Abstract: A Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensemble made up of a launderable protective hood and either an air dispersion protective headgear, or an air dispersion protective face shield assembly, is provided. In a first exemplary embodiment, the PPE ensemble is made up of a launderable hood that is detachably affixed to and forms a gas-restrictive seal with a protective face shield assembly, an air-supplied protective suit having an air supply inlet/outlet assembly, and an air dispersion protective headgear releasably coupled to the air supply inlet/outlet assembly of the protective suit. In a second exemplary embodiment, instead of an air dispersion protective headgear, the PPE ensemble is made up of an air dispersion protective face shield assembly and a standard protective headgear. The PPE ensemble, among other things, maintains or cools the skin temperature of a wearer's face during use and thus reduces wearer fatigue.

Abstract: Training apparatus and methods are disclosed for teaching practices for operation of machines. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of input selectors; a plurality of status indicators; an alarm; and a programmable controller switchable between programming and operator testing modes. In the programming mode, a sub-set of the control operators is used to select a testing program, and a second sub-set is used to select modifications to the testing program. Each program defines a sequence of input selections and a corresponding sequence of signals from the status indicators. In the testing mode, the controller is configured to receive input selections and to activate the alarm in response to deviation from the sequence of input selections of a selected testing program.

Abstract: A Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensemble made up of a launderable protective hood and an air dispersion protective headgear, is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the PPE ensemble is made up of a launderable hood that is detachably affixed to and forms a gas-restrictive seal with a protective face shield assembly, an air-supplied protective suit having an air supply inlet/outlet assembly, and an air dispersion protective headgear releasably coupled to the air supply inlet/outlet assembly of the protective suit. The PPE ensemble provides a wearer with a protective hood with reduced or no lens fogging and reduced sound levels under the hood. The PPE ensemble also maintains or cools the skin temperature of the wearer's face during use and thus reduces wearer fatigue.

Abstract: Training apparatus and methods are disclosed for teaching practices for operation of machines. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of input selectors; a plurality of status indicators; an alarm; and a programmable controller switchable between programming and operator testing modes. In the programming mode, a sub-set of the control operators is used to select a testing program, and a second sub-set is used to select modifications to the testing program. Each program defines a sequence of input selections and a corresponding sequence of signals from the status indicators. In the testing mode, the controller is configured to receive input selections and to activate the alarm in response to deviation from the sequence of input selections of a selected testing program.

Abstract: A radio communication system is described, comprising at least a first radio and a second radio, both radios being configured to communicate with each other. The radio communication system has a transmit mode in which an initial signal pattern is transmitted at the beginning of each communication via the first radio. The radio communication system has a receive mode in which the initial signal pattern is received by the second radio. The second radio is configured to derive at least one communication channel parameter and a radio frequency characteristic from the initial signal pattern. Further, a method for determining a radio frequency characteristic is described.

Abstract: A mobile communication device comprises a communication interface for wireless communication of the mobile communication device with wireless devices over a wireless communication channel, and a channel simulation unit for simulating modified channel properties of the wireless communication channel.

Abstract: A mobile communication device comprises a communication interface for wireless communication of the mobile communication device with wireless devices over a wireless communication channel, and a channel simulation unit for simulating modified channel properties of the wireless communication channel.

Abstract: A filter device, in particular a return line suction filter, has at least one filter housing (3) receiving a filter element (17) defining a longitudinal axis. The filter element has an end cap with an enclosure at one filter element end enclosing an end edge of the filter material (39) and fixed to an element receptacle (5) connected to the filter housing (3) for fixing the location of the filter element (17) in its functional position. The element receptacle (5) and the associated end cap (21) of the filter element (17) have design irregularities (63, 65) adapted to each other at their parts (23, 47) engaging each other in the functional position of the filter element (17). The irregularities enable the engagement in a positional alignment to each other.

