US08963147B2

A thin film transistor includes, on an insulating substrate, at least: a gate electrode; a gate insulating layer; a source electrode; a drain electrode; a metal oxide layer including a semiconductor region and an insulating region, each of the semiconductor region and the insulating region being composed of a same metal oxide material; and an insulating protective layer. The semiconductor region includes a region between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and is overlaid on a part of each of them. The semiconductor region is formed between the gate insulating layer and the insulating protective layer to abut on at least one of them. The electric conductivity of the semiconductor region is higher than that of the insulating region.
US08963138B2

An organic light emitting display device including: a substrate; a plurality of first electrodes formed over the substrate; a pixel defining layer (PDL) formed over the substrate, and separating the plurality of first electrodes from one another when viewed in a thickness direction of the display device; a plurality of light emitting layer portions, each of which is formed over one of the plurality of first electrodes; at least a second electrode formed over the plurality of light emitting layer portions; and a filter unit formed over the at least a second electrode. The filter unit includes a black matrix layer having an opening and a plurality of color filters formed over the black matrix layer, and each color filter comprising at least one embossed portion formed over one of the plurality of openings.
US08963126B2

Hybrid semiconducting-dielectric materials and electronic or electro-optic devices using the hybrid semiconducting-dielectric materials. Hybrid semiconducting-dielectric materials comprise molecules that have a core section that provides an n-type semiconducting property and side chains that provide a dielectric property to a layer of hybrid semiconducting-dielectric material. Specific hybrid semiconducting-dielectric materials include tetracarboxylic diimide compounds having sidechains comprising fluorine substituted aliphatic or aromatic moieties linked to the tetracarboxylic diimide structure by an alkylene or heteroalkylene linking group.
US08963124B2

At least first and second Si1-xGex (0≦x≦1) layers are formed on an insulating film. At least first and second material layers are formed correspondingly to the at least first and second Si1-xGex (0≦x≦1) layers. A lattice constant of the first Si1-xGex (0≦x≦1) layer is matched with a lattice constant of the first material layer. A lattice constant of the second Si1-xGex (0≦x≦1) layer is matched with a lattice constant of the second material layer.
US08963115B2

According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a first conductive line extending in a first direction, second conductive lines each extending in a second direction intersect with the first direction, a third conductive line extending in a third direction intersect with the first and second directions, an insulating layer disposed between the second conductive lines and the third conductive line, resistance change elements each disposed on one of first and second surfaces of each of the second conductive lines in the third direction, and each connected to the third conductive line, a semiconductor layer connected between the first conductive line and one end of the third conductive line, and a select FET having a select gate electrode, and using the semiconductor layer as a channel.
US08963114B2

The present disclosure provides a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells and methods of making the same. The RRAM cell includes a transistor and an RRAM structure. The RRAM structure includes a bottom electrode having a via portion and a top portion, a resistive material layer on the bottom electrode having a width that is same as a width of the top portion of the bottom electrode; a capping layer over the bottom electrode, a first spacer surrounding the capping layer and a top electrode, a second spacer surround the top portion of the bottom electrode and the first spacer, and the top electrode. The RRAM cell further includes a conductive material connecting the top electrode of the RRAM structure to a metal layer.
US08963102B2

An apparatus that can capture a rotation series of images of an observation area within a range of −180° to +180° around the x axis thereof, and can capture a rotation series of images of the observation area within a range of −180° to +180° around the y axis thereof. The apparatus includes a sample mounting base having at its tip portion a mounting portion for mounting a sample thereon; a rotating jig having a mounting base holding portion that holds the sample mounting base; a sample holding rod that includes a holding portion that holds the rotating jig; a first rotation control unit that applies, to the sample holding rod, a first rotation within a range of −180° to +180° with the extending direction of the sample holding rod as the axis thereof; and a second rotation control unit that applies, to the rotating jig, a second rotation within a range of ±45° or more with the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotation as the axis thereof, the sample mounting base being in a conical or polygonally conical form.
US08963092B2

Traffic monitors based on non-imaging radiation detectors are described. A traffic monitor includes a non-imaging radiation detector that senses spatially patterned radiation emanating from objects moving in a traffic pattern. The detector generates a time varying output signal based on the sensed radiation. Signal processing circuitry is used to analyze the time varying output signal using time domain analysis to provide the traffic information.
US08963088B2

Apparatus and methods for proximity detection include a passive proximity detecting device for detecting humans within a detection area and controlling a controlled device. A sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a substantially contiguous array. Each pixel is configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by an object in a predetermined temperature range within the detection area. In response to detecting the object a detection signal is generated having a signal level proportional to the infrared radiation emitted by said object received by the sensor. A processor in communication with the sensor is configured to receive said detection signal, to derive an object distance and a second object parameter using, a signal level of the detection signal.
US08963082B2

By utilizing the combination of a unique electronic ion injection control circuit in conjunction with a particularly designed drift cell construction, the instantly disclosed ion mobility spectrometer achieves increased levels of sensitivity, while achieving significant reductions in size and weight. The instant IMS is of a much simpler and easy to manufacture design, rugged and hermetically sealed, capable of operation at high temperatures to at least 250° C., and is uniquely sensitive, particularly to explosive chemicals.
US08963080B2

The subject matter provided herein relates to substrates for desorbing and ionizing analytes, and kits and methods of use thereof. The substrate provided herein comprises a porous semiconductor, a fluorous initiator, and a photoactive compound containing a fluorous group.
US08963076B2

In a mass cytometer or mass spectrometer, a sample of elemental tagged particles is transferred from a dispersion to a gas flow through a carrier aerosol spray for atomization and ionization by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source. The configuration of the sample transfer apparatus allow for total consumption of the sample by passing the sample spray through a deceleration stage to decelerate the spray of particles from its high velocity expansion. Following the deceleration stage, the decelerated sample of particles can be accelerated and focused through an acceleration stage for transferring into the ICP. This effectively improves the particle transfer between the sample spray and the ICP.
US08963071B2

A system and method are described for capturing and analyzing gamma rays from neutron excitation of a region in 3-space being analyzed for explosives. A processor analyzes the results, determining whether underground explosives are present in a particular region of the ground. In one embodiment, one gamma ray energy band is used to infer an amount of silicon in the region, while another indicates the combined amount of silicon and nitrogen. The concentration of nitrogen in the region is inferred and used to trigger an “explosive found” or a “no explosive found” signal. In other embodiments, the system or method uses inferences about other elemental constituents of the ground being examined, sometimes taking as input analyzes from prior scans, and providing output indicating the likelihood of the presence of explosives in the region.
US08963057B2

Apparatus and method are provided for an electric induction brazing process in an inert atmosphere using a substantially oxygen-free copper alloy filler or preform under an inert atmosphere within a brazing chamber minimally sized for containment of the brazed joint region and an induction coil. The inert atmosphere may be nitrogen gas supplied from a liquid nitrogen source. For brazing of an open-interior fitting around a hole in a tubular material a nesting area is provided around the hole for seating of the filler or preform and the fitting.
US08963056B2

Planar electrode system and method of manufacturing same, comprising at least one foil-type, electrically conductive planar electrode, a connection for connecting it to an external operating apparatus/control apparatus, and also at least one substrate layer, protective layer and/or insulation layer arranged on the surface of the planar electrode, which system comprises a foil-type planar electrode construction fitted into a continuous foil construction and comprising a least one foil-type electrode (101, 111), which planar electrode construction is fitted to operate both as a planar sensor, in which case it can be connected via a sensor connection (103) to a sensor control apparatus (SC101), and in electrical heating action, in which case it can be connected via an electrical heating connection (113) to an electrical heating control apparatus (HC111).
US08963053B2

Delays are introduced in self-timed memories by introducing a capacitance on the path of a signal to be delayed. The capacitances are realized by using idle-lying metal layers in the circuitry. The signal to be delayed is connected to the idle-lying capacitances via programmable switches. The amount of delay introduced depends on the capacitance introduced in the path of signal, which in turn depends on state of the switches. The state of the switches is controlled by delay codes provided externally to the delay introducing circuitry. Since idle-lying metal capacitances are utilized, the circuitry can be implemented using a minimum amount of additional hardware. Also, the delay provided by the circuitry is a function of memory cell SPICE characteristics and core parasitic capacitances.
US08963052B2

A chuck for a plasma processor comprises a temperature-controlled base, a thermal insulator, a flat support, and a heater. The temperature-controlled base is controlled in operation a temperature below the desired temperature of a workpiece. The thermal insulator is disposed over at least a portion of the temperature-controlled base. The flat support holds a workpiece and is disposed over the thermal insulator. A heater is embedded within the flat support and/or mounted to an underside of the flat support. The heater includes a plurality of heating elements that heat a plurality of corresponding heating zones. The power supplied and/or temperature of each heating element is controlled independently. The heater and flat support have a combined temperature rate change of at least 1° C. per second.
US08963050B2

A semiconductor wafer having a surface with a thin film formed thereon is transported into a chamber and held by a holder. After an atmosphere provided in the chamber is replaced, flashes of light are directed from flash lamps in a light irradiation part toward the semiconductor wafer to perform a baking process on the thin film. The irradiation of the semiconductor wafer with light from halogen lamps in the light irradiation part also starts at the same time as the irradiation thereof with the flashes of light. The flashes of light emitted for an extremely short period of time and having a high intensity allow the surface temperature of the thin film to rise momentarily. This prevents the occurrence of abnormal grain growth resulting from prolonged baking in the film.
US08963045B2

Nonlinear adaptive welders and power source controls are provided along with welding methods method for regulating a welding process, in which one or more welding waveform parameters are adapted in nonlinear fashion based on measured welding process feedback information.
US08963039B2

A gas circuit breaker includes movable and fixed electrode parts arranged to face each other in an engaging/separating manner in a container filled with an insulating gas, an operating mechanism attached to a partition of the container and configured to output an operating force to the movable electrode part, an operating rod attached to the movable electrode part, a first link rotatably attached to the operating rod, a lever rotatably attached to the first link, a support bearing fixed to the partition of the container via an insulating spacer, a second link rotatably attached to the lever and also rotatably attached to the support bearing, a seal bearing connected through the partition of the container, a seal rod rotatably attached to the center of the lever and slidably supported to the seal bearing, and a third link rotatably attached to the seal rod and also attached to the operating mechanism.
US08963026B2

