Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning gas for use in a medical procedure, such as endoscopy, the gas being received into the apparatus from a gas source. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. A humidification means comprising at least one water-retainer layer is disposed within the chamber in the path of travel of the gas for humidifying the gas as it passes through the chamber. A humidity sensor is disposed within the chamber that senses the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber. A monitoring circuit is connected to the humidity sensor that detects when the chamber requires a recharge of liquid based on the humidity of the gas in the chamber, and generates a recharge signal indicative thereof. A charging port on the housing provides access into the chamber to recharge the chamber with water. A heating element and temperature sensor are also disposed within the chamber. A control circuit further regulates the temperature of the gas exiting the chamber.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of organodiphosphites of the formula (R.sup.1 O).sub.2 P(OZO)P(OR.sup.1).sub.2 wherein R.sup.1 and Z are different substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups.

Abstract: A mat containing highly machine direction oriented (90% or greater), discontinuous reinforcement fibers, is produced on inclined wire or rotary paper making machinery. Fibers are first uniformly dispersed in an aqueous medium containing thickeners and wetting agents. In one embodiment, antifoaming agents are also added to prevent floating fibers which entangle and reduce orientation. Thermoplastic fibers or particles may also be included. Stock is brought into an open headbox in a flow pattern which allows the fibers to decelerate before approaching the porous suction belt (wire). As the fibers approach the suction belt, the fibers begin to turn and align in the streamline so as to present one end toward the suction wire. The leading ends of the fibers are gripped by the moving belt which drags the fibers out of the dispersion stock in a straight line. The porous mat produced may be dried and bonded through hot air, heat and/or pressure, or chemical binders.

Abstract: Printing plates for dry development wherein the plate is made up of a radiation absorbing layer positioned between a hydrophobic, substantially non-radiation absorbing film layer and a support. Such plates are typically exposed using a laser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a STN LCD device having at least two domains per pixel, comprising:a) a liquid crystal layer having opposite sides;b) a set of electrodes on either side of said liquid crystal layer;c) a fluorinated polyimide alignment film for aligning a liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a locking mechanism which utilizes rolling members positioned on recessed inclined surfaces, the rolling members being biased toward a locked position wherein the rolling members engage both the inclined surface of the locking mechanism and an engagement surface of a member or workpiece disposed above and positioned proximate to the recess. Each rolling member is moved from its locked position to its unlocked position along its respective inclined surface by a lever pivotably mounted to the locking mechanism and engaging the rolling member.

Abstract: A process for the electrolysis of aqueous hydrochloric acid solution in an electrochemical flow reactor comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, a cathode and backings, wherein the anode is comprised of an electrocatalytic material and an ionomer is disclosed. The process provides high current density at low cell voltage, and low HCl outlet concentration while minimizing side reactions.

Abstract: A device and a method for aligning in time two essentially isochronous digital signals are provided, in which a plurality (2.sup.n) of replicas (CK1-CK4) of the first signal (CKIN), separated by a given phase difference, are generated and a number of said replicas (CK3, CK4) is subjected to sampling (4, 5) in correspondence with the rising edges of the second signal (DATA). As the result of the sampling, a combination of logic signals (SL0, SL1) is obtained which is representative of the phase relation existing between each of said replicas (CK1-CK4) and the second signal (DATA). The output signal (CKOUT) of the device, aligned with the second signal, corresponds to the one, among the replicas (CK1-CK4) of the first signal, which best reproduces the desired alignment condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic organizational database as an underlying information system to support collaborative computing in a global enterprise. This information system is built based on the Organizational Modeling and Management model (OMM) and provides a system architecture and a graphical user interface for easy manipulation of organizational objects. Contrary to traditional approaches, the present invention separates the organization model from the process model, the application model and the data model. Thus, independent and flexible enterprise modeling and design is allowed to reflect more realistically a rapidly changing business environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tridimensional printing process on fabric in which a fabric insert capable of being thermomolded is glued on the back of a design silk-screened on a piece of fabric. One side of the said insert is coated with a latex emulsion that, when subject to hot-pressing inside a mould, irreversibly gives a convex shape to the whole insert, as well as a relief finish to the above mentioned design silk-screened on the fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: A thin film device for medical applications such as a wound dressing including an occlusive layer having an edge portion about at least a portion of the thin film device and a non-continuous, hydrocolloid-containing polymeric support layer overlying the edge portion of the occlusive layer.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to producing perhalofluorobutanes and perhalofluorohexanes, more particularly it relates to their production by utilizing tetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as "TFE") and chlorotrifluoro-ethylene (hereinafter referred to as "CTFE") with selected perhalofluoroethanes containing 2 to 4 nonfluorine halogen and 2 to 4 fluorine substituents in the presence of a polyvalent metal halide such as an aluminum chloride or chlorofluoride as catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I, and their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts, are disclosed which are useful as fungicides ##STR1## wherein W is O, S(O).sub.n or NR.sup.5 ;n is 0, 1 or 2;Q is O or S;G is a fused phenyl, naphthalene, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, pyridine, thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, pyrazine, pyridazine or pyrimidine ring; andR.sup.1 -R.sup.5 are as defined in the disclosure.Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula I and a method for controlling plant diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens which involves applying an effective amount of a compound of Formula I.

