Abstract: A self-regulating valve assembly for a compressed gas gun includes a valve housing and a valve body disposed within the valve housing. The rearward end of the valve body defined an outlet port. The forward end of the valve body defines a gas balance reservoir open to and in communication with the breech of the gun. A valve gas passage is provided between the valve body and the valve housing, the valve gas passage providing communication between the outlet port of the valve body and the gas balance reservoir of the valve body. A slideable valve poppet is disposed within the valve body and includes a sensing end adjacent to and at least partially within the gas balance reservoir, the sensing end having a sensing face adapted to react to gas pressure within the gas balance reservoir. The valve poppet is slideable between a closed position and an open position. A valve spring within the valve body biases the valve poppet toward the closed position.

Abstract: An aqueous ink comprising containing a colorant and a radiation-curable oligomer or polymer containing H-active groups bonded to the oligomer or polymer backbone, some or all of whose hydrogen atoms have been substituted by radicals of a N-hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylamide. Methods for printing the inventive inks upon medical devices, such as contact lenses, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An airbeam, inflated to create a structural member, has three functional layers in its wall: a flexible gas barrier and a braided reinforcing layer plus the novelty of an additional braided layer. Key design factors are the bias angles of the braids in the two braided layers: that of the inner one greater than 54.7 degrees bias angle and of the outer one less than 54.7 degrees bias angle. The two layers of braid being slipped over another allows the airbeam to be formed with bends for a wide variety of shapes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a colored contact lens designed for modifying or enhancing a wearer's eye color while giving the wearer's eyes an improved lively appearance (or more lively or vivacious appearance). In particular, a colored contact lens of the invention may impart to a wearer's eye color both a natural appearance with an emotional dimension such as sophistication, depth, well-being, honesty with intimacy, or combinations thereof. The invention also provides methods and kits for making a colored contact lens of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for processing particulars of a transaction over a network. The system comprises a supply chain tracking module for receiving supply chain event data from at least one supply chain monitor, the supply chain data relating to the condition or location of an item along a supply chain. The system also comprises a term and requirements module for receiving initial terms and requirements associated with the transaction and for generating modified terms and requirements based on supply chain event data and on at least one value algorithm, the modified terms and requirements being generated while the item is still in the supply chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymerizable material for making a polymeric article, the polymerizable material comprising: a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol having crosslinkable groups; and a modifier in an amount sufficient to improve one or more physical properties of a polymeric article made from the polymerizable material, wherein the one or more physical properties are selected from the group consisting of stress at break (N/mm2), percentage of elongation at break, toughness or energy to break (N·mm), and susceptibility to fracture. The modifier is selected from the group consisting of nanoparticles having a hydrophilic surface, a copolymer having hydrophobic groups or units for imparting at least one desired physical property to said ophthalmic device and hydrophilic groups or units in an amount sufficient to render the copolymer miscible with the polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A toilet overflow control system is provided including a secondary float chamber and secondary float. The secondary float chamber is located below the toilet water tank and behind the toilet bowl at the water level of the toilet bowl and extending upward to the bottom of the toilet water tank. A vertical rod extends upward from the secondary float and is attached to a lever on the toilet water supply valve. This allows the secondary float to turn off the water when the toilet bowl water rises above a normal level. The vertical rod is inside a tube that allows it to go through the water tank without any loss of water. The secondary float chamber is fluidically connected to the toilet bowl by a horizontal conduit located just above the toilet bowl normal water level. A rinse hose is connected to the water supply valve to allow rinse water to flow into the secondary float chamber to prevent a back flow of water into the secondary float chamber during the flush.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for homeopathic provings and diagnosis includes a method of “proving” home-opathic medicines and diagnosing patients by recording one or more physiological, psychological or mental processes of the prover exposed to controlled and standardized stimuli when he or she is experiencing the effects of the homeopathic proving, and then recording from patients the same one or more physiological, psychological or mental processes during exposure to the same stimuli and comparing the recordings, or “symptoms,” of the provers and patients to find a good match and therefore the correct medicine for that patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting, monitoring the efficacy of treatment of, and assessing the severity of ovarian cancer, by assessing the concentration of haptoglobin-1 precursor in a sample of biological fluid. The invention also relates to a kit comprising an antibody or nucleic acid probe specific for haptoglobin-1 precursor for use in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, monitoring the efficacy of treatment of ovarian cancer, or assessing the severity of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: A pneumatic assembly for a compressed gas gun having a hammer chamber including a hammer conduit, and a hammer with an aperture surrounding at least a portion of the hammer conduit. A compressed gas gun has a breech, a bolt moveable within the breech from a loading position to a firing position, a pneumatic assembly in communication with the breech, the pneumatic assembly comprising a high pressure chamber, and a hammer chamber. A discharge valve is disposed in the pneumatic assembly between the high pressure chamber and hammer chamber. A solenoid valve is provided for selectively supplying compressed gas to the hammer conduit.

