Abstract: The invention relates to an enclosure for an optical disc, in particular, a CD enclosure comprising a case (20), which is closed on all sides with the exception of one opening (26) that extends over a narrow side. The inventive enclosure also comprise a drawer (22), which can be slide inside the case (20) and removed therefrom. Said drawer has front (38), which occludes the opening (26) when the drawer (22) is closed. The drawer also has an essentially flat plate (36) which forms a supporting surface for a CD (62), out of which a holding element (72) for the CD (62) projects. Behind the front (38), a longish pocket (50) is formed between the front (38) and the plate (36). Said pocket extends over almost the entire length of the front (38) and can be accessed from the undersurface of the plate (36). The front (38) is made of an optically transparent material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing monocomponent-microfilaments comprised of multiple component filaments, particularly bi-component filaments, which are produced in a melt spinning method, whereby one of the components is melted out of the multiple component filaments by effecting a thermal treatment using a melt fluid.

Abstract: A speech to touch translator assembly and method for converting spoken words directed to an operator into tactile sensations caused by combinations of pressure point exertions on the body of the operator, each combination of pressure points exerted signifying a phoneme of one of the spoken words, and sound characteristics superimposed on the spoken words, permitting comprehension of spoken words, and the speaker thereof, by persons that are deaf and blind.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system includes a plurality of anchor screw assemblies, e.g. including anchor screws and clamp assemblies defining rod passages therethrough. A rod is receivable in the rod passages between the anchor screw assemblies, and a spacer is securable on the rod. During use, a first anchor screw is screwed into a first vertebra, and a second anchor screw is screwed into a second vertebra adjacent the first vertebra, and clamp assemblies are mounted to each anchor screw. A rod is secured between the anchor screw assemblies, thereby fixing a relative spacing of the first and second vertebrae. A spacer is crimped onto the exposed portion of the rod between the anchor screw assemblies, the spacer extending between the anchor screw assemblies to prevent the anchor screw assemblies, and, consequently, the first and second vertebrae, from moving towards one another.

Abstract: Given the recent changes in the policy governing Internet content distribution, such as the institution of per listener royalties for Internet radio broadcasters, content distributors now have an incentive to under-report the size of their audience. Previous audience measurement schemes only protect against inflation of audience size. We present the first protocols for audience measurement that protect against both inflation and deflation attempts by content distributors. The protocols trade-off the amount of additional information the service providers must distribute to facilitate audience inference with the amount of infrastructure required and are applicable to Internet radio, web plagiarism, and software license enforcement. The protocols can be applied to other situations, such as auditing website screen scrapers and per-seat licensed software installations.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of growing a doped glass films suitable for optical applications on a substrate comprising the steps of conveying an organometallic compound of the formula (R3SiO)jM(OR′)k to the substrate and reacting the silica forming substance and the organometallic compound to form the optical layer on the substrate, where M is a metal; R is methyl, ethyl or propyl; R′ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl or s-butyl; j is 1, 2, 3 or 4; and k=4−j. The present invention also includes planar optical devices made by the above method. Additionally, the present invention includes an optical fiber made by the above method.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing a protein in a plant comprising i) transforming the plant with a nucleotide sequence which expresses a porcine parvovirus VP2 subunit protein, or a fragment or a derivative thereof, and ii) growing the transformed plant. The present invention also teaches harvesting and feeding the transgenic plant, or an extract obtained from the transgenic plant to animals. Further, the protein produced by the method of the present invention may be partially or fully purified from the plant, and optionally reformulated into an alternate dosage form and administered to an animal. The protein may be used to confer resistance to porcine parvoviuus in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fungus resistant gypsum board, made of first and second polymeric fibrous sheets with a gypsum core sandwiched there between. The gypsum core containing less than 0.03% of formulation additives that serve as fungus nutrients and less than 0.5% of the dry gypsum core contains of fungus nutrients. The fibrous sheets are preferably nonwovens and the gypsum core preferably contains a fungicide. The invention is also directed to a process for making a fungus resistant gypsum board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 100 for forming an annular elastomeric tire component has the steps of extruding at least one elastomeric material annularly onto a support surface 60 and shaping the at least one strip 2 of elastomeric material to a predetermined profile by forming the at least one strip 2 of material between a shaping die 84 and the support surface 60 thereby smoothing and spreading the strip to the desired profile. The method may include applying additional strips 2 to form multilayered components. The support surface 60 may be separate from a tire building station 200 or may be integral to a tire building station 200. The formed strips may include any one or more tire components such as a sidewall 20, a chafer 30, a bead apex 10, ply stock coatings 40, an innerliner 50, or a tread 22.

Abstract: The present invention provides a touch sensor that includes a first layer movable toward a second layer in response to a touch input, the location of the touch input being determinable from signals detected due to the movement of the first layer. The first and second layers are bonded together through a plurality of spacers distributed over the touch sensitive area of the sensor. The present invention also provides methods for bonding spacers to the first and second layers to make a touch sensor.