An apparatus is disclosed for extracting electrical and mechanical energy from stored magnetic energy. The apparatus includes an axial flow turbine defined by a body having an increased magnetic density from a first exterior edge along a surface of the body to a second exterior edge. Also included is a magnetic element rotatably operable about the body of the axial flow turbine. The magnetic element is configured to cause increasingly level of the magnetic attraction from the first exterior edge to that of the second exterior edge.
US08963023B2

An electronics enclosure includes a housing having a body section that has a hollow or open interior for containing electrical devices. The body section is configured for flush mounting in a ceiling, wall or other structure. The enclosure includes a moveable front panel that pivots to flip between a closed position and an open position. An electronic device may be mounted to the back surface of the front panel, to be hidden from view when the panel is closed and to be accessible when the panel is open. The enclosure includes anchoring mechanisms that rotate between first and second positions, to anchor the enclosure in the ceiling, wall or other structure.
US08963015B2

Shielding performance and protection from radiated RF energy at a cable's point of entry to an enclosure are improved when a shield of the cable is AC coupled around an entire opening of the enclosure using a discoidal capacitor. The capacitor may be electrically coupled to the shield and the enclosure around the entire inner and outer circumferences of the discoidal capacitor. Compared to traditional DC coupling or the use of a drain wire and traditional capacitor, using the discoidal capacitor lowers inductance and improves shielding of the opening itself while improving AC filtering characteristics and preventing ground loops.
US08963013B2

A three-dimensional grid array interposer includes first and second arrays of electrical terminals arranged in grid-like patterns having grid pitches of (X1,Y1) and (X2,Y2), where each electrical terminal of the first array corresponds to an electrical terminal of the second array, forming a corresponding pair of electrical terminals. The interposer also includes a plurality of stacked substrates, each substrate having a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, and a second edge, with each substrate having a row of electrical terminals of the first array along the first surface at the first edge and a row of electrical terminals of the second array along the first surface at its second edge, with a trace running along the first surface between each electrical terminal of each corresponding pair of electrical terminals. Spacers can be used to provide desired space transformation.
US08963011B2

A plastic retaining pin for being inserted through a retaining hole in a high voltage insulating cover has an oval cross-section. The pin has a compressible nose, with the wide part of the nose being larger than the retaining hole. The nose has a relatively long front portion that expands out from the tip at about a 15 degree angle for easy insertion through the retaining hole. A back part of the nose is relatively short and has a relatively steep angle of about 45 degrees so as to require a higher pulling force to compress the nose when removing the pin from the hole. The other end of the pin has a grasping hole for receiving the hook of a hot stick. If the retaining hole is oval, the grasping hole is at a predetermined orientation with respect to the insulating structure to ease removal using a hot stick.
US08963009B2

A device for detachably fastening a current conductor to a current transformer housing includes the current transformer housing, a retaining element that is guided through the current transformer housing, a fastening element that is guided through the retaining element, and a clamping element. The fastening element and/or the retaining element are seated against at least some regions of the surface of the current conductor when the current conductor is fastened to the current transformer housing. The fastening element can be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof so as to fasten and/or detach the current conductor. The clamping element is arranged movably on the current transformer housing so that, in a first position, it allows a translatory displacement of the retaining element along the longitudinal axis. In a second position, the clamping element prevents the transtatory displacement of the retaining element along the longitudinal axis thereof.
US08963008B2

An electrode structure of a capacitive touch panel is provided, which includes a plurality of receiving electrodes and a plurality of driving electrodes. Each of the receiving electrodes has a hexagonal electrode structure. Each of the driving electrodes includes a main region. Each of the main regions has a quadrilateral electrode structure. The area of each driving electrode is larger than that of each receiving electrode. By using the foregoing electrode structure, the capacitive touch panel can not only provide sensing signals with less noise but also increase the intensity of input signals to enhance the signal to noise ratio.
US08963000B2

A junction box (100) includes a cable connecting box, a cover (2) covering the cable connecting box, and a cable (4) connecting with the cable connecting box. The cable (4) connecting box has an insulative block (5), a number of contacting foils (6), and a number of diodes (31) connecting adjacent contacting foils (6). The junction box (100) further includes a plurality of clips (9) mounted in the insulative block (5) and electrically connecting with the contacting foils (6). The clip (9) includes a clamp spring (91) and an elastic plate (92) received in the clamp spring (91) to resist the clamping spring (91). As a result, the clamp spring (91) will not resist the cable connecting box so as to improve an using life of the junction box (100).
US08962981B2

A solar cell device including an electrode formed by applying a conductive paste containing at least a conductive powder, glass frit and an organic vehicle onto a semiconductor substrate provided with a silicon nitride layer on a surface thereof and firing the applied conductive paste, wherein the electrode has a structure with a front electrode layer containing silver as a main component, a glass layer containing tellurium glass as a main component, and a silicon oxide layer containing plural silver particles precipitated by the firing. The solar cell device is provided with an electrode formed using a conductive paste not containing lead glass and has good solar cell characteristics.
US08962977B2

The present invention provides novel dyes for dye sensitized photovoltaic conversion devices. The dyes contain novel anchoring ligands, which have a vinyl or phenylethenyl moiety incorporated in the anchoring bipyridine. Such dyes exhibit an increased molar extinction coefficient and enhanced red response in the visible regions.
US08962970B2

A method for making a thermoelectric microstructure includes: forming an insulating substrate; forming, on the substrate, a first assembly of conductor or semiconductor elements extending in parallel and in a first direction from first to second connection areas, and having a first Seebeck coefficient; forming, on the substrate, a second assembly of conductor or semiconductor elements electrically insulated from the first assembly and extending in parallel and in a second direction other than the first one, from the first to second connection areas, and having a second Seebeck coefficient other than the first one; providing, in the first and second connection areas, electric connection elements, each of which electrically connects at least one element of first and second assemblies; two conductor or semiconductor elements of a single assembly are separated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined average distance in the connection areas.
US08962969B2

A thermoelectric device includes first and second legs extending continuously between first and second heat sources. The first and second legs respectively include first and second conducting elements and third and fourth conducting elements. The first and third conducting elements are adjacent and separated by an insulator. The second and fourth conducting elements are adjacent and separated by an insulator. The device also includes selection means enabling formation of a first thermocouple from the first and second conducting elements and formation of a second thermocouple from the third and fourth conducting elements.
US08962962B2

The present invention is a system for modifying the tonal output of a hand drum. The system includes the use of a tonal cover or membrane to change the sound emitted when the head of a hand drum is struck. Additional tuning pads are then added to further modify the sound of the drum. Tonal adjustment is affected by the number, thickness, material and tautness of the additional pads and tonal cover. A partial coverage of the drum head by a tonal cover may also be utilized.
US08962959B1

A pick or plectrum for a stringed musical instrument comprising an upper body, a generally triangular shaped lower body with appendages extending adjacent to the planar perimeter of the upper body, and an intermediate portion of less width than the upper body and lower body, and having greater flexibility than the upper body and lower body. The player can grip the pick with a thumb and index finger on opposing sides of the upper body, and strike the strings with the lower body. The player can modify the amount of flexibility of the pick by engaging the appendages of the lower body through the application of more pressure upon the pick, thereby flattening the thumb and index finger onto the adjacent lower body appendage, or by rolling the thumb and finger in a more natural lateral fashion upon a lower body appendage. The lower body and appendages provide a smooth leading edge so as no to grab or rake the strings.
US08962952B1

A novel maize variety designated PHVZN and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHVZN with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHVZN through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHVZN or a locus conversion of PHVZN with another maize variety.
US08962951B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH344455. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH344455, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH344455 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH344455.
US08962947B2

The invention provides polynucleotide sequences isolated from plants encoding transcription factors. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides are also provided. Products and methods of use are disclosed.
US08962946B2

The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid SVR 11368833 and the parent lines thereof, such as line SLR 148-7017 and SLR 113-1108. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid SVR 11368833 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08962942B2

A soybean cultivar designated 18040631 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 18040631, to the plants of soybean cultivar 18040631, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 18040631, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 18040631. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 18040631. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 18040631, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 18040631 with another soybean cultivar.
US08962941B2

A soybean cultivar designated S100237 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100237, to the plants of soybean cultivar S100237, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S100237, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S100237. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100237. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100237, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S100237 with another soybean cultivar.
US08962929B2

The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated PS 06518893. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line PS 06518893, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line PS 06518893 with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line PS 06518893, including the gametes of such plants.
US08962919B2

A method for providing thermotolerance of a plant and the genetic engineering applications thereof are disclosed. DNA fragment containing a gene encoding EXPORTIN1A is transferred into a plant cell to provide or enhance thermotolerance of the plant. The method can be applied in genetic engineering to select transgenic plant.
US08962916B2

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for a promoter. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.
US08962913B2

Genetically modified non-human animals comprising a human or humanized interleukin-7 (IL-7) gene. Cells, embryos, and non-human animals comprising a human or humanized IL-7 gene. Rodents that express human or humanized IL-7 protein. Genetically modified mice that comprise a human or humanized IL-7-encoding gene in their germline, wherein the human or humanized IL-7-encoding gene is under control of endogenous mouse IL-7 regulatory sequences.
US08962912B2

The present invention relates, in general, to development of non-human transgenic animals expressing a human blood clotting factor, such as Factor VIII, Factor VII, Factor IX and von Willebrand factor. The invention further provides methods of detecting immunogenic events against human blood clotting factor using the transgenic animals described.
US08962903B2

An ethylene oligomerization catalyst which contains a bridged diphosphine ligand having the formula (R1)m(X1)nP1-bridge-P2(R2)X2 wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and heterohydrocarbyl; X1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydrocarbyl and heterohydrocarbyl; m is 1 or 2; n is 0 or 1; m+n=2; bridge is a divalent bridging group bonded to P1 and P2; and X2 is halogen. The present ligands differ from prior diphosphine ligands used in olefin oligomerization processes in that at least one halide substituent is directly bonded to at least one P atom of the ligand.
US08962899B2

