Abstract: The apparatus includes a source of gas (air) bubbles (14) in a liquid medium, the gas bubbles having a size range which is associated with the size of bacteria alone or in colonies, on teeth or other surfaces. A source of ultrasound signals (16, 18) has a range of frequencies between 200 kHz and 2 MHz, the ultrasound frequency range including the resonance frequencies of a majority of the bubbles. The application of the ultrasound to the bubble/liquid stream directed toward the biofilm on the teeth results in a dislodging/removal of the biofilm.

Abstract: A capacitive ultrasound transducer capable of operation in collapsed mode either with a reduced bias voltage, or with no bias voltage, is provided. The transducer includes a substrate that is contoured so that a middle region of the flexible membrane is collapsed against the substrate in the absence of a bias voltage. A non-collapsible gap may exists between the substrate and peripheral regions of the flexible membrane. The contour of the substrate may be such as to strain the flexible membrane past the point of collapse, or to mechanically interfere with the flexible membrane. The substrate may include a further membrane disposed beneath the flexible membrane, the further membrane being contoured so that the flexible membrane is collapsed against it. The substrate may a support disposed beneath the further membrane to deflect a corresponding portion of the further membrane upward toward the flexible membrane. The support may be a post.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mounting assembly for mounting a reticle type sight on a long gun. The mounting assembly includes a mounting plate for securing the mounting assembly to a rearward portion of a long gun, and a mounting block coupled to a top portion of the mounting plate. The mounting plate has one or more connection elements to enable a reticle type sight to be coupled to the mounting block.

Abstract: A capacitive ultrasound transducer includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, the third electrode including a central region disposed in collapsibly spaced relation with the first electrode, and a peripheral region disposed outward of the central region and disposed in collapsibly spaced relation with the second electrode. The transducer further includes a layer of a high dielectric constant material disposed between the third electrode and the first electrode, and between the third electrode and the second electrode. The transducer may be operable in a collapsed mode wherein the peripheral region of the third electrode oscillates relative to the second electrode, and the central region of the third electrode is fully collapsed with respect to the first electrode such that the dielectric layer is sandwiched therebetween. Piezoelectric actuation, such as d31 and d33 mode piezoelectric actuation, may further be included.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first assembly, a second assembly, and a coupling element coupled to the first assembly and the second assembly. The first assembly includes a processor, a memory, and a radiator module, the processor operatively coupled to the memory and the radiator module. The second assembly includes a radiator operatively coupled to the radiator module. The second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly about the coupling element between a first configuration and a second configuration. The processor is configured to interrogate a radio-frequency identification module via the radiator module and the radiator when the second assembly is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mounting assembly for mounting a reticle type sight on a long gun. The mounting assembly includes a mounting plate for securing the mounting assembly to a rearward portion of a long gun, and a mounting block coupled to a top portion of the mounting plate. The mounting plate has one or more connection elements to enable a reticle type sight to be coupled to the mounting block.

Abstract: A continuous environmental noise level recording and analysis system is provided. The system is capable of sampling, processing and storing Equivalent Sound Level values over a period of about two weeks. The recorded data is downloaded and analyzed to show graphs, and to automatically detect noise events of interest.

Abstract: A method in a computer system in a vessel for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an original chart image for display on a display screen, the computer system displaying a representation of the vessel moving along a course in the original chart image, the region-of-interest being located along the course proximate to the representation of the vessel, the method comprising: establishing a lens for the region-of-interest, the lens having a magnified focal region for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region having a diminishing magnification, the focal region having a size, a shape, and an orientation with respect to the course; receiving one or more signals to adjust at least one of the size, shape, and orientation of the focal region; and, applying the lens to the original chart image to produce the presentation.

