Abstract: An electromagnetic bandgap material is electrically attached to an edge, and enables high isolation between antennas due to the attenuation of surface waves. The disclosed embodiments further provide narrow reactive edge treatments in the form of artificial magnetic conductors (AMCs) whose physical width is less than 1/10 of a free space wavelength for the frequency of surface currents intended to be suppressed. These embodiments still further provide several AMCs suitable for this purpose, along with several exemplary manufacturing techniques for the AMCs.

Abstract: A process for the production of a coating layer from a coating composition curable with high-energy radiation on a substrate, comprising the successive steps: a) providing a substrate to be coated, b) applying a backing foil coated on one side with an uncured or at least only partially cured coating layer of a coating composition curable by means of high-energy radiation, with its coated side on the entire surface or at least one sub-zone of the surface of the substrate, c) irradiating the entire coating applied in step b) with high-energy radiation, and d) removing the backing foil from the coating which remains on the substrate; wherein irradiation of the coating proceeds through the backing foil and/or after removal of the backing foil.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: An implantable enzyme-based monitoring system suitable for long term in vivo use to measure the concentration of prescribed substances such as glucose is provided. In one embodiment, the implantable enzyme-based monitoring system includes at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and having a window therein, and a polymeric window cover affixed to the outer membrane and covering the window. Preferably, the outer membrane of the monitoring system is silicone and the window cover is a polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N,N,-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and methacrylic acid (MA). Also provided herein is an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system having at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and a coating affixed to the exterior surface of the outer membrane, wherein the coating resists blood coagulation and protein binding to the exterior surface of the outer membrane.

Abstract: A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define a mouth. The method comprising the steps of delivering the pouches an infeed conveyor to a predetermined orientation and transporting the pouches in a controlled manner toward a filler station, and transferring the pouches from the infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which the pouch is gripped adjacent to the mouth so as to be suspended from the transport conveyor. Opening the mouth of the pouch to permit filling at the filling station passing the pouches through the filler station, closing the mouth and sealing the mouth prior to release from the transport conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of compositions which include fluoroethane, 2-fluoropropane or tert-butylfluoride. These compositions are useful as pure components or with at least one of tetrafluoroethane, difluoroethane, hexafluoropropane, a hydrocarbon or dimethylether. These compositions are useful as aerosol propellants, refrigerants, cleaning agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, refrigerants, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids, polymerization media, particulate removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents, and displacement drying agents.

Abstract: Ethylene, dienes and optionally ?-olefins are copolymerized by selected iron complexes of 2,6-pyridinecarbox-aldehydebis(imines) and 2,6-diacylpyridinebis(imines). The resulting copolymers contain residual olefinic unsaturation from the diene monomers, and some of these copolymers contain cyclic units in the main chain.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.

Abstract: A track fastener assembly for securing a seat or cargo apparatus to a floor track of a vehicle. The assembly includes a bottom rail with forward and aft ends. Front and rear movable slides carrying locking studs are carried by the bottom rail. A locking rod having a helical groove formed in its outer surface is operatively connected to the bottom rail and the slides. Rotation of the locking rod causes the slides to move axially from an installation position to a locking position. As the slides move to the locking position, they are deflected upwards along with the attached locking studs, clamping the track fastener assembly to the track.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means (31, 33) for guiding and for holding the longitudinal edges of the film to be sealed so that they overlap with an intimate and distributed contact and comprises in an opposing position, a short distance from these guide means, a sealing head (6) made in good thermal insulator and with a low coefficient of friction in relation to the film, which directs onto the said film jets of hot air at an appropriate temperature and an appropriate pressure, through longitudinal slits of appropriate dimensions (35). The sealing head is connected to supply and control means (39-44) that keep it fully operational or have it promptly fully operational, the head being mounted on means (45) for moving it rapidly towards or away from the film to be sealed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an vehicle wheel includes engaging a valve stem with a robotic manipulator, moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel, coaxially aligning the valve stem with the aperture in the rim, and inserting the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. Preferably, the aperture location in the rim is determined at a gauging station by a machine vision system. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station can use a table which rotates the wheel about a central axis, and an optical sensor detects the location of the aperture. Optionally, a probe mounted on the gauging station can be extended into the aperture to confirm the aperture position and to reposition the rim slightly if required.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding granule-bound starch synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of the granule-bound starch synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the granule-bound starch synthase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: An electrically driven membrane process apparatus is provided comprising a first spacer having a perimeter having a surface with an inner peripheral edge defining an opening, and a recess formed on the inner peripheral edge, and an ion exchange membrane having an outer edge fitted within the recess. The spacer can further comprise a plurality of bosses and an ion exchange membrane having a corresponding plurality of apertures for receiving the bosses. The spacer can include a plastic mesh consisting essentially of polypropylene or polyethylene, and a perimeter surrounding the plastic mesh, the perimeter comprising material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic vulcanizates and thermoplastic elastomeric olefins. The spacer can have an upstanding seal member depending therefrom, received by groove within a corresponding frame member. A second spacer is also provided having a continuous flange depending from its surface and surrounding a throughbore, for pinching a portion of the first spacer.

