Abstract: Soliton or soliton-like optical pulses with characteristics adapted to propagation in an optical line for RZ type transmission are generated by modulating a continuous optical signal (1) by means of a modulator (2) which is substantially devoid of chirping, in which the modulator drive signal comprises at least one frequency (4) and one harmonic (5) thereof superimposed on each other (7).

Abstract: A 10 kb gene cluster has been isolated from Rhodococcus ruber SC1 comprising genes encoding enzymes useful for the synthesis of dodecanoic diacid from cyclododecanone and other cyclic intermediates. The six specific open reading frames have been identified that are associated with dodecanoic diacid biosynthesis. In addition to the expected substrates the enzymes of the instant invention have moderate specificity for C11-C15 compounds.

Abstract: A meltblown fiber comprising at least 20% by weight polyester selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene terephthalate) having an intrinsic viscosity of less than 0.55 dl/g and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having an intrinsic viscosity of less than 0.80 dl/g is provided. The meltblown fibers are collected as a web that can be incorporated into composite sheet structures.

Abstract: Battery driven voltage control circuitry charges an output capacitor, which periodically supplies a current pulse. The circuitry converts battery voltage VBAT to a charging voltage VUPC based upon programmed parameters and the voltage VCOMPL at the capacitor. The circuitry includes a voltage converter for multiplying VBAT to produce VUPC. VCOMPL is sampled to determine its “droop” at the end of an output current pulse. If the droop is lower than a threshold, then the voltage converter increases the charging voltage. If the droop is above a threshold, then the voltage converter reduces the charging voltage. This feedback maintains the output voltage within an acceptable operating range to produce an efficacious output current pulse for stimulation without causing unproductive energy loss. In order to avoid premature depletion of battery energy, VUPC is compared with VCOMPL to determine the optimum clock rate to be used to convert VBAT to VUPC.

Abstract: This invention relates to crosslinked polymer foam compositions of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an acid copolymer or ionomer, and a crosslinking agent. Such compositions exhibit enhanced melt strength, as well as lower density and compression set. They are especially useful as midsoles or insoles for footwear.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the synthesis and application of 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-N-oxyl-(9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl)-3-amine-4-carboxylic acid, a novel paramagnetic amino acid derivative (spin label), denominated Fmoc-Poac. Fmoc-Poac can be coupled to peptide sequences and other molecules or systems. It can be inserted anywhere in a peptide segment, even at an internal position if necessary, after removal of its temporary amine protecting group, Fmoc. Owing to its pyrrolidine structure, this molecule may induce differentiated conformations as compared with normal &agr;-amino acids, thus being a valuable probe for structural-biological activity of several relevant peptides. The Poac-angiotensin II analogue was synthesized as a model according to its use as a chemical derivative.

Abstract: A fire-retardant composition includes a base polymer composition, including a polymer base material; melamine or a melamine derivative; red phosphorus; magnesium hydroxide or hydrated oxide, aluminum hydroxide or hydrated oxide, or magnesium hydroxide or hydrated oxide and aluminum hydroxide or hydrated oxide; and zeolite. The melamine or melamine derivative includes amounts between 5 and 50 parts-by-weight, inclusive. The red phosphorus includes amounts between 5 and 50 parts-by-weight, inclusive. The magnesium hydroxide or hydrated oxide, aluminum hydroxide or hydrated oxide, or magnesium hydroxide or hydrated oxide and aluminum hydroxide or hydrated oxide includes amounts between 10 and 150 parts-by-weight, inclusive. The zeolite includes amounts between 1 and 5 part-by-weight, inclusive. A self-extinguishing cable, including at least one conductor and at least one coating layer is also disclosed. The at least one coating layer includes the fire-retardant composition.

Abstract: A power tool having a receptacle for securing a tool to a drive shaft thereof is diclosed. The receptacle comprises a receiving opening, preferably being arranged on the tool. The receiving opening engages a securing section preferably being provided in a raised fashion on the drive shaft of the power tool, thereby effecting a positive fit therebetween. The receiving opening has a cross section comprising a plurality of bulges displaced outwardly from a center axis of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A slush molding process in which the moldable thermoplastic composition powder dosed to the mold is prepared by blending ethylene carboxylic acid copolymers or ionomers with ethylene/glycidyl acrylate or methacrylate copolymer and cross-linking promoter at a temperature and for a time that does not cause significant cross-linking prior to dosing to mold, which is held for sufficient time and temperature to cause cross-linking in-situ, and optionally, other additives including release agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal processing a photosensitive element includes heating a composition layer on a flexible substrate to a melt temperature of an unirradiated area of the composition layer and maintaining the flexible substrate at a temperature below the melt temperature while pressing a heated absorbent layer against the heated composition layer, and repeating these steps for multiple cycles. A further embodiment of the method includes a step of cooling the flexible substrate and layer laminate on each cycle to maintain the flexible substrate at the desired temperature below that of the heated composition layer.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor for producing images from electron-hole producing radiation includes a crystalline semiconductor substrate having an array of electrically conductive diffusion regions, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer formed over the crystalline semiconductor substrate and comprising an array of contact electrodes, and an interconnect structure formed over the ILD layer, wherein the interconnect structure includes at least one layer comprising an array of conductive vias. An array of patterned metal pads is formed over the interconnect structure and are electrically connected to an array of charge collecting pixel electrodes. A radiation absorbing structure includes a photoconductive N-I-B-P photodiode layer formed over the interconnect structure, and a surface electrode layer establishes an electrical field across the radiation absorbing structure and between the surface electrode layer and each of the array of charge collecting pixel electrodes.