Abstract: A transistor circuit is provided including a driving transistor where conductance between the source and the drain is controlled in response to a supplied voltage, and a compensating transistor where the gate is connected to one of the source and the drain, the compensating transistor being connected so as to supply input signals to the gate of the driving transistor through the source and drain. In a transistor circuit where conductance control in a driving transistor is carried out in response to the voltage of input signals, it is possible to control the conductance by using input signals of a relatively low voltage and a variance in threshold characteristics of driving transistors is compensated. With this transistor circuit, a display panel that can display picture images with reduced uneven brightness is achieved.

Abstract: A pneumatic assembly for a compressed gas gun having a hammer chamber including a hammer conduit, and a hammer with an aperture surrounding at least a portion of the hammer conduit. A compressed gas gun has a breech, a bolt moveable within the breech from a loading position to a firing position, a pneumatic assembly in communication with the breech, the pneumatic assembly comprising a high pressure chamber, and a hammer chamber. A discharge valve is disposed in the pneumatic assembly between the high pressure chamber and hammer chamber. A solenoid valve is provided for selectively supplying compressed gas to the hammer conduit.

Abstract: A transistor circuit is provided including a driving transistor where conductance between the source and the drain is controlled in response to a supplied voltage, and a compensating transistor where the gate is connected to one of the source and the drain, the compensating transistor being connected so as to supply input signals to the gate of the driving transistor through the source and drain. In a transistor circuit where conductance control in a driving transistor is carried out in response to the voltage of input signals, it is possible to control the conductance by using input signals of a relatively low voltage and a variance in threshold characteristics of driving transistors is compensated. With this transistor circuit, a display panel that can display picture images with reduced uneven brightness is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing colored contact lenses, and in particular to automated inspection of colored images printed either on molds or on contact lenses.

Abstract: A toilet overflow control system is provided including a secondary float chamber and secondary float. The secondary float chamber is located below the toilet water tank and behind the toilet bowl at the water level of the toilet bowl and extending upward to the bottom of the toilet water tank. A vertical rod extends upward from the secondary float and is attached to a lever on the toilet water supply valve. This allows the secondary float to turn off the water when the toilet bowl water rises above a normal level. The vertical rod is inside a tube that allows it to go through the water tank without any loss of water. The secondary float chamber is fluidically connected to the toilet bowl by a horizontal conduit located just above the toilet bowl normal water level. A rinse hose is connected to the water supply valve to allow rinse water to flow into the secondary float chamber to prevent a back flow of water into the secondary float chamber during the flush.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged electrical device comprises the steps of (a) connecting one end of a wire to a first point (e.g., a first electrical node) in the package, and (b) connecting the other end of the wire to a second point (e.g., a second electrical node) in the package, characterized by (c) causing energy from an external source to heat at least one predetermined segment of the wire to a temperature that is below its melting point (MP) but not below its recrystallization temperature (RCT), and (d) cooling the heated segment to a temperature below its RCT [e.g., to room temperature (RT)], thereby to increase the stiffness modulus of the segment. In one embodiment, the external source is a laser whose optical output is absorbed by the segment. In another embodiment, the heated segment is rapidly cooled (i.e., quenched) to RT.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell-free immunoreactive Integrin Linked Kinase which is present in samples of biological fluids from patients suffering from ovarian cancer. The invention also relates to methods of diagnosis, screening, monitoring treatment and treatment of cancers, especially ovarian cancer, and to kits and compounds for use therein.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing colored contact lenses with high quality color images. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) providing a water based ink in at least one cliche wherein a pattern to be printed on the contact lens has been created; (b) transferring the water based ink from the cliché to at least a surface of at least a contact lens forming mold by means of at least a transfer pad; (c) at least partially curing the ink transferred on the mold to form a colored film; (d) dispensing a hydrogel lens-forming material into a lens-forming cavity of the mold; and (e) curing the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavity to form the contact lens, whereby the colored film detaches from the molding surface and becomes integral with the body of the contact lens; characterized in that the relative air humidity in the immediate vicinities of the transfer pad/s is kept higher than 50% at standard temperature and pressure conditions during ink transfer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing colored contact lenses with relatively high quality color images.

Abstract: An improved shower head having multiple modes of operation. The shower head may include a first turbine and turbine, each disposed within a unique flow channel. The first and second turbines may interrupt water flow through their respective flow channels, thereby providing at least one pulsating water spray emanating from the shower head. The shower head may include a third flow channel having no turbine disposed therein, such that water flowing through the third flow channel is not interrupted and thus emitted from the shower head as a drenching spray.