Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘Hokomac’, characterized by its narrowly upright plant habit; strong erect stems; relatively small leaves; and mophead-type inflorescences with red purple and green-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘Hokomarevo’, characterized by its upright plant habit; strong erect stems; relatively small leaves; and mophead-type inflorescences with durable flowers that are initially light red purple in color becoming red purple and light green with development.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘Hokomathyst’, characterized by its broadly upright plant habit; strong erect stems; relatively small leaves; and mophead-type inflorescences with red purple-colored flowers with green-colored margins.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Achillea plant named ‘Peachy Seduction’, characterized by its upright, columnar and mounded plant habit; strong and vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit with plants remaining in flower for a long period time; inflorescences with peachy pink-colored ray florets; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Gomphrena plant named ‘Balboa’, characterized by its tall and upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; large grey green-colored leaves; and purple-colored flowers with a white lanulose-colored reverse giving a bi-color appearance to the flower.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysocephalum plant named ‘Bonchryki’, characterized by its compact, low spreading and mounding plant habit; pubescent greyed green-colored leaves, stems and peduncles; freely flowering habit; bright yellow-colored inflorescences that are positioned above and beyond the foliar plane; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Suntapicore’, characterized by its compact, upright to trailing plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; and vivid red-colored flowers that are held above and beyond the foliar plane.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tesmach’, characterized by its compact and uniformly mounding plant habit; sturdy and strong plants; moderately vigorous growth habit; red purple-colored flowers with short pedicels; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Koncajoli’, characterized by its compact and mounding plant habit; sturdy and strong plants; vigorous growth habit; light red-colored flowers with distinct red purple-colored stripes; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tesnava’, characterized by its compact and uniformly mounding plant habit; sturdy and strong plants; moderately vigorous growth habit; purple and white bi-colored flowers with short pedicels; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tesmaya’, characterized by its compact and uniformly mounding plant habit; sturdy and strong plants; moderately vigorous growth habit; white and light red bi-colored flowers with short pedicels; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Eureka Blue’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; large violet blue-colored flowers with purple-colored venation and white-colored centers; long and continuous flowering period; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bidens plant named ‘BID 719’, characterized by its semi-upright, outwardly spreading to somewhat trailing plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely flowering habit; large inflorescences with bright yellow-colored ray florets; and strong peduncles that hold the inflorescences above and beyond the foliar plane.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula plant named ‘Pink Summer’, characterized by its compact, upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching growth habit; dense and bushy plant form; early and freely flowering habit; purple-colored flowers with light violet-colored terminal flower bracts; flowers arranged in compact verticillasters on crowded spikes; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula plant named ‘Early Summer’, characterized by its compact, upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching growth habit; dense and bushy plant form; early and freely flowering habit; dark violet blue-colored flowers with violet-colored terminal flower bracts; flowers arranged in compact verticillasters on crowded spikes; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Senecio plant named ‘Sunsenevio’, characterized by its upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; freely flowering habit; and large daisy-type inflorescences with purple violet-colored ray florets and darker violet-colored disc florets.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting and stirring curd, comprising a curd vat with a shaft drivable for rotation, which shaft carries a number of cutting frames extending radially from the shaft and arranged on the shaft in staggered relation, each cutting frame having two frame girders, which extend radially from the drivable shaft and between which a lattice work is situated formed from longitudinal knives and transverse knives, the transverse knives being mounted on the frame girders by welding. The transverse knives form openings which are in line, in which the longitudinal knives are received with ample play, while means are provided for substantially preventing displacement of the longitudinal knives in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A motor-driven throttle valve control device has a throttle shaft and a coupling lever rotatably provided on the shaft, both being coupled by a spring. A default spring energizes the coupling lever toward a position of the default opening of the throttle valve. The throttle shaft rotates separately from the coupling lever in the direction of the full open throttle valve from a point at which the coupling lever comes into contact with a stopper defining the default position and, together with the coupling lever, in the full close direction of the throttle valve from the point. Thereby, the throttle valve can be kept at the default position by the default spring through the coupling lever when a motor driving the throttle valve is not powered.

