Abstract: A dynamically configurable clamping device for applying a desired electrical current to a tissue membrane includes an input lead electrically connected to the tissue membrane to provide a sensed signal indicative of voltage across the membrane. An input circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter, and is responsive to the sensed signal and provides a digitized signal indicative of the sensed signal. A digital signal processor executes selected program instructions to operate in a selected one of (i) a voltage clamp mode, (ii) a current clamp mode or (iii) a dynamic clamp mode based upon the state of a mode selection signal indicative of the selected operating mode. The digital signal processor provides a digital current command signal indicative of the current to be applied to the tissue membrane. An output circuit receives the digital current command signal, and generates a current signal indicative thereof. An output lead receives and applies the current signal to the tissue membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Ulocladium oudemansii as a biological control agent. Processes and compositions for the biological control of Botrytis species using Ulocladium oudemansii are also provided.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprising a pigment and starch dispersion of discrete crosslinked starch particles in an aqueous liquid. The dispersion may be used as coating color for paper. A preferred process of preparing the dispersion of starch particles comprises (a) obtaining a mixture of starch and an aqueous liquid; (b) processing the mixture using shear forces in the presence of a crosslinker in an extruder; and (c) injecting a hydroxylic liquid into the extruder and dispersing the mixture inside the extruder or outside the extruder or both inside and outside the extruder to obtain the dispersion.

Abstract: Collaboration space object model provides for a place consisting of rooms created by users interacting with a client browser. A skin (i.e., theme) may be used as template for creating places. PlaceBots (i.e., agents) provide for accessing, processing and managing data in a place. HTML may be dragged and dropped into a place, where it is parsed and corresponding place fields created. MS Excel or Word documents may be dragged and dropped into a place, which creates a corresponding form, and users may create new documents using that form. A place type comprising a template of an entire place, or collaboration space, may be used to create new places. Changes made to a place may be reported, subject to security controls, by selecting what's new. Task fields are provided allowing web browser creation of forms for work flow. Place enabled objects are provided for synchronous communications. A quick browse feature provides a simplified format for browser windows based on selection of HTML links.

Abstract: A camera and method automatically exclude electronic images corresponding to film images in a loaded film unit from first in-first out overwriting. In the method, a set of latent images are captured in the camera. A first subset of electronic images that correspond to the latent images are captured, during the capturing of the latent images. A second subset of electronic images are captured independent of the capturing of the latent images. The memory of the camera is filled to capacity with a plurality of the electronic images. After the memory is filled, the electronic images of the second subset in the memory are replaced on a first in-first out basis and the electronic images of the first subset are retained in the memory.

Abstract: Collaboration space object model provides for a place consisting of rooms created by users interacting with a client browser. A skin (i.e., theme) may be used as template for creating places. PlaceBots (i.e., agents) provide for accessing, processing and managing data in a place. HTML may be dragged and dropped into a place, where it is parsed and corresponding place fields created. MS Excel or Word documents may be dragged and dropped into a place, which creates a corresponding form, and users may create new documents using that form. A place type comprising a template of an entire place, or collaboration space, may be used to create new places. Changes made to a place may be reported, subject to security controls, by selecting what's new. Task fields are provided allowing web browser creation of forms for work flow. Place enabled objects are provided for synchronous communications.

Abstract: The invention provides a ramp system for transporting objects from a lower site to an upper site and vice versa while keeping the object in a generally horizontal, or upright, orientation when the object is moved up a variable incline. Two rails are provided between the upper and lower site, and a carriage is provided with wheels to allow it to move along the rails. A plurality of cables extend from the carriage to the upper site and to the lower site, the cables passing through pulleys affixed to the carriage, in an arrangement which causes the front portion of the carriage to be cantilevered over the rails, thus keeping a horizontal orientation notwithstanding the incline of the ramp. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented in a marine environment between a floating dock and a fixed pier.

Abstract: A canoe platform interconnects a pair of spaced apart canoes arranged parallel with each other so that the platform can support human activity while the canoes support the platform above the water. The platform is made of a pair of panels adjoining each other and spanning the gunwales of the canoes and the space between them. Each of the panels is foldable in half longitudinally so that the panels can be stored within canoes for transport. The panels are unfolded flat and are arranged to span the canoes aft of the front seats of the canoes and forward of the rear seats of the canoes.

Abstract: A basket assembly fixture is useful in the construction of a basket assembly for interring spent nuclear fuel rods. The basket assembly fixture has an elongate base and a pair of lifting beams disposed above the base. Lifting beam raising means are provided at both ends of the base to raise the pair of lifting beams. A transverse beam is provided below the two lifting beams and above the base. Transverse beam raising means are provided for raising the transverse beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of sequestering agents for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of hypercortisolaemia related disorders, especially for the treatment of major depression; to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a cortisol-sequestering agent, and to the cortisol-sequestering agent 6-per-deoxy-6-per-(2,3-dihydroxypropylthio)-&ggr;-cyclodextrin.

