Abstract: A new and distinct variety of cactus pear having the following unique combination of desirable features: 1. A fruit with a yellow/orange colored edible interior portion. 2. An average Brix of 13.1% 3. An average firmness of the pulp of 3.1 lb 4. An average pulp percentage of 55%. 5. A fruit weight ranging from 140 to 220 g. 6. Cladodes that have a low percentage of areoles with spines and those areoles only have 1 spine per areole of maximum length of 10 mm.

Abstract: A new and distinct grapevine variety characterized by producing early ripening, round berries with uniform red colored berry skin. The berries have high sugar content and a mild, sweet Muscat flavor. A cluster of fruit has good attachment, but is not as compact as those of other comparable varieties.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of a slash pine tree which has been denominated varietally as ‘CF PS1-3352’ which is distinguished by high growth rate, good resistance to fusiform rust and pitch canker, excellent stem straightness, medium crown width, long stem internodes, flat to medium branch angle and medium branch diameter.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleja plant named ‘Podaras #1’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely flowering habit; sterile creamy white-colored flowers with orange-colored centers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleja plant named ‘Podaras #3’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; freely flowering habit; sterile orange-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new variety of Pelargonium named ‘KLEPZ09251’ particularly characterized by dark green foliage with strong leaf zonation, shiny salmon inflorescences with a lighter border, and a medium growth habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘RF13871’, characterized by its compact, mounding and outwardly spreading to trailing plant habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; dark purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘RF13872’, characterized by its compact, mounding and outwardly spreading to trailing plant habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; large dark purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A plant variety of the Cactaceae family, Schlumbergera truncata, called ‘Gail Glazier’ having a predominantly white colored bloom characterized as R.H.S 155 D (white group). The new variety has a strong resistance to bud abscission, a strong propensity for buds to mature and flower, an erect growth habit, and an ability to branch easily with minimal pruning, contributing to a dense appearance.

Abstract: A new and distinct form of Agastache plant characterized by red flowers, large, dense flower spikes, an upright branching habit, a long bloom time, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Heuchera plant characterized by rose colored flowers in a wand-type inflorescence, small yellow to lime colored leaves, very free flowering on short flower stalks, repeat blooming, and a well branched, small, mounding habit.

Abstract: A pipette assembly for automatic pipetting machines including a stepped mandrel and tip for providing a minimum contact seal between the pipette tip and mandrel. The mandrel includes a first cylindrical portion with a first exterior diameter and a second cylindrical portion with a second exterior diameter. Raised bands on the first and second cylindrical portions contact the interior wall of the pipette tip to form seals. Because only a portion of the mandrel, specifically the seal portions, contacts the pipette tip, lower forces are required to insert the tip onto the mandrel.

Abstract: A clipless bicycle pedal employing a clamping mechanism which engages a binding plate on the bottom of a rider's shoe. The clamping mechanism includes two units which pivot about the same axis to engage the binding plate and which may share a biasing mechanism. The pivot axis maybe the same axis as the pedal shaft. The overall structure of the preferred embodiment provides a clipless pedal which is lightweight and easy to assembly and maintain.

Abstract: An automated cleaning system, where dairy cows pass through a foot bath region. The foot bath is periodically changed by implementing an agitation phase where high velocity water jets agitate the waste material in the foot bath and causes these to be discharged, followed by a drain phase where the liquid flows out an outlet. Then, a flushing phase removes the further debris, with the foot bath then being refilled with water and chemical disinfecting liquid for a subsequent cycle where another group of cows would pass through the foot bath region.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The remaining fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.

Abstract: The spill resistant bubble machine is an invention that because of its unique geometry and design, prevents spillage of liquid when filled to the fill line or below, and oriented in any position. At the same time the invention is capable of automatic and continuous bubble generation. It is principally intended for use by young children in the hands free automatic generation of bubbles, especially while riding a bicycle, without spilling its liquid contents.