Abstract: A throttle control apparatus for an engine on a vehicle is provided, in which the number of component parts in the position detection means and the driven means is reduced to improve the accuracy in its position control and at the same time an integrated wiring is achieved and connectors are aggregated. The position detection means for detecting the position of a control valve, the driven means for controlling the position of the control valve, the means for processing control signals, an output from the position control means for controlling the position of the control valve are disposed within a sealed space defined by a body supporting a control valve shaft, and a cover. Based on the fact that the number of component parts of the position detection means may be reduced, the mechanical hysteresis and electrical hysteresis may also be reduced to improve the accuracy in controlling the control valve position, and it is possible to aggregate the connectors.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus fits adjacent to the nostrils and nose of the user and includes a rigid base for retaining a filtering material thereon through which the user may breathe. The filter material takes the form of an open-cell foam, in the form of a pad, which is removably held between retainer members carried on the rigid base. The foam pad includes a peripheral sidewall and defines an open cavity in the thickness thereof. A clamping device included in the base has an upper and lower plate that are joined together by fasteners. A supporting arrangement for facial wearing comprises a pair of elongated ear support members arranged in spaced-apart relationship and joined together to define a pivot or hinge mechanism that is captured beneath the opposing surfaces of the base plates.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a hopper having an opening. The hopper is adapted to receive a bed of fine powder. At least one chamber, which is moveable to allow the chamber to be placed in close proximity to the opening, is also provided. An element having a proximal end and a distal end is positioned within the hopper such that the distal end is near the opening. A vibrator motor is provided to vibrate the element when within the fine powder.

Abstract: A bottle cap is provided that allows for venting of gases generated in a bottle. A single or multiple ridges are formed on the inner surface of the cap top such that the ridges sit on the bottle mouth rim when the cap is threaded onto the bottle. A single or multiple slots may be formed across each of the ridges. Alternatively, a single or multiple grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the cap top. The ridge(s) or groove(s) may also be formed on a disc fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. When the cap is threaded on to the bottle, gases generated in the bottle can escape through the slot(s) formed across the ridge(s) or through the groove (s) formed on the inner surface of the cap top. A liner having an opening formed through its thickness may be placed in the cap. The liner opening allows the passage of gases from the bottle to the slot(s) or groove(s) formed on the cap top or disc.

Abstract: A card shuffler is disclosed having a card output portion that is easily connectable to either a first output card receiver or a second output card receiver. The first output card receiver enables the dealer to remove cards one at a time from the shuffler. The second output card receiver enables the dealer to remove a group of cards at a time from the shuffler.

Abstract: A rechargeable flashlight and charging assembly are provided in which the charger has a receptacle for vertically receiving a flashlight therein. The charger further has a second receptacle for holding an auxiliary battery, and a latch for securely holding the auxiliary battery in the second receptacle. The flashlight is formed to removably contain a battery assembly. A pivotal cover member of the flashlight provides access to the battery compartment and has a pair of conductors situated therein for connection to charging contacts within the charging receptacle.

Abstract: Circuits, systems, methods and software for controlling a power conversion and/or correcting and/or controlling a power factor in such conversion(s). The present invention generally takes a computational approach to reducing or minimizing zero current periods in the critical mode of power converter operation, and advantageously reduces zero current periods in the critical mode of power converter operation, thereby maximizing the power factor of the power converter in the critical mode and reducing noise that may be injected back into AC power lines. The present power factor controller allows for greater design flexibility, reduced design complexity, and reduced resolution and greater tolerance for error in certain parameter measurements useful in power factor correction and/or control.

Abstract: Circuits, systems, methods and software for controlling a power conversion and/or correcting and/or controlling a power factor in such conversion(s). The present invention generally takes a computational approach to reducing or minimizing zero current periods in the critical mode of power converter operation, and advantageously reduces zero current periods in the critical mode of power converter operation, thereby maximizing the power factor of the power converter in the critical mode and reducing noise that may be injected back into AC power lines. The present power factor controller allows for greater design flexibility, reduced design complexity, and reduced resolution and greater tolerance for error in certain parameter measurements useful in power factor correction and/or control.

Abstract: An optical microscope apparatus selectively arranges a plurality of optical elements in an optical path, and includes: a manual switch unit capable of manually switching any of the plurality of optical elements; a detection unit detecting an arrangement status of manually switched optical elements; a storage unit storing information relating to the arrangement of the plurality of optical elements for each observing method; and an arrangement control unit arranging the plurality of optical elements according to the detection result by the detection unit and the information stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A communication system for sending a sequence of symbols on a communication link. The system includes a transmitter for placing information indicative of the sequence of symbols on the communication link and a receiver for receiving the information placed on the communication link by the transmitter. The transmitter includes a clock for defining successive frames, each of the frames including M time intervals, where M is an integer greater than 1. A modulator modulates each of M carrier signals with a signal related to the value of one of the symbols thereby generating a modulated carrier signal corresponding to each of the carrier signals. The modulated carriers are combined into a sum signal which is transmitted on the communication link. The carrier signals include first and second carriers, the first carrier having a different bandwidth than the second carrier.

