Abstract: A lumbar support apparatus includes a guide rail on a seat frame, and a bendable occupant support structure mounted for sliding movement on the guide rail. The bendable structure, which is preferably configured as a grid, includes a spring that imparts increasingly bowed contours to the grid upon increasingly arched deflection of the spring relative to the seat frame and the guide rail. The apparatus further includes an actuator, a cable, and a fastener. A first section of the cable extends from the actuator into engagement with the grid so as to apply a bending force to the grid under the influence of the actuator. A second section of the cable extends from the first section to an end portion of the cable that is anchored to the seat frame.

Abstract: Processing a die that has an edge and a substrate upon which a layer of moisture permeable material is disposed. The moisture permeable material extends to the edge of the die. One embodiment comprises interrupting the layer of moisture permeable material to form a gap at a boundary near the edge, thereby to substantially block movement of moisture through the gap of the moisture permeable material.

Abstract: A light modulator includes a substrate, a transparent plate spaced from the substrate such that the transparent plate and the substrate define a cavity therebetween, at least one electrode formed on the substrate adjacent the cavity, and a liquid having an index of refraction greater than one disposed within the cavity. An interface of the liquid is oriented at an angle to a surface of the at least one electrode and oriented at an angle to a surface of the transparent plate. As such, light is adapted to pass through and refract at the interface of the liquid.

Abstract: Processing a die that has an edge and a substrate upon which a layer of moisture permeable material is disposed. The moisture permeable material extends to the edge of the die. One embodiment comprises interrupting the layer of moisture permeable material to form a gap at a boundary near the edge, thereby to substantially block movement of moisture through the gap of the moisture permeable material.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.

Abstract: A seat cushion extends across left and right areas that are located beneath the locations of the left and right ischial tuberosities of a seated person. A support structure beneath the cushion transmits a weight load from the cushion to the seat frame. The support structure has portions that surround the left and right ischial areas to provide the cushion with underlying, load bearing support at the peripheral boundaries of the ischial areas, and is free of load bearing portions located within or beneath the ischial areas.

Abstract: A fluid ejector head, including a fluid ejector disposed on an ejector support, and a photodetector electrically coupled to the fluid ejector. The fluid ejector head also includes a photon source photonically coupled only to the photodetector. Photons emitted from the photon source interact with the photodetector and generate an activation signal. The activation signal in turn activates the fluid ejector ejecting a fluid away from the fluid ejector.

Abstract: A method of producing an object through solid freeform fabrication includes selectively depositing a boundary structure that defines a surface of the object, and depositing a flowable build material within the boundary structure, wherein the flowable build material forms a portion of the object by flowing to the boundary structure.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a gastrin compound having an extended activity upon administration to a subject in comparison with native gastrin. Methods are provided of conjugating portions of the amino acid sequence of gastrin having functional ability to bind to the gastrin/CCK receptor, to various carrier moieties, including the use of amino acid spacer regions, and use of bifunctional cross-linking reagents. Methods of treating a diabetes patient with the compositions are provided.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a gastrin compound having an extended activity upon administration to a subject in comparison with native gastrin. Methods are provided of conjugating portions of the amino acid sequence of gastrin having functional ability to bind to the gastrin/CCK receptor, to various carrier moieties, including the use of amino acid spacer regions, and use of bifunctional cross-linking reagents. Methods of treating a diabetes patient with the compositions are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for islet neogenesis therapy comprising a member of a group of factors that complement a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, with formulations, devices and methods for sustained release delivery and for local delivery to target organs.

Abstract: Processing a die that has an edge and a substrate upon which a layer of moisture permeable material is disposed. The moisture permeable material extends to the edge of the die. One embodiment comprises interrupting the layer of moisture permeable material to form a gap at a boundary near the edge, thereby to substantially block movement of moisture through the gap of the moisture permeable material.

