Abstract: A sealing ring, including at least one sealing element having a first permeation coefficient, and at least one permeation barrier of a thermoplastic material having a second permeation coefficient, wherein the at least one sealing element and the at least one permeation barrier form a unit, and wherein the first permeation coefficient is higher than the second permeation coefficient.

Abstract: An imaging device having an array of rectangular microlenses is disclosed, each of the microlenses having a first side that extends in an X direction a first amount, a second side that extends in a Y direction a second amount and an optical axis that is oriented in a Z direction, wherein the first amount is at least fifty percent greater than the second amount, and an angle of view of each of the microlenses is at least fifty percent greater in the X direction than in the Y direction. An opaque, low-reflectivity wall may adjoin each of the sides, and a portion of the wall adjoining one of the first sides may be arched. Each of the microlenses has a convex surface and a curvature of the convex surface in an X-Z plane may be approximately equal to the curvature of the convex surface in a Y-Z plane.

Abstract: An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the shroud may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the shroud to glow. Such a diaphanous shroud can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the shroud or distanced from the shroud, for example in a central body of a chandelier. The wick may be lighted by a light emitting diode (LED) or other light source, and the shroud can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the light source. The wick and the shroud can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.

Abstract: An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the shroud may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the shroud to glow. Such a diaphanous shroud can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the shroud or distanced from the shroud, for example in a central body of a chandelier. The wick may be lighted by a light emitting diode (LED), and the shroud can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the wick. The wick and the shroud can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.

Abstract: Illumination devices are disclose having at least three thermally conductive fins that are attached to each other adjacent a central location and extend outward from the central location, with each of the fins having an opposed pair of major surfaces. The devices include a plurality of light-emitting diodes that emit light and produce heat, with at least one of the light-emitting diodes being mounted on each of the fins. The heat from the light-emitting diode flows along the fin and is radiated from at least one of the major surfaces, while the light from the light-emitting diode is reflected from the major surfaces of adjacent fins and exits the device.

Abstract: A container for a plant includes a wire mesh that is formed in the shape of a plant pot, and a layer of biodegradable material that is attached to the wire mesh in the shape of the pot. The container provides protection to plant roots from gophers and protection from root damage during transplanting, and can reduce air gaps between a pot and a hole in the ground, saving plants from drying out. The wire mesh provides a supportive frame so that the biodegradable material layer can be thinner, with the biodegradable material quickly softening and/or decomposing to let the plant roots grow through the pot into the soil. The wire mesh can extend beyond the biodegradable material layer at a top of the pot to provide protection against surface foraging rodents.

Abstract: For high-voltage devices such as particle accelerators, novel geometries for a triple-junction at which an insulator, an anode and a vacuum meet are disclosed. A singularity in the electric field at the triple-junction is eliminated, reducing dielectric flashover and allowing the devices to operate at higher voltages without breakdown. In one aspect, such a device includes a cathode, an anode having an anode surface exposed to a vacuum, and a dielectric body disposed between the cathode and anode, the dielectric body having a dielectric surface that is exposed to the vacuum, wherein the dielectric surface and the anode surface approach each other such that an angle measured across the vacuum between the dielectric surface and the anode surface decreases with decreasing distance between the dielectric surface and the anode surface until the dielectric surface and the anode surface meet and are parallel.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a compound comprising the hyaluronan-containing structure A-(low molecular weight hyaluronan domain)-B. The compositions also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A is hydrogen, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene-6 (“TSG-6”) protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. B is hydroxyl, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for TSG-6 protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. The composition is suitable for administration by injection, inhalation, topical rub, or ingestion.

Abstract: For high-voltage devices such as particle accelerators, novel geometries for a triple-junction at which an insulator, an anode and a vacuum meet are disclosed. A singularity in the electric field at the triple-junction is eliminated, reducing dielectric flashover and allowing the devices to operate at higher voltages without breakdown. In one aspect, such a device includes a cathode, an anode having an anode surface exposed to a vacuum, and a dielectric body disposed between the cathode and anode, the dielectric body having a dielectric surface that is exposed to the vacuum, wherein the dielectric surface and the anode surface approach each other such that an angle measured across the vacuum between the dielectric surface and the anode surface decreases with decreasing distance between the dielectric surface and the anode surface until the dielectric surface and the anode surface meet and are parallel.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a compound comprising the hyaluronan-containing structure A-(low molecular weight hyaluronan domain)-B. The compositions also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A is hydrogen, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene-6 (“TSG-6”) protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. B is hydroxyl, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for TSG-6 protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. The composition is suitable for administration by injection, inhalation, topical rub, or ingestion.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a compound comprising the hyaluronan-containing structure A-(low molecular weight hyaluronan domain)-B. The compositions also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A is hydrogen, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene-6 (“TSG-6”) protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. B is hydroxyl, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for TSG-6 protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. The composition is suitable for administration by injection, inhalation, topical rub, or ingestion.

Abstract: An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the shroud may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the shroud to glow. Such a diaphanous shroud can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the shroud or distanced from the shroud, for example in a central body of a chandelier. The wick may be lighted by a light emitting diode (LED), and the shroud can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the wick. The wick and the shroud can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising: a clothes washing machine (30); a detector (33, 44) attached to the washing machine in a location that receives radio frequency (RF) signals that emanate from an interior (48) of the washing machine; and a warning device (35) that receives a signal from the detector to provide an alert when the detector has detected a RF signal from the interior of the washing machine, wherein the radio frequency signals have a frequency in a band designated for mobile phone (40) signals.

Abstract: Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.

Abstract: An artificial candle has a flexible glowing canopy that can flutter like a candle flame, and the canopy may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the canopy to glow. Such a diaphanous canopy can be actuated by a solenoid, piezoelectric actuator or other mechanism, which can be provided adjacent to the canopy. Light can emanate from at least one light emitting diode (LED), and the canopy can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the LED(s). The wick and the canopy can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace an incandescent light bulb.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a compound comprising the hyaluronan-containing structure A-(low molecular weight hyaluronan domain)-B. The compositions also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A is hydrogen, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene-6 (“TSG-6”) protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. B is hydroxyl, a substituent that does not comprise a binding site for TSG-6 protein, a substituent that interferes with binding of TSG-6 protein immediately adjacent thereto, or chondroitin. The composition is suitable for administration by injection, inhalation, topical rub, or ingestion.

Abstract: An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the shroud may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the shroud to glow. Such a diaphanous shroud can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the shroud or distanced from the shroud, for example in a central body of a chandelier. The wick may be lighted by a light emitting diode (LED), and the shroud can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the wick. The wick and the shroud can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.

Abstract: Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.

Abstract: Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising: a clothes washing machine (30); a detector (33, 44) attached to the washing machine in a location that receives radio frequency (RF) signals that emanate from an interior (48) of the washing machine; and a warning device (35) that receives a signal from the detector to provide an alert when the detector has detected a RF signal from the interior of the washing machine, wherein the radio frequency signals have a frequency in a band designated for mobile phone (40) signals.