Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods of using a surgical drain, and more particularly to a surgical drain having at least one sensor for monitoring and/or recording the condition of the anatomical site or fluid emitted from the site where the surgical drain is placed. The invention may also include modifications of the surgical drain to improve stabilization or immobilization in the proximity of the anatomical site to be monitored.

Abstract: A container for storing and applying a liquid deodorant, comprising a tubular body (10) provided with an end nozzle (11) retaining a free rotating sphere (20), and a tubular cap (30) to be fitted to the tubular body (10), in order to cover the end nozzle (11), and presenting an end wall (31) that defines a seating surface for the container in an inverted position, with the end nozzle (11) facing downwardly. The end wall (31) of the cap (30) defines, internally, a concave cradle (32) in the form of a spherical calotte, inside which a corresponding portion of the sphere (20) is seated when the cap (30) is fitted to the tubular body (10).

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a magnetic head for a magnetic reader improved so that the data can be read out from the magnetic storage medium with high security, that is, without an anxiety that the data might be illegally read out and, even if the data is illegally read out, such illegally read out data can not be used by the illegal person. Here is disclosed a magnetic head of a magnetic card reader adapted to read out data stored on a magnetic card, comprising a core with a coil for sensing of the data stored on the card as analog signals, an A/D converter chip adapted to convert the analog signals to corresponding digital signals and a microprocessor adapted to encrypt the digital signals. The A/D converter chip and the microprocessor (IC) are fixed within a housing by means of a synthetic resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions that include at least one fluoroether and at least one hydrofluorocarbon. Included in this invention are compositions of a cyclic or acyclic hydrofluoroether of the formula CaFbH2a+2−bOc wherein a=2 or 3 and 3≦b≦8 and c=1 or 2 and a hydrofluorocarbon of the formula CnFmH2n+2−m wherein 1≦n≦4 and 1≦m≦8. Such compositions may be used as refrigerants, cleaning agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, aerosol propellants, 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: A spunbond nonwoven fabric is provided which is formed from continuous multiple component filaments which include a polyester component and a polyethylene component. The polyethylene component is a blend of high density polyethylene and a first linear low density polyethylene. The spunbond filaments are preferably formed in a sheath-core configuration with the polyester component in the core and the polyethylene component in the sheath. Composite sheets are provided which include the multiple component spunbond layer and a meltblown layer, wherein the meltblown fibers include a second linear low density polyethylene. The linear low density polyethylenes are preferably formed by polymerization of ethylene with an alpha-olefin co-monomer, where the same co-monomer is used in each of the first and second linear low density polyethylenes.

Abstract: A transformed mutant, P. mendocina, is provided containing a DNA fragment that inactivates all pobA genes and encodes the enzyme hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. Mutants deficient in hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase are useful for the production of para-hydroxybenzoate (PHBA).

Abstract: A process for recycling reaction byproducts in the manufacture of dianhydro sugar alcohols, such as isosorbide, from corresponding sugar alcohols.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises first and second substrates and a lamination adhesive layer and a layer of a solid electro-optic material disposed between the first and second substrates, the lamination adhesive layer having a volume resistivity, measured at 10° C., which does not change by a factor of more than about 3 after being held at 25° C. and 45 percent relative humidity for 1000 hours. The electro-optic material is preferably an encapsulated electrophoretic material. Other desirable characteristics of lamination adhesives for use in electro-optic displays are also described.

Abstract: A two part coating system comprises a first part comprising one or more aliphatic polyisocyanates, and a second part comprising one or more aromatic polyamines. In one group of embodiments, the second part comprises one or more aromatic polyamines, blended with one or more polyhydric alcohol compounds. In another group of embodiments, the polyhydric alcohol compounds are dispensed with and the required properties are achieved by selection of the type of polyisocyanate compound used and by close control of the proportions thereof. The coating system is suitable for application by spraying using equipment in which the two parts are first combined at the point of spraying, and may be applied to the internal surfaces of below-ground pipeline infrastructures, for example by means of a centrifugal spinning head assembly. In particular, the system may be used for the renovation of existing drinking water pipelines.

Abstract: A water soluble extract from a plant of Solanum genus consists essentially of at least 60%-90% of solamargine and solasonine. A process for preparing the water soluble extract from the plant of Solanum genus involves the steps of hydrolysis with an acid, precipitation with a base, and separation treatments using chloroform, alcohol and water as extraction solvents. The water soluble extract prepared from the process can be directly dissolved in pure or neutral pH water to form a yellowish clear and transparent aqueous solution having a water solubility ranging from 2˜20 mg/ml or higher.

