Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rose plant named ‘Esm Guinda’, characterized by its long, strong and upright flowering stems; durable foliage; red-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct Floribunda rose plant is provided which forms in abundance attractive blossoms that are deep greyed-purple on the upper surface and ocher yellow on the under surface. Such flower coloration is considered to be rather unusual. The greyed-purple petal coloration on the upper surface is so dark that it sometimes appears to be almost black upon casual observation. The plant exhibits strong vegetation, a semi-erect growth habit, and dark green foliage with a glossy upper surface. The disease tolerance is good particularly with respect to Oidium. The new variety is well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in parks and gardens.

Abstract: A new and distinct Blueberry cultivar is provided that is the product of a controlled breeding program followed by selection. The cultivar flowers and forms fruit that ripens at mid-season. The attractive light blue substantially round berries are formed in compact clusters and exhibit a refreshing blueberry flavor. The berries are well amenable to mechanical harvest. The plant is self-fertile, and the growth habit is generally upright. Attractive evergreen foliage is displayed. A low chilling requirement is also exhibited.

Abstract: A new cultivar of sweet cherry tree named ‘PC7903-2’ is disclosed. The new cultivar is notable for its very large, juicy fruit.

Abstract: ‘Pacific Deluxe’ is a new raspberry cultivar particularly distinguished by having large fruit throughout the season, bright color, excellent post-harvest quality and resistance to Phytophthora rubi, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of grapevine is provided which abundantly forms attractive medium-to-large seedless berries having a rose-pink skin coloration in medium-to-large substantially uniform clusters. The fruit displays a sweet crisp flavor and is firm in texture. The fruit commonly is ready for harvest during late October or early November in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, U.S.A., and displays significant crispness and good eating qualities as a table grape. The fruit firmness renders the fruit well amenable for handling, shipping, and storage. The fruit commonly is more elongated and less round and lighter in coloration than that of the ‘Mara Seedless’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,599).

Abstract: A red maple tree named ‘Katie Cole’, a medium tree distinguished by the prolonged red coloration of its new leaf growth.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Hebe plant named ‘TULLYRASP’ that is characterized by a compact habit with deep burgundy colored foliage and which bears abundant deep pink flowers through summer and fall. In combination these traits set ‘TULLYRASP’ apart from all other varieties of Hebe known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla named ‘Blue Knight’ that is characterized by its early blooming habit, its ability to re-bloom on new growth after deadheading, its consistently well-formed, lacecap type inflorescences with large, double, rounded shaped sterile flowers that are light to dark blue under acidic conditions and bright pink under alkaline conditions, its deep green glossy foliage, and its strong stems that enable pot culture without staking.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Erodium plant named ‘CLARET’ that is characterized by low compact spreading habit, saturated dark red flowers with prominent deep purple veins and a white eye, and soft gray-green pubescent foliage. In combination these traits set ‘CLARET’ apart from all other varieties of Erodium known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘WATERLOO SUNSET’ that is characterized by compact habit, grey-green foliage, and double flowers that are deep magenta red with a deep port wine colored center. In combination these traits set ‘WATERLOO SUNSET’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dianthus known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new Verbena plant named ‘SCY’ characterized particularly as to novelty by scarlet flowers with a striking white eye, which appear earlier on the plant, and a growing habit that is upright.

Abstract: A new Impatiens plant named ‘Silt Cher,’ particularly distinguished by rose-shaped, double type flowers, light cherry red to carmine flower color, dark green foliage, relatively round leaf shape, medium vigor, and well-branched, low and mounding habit.

Abstract: A New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Fisnics Orred,’ particularly distinguished by the deep orange-red flower color, large, zygomorphic flowers well above the foliage, medium green foliage, relatively small and narrow leaves, compact during greenhouse cultivation, later becoming medium to tall, but not very wide, early flowering and rich flowering throughout the summer.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Viola plant named ‘Balvijac’, characterized by its lavender and yellow with a black blotch-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and vigorous, trailing growth habit.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Pelargonium named ‘KLEPZ08224’ particularly characterized with shiny red inflorescences, an upright plant habit with a medium growth habit, and good flower quality, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new variety of Gypsophila, ‘Fiorello’, is described and illustrated. The new variety exhibits a vigorous growth habit, small flowers, and condensed flowering characteristics combined with upright growth habit. The flowers contain a large number of petals arranged in compound cymes.

