Abstract: An implantable device capable of controlling received power from an external source. The implantable device includes a power receiving unit (PRU) and a control circuit which monitors the voltage across a load and provides a short circuit connection across the PRU when the voltage across the load exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method that minimizes plaque accumulation on a stent and thereby restenosis that could require a subsequent invasive medical procedure following stent implantation. The stent, essentially an expandable wire mesh tube comprised of a plurality of integral lattice portions, configured for expansion within a blood vessel of a patient, is formed with an electrically-controlled, biocompatible device as one of its integral lattice portions. In a first implementation, the biocompatible device is under control of an externally-positioned controller which causes the device to emit an ultrasonic wave at a frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance of the stent and thereby minimize accumulation of plaque. In a second or supplemental implementation, the device is or other portions of the stent are coated with a drug that can be controllably eluted by passing a current through the coating under control of the biocompatible device and the externally-positioned controller.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to compositions of novel antimicrobial peptides that comprise hydrophobic and cationic residues, based on monomeric tri-peptide units. The peptides of the present invention exhibit high antibacterial activity and low hemolytic activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising these antimicrobial peptides and methods of use thereof for killing, reducing the growth of, or preventing the growth of microorganisms. The invention also provides antimicrobial substrates, medical devices, protective garments and barrier materials comprising the peptides of the present invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted in situ with an inorganic peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a perhydrolase catalyst derived from a Lactobacillus sp. to produce peroxycarboxylic acids.

Abstract: Crosslinkable polymers and crosslinked fluoropolymers are prepared from selected fluorinated dienes and monomers containing Br and I. Also disclosed are proton conductive membranes of these crosslinked fluoropolymers.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is the use of aminaphtone for the preparation of a medicament for treating arteriophaties, in particular arteriophaties of a degenerative inflammatory type. Preferably, said medicament is formulated for oral administration.

Abstract: An electro-optic display, having at least one pixel capable of achieving any one of at least four different gray levels including two extreme optical states, is driven by displaying a first image on the display, and rewriting the display to display a second image thereon, wherein, during the rewriting of the display, any pixel which has undergone a number of transitions exceeding a predetermined value without touching an extreme optical state, is driven to at least one extreme optical state before driving that pixel to its final optical state in the second image.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoretic medium comprising at least two types of particles having substantially the same electrophoretic mobility but differing colors. The invention also provides article of manufacture comprising a layer of a solid electro-optic medium, a first adhesive layer on one surface of the electro-optic medium, a release sheet covering the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposed second surface of the electro-optic medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding trehalose metabolism enzymes, more specifically, alpha, alpha-trehalase, alpha, alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase or trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of the alpha, alpha-trehalase, alpha, alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase or trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the alpha, alpha-trehalase, alpha, alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase or trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A process and relating plant for applying protective coats of paint to containers, especially plastic bottles. The process involves gripping the bottles by means of rotating gripping devices fastened to a conveyor chain, and conveying said bottles to all the different stations involved in the process: coating, drying, and curing. Centrifugation is used to remove any excess coating from the external surface of the bottles, keeping the bottles fastened to the same conveyor chain.

Abstract: A microbial consortium for the biodegradation of sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters having greater than 60 mol percent aromatic acid content based on the total acid content of the co-polyester, created by applying selective pressure. Methods to biodegrade sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters using microbial consortium SPDC-1 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising flammable refrigerant, fire hazard-reducing agent, and optionally a lubricant suitable for use in a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus. Further, the present invention relates to compositions comprising lubricant and fire hazard-reducing agent and methods for reducing flammability of flammable refrigerant, for delivering a fire hazard-reducing agent to a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus, and for replacing a non-flammable refrigerant with a flammable refrigerant.

Abstract: This invention relates to composite materials for restorative dentistry. More particularly, it relates to new components for dental composites, which impart an attractive combination of good mechanical properties and low shrinkage.

Abstract: A composition comprises or is produced from polyester, a first modifier, and a second modifier wherein the first modifier includes a polymer that is incompatible with poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) and is not an acid-containing or acid generating polymer. Also provided is an article comprising or produced from the composition.

Abstract: A process is described for drying melamine wet cakes, comprising the steps of: a) providing a turbo-dryer (T) comprising a cylindrical tubular body (1) having a heating jacket (4), inlets and outlets (5,6) and a bladed rotor (7) rotatably supported therein; b) feeding a continuous flow of a melamine wet cake into the turbo-dryer (T), the internal wall (9) of which is maintained at a temperature of at least 220° C.; c) feeding a continuous flow of a gas selected from air or nitrogen into the turbo- dryer (T); d) subjecting the flow of melamine wet cake to the mechanical action of the bladed rotor (7) rotating at a speed of at least 200 rpm, with consequent centrifugation of the wet cake against the heated wall (9), thus causing the instantaneous evaporation of the water contained into the cake, and transport of the latter towards the outlet (6); e) continuously discharging, after an average residence time of less than 1 minute, a flow of melamine crystals having a humidity content of less than 0.1%.

Abstract: An electronic display comprises an electro-optic material (preferably an electrophoretic medium) having a plurality of pixels, and separate first, second and third sets of addressing means for addressing these pixels. Each of the pixels is associated with one addressing means in each of the three sets, such that addressing of any specific pixel requires application of signals within predetermined ranges to each of the three addressing means associated with the specific pixel being addressed. The display may be in the form of a multi-page electronic book.

Abstract: Compounds containing a lanthanide rare earth element or yttrium are effective catalysts for the polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers. The catalysts are stable at elevated temperatures, and the polymerization is rapid, resulting in high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: Blends of fluorinated ionomer with at least two nonionomeric fluoropolymers provide fuel cell membranes whose tensile strength and conductivity are superior to blends using a single fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A fibrous structure made from a fiber and about 1 to about 15 wt % of a high viscosity polymer that has a glass transition temperature of about minus 40 to about 0° C. and useful for making bullet resistant articles.