Abstract: Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating or ameliorating heart disease associated with poor myocardial performance, e.g., diabetic cardiomyopathy and associated disorders, particularly to treating, preventing or ameliorating such disorders through inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation and/or increased activity of O-GlnNAcase. The invention provides vectors for gene transfer of O-GlnNAcase. In one aspect, the invention provides cells, vectors, formulations comprising them and methods of using them, for the gene transfer of the human O-GlnNAcase gene, e.g., to treat conditions and diseases associated with impaired cardiac contractility, such as that, found associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. In another aspect, the invention provides non-human transgenic animals and host cells comprising genetically engineered cells having increased activity of O-GlnNAcase.

Abstract: Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fuel leak from a fuel store of an aircraft where a processor receives inputs relating to the amount of fuel in the fuel store and to the rate of fuel used by the aircraft. The processor defines a fuel flow system state defined by a noise-compensated measures of the amount of fuel in the fuel store, a fuel leak amount estimate and a fuel leak rate estimate. The processor periodically calculates a new estimated state of the system in view of a previous estimated state and values of the inputs. The processor monitors the fuel leak amount estimate and the fuel leak rate estimate and if either exceeds a respective threshold value send a signal to a fuel leak warning device.

Abstract: Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.

Abstract: Combinations of atmosphere control members are used to control the atmosphere within a sealed container which contains a respiring biological material. The combination makes use of a first ACM having a first R ratio (the ratio of carbon dioxide permeability to oxygen permeability) and a second ACM having a second R ratio, the first R ratio being substantially greater than 1.0, and the second R ratio being less than the first R ratio. This combination (31, 321, 322, 331, 332) can form part of the sealed container (1) itself, or can be part of an assembly (31, 32, 34) through which the packaging atmosphere within the sealed container (1) is circulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating or ameliorating heart disease associated with poor myocardial performance, e.g., diabetic cardiomyopathy and associated disorders, particularly to treating, preventing or ameliorating such disorders through inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation and/or increased activity of O-GlnNAcase. The invention provides vectors for gene transfer of O-GlnNAcase. In one aspect, the invention provides cells, vectors, formulations comprising them and methods of using them, for the gene transfer of the human O-GlnNAcase gene, e.g., to treat conditions and diseases associated with impaired cardiac contractility, such as that, found associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. In another aspect, the invention provides non-human transgenic animals and host cells comprising genetically engineered cells having increased activity of O-GlnNAcase.

Abstract: Respiring biological materials can be stored in a sealed container having (i) an interior surface at least partly composed of a hydrophilic polymer composition and (ii) an auxiliary component through which oxygen and carbon dioxide can enter or leave the packaging atmosphere within the container.

Abstract: Gas-permeable membranes comprising a microporous film and a coating on the microporous film, the coating being obtained by coating the microporous film with a liquid coating composition comprising a polymer and hollow polymeric particles dispersed in the composition, and then solidifying the coating. The gas-permeable membrane has a reduced ratio of carbon dioxide permeability to oxygen permeability.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fuel leak from a fuel store of an aircraft is described. In the described embodiment, a processor (1) receives inputs (2, 3) relating to the amount of fuel in the fuel store and to the rate of fuel used by the aircraft, both inputs being subject to noise. The processor defines a fuel flow system state defined by a noise-compensated measures of the amount of fuel in the fuel store, a fuel leak amount estimate and a fuel leak rate estimate. The processor (1) periodically calculates a new estimated state of the system in view of a previous estimated state of the system and values of the inputs (2, 3). The processor monitors the fuel leak amount estimate and the fuel leak rate estimate and if either exceeds a respective threshold value send a signal to a fuel leak warning means (4). The method employed in the embodiment employs a recursive state estimation method that improves leak detection, reduces false alarms and is less demanding on processor and memory requirements.

Abstract: An exercise tube and handle attachment incorporates an elastic tube having a handle(s) fabricated from a strong material such as nylon strapping. The handle is configured, by stitching, to form a passageway and compartment for receiving an end of the exercise tube. A knot is made in the end of the tube to prevent the end from exiting the compartment and separating the tube from the handle.

Abstract: Gas-permeable membranes comprising a microporous film and a coating on the microporous film, the coating being obtained by coating the microporous film with a liquid coating composition comprising a polymer and hollow polymeric particles dispersed in the composition, and then solidifying the coating. The gas-permeable membrane has a reduced ratio of carbon dioxide permeability to oxygen permeability.

Abstract: Fluid delivery devices, systems and methods. Some of the fluid delivery devices include a body, a cannula and a septum, and are suited for enabling the delivery of fluid to a user.

Abstract: Atmosphere control members (ACMs) are used in various ways. In one aspect, at least one of the atmospheres in contact with the ACM is cause to flow over the surface of the ACM. In another aspect, the ACM is an internal ACM which does not form part of the exterior surface of a container. In another aspect, the ACM forms part of a reusable module. In another aspect, a plurality of sealed containers, each including an ACM, are stored in an outer container also including an ACM. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a shipping container (11) comprising an internal ACM (3) having one surface which is exposed to the packaging atmosphere within the shipping container and an opposite surface which is part of a closed chamber (2) to which gases can be supplied in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: Adapters are provided for establishing fluid communication between an anesthetic agent container and an anesthetic vaporizer having a fluid port. The adapter may be mountable on the vaporizer to cooperate with the spout of an anesthetic agent container or may be mountable on an anesthetic agent container to cooperate with the fluid port of an anesthetic vaporizer to provide a sealing and/or retaining relationship therebetween.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of objects included within a print job. A first object of the plurality of objects and a second object of the plurality of objects are processed to define a first overlapping region between the first and second objects. The first object is modified to remove the first overlapping region, thus generating a modified first object.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring one or more print commands received by a print driver to identify a suspect command. The suspect command is indicative of a repetitive rendering process. The suspect command is modified to include a set flag proximate a beginning portion of the suspect command.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an audio book, including a first step of obtaining an authorization key to access a text file on a server, a second step of displaying content of the text file at a personal computer, a third step of producing an audio file at the personal computer corresponding to the text file and a fourth step of combining the audio file with a sound effects file to produce the audio book. Also described is a device for the manufacture of an audio book. The device comprises an authorization key for authorizing access to a text file, a display device for displaying content of the text file, a microphone for recording an audio file corresponding to the content of the text file and a processing software combining the audio file with a sound effects file to produce the audio book.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a meter body defining a cavity having opposing ends joined by opposed sides at corners. At least one of the corners is recessed to form a reservoir. A box frame defining a frame interior is received in the cavity for reciprocal movement between the cavity ends. A sliding block defining a circular cavity is received in the frame interior for reciprocal movement therein said frame interior. A valve disc is received in the circular cavity for rotational movement therein. The valve disc includes an eccentric hole formed therethrough. A shaft extending through the eccentric hole is rotatably fixed to the valve disc. Fluid flowing through the flow meter reciprocally moves the box frame and sliding block to rotate the valve disc and the shaft.

Abstract: Novel gas-permeable membranes which are particularly useful in the packaging of fresh cut fruit and vegetables, and other respiring biological materials. The membranes have an O2 permeability of at least 775,000 ml/m2.atm.24 hrs, a P10 ratio of at least 1.3, and a ratio of CO2 permeability to O2 permeability (R) of at least 1.5, and are made by forming thin polymeric coatings on microporous polymeric films. Preferred coating polymers are side chain crystalline polymers. Preferred microporous films contain inorganic fillers, particularly such films based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene. FIG. 1 illustrates how O2 permeability and R ratio vary for different coating polymers and microporous films.