Abstract: A new Osteospermum plant particularly distinguished by having flowers with a pink ray floret color and blue disc florets, medium flower size, flowers that stay open under low light conditions and mounded cascading plant habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: An Osteospermum cultivar named ‘KLEOE08149’ particularly distinguished by deep greyed-orange inflorescences, good branching, and a compact and stable growth habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new Caladium plant named ‘75-14’ particularly distinguished by its heart-shaped leaves with a white center, green margins, and numerous purple spots, and demonstrated potential to produce high tuber yield, develop attractive and sun-tolerant plants in outdoor sunny landscapes, and produce attractive pot plants when tubers are forced in containers, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new cultivar of hybrid Brassica, ‘Kaleidoscope’, characterized by its dark purple-green foliage with highly ruffled edges, its magenta pink veins and its margins that are magenta pink in color when grown under cool temperature and lavender in color when grown under warm temperatures such as early season growth.

Abstract: A novel variety of Botryococcus distinct from the previously cultured variety in color, biochemistry, size, shape, and habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Helleborus plant named ‘COSEH 220’, characterized by its upright and mounded plant habit; medium green-colored leaves; early and freely flowering habit; and large white-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new Helleborus plant particularly distinguished by abundant, pink inflorescences, a compact and mounded plant habit and a vigorous growth habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new Nemesia plant named ‘Cnem Pinka’, particularly distinguished by the purple/pink flowers, a relatively compact growth habit that is semi-spreading and mounding, strong stems, full well branched plant with medium-green foliage and relatively large rounded leaves, good floriferiousness, and a slightly sweet fragrance.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Nemesia plant named ‘Innsunmara’ that is characterized by large red orange flowers and good cold temperature tolerance.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Nemesia plant named ‘Innsuncara’ that is characterized by large gold yellow flowers, good cold temperature tolerance and an upright habit.

Abstract: A new Salvia plant named ‘Mes Azur,’ particularly distinguished by medium violet flower color, upright, well branched, dense and bushy habit, medium green foliage and large sized flowers that are early flowering.

Abstract: A new Sutera plant named ‘Cay Julav’ particularly distinguished by large flowers of uniform, lavender color, deep green foliage, cordate, relatively small leaves, well branching and moderately tight, low mounding and trailing plant habit of about medium size.

Abstract: A system useable in a jet aircraft having installed therein a pressurized oxygen supply which feeds oxygen into the interior of the plane when it flies at high cabin altitudes, the system indicating the changing status of the supply as oxygen is drained therefrom. The system includes a pressure transducer coupled to the supply and means associated with the transducer to determine the lapse rate at which the pressure of the supply is reduced as oxygen is drained therefrom to yield a first signal representing this pressure lapse rate, and to concurrently determine the lapse rate at which the number of liters of oxygen in the supply is reduced as oxygen is drained therefrom to yield a second signal representing the liter lapse rate. These signals are applied to a microprocessor in whose data base is entered the total oxygen inventory of the supply and the oxygen demand of the plane in which the supply is installed.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting GPS interference is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting interference in a Global Positioning System comprises the steps of receiving at least one satellite signal from one or more satellites in a Global Positioning System; identifying a noise floor value from the at least one satellite signal; identifying an interference signal based on the noise floor value; determining an interference value for the interference signal from the noise floor value wherein a level of the noise floor value corresponds to a level of interference; and providing the interference value to at least one user for informing the user of the interference signal.

Abstract: A method for padding interlaced texture information on a reference VOP to perform a motion estimation detects whether said each texture macroblock of the reference VOP is a boundary block or not. After the undefined texture pixels of the boundary block are extrapolated from the defined texture pixels thereof by using a horizontal repetitive padding, a transparent row padding and a transparent field padding sequentially, an undefined adjacent block is expanded based on the extrapolated boundary block.

