Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.

Abstract: A highly portable user-friendly development environment is provided that can enable the creative design of custom electronic presentations. Users can design their own custom presentations from a storyboard document, and collaborate with others during the development process. The document-based authoring environment uses a standard word processing document and the structure and content of the presentation can be defined using constructs. The development of presentations can take place in the cells of an electronic table of the word processing document. The constructs are specified in connection with the table, and a build process can process the document and generate a presentation based on the constructs and the content in the table. This document-based authoring environment can expand the possibilities of e-learning course development beyond conventional database development environments.

Abstract: A novel tyrosine-inducible tyrosine ammonia lyase enzyme was isolated from the yeast Trichosporon cutaneum. This enzyme has a higher activity for tyrosine than for phenylalanine and is useful for the production of para-hydroxycinnamic acid directly from tyrosine. The gene encoding this enzyme was sequenced using 3? and 5? RACE cloning of the TAL cDNA and the gene was expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the bacterium Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Nitrile/vinyl ether-containing polymers for photoresist compositions and microlithography methods employing the photoresist compositions are described. These photoresist compositions comprise 1) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound comprised of a vinyl ether and 2) a nitrile-containing compound, e.g., acrylonitrile, which together impart high ultraviolet (UV) transparency and developability in basic media. In some embodiments, these photoresist compositions further comprise a fluoroalcohol group. The photoresist compositions of this invention have, high UV transparency, particularly at short wavelengths, e.g., 157 nm and 193 nm, which property makes them useful for lithography at these short wavelengths.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame member provided with a front wheel mounted on a shaft and a rear wheel mounted on a shaft, a saddle provided with a stepped tube for adjustably receiving the saddle to a rear portion of the frame member, a handlebar assembly rotatably attached to a front portion of the frame member, a fork assembly extending through the front portion of the frame member, said fork assembly being connected at one end to the handlebars and at the other end to the front wheel, a front fender and rear fender operatively associated with the frame member and extending over the front and rear wheels, respectively, a pair of pedals extending from opposite sides of the frame member, sprocket wheels connected to the pedals and the rear wheel, a drive chain for engaging the sprocket wheels, wherein the front portion of the frame member terminates in a tubular end that receives the fork assembly and the handlebars, and a lower portion of the frame member separates into two leg members which extend along opposi

Abstract: A method for filtering liquids, especially drinks, is by a filtering device having at least two filter lines. Each filter line has at least one filter unit with at least one preliminary filter and one terminal filter which can be connected to or disconnected from the respective filter line independently of each other and which can also be independently regenerated. The pressure differential of at least one filter unit on each filter line is measured. Once a predefinable threshold value is reached for the pressure differential, the volume flow entering the device is reduced. The associated filter unit is disconnected from the filter line. The reduced volume flow to be filtered is handled by the corresponding filter unit in the other filter line which is fluidically connected to the filter line between the respective preliminary filter and the respective terminal filter. The disconnected filter unit is regenerated.

Abstract: The method of present invention and the device used therein is directed for characterizing unknown metallic flakes present in an existing coating on a substrate such that a matching metallic paint composition can be formulated and applied over the substrate to produce a metallic coating having characteristics, such as flop, that match the existing coating.

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: A bistable electro-optic display having at least one pixel is driven using a waveform V(t) such that: J = ? 0 T ? V ? ( t ) ? M ? ( T - t ) ? ? t (where T is the length of the waveform, the integral is over the duration of the waveform, V(t) is the waveform voltage as a function of time t, and M(t) is a memory function that characterizes the reduction in efficacy of the remnant voltage to induce dwell-time-dependence arising from a short pulse at time zero) is less than about 1 volt sec.

Abstract: Various improvements in electrophoretic media and displays intended for use in light modulators are described. These improvements include index matching of the suspending fluid to a continuous phase surrounding the fluid, index matching of a capsule wall to a binder, planarization of a layer containing electrophoretic capsules before application of adhesive thereto, methods for concentrating electrophoretic particles into limited areas of sidewalls of electrophoretic capsules or microcells in the light-transmissive state of the display, and, in the case of light modulators comprising an electrophoretic layer sandwiched between two transparent plates, forming at least one of the plates so as to absorb electromagnetic radiation which adversely affects the electrophoretic layer.

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: An improved system is provided for preventing erosion of a bluff or hillside having a face extending between a toe at a bottom thereof and a crest at a top surface thereof, a water saturated zone extending rearwardly from the face, and a failure shear plane. The bluff or hillside is subject to excess water accumulation contributing to land mass degradation. The invention is improved by at least one drain member or wicking drain positioned behind the failure shear plane and extending downwardly and forwardly only along a single radius towards the face of the bluff and through the water saturated zone between the top surface of the bluff and the face of the bluff for the purpose of controlling drainage of the excess water accumulation. The drain member or wicking drain is installed from the top surface of the bluff or hillside so as not to impair the structural integrity and cause land mass degradation of the face thereof.

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: An apparatus is provided for automatically mounting a helix on a radial bristle cosmetic brush, and in particular, a mascara brush. The brush has a twisted wire core and may be mounted to a plastic stem or rod that extends back to a cap/handle combination. The helix comprises a spiral series of adjacent coils. The helix is adapted to be mounted about the core of the brush such that the radially extending bristles of the brush project out between adjacent coils of the helix. The apparatus for mounting the helix on the brush comprises a base supporting a cradle. The cradle receives and aligns a helix and a brush. A pusher mounted next to the cradle slides the brush toward the helix such that the tip of the brush comes to rest against one end of the helix. A gripper holds the other end of the helix so that the helix is stationary relative to rotation of the brush. A rotator has a pair of jaws supporting wheels that grasp the stem of the brush. At least one of the wheels is driven to rotate the brush.

Abstract: The present invention relates to eyewear, and in particular, to a design for a primary lens assembly combinable with a secondary lens assembly. The primary lens assembly has a slotted extension design. The auxiliary lens assembly has extensions insertable into the slots of the primary extensions. The auxiliary lens assembly is horizontally insertable into the primary lens assembly. The primary and/or auxiliary lens assemblies may have magnets. Alternatively, the primary and/or auxiliary lens assemblies may have compressible bushings to permit an interference fit of the assemblies. The design permits easier attachment and prohibits undesired disengagement of auxiliary lens assembly from primary frame assembly.

Abstract: Novel gene combinations resulting in novel lipid profiles of soybean seeds and oil extracted from such seeds are disclosed. Methods for making such combinations are also described. In addition, the oils of this invention are disclosed to be useful in the manufacture of margarine and spread products.

Abstract: A slip spool for selectively supporting a tubing string suspended in a wellbore can be mounted to a wellhead. The slip spool has an axial passage that is aligned with the wellbore, and at least two radial passages extending through a side wall of the slip spool and communicating with the axial passage. At least two slip assemblies are slidably received within the respective radial passages. Actuators move the respective slip assemblies between a retracted position in which the slip jaws clear the axial passage of the slip spool, and an extended position in which wedge-shaped slip jaws of the respective slip assemblies are inserted into an annulus between the axial passage of the slip spool to grip the tubing string.

Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.

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.