Abstract: A battery charger system, for use with an injector system, comprises a power supply and a battery pack. The power supply converts AC power to DC power. The battery pack includes a battery and a charging module. The module monitors the operating mode of the injector system. When the battery pack is disconnected from the injection control unit, the module enables the power supply to charge the battery with DC power. When the battery pack is connected to the injection control unit: (A) upon detecting the injector system in an idle mode, the module routes DC power from the power supply to both the battery for charging thereof and the injection control unit for operation thereof; and (B) upon detecting the injector system in a non-idle mode, the module prevents the power supply from charging the battery and enables the battery to provide DC power to the injection control unit.

Abstract: A switched-mode Class F power amplifier is provided for parallel connection with at least one other like amplifier, within a Chireix architecture, for combining the signals output therefrom. An input component includes at least one active device configured to be alternately switched by a signal input thereto to present an amplified signal corresponding to the input signal and constituting a low output impedance voltage source. A lumped element impedance inverter is provided between the input component and an output resonator component, the impedance inverter being configured for transforming the low output impedance voltage source to instead constitute a high output impedance current source configured for said parallel connection. In accordance with the invention, the negative reactive component values required by the impedance inverter are eliminated and effectively provided by incorporating those values into pre-selected reactive components of the input and output components.

Abstract: A rechargeable universal remote control assembly for providing a multi-function multipurpose remote control with a base charger, remote control finder, and other functional features includes a remote control and a base unit. The remote control is recharged using the base unit. The base unit also includes a button operationally coupled to a transmitter for sending a locate signal to the remote control. The remote control includes a receiver for receiving the locate signal. In response to the locate signal, the remote control provides audio and visual signals to assist a user in finding the remote control unit. The remote control has capability to operate multiple devices including TVs, VCRs, satellite receivers, audio and visual receivers, stereo equipment, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the performance of a caregiver are disclosed. The systems may be configured to monitor the movement of each caregiver subject in a network of caregivers subjects. One such system includes a plurality of strips adhered in spaced-apart relation on a mattress pad, upon which a subject is positioned. One or more transmitter is provided coupled to the plurality of strips. A processor is connected to the one or more transmitter. The processor is provided with operating software to record and report caregiver activity or both caregiver activity and subject activity.

Abstract: A clock recovery circuit in a digital display unit for recovering a time reference signal associated with analog display data. The clock recovery circuit includes a phase-locked loop (PLL) implemented in digital domain and an analog filter to eliminate any undesirable frequencies from the output signal of the PLL. The PLL includes independent control loops to track long term frequency drifts of the time reference signal and the transient phase differences respectively. By providing such independent control loops, the generated clock can be better synchronized with the time reference signal. Scaling a source image formed of a number of source image elements to provide a destination image formed of a number of destination image elements using a line buffer and no frame buffer.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method and an apparatus for controlling a display mode in a portable computer. When a display mode of a liquid crystal display (LCD) is changed such as in response to a user's request, information of the changed display mode is stored being associated with a system mode. When a system is rebooted or the system mode is changed in a state in which the display mode information is stored, display mode information stored being associated with a current system mode is read, and the LCD display mode is set to an arbitrary display mode corresponding to the read display mode information. And, when a change of the LCD display mode is requested by the user, a wallpaper image for the requested display mode can be retrieved from among wallpaper images for display modes stored separately and displayed on the LCD.

Abstract: An image projection system includes a light source for generating a light beam, a reflective housing, and an invisible-light reflector. The reflective housing includes an opening and forms an accommodating space for accommodating the light source so that the light beam can emit from the opening along an optical path. The invisible-light reflector, whose normal is arranged to form an acute angle with the optical path, is installed at a reflecting position intersecting with the optical path outside the opening of the reflective housing. The invisible light of the light beam will be reflected back to the accommodating space by the invisible-light reflector without any destruction caused by the invisible light.

Abstract: A multiple-field sensor for a scanner suitable for scanning a document. The scanner includes a multiple-field sensor, an average accumulator, and a block of memory. The multiple-field sensor has a plurality of sensing lines for each color channel. Each sensing line picks up a portion of image signal from the document during scanning. The sensing lines scan the same portion of the document to produce corresponding image signals. The average accumulator averages the image signals obtained from the sensing lines of the same color channel to produce an average image signal. The block of memory is used as a storage area for image signals in general and the average image signal in particular.

