Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided comprising a shaft having an endoscope optical system arranged therein, which has a distal front face. The instrument also comprises a working element arranged in the shaft. The shaft provides for the supply of an irrigation fluid. Flow-influencing means are provided, such that the irrigation fluid reaches in front of the front face of the endoscope optical system and can eliminate contaminations, which obstruct the view through the endoscope optics.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time controlling of signal processors, synthesizers, musical instruments, MIDI processors, lighting, video, and special effects in performance, recording, and composition environments using images derived from tactile sensors, pressure sensor arrays, optical transducer arrays, chemical sensor arrays, body sensor arrays, and numerical computation. The invention provides for null/contact touch-pads, pressure sensor arrays, and body sensor arrays as tactile control interfaces, for video cameras and light sensor arrays as optical transducers, for chemical sensor arrays, and for other numerical image generation from computer processing or numeric simulation. Tactile transducers may be put on instrument keys of conventional instruments, be attached to existing instruments, or be used to create entirely new instrument or controller configurations.

Abstract: A bridge accessible by a host processor can expand access over a first bus to a second bus. The first bus and the second bus are each adapted to separately connect to respective ones of a plurality of bus-compatible devices. Allowable ones of the devices include memory devices and input/output devices. The bridge has a link, together with a first and a second interface. The first interface is coupled between the first bus and the link. The second interface is coupled between the second bus and the link.

Abstract: A coding scheme is specified which, compared to the prior art and with the system having a structure resolution of the same magnitude, allows an enlarged code size for the same number of code elements, and/or by which fewer code elements are required per code for a predetermined code size. The code elements are disposed with basic values in a matrix defined in a novel manner, with the matrix having a finer subdivision of the basic values than the subdivision corresponding to the structure resolution. Further development with mean-value formations are possible.

Abstract: A microcontroller integrated circuit incorporating a user configurable pulse width modulator. The pulse width modulator circuitry is configurable to be a single, for example 32-bit pulse width modulator, or a plurality of pulse width modulators each having a bit width that is divisible by the single 32-bit pulse width modulator (e.g., 2, 4, 8 or 16-bit pulse width modulators).

Abstract: An optical waveguide has a core, wherein the core is doped with laser-active ions, and also additionally doped with Cer.

Abstract: A surveillance tag applicator for applying tags to articles such as box blanks, blister cards, or containers at very high rates of speed up to and greater than 1000 tags per minute. The applicator comprises a plurality of tags attached to a web fed to a rotating drum having a plurality of slots, a compression roller for pressing each of the tags into one of the plurality of slots, an ejector arm for ejecting each tag from the slots onto a selected location of an article passing by the drum, a stripper to remove the web from the tags, and a winder assembly for rewinding the web devoid of tags. A first servo motor drives the rotating drum and a second servo motor drives the ejector arm. A controller provides the timing and control for the servo motors and operation of the tag applicator.

Abstract: A dead front system provides fluid access to an electrical connector and cable. The dead front system includes an injection plug, a fluid access system, and a tube connected at a first end to the injection plug and at a second end to the fluid access system. The injection plug, fluid access system, and tube are surrounded by a conductive, grounded surface.

Abstract: A glass melting tank with at least one pair of heating electrodes projecting into the glass melt and a process for melting glass are described. The glass melting tank has, at least in the area of the melt, a narrowed cross section area and the glass melting tank has at least one heating electrode in front of and a corresponding heating electrode behind the narrowed cross section area and in this way an increase in the temperature of the melt can be achieved in the narrowed area. A preferred application is the refining of glass melts.

Abstract: A device and a method is proposed for writing on imaging material (3) with a radiation source (1) producing an electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength suitable for recording image information on the imaging material (3). The radiation produced by the radiation source (1) can be modulated with a waveguide which is integrated in a substrate material (49) and operates as a modulator (2). A modulation signal containing the image information can be received at an input (9) of the modulator (2). According to the invention, a compensator (6, 12) compensates a modulation error which occurs during modulation of the radiation.

Abstract: An artificial putting green provides an architected green lie adjustable by a user in accordance with the true contouring elements available on a real golfing green. A user actually stands on the green itself, and may position himself or herself above or below the cup with an intervening swell or rise between the user and a cup. A break to the left or the right may be provided between the cup and the deck. The deck may actually be canted from side to side. Moreover, the deck may be elevated front to back or back to front. Accordingly, by independent adjustment of multiple feet, the deck may be a proper part of the green as will be encountered in actual practice on a real green. Multiple contours from left-to-right and right-to-left may be adjusted in the intervening distance between a user and the cup.