Abstract: Proliferating pancreatic islet cells obtained by the method of isolating a population of cells that preferably includes predominantly islet precursor cells that express one or more marker associated with an islet precursor cell and providing the precursor cells with one or more a pancreatic differentiation agent so that a population of cells is obtained that has a high proportion of cells with phenotypic characteristics of functional pancreatic islet &bgr;-cells. Optionally, the precursor cells are pretreated by providing them with one or more cell expansion agent to increase the number of cells in the population prior to differentiation. The pancreatic differentiation agent composition comprises a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for islet neogenesis therapy comprising an EGF and a gastrin in combination with immune suppression, and for treating or preventing early stage diabetes with a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an immunosuppressant are provided.

Abstract: Printer ink cartridge and method of assembling same. The cartridge comprises a shell formed by a wall defining a cavity in the shell for storing ink. Disposed in the shell is a print head for ejecting ink drops through ink ejection orifices formed in the shell. The shell also defines an inlet port through the wall for allowing access to the cavity. An elastomeric seal or septum is matingly disposed in the port for sealing the port, the septum having a slit centrally therethrough for receiving an ink supply needle. A removable barrier is interposed between the cavity and the septum during manufacture of the cartridge. The barrier covers the port for isolating the ink in the cavity from the septum in order to avoid chemical interaction between the ink and the septum. During refilling of the cartridge, the ink supply needle is received through the slit and pushes the barrier from the port to allow refill ink to be supplied into the cavity.

Abstract: Printer ink cartridge and method of assembling same. The cartridge comprises a shell formed by a wall defining a cavity in the shell for storing ink. Disposed in the shell is a print head for ejecting ink drops through ink ejection orifices formed in the shell. The shell also defines an inlet port through the wall for allowing access to the cavity. An elastomeric seal or septum is matingly disposed in the port for sealing the port, the septum having a slit centrally therethrough for receiving an ink supply needle. A removable barrier is interposed between the cavity and the septum during manufacture of the cartridge. The barrier covers the port for isolating the ink in the cavity from the septum in order to avoid chemical interaction between the ink and the septum. During refilling of the cartridge, the ink supply needle is received through the slit and pushes the barrier from the port to allow refill ink to be supplied into the cavity.

Abstract: A printhead is formed from a plurality of ink ejectors mounted on an inner surface of a rigid substrate while protruding through holes provided in the substrate. Electrical contact is provided on a surface of the ink ejectors common with the ink ejecting nozzles thereby avoiding vias to another surface. The rigid substrate provides a conducting layer on its inner surface such that the ink ejectors may be connected thereto with solder reflow techniques.

Abstract: A lumbar support apparatus includes a guide rail on a seat frame, and a bendable occupant support structure mounted for sliding movement on the guide rail. The bendable structure, which is preferably configured as a grid, includes a spring that imparts increasingly bowed contours to the grid upon increasingly arched deflection of the spring relative to the seat frame and the guide rail. The apparatus further includes an actuator, a cable, and a fastener. A first section of the cable extends from the actuator into engagement with the grid so as to apply a bending force to the grid under the influence of the actuator. A second section of the cable extends from the first section to an end portion of the cable that is anchored to the seat frame.

Abstract: A seat cushion extends across left and right areas that are located beneath the locations of the left and right ischial tuberosities of a seated person. A support structure beneath the cushion transmits a weight load from the cushion to the seat frame. The support structure has portions that surround the left and right ischial areas to provide the cushion with underlying, load bearing support at the peripheral boundaries of the ischial areas, and is free of load bearing portions located within or beneath the ischial areas.

Abstract: A printhead is formed from a plurality of ink ejectors mounted on an inner surface of a rigid substrate while protruding through holes provided in the substrate. Electrical contact is provided on a surface of the ink ejectors common with the ink ejecting nozzles thereby avoiding vias to another surface. The rigid substrate provides a conducting layer on its inner surface such that the ink ejectors may be connected thereto with solder reflow techniques.