Abstract: A method for the early diagnosis, prognosis or clinical monitoring of cancer disease based on the quantitation of DNA in a plasma sample from a cancer patient, a subject with cancer susceptibility or an individual at risk of developing cancer.

Abstract: A soft wheat flour containing bran, wherein the bran has a total fibre content comprised between 20 and 30% and a protein content comprised between 12.0 and 18.

Abstract: The image stability of electrophoretic media, comprising a plurality of particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the medium, can be improved by including in the fluid either a polystyrene or an aggregating diblock copolymer which forms micelle-like structures in the fluid, the diblock copolymer having a first block soluble in the fluid and a second block not swellable by the fluid. In variable transmission electrophoretic media, haze can be reduced by using as the fluid a mixture of a partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon and a terpene.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zirconia or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at a relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A process for forming an organic electronic device includes the steps of: (a) forming a first conductive member and a conductive lead over a substrate, wherein the first conductive member and conductive lead are spaced apart from each other; (b) forming an organic layer over the substrate, the first conductive member, and the conductive lead; (c) forming a patterned conductive layer over the organic layer, wherein the patterned conductive layer includes a second conductive member, and the patterned conductive layer creates an exposed portion of the organic layer and an unexposed portion of the organic layer; and (d) dry etching at least the exposed portion of the organic layer to expose a portion of the conductive lead using at least one oxygen-containing gas, wherein dry etching is performed at a pressure in a range of approximately 0.01 to 7.5 mTorr.

Abstract: A bolster spring assembly is adapted for securement to a vehicle having a primary suspension system for securing an axle to the vehicle. The bolster spring assembly is located and secured between the leaf spring over the axle and the undercarriage of the vehicle as a supplement to the primary suspension system.

Abstract: A power screwdriver is disclosed having a drive which is coupled via a clutch, disengaging as a function of torque, to a tool drive shaft for driving a tool. The screwdriver comprises an electronic control unit for controlling the drive, and a sensor which is coupled to the electronic control unit in order to switch off the drive when the clutch responds. The electronic control unit is designed for activating the drive with a certain output, preferably with a reduced output, for a limited time after switch-off.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an LPAAT isozyme is disclosed. Construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the LPAAT isozyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the LPAAT isozyme in a transformed host cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium comprises a liquid and at least one particle disposed within the liquid and capable of moving therethrough on application of an electric field to the medium. The medium further comprises a free radical scavenger selected from the group consisting of (a) stable free radicals; and (b) polymeric free radical scavengers comprising a plurality of free radical scavenging groups attached to a polymeric chain. The medium is desirably encapsulated.

Abstract: A planarizing element is described for use in a thermal imaging process. The planarizing element includes a support; a planarizing layer comprising a crosslinkable binder having a weight average molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 110,000.

Abstract: Filtration media are disclosed for use in high efficiency air filters for filtering particulate matter in air. The media make use of at least one layer of fibers having a diameter less than 1000 nanometers sandwiched between two scrim layers to achieve high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration performance at relatively low pressure drops.

Abstract: An implantable device comprising a sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit is adapted to rectify biological/neurological signals in the form of sensed electrical signals from body tissue adjacent to the location of the implantable device. The sensing unit of the implantable device comprises at least one amplifier, wherein the supply current to the at least one amplifier is responsive to the magnitude of the sensed electrical signals provided to the at least one amplifier. The implantable device is further capable of integrating the rectified sensed electrical signals and generating output signals, wherein the output signals contain indicia of biopotential parameters of the body tissue.

Abstract: An ophthalmic spectacle lens comprises a front surface; a back surface; a peripheral edge; and a vision correcting area having a refractive error correction for correcting refractive error of the eye, wherein the vision correcting area's refractive error correction is determined at least in part by a wave front analysis of the eye being corrected. Additionally, the refractive error correction corrects for non-conventional refractive error, wherein the non-conventional refractive error is a refractive error other than myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and regular astigmatism, wherein said lens is capable of being edged into the shape of an eyeglass frame.

Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds of Formula 1, their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts wherein R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b and R5 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are methods for controlling invertebrate pests comprising contacting the invertebrate pests or their environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula 1 or a composition comprising a compound of Formula 1.

Abstract: A perfluoropolyether, a composition comprising the perfluoropolyether, a process for producing the perfluoropolyether, and a process for improving the thermostability of grease or lubricant are provided. The perfluoropolyether comprises perfluoroalkyl radical end groups in which the radical has at least 3 carbon atoms per radical and is substantially free of perfluoromethyl and perfluoroethyl end groups. The process for producing the perfluoropolyether can comprise (1) contacting a perfluoro acid halide, a C2-to C4-substituted ethyl epoxide, or a C3+ fluoroketone with a metal halide to produce an alkoxide; (2) contacting the alkoxide with either hexafluoropropylene oxide or tetrafluorooxetane to produce a second acid halide; (3) esterifying the second acid halide to an ester; (4) reducing the ester to its corresponding alcohol; (5) converting the alcohol with a base to a salt form; (6) contacting the salt form with a C3 or higher olefin to produce a fluoropolyether; and (7) fluorinating the fluoropolyether.

Abstract: Mutations in genes having no direct relationship to the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway have been found to increase carbon flux through that pathway. Complete disruption in the deaD, mreC, and yfhE genes were effective. Additionally where genes of the lower carotenoid pathway reside on a plasmid having either a p15A or pMB1 replicon, mutations in the thrS, rspA, rpoC, yjeR, and rhoL were found effective.

Abstract: This invention relates to electroluminescent silylated pyrene compounds. It also relates to electronic devices in which the active layer includes an electroluminescent silylated pyrene compound.

Abstract: Methanotrophic bacterial strains are provided that have been optimized for the production of carotenoid compounds through the down-regulation of one or more of the crtN1, ald, crtN2 and crtN3 genes of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The resulting strains lack pigmented C30 carotenoid compounds, and show an increase in the production of C40 carotenoids. The use of the optimized host strains for the production of the C40 carotenoids canthaxanthin and astaxanthin is also described.

Abstract: Dihydronepetalactone, a minor natural constituent of the essential oil of catmints (Nepeta spp.) such as Nepeta cataria, has been identified as an effective insect repellent compound. Synthesis of dihydronepetalactone may be achieved by hydrogenation of nepetalactone, the major constituent of catmint essential oils. This compound, which also has fragrance properties, may be used commercially for its insect repellent properties.