Abstract: A new and distinct variety of paste-type hybrid tomato plant is described that is derived in part from an Amish tomato, and in part from a Big Bertha Pepper. This hybrid tomato has 2-4 lobes similar to a pepper, a hardy skin, and remains on the vine when ripe until frost. When picked ripe, this tomato lasts longer without rotting than normal tomatoes. Some of these tomatoes have been eaten after 3 months from picking. The fruit usually shrinks inside itself after some time from picking.

Abstract: A rear combination lamp for a vehicle is disclosed, in which facets on a reflective surface impart relatively large angular deviations to their respective reflected beams. Reflected light from each facet is only visible over a particular angular range. The angular ranges for all facets overlap only in a predetermined manner, so that at a given viewing angle, light from only particular facets is visible. The appearance of the rear combination lamp varies as a function of viewing direction. As a viewing angle changes, light from certain facets becomes visible, and light from other facets becomes invisible. This changing subset of which facet reflections are visible produces a sparkling or twinkling effect from the rear combination lamp. In some designs, the sparkling can take on a pattern that moves across the rear combination lamp, as the viewing angle changes.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and includes a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may be battery powered and/or may have a power requirement of 200 Watts or less. A cyclone chamber is provided in the air flow path and has an air outlet which is covered by a screen. In one embodiment, there is an absence of a vortex finder. In another embodiment, a vortex finder that extends into the cyclone chamber less than the height of the cyclone inlet and optionally less than the height of the cyclone inlet may be provided.

Abstract: Oral dosage forms of a risedronate comprised of a safe and effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising risedronate, a chelating agent, and, means for effecting delayed release of the risedronate and the chelating agent in the small intestine provide immediate release of the pharmaceutical composition to the small intestine of the mammal subject and pharmaceutically effective absorption of the bisphosphonate with or without food or beverages. The present invention substantially alleviates the interaction between risedronate and food or beverages, which interaction results in the bisphosphonate active ingredient not being available for absorption. The resulting oral dosage form may thus be taken with or without food. Further, the present invention effects delivery of risedronate and the chelating agent to the small intestine, substantially alleviating the upper GI irritation associated with bisphosphonate therapies.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips has a body portion housing a clip stack and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion. The body portion includes a camming member, a clip follower and a lockout member having a plurality of stop members. The lockout member is movable from a first position in slidable relation to the camming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member. The camming member has at least one notch, and in a second position the lockout member has at least one of the stop members positioned to interface with the at least one notch. The engagement between the stop member and the notch limits distal movement of the camming member. The clip follower actuates the lockout member when the clip follower advances to a predetermined clip in the clip stack.

Abstract: A vacuum attachment comprises of an enclosure housing upon which a direct connect central vacuum system inlet valve is attached to one side. On the opposite side of this housing is attached an attachment fixture which is similar to that of a hose that would naturally attach to a portable vacuum cleaner for which it is made. Inside this housing is a coupling that couples the direct connect inlet valve to the attachment fixture so that particulate flows from the hose plugged into the inlet valve through the housing coupling through the attachment fixture and into a portable vacuum cleaner. A 110 volt cord comes from inside to outside of the housing where it is connected to the 110 volt wires of the direct connect central vacuum inlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing images deposited on an image receiving member of a printer, and more particularly analyzing images deposited on a surface of an imaging drum in an inkjet printer. A photoelectric sensor supported by a sled in contact with the surface of the imaging drum can be used to detect missing jets in the printhead, to align the printhead, to reduce the amount of purged ink, and to determine run out of the imaging drum.

Abstract: A battery operated vacuum cleaner is provided with one or more principal batteries and one or more supplemental batteries. The batteries and a controller are configured such that as the power provided by the principal batteries drops, one or more of the supplemental batteries is operative connected to provide power to the appliance. A method for providing a substantially constant level of power to an appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, using a plurality of power sources comprises providing power from a principal power source connected to the appliance; monitoring an operating voltage supplied to the appliance to detect if the operating voltage is below a predetermined threshold voltage level; and upon detecting that the operating voltage is below the predetermined threshold voltage level, providing power from k of n supplemental power sources connected to the appliance, where k and n are positive integers, and k is less than or equal to n.