Provided is a lubricant for metal working comprising a vinylidene compound having 12 to 64 carbon atoms obtained by oligomerizing α-olefins, having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, using a metallocene catalyst. The lubricant for metal working is excellent in a workability and a surface detergency property and has a high flash point and can reduce environmental pollution.
US08962885B2

The invention relates to new β-hydroxyalkylamides, to a method for production of same and to the use of same.
US08962881B2

The disclosed invention is a method for manufacturing an oxidized organic compound which includes a step of forming an oxidized organic compound, in use of a fixed-bed reactor having a reaction tube packed with an oxide catalyst, by supplying at least one type of organic compound as a reaction feedstock gas and using a molecular oxygen-containing gas to carry out a catalytic gas-phase oxidation reaction; and a step of stopping the catalytic gas-phase oxidation reaction. In the manufacturing method, when stopping the catalytic gas-phase oxidation reaction, the supply of the reaction feedstock gas is stopped, after which an inert gas is supplied to the reactor, then a molecular oxygen-containing gas is supplied, subsequent to which the supply of the molecular oxygen-containing gas to the reactor is stopped.
US08962872B2

A method for preparing an epoxide is disclosed. The method for preparing an epoxide includes the step of performing a reaction of an alkene and oxidant in the presence of a Ti—Si molecular sieve as a catalyst, and increases the conversion rate of hydrogen peroxide and the yield of the epoxide.
US08962871B2

A 4-benzyl-1-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3,2,0]heptane derivative is manufactured by reducing, in the presence of both a halogenating agent and a hydride-type reducing agent, a methylene moiety bound to a sulfonyloxy group in a compound represented by General Formula (II).
US08962865B2

A process is disclosed for the preparation of a compound of formula and/or an addition salt of a proton acid, wherein R1 and R2 independently represent alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, each aryl or aralkyl being optionally further substituted with alkyl, alkoxy and/or halogen.
US08962863B2

The present invention provides synthetic processes for the preparation of a variety of well-defined substituted gamma lactams. The compounds that can be prepared by the process of the invention are useful for treating a variety of conditions. In some embodiments of the invention, the compounds are useful for treating ocular disorders, such as, for example, glaucoma, lowering of elevated intraocular pressure, and the like. In other embodiments, the compounds are useful for treating irritable bowel disease. In further embodiments, the compounds are useful in promoting hair growth. In still further embodiments, the compounds are useful in promoting wound healing, scar reduction, and the like.
US08962861B2

The present invention provides a catalyst composition and a method for preparing an amide. The catalyst composition of the present invention including a hydroxylamine salt, sulfuric acid, and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound is used for catalyzing a ketoxime to form an amide in the Beckman rearrangement reaction. The preparation of an amide by using the catalyst composition of the present invention has high conversion rate of a ketoxime, high selectivity of an amide and high tolerance to water.
US08962857B2

The present invention provides methods for preparing TLR-4 receptor agonist E6020: and stereoisomers thereof, which compounds are useful as an immunological adjuvants when co-administered with antigens such as vaccines for bacterial and viral diseases. Also provided are synthetic intermediates.
US08962847B2

The invention relates to novel multicomponent crystals, to the production thereof, and to the use thereof for treating pain conditions, in particular of unclear genesis, by means of a simultaneous effect on pains which are caused by muscle tension or degenerative joint diseases as well as on pains that are caused by inflammatory processes. The multicomponent crystals according to the invention contain ([2-amino-6-(4-fluoro-benzylamino)-pyridin-3-yl]-carbamic acid ethyl ester (flupirtine) and an arylpropionic acid as the sole active ingredient combination and can be produced by dissolving flupirtine and the arylpropionic acid in an inert organic solvent and subsequently crystallizing the multicomponent crystal.
US08962846B2

Melanocortin receptor antagonist compounds, processes for preparing them and uses thereof in human medicine and cosmetics are described.Melanocortin receptor antagonist compounds corresponding to the general formula (I): compositions containing them, and processes for their preparation and their use in pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions are also described.
US08962844B2

β-Lactamase inhibitor compounds (BLIs) are disclosed, including compounds that have activity against class A, class C or class D β-lactamases. Methods of manufacturing the BLIs, and uses of the compounds in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions and antibacterial applications are also disclosed.
US08962829B1

The disclosure describes methods of synthesis of phosphonate ester compounds. The methods according to the disclosure allow for large-scale preparation of phosphonate ester compounds having high purity and stability. Also disclosed are morphic forms of phosphonate ester compounds.
US08962827B2

Provided are a linezolid intermediate and the preparation method thereof and a method for synthesizing linezolid. The structure of the intermediate is shown as formula F2, wherein the compound is prepared by a condensation reaction of (S)—N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxy-1-propyl) acetamide and the compound shown in formula F4. In the preparation methods of the compound shown in formula F2 and linezolid, the reaction system is mild, side reactions are few and the product yield is high.
US08962821B2

The present invention relates to a non-toxic process and system for pilot-scale production of cellulose products, and particularly to a process and system for pilot-scale production of cellulose products by using aqueous sodium hydroxide/urea solution pre-colled to lower than −8° C., in which cellulose could dissolved rapidly. The said process and system can be used to produce fibers, films, chromatographic packings, or nonwovens of regenerated cellulose, as well as to produce a variety of high added-value products by adding other materials such as functional materials, nano-materials, etc.
US08962818B2

Compositions and kits comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes GHRH and a nucleotide sequence that encodes GnRH and compositions and kits comprising a GHRH protein and GnRH protein are disclosed. Use of such compositions and kits in methods of enhancing fertility in mammals comprising the step of administering said compositions to the mammal are disclosed.
US08962817B2

The invention relates to recombinant expression vectors encoding a low molecular weight peptide isolated from the submaxiliary saliva glands of shrews of the species Blarina as a paralytic agent. This novel paralytic agent is useful as a neuromuscular blocker and analgesic or as an insecticide.
US08962810B2

The present invention discloses a class of novel macro-heterocyclic compounds represented by the formula Ia or Ib, and their intermediates, preparation methods and the uses. The macro-heterocyclic compounds of the present invention have good inhibitory activities against hepatitis C virus (HCV), and can be used to treat HCV infection effectively by its excellent inhibition against HCV, low toxicity and side effects.
US08962804B2

Antibodies and meditopes that bind to the antibodies are provided, as well as complexes, compositions and combinations containing the meditopes and antibodies, and methods of producing, using, testing, and screening the same, including therapeutic and diagnostic methods and uses.
US08962800B2

The invention provides polypeptides, including enzymes, structural proteins and binding proteins, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Polypeptides, including enzymes and antibodies, and nucleic acids of the invention can be used in industrial, experimental, food and feed processing, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications, e.g., for food and feed supplements, colorants, neutraceuticals, cosmetic and pharmaceutical needs.
US08962793B2

Peptides, mimetics and antibodies of erbB, TNF, and IgSF receptors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are described. Methods of using such antibodies, peptides, and mimetics in therapeutic, prophylactic, imaging and diagnostic applications are disclosed.
US08962788B2

A method for producing a polycarbonate comprising: reacting a diaryl carbonate with a dihydroxy compound to form a polycarbonate, wherein the polycarbonate comprises: less than or equal to 1000 ppb of molybdenum; less than or equal to 33 ppb of vanadium; less than or equal to 33 ppb of chromium; less than or equal to 375 ppb of niobium; less than or equal to 33 ppb of nickel; less than or equal to 10 ppb of zirconium; and less or equal to 10 ppb iron.
US08962787B2

A method for producing polycarbonate by melt polymerization can comprise: (a) adding acetone, diaryl carbonate, and dihydroxy compound to the melt polymerization unit, wherein the acetone is added to the melt polymerization unit as a mixture with the diaryl carbonate and/or the dihydroxy compound; (b) adding a catalyst to the melt polymerization unit, optionally without separating out acetone prior to the addition of the catalyst; and (c) operating the melt polymerization unit under conditions so that the diaryl carbonate(s) and dihydroxy compound(s); dihydroxy compound reacts with the diaryl carbonate to produce polycarbonate with a desired specification, and a phenol by-product.
US08962784B2

A novel macromer or mixture thereof is described herein, comprising isocyanatophenyl ether terminal moieties and at least two residues of a water-soluble polymer having a molecular weight ranging from 80 to 10,000 adjacent to the ether group of the isocyanatophenyl ether terminal isocyanate moieties, thereby forming at least two ether linkages in the macromer or mixture thereof. A method for making a polyisocyanate macromer is also described herein.
US08962781B2

Disclosed is a method for removing an ionic species contained in an aqueous phase. The method includes contacting an aqueous phase containing the ionic species with a sol-gel composite material, where the sol-gel composite material is a sol-gel composition having a porous matrix and containing a reactive metal incorporated into at least a portion of the porous matrix, under conditions sufficient to remove the ionic species contained in the aqueous phase.
US08962779B2

In a method of forming a polyacetal or polyketal, a specific acetal- or ketal-containing bis(aryl)acetal is coupled with itself or a comonomer in the presence of a catalyst and a base. The polymerization reaction tolerates hydroxyl and other functional groups on the bis(aryl)acetal. Among other applications, the polyacetals and polyketals are useful components of photoresist compositions.
US08962774B2

Regular shaped magnesium particles containing attrition resistant precursors and procatalysts thereof and processes for their synthesis and their use in the manufacture of polyolefins are described. A process for the synthesis of precursor particles which give highly active and improved surface area procatalysts for producing high bulk density polyolefin resins containing low fines and capable of incorporating high rubber content are described. A process for the synthesis of an attrition resistant precursors to prepare an attrition resistant Zeigler Natta procatalysts synthesized by using the precursors and to the polyolefin resin synthesized using the procatalysts is also described.
US08962771B2

Elastomer composites are prepared by wetting particles of a natural or synthetic rubber with a liquid one-component moisture-curable resin composition and then exposing the wetted particles to moisture to cure the resin composition. The moisture-curable resin composition comprises (a) an isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer having an isocyanate content of from 0.5 to 12% by weight and (b) from 1 to 30%, based on the combined weight of components (a) and (b), of an epoxide or lactone compound having a molecular weight of from about 70 to about 1000 and which is miscible in the prepolymer at the relative proportions thereof that are present. In addition, the composition contains no more than 0.1% by weight of compounds having a primary or secondary amino group.
US08962770B2

