Abstract: A plasmid has been isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis strain AN12 comprising a unique replication protein. The replication protein may be used in a variety of cloning and expression vectors and particularly in shuttle vectors for the expression of heterologous genes in Rhodococcus sp.

Abstract: The substrates of the present invention comprise a polyimide base polymer derived at least in part from non-rigid rod monomers together with optionally rigid rod monomers where the substrates are cured under low tension. The resulting polyimide materials have been found to provide advantageous properties (e.g. balanced molecular orientation, good dimensional stability, and flatness) particularly useful for electronics type applications.

Abstract: A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a jock support short including a short member and an integrally-formed jock support member. The integral jock support member includes a pocket portion attached to a front portion of the short, which is configured to house a protective groin cup. At least two elongate members extend along opposing sides of the pocket portion and may intersect or meet at a crotch portion of the short such that the pocket and/or protective cup remains secured over a user's groin region during athletic or other physical activity.

Abstract: For connecting a cardiac biventricular assist means including a dual-chamber pumping device, and an electrically powered compressor means provided between the two chambers (12, 15) a partially flexible one-part or multi-part adapter (20) is provided with two through-passageways (21, 22; 34, 35) each separate from the other, said adapter being securely held, on the one hand, in a port (4a) in the apical portion of the septum (4) and, on the other, in a port (2a) in/at the apex of the left ventricle (2) so that the through-passageway (22; 35) extending into the left ventricle (2) is connected directly or by means of a first flexible tube (11) to the inlet (12a) of the one chamber (12) and the other through-passageway (21; 34) extending into said right ventricle (3) is connected directly or by means of a second flexible tube (14) to the inlet (15a) of the other chamber (15).

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine lubricating system that includes an oil filter that is mounted on a mounting bracket that is fixed to a side face of an engine component that has direct communication with the oil pump and the engine main oil gallery to minimize the number of passages that must be sealed to prevent leakage and to make a more compact assembly.

Abstract: Improvements in shoe constructions are provided that provide ground contacting surfaces of multiple materials that resist separation from one another and which provide traction and tariff benefits.

Abstract: Polarization independent optical isolator/circulator devices based on Mach-Zehnder interferometers. The devices utilize either polarization splitting and nonreciprocal polarization conversion or nonreciprocal phase shift within the interferometric arm. For devices with nonreciprocal phase shift, the relative phase difference is 0° in the forward propagation direction and 180° in the backward propagation direction, or vice versa, so that light goes into a bar or cross port depending on the propagation direction. The devices have advantages over previous designs in the use of inexpensive device components, simple alignment, minimal space requirement, and negligible polarization mode dispersion or polarization dependent loss. In addition, the devices can be made in a waveguide form with minimal loss and with high fabrication ease. An additional phase compensator and/or a variable attenuator can be integrated in order to relax the fabrication tolerances.

Abstract: A process for drying/heat-treating nonwoven webs in which the web is partially dried under tension in a first drying zone and further heat treated under low tension or in a substantially tensionless state a second drying zone. The process significantly reduces the occurrence of stretch-type defects in the nonwoven webs.

Abstract: A conveying arrangement for sheet quires includes successively arranged conveying devices of which a downstream conveying device as seen in a conveying direction has a lower speed than an upstream conveying device and at least one ionization device for electrostatic charging of the sheet quires. The downstream conveying device includes a suction device for administering suction air to the sheet quires at stationary suction openings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process that uses Surface Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (SATRP) to grow thin polyethylene glycol alkyl acrylate (PEGAA) polymer film gradients on the moiety accepting surface of a substrate. This invention also relates to a method for producing thin PEGAA polymer film gradients having specific surface functionalities, a thickness ranging from about 0.5 nm to about 5000 nm, and a polymer chain density ranging from 0.1 to 100% surface coverage.

Abstract: A central armrest display device includes a body in the central armrest that has a housing compartment with an opening directing rearwards to house and anchor a case. The display device may be erected on the case for viewing or housed in the case. The case can hold a multimedia player. Passengers on the rear seat of a car can see multimedia programs on the display device mounting on the central armrest.

Abstract: A power tool having a receptacle for securing a tool to a drive shaft thereof is disclosed. The receptacle comprises a receiving opening, preferably being arranged on the tool. The receiving opening engages a securing section preferably being provided in a raised fashion on the drive shaft of the power tool, thereby effecting a positive fit. The securing section comprises a plurality of rounded tips arranged at even radial distances from said longitudinal axis, at angular intervals between each other, each rounded tip having a pair of lateral flanks extending from a common apex toward an intermediate section connecting lateral flanks of a pair of adjacent rounded tips. Preferably the receiving opening comprises a number of rounded tips which is twice the number of rounded tips provided on the raised section.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for generating a ticket representing a selection of media files to be transferred from a content server to a playback device. A selection of one or more media files to be transferred to a particular playback device is received. Device identifying information for the particular playback device is received. A ticket based on the device identifying information is generated. The ticket is redeemable for the selected media files and the media files are formatted so that they can only be rendered on the particular playback device. Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for redeeming a ticket representing a selection of media files to be transferred from a content server to a particular playback device are also described.

Abstract: The invention discloses apparatus for connecting electrically conductive wire to a miniature, implantable sensor or stimulator device for detecting electrical signals or stimulating living tissue. The implantable device has an electrically conductive end on its case which is intimately connected to a doorknob electrode for communicating electrical signals between the living tissue and the device by a biocompatible wire. A spring clip removably attaches to the doorknob electrode so that the wire may be easily attached to the doorknob electrode during surgery. An insulating rubber boot, which may be silicone, surrounds the case end, doorknob electrode, and spring clip to isolate the living tissue from the conductive components. The components are all biocompatible materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an installation for fast location of a fault in an integrated circuit. A sequence of NRZ location vectors is created, the abnormal location vectors are determined, for which the value of the electrical consumption current at rest IDDQ of the circuit is abnormal, at least one set of images is produced with an abnormal location vector, and at least one abnormal vector image is compared with a reference image.

Abstract: Polyurethane or polyurethane-urea is comprised of poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) glycol as a soft segment. The polyurethane or polyurethane-urea preferably comprises about 10 to about 90% soft segment and is prepared from: (a) poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) glycol (b) diisocyanate; and (c) diol or diamine chain extender. The composition is particularly useful for making shaped articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-dihydro-furan-2-one from levulinic acid in presence of a supercritical fluid, and in presence of optionally-supported metal catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of nanotechnology. Specifically the invention describes a method for cutting a multiplicity of nano-structures to uniform dimensions of length, length and width, or area, or to a specific distribution of lengths or area using various cutting techniques.