Abstract: A new and distinct variety of rose with long lasting, novel lavender flowers, and attractive foliage with good disease resistance. It exhibits uniform, compact growth with abundant flowers. The new variety propagates well from cuttings and by grafting. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Taxodium distichum named ‘Skyward’ characterized by its upright and tight growth habit with ascending branching and a rounded tip, its dense branching with a lush and full canopy of foliage from near the base to the top of the tree, its compact plant habit with a small and narrow profile reaching about 7 m in height and 1.2 m in width in 20 years, its lack of surface roots when grown in areas with moist soil, its observed resistance to disease, drought, and insect damage and its tolerance to heavy accumulations of ice.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Thuja plant named ‘Anniek’ characterized by its compact plant habit and globular plant form; freely branching habit; dense and bushy form; leaves that are soft to the touch; developing leaves are yellow green in color in the spring and summer becoming bronze in color in the autumn and winter; and good winter hardiness.

Abstract: A variety of Carpinus betulus which combines a unique combination of faster growth, with an upright growth habit with a sturdy trunk, and upward orientated branches, and darker green, larger summer leaves.

Abstract: A variety of bur oak which combines a straight, upright trunk, a narrowly oval to narrowly pyramidal upright growth habit, glossy dark green foliage, and resistance to powdery mildew and anthracnose.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Viburnum plant named ‘Lisarose’, characterized by its broadly upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; numerous pink and white-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new variety of clematis plant named ‘Festival’. The variety is characterized by it's dwarf growing habit and prolific very symmetrical bicolor blooms. The compact habit, high bud count, compact dark green foliage make this an excellent clematis for containers and small spaces.

Abstract: A new Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Syema Corbi’ particularly distinguished by the large, two-toned red colored inflorescences, dark yellow-green foliage, nicely mounded plant habit with a late natural flowering season of about mid October.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Duephowi’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and large white-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Bkdapbg’, characterized by its compact, upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; dense and bushy growth habit; early and continuous flowering habit; semi-double inflorescences with dark red purple-colored ray florets; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Bkdaprs’, characterized by its compact, upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; dense and bushy growth habit; early and continuous flowering habit; semi-double inflorescences with light pink-colored ray florets; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Bkdapcr’, characterized by its compact, upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; dense and bushy growth habit; early and continuous flowering habit; semi-double inflorescences with red-colored ray florets and dark red-colored disc florets; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Bkdapor’, characterized by its compact, upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; dense and bushy growth habit; early and continuous flowering habit; semi-double inflorescences with orange-colored ray florets and dark red-colored disc florets; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Fikalswan’, characterized by its compact, upright and uniform plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching plant habit; glossy and green-colored leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; large white-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Aglaonema plant, denominated ‘UF-808-4’, characterized by medium sized and upright plant growth habit, vigorous and dense growth habit, dark green-colored leaves with large grey green-colored venal areas covering over half the leaf surface, and petioles and stems possessing numerous white spots.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Sedum plant substantially as shown and described, with deep red purple flowers in a large inflorescence, cut and dark leaf margins, new leaves that are glossy, yellow green tinted red brown with red margins, strongly upright stems, and a low, clumping habit.

Abstract: A multicylinder petrol engine is provided with a hydraulic system for variable actuation of the valves, which enables easy control of operation of the engine according to different strategies. The engines according to the invention is, in particular, able to operate with a variable engine displacement in a modular way via the exclusion of selected cylinders, to control combustion by adjustment of the effective compression ration, and to control re-circulation of the exhaust gases at intake, in order to achieve low levels of consumption and reduced harmful exhaust emissions.