Disclosed herein is are thermoplastic compositions comprising a blend of a homopolycarbonate comprising units derived from an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a copolymer comprising isosorbide units and siloxane units. The copolymer comprising isosorbide units and siloxane units can further comprise non-isosorbide aliphatic units derived from a C14-44 aliphatic diacid, a C14-44 aliphatic diol or combination of these, aromatic units, aliphatic units derived from an oligomer having a weight average molecular weight of 900 to 4000 or a combination of some or all of the foregoing additional units.
US08962766B2

A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomers to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a protected polyhydrazone compound.
US08962764B2

A process for constructing multi-arm star macromolecules with uniform properties, high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution using free radical polymerization is described.
US08962759B2

The present invention is directed to a copolymer comprising: a polyisoprene backbone chain with a microstructure comprising grater than 98 percent by weight of cis 1,4 linkages; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer derived from a monomer having a hydrogen bond donor site and a hydrogen bond acceptor site.
US08962758B2

The present invention aims to provide a dynamically-crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer composition that can provide a molded product exhibiting low compression set especially in the case of being cooled under stress. The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition, including a dynamically-crosslinked butyl rubber and a thermoplastic resin; and having a thermoplastic resin content of not more than 8% by mass. The dynamically-crosslinked butyl rubber is preferably a halogen-containing butyl rubber.
US08962755B2

A dual reactor solution process gives high density polyethylene compositions containing a first ethylene copolymer and a second ethylene copolymer and which have good processability, toughness, and environmental stress crack resistance combined with good organoleptic properties. The polyethylene compositions are suitable for compression molding or injection molding applications and are particularly useful in the manufacture of caps and closures for bottles.
US08962753B2

A hybrid coating composition including an organosilane component, a metal alkoxide component and a surfactant component, with the metal alkoxide component present in the composition at a molar ratio of about 75:1 with respect to the surfactant component. The hybrid coating composition once cured on a transparent substrate has an initial clarity greater than 98. Transparent members are also disclosed that include a transparent substrate having the hybrid coating composition cured on a first major surface thereof.
US08962743B2

The present invention provides a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin, in which the conjugated diene unit has cis-1,4 bonds and the non-conjugated olefin contains many ethylene structures. In a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and an unconjugated olefin other than the conjugated diene compound, the conjugated diene unit has a cis-1,4 bond content of 50% or more and the unconjugated olefin is contained in an amount of 20 mol % or more.
US08962742B2

A hydrogel having mechanical properties and capable of being produced simply by using and mixing an industrially obtainable polymer having high versatility and clay particles, and to provide a method of producing the hydrogel. A hydrogel-forming composition is characterized by containing a polyelectrolyte, clay particles, and a dispersant for the clay particles.
US08962740B2

An oxygen scavenging polyolefin composition and methods of making thereof are described herein. In one approach, the composition includes a continuous non-polar polyolefin matrix having oxygen scavenging domains dispersed therein. The oxygen scavenging domains include an oxidizable polymer, a transition metal catalyst or salt thereof, and a catalytic promoter effective to bind with oxygen passing through the continuous non-polar polyolefin matrix. The oxygen scavenging domains forming a discrete polar region within the continuous non-polar polyolefin matrix. The composition further includes a polymeric compatibilizer having a polar moiety and a non-polar moiety and in amounts effective to uniformly disperse the polar oxygen scavenging domains in the continuous non-polar polyolefin matrix.
US08962736B2

A process and result for forming an electrically relaxable coating composite for an electrophotographic imaging component includes providing a non-functionalized soluble carbon nanotube complex, and mixing a polymer material with the soluble carbon nanotube complex. The electrically relaxable coating composite exhibits resistivity in the range or about 107 to about 1012 ohm-cm.
US08962731B2

This disclosure relates to a method of preparing a metal nanobelt. According to the method, a metal nanobelt having various applicabilities, for example, capable of easily forming a conductive film or a conductive pattern with excellent conductivity, may be easily prepared by a simple process at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The method comprises reacting a conductive polymer and a metal salt.
US08962724B2

A two part low volatile organic compounds (VOC) content ethylene propylene diene terpolymer formulation with a solids content of at least 60 percent solids by volume of the total formulation and a volatile organic compounds content less than 450 grams per liter, wherein a first component has EPDM, a solvent, a curative, an additive, and a blend of a pigment and a filler. The second component contains solvent and a metal drier. The invention includes a method for making the coating and a cured coated substrate with the cured waterproof rubber coating disposed thereon.
US08962710B2

It is proposed a new fluid loss control agent useful for the cementation of oil or gas wells. This fluid loss control agent consists of a mixture of a styrene-butadiene latex and a high molecular weight water-soluble polymer such as a copolymer AMPS-Am. The addition of the water-soluble polymer allows drastic reduction of the quantity of latex required to achieve fluid loss control performance and even gas migration control.
US08962705B2

A method for removing cauxin in cat urine and a material for removing cauxin are provided. The material for removing cauxin in cat urine comprises a polymer substrate on which surface a trifluoroketone derivative is immobilized via dithiol.
US08962702B2

The invention relates to a catalyst and process for making syngas mixtures including hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The process comprises contacting a gaseous feed mixture containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen with the catalyst, where the catalyst comprises Mn oxide and an auxiliary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of La, Ca, K, W, Cu, Al and mixtures or combinations thereof. The process enables hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide with high selectivity, and good catalyst stability over time and under variations in processing conditions. The process can be applied separately, but can also be integrated with other processes, both up-stream and/or down-stream including methane reforming or other synthesis processes for making products like alkanes, aldehydes, or alcohols.
US08962693B2

This invention concerns a method for treatment or prevention of lower urinary tract symptoms with or without pelvic pain in an individual, said method comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a selective estrogen receptor modulator, or an isomer, isomer mixture or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08962692B2

The present invention discloses cysteine prodrugs having the general formula: cystine dimers of the cysteine prodrugs having the general formula: protected cysteine analogs having the general formula: and dimers of the protected cysteine analogs having the general formula: The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing the disclosed prodrugs, dimers, and analogs, and methods of using such compounds for treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction.
US08962682B2

It is intended to provide a composition having at least one effect among the following effects; a plurality of medicinal ingredients can be taken as one preparation and the convenience for patients is excellent; the drug compliance is excellent; the amount of jelly composition to be taken at a time is small; the release of an active ingredient in the digestive tract is excellent; the absorption of an active ingredient to the body is excellent; the storage stability of an active ingredient is excellent; the dispersibility of an active ingredient in the composition is excellent; the storage stability of the composition is excellent; the syneresis of the composition is less, it has an appropriate jelly strength to a degree that does not disintegrate during carrying and before taking and easily disintegrates after taking; the handleability during preparation of the composition is excellent; the portability of the composition is excellent; the feeling of taking the composition is excellent; it has an effect on reducing side effects; and the like. The jelly composition contains a polyvalent unsaturated fatty acid, a second medicinal ingredient, an emulsifying agent and a gelling agent.
US08962676B2

The present invention is directed to the treatment of demyelination as an underlying cause of the disease of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a mammal, the method comprising promoting remyelination of myelination of axonal cells by administering to the mammal a 2-oxopyrrolidine compound having a general formula I: wherein R═R′═H, and R″═CH2CONH-(2,6CH3)C6H3 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08962675B1

The present disclosure relates to: (a) mandelate salts of atrasentan, (b) pharmaceutical compositions comprising an atrasentan mandelate salt, and, optionally, one or more additional therapeutic agents; (b) methods of using an atrasentan mandelate salt to treat nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and/or other conditions; (c) kits comprising a first pharmaceutical composition comprising an atrasentan mandelate salt, and, optionally, a second pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more additional therapeutic agents; (d) methods for the preparation of an atrasentan mandelate salt; and (e) atrasentan mandelate salts prepared by such method.
US08962673B2

The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising melatonin or a derivative thereof at a proportion of 2.5% to 5% w/v for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing mucositis. The mucositis is preferably caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and preferably refers to oral mucositis.
US08962672B2

The invention relates to novel active compound combinations having very good insecticidal and acaricidal properties and containing (a) cyclic ketoenols having the formula in which the groups W, X, Y, Z, A, B, D, AND G have the meanings given in the disclosure, and (b) the active compounds (1) to (29) listed in the disclosure.
US08962666B2

The invention is in the field of methods for medical treatment. It provides an improved method for repairing damaged cartilage and/or preventing cartilage degeneration in tissue, in particular in a joint by administering a pharmaceutically active agent directly into the fat pad of a joint. The pharmaceutically active agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of agents that stimulate chondrogenic differentiation and/or cartilage matrix synthesis; agents that inhibit osteogenesis and/or hypertrophy, anti-inflammatory agents, agents that inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes, agents that inhibit senescence of chondrocytes and agents that enhance lubrication of a joint.
US08962665B2

The present invention is concerned with substituted azole derivatives that selectively modulate, regulate, and/or inhibit signal transduction mediated by certain native and/or mutant proteine kinases implicated in a variety of human and animal diseases such as cell proliferative, metabolic, allergic, and degenerative disorders. In particular, several of these compounds are potent and selective Flt-3 inhibitors or/and syk inhibitors.
US08962663B2

Pleckstrin homology domain binding compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and methods for their use are described herein.
US08962661B2

To provide a fungicidal composition having stable and high fungicidal effects against cultivated crops infected with plant diseases resulting from plant diseases.A fungicidal composition containing, as active ingredients, (a) a benzoylpyridine derivative represented by the formula (I) or its salt: wherein when A is —N═, B is —CX4═; when A is —CH═, B is —N═; each of X1 and X2 which are independent of each other, is a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, a CF3 group or an alkylthio group; X3 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a CF3 group or an alkylthio group; X4 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a CF3 group or an alkylthio group; R1 is an alkyl group; R2′ is an alkoxy group; p is 0, 1 or 2; and each of R2″ and R2′″ is an alkoxy group, and (b) at least one additional fungicide.
US08962647B1