Abstract: Starch dispersions comprising discrete particles of crosslinked cationic starch in an aqueous liquid can be used in papermaking. They can be used as a wet-end additive or in surface coating. The starch dispersions can be prepared by a process comprising: (a) obtaining a mixture of cationic starch and an aqueous liquid, (b) processing the mixture using shear forces in the presence of a crosslinker: and (c) adding and mixing in a hydroxylic liquid to obtain the starch dispersions.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprising a pigment and starch dispersion of discrete crosslinked starch particles in an aqueous liquid. The dispersion may be used as coating color for paper. A preferred process of preparing the dispersion of starch particles comprises (a) obtaining a mixture of starch and an aqueous liquid; (b) processing the mixture using shear forces in the presence of a crosslinker in an extruder; and (c) injecting a hydroxylic liquid into the extruder and dispersing the mixture inside the extruder or outside the extruder or both inside and outside the extruder to obtain the dispersion.

Abstract: An antenna device is disclosed, which is intended for a portable radio communication device. The communication device includes a signal generating component having a signal output, said output defining a signal generating circuit impedance. The antenna device includes a substantially planar conductor having an associated impedance and preferably extending in a first dimension greater than approximately one-quarter of a predetermined operational wavelength. The antenna device further includes a matching network which is coupled to the signal generating output. The matching network having a substantially planar dielectric substrate and a conductive meander element and a conductive trace element, wherein said matching network transforms the impedance of the signal generating component to approximate the impedance of the planar conductor element.

Abstract: The invention provides a ramp system for transporting objects from a lower site to an upper site and vice versa while keeping the object in a generally horizontal, or upright, orientation when the object is moved up a variable incline. Two rails are provided between the upper and lower site, and a carriage is provided with wheels to allow it to move along the rails. A plurality of cables extend from the carriage to the upper site and to the lower site, the cables passing through pulleys affixed to the carriage, in an arrangement which causes the front portion of the carriage to be cantilevered over the rails, thus keeping a horizontal orientation notwithstanding the incline of the ramp. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented in a marine environment between a floating dock and a fixed pier.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a resonator element having a complex shaped surface topography and discrete edge features disposed at various elevations above a ground plane and which is operatively connected to the ground plane of a wireless communication device (WCD). The resonator assembly may comprise a flexible or deformable resonator support substrate of dielectric material supporting a conductive resonator element or portion. Alternatively, the resonator element may comprise a electrically conducting resonator element formed to retain its complex shape and surface topography. In the latter form, the resonator element may be formed by traditional metal stamping techniques.

Abstract: A simple internal or partly internal antenna system for optimizing the radiation pattern from hand held wireless communications devices HHWCD such as hand-held data devices and cellular telephones is disclosed. The antenna system consists of an essentially internal or partly internal asymmetrical dipole with quarter-wave resonator section and radiating planar section, in conjunction with a planar parasitic director element. The radiating planar section may be the ground traces of the HHWCDs printed wiring board PWB. The antenna system provides for single or multiple frequency band operation.

Abstract: A basket assembly fixture is useful in the construction of a basket assembly for interring spent nuclear fuel rods. The basket assembly fixture has an elongate base and a pair of lifting beams disposed above the base. Lifting beam raising means are provided at both ends of the base to raise the pair of lifting beams. A transverse beam is provided below the two lifting beams and above the base. Transverse beam raising means are provided for raising the transverse beam.

Abstract: An omni-directional antenna assembly is provided for wireless communications devices requiring multiple polarization characteristics. An antenna assembly for a communications device operating at a predetermined wavelength and having a transceiver circuit including a signal output and a ground plane, the antenna assembly including a conductive planar element disposed away from the ground plane and a conductive leg member coupled to the planar element proximate a perimeter, the planar element being disposed a distance away from the ground plane of the communications device to define a region capable of receiving one or more components associated with the wireless communications device.

Abstract: Collaboration space object model provides for a place consisting of rooms created by users interacting with a client browser. A skin (i.e., theme) may be used as template for creating places. PlaceBots (i.e., agents) provide for accessing, processing and managing data in a place. HTML may be dragged and dropped into a place, where it is parsed and corresponding place fields created. MS Excel or Word documents may be dragged and dropped into a place, which creates a corresponding form, and users may create new documents using that form. A place type comprising a template of an entire place, or collaboration space, may be used to create new places. Changes made to a place may be reported, subject to security controls, by selecting what's new. Task fields are provided allowing web browser creation of forms for work flow. Place enabled objects are provided for synchronous communications. A quick browse feature provides a simplified format for browser windows based on selection of HTML links.

Abstract: Rod chairs for use in concrete form for positioning reinforcement rods prior to filling with concrete includes a flat rectangular metal blank for folding into a rod chair that includes an elongated planar portion having a pair of spaced portions to be bent to form a pair of generally curved end walls and a pair of horizontal parallel sides to be bent downwardly to form a pair of generally horizontal flanges, and having at least one three sided cut-out to form at least one elongated finger integrally with the planar portion to be bent upwardly to form a hook for holding a reinforcement rod therebeneath, a pair of recess cut-out apertures positioned at free ends of the planar portion, and elongated cuts intersecting the respective recess cut-out apertures and extend generally along the longitudinal axis to the respective free ends of the metal blank to be bifurcated and separated angularly from the recess cut-out apertures to the free ends to form a pair of leg portions wherein each leg portion to be bent to fo