Abstract: A meal tray assembly including a meal tray for being mounted for movement between a stowage position flush against a seat back and a lowered, horizontal use position. A latch access port extends through the meal tray from the top side to the bottom side thereof. A latch is carried on the seat back for cooperation with the latch access port in the meal tray. The latch is mounted for movement between a release position wherein the latch is extendable through the latch access port for permitting movement of the meal tray to and from the stowage position and the use position, and a locking position wherein the latch locks the meal tray in the stowage position against the surface.

Abstract: Undesired and unforeseeable shrinkage may occur in a tube of plastic material containing optical fibres following its manufacture, especially during storage when the tube is wound on a reel. As a result, there may be uncontrollable variations of the ratio between length of the tube and length of the optical fibre contained therein (“excess fibre variation”). A method and equipment for limiting the excess fibre variations in a plastic tube, by stretching the tube by a predefined amount during manufacturing are described. The present invention also relates to a plastic tube subjected to a predefined stretching, a cable made of such a tube and the equipment suitable for manufacturing such a tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing N-aryl-2-lactams, N-alkyl-2-lactams, and N-cycloalky-2-lactams by reductive amination of lactones with aryl or alkyl nitro compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: A rack for grilling chicken legs comprises a unitary wire structure including a base and inclined upwardly extending members at each end of the base and a transverse/portion joining the tops of the members. A plurality of substantially U-shaped members are mounted to the transverse member at the legs forming the open end of the “U”. The legs of the U-shaped members form a parallel slot between adjacent members to engage and support a plurality of chicken legs in a vertical position above grill.

Abstract: This invention concerns the construction of transgenic soybean lines wherein the expression of genes encoding seed storage proteins are modulated to effect a change in seed storage protein profile of transgenic plants. Modification of the seed storage protein profile can result in the production of novel soy protein products with unique and valuable functional characteristics.

Abstract: A sphygmogram measure method and device, which detects pulse pressure and blood flow rate simultaneously, includes an upstream and a downstream pressure sensors provided to measure the pulse pressure of two adjacent points on radial artery. The time lag of pulse wave passing through the two pressure sensors is obtained by a time delay detection circuit. The values of pulse pressure at the upstream pressure sensor and time lag are inputted into a digital signal process unit for calculating the value of pulse pressure at the downstream pressure sensor. A thermal image device and an optical displacement sensor are used to measure the unstressed vessel's diameter and the variation of vessel's diameter. A viscometer measures the blood viscosity coefficient of blood specimen. All the values above are used to calculate vessel compliance and blood flow rate as a helpful reference of human's health status.

Abstract: An electrically sensing and stimulating outer sheath for ensuring accurate surgical placement of a microsensor or a microstimulator near a nerve in living tissue is disclosed. The electrically sensing outer sheath may also be used to verify the function of the microstimulator or microsensor during surgical placement but before the outer sheath is removed. In the event that the microstimulator is not optimally placed near the nerve, or if the microstimulator is malfunctioning, this can be determined prior to removal of the outer sheath, thus reducing the possibility of nerve or tissue damage that might be incurred during a separate operation to remove the microstimulator.

Abstract: A composition that is or comprises a phosphorus-, perfluoropolyether-, and perfluoroalkyl-containing compound is provided. The compound comprises either (i) mono- or polyalkylene oxide linking groups between the phosphorus and the fluorocarbon group, or (ii) no linking group between the phosphorus and fluorocarbon group, or (iii) individual mixtures of (i) and (ii); and the fluorocarbon group can be the perfluoropolyether or perfluoroalkyl group. The compound can also be a partially esterified phosphate, a partially esterified phosphonate, a salt of a partially esterified phosphate, a salt of a partially esterified phosphonate, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A method to produce a distortion-free asymmetrical low-temperature co-fired ceramic structure comprising at least one layer of glass-containing internal constraining tape and at least one layer of glass-containing primary tape wherein the internal constraining tape and the primary tape are laminated to form an asymmetrical laminate and wherein a release layer is deposited on at least one surface of the laminate forming an assembly, wherein the surface is opposite the position of greatest asymmetry of the laminated layers and wherein the assembly is thermally processed producing a structure exhibiting an interactive suppression of x,y shrinkage.

Abstract: A system and method of use of a storage capacitor to improve the appearance and addressing characteristics of an electronically driven display. The capacitor is formed by the overlap of portions of electrodes used to address different pixels, or by the overlap of an addressing line and a conductor. An insulator layer situated between the capacitor electrodes can be the same insulator layer present in an FET transistor used to address the pixel. Methods of use of capacitors to achieve improved display addressing are disclosed.