Provided are a PEG-naloxone conjugate of general formula (II) and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate. In the conjugate, n is an integer in the range of 1-20. Also provided is a three-branched or four-branched conjugate of PEG and naloxone. Structural modification of naloxone with a hydrophilic polymer improves the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug, increase the water solubility of naloxone, improve the in vivo distribution of the drug, reduce the side effects of naloxone on central nervous system, and relieve bowel dysfunction and constipation caused by chronic administration of opioids. Also provided are a pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate of the invention and use of the conjugate.
US08962641B2

The invention relates to new pyrrolidine derivatives of the formula wherein R1 to R3, Ar, L T and n are as defined in the description and claims, to their use as medicaments, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08962636B2

The present invention relates to substituted quinazolines of formula (I) wherein X and Y are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, stereoisomers, mixtures and salts thereof, which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibitory effect on the activity of the enzyme dipeptidylpeptidase-IV(DPP-IV).
US08962632B2

Provided are compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, X and m are as defined herein. Also provided is a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.Also provided are methods of using a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08962631B2

The present invention relates to pyrazine compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.The compounds of this invention have formula II: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US08962621B2

Aralkyl diamine derivative of the following formula, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or uses thereof as antidepressants. The derivatives have triplex inhibiting activities of the reuptake of 5-HT, dopamine and noradrenalin, which can be administered to the patients in need of such treatment in the form of compositions orally or injectedly et al.
US08962610B2

The present disclosure relates to compounds that are sodium channel inhibitors and to their use in the treatment of various disease states, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In particular embodiments, the structure of the compounds is given by Formula I: wherein Y, Z, n, R1 and R3 are as described herein, to methods for the preparation and use of the compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.
US08962606B2

The present invention relates to substituted benzosulphonamide compounds of general formula (I): in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and A are as defined in the claims, to methods of preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds and to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, in particular of a hyper-proliferative and/or angiogenesis disorder, as a sole agent or in combination with other active ingredients.
US08962601B2

This invention relates to pharmaceutical products and compositions for use in the treatment of asthma and related disorders, and especially but not exclusively for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More particularly, the invention provides pharmaceutical products and compositions comprising specific anticholinergic agents, β-2 agonists and corticosteroids.
US08962598B2

The present invention relates to compounds which are 1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxanilides, their thieno-pyridone analogs, and prodrugs thereof. This invention specifically relates to such derivatives containing an N-hydrogen in the carboxanilide moiety and which exhibit modulating activity towards the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and, specifically, also to prodrugs thereof. The present invention also relates to use of said compounds as a medicament, and for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders and other disorders with an immunological component, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more of said compounds and a method of treatment.
US08962594B2

The method of using nutritional compounds including Dihydroquercetin (taxifolin). Arabinogalactan and Arabinogalactan combined with Dihydroquercetin (taxifolin) to reduce and control cardiometabolic risk factors, associated with metabolic syndrome and hypercholesterolemia in a mammal, specifically a human, resulting in the enhancement of metabolism, reduced control levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, reduced oxidative damage in humans and other health benefits.
US08962593B2

The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer with a glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA) in the absence of antigen.
US08962589B2

A variety of methods, devices and compositions are implemented for light-activated molecules. One such method is implemented for generating secondary messengers in a cell. A nucleotide sequence for expressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein (e.g., rhodopsin) is modified with one or more heterologous receptor subunits {e.g., an adrenergic receptor (alpha1, Beta2)}. The light responsive membrane protein is expressed in a cell for producing a secondary messenger in response to light.
US08962585B2

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Tumor Protein 63 (p63), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Tumor Protein 63 (p63). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of p63.
US08962584B2

An isolated nucleic acid agent is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite. Compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.
US08962581B2

The invention encompasses methods and kits used in the detection of invasive glioblastoma based upon the expression of NHERF-1. The methods and kits also allow prediction of disease outcome as well as therapeutic outcome.
US08962580B2

The invention features compounds of formula I or II: In one embodiment, the invention relates compounds and processes for conjugating ligand to oligonucleotide. The invention further relates to methods for treating various disorders and diseases such as viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, cancers, allergies, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies and immunosuppression.
US08962572B2

A bortezomib composition includes bortezomib and boric acid in a mass ratio of boric acid to bortezomib is from 1:1 to 10:1. The composition is a solid, and may be prepared by forming a liquid mixture including a solvent, bortezomib and boric acid, and lyophilizing the liquid mixture.
US08962564B2

Described herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins characterized as having increased stability relative to recombinant wild-type β-glucocerebrosidase. Also provided herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins characterized as retaining more catalytic activity relative to recombinant wild-type β-glucocerebrosidase. Further described herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins that can have amino acid variations at one or more of the following positions: 316, 317, 321 and 145. Methods of making the variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins are also described as well as methods of treating patients having lysosomal storage diseases.
US08962558B2

A method for recognizing and evaluating the presence and function of GnRH receptors on tumor cells including those originating in the brain and/or nervous system and/or the meninges and/or reactive neuroglia cells and/or primitive neuroectodermal tumor cells and/or on Kaposi sarcoma is provided. Furthermore, a method for reducing degenerate GnRH-positive tumor cells and/or for decreasing cellular replication of the above GnRH-positive tumor cells comprising administering to a cell or to a subject a replication decreasing amount of a GnRH agonist and/or GnRH antagonist and/or an erythropoietin agonist, and/or a thrombopoietin agonist, and/or a endothelin antagonist and/or a gonadotropin inhibiting hormone agonist is also provided. Furthermore, a diagnostic kit for detecting GnRH receptors on tumor cells according to the present methods is disclosed.
US08962550B2

A system, a composition, a method and a kit for identifying anti-bacterial agents are provided. The invention described herein is useful in identifying inhibitors of any bacterial stress response. Moreover, the invention can be applied to any sRNA and its target, any transcription factor and its target, and any transcription factor/sRNA pair (i.e., a transcription factor that regulates a sRNA). In particular, the present invention provides a system, a composition, a method and a kit for the identification of cyclic peptides that block the σE pathway in Escherichia coli.
US08962541B2

The present invention relates to alcohols and in particular to C4 to C15 alcohols that are used in the production of esters.
US08962534B2

A system and method of treating a fluid to be used for hydraulic fracturing adds an effective amount of chlorine dioxide to the fluid to act as a biocide that kills harmful bacteria. A system for adding chlorine dioxide to the fluid can continuously add chlorine dioxide to an incoming flow of the fluid to produce a continuous flow of treated fluid.
US08962532B2

A method for manufacturing synthetic genes and combinatorial DNA and protein libraries, termed here Divide and Conquer-DNA synthesis (D&C-DNA synthesis) method. The method can be used in a systematic and automated way to synthesize any long DNA molecule and, more generally, any combinatorial molecular library having the mathematical property of being a regular set of strings. The D&C-DNA synthesis method is an algorithm design paradigm that works by recursively breaking down a problem into two or more sub-problems of the same type. The division of long DNA sequences is done in silico. The assembly of the sequence is done in vitro. The D&C-DNA synthesis method protocol consists of a tree, in which each node represents an intermediate sequence. The internal nodes are created in elongation reactions from their daughter nodes, and the leaves are synthesized directly. After each elongation only one DNA strand passes to the next level in the tree until receiving the final product. Optionally and preferably, error correction is performed to correct any errors which may have occurred during the synthetic process.
US08962525B2

The present invention provides novel herbicidal aqueous suspoemulsion or aqueous suspension concentrate compositions containing an herbicidal active agent and fumed alumina as a stabilization agent that have superior chemical and physical stability as well as superior re-dispersion properties.
US08962519B2

The present invention relates to novel precipitated silicic acids for use as support materials, manufacture thereof and use thereof.
US08962517B2

Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowire catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.
US08962510B2

The invention relates to catalyst compositions including at least one catalyst compound and at least one continuity additive such as poly-oxo-metal carboxylate compound and their use in the polymerization of olefins.
US08962506B2

There is provided a dielectric composition, including: a base powder including BamTiO3, where 0.995≦m≦1.010; a first subcomponent including 0.1 to 1.0 at % (x) of an oxide or carbonate containing at least one variable-valence acceptor element based on 100 moles of the base powder; a second subcomponent including 0.01 to 3.0 at % (y) of an oxide or carbonate containing at least one fixed valence acceptor element; a third subcomponent including an oxide or carbonate containing cerium (z) at % and at least one other rare-earth element (w) at %, where 0.01≦z≦x+4y and 0.01≦z+w≦x+4y; a fourth subcomponent including at least one of an oxide or carbonate containing at least one of Barium, Calcium, Aluminum, and Silicon and glass containing silicon; and a fifth subcomponent including 0.01 to 10.0 at % of an oxide containing zirconium.
US08962504B2

The disclosure provides novel graphene-reinforced ceramic composites and methods for making such composite materials.
US08962498B2

Provided is a liquid curable silicone rubber composition containing the following components of (A), (B), (C) and (D): (A) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane having one or more silicon atom-bonded alkenyl groups on average in one molecule, (B) (B-1) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least three silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atoms in one molecule, wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms is present as a siloxane unit represented by the formula of R1HSi02/2 (wherein R1 represents a non-substituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group containing no aliphatic unsaturated bond) in the molecule and (B-2) a linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane having one silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atom only at each of both terminals of the molecular chain and having no aliphatic unsaturated bond(s) in a molecule, [provided that the blending amount of component (B-1) and component (B-2) is an amount such that the molar ratio of silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atoms contained in component (B-1) and component (B-2):alkenyl groups contained in component (A) ranges from (0.8:1.0) to (2.5:1.0), and the total number of silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atoms contained in component (B-2) is 70 to 100% of the total number of silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atoms contained in component (B-1) and component (B-2); provided that when the aforementioned numerical value is 100%, component (B) consists only of (B-2).] (C) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst: an amount to cure the present composition, and (D) 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of a reinforcing silica fine powder. A coated woven fabric with a silicone rubber-coated layer formed of a cured product of this liquid curable silicone rubber composition is suitable as a coated woven fabric for use in airbags.
US08962496B2