Abstract: Synthetic environment character data sharing is described, including retrieving data from a plurality of sources configured to store the data, the data being generated from an interaction between a character and a synthetic environment, generating a feed comprising dynamic content associated with the character and the synthetic environment, the feed being configured to present the data to one or more clients associated with the synthetic environment in substantially real time, transmitting the feed to the one or more clients, extracting the data from the feed and presenting the data on the one or more clients after being extracted from the feed.

Abstract: In a motion capture system having a depth camera, a physical interaction zone of a user is defined based on a size of the user and other factors. The zone is a volume in which the user performs hand gestures to provide inputs to an application. The shape and location of the zone can be customized for the user. The zone is anchored to the user so that the gestures can be performed from any location in the field of view. Also, the zone is kept between the user and the depth camera even as the user rotates his or her body so that the user is not facing the camera. A display provides feedback based on a mapping from a coordinate system of the zone to a coordinate system of the display. The user can move a cursor on the display or control an avatar.

Abstract: Synthetic environment character data sharing is described, including retrieving data from a first computer configured to interact with a synthetic environment by a game server, the first computer and the game server being in data communication with each other and configured using a client-server network topology, determining one or more attributes associated with the first computer relative to the synthetic environment in real-time or substantially real-time by accessing a file updated by the first computer, the file being stored on the game server, and generating a display on a second computer using the data, the display being presented using a synthetic environment mapping application, including at least a location and a login status associated with the first computer relative to the synthetic environment.

Abstract: A tuned damper for the input shaft on a rotary encoder includes a mounting plate and a mass plate having a plurality of mounting flanges each having mounting apertures. Fastening elements couple the mass plate to the mounting plate, and resilient elements or donuts each having a central aperture are positioned on either side of each mounting flange. The diameter of the fastening elements is smaller than the diameter of the mounting apertures and the holes in the resilient donuts so that the fastening elements do not touch the body of either the resilient elements or the mounting flange and the mass plate does not directly contact the mounting plate in order to isolate the mass plate from the mounting plate. The mass plate dampens torsional vibration which may exist in the input shaft of the encoder.

Abstract: A hybrid simulation system to model cascading events within a black box system may include a tessellated field operable to allow a plurality of black box components to execute on a processor and communicate without needing a direct connection between the black box components. The black box components have transfer functions defined over a common coordinate system and time.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus and method are disclosed which create a uniform plasma within an enclosure. In one embodiment, a conductive or ferrite material is used to influence a section of the antenna, where a section is made up of portions of multiple coiled segments. In another embodiment, a ferrite material is used to influence a portion of the antenna. In another embodiment, plasma uniformity is improved by modifying the internal shape and volume of the enclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an endoscopic surgical instrument and methods for performing a diverticulum treatment. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a jaw assembly. The elongated member is operably coupled to the distal end of the handle assembly, while the jaw assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the elongated member. The jaw assembly includes a knife slot that is defined therewithin and is adapted to receive a knife blade to thereby cut tissue that is disposed between the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly is configured to approximate an esophageal tract and a diverticulum.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for holding a gun, the apparatus cooperates with a support member. The gun has an upper receiver having an pivot pin lug, and a lower receiver having a pivot pin. The apparatus includes a support beam which has a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The proximal end of the support beam is connectable to the support member so that the support beam is horizontally cantilevered from the support member. An upper receiver attachment pin is connected to said support beam, the upper receiver attachment pin being shaped and dimensioned to connect to the pivot pin lug so that the upper receiver hangs from the upper receiver attachment pin. A lower receiver attachment lug is connected to the support beam, the lower receiver attachment lug is shaped an dimensioned to connect to the pivot pin.

Abstract: Nebulizer ampoules are labelled by laser-marking or laser-engraving data on a film to produce a data film and affixing the film onto a nebulizer ampoule using a non-migratory adhesive.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc.

Abstract: A fluid extraction or filtration device for removing fluid from a body, the device comprising an array of microneedles for contacting fluid in said body and an absorbent gel matrix in fluid communication with said array of microneedles. There is further provided a combined fluid extraction and sampling device and methods employing the device(s), for example in determining the level of a target species in a sample of fluid, transdermal dialysis and renal replacement therapy. There is further provided an absorbent gel matrix for use in the treatment of uraemia and a haemodialysis filter comprising an absorbent gel matrix. Use of such a matrix is described in the context of methods including haemodialysis, transdermal dialysis and gastrointestinal dialysis.