Abstract: Magnetic tunnel junction magnetic device (16) for writing and reading uses a reference layer (20c) and a storage layer (20a) separated by a semiconductor or insulating layer (20b), which can include an antiferromagnetic layer adjacent the storage layer. The blocking temperature of the magnetisation magnetization of the storage layer is less than that of the reference layer. The storage layer is heated (22, 24) above the blocking temperature of its magnetisation magnetization. A magnetic field (34) or a magnetic torque created by the injection of spin polarized electrons is applied (26) to it orientating its magnetization with respect to that of the reference layer without modifying the orientation of the reference layer.

Abstract: A portable data storage device receives data from a digital broadcast signal receiver that is adapted to separate the data from a digital broadcast signal. The portable data storage device includes a first transceiver that communicates with a second transceiver associated with the digital broadcast signal receiver and further includes a memory for storing the received data. A processor disposed within the portable data storage device controls the storage of the data and further causes a data request signal to be generated and transmitted to the digital broadcast signal receiver. A controller disposed within the digital broadcast signal receiver responds to the data request signal by causing the data separated from the digital broadcast signal to be transmitted via the second transceiver to the portable data storage device. The portable data storage device further includes a data communication port for transferring the data to a personal computer.

Abstract: An input image signal is coded by an encoder to be outputted as a basic code string, and the basic code string is delayed by a code-string delay circuit for a predetermined period of time to be outputted as an additional code string. The basic code string is synthesized with the additional code string by a code-string synthesizer to be outputted as an output code string. Thus, there is provided an image data coding system which can quickly restore data even if the data is lost due to error and in which the increased code amount is less than the cycle refresh and the error correction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital broadcast recording apparatus which prevents an unnecessary recording in a situation where it is not possible to descramble a program or it is prohibited to record a scrambled program. The digital broadcast recording apparatus includes a descrambler that detects a channel where a descrambling-not-possible situation occurs. The apparatus also includes a service manager which terminates the recording and writes, into a management table, that a descrambling-not-possible situation has occurred during recording, when there is recording data showing that recording is being executed on the channel which is detected as having the descrambling-not-possible situation.

Abstract: To provide an electro-optical apparatus having a power-supply wiring structure that is capable of supplying a sufficient electrical power to a common electrode of electro-optical devices. An electro-optical apparatus according to the present invention comprises electro-optical devices having a laminated structure including first electrode layers formed on or above a viewing area 11 of a substrate 15 and a second electrode layer 14 formed on or above the first electrode layers, the laminated structure further including first power lines for supplying a voltage to the first electrode layers and second power wiring 16 electrically connected to the second electrode layer, wherein the first power lines and the second power lines are arranged on or above the viewing area and are arranged in the same layer as the first electrode layers or below the first electrode layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel conformationally-defined macrocyclic compounds that have been demonstrated to be selective modulators of the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a and subtypes, isoforms and variants thereof). Methods of synthesizing the novel compounds are also described herein. These compounds are useful as agonists of the ghrelin receptor and as medicaments for treatment and prevention of a range of medical conditions including, but not limited to, metabolic and/or endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and obesity-associated disorders, central nervous system disorders, genetic disorders, hyperproliferative disorders and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: An artery, vein, aneurysm, vascular malformation or arterial fistula is occluded through endovascular occlusion by the endovascular insertion of a platinum wire and/or tip into the vascular cavity. The vascular cavity is packed with the tip to obstruct blood flow or access of blood in the cavity such that the blood clots in the cavity and an occlusion if formed. The tip may be elongate and flexible so that it packs the cavity by being folded upon itself a multiple number of times, or may pack the cavity by virtue of a filamentary or fuzzy structure of the tip. The tip is then separated from the wire mechanically or by electrolytic separation of the tip from the wire. The wire and the microcatheter are thereafter removed leaving the tip embedded in the thrombus formed within the vascular cavity. Movement of wire in the microcatheter is more easily tracked by providing a radioopaque proximal marker on the microcatheter and a corresponding indicator marker on the wire.