The process for smoothing a rough surface of a first substrate made of a semiconductor alloy based on at least two elements chosen from Ga, As, Al, In, P and N is implemented by placing a second substrate facing the first substrate so that the rough surface is placed facing a surface of the second substrate. The first and second substrates are separated by a distance d of at least 10 μm, the facing portions of the two substrates defining a confinement space. The first substrate is then heated so as to partially desorb one of the elements of said alloy and to reach the saturated vapor pressure of this element in the confinement space and to obtain a surface atom mobility that is sufficient to reduce the roughness of the rough surface.
US08962489B2

Disclosed is a method for etching a film contains cobalt and palladium is provided. A hard mask is provided on the film. The method film includes a process “a” of etching the film by ion sputter etching, a process “b” of exposing a workpiece to plasma of a first gas containing halogen elements after the process “a” of etching of the film, a process “c” of exposing the workpiece to plasma of a second gas containing carbons after the process “b” of exposing the workpiece to the plasma of the first gas, and a process “d” of exposing the workpiece to plasma of a third gas containing a noble gas after the process “c” of exposing the workpiece to the plasma of the second gas. In the method, a temperature of a placement table on which the workpiece is placed is set to a first temperature of 10° C. or less in the process “a”, process “b” and process “c”.
US08962487B2

The present invention relates to a process for fabricating microchannels on a substrate and to a substrate comprising these microchannels, the invention being especially applicable to the fabrication of microstructured substrates for microelectronic, microfluidic and/or micromechanical systems.The process includes a step (a) of producing at least one or at least two patterns 2 on the surface of a bottom layer 1 and a step (b) of depositing, on top of the bottom layer and the pattern or patterns, a layer 3 of polymer material obtained by polymerizing an organic or organometallic monomer that contains siloxane functional groups, for example tetramethyldisiloxane, in a plasma-enhanced, optionally remote plasma-enhanced, chemical vapor deposition reactor (PECVD or optionally RPECVD) reactor.The layer of polymer material is deposited so as to create, in place of the pattern and after development by decomposing this pattern, or between the two patterns without development/decomposition, a channel 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d closed over at least part of its length.
US08962484B2

The present disclosure provides a method including providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a first layer and a second layer on the semiconductor substrate. The first layer is patterned to provide a first element, a second element, and a space interposing the first and second elements. Spacer elements are then formed on the sidewalls on the first and second elements of the first layer. Subsequently, the second layer is etched using the spacer elements and the first and second elements as a masking element.
US08962483B2

Methodology enabling a generation of an interconnection design utilizing an SIT process is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a hardmask on a substrate; forming a mandrel layer on the hardmask including: first and second vertical portions extending along a vertical direction and separated by a horizontal distance; and a plurality of horizontal portions extending in a horizontal direction, wherein each of the horizontal portions is positioned between the first and second vertical portions and at a different position along the vertical direction; and forming a spacer layer on outer edges of the mandrel layer.
US08962469B2

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a seed layer over a dielectric layer and a patterned resist layer over the seed layer. Next, metal lines are formed on regions of the seed layer not covered by the patterned resist layer. The patterned resist layer is removed using a plasma process, which involves using an oxidizing species and a reducing species in the plasma. The reducing species substantially prevents the oxidation of the metal lines and the seed layer during the plasma process.
US08962453B2

A process for forming a single crystal layer of one material type such as III-V semiconductor) onto a substrate of a different material type such as silicon. A substrate of a first material type is provided. At least one discrete region of catalyst material is deposited onto the substrate, the discrete region defining a seed area of the substrate. A second material type such as III-V semiconductor is grown as a single crystal nanowire onto the substrate between the substrate and catalyst material, the nanowire of second material type extending upward from the substrate with lateral dimensions not substantially exceeding the seed area. After growth of the nanowire, growth conditions are changed so as to epitaxially grow the second material type laterally from the single crystal nanowire in a direction parallel to the substrate surface.
US08962451B2

In a wafer processing method, grooves are formed on the front side of a wafer along all division lines extending in a first direction and along all division lines extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each groove has a depth corresponding to a finished thickness of each device in the wafer. The wafer is cut into four sectorial wafer quarters. A protective member is provided on the front side of each wafer quarter; and the back side of the wafer quarter is ground to reduce the thickness of the wafer quarter to the finished thickness until the grooves are exposed to the back side of the wafer quarter, thereby dividing the wafer quarter into the individual devices.
US08962440B2

A semiconductor device including a semiconductor element; a pad electrode that is formed on the semiconductor element; an alignment mark that is formed on the semiconductor element; a connection electrode that is formed on the pad electrode; and an underfill resin that is formed to cover the connection electrode. The height of the alignment mark from the semiconductor element is greater than that of the connection electrode.
US08962422B2

A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes etching a substrate to form a field trench defining an active region and a lower gate pattern on the active region, the lower gate pattern including a tunneling insulating pattern and a lower gate electrode pattern, filling a field insulating material in the field trench to form a field region, forming an upper gate pattern on the lower gate pattern, sequentially forming a stopping layer and a buffer layer on the field region and the upper gate pattern, forming a first resistive pattern on the buffer layer of the field region, and forming a second resistive pattern on the buffer layer on the upper gate pattern, forming an interlayer insulating layer covering the first and second resistive patterns, and performing a planarization process to remove a top surface of the interlayer insulating layer and to remove the second resistive pattern.
US08962419B2

A process of forming a CMOS integrated circuit by forming a first stressor layer over two MOS transistors of opposite polarity, removing a portion of the first stressor layer from the first transistor, and forming a second stressor layer over the two transistors. A source/drain anneal is performed, crystallizing amorphous regions of silicon in the gates of the two transistors, and subsequently removing the stressor layers. A process of forming a CMOS integrated circuit by forming two transistors of opposite polarity, forming a two stressor layers over the transistors, annealing the integrated circuit, removing the stressor layers, and siliciding the transistors. A process of forming a CMOS integrated circuit with an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor using a stress memorization technique, by removing the stressor layers with wet etch processes.
US08962416B1

A method of making a semiconductor structure uses a substrate having a background doping of a first type. A gate structure has a gate dielectric on the substrate and a select gate layer on the gate dielectric. Implanting is performed into a first portion of the substrate adjacent to a first end with dopants of a second type. The implanting is prior to any dopants being implanted into the background doping of the first portion which becomes a first doped region of the second type. An NVM gate structure has a select gate, a storage layer having a first portion over the first doped region, and a control gate over the storage layer. Implanting at a non-vertical angle with dopants of the first type forms a deep doped region under the select gate. Implanting with dopants of the second type forms a source/drain extension.
US08962415B2

Methods of forming gates of semiconductor devices are provided. The methods may include forming a first recess in a first substrate region having a first conductivity type and forming a second recess in a second substrate region having a second conductivity type. The methods may also include forming a high-k layer in the first and second recesses. The methods may further include providing a first metal on the high-k layer in the first and second substrate regions, the first metal being provided within the second recess. The methods may additionally include removing at least portions of the first metal from the second recess while protecting materials within the first recess from removal. The methods may also include, after removing at least portions of the first metal from the second recess, providing a second metal within the second recess.
US08962400B2

A method includes forming a gate stack over a semiconductor region, and recessing the semiconductor region to form a recess adjacent the gate stack. A silicon-containing semiconductor region is epitaxially grown in the recess to form a source/drain stressor. Arsenic is in-situ doped during the step of epitaxially growing the silicon-containing semiconductor region.
US08962395B2

The present invention provides a Quad Flat Non-leaded (QFN) package, which comprises a chip, a lead frame, a plurality of composite bumps and an encapsulant. The chip has a plurality of pads, and the lead frame has a plurality of leads. Each of the plurality of composite bumps has a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is electrically connected between one of the pads and the second conductive layer, and the second conductive layer is electrically connected between the first conductive layer and one of the leads. The encapsulant encapsulates the chip, the leads and the composite bumps. Thereby, a QFN package with composite bumps and a semi-cured encapsulant is forming between the spaces of leads of lead frame before chip bonded to the lead frame are provided.
US08962392B2

A method includes bonding a carrier over a top die. The method further includes curing an underfill disposed between a substrate and the top die. The method further includes applying a force over the carrier during the curing. The method further includes removing the carrier from the top die.
US08962389B2

Embodiments of microelectronic packages and methods for fabricating microelectronic packages are provided. In one embodiment, the fabrication method includes printing a patterned die attach material onto the backside of a wafer including an array of non-singulated microelectronic die each having an interior keep-out area, such as a central keep-out area. The die attach material, such as a B-stage epoxy, is printed onto the wafer in a predetermined pattern such that the die attach material does not encroaching into the interior keep-out areas. The wafer is singulated to produce singulated microelectronic die each including a layer of die attach material. The singulated microelectronic die are then placed onto leadframes or other package substrates with the die attach material contacting the package substrates. The layer of die attach material is then fully cured to adhere an outer peripheral portion of the singulated microelectronic die to its package substrate.
US08962388B2

A printed circuit board assembly and method of assembly in which underfill is placed between a chip and substrate to support the chip. A trench is formed in the upper layer of the printed circuit board to limit the flow of the underfill and in particular to limit the underfill from contact with adjacent components so that the underfill does not interfere with adjacent components on the printed circuit board assembly.
US08962375B2

A method of creating a reflective shield for an image sensor device includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a substrate, wherein a photodiode is on the substrate. The method further includes removing surface topography by performing chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) on the first dielectric layer. The method further includes patterning the substrate to define an area on a surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the area is directly above the photodiode. The method further includes depositing a layer of a material with high reflectivity on the substrate, wherein the material fills the area on the surface of the first dielectric layer. The method further includes removing excess material with high reflectivity, wherein the reflective shield is formed and is embedded in the first dielectric layer. The method further includes depositing a second dielectric material on the substrate, wherein the second dielectric material covers the reflective shield.
US08962370B2