Abstract: A 16S rRNA profile derived from Dehalococcoides ethenogenes has been identified and isolated. The profile contains several nucleic acid fragments that are linked to dechlorinating activity. These sequences are set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:30 and SEQ ID NO:34.

Abstract: A closing device for recipients provided with a nozzle (11) and a cap (20) and comprising a cylindrical seat (40) provided in the nozzle (11) and having at least one radial window (37) in communication with the recipient (10); a cylindrical tubular seal (50) affixed to the interior of the cap (20), having at least one radial opening (57) and being fitted and journalled in the interior of the seat (40); and a sealing means (26), incorporated in the interior of the cap (20) and being seated against the free end of the seat (40) to seal it, said cap (20) having an axial orifice (21a) opened to the interior of the cylindrical tubular seal (50) and being selectively angularly displaced between an opening position, aligning the radial window (37) with the radial opening (57) and promoting the communication between the interior of the recipient (10) and the axial orifice (21a) of the cap (20), and a closing position, in which the radial opening (57) is offset from the radial window (37), blocking the communication b

Abstract: A computer based browsing computer program product, system and method arranges a set of information hosted on a computer into a book or a set of books, where each book includes a subset of the set of information, labels each book with a respective portion of the subset of the set of information, and selects a book from the set of books. Selecting the book from the set of books includes steps of displaying the respective portions of the books as a book document image that includes pages which correspond to the respective portions of the books, generating a command for moving through the pages, displaying an animated image of the pages of the book document being at least one of flipped, scrolled, slid and flashed images, and selecting the book when a selected one of the pages containing a selection portion of the book is earlier displayed.

Abstract: An optical image pick-up lens is formed from crescent-shaped first and second lenses that may be aspherical molded glass lenses or aspherical plastic lenses. A convex surface at a first side of the first lens faces toward an object, and a convex surface at a second side of the second lens faces toward a formed image. The lens enables reduced lens length and high resolution by satisfying the following relational expressions: 0.4f≦d<0.9f; 0.5f≦|R3|≦100f; and 0.01<|f2|/|f1|<0.9; where, f is an overall focal length of the lens; d is a distance from the first side of the first lens to the second side of the second lens; R3 is a radius of curvature of an object side of the second lens; f1 is a focal length of the first lens; and f2 is a focal length of the second lens.

Abstract: A modulated Class E oscillator. In one embodiment, the modulated Class E oscillator may achieve high coil currents (about 1 A) and voltages (about 500 V) with low power components. Current may be injected when the oscillating current in the inductor passes through zero. A detector circuit may be used to trigger the current injection at the appropriate instant regardless of changes in the resonant frequency of the system. Its phase can be adjusted to compensate for propagation delays in the drive circuitry, while amplitude modulation is accomplished by switching in additional reactive conductance to increase the current injected into the tank circuit. Frequency modulation is accomplished in an alternate embodiment. The oscillator can also lock to an external reference signal and be phase modulated.

Abstract: A footbed for insertion into a shoe. The footbed includes an insole with a heel area, a metatarsal area and an arch area between the heel area and the metatarsal area. The insole also includes a lateral side and a medial side. A support is attached to the insole and extends between the arch area and the heel area of the insole. The support extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the insole to reduce pronation in a foot that is supported by the footbed.

Abstract: A gene cluster has been isolated from an Acinetobacter sp. that encodes the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. The entire gene cluster has been cloned and all open reading frames have been sequenced. Cosmid clones have been identified containing the gene cluster. Demonstration of conversion of cyclohexanol to adipic acid has been made with the recombinant E. coli host strain containing the cosmids.

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: An azeotropic mixture of perfluorobutylethylene and at least one of the group consisting of bromochloromethane, cyclopentane, cis-1,2 dichloroethylene, trans-1,2 dichloroethylene and dichloromethane useful for cleaning agents, blowing agents and certain of which are suitable for flash spinning of polyolefins to make plexifilamentary fibers.