Abstract: UV laser cutting throughput through silicon and like materials is improved by dividing a long cut path (112) into short segments (122), from about 10 ?m to 1 mm. The laser output (32) is scanned within a first short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes before being moved to and scanned within a second short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes. The bite size, segment size (126), and segment overlap (136) can be manipulated to minimize the amount and type of trench backfill. Real-time monitoring is employed to reduce rescanning portions of the cut path 112 (112) where the cut is already completed. Polarization direction of the laser output (32) is also correlated with the cutting direction to further enhance throughput. This technique can be employed to cut a variety of materials with a variety of different lasers and wavelengths. A multi-step process can optimize the laser processes for each individual layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for transmitting and receiving information from a radio frequency (RF) transponder. A conductive adhesive connects an antenna in a non-metallized region to a metallized region. This feature transforms the entire metallized region of the radio frequency device (i.e., the remainder of the metallized material outside the non-metallized region) into an antenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting a digital input data stream from a first sample rate to a second, fixed sample rate using a combination of hardware and software components. In one embodiment, a system includes a rate estimator configured to estimate the sample rate of an input data stream, a phase selection unit configured to select a phase for interpolation of a set of polyphase filter coefficients based on the estimated sample rate, a coefficient interpolator configured to interpolate the filter coefficients based on the selected phase, and a convolution unit configured to convolve the interpolated filter coefficients with samples of the input data stream to produce samples of a re-sampled output data stream. One or more hardware or software components are shared between multiple channels that can process data streams having independently variable sample rates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming wide angle video into perspective corrected viewing zones which either a single user or multiple users may select, orient and magnify. The present invention first captures a wide angle digital video input by any suitable means. The captured image is then stored in a suitable memory means so portions of the image may be selected at a later time. When a portion of the stored video is selected for viewing, a plurality of discrete viewing vectors in three dimensional space are chosen on the video input and transformed to a plurality of control points in a two dimensional plane or any other suitable surface. The area between these points which is still warped from the original wide angle image capture is then transformed to a perspective corrected field of view. The perspective corrected field of view is then displayed on a suitable displaying apparatus, such as a monitor or head mounted display.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising: a block selector that selects one of blocks that contain an amount of features, larger than a predetermined amount of features, from among a plurality of blocks which compose a particular one of a plurality of frames of a moving image of a subject; a motion calculator that calculates a motion vector of each of blocks of a second particular one of the plurality of frames next to the first-mentioned particular frame and corresponding to a respective one of the selected blocks; a displacement calculator that calculates a displacement of the second particular frame based on the calculated motion vectors; and an image shake corrector that corrects an image shake in the moving image based on the calculated displacement.

Abstract: An underwater light, e.g., for a pool or spa, includes an ordinarily watertight housing, an outer compartment within the housing and floodable by water flowing therein in the event the housing is no longer watertight, a current shield within the outer compartment and at least partially defining an inner compartment within the outer compartment, a light emitter within the inner compartment, a passageway communicating between the inner and outer compartments such that outer compartment flood water can enter the inner compartment and contact the light emitter, and a conductor. The conductor is positioned so as to collect stray electrical current conducted from the inner compartment by water within the passageway, thereby reducing the risk of shock presented by such stray electrical current. The underwater light is installable within a wet niche, and includes a transformer housed in a separate compartment that extends into the wet niche for thorough cooling thereof.

Abstract: In a system for sharing hybrid resources in an independent network, each one of a plurality of stations preferably employs a sharing authority transferring protocol that allows the network control function to be moved from station to station depending on the network traffic. Although a distributed coordination method is normally used in the network, when an individual station determines that a real-time data stream is intended for the station, an apparatus having a method and data format for the use thereof allows control to be transferred to the targeted station. This allows the targeted station to control the sharing of the wireless hybrid resources using a centralized control method in a direct mode for the duration of the real-time service transmission, thereby optimizing network efficiency. As a result of using the distributed control authority of the present invention, a station may be freely subscribe/withdraw to/from the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of combating the problem of interference in master-slave time division duplex indoor wireless networks based on standards, such as the Bluetooth™ standard, is proposed. The method involves a frequency look-ahead scheme in frequency hopping systems, a scheme of monitoring states of master-slave wireless communication links through values recorded in link history counters, and a scheme of scheduling an appropriate slave unit and choosing a suitable packet size to overcome the effect of interfering sources, if any, in the pico-cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating audio signals to be recorded on an optical disc to optimize usage of memory in an audio decoding circuit, and to neutralize invalid audio data to produce good audio quality. A determination is made with regard to whether audio data signals contain normal data or invalid data. Invalid data is adjusted into normal audio data, and stored in the memory. The volume of the data stored in the memory is monitored to detect overflow and underflow conditions of the memory, a data transmitting stopping signal being sent during an overflow condition of the memory, a data transmitting requesting signal being sent during an underflow condition. The audio data reproduced from the memory is decoded, and the decoded audio data is output. Undesired errors are prevented by monitoring the reproduced audio data for invalid data and by adjusting invalid data into normal data when detected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating audio signals to be recorded on an optical disc to optimize usage of memory in an audio decoding circuit, and to neutralize invalid audio data to produce good audio quality. A determination is made with regard to whether audio data signals contain normal data or invalid data. Invalid data is adjusted into normal audio data, and stored in the memory. The volume of the data stored in the memory is monitored to detect overflow and underflow conditions of the memory, a data transmitting stopping signal being sent during an overflow condition of the memory, a data transmitting requesting signal being sent during an underflow condition. The audio data reproduced from the memory is decoded, and the decoded audio data is output. Undesired errors are prevented by monitoring the reproduced audio data for invalid data and by adjusting invalid data into normal data when detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening molecules and methods to detect protein-protein interactions and means used therein. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for screening candidate drugs for treating or detecting MIF (macrophage migration inhibitor factor) related diseases. In certain aspects, the present invention involves detecting MIF/Jab1 (c-Jun activation domain binding protein) interactions as a basis for modulating cellular regulatory pathways and for identifying candidate drugs for MIF-related diseases. The invention also provides methods for the identification of molecules which dissociate or prevent interaction or binding between MIF and Jab1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved golf glove for ensuring proper grip and alignment when worn by a user while playing golf. The glove can include several restrictors located between the thumb and fingers of the glove to prevent the fingers from separating, while still allowing the ends of each finger to move freely.

