier from an associated signal source. The signal source has an associated minimum signal power, such that the signal power never drops below a predetermined percentage of a peak signal power.

Abstract: A method for constructing an automotive vehicle parking lot (10) on a land area (12) is provided. A composite drainage material (20) is provided through which water drains. The composite drainage material (20) comprises a polymeric open mesh core (22) between first and second layers (24 and 26) of a non-woven geo-textile fabric. The land area (12) is covered with the material (20) by placing rolls (28) of the material adjacent one another. The rolls (28) are unrolled over the land area (12) so that longitudinal edge portions (30 and 40) of adjacent rolls adjoin one another. A portion (34, 44) of the longitudinal edge portions (30 and 40) are overlapped and secured to each other, and not to the land area (12), to create a gapless and continuous surface (84) of the material (20), with the majority of the land area (12) lying underneath the material. The first layer (24) of each of the rolls (28) contacts the land area (12).

Abstract: A glass sheet washing machine with a broken glass removal system includes a support, a liquid container or reservoir, a pump, a liquid applicator, and a liquid permeable member. The support supports a glass sheet being washed. The liquid reservoir is positioned below the support. The pump is coupled to the liquid reservoir. The liquid applicator is coupled to the pump. The liquid applicator applies the liquid from the liquid reservoir to wash the glass sheet. Excess liquid falls into the reservoir. The liquid permeable member is positioned between the support and the liquid reservoir to catch pieces of glass to inhibit the pieces of broken glass from falling into the liquid reservoir and is moved to remove the pieces from the glass washing machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module that is integrated into a steering wheel and that can be moved relative to the steering wheel in order to actuate a horn. The airbag module comprises a horn switch provided on the module which, when the module is moved, is transferred into a switching position that causes the horn to be activated. A hollow profile made of elastomer is provided which is equipped with the horn switch and lies against the module. The invention further relates to a vehicle steering wheel equipped with such an airbag module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an actuatable occupant protection system (40) in a passenger compartment (12) of a vehicle (10) includes a camera (72) configured for obtaining an image of a viewable field (78) within the passenger compartment (12) of the vehicle (10). At least one pattern (84, 86) is associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) located within the viewable field (78). The portions of the obtained image associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) having the pattern (84, 86) are removed from the image so as to obtain information regarding occupancy of the viewable field (78). The actuatable occupant protection system (40) is controlled in response to the obtained occupancy information.

Abstract: An imaging system (50) for providing vehicle security and convenience features that employs face recognition software to identify and track a person. The system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal along a predetermined field-of-view, and an infrared sensor (34), such as a CMOS sensor used as a video signal array, that receives reflected infrared illumination from objects in the field-of-view. A processor (52) including the face recognition software, is employed to detect human faces to identify and track the person. Once a face is detected, it can be compared to a data base to identify the person.

Abstract: An inflator (22) includes a structure (30, 32) that defines a first chamber (50) and a second chamber (80). The first chamber (50) contains a volume of fluid under pressure and the second chamber (80) is in fluid communication with an outlet passage (76). The inflator (22) also includes a closure member (90) openable to release the fluid to flow out of the first chamber (50). An initiator (100) is actuatable to open the closure member (90). The inflator (22) further includes a filter (130) disposed in the second chamber (80). The fluid is directed from the first chamber (50) into the second chamber (80) and through the filter (130) into the outlet passage (76) upon opening of the closure member (90).

Abstract: A gas bag consists of an upper piece, a front piece and a rear piece, which each have a generally hexagonal shape with a first half and a second half. The first half of the upper piece is congruent with the second half of the rear piece and connected therewith along three outer edges thereof. The first half of the rear piece is congruent with the second half of the front piece and connected therewith along three outer edges thereof. The first half of the front piece is congruent with the second half of the upper piece and connected therewith along three outer edges thereof.

Abstract: A device for fastening panels to tubular frames comprises a dowel element (10) and a sleeve element (11). An expander region (15) of the dowel element, comprising a plain cylindrical section (16) and a conically tapering section (17), is designed to react with a complementarily-tapering inner bore section (19) of the sleeve element when the dowel element is moved axially relative to the sleeve element to cause outward movement of an expandable section (20) of the sleeve element. The sleeve element has a flange (21) which acts as a depth stop and an undercut portion (22) so that a shoulder (23) of the expandable section lodges behind the hole in the tubular member when the fastener is set.