Abstract: A catalyst composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a titanium compound, a phosphorus compound, an amine, a solvent and optionally a cocatalyst in which the phosphorus compound has a formula selected from the group consisting of (R.sup.1 O).sub.x (PO)(OH).sub.3-x, (R.sup.1 O).sub.y (P.sub.2 O.sub.3)(OH).sub.4-y, and combinations thereof; the amine is a tertiary amine; each R.sup.1 is independently a linear or branched alkyl radical containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms per radical; x is 1 or 2; and y is 1, 2, or 3; and the cocatalyst can be a cobalt/aluminum catalyst, an antimony compound, or combinations thereof. Also disclosed is a process for producing the composition. The process comprises combining a titanium compound, a phosphorus compound, a solvent, an amine, a solvent, and optionally a cocatalyst. The phosphorus compound, amie, and solvent are the same as those disclosed above.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a compound of the formula: CF.sub.3 CHXCF.sub.3-z Y.sub.2 where X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of H and Cl, and z is 0 or 1. The process involves (1) contacting CCl.sub.3 CHXCC.sub.3-z Y.sub.z,CCl.sub.2-z .dbd.CXCC.sub.3, and/or CCl.sub.2 CX.dbd.CC.sub.3-z Y.sub.z starting material, with hydrogen fluoride at a temperature of less than 200.degree. C. to produce a fluorination product of said starting material which includes at least 90 mole percent total of C.sub.3 HXY.sub.z Cl.sub.6-z-x F.sub.x saturated compounds and C.sub.3 XY.sub.z Cl.sub.5-z-y F.sub.y olefinic compounds, wherein x is an integer from 1 to 6-z and y is an integer from 1 to 5-z, (the fluorination product including no more than about 40 mole percent of the desired product, CF.sub.3 CHXCF.sub.3-z Y.sub.z); (2) contacting saturated compounds and olefinic compounds produced in (1) with hydrogen fluoride in the vapor phase at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to about 400.

Abstract: An implantable system, such as a neural stimulator or a cochlear implant system, includes a rechargeable battery configuration having improved recharging and lifetime characteristics. The battery is housed within the implant's case and has first and second electrode plates. Each electrode plate has a plurality of slits that extend across a substantial portion of the plate's surface area. The slits in the electrode plates reduce the magnitude of eddy currents induced in the plates by external ac magnetic fields allowing faster battery recharging times. Alternatively, the electrode plates are wrapped in a spiral configuration such that, in the plane of the spiral, the electrode plates have a small cross-sectional area and no closed current loops. Additionally, the implant device may be housed in a case formed of a high-resistivity material and a circuit included in the implant device is configured to avoid large current loops that would result in eddy current heating.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding all or a substantial portion of soybean glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes involved in the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds in plants and seeds. The invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all or a substantial portion of soybean GST enzymes, host cells transformed with those genes and methods for the recombinant production of soybean GST enzymes. Methods of constructing transgenic plants having altered levels of GST enzymes and screens for identifying soybean GST enzyme substrates and soybean GST enzyme inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: Propylene may be oligomerized by contact with cobalt complexes corresponding to the following structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 -R.sup.7 are hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or inert functional groups, and X is an anion. The resulting olefins are useful as chemical intermediates.