Abstract: A sound reproduction unit comprises a central, head receiving portion and opposite first and second ends. The first and second ends have opposed front and back surfaces. A first acoustic transducer is mounted within the first end and a second acoustic transducer is mounted within the second end. First, second, third and fourth acoustically substantially transparent pathways are provided between the first transducer and the front surface of the first end, the first transducer and the back surface of the first end, the second transducer and the front surface of the second end, and between the second transducer and the back surface of the second end, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to remove a block effect and a ring effect appearing in a compression-coded image is disclosed. The present invention is especially applicable to an image compression-coded at a low bit rate. In particular, the present invention includes a variety of masks for the removal of the block/ring effect. Thus, one mask is select for a pixel to be filtered. Moreover, candidate pixels to be averaged with the pixel to be filtered is selected from the pixels of the selected mask to better maintain the details of the image, and a weight is applied to improve the calculation speed of the averaging operation. More particularly, the masks according to the present invention have longer tabs toward adjacent blocks at boundaries of the given block to remove the block and ring effect. In the method, a pixel of an image is filtered according to a filtering methodology. The filtering methodology includes selecting a filtering mask based on a position of a pixel to be filtered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to remove a block effect and a ring effect appearing in a compression-coded image is disclosed. The present invention is especially applicable to an image compression-coded at a low bit rate. In particular, the present invention includes a variety of masks for the removal of the block/ring effect. Thus, one mask is select for a pixel to be filtered. Moreover, candidate pixels to be averaged with the pixel to be filtered is selected from the pixels of the selected mask to better maintain the details of the image, and a weight is applied to improve the calculation speed of the averaging operation. More particularly, the masks according to the present invention have longer tabs toward adjacent blocks at boundaries of the given block to remove the block and ring effect. In the method, a filtering mask is selected based on a position of a pixel to be filtered. The filtering mask includes the pixel to be filtered and at least one candidate pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to remove a block effect and a ring effect appearing in a compression-coded image is disclosed. The present invention is especially applicable to an image compression-coded at a low bit rate. In particular, the present invention includes a variety of masks for the removal of the block/ring effect. Thus, one mask is select for a pixel to be filtered. Moreover, candidate pixels to be averaged with the pixel to be filtered is selected from the pixels of the selected mask to better maintain the details of the image, and a weight is applied to improve the calculation speed of the averaging operation. More particularly, the masks according to the present invention have longer tabs toward adjacent blocks at boundaries of the given block to remove the block and ring effect. In an embodiment, the filtering unit is configured to select a filtering mask based on a position of a pixel to be filtered. The filtering mask includes the pixel to be filtered and at least one candidate pixel.

Abstract: A fibre optic cable includes a core of primary coated optical fibres embedded in an inner layer of acrylate material, having sufficient tensile strength when cured to lock at least the outermost fibres in place and still allow the fibres to be easily broken out of the assembly for termination and splicing purposes. The hardness of the acrylate layer is such that at least the outermost fibres of the bundle are restricted from moving axially relative to the inner layer. The inner layer is then surrounded by a loose thin jacket formed from a mixture of high density polyethylene having a Shore hardness greater than or equal to 60 and a generally uniformly distributed slip agent, including a polyether modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material. The mixture from which the outer layer is formed is compacted by means of heat and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for accomplishing a requested operation selectively based upon features of other equipment between equippments connected through a digital interface such as the IEEE 1394.

Abstract: A method of preparing a trace element solution includes the steps of providing at least one EDTA-complex, providing a sodium selenite solution, and combining the EDTA-complex(es) and the sodium selenite solution to form a trace element solution. A EDTA complex is prepared by using disodium EDTA or EDTA acid, selenium, and any other suitable mineral.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the regulation of type II collagen gene expression in cartilage cells via the application of specific and selective fields generated by specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals in the treatment of diseased or injured articular cartilage. By gene expression is meant the up regulation or down regulation of the process whereby specific portions (genes) of the human genome (DNA) are transcribed into mRNA and subsequently translated into protein. Methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of injured or diseased cartilage tissue that include generating specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals that generate specific and selective fields optimized for type II collagen gene expression and exposing cartilage tissue to the specific and selective fields generated by specific and selective signals so as to regulate type II collagen gene expression in such cartilage tissue.

Abstract: A personal emergency communication system includes a user-carried portable communication unit having a single button, which when depressed by the user, wirelessly sends a call request signal to a base unit. The base unit initiates a telephone call through a dial-up network to an emergency response center and places an operator at the emergency center responder in wireless voice communication with the portable unit when the call is connected. The telephone number to be called can be stored in at least one of the portable unit and the base unit. A speech synthesizer operating in combination with automated voice messages stored in at least one of the base unit and portable unit system memory are used to advise the user of the status of the call, and to provide the user with verbal confirmation that functional systems of the base unit are the system is functionally operating properly.

Abstract: Methods of treating tumors in a mammal, especially a human that has demonstrated resistance to other chemotherapeutic agents, is disclosed. Specifically, methods of the present invention are effective in tumors that have initially been unresponsive to taxane therapy, or have developed resistance during the course of treatment. The methods of the present invention comprise administering epothilone derivatives selected from those represented by the formula: The subject epothilone derivatives are advantageous in addition to their enhanced potency and effectiveness against tumors that have demonstrated resistance to therapy with taxane oncology agents in that they are efficacious upon oral administration.

