Abstract: Auxiliary forceps are provided for video-assisted minimally-invasive surgery, such as hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery, the forceps being intended for operation by a surgeon's non-dominant hand inserted through an incision for entering a patient's natural body cavity. The forceps comprises a plurality of actuating plates hinged elastically to one another and having a size and shape suitable for operation when held by the tips of two fingers. The forceps also has a plurality of jaws extending from each actuating plate, and a member for temporarily connecting the forceps to the surgeon's hand so as to maintain the forceps at an adjustable distance from the hand of not greater than a predetermined value. In addition, a structure is provided for housing the jaws relatively close to one another, within which the jaws are engaged during operation when the forceps is not in use.

Abstract: A backplane for an electro-optic display comprises a pixel electrode (104), a voltage supply line (C) arranged to supply a voltage to the pixel electrode (104), and a micromechanical switch (106, 112) disposed between the voltage supply line (C) and the pixel electrode (104), the micromechanical switch (106, 112) having an open state, in which the voltage supply line (C) is not electrically connected to the pixel electrode (104), and a closed state, in which the voltage supply line (C) is electrically connected to the pixel electrode (104).

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, proteins and vectors for a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. trachomatis. The method employs a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a Mgp002 polypeptide of a strain of Chlamydia operably linked to a promoter to effect expression of the gene product in the host. Truncated forms of the full-length Mgp002 gene are useful immunogens for protecting against disease caused by infection with Chlamydia. The invention further provides recombinant Mgp002 protein useful for protecting against disease caused by infection with Chlamydia.

Abstract: A composition for adjusting water quality for administration of water sanitizer sensitive medicaments or vaccines comprising a natural reducing agent, a buffer, and a coloring agent; and a method of delivering a live vaccine through such drinking water or water for spray administration to an animal.

Abstract: A nonwoven felt formed from fluoropolymer film, which is split and fibrillated to form a network structure, and then entangled.

Abstract: Communication between a remote locator and a transponder is used to determine the relative position of the transponder. The transponder and locator each include a transmitter and a receiver. The locator transmits an inquiry in the form of a relatively powerful cyclically encoded signal with repetitive elements, uniquely associated with a target transponder. Periodically, each transponder correlates its coded ID against a possible inquiry signal, determining frequency, phase and framing in the process. Upon a match, the transponder transmits a synthesized response coherent with the received signal. The locator integrates multiple cyclical response elements, allowing low-power transmissions from the transponder. The locator correlates the integrated response, determines round-trip Doppler shift, time-of-flight, and then computes the distance and angle to the transponder. The transponder can be wearable, bionically implanted, or attached to, or embedded in, some object.

Abstract: A sublimation ink carrier media is provided comprising a support sheet with a polymer film where a sublimation ink is printed in a pattern on the planar surface of the film. The polymer film is peelable from the planar surface of the support sheet, the polymer film is substantially non-extensible when the film is attached to the support sheet, the polymer film is extensible after being peeled from said carrier support sheet, and the polymer film has a melting temperature of at least 190° C. A process for the decoration of a shaped article by ink sublimation using the sublimation ink carrier media of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: This invention discloses a vehicle electrical system voltage regulator with improved electrical protection and warning means that discerns and responds to regulator, generator, or vehicle electrical system operation and malfunctions. The regulator includes monitoring, control, and protection circuits with a phase signal monitor, a field switching circuit that operates the field coil in response to electrical power demands, and a field enable switch in series with the field regulating switch. The phase monitor and protection circuit ascertains and transmits generator rotational motion for use by the monitoring and control circuit in discerning the various operating conditions. The monitoring and control circuit operates on the field switching circuit to meet the electrical power demands and provide multi level fault protection to include field switching circuit reconfiguration to continue operating under various fault conditions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.