Abstract: A toggle switch has a switching rocker having at least one arm and one guide plate that has at least one receptacle, in which at least one activation push rod is movably guided in a linear fashion. The arm of the switching rocker can exert a force on the activation push rod. A switching unit is provided, on which the activation push rod can act so as to close an electrical contact. The guide plate and the activation push rod each have a break line, along which, before the assembly of the toggle switch, they were joined to each other in an integral fashion.

Abstract: A method and computer program in which a user (132) may have a digital certificate created using a strong authentication technique. Once the user has the digital certificate he may then request the generation of a “single sign-on” certificate that will allow the user (132) access to a foreign computer networks. This is accomplished by the user (132) contacting a registration web server (124) and requesting the generation of “single sign-on” for the foreign computer network. Thereafter, the registration web server (124) may take a public key generated based on the digital certificate and request the creation of a “single sign-on” by simply creating a public key from the digital certificate.

Abstract: A drainage composition comprising 1000 to 1500 kg/m3 of aggregate; 100 to 350 kg/m3 of cement; 0 to 100 kg/m3 of fly ash; and 0.2 to 0.6 kg/m3 of fibrous material.

Abstract: A portable infant cushion (10) includes a base (12) having a top surface (14) for engaging the body of an infant placed onto the top surface and for transferring the weight of the infant. The top surface (14) includes a head support portion (20) non-releasably attached to the base (12) and having a head engaging surface elevated relative to the base for supporting the head of the infant. The top surface (14) includes a body support portion (18) connected to the base (12) which is longitudinally spaced from the head support (20) and is for supporting the body of an infant. A side wall (24) extends peripherally around the base (12) and having an elevated surface elevated higher than the head support (20). The cushion (10) includes a blanket (32) for covering the infant adapted to be placed on the top surface (14). The blanket (32) has at least a portion secured to the side wall (24). The blanket (32) is extensible over the top surface (14) without extending over the head support portion (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaker for sprinkling granules, preferably salt. The shaker (1) comprises a screen-like member (7) which is mounted movable in vertical direction relative to such lower parts (5) of the shaker (1) which define a lower space (8) in which granules (2) are collected or vice versa, for being able to set the screen-like member (7) such that downwardly directed portions (7a) thereof can be set at different distances (e.g. A or B) from the bottom (9) of the lower space (8). Thereby, it is achieved that the lower space (8) can be brought to contain different amounts of granules (2).

Abstract: A method for determining a region of interest on an object includes the step of producing an image of the object. The method also includes the step of identifying regions of adjacent pixels on the image. The method also includes the step of identifying which of the regions of adjacent pixels are positioned within a predetermined distance of each other on the image. The method also includes the step of grouping in a cluster regions determined as being positioned within a predetermined distance of each other. The method further includes the step of identifying the cluster as a region of interest on the object.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a tubular stem section which extends from a handle. A tubular articulated section connects a surgical instrument with the stem section. An actuator assembly is connected with the handle and is operable to bend the articulated section to change the orientation of an instrument on an outer end portion of the articulated section relative to body tissue. The instrument on the outer end of the articulated section may be a rotatable cutting tool which is driven by a tubular drive element having a flexible section which extends through the articulated section. The articulated section is bent or flexed by a plurality of flexible elongated elements (wires). In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in opposite directions. In another embodiment of the invention, four flexible elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in any one of four directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for enclosing an air bag (38) on a steering wheel (22) includes an inner cover (34) at least partially enclosing the air bag (38) and having a tear seam central portion (50) along which the inner cover ruptures upon inflation of the air bag (38). An outer cover (36) at least partially encloses the inner cover (34) and the air bag (38) and includes a tear seam central portion (49) with a length substantially equal to the length of the tear seam central portion (50) in the inner cover (34). A horn switch (58) is disposed between the inner and outer covers (34 and 36) for effecting operation of a horn. The horn switch (58) includes first and second tear seams (64, 65) aligned with the tear seam central portions (50 and 49) in the inner and outer covers (34 and 36). The first and second tear seams (64, 65) in the horn switch (58) have a combined length substantially less than the length of each of the tear seams (49 and 50).