Abstract: A process for the high-speed rotary application of a liquid coating agent containing at least one pigment and/or at least one extender onto a substrate, wherein the process comprises the steps: (a) directly supplying at least two liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer or preparation of a premix from at least two liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent and supply of the premix to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer, (b) high-speed rotary atomizing the components directly supplied in step (a) or of the premix supplied in step (a) to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer and (c) applying the material atomized in step (b) onto a substrate, wherein at least one of the components used in step (a) contains at least one pigment and/or at least one extender.

Abstract: A unique carotenogenic biosynthetic gene cluster has been isolated from Panteoa agglomerans strain DC404, wherein the genetic organization of the cluster is crtE-idi-crtY-crtI-crtB-crtZ. The genes contained within this cluster encode geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthetase (CrtE), isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase (Idi), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), phytoene desaturase (CrtI), phytoene synthase (CrtB), and ?-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ). The gene cluster, genes and their products are useful for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to carotenoids. Vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for managing, tracking and controlling page sub-component prerequisites in a graphical user interface (GUI). According to one embodiment, in response to a request for a destination page and with reference to prerequisite information, one or more sub-component prerequisites associated with the destination page are identified. Then, a determination is made whether one or more requirements associated with the identified sub-component prerequisite have been satisfied by invoking a method of an instance of the identified sub-component prerequisite that causes stored information to be retrieved regarding the state of the sub-component prerequisite from a current environment/context.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition having low absorption loss at 1,300-1,610 nm and is suitable for practical waveguide devices. The composition comprises at least one (meth)acrylate prepared from a fluorinated monomer or polymer having minimum two hydroxyl groups, at least one multifunctional non-fluorinated (meth)acrylate and at least one photoinitiator. An optical coating on a variety of substrates is obtained by exposing the photosensitive composition to actinic radiation such as UV light. An optical waveguide device is fabricated by patterning the photosensitive composition on a substrate.

Abstract: A photosensitive element for use as a photopolymer printing plate comprising a support, a layer of a photopolymerizable material on the support, and an infrared ablation layer which is ablatable by infrared radiation and substantially opaque to actinic radiation on the photopolymerizable material. The infrared ablation layer comprises at least one infrared absorbing material, a radiation opaque material, and at least one binder which is substantially incompatible with low molecular weight materials in the photopolymerizable layer. The infrared ablation layer is tack-free or substantially tack-free on the photopolymerizable layer. The infrared ablation layer is ablatable from the surface of the photopolymerizable layer upon exposure to infrared laser radiation.

Abstract: To provide a plastic case for storing four compact discs, in which a lid part 1 and a case proper 2 are rotatably pivoted at a hinge 3, clip members 4 for storing and holding a printed matter 9 are provided on backsides of the lid part 1 and the case proper 2, and a first tray 6 having a disc-fixing hook 10 placed to jut out front and back sides thereof is rotatably pivoted by the hinge 3 rotatably supporting the lid part 1 and the case proper 2 in a middle, and also a second hinge 8 is placed off a center so as to pivot in addition a second tray 7 by decentering the first tray 6. It is possible to store four compact discs and the printed matter therein and to be only 20 percent thicker therefor than a size of a conventional case capable of storing one compact disc and the printed matter therein, thus causing no difficulty in appearance of product, transportation, exhibition at a storefront and so on.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-N-(methyl aryl)-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-N-(methyl cycloalkyl)-2-pyrrolidone and 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone by reductive amination of levulinic acid esters with aryl or alkyl cyano compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.