Abstract: A headset has first and second connectors and first and second earphones. A first electrical pathway extends from a first contact point associated with the first connector to a first contact point associated with said second connector, a second electrical pathway extends from a second contact point associated with the first connector to a second contact point associated with the second connector, and a third electrical pathway extends from a third contact point associated with the first connector to a third contact point associated with the second connector. One or both earphones are connected between the first pathway and the third pathway and neither the first earphone nor the second earphone is connected between the first pathway and the second pathway. The first and second earphones may be mounted at fixed angles such that the earphones project rearwardly and outwardly over, in spaced relation to, and approximately parallel to, ears of a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device, in particular a return line suction filter, having at least one filter housing (3) in which a filter element (17) defining a longitudinal axis in the form of a filter cartridge can be received and comprises an enclosure at at least one end thereof for the corresponding end cap (21) forming the end edge of the filter material (39) and that can be fixed to an element receptacle (5) connected to the filter housing (3) for fixing the location of the filter element (17) in the functional position thereof, characterized in that the element receptacle (5) and the associated end cap (21) of the filter element (17) have design irregularities (63, 65) adapted to each other at the parts thereof (23, 47) engaging each other in the functional position of the filter element (17), said irregularities enabling the engagement in a positional alignment to each other.

Abstract: A headset has first and second connectors and first and second earphones. A first electrical pathway extends from a first contact point associated with the first connector to a first contact point associated with said second connector, a second electrical pathway extends from a second contact point associated with the first connector to a second contact point associated with the second connector, and a third electrical pathway extends from a third contact point associated with the first connector to a third contact point associated with the second connector. One or both earphones are connected between the first pathway and the third pathway and neither the first earphone nor the second earphone is connected between the first pathway and the second pathway. The first and second earphones may be mounted at fixed angles such that the earphones project rearwardly and outwardly over, in spaced relation to, and approximately parallel to, ears of a user.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: An information management process generates channels that automatically send tasks to different users for different work flow stages according to different attributes assigned to the channel. The tasks may then be automatically sent back to the same users or to other different users in other work flow stages according to the channel attributes and conditions associated with the work flow stages. The information management process can be integrated with a search process and an analytics process to provide a closed loop information system.

Abstract: A bottle identifier may be placed around the neck of a bottle so that the bottle may be readily visually distinguished from other bottles. The bottle identifier has a body with an opening into which extends one or more resilient tabs. The opening receives the neck of the bottle with the tabs deflecting to assist in retaining the identifier on the bottle. A number of identifiers may be provided which are visually distinguishable from each other. For example, the identifiers may be provided in a variety of colours. Thus, the identifiers may be used to readily visually distinguish bottles of a number of different consumers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric audio transducer suitable for underwater use comprises a piezoelectric ceramic plate within a housing having open front face and back faces exposing the front and back faces of the ceramic plate to ambient pressure. The ceramic plate can be supported in spaced relation from the housing by, for example, open cell foam, so as to be vibrationally isolated from the housing.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: A filter cartridge is described for use in a system to remove impurities from the air. The cartridge has a filter section which may provide tortuous air flow channels between an inlet and an outlet of the filter section. The filter section may be formed from a pair of adjoined sheets with at least one of the sheets having an internally directed raised pattern thereon. This raised pattern spaces the adjoined sheets. The adjoined sheets may be rolled-up into a spiral shape and are positioned in the cartridge with said sheets paralleling an air flow direction through said filter section. It is also contemplated that the raised pattern of the adjoined sheets provide linear air flow channels but ones which are less than three millimeters in height. Alternatively, the filter section may comprise an open pore sponge or foam. The cartridge may be provided with an inlet closure plate having openings therein so as to impart turbulence to incoming air.

Abstract: This invention relates to a strength member for a hose and to an improved combined fluid/electrical hose. The strength member of the present invention is a low stretch high strength natural or artificial fibre material which may be incorporated into the bore of the hose and fastened to a hose end termination connector at each end to limit stretch of the hose. In the improved combined fluid/electrical hose of the present invention, the electrical wire extends longitudinally and freely the full length of the hose without attachment to the inner hose wall. This combined fluid/electrical hose also including a strength member.