Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated actuator has two piston surfaces for providing increased output force. The actuator includes a hollow piston that is divided into two inner chambers by a stationary inner dividing wall that is rigidly connected with a cylinder end wall. The piston has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder, and the piston carries three axially spaced sealing rings that define two axially-spaced annular chambers between the piston and the cylinder. Each of the annular chambers is in fluid communication with a respective port provided in the cylinder wall. Introduction of pressurized fluid into one port causes the fluid pressure to act on a single piston surface to retract the piston and rod, and introduction of pressurized fluid into the other port causes the fluid pressure to act on two axially-spaced piston surfaces to provide an increased output force without increasing the diameter of the cylinder and piston and without increasing the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: An external rearview mirror, has a mirror plate; a regulating mechanism for position regulation of said mirror plate, by moving the mirror plate, a transmission device including a sole transmission cable formed as an internal cable, an external sleeve; fixed in a housing the mechanism, and a button connected with the cable so that the cable can be pulled or pushed inside a sleeve against a force of a spring depending of movements of the button.

Abstract: An acrylic and quartz based composition for surfacing material that improves temperature and impact performance over the polyester composition of the prior art.

Abstract: An implantable sensor includes electronic circuitry for automatically performing on a periodic basis, e.g., every 1 to 24 hours, specified integrity tests which verify proper operation of the sensor.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance or wound drainage device having a receptacle side component including a receptacle for receiving and storing waste solids and fluids and a bodyside component for adhering to the patient's skin around the stoma in which the two components are releasably sealed together through a pealable, washable based coupling mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions for topical application to the skin. The compositions comprise an organopolysiloxane elastomer dispersed in a hydrocarbon vehicle. The present invention also includes a cosmetic composition comprising a silicone gel combined with a compatible cosmetically acceptable carrier where the silicone gel comprises the elastomer dispersed in the vehicle. The compositions of the invention are transfer resistant and produce a unique soft and powdery sensation on the skin due to the combination of the elastomer with the hydrocarbon vehicle.

Abstract: Compositions and textile sizes based on those compositions, which are particular poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer ionomers, as well as blends of those ionomers with other sizing polymers are described. A process to prepare the ionomers is described. The compositions are poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers which have carboxylic acid ionomer comonomer units. Sizes based on these ionomers are aqueous solutions of the ionomers or solutions of blends of them with other poly(vinyl alcohol) polymers which are not ionomeric, or solution/suspensions of the ionomers with various starches, or both. Desizing in either water or caustic solutions is generally far superior to comparable polymer blends which contain no poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer ionomer.

Abstract: CF3CHFCHF2 production is disclosed which involves reacting CF3CF═CHF with HF at an elevated temperature over a catalyst selected from the group consisting of aluminum fluoride, fluorided alumina, metals supported on aluminum fluoride, metals supported on fluorided alumina and catalysts comprising trivalent chromium. Also disclosed is enrichment of CF3CF═CHF from a starting mixture containing CF3CF═CHF and CF3CH═CF2 which involves reacting said starting mixture with HF at an elevated temperature over a catalyst consisting essentially of carbon, a catalyst consisting essentially of metal halides supported on carbon, a catalyst consisting essentially of Cr2O3, or mixtures thereof (provided that when Cr2O3 is present the temperature is about 250° C. or less) to produce a product mixture containing CF3CH2CF3 and unreacted CF3CF═CHF wherein the mole ratio of CF3CF═CHF to CF3CH═CF2 is greater than the ratio thereof in the starting mixture.

Abstract: A method for increasing the molecular weight of aliphatic polyester resins from dicarboxylic aliphatic acids having 2-22 carbon atoms, or from hydroxy-acids having 2-22 carbon atoms, in which the solid resin is brought into contact with a chain extender preferably chosen from the organic disocyaciates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulations for topical application which comprises an anti-inflammatory effective amount of 3-furan carboxylic acid. The formulation also optionally comprises an anti-irritant effective amount of frulic acid and an antimicrobial effective 2-furan carboxylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the oligomerization, polymerization and copolymerization of substituted and unsubstituted &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactones and the products thereof, Cobalt (II) and cobalt (III) chain transfer catalysts are used to control the molecular weight and impart an aromatic functionality to the products formed.

Abstract: Consistent with principles of the present invention, a method and system for delivering homework management solutions to a designated market is disclosed. For each user, the disclosed system generates a user-profile that is consistent with, for teenage student-user's learning disabilities and required learning modifications or accommodations in response to user information and external regulatory requirements, and for teacher-users with, authorities. The disclosed system may further operate to determine appropriate intervention strategies and associated resource tools for a user, consistent with regulatory requirements, and process a request for an intervention tool or strategy from the user. Various interventions and modifications may be obtained and/or utilized through the disclosed system, relative to homework assignments for tests and related output, reading and related output, as well as projects and related output.

Abstract: A computer user interface system and method arranges a set of information hosted on a computer into 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 AS of the pages containing a selection portion of the book is earlier displayed.

Abstract: A universal adaptor plug is disclosed as an encased arrangement of elements, which includes a single rotatable knob for attachment to and for rotation of a cam axis for mounting at least three cam elements. The front face of the casing defines openings through which project multiple sets of plug pins movable by the cams and cam followers. Each set of plug pins is attached to a base which causes retracting of the plug pins by the base's attachment to retracting springs. The continuous unidirectional turning of the knob, in turn, projects and enables retraction of a set of plug pins for a certain country or group of countries.

Abstract: Method of fabricating an optical waveguide grating having a plurality of grating lines of refractive index variation including (i) repeatedly exposing a spatially periodic writing light pattern onto a photosensitive optical waveguide; and (ii) moving at least one of the writing light pattern and the waveguide between successive exposures of the writing light pattern, so that each of at least a majority of the grating lines is generated by at least two exposures to different respective regions of the writing pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing &agr;-hydroxy acids using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity. More specifically, the invention pertains to use of Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 55746) nitrilase to hydrolyze glycolonitrile to glycolic acid. Glycolonitrile is reacted in an aqueous mixture with a catalyst having Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase activity to give glycolic acid selectively, and at high concentration and high yield.

Abstract: An approach for presenting search results using dynamic categorization involves examining search results and dynamically establishing one or more categories of search results based upon attributes of the search results. A variety of grouping or clustering techniques may be used to dynamically establish the categories of search results. The categories of search results are then presented using category indicators.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for treating the surface of particles by plasma-activated gas species to modify the particle surfaces.

Abstract: A pinch-grip hanger includes an attachment portion for securing the hanger to a support and at least one pinch-grip for receiving an article for hanging. The pinch-grip includes a pair of components secured to each other, each component including an end for receiving the article therebetween. The pinch-grip also includes a biasing element for biasing the ends together and for permitting separation of the ends towards a fully extended open position by movement of at least one the components. One of the components includes at least one projection extending towards the other component to inhibit some accidental movement of the pinch-grip towards the fully extended open position while permitting intentional movement of the pinch-grip towards the fully extended open position.