Abstract: A continuous environmental noise level recording and analysis system is provided. The system is capable of sampling, processing and storing Equivalent Sound Level values over a period of about two weeks. The recorded data is downloaded and analyzed to show graphs, and to automatically detect noise events of interest.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is formed by a plurality of cMUT cells, each comprising a charged diaphragm plate capacitively opposing an oppositely charged base plate. The cMUT cells can be fabricated by conventional semiconductor processes and hence integrated with ancillary transducer circuitry such as a bias charge regulator. The cMUT cells can also be fabricated by micro-stereolithography whereby the cells can be formed using a variety of polymers and other materials.

Abstract: A substantially pure polypeptide (human NESP55) comprising the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) IRLEVPKRMDRRSRAQQWRRARHNYNDLCPPIGRRAATALLWLSCSIALL RALATSNARAQQRAAAQQRRSFLNAHHRSGAQVFPESPESESDHEHEEAD LELSLPECLEYEEEFDYETESETESEIESETDFETEPETAPTTEPETEPE DDRGPVVPKHSTFGQSLTQRLHALKLRSPDASPSRAPPSTQEPQSPREGE ELKPEDKDPRRDPEESKEPKEEKQRRRCKPKKPTRRDASPESPSKKGPIP IRRH or a variant, fragment, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of a said variant or fragment or derivative, wherein the polypeptide variant has an amino acid sequence which has at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence given above. NESP55 or fragments thereof may be useful in medicine for the treatment of obesity.

Abstract: A two dimensional ultrasonic transducer array suitable for three dimensional phased array scanning is formed of hexagonally close packed transducer elements. In a preferred embodiment the transducer elements have a rectilinear shape, allowing the array to be fabricated with conventional dicing saw processes.

Abstract: A two dimensional ultrasonic transducer array suitable for three dimensional phased array scanning is formed of hexagonally close packed transducer elements. In a preferred embodiment the transducer elements have a rectilinear shape, allowing the array to be fabricated with conventional dicing saw processes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is formed by a plurality of cMUT cells, each comprising a charged diaphragm plate capacitively opposing an oppositely charged base plate. The diaphragm plate is distended toward the base plate by a bias charge. The base plate includes a central portion elevated toward the center of the diaphragm plate to cause the charge of the cell to be of maximum density at the moving center of the diaphragm plate. For harmonic operation the drive pulses applied to the cells are predistorted in consideration of the nonlinear operation of the device to reduce contamination of the transmit signal at the harmonic band. The cMUT cells can be fabricated by conventional semiconductor processes and hence integrated with ancillary transducer circuitry such as a bias charge regulator. The cMUT cells can also be fabricated by micro-stereolithography whereby the cells can be formed using a variety of polymers and other materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic combinations comprising (2R,cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-pyrimidin-2-one (lamivudine) and BMS-200475 which have anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity. The present invention is also concerned with pharmaceutical compositions containing said combinations and their use in the treatment of HBV infections including infections with HBV mutants bearing resistance to nucleoside and/or non-nucleoside inhibitors.

Abstract: A two dimensional ultrasonic transducer array suitable for three dimensional phased array scanning is formed of hexagonally close packed transducer elements. In a preferred embodiment the transducer elements have a rectilinear shape, allowing the array to be fabricated with conventional dicing saw processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic combinations comprising (2R,cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-pyrimidin-2-one (lamivudine) and BMS-200475 which have anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity. The present invention is also concerned with pharmaceutical compositions containing said combinations and their use in the treatment of HBV infections including infections with HBV mutants bearing resistance to nucleoside and/or non-nucleoside inhibitors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is formed by a plurality of cMUT cells, each comprising a charged diaphragm plate capacitively opposing an oppositely charged base plate. A feedback controlled bias charge regulator controls the bias charge of the capacitive plates. The cMUT cells can be fabricated by conventional semiconductor processes and hence integrated with ancillary transducer circuitry such as the bias charge regulator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is formed by a plurality of cMUT cells, each has a charged diaphragm plate capacitively opposing an oppositely charged base plate. The diaphragm plate is distended toward the base plate by a bias charge. The base plate includes a central portion elevated toward the center of the diaphragm plate to cause the charge of the cell to be of maximum density at the moving center of the diaphragm plate.