Abstract: Compositions that are particularly well-suited for blow molding are made from blends containing (A) two copolyether ester elastomers that include acid end-groups, (B) an ethylene copolymer that includes at least one unsaturated epoxide group and acrylate and/or (meth)acrylate groups, at least one of (C) or (D) wherein (C) is an ethylene copolymer having acrylate and/or methacrylate groups and at least one anhydride of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and (D) is a rubbery polymer that can be finely dispersed and (E) a calcium compound capable of reacting with the acid end-groups of (A), preferably calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: An oxidizing agent comprising a pre-measured amount of stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate in a water-soluble sealed pouch, said agent and pouch together having a specific gravity exceeding about 1.0, and a method for use of the oxidizing agent are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions of the formula Na0.5M0.5Cu3Ti4O12 wherein M=La—Lu, Y, Bi or mixtures thereof. These compositions have high dielectric constant and low loss over a frequency range of from about 1 kHz to about 1 MHz.

Abstract: The invention provides computer-enabled methods and systems for the secure transmission and platform-independent receipt and decryption of encrypted messages. According to the invention messages are encrypted by a symmetric encryption algorithm using a secret key that is, or is based on, a password known to the intended recipient. The recipient is also sent a computer program which upon input of the correct password, uses the password to generate the secret key, or alternatively, uses the password as the secret key. The program then uses the secret key to decrypt the encrypted message. The invention further provides for ensuring the integrity and authenticity of sent and received messages. The communications medium over which messages are sent according to the invention may be a communications network such as the Internet and the messages may be electronic mail messages and MIME messages. The invention also provides for the secure delivery of statement and transaction information pertaining to an account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The invention is well suited to use with radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.

Abstract: An illumination assembly includes a support bracket adapted for mounting on a support structure and a housing adjustably connected to the support bracket. A directional light source is mounted within the housing. A cam follower/locking-mechanism connected to the support bracket and the housing angularly adjusts the housing to a selected position relative to the support bracket and locks the housing in the selected position. Also provided is an adjustable directional mounting for a directional light source.

Abstract: A placket sewing machine attaches a placket patch to a fabric part of a garment in overlying relation to form a multiple layer placket assembly. The placket sewing machine includes a base defining a working surface of the sewing machine. A reciprocating needle chuck has first and second needle openings formed in a staggered forward and rearward arrangement. First and second sewing needles are positioned within respective needle openings of the chuck. The sewing needles are adapted for carrying respective ends of thread into and through the overlaid placket patch and fabric part to form first and second parallel lines of stitches in the placket assembly. The first line of stitches extends a greater distance along the length of the overlaid placket patch and fabric part than the second line of stitches. A sewing motor is operatively connected to the needle chuck for actuating the chuck during operation of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A method of classifying biological elements into functional families includes the steps of representing a characteristic numerically, performing a time-frequency transform on the numeric representation, and identifying biological elements of a common functional family by clusters of data having a common frequency characteristic in the time-frequency domain. Biologically active regions on those biological elements are identified by an amplitude analysis of the clusters.

Abstract: A wavelength selective optical device for locking to a selected wavelength in an ITU grid includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, a heating element and a control unit. The first waveguide includes a tunable filter formed in the first waveguide and the second waveguide includes a reference filter formed in the second waveguide. The heating element is in thermal contact with the tunable filter and the reference filter and the control unit is coupled to the heating element and the reference filter. The control unit varies a temperature of the heating element responsive to an indication signal provided by the reference filter to adjust the selected channel of the tunable filter.

Abstract: A method and system for applying addressing voltages to pixels of a display involves receiving input data. The input data includes an indication of an addressing voltage impulse to be applied to a pixel via an electrode. One or more voltage sources are selected, to provide the addressing voltage impulse. The one or more voltage sources each have a pre-selected voltage. The selected one or more voltage sources are electrically connected to an electrode to apply the addressing voltage impulse to the pixel.

Abstract: An electronic advertisement method and system for an Internet browser with a book-like page-based flipping interface. Full pages of electronic advertisements are presented as needed on the computer screen without obstructing the viewing and reading of other contents. This benefits both the viewer as well as the advertiser. An advertisement matching/delivery system provides a novel method of inserting advertisements into content as well as a novel method for revenue sharing among the parties involved.

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: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: An acid-dyeable polymer composition comprising (a) polymer and (b) polymeric additive comprising repeating units having the formula: or salts thereof, wherein A, B and Q, which may be the same or different, are selected from aliphatic or aromatic substituents provided that at least four carbon atoms separate any two nitrogen groups, R is an aliphatic or aromatic group, a is 1 to 5, and n is 3 to about 1,000. In addition, an acid-dyed composition prepared from the composition, a process of acid dyeing the composition and a process for preparing the composition.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display having a protective electrode that reduces the degradation of the display caused by mechanical or electrochemical action. The electrode can include a protective layer that reduces the mechanical or electrochemical damage to a transparent conductive electrode. The protective electrode can be a vapor permeable electrode that is a reticulated electrically conductive structure, such as a metal screen or wire mesh, or a reticulated structure coated or impregnated with a conductive material. The protective electrode can include a layer that protects the display media from physical abrasion or removal by mechanical action, while allowing the application of an electric field to cause the display to be addressed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a bifurcated interface, including apparatus and methods/processes, for integrated use in a fax-to-email system, and the invention further comprises the enhanced communication system, including apparatus and methods, which results from the integration in the fax-to-email system of the bifurcated interface. In accordance with the present invention, the bifurcated interface provides an alternative or additional method for command entry to the interface of a fax-to-email system through a remote, commercially available, personal digital assistant or like device (all such devices currently known or developed hereafter being collectively referred to herein as “personal data assistant” or “PDA”) modified by software to perform functions of the present invention. Delivery of commands, and other data, from the PDA is made, preferably, via infrared signals, but, alternatively, by direct cable syncing and other techniques known to those in the PDA field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular system for the production of coating compositions for coating plastics comprising the following component modules: A) at least one base module containing at least one binder, extenders and/or pigments, optionally together with conventional coating additives, water and/or organic solvents, B) at least one adhesion module containing at least one adhesion-promoting component optionally together with binders, conventional coating additives, extenders, organic solvents and/or water, C) at least one elasticity module containing at least one elasticising component optionally together with conventional coating additives, extenders, organic solvents and/or water and D) at least one binder module containing at least one binder optionally together with additives, organic solvents and/or water.

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