Abstract: A copy prevention method and apparatus for a digital video system is disclosed including the steps of: (a) adding a header area of a header start code and key field to a reproduced bit stream: (b) decrypting and transmitting the bit stream to which the header area is added: (c) detecting a key field of the decrypted and transmitted bit stream and detecting copy prevention information; and (d) encrypting the bit stream according to information detected from stop (c) and recording it an tape.

Abstract: A copy prevention method and apparatus for a digital video system is disclosed including the steps of: (a) adding a header area of a header start code and key field to a reproduced bit stream: (b) decrypting and transmitting the bit stream to which the header area is added: (c) detecting a key field of the decrypted and transmitted bit stream and detecting copy prevention information; and (d) encrypting the bit stream according to information detected from stop (c) and recording it an tape.

Abstract: A teleradiology system provides the capability of rendering and studying of a remotely located volume data without requiring transmission of the entire data to the user's local computer. The system comprises: receiving station (300) under the control of a user (400); transmitting station (100); the connecting network (200); the user interface (32) with functionality of controlling volume data rendering, transmission, and display; and the interface with patient data source (10). The teleradiology system of the invention provides an integrated functionality of data transmission of current teleradiology systems and volume data rendering/visualization of current volume data rendering/visualization systems. The system may be readily used with an intranet, the internet (including the internet2) or via a direct dial-up using a telephone line with a modem, and can serve as an enterprise-wide PACS and may be readily integrated with other PACS and image distribution systems.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor test strip with four new features. The test strip includes an indentation for tactile feel as to the location of the strips sample application port. The sample application port leads to a capillary test chamber, which includes a test reagent. The wet reagent includes from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight polyethylene oxide from about 100 kilodaltons to about 900 kilodaltons mean molecular weight, which makes the dried reagent more hydrophilic and sturdier to strip processing steps, such as mechanical punching, and to mechanical manipulation by the test strip user. The roof of the capillary test chamber includes a transparent or translucent window which operates as a “fill to here” line, thereby identifying when enough test sample (a liquid sample, such as blood) has been added to the test chamber to accurately perform a test. The test strip may further include a notch located at the sample application port. The notch reduces a phenomenon called “dose hesitation”.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for inducing the formation of functional replacement nonarticular cartilage tissues and ligament tissues. These methods and devices involve the use of osteogenic proteins, and are useful in repairing defects in the larynx, trachea, interarticular menisci, intervertebral discs, ear, nose, ribs and other fibrocartilaginous tissues in a mammal.

Abstract: An etched grooved GaN-based permeable-base transistor structure is disclosed, along with a method for fabrication of same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing multiple services and an apparatus for the same in a wireless packet data communication system. It guarantees various qualities of the services to a plurality of users by determining priorities of the mobile stations and an amount of resource allocated to each mobile station, and determining priorities of the multiple services and an amount of resource allocated to each service based on the resource allocated to each mobile station.

Abstract: A process for producing an olefin polymer is provided, in which ethylene and at least one kind or more of monomers selected from ?-olefins are polymerized by a high temperature solution polymerization in a temperature range between 120 and 300° C., in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst composed of a bridged metallocene compound represented by general formula [I] described below and at least one kind or more compounds (B) selected from (b-1) an organoaluminum oxy-compound, (b-2) a compound capable of forming an ion pair in a reaction with the bridged metallocene compound mentioned above, and (b-3) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: Circulatory assistance is provided in a non-invasive procedure safely and effectively using a microprocessor of an external counter pulsation device programmed to control the actuation of any or all of a plurality of valves, each of which is mounted on and in fluid communication with one of a plurality of individual inflatable bladders disposed in pockets within cuffs encasing the calves, thighs, buttocks, abdomen and/or chest of a person and an optional valve in fluid communication with the person's airway, in any desired sequence or order, toward the heart or toward the feet, either during diastole or systole, at desired inception times during the cardiac cycle, for selected durations and at chosen pressures, for treating a variety of cardiac, non-cardiac and circulatory conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stimulating revascularization and tissue growth are provided using an apparatus having a directable end region carrying a tissue piercing end effector. The apparatus optionally includes electrodes for depositing RF energy to form a controlled degree of scar tissue formation, means for delivering a controlled amount of a bioactive agent at the treatment site, or both.

Abstract: A treatment tool and tissue collection system, for removal of outer layers of skin to provide a revitalized, fresh skin surface, and a method of using same, comprising a abrasive tipped tool mounted on the end or within the end of a hollow tube, said tube being connected to a source of vacuum. The vacuum aids in maintaining intimate contact between the abrasive tip and the skin during the treatment process and transports the removed tissue to a collection container. The abrasive surface within the tube is a motor driven abrasive pad. Contact between the pad and the abrasive disk is brought about or increased by application of a vacuum through the tube to the skin surface.