Abstract: A method of finding drive values for an actuation mechanism having three degrees of freedom is provided, that will optimize a predetermined parameter of a system that utilizes the actuation mechanism. In one embodiment, a method of finding drive values for a tunable Fabry-Perot cavity is provided, for driving three independently adjustable actuators such that the cavity mirrors of the tunable Fabry-Perot cavity are maintained in a substantially parallel relationship.

Abstract: A toilet cleaning apparatus and caddy is provided which includes a tool which may be held in a user's hand. A swab, which is flushable down the toilet after the cleaning process is complete, is provided which is easily attached and detached from the tool. The tool is movable to a number of operative positions which assist in the loading, holding, or removal of the swab. A caddy is also provided which can hold the tool as well as unused swabs.

Abstract: Rinse-off personal care compositions comprising a perfume polymeric particle, which is useful as a delivery system for a perfume raw material (“PRM”), methods for making such personal care compositions and methods of treating substrates, such as skin and/or hair with such personal care compositions are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the safe surgical placement of trochars, is provided. The trochar has a sheath protecting the sharp point. The guide includes a receiver, into which the trochar with sheath is inserted, protecting personnel against sticks. The guide has a holder that grips the trochar in the X, Y, Z and Theta directions, providing position and direction of the point. The guide provides a handle for holding the trochar, reducing effort. The trochar point is exposed only after opening the guide. The receiver with sheath is a target, which provides an accurate reference for the position of the sharp point. The target also provides support as the trochar is being advanced through soft tissue. The trochar is locked into the safety guide until the guide is closed, and the point is safely in the sheath. Since the guide may not be reopened, the trochar point and body fluids are safely covered. Operating Room personnel are protected against hazardous sharps injuries.

Abstract: Disclosed are photo or electron beam polymerizable compositions, and preparation thereof and devices containing them. The composition contains completely or substantially completely hydrogenated hydrocarbon-based material completely free or substantially free of carbon-carbon double and triple bonds containing photo or electron beam curable terminal or pendant groups, low-outgassing photoinitiators, an optional viscosity adjustment component and an optional filler. The composition is visible light, UV or electron beam curable. It cures into a low-modulus, low outgassing polymer material. The composition can be used as an adhesive, sealant or lens potting material. It is ideal for use in lithographic tools involving deep or vacuum ultraviolet radiations, in particular, as lens potting materials for 157 nm lithographic tools.

Abstract: An on-machine-seamable industrial fabric comprising rings connected by pintles. In one principal embodiment, the rings are oriented in the machine direction and the pintles extend at an angle, connecting the rings. Such configuration improves the strength of the fabric and provides resistance to needling damage. In another principal embodiment, the rings are oriented in the cross-machine direction and the pintles extend in the machine direction, joining the rings.

Abstract: A self-powered overvoltage protection circuit for a regulated DC-DC converter looks for the onset of a very large input voltage prior to regulation. In response to such a voltage during this interval, it turns on a low side electronic power switching device, in accordance with the voltage at one of the phase node and the regulated voltage output terminal from which the protection circuit derives its power. This provides a bypass path for an overvoltage that would otherwise be coupled from the regulated voltage output terminal to one or more load devices.

Abstract: Rinse-off personal care compositions comprising a perfume polymeric particle, which is useful as a delivery system for a perfume raw material (“PRM”), methods for making such personal care compositions and methods of treating substrates, such as skin and/or hair with such personal care compositions are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant immunotoxins that have been modified from a parental immunotoxin to lower liver toxicity. The immunotoxins are created by specifically mutating charged residues in the framework regions of the heavy chain, the light chain, or both, of the antibody portion or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the parental immunotoxin to reduce the pI of the antibody or fragment. In preferred forms, the antibody portion of the parental is an anti-Tac, anti-mesothelin, or anti-LewisY antigen antibody or antigen-binding fragment, and in particularly preferred forms the antibody portion is an M16 dsFv, a St6 dsFv or a Mt9 dsFv, or a sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to one of these molecules but retain the particular mutations that lower pI without affecting antibody activity. The invention further provides nucleic acids encoding the recombinant immunotoxins of the invention, expression cassettes comprising the nucleic acids, and host cells comprising the expression cassettes.

Abstract: Multi-band antenna systems (116, 1100,1200) for wireless communication devices (100) for use in wireless communications systems (1300) are disclosed. The multi-band antennas systems include a conductive film (204, 1104, 1204) that include ground plane areas (206, 1106, 1206) and conductive traces (208, 1108, 1208) that substantially circumscribe areas that include a plurality of interconnected swaths (222-230, 1116-1120, 1216-1220). The antenna systems are capable of operating in a first common mode for supporting communications in a first frequency band, and in a second common mode and differential mode for supporting communications in a second frequency band. Nulls of gain patterns of the second common and differential mode are offset, such that sum of the gain patterns does not include nulls.