Abstract: A door latch for a motor-vehicle central-latch system has a housing, a locking element displaceable on the housing between a door-bolt-holding position and a door-bolt-releasing position, and a pawl displaceable on the housing between a retaining position holding the locking element in its bolt-holding position and a freeing position allowing the locking element to assume its bolt-releasing position. A release lever pivotal on the housing into an actuated position can put the paws into the freeing position. A outside operating lever is pivotal on the housing between actuated and unactuated positions and a main locking lever is pivotal on the housing by an electric motor between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A main tube having an actuator rod reciprocating therein having a handle portion on one end and a ball and tee holding portion on the other. The ball and tee holding portion has a ball holder or a guide attached to the actuator rod and arms holding the golf tee in position and held by spring clip or leaf springs and magnets. Upon activating the handle portion, the movement of the ball holder and guide causes the release of the pivoted arms after placement of the golf tee in the ground. The ball holder or guide is biased upward by a spring without retracting the arms, thereby permitting the golf tee and ball placement device to be removed from the teed up golf ball. Accurate and repeatable placement of a golf ball at a predetermined height on a tee is achieved with a reduced possibility that the golf ball falls off the tee upon removal of the golf tee and ball placement device.

Abstract: An alpha particle striking the cell of a DRAM bit can destroy stored charge, resulting in a single bit soft error. A DRAM architecture is described that circumvents this problem by storing every DRAM bit redundantly in two cells. If a stored charge is represented by a logic 1, then when reading a DRAM bit, if either of it's cells is storing charge then the bit is a logic 1. Only if both cells of a bit have no charge is the bit a logic 0.

Abstract: A fluid catch device is adapted to prevent spills when used during removal of a drain plug located in an area of limited access. The fluid catch device is particularly well-suited for use on motorcycles or other vehicles wherein access to an engine fluid drain plug is limited by a glide plate or other obstruction. The fluid catch device comprises an elongated fluid receptacle, a fluid port, and a tool tube. The fluid receptacle has an open end and an opposite end. The fluid port is in fluid communication with the fluid receptacle and is adapted to drain fluid from the fluid receptacle. The tool tube extends at least from the opposite end of the fluid receptacle toward the open end of the fluid receptacle. The tool tube has a proximal end that opens outside of the opposite end of the fluid receptacle and a distal end directed toward the open end of the fluid receptacle. The tool tube is adapted to receive a drain plug loosening tool.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the invention consists in the provision of a one-piece plastic enclosure, in particular made of PE-material, which can be placed on a filled container without satisfying particular tolerance requirements while simultaneously satisfying the additional, in part contradictory requirements, namely, to be manufactured in a few steps and to be apt for recycling after use, while ensuring reliably the guarantee function and the sealing function, for the closed container. The solution consists in a closure cap which has an extended guarantee band and an extended inner seal, i.e.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases associated with the expression of one or more of the &bgr;I, &bgr;II, &ggr;, &dgr;, &egr;, &zgr; or &eegr; isoforms (isozymes) of protein kinase C (PKC). Oligonucleotides are provided which are targeted to nucleic acids encoding PKC-&bgr;I, PKC-&bgr;II, PKC-&ggr;, PKC-&dgr;, PKC-&egr;, PKC-&zgr; or PKC-&eegr;. Provided herein are oligonucleotides specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, 5′-untranslated region, 3′-untranslated region or other targeted region of a &bgr;I, &bgr;II, &ggr;, &dgr;, &egr;, &zgr; or &eegr; isoform of PKC, wherein at least about 75% of the nucleoside units of a given oligonucleotide are joined together by a stereospecific (i.e., Sp or Rp) phosphorothioate 3′ to 5′ linkages. In preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides of the disclosure additionally contain one or more chemical modifications.

Abstract: A window sash tether clasp and anchoring system which is externally mountable for universal use in connection with new or pre-existing conventional double-hung windows, wherein the sash tether clasp is externally mounted on the lower sash of such window and includes an outwardly extending catch having a pair of transversely spaced opposed legs which are designed to engage in the outer diverging walls of a bell shaped anchor that is attached to the end of the balance cord leading from the window balancing system. The externally mountable tether clasp further includes an outwardly extending spring lock which includes an arcuate portion, the extrados surface of which faces the catch and extends within the lower bell mouth of the anchor, thereby holding the anchor in releasable engagement with the catch of the tether clasp.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) beta-hydroxyalkylamide crosslinking agent, e.g., bis(N,N-di-2-hydroxyethyl)adipamide, and (b) polycarboxylic acid functional polymer, is described. The polycarboxylic acid functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Picardie’ characterized by its upright, uniformly mounded and compact plant habit; freely branching habit, full and dense plants; continuous and freely flowering during the spring until fall; full inflorescences with multiple rows of ray florets; bright yellow-clored ray florets with bright yellow-colored disc florets; and excellent garden and patio container performance.