Abstract: A device for creating a reference humidity that includes a saturation chamber and a condensate cooler in fluid communication with the saturation chamber and arranged downstream of the saturation chamber, wherein the condensate cooler is a fin-type condenser whose arrangement is such that substantially horizontal gas flow through the condensation cooler results. A measuring chamber connected with the condensate cooler, in which a desired reference humidity is definitely set by varying pressures and/or temperatures.

Abstract: This invention discloses a device in a vehicle electrical system which determines the vehicle's operating conditions and facilitates the transfer of electrical energy between systems of electrical energy sources and their associated electrical loads based on the vehicle operating conditions. The device further determines the operating conditions of the systems of electrical energy sources and their associated electrical loads and facilitates the transfer of electrical energy between them in accordance with said operating conditions.

Abstract: Electro-active multi-focal spectacles are disclosed. The spectacles have a stack of at least two electro-active regions. The electro-active regions produce a plurality of viewing correction zones. The spectacles also have a controller for independently activating the electro-active regions to produce viewing correction zones. An electro-active multi-focal spectacle having a blending zone is also disclosed. The blending zone provides a transition of optical power between viewing correction zones.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite. In these processes, ilmenite is digested with aqueous ammonium hydrogen oxalate. Iron from the ilmenite precipitates as a hydrated iron oxalate and is removed by filtering, leaving a titanium-rich solution. The titanium-rich solution can be further processed to form titanium dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides hydrothermal processes for the production of titanium dioxide from titanyl hydroxide. The use of specific crystallization directors, or additives, can promote the formation of rutile, anatase, or brookite. Variation of process operating parameters can lead to either pigmentary-sized or nano-sized rutile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film or sheet, which comprises at least one vapor barrier layer and at least one vapor transmission-adjusting layer wherein the vapor transmission-adjusting layer comprises a neutralized acid copolymer or ionomer thereof, an organic acid, and optionally other polymers, having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10. The vapor barrier layer comprises ethylene polymer, propylene polymer, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, polyester, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinylidene chloride, PVC, or combinations of two or more thereof. The film is useful as a variable vapor barrier for moisture control of buildings. Also disclosed are articles comprising the multilayer film.

Abstract: A process for making an extruded foamable composition is disclosed where the foamable composition includes a partially-crystalline melt processable perfluoropolymer and a foam nucleating package. The process makes a foamed product having uniform foam cell size at high speeds without loss of product quality.

Abstract: A sublimation ink carrier media is provided comprising a textile fabric and a sublimation ink printed on the textile fabric in a pattern. The textile fabric has a first direction and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular the first direction wherein the textile fabric is extensible in the first direction and is substantially non-extensible is the second direction. A process for the decoration of a shaped article by ink sublimation is also provided using this textile fabric. The process can be practiced with a textile fabric that is a woven fabric or nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: An ambiguous key character input method is adopted, enabling appropriate character input without enlarging or complicating the structure of a portable terminal. In a mobile telephone having a keypad where a plurality of characters are respectively allocated to input keys according to number keys from 0 to 9, like a telephone keypad, am ambiguous key input method is adopted where a user respectively presses keys containing each character of a character string or word they want to input one at a time. At the mobile telephone, a disambiguation server network connected using a wired network or a wireless network returns a character string or selection list postulated by a user intending input from a series of keys received from the portable terminal to the portable terminal, and by selecting a character string or word the user wants to input from the character string selection list the character string or word is efficiently input.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electro-active lens is disclosed. The lens is manufactured by providing a lens blank having a front and back surface, a thickness, and an index of refraction. An electro-active element is placed on one of the front or back surfaces of the lens blank. A covering surface is then formed over the surface of the lens blank containing the electro-active element. In some embodiments, the electro-active lens may then be surfaced to provide a desired fixed optical power and edged to fit within a spectacles frame.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting a light source that is capable of displaying light of different colors receives inputs from various sources and provides an output color selection signal. The output color selection signal is applied to the light source to adjust the intensity and color thereof.