Abstract: Ladies' pants has an inside belt portion that is provided with an eyelet buttonhole as a second buttonhole. A moving cloth is provided inside the inside belt portion. A button is sewn on the moving cloth and is taken out from the eyelet buttonhole so as to be movable inside the eyelet buttonhole. If the button is engaged with the second buttonhole, the eyelet buttonhole is hidden under an outside belt portion. Then, the ladies' pants allows a waist size to continuously change, thereby giving a wearer a relaxed and comfortable wearing feeling. A round part of the eyelet buttonhole is located at a position corresponding to nearly a center of the moving cloth when the moving cloth returns to its original position. Then, even if the button is detached, the button can be stitched by scoop sewing through the round part of the eyelet buttonhole. Thus, the button can be surely reattached to the moving cloth.

Abstract: Footwear hosiery is provided, which includes a first layer defining a front portion, an arch portion and a rear portion. A second layer is connected with at least one of the arch portion and the front portion in a configuration to define a receptacle having an opening. A pad is configured for removable disposal within the receptacle. The first layer may be a fabric material. The second layer may be fabricated from a flexible material.

Abstract: A protective insert adapted to convert a standard baseball cap into a protective head guard, while maintaining the cap's desired attributes, such as comfort and stability. The protective insert of the present invention in combination with a baseball cap, not only protects a wearer from head injuries caused by impact force, but also has the attributes of stability, light weight and comfort so that it may be worn for extended periods during more intense activity than conventional baseball helmets.

Abstract: To enable a front portion of a chest protector to be easily undone to allow cooling down while maintaining the protection performance for the chest protector fitted to a garment. A chest protector detachably fitted to an interior surface of a body garment includes left and right protective shell members, with the left and right protective shell members engaging in a separable manner.

Abstract: A toilet featuring a lift and clean toilet seat hinge includes a toilet bowl, toilet seat, and the hinge includes a hinge base, a post, and a flap for closing the hinge base. The mounting post is provided with an expandable head and the flap includes a ring for expanding the head in order to releasably lock the mounting post to the toilet seat hinge base.

Abstract: An external automatic flush helper comprises a housing and fixing means for fixing the housing onto a toilet tank. Within the housing there are provided with a DC power supply, a controller powered by the DC power supply, an infrared sensor and a motor connected with the controller, and an actuating mechanism connected with the motor. An end actuator of the actuating mechanism is arranged in alignment with the button of the toilet tank. The end actuator can be actuated and move out of an opening in the housing when a user status is detected by the infrared sensor, and thus press the button of the toilet tank. Therefore, automatic flushing can be achieved contactlessly.

Abstract: A dual flush volume pressurized flush device. A pressurized tank includes a tray for controllably retaining water during a flush event. The tray retains a certain volume of water when a reduced flush is activated, such that the entire volume of the tank is not flushed. In a full flush event, the activation causes substantially the entire volume of the tank to be flushed, including the volume of water inside the tray. A controllable water retention tray valve is positioned in the tray and provides a controllable release for the water in the tray.

Abstract: In the upper part and the lower part of a micro-nano bubble generation section 34 in a micro-nano bubble bathtub 1, two kinds of micro-nano bubbles different in a size distribution are generated by first and second micro-nano bubble generators (submerged pump-type micro-nano bubble generator 2 and spiral flow-type micro-nano bubble generator 10) of two kinds, so that bathtub water containing micro-nano bubbles in a wide size distribution can be produced in a large amount. Some of the water containing micro-nano bubbles generated in the lower part is thrown into the first micro-nano bubble generator (spiral flow-type micro-nano bubble generator 10) in the upper part, so that the spiral flow-type micro-nano bubble generator 10 can generate micro-nano bubbles in a smaller size. Therefore, in this bathtub, micro-nano bubbles abundant in size and large in amount can be produced economically.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing a body comprising a. a body membrane adapted to receive a body therein, the body membrane having a plurality of body portions, each body portion having: i. an exterior surface and an interior surface; ii. a water conduit for passage of water through the body membrane to the interior surface thereof; iii. an air conduit separate to the water conduit for passage of air through the body membrane to the interior surface thereof; and b. control means operable to control the passage of water and air independently through the water and air conduits respectively, the control means further operable to control the passage of water and air in each body portion independently. Also provided is a method of washing a body using said apparatus.