Abstract: A vertebral osteosynthesis device includes at least two bone anchoring elements (1) in the vertebral bone structures respectively (S, L5.), a longitudinal linking member (2) between the bone anchoring elements, and connector links (3) between the bone anchoring elements and said linking members. Each bone anchoring element includes a bond fixing part (4), a head (5) to be gripped by a screwing device, a threaded shaft (7) extending the grip head, and a clamping element (8) to be screwed on said shaft to lock together the connector link, the longitudinal linking member and the corresponding bone anchoring element; the threaded shaft (7) is provided at its end with a hinge ball joint (11) in a housing (12) of the grip head (5), enabling a multidirectional adjustment of the shaft (7) and a positioning of the connector link (3) adapted to the vertebral segment configuration (S, L5, . . . Lw) receiving the bone anchoring elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for decoding a message symbol in an audio signal. This message symbol is represented by first and second code symbols displaced in time. Values representing the code signals are accumulated and the accumulated values are examined to detect the message symbol.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for universally rotatably adjusting a night vision device with respect to a helmet is provided that includes a first attachment mechanism for connection to the night vision device; a second attachment mechanism for connection to the helmet; and a universally rotatable joint for universally rotatably adjusting the night vision device with respect to the helmet.

Abstract: A haircutting cape worn by a user that includes a front closure configuration is provided. The front closure configuration provides an unobstructed and seamless interface between the haircutting cape and the back of the user's neck. Moreover, the haircutting cape provides a barrier over substantially all of the user's body, thus effectively protecting the user from cut hair, water, and chemicals that are associated with barber and hair salon services. The haircutting cape includes a collar, a back portion, a first front portion, and a second front portion. The collar secures the haircutting cape to the user's neck, while the back portion covers the back of the user, and the first and second front portions cover the front of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fitting a person with a maternity garment includes one or more prosthetic devices. Each prosthetic device simulates a belly enlarged by a corresponding stage of pregnancy, to be worn by a person while wearing the maternity garment to simulate the fit and appearance of the maternity garment being worn by a pregnant person.

Abstract: A protective garment including a first portion which is generally impermeable to gases and a second portion which is generally impermeable to gases. The second portion is releasably coupled to the first portion at a joint which is generally impermeable to gases.

Abstract: A fishing vest/chest pack has a backpack slidably attached to its shoulder straps to enable the backpack to be flipped between a first stored position and a second in front position enabling ready access to the contents of the backpack without the need to remove the garment.

Abstract: A method of making a cuff by obtaining a piece of flexible material in the shape of a rectangle having first and second longitudinal edges, front and back faces, and first and second latitudinal edges; folding over the first and second latitudinal edges to meet the parallel fold lines; uniting the latitudinal edges to the fold lines to form first and second hems; folding a first half of the flexible material back over a second half of the flexible material along the third fold line so that the front face is on the interior and hems are on the exterior forming a tube; uniting the first and second longitudinal edges to form a flat tube having a closed tube edge, which is divided into a first closed tube edge and a second closed tube edge; folding the first closed tube edge over the second closed tube edge along a fourth fold line, which is perpendicular to the closed tube edge, so that the second hem is brought adjacent to but does not overlap the first hem to form a folded flattened tube; uniting the first clo

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ear warmer device. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for making ear warmers and ear warmer frames.

Abstract: Articles of apparel include: (a) a garment structure having one or more fabric elements structured and arranged to provide a close fit to at least one predetermined portion of a body (e.g., area(s) of the body for which enhanced position sensing and/or feedback are desired, such as the lower back, the arch of the foot, etc.); and (b) a body position feedback system engaged with or integrally formed as part of the garment structure. The body position feedback system may apply higher tensile or constricting (compressive) forces to selected portions of the wearer's body, which can help stimulate or interact with nerves and deep tissue receptors located in various portions of the body. The increased forces at selected locations of the body give the wearer sensory feedback regarding the position or orientation of these parts of the body and can improve or accelerate development of “muscle memory.