Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a hydrophilic membrane to provide by the process of pervaporation through the membrane water suitable for agricultural irrigation, industrial use, hydrating or rehydrating of food or agricultural or pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention also relates to a water purification apparatus which includes the hydrophilic membrane, comprising one or more layers of hydrophilic polymers, to purify water which may contain suspended or dissolved impurities and solids, including but not limited to seawater, brackish water and other kinds of polluted water.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a dual control thermostatic mixer with a regulator suited to stabilize the mixed water temperature upon exit, using a stabilizing mechanism and a switching device for choosing either spout or handset flow. It has a main body (A), a close, setting and commutation valve (B), a switch handle lever (C) and a water temperature-regulating knob (D). The main body of the mixer (A) has central part internally divided and separated by four ringed chambers were the switching valve set (B) operates. The switching valve set is made of a thermostatic regulator and a switching device that allow to regulate the water's temperature keeping it constant for use with a handset or directly to the spout.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a protein kinase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the protein kinase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the protein kinase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting cable includes a tubular support and a plurality of superconducting tapes. The superconducting tapes include a superconducting material enclosed in a metal covering, spirally wound onto the tubular support to form at least an electroinsulated, thermally-insulated, and refrigerated superconducting layer. The superconducting tapes also include at least a metal strip coupled to the metal covering. A process for manufacturing high temperature superconducting cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A passenger seat assembly convertible between a two-seat configuration and a three-seat configuration, and including a seat assembly base and first, second and third seats for carrying respective seat bottom and seat back cushions, the first and third seats defining outboard seats and the second seat defining a center seat. First and second armrests are mounted between the first and third outboard seats on opposing sides of the center seat and are moveable between an upright use position and a retracted storage position above the seat bottom of the center seat. A tray table is mounted for movement between a raised retracted position wherein a bottom surface of the tray table defines at least a portion of the seat back of the center seat, and a lowered use position wherein the tray table resides above the seat bottom of the center seat to provide additional seating space and a tray table for the occupants of the outboard seats.

Abstract: A modular, low cost pallet and shelf assembly and a method for assembling the assembly is disclosed. The shelf assembly comprises a plurality of support members arranged so as to releasably accept a pallet therebetween, each vertical support member comprising a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough, wherein each aperture is configured so as to accept and releasably hold tabs inserted through the aperture, and a plurality of pallet securing members, each pallet securing member comprising at least one pallet securing member tab releasably securable within a vertical support member aperture and a securing surface for restraining the pallet between the vertical support members.

Abstract: A backplane for use in an electro-optic display comprises a patterned metal foil having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, coated on at least side with an insulating polymeric material and having a plurality of thin film electronic devices provided on the insulating polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding fructosyltransferases. More specifically, this invention relates to polynucleotides encoding 1-FFTs, 6-SFTs, or 1-SSTs. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA constructs encoding all or a portion of the fructosyltransferases, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the fructosyltransferases in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Carpet protectants comprising an aqueous dispersion comprising A. a partially fluorinated urethane polymer having at least one urea linkage, which compound is the product of the reaction of: (1) at least one organic polyisocyanate containing at least three isocyanate groups; (2) at least one fluorochemical compound which contains per molecule (a) a single functional group having one or more Zerewitinoff hydrogen atoms and (b) at least two carbon atoms, each of which is attached to at least two fluorine atoms; and (3) water in an amount sufficient to react with from about 5% to about 60% of the isocyanate groups in said polyisocyanate; B. a non-fluorinated cationic surfactant; and C. a non-fluorinated nonionic surfactant are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preparation of a fluorosulfonyl imide monomer of the structure represented by formula (IV), wherein X is F or perfluoroalkyl having 1-4 carbons optionally substituted by ether oxygen, M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal when y is respectively 1 or 2, R is aryl, fluoro-aryl, or XCF2-where X is H, halogen, fluorinated or non-fluorinated linear or cyclic alkyl having 1-10 carbons, optionally substituted by one or more ether oxygens. Such monomers are useful for forming ionomers useful in electrochemical applications such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolysis cells, ion exchange membranes, sensors, electrochemical capacitors, strong acid catalysts, and modified electrodes.

Abstract: Fluorinated polymers, photoresists and associated processes for microlithography are described. These polymers and photoresists are comprised of a fluoroalcohol functional group which simultaneously imparts high ultraviolet (UV) transparency and developability in basic media to these materials. The materials of this invention have high UV transparecy, particularly at short wavelengths, e.g., 157 nm, which makes them highly useful for lithography at these short wavelengths.

Abstract: Two gene clusters have been isolated from an Brevibacterium sp HCU that encode the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. Individual open reading frames (ORF's) on each gene cluster are useful for the production of intermediates in the adipic acid biosynthetic pathway or of related molecules. All the ORF's have been sequenced. Identification of gene function has been made on the basis of sequence comparison and biochemical analysis.

Abstract: This invention provides a transparent, paramagnetic polymer composition in which a polymer is complexed with sufficient rare earth ions, particularly ions selected from ions in the group of elements 64-69, to provide a polymer with a magnetic mass susceptibility greater than 20×10−6 emu/g measured at 298° K. This invention provides optically responsive devices that employ these transparent, paramagnetic polymers as an element that is responsive to a magnetic field and a means for providing magnetic field. This invention provides transparent labels or markings employing these transparent, paramagnetic polymers.

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 slat is selectively extended from a main wing body, with a concave rear surface of the slat facing a convex forward nose surface of the wing body, with a slat gap therebetween. At least one row of flexible bristles is movably arranged relative to the lower rear edge of the slat, to flexibly protrude up into the slat air gap. At least one row of flexible bristles is movably arranged along the upper rear edge of the slat to extend rearwardly over the slat air gap and the upper surface of the main wing body. The flexible bristles are flexibly self-positioning and self-contouring due to the aerodynamic forces acting thereon, to improve the air flow conditions through the slat gap, separate the slat gap airflow from an entrapped eddy vortex on the concave rear surface of the slat, and thereby reduce the aerodynamic noise generated along the slat gap.

Abstract: An implantable miniature eyelid electrode apparatus that causes a paralyzed eyelid to close or open by passing an electrical stimulating current to a nerve or muscle, is comprised of a longitudinally flexible, nonconductive body containing electrodes that pass an electrical signal to the nearby nerve or muscle, which closes or opens the eyelid. The apparatus is electrically actuated by a source that may be located remotely from the apparatus. The electrical signal passes along wires from the source to the apparatus. The apparatus is biocompatible with the environment in the living tissue and is electrically insulated from the surrounding tissue, except where the electrodes contact the living tissue. The apparatus is very small and is not obvious to visual inspection when implanted.

Abstract: This invention relates to the application of fluorinated urethane compositions to stone in order to protect the stone from the deleterious effects of water and pollution.

Abstract: A device for transferring a fluid contained in a closed container comprising a substantially tubular connecting element that has a first end that can be inserted hermetically in the container and a second end that is open, and pumping elements that have an inlet, which can be associated hermetically with the second end, and an outlet, and are adapted to draw the fluid from the container in order to transfer it into an external user device; the transfer device is assembled monolithically.

Abstract: A measuring device including a moveable measuring probe and sensors coupled to the measuring probe for providing position data of the measuring probe. The measuring probe is coupled, by a cord or a wire, to a first sensor for measuring a length or change in length of the cord or wire, and to a second sensor for measuring an angle or angular displacement of the cord or the wire. The obtained position data can be graphically represented and/or used for driving an automatic machining apparatus for producing a product corresponding to the measured data.