Abstract: A device, potentially implantable in a living organism, intended to utilize at least a part of the hydraulic energy generated by the heart (10)—the primary unit—at the natural phases of work when the cavities of the heart (11, 12 and 16, 17) are filed with blood. The device includes at least one secondary unit (24), which is connectable to the cardiovascular system of the organism and arranged to utilize said hydraulic energy. The secondary unit is represented by at least one hydraulic motor (24a) arranged to transfer the hydraulic energy to a transferal organ (28). The transferal organ (28) is arranged to influence at least one tertiary unit, for example an executive device (29), which is constructed in order to convert the transferred energy to an alternative form of energy, with the purpose to influence certain defined functions within the organism. Preferably is arranged a regulating device (30) in order to control running parameters of the unit.

Abstract: A device (100) and method (200, 300) authenticate and secure control event data for a vehicle, wherein the device includes: A) a microcontroller (104), coupled to receive control event information, for attaching a first time stamp and vehicle identification number VIN to the control event information to provide first information and sending the first information to memory (106) in time overlap fashion; B) the memory (106), coupled to the microcontroller (104) and a microprocessor (108), for storing first information and second information in time overlap fashion; and C) the microprocessor (108), coupled to the memory (106) and a plurality of transducers (110), for determining whether received impact data varies from previous impact data, and where received impact data varies, adding a second time stamp and VIN to the received impact data to form second information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the efficient entry and display of ground taxi routes on an electronic airport map display. The system may include a touchscreen entry device, a display device, a computer, a map database, a vehicle position sensor and a transmitter/receiver. The system may be configured to check the ground taxi entries to ensure that each successive segment is contiguous with the last or next segment, and any gaps or discontinuities in the displayed taxi instructions may be annunciated. An intelligent display of next possible segments may be incorporated into the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for driving a network interface card. The process includes monitoring the status of a plurality of ports connected between a computer and a network. Detecting a failure in one of the plurality of ports connected to the network. Re-assigning data transmitted over the failed one of the plurality of ports to an active port of the plurality of ports selected in a round robin technique . The process further including receiving data over one of the plurality of ports designated as a primary receiving port. Preferably, when the failed one of the plurality of ports is the primary receiving port, the receiving tasks are assigned to a next active port selected in a round robin technique .

Abstract: Human clothing has inner and outer flexible layers that define a space sufficiently large to position a thermal transfer element in any of multiple, non-overlapping positions. The space and the thermal transfer element preferably have cooperating sides of a hook-and-loop attachment. All suitable items of clothing are contemplated, but especially a shirt, jacket or pants that appear to others as a substantially normal garment. Each space has one or more openings, in either the inner or outer layers, and preferably at the shoulders or sides of the torso, or at the pocket areas of pants. The spaces are preferably large, not only relative to the size of a corresponding thermal transfer element, but also to the size of the garment. Thermal transfer elements are preferably disposed in pouches having a thermal insulation on that side, and have only a very thin, thermally transmissive, fabric on the other side.

Abstract: A protective garment for a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker has a shell of high visibility with trim that is reflective, fluorescent, or both, a shell of low visibility without such trim, and a moisture barrier between the shells. Being reversible, the protective garment is wearable with either shell facing outwardly and with the other shell facing inwardly. In terms of heat resistance, flame resistance, and tear strength, each shell conform to all applicable standards of NFPA 1971 for outer shells of protective clothing. In terms of thermal protection performance, the protective garment conforms to all applicable standards of NFPA 1971 for all layers of protective clothing. Desirably, the protective garment conforms to the standards of NFPA 1971, no matter which shell faces outwardly when the protective garment is worn, except that the shell of low visibility does not have trim that is reflective, fluorescent, or both.

Abstract: A single layer, lightweight protective garment prepared from a fabric made of woven polytetrafluoroethylene staple fiber yam, the fabric having an outer surface composed fluoropolymer staple fibers.

Abstract: A connecting and retaining structure for a shoe covering and trouser leg combination includes a connecting portion, a retaining portion, an extension portion, a position fixing portion and a shoe covering, and is capable of covering of the leg portion of a user against rain. A periphery of the retaining portion forms a covering that enables the extension portion and the shoe covering to be retained therein. The shoe covering is joined to a lower end of the extension portion, and is provided with an opening, through which the shoe covering and the extension portion can be rolled up and then disposed within the retaining portion. The extension portion adopts a flexible soft lining having length longer than the connecting portion, and provides an allowance for displacement and extension of the legs of the user when wearing the shoe coverings, thereby enabling unhindered large extending movements of the legs.