A radiation detector includes a sensor substrate and a scintillator layer. The sensor substrate is configured to be capable of performing photoelectric conversion. The scintillator layer includes a first area and a second area, the first area including an activator, the second area including the activator with a concentration lower than the concentration of the activator in the first area, the scintillator layer being provided on the sensor substrate so that the first area and the second area are arranged in a thickness direction of the scintillator layer and the first area is arranged from an end portion on a side of the sensor substrate in the scintillator layer in the thickness direction.
US08962368B2

The present invention relates to a CMOS compatible MEMS microphone, comprising: an SOI substrate, wherein a CMOS circuitry is accommodated on its silicon device layer; a microphone diaphragm formed with a part of the silicon device layer, wherein the microphone diaphragm is doped to become conductive; a microphone backplate including CMOS passivation layers with a metal layer sandwiched and a plurality of through holes, provided above the silicon device layer, wherein the plurality of through holes are formed in the portions thereof opposite to the microphone diaphragm, and the metal layer forms an electrode plate of the backplate; a plurality of dimples protruding from the lower surface of the microphone backplate opposite to the diaphragm; and an air gap, provided between the diaphragm and the microphone backplate, wherein a spacer forming a boundary of the air gap is provided outside of the diaphragm or on the edge of the diaphragm.
US08962365B2

The present method of manufacturing a GaN-based film includes the steps of preparing a composite substrate including a support substrate dissoluble in hydrofluoric acid and a single crystal film arranged on a side of a main surface of the support substrate, a coefficient of thermal expansion in the main surface of the support substrate being more than 0.8 time and less than 1.2 times as high as a coefficient of thermal expansion of GaN crystal, forming a GaN-based film on a main surface of the single crystal film arranged on the side of the main surface of the support substrate, and removing the support substrate by dissolving the support substrate in hydrofluoric acid. Thus, the method of manufacturing a GaN-based film capable of efficiently obtaining a GaN-based film having a large main surface area, less warpage, and good crystallinity, as well as a composite substrate used therefor are provided.
US08962364B2

Disclosed is a production method for an organic electroluminescent element that is provided with a substrate, an organic laminate with an organic light emitting layer that was formed by a method involving a wet process, and a pair of electrodes, wherein the method produces an organic electroluminescent element with high luminous efficiency, low driving voltage, and a minimal rise in voltage when continuously driven, by applying the coating liquid for said organic light emitting layer, and thereafter, in a drying process, heating the substrate while applying tension in a manner such that a stress that is less than the yield stress is applied to the substrate.
US08962357B2

A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display according to an exemplary embodiment includes: forming a display unit displaying an image and a driver positioned near the display unit to drive a light emitting element of the display unit in a lower mother substrate; forming a sealant and a plurality of bumps in an upper mother substrate; aligning the lower mother substrate and the upper mother substrate to face each other; melting and hardening the sealant to combine the lower mother substrate and the upper mother substrate; cutting the upper mother substrate; and cutting the lower mother substrate, wherein the cutting of the upper mother substrate is performed according to a first cutting line between the sealant and the bumps and a second cutting line corresponding to the bumps.
US08962356B2

Provided is a method of manufacturing a photonic crystal, including: a first step of forming, on a surface of a substrate, a protective mask for selective growth, the protective mask having an opening pattern opened therein; a second step of selectively growing a columnar semiconductor from an exposed portion of the surface of the substrate not having the mask formed thereon, laterally overgrowing the semiconductor layer on the mask, and embedding the mask; a third step of forming a photonic crystal in the semiconductor layer so that openings in the opening pattern and the one of pores and grooves which form the photonic crystal are at least partly overlapped each other when seen from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; a fourth step of removing at least part of the columnar semiconductor; and a fifth step of removing at least part of the mask.
US08962354B2

Methods of forming layers can comprise defining a plurality of discrete site-isolated regions (SIRs) on a substrate, forming a first layer on one of the discrete SIRs, forming a second layer on the first layer, measuring a lattice parameter or an electrical property of the second layer, The process parameters for the formation of the first layer are varied in a combinatorial manner between different discrete SIRs to explore the possible layers that can result in suitable lattice matching for second layer of a desired crystalline structure.
US08962339B2

The present invention discloses a fluorescent probe compound which solved the problem of fluorescence quenching by Pd2+, and its preparation method and use as well. Excitation and emission wavelengths of the probe compound are in visible light region. The probe compound is highly sensitive and displays good selectivity for Pd2+ in near-neutral pH range. In detection of Pd2+ in 0-10 ppb level, fluorescence is evidently enhanced, and Pd2+ in the level as low as 5 nM can be detected. Fluorescence intensity is well linearly correlated to Pd2+ concentration. The probe compound can be used for detection of contaminating palladium and residual palladium in drug, soil, water sample and reactor.
US08962333B2

The present invention relates to the discovery of a novel restriction/modification system in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii. The discovered restriction enzyme is a HaeIII-like restriction enzyme that possesses a thermophilic activity profile. The restriction/modification system also includes a methyltransferase, M.CbeI, that methylates at least one cytosine residue in the CbeI recognition sequence to m4C. Thus, the invention provides, in various aspects, isolated CbeI or M.CbeI polypeptides, or biologically active fragments thereof; isolated polynucleotides that encode the CbeI or M.CbeI polypeptides or biologically active fragments thereof, including expression vectors that include such polynucleotide sequences; methods of digesting DNA using a CbeI polypeptide; methods of treating a DNA molecule using a M.CbeI polypeptide; and methods of transforming a Caldicellulosiruptor cell.
US08962332B2

Sequences of a serotype 8 adeno-associated virus and vectors and host cells containing these sequences are provided. Also described are methods of using such host cells and vectors in production of rAAV particles.
US08962318B2

We disclose a method comprising: (a) providing an embryonic stem (ES) cell; and (b) establishing a progenitor cell line from the embryonic stem cell; in which the progenitor cell line is selected based on its ability to self-renew. Preferably, the method selects against somatic cells based on their inability to self-renew. Preferably, the progenitor cell line is derived or established in the absence of co-culture, preferably in the absence of feeder cells, which preferably selects against embryonic stem cells. Optionally, the method comprises (d) deriving a differentiated cell from the progenitor cell line.
US08962316B2

Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.
US08962308B2

Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.
US08962307B2

This invention relates to DNA microarray technology, and more specifically to methods and kits for identifying autism and autism spectrum disorders in humans.
US08962300B2

The present invention provides reagents and methods for biomaterial production from cyanobacteria.
US08962289B2

A method for producing a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with introduced genes coding for xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase and xylulokinase and with improved ethanol production, improved xylose conversion, reduced xylitol production and improved inhibitor tolerance is described. The method comprises culturing a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a continuous mode with a medium comprising essentially only xylose as carbon source at a temperature of 25-38° C., preferably 30-35° C., and an airflow of 0.040-0.055 vvm, and increasing the dilution rate to maintain a constant cell level, said cell level being in the range of 1.5-3.0 determined by optical density or equivalent analytical means, and adding at least one inhibitor to the cells and gradually increasing the addition of said inhibitor. Further, strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae obtained by the method according to the invention are described.
US08962282B2

A process for production of poly (α 1,3 glucan) from a renewable feedstock, for applications in fibers, films, and pulps. The effect of addition of tetraborate in increasing the yield of the desired end products, poly (α 1,3 glucan) and fructose, and decreasing formation of the undesired by-product leucrose.
US08962275B2

The present invention provides new anti-α5β1 antibodies, compositions and kits comprising the antibodies, and methods of making and using the antibodies.
US08962272B2

Bacteria optimized to produce succinate and other feedstocks by growing on low cost carbon sources, such as sucrose.
US08962267B1

The present invention relates to a method for determining or predicting the response of a patient diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer to targeted pharmacotherapy. The present invention also aims to provide methods and devices for predicting the response of patients diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer to specific medicaments. More specifically, the present invention provides methods which measure kinase activity by studying phosphorylation levels and profiles and inhibitions thereof by drugs in samples of said patients.
US08962253B2

Currently, the circularization of small RNAs is broadly regarded as an obstacle in ligation-related assays and explicitly avoided while short lengths of linear RNA targets is broadly recognized as a factor limiting use of conventional primers in PCR-related assays. In contrast, the disclosed invention capitalizes on circularization of small RNA targets or their conjugates with oligonucleotide adapters. The circular RNA templates provide amplification of the target sequences via synthesis of multimer nucleic acids that can be either labeled for direct detection or subjected to PCR amplification and detection. Structure of small circular RNAs and corresponding multimeric nucleic acids provide certain advantages over current methods including flexibility in design of conventional RT and PCR primers as well as use of 5′-overlapping dimer-primers for efficient and sequence-specific amplification of short target sequences. Our invention also reduces number of steps and reagents while increasing sensitivity and accuracy of detection of small RNAs with both 2′OH and 2′-OMe at their 3′ ends. Our invention increase sensitivity and specificity of detection of microRNAs and other small RNAs with both 2′OH and 2′-OMe at their 3′ ends while allowing us to distinguish these two forms from each other.
US08962252B2

This invention relates to systems and methods for imaging sample materials within a microfluidic device during an assay reaction process. In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, images are formed with a pixel array and a region of interest (“ROI”) is defined within the pixel array. Image values, such as fluorescent intensity, can be computed as averages of individual pixel values within the ROI. Where the ROI is subject to non-uniform conditions, such as non-uniform heating, the ROI can be divided into sub-ROIs which are sufficiently small that the condition is uniform within the sub-ROI.
US08962246B2

Aspects of the present invention relate to compositions and methods for providing DNA fragments from an archived sample (e.g., paraffin-embedded and/or fixed-tissue biopsies, etc.). Particular aspects provide methods whereby high yields of DNA are isolated as well as a substantial portion of the DNA consists of long DNA fragments, and where the isolated genomic DNA is free of associated or cross-linked contaminants like proteins, peptides, amino acids or RNA. The methods are facile, cost-effective, and are characterized by high reproducibility and reliability. Particular aspects provide methods for providing DNA fragments derived from an archived sample, wherein the yield of DNA before, for example, an amplification step is at least 20%, and amplicons up to a length of about 1,000 base pairs are amplifiable.
US08962244B2

The invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting RNA binding proteins (e.g., MEX-3, MEX-5 and POS-1), as well as methods for treating and preventing disorders associated with parasitic infections and inflammatory disorders.
US08962242B2

A system for detecting electrical properties of a molecular complex is disclosed. The system includes an electrode electrically coupled to a molecular complex that outputs an electrical signal affected by an electrical property of the molecular complex, wherein the effect of the electrical property of the molecular complex on the electrical signal is characterized by an expected bandwidth. The system further includes an integrating amplifier circuit configured to:receive the electrical signal from the electrode. The integrating amplifier circuit is further configured to selectively amplify and integrate a portion of the electrical signal over time within a predetermined bandwidth, wherein the predetermined bandwidth is selected at least in part based on the expected bandwidth.
US08962229B2

An electrostatic charge image developing toner is configured of a polycondensate of a polyol and a polycarboxylic acid including a trimellitic acid, includes a polyester resin with an ethylenic unsaturated bond, and has toner particles including a reaction product of the polyester resin and a compound having an imidazoline structure in a surface part, a molar ratio of the trimellitic acid is from 0.1 mol % to 10 mol % with respect to the entire polymerization components of the polyester resin, and a weight ratio of the compound having an imidazoline structure is from 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the toner particles excluding the compound having an imidazoline structure.
US08962227B2

An electrophotographic photosensitive member that includes the outermost surface layer formed by curing a mixture of a charge transporting substance having a chain-polymerizable functional group and a urea compound represented by the following formula (1) or (2), and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each including the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
US08962226B2

An organic photoreceptor, comprises: a conductive support; a photosensitive layer provided on the conductive support; and a protective layer provided on the photosensitive layer, wherein the protective layer contains alumina particles which contain 2 to 50 ppm of phosphorus atoms and is subjected to a surface treatment with a compound A having a reactive functional group and a curable compound B, and the protective layer is a cured layer including a cured product material formed by at least the compound A on the surfaces of the alumina particles and the curable compound B.
US08962221B2

A mask includes a substrate, at least a first strip pattern, at least a second strip pattern and an assist pattern. A width of the second strip pattern is substantially larger than a width of the first strip pattern. The assist pattern is disposed in the second strip pattern neighboring the first strip pattern, and the assist pattern does not overlap a center line of the second strip pattern.
US08962220B2

Provided is a reflective photomask reflecting an EUV light and used to irradiate a reflected light to a transfer sample, the reflective photomask including: a substrate; a high reflection part formed on the substrate; and a low reflection part formed on the high reflection part and being patterned, wherein the low reflection part, being patterned, includes at least one or more layers being stacked; and at least one layer of the low reflection part, being patterned, includes a layer including an Sn and an oxygen.
US08962218B2

A multilayer contact approach for use in a planar solid oxide fuel cell stack includes at least 3 layers of an electrically conductive perovskite which has a coefficient of thermal expansion closely matching the fuel cell material. The perovskite material may comprise La1-xEx Co0.6Ni0.4O3 where E is a alkaline earth metal and x is greater than or equal to zero. The middle layer is a stress relief layer which may fracture during thermal cycling to relieve stress, but remains conductive and prevents mechanical damage of more critical interfaces.
US08962201B2

Disclosed is a fuel cell apparatus which can continue stable performance, can generate an electric power for a long period, and has a long service life. The fuel cell apparatus comprises: a fuel cell body comprising a power generation unit which can generate an electric power through the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen and a hydrogen generation member which can generate hydrogen through the reaction with water produced upon the generation of the electric power and can supply hydrogen generated to the power generation unit; and a reduction control unit which can control so as to reduce the hydrogen generation member that has been oxidized through the reaction with the produced water.
US08962199B2

A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a reformer (1) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing fuel gas from a material gas and steam; a fuel cell (101) configured to generate electric power by using a fuel gas supplied from the reformer (1); a water tank (3) configured to store water; a water utilizing device configured to utilize the water supplied from the water tank (3); a first water supply unit (5) disposed on a water passage (30) extending from the water tank (3) to the water utilizing device and configured to supply the water in the water tank (3) to the water utilizing device; and a purifier (4) disposed on the water passage (30) and configured to purify the water flowing through the water passage (30), and the purifier (4) is provided such that when a water level of the water tank (3) is a full water level, the purifier (4) is filled with the water by the weight of the water.
US08962198B2

A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel in a first high pressure chamber. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane is disposed in a second low pressure chamber. A water absorbing material provides water vapor to the hydrogen producing fuel, and a plurality of valves control hydrogen provided to the fuel cell from the first high pressure chamber, and exposure of the water absorbing material to ambient and the high pressure chamber.
US08962193B2

A solid electrolyte is disclosed. The solid electrolyte includes a main portion that includes β-alumina or β″-alumina, and an edge portion integrally provided with the main portion. The edge portion has a mixed portion that includes α-alumina and includes β alumina or β″-alumina. A concentration gradient of the α-alumina in the edge portion decreases in a first direction from the edge portion to the main portion.
US08962192B2

A nonaqueous electrolytic solution that can provide a battery that is low in gas generation, has a large capacity, and is excellent in storage characteristics and cycle characteristics contains an electrolyte and a nonaqueous solvent dissolving the electrolyte and further contains 0.001 vol % or more and less than 1 vol % of a compound represented by Formula (1) in the nonaqueous solvent. Alternatively, the nonaqueous electrolytic solution contains 0.001 vol % or more and less than 5 vol % of a compound represented by Formula (1) in the nonaqueous solvent and further contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cyclic carbonate compounds having carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds, cyclic carbonate compounds having fluorine atoms, monofluorophosphates, and difluorophosphates. In Formula (1), R1 to R3 each independently represent an alkyl group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by a halogen atom; and n represents an integer of 0 to 6.
US08962180B2

A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly; a case in which the electrode assembly is installed; a cap assembly coupled to an opening of the case and to an externally protruded terminal, the cap assembly including a cap plate; a first gasket between the terminal and the cap plate; and a second gasket between the terminal and the cap plate, the second gasket having a blocking portion overlapped with the first gasket.
US08962175B2

An electrochemical device including a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing. Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte. The electrochemical device also includes a current collector located between adjacent electrochemical cells, an anode bus operatively connected to the anodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack and a cathode bus operatively connected to the cathodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack. The housing, the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, the separator, the anode bus and the cathode bus are non-metallic.
US08962170B2

A device for performing at least one medical function on a user is proposed. The device has at least one medical functional element that is designed to perform the medical function. The medical function is selected from a diagnostic, a therapeutic and a surgical function. The device has at least one evaluation and control part that comprises at least one actuation component for controlling the medical function. The evaluation and control part has at least one casing and at least one battery receptacle. The battery receptacle comprises at least one electrical energy reservoir, more particularly at least one battery. The battery receptacle is designed to be opened irreversibly by the user for removing the energy reservoir.
US08962163B2

The present invention provides an aluminum alloy component having an anodic oxide film less causing cracks and high in surface smoothness, which is capable of reducing abrasion of a cutting tool regardless of the excellent machinability. The aluminum alloy component (1) has an anodic oxide film formed on a surface of a base metal of an aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy consists of Fe: 0.5 to 2 mass %, Cu: 0.35 to 0.6 mass %, Mg: 0.35 to 1.3 mass %, Si: 0.2 to 1.3 mass %, Cr: 0.005 to 0.3 mass %, Mn: 0.01 to 0.3 mass %, Ti: 0.005 to 0.1 mass %, and the balance being inevitable impurities, wherein Zn is controlled to be less than 0.25 mass %, and wherein Al—Fe series crystals and Al—Fe—Si series crystals having a maximum grain diameter of 30 μm or less exist in the anodic oxide film in a dispersed manner with an average center-to-center distance of 10 to 100 μm, and a percentage of a total occupied area of the Al—Fe series crystals and Al—Fe—Si series crystals in the anodic oxide film is 5% or more.
US08962160B2

The present invention discloses a novel material is represented by the following formula (A), the organic EL device employing the material as blue emitting layer can lower driving voltage, prolong half-lifetime and increase the efficiency. Wherein m represent an integer of 0 to 4, R1 and R2 are identical or different. R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms. R3 and R4 are identical or different, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halide, a substituted or unsubstituted arylamine, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms.
US08962157B2

Compounds of formula I may be used in optoelectronic devices wherein R1, R2 and R4 are, independently at each occurrence, H, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C3-C20 aromatic radical, or a C3-C20 cycloaliphatic radical; R3 is H or a is, independently at each occurrence, 1 or 2; b is, independently at each occurrence, an integer ranging from 0-3; c is, independently at each occurrence, an integer ranging from 0-4; Ar is independently at each occurrence, H, or heteroaryl; and at least two of Ar are heteroaryl.
US08962151B2

Improved methods of bonding solid materials include a step of fabricating a micro-column array (MCA) on at least one surface to be bonded. The MCA formation process can be modified to cause and/or prevent chemical alteration of the surface being treated or to deposit a coating on the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the MCA is fabricated by laser treating the surface, such as by laser ablation.
US08962146B2

A dental blank has at least an inner zone (or layer) of a first color and an outer zone (or layer) of a second color, wherein the inner and outer zones are concentric. The inner zone can be surrounded in its entirety by the outer zone such that only the outer zone is visible on all surfaces of the blank. Alternatively, the inner zone and the outer zone can extend to a same single surface of the blank, such that only the outer zone covers all remaining surfaces. The blank may also have an intermediate zone between the inner and outer zones. A method of fabrication includes solid free form processes, such as robocasting, laser sintering and 3D printing that allow for placement of multiple colors. A dental restoration made from the blank can have a variety of shades depending on a ratio of milled outer layers to internal layers.
US08962144B2

A reinforcing sheet for a resin molded product includes a constraining layer, and a reinforcing layer laminated on the constraining layer. After being stuck to a polypropylene plate having a thickness of 2.0 mm and heated at 80° C. for 10 minutes, the reinforcing sheet for a resin molded product has a bending strength at a displacement of 1 mm at 90° C. which is not less than double a bending strength of the polypropylene plate having a thickness of 2.0 mm at a displacement of 1 mm at 90° C.
US08962143B2

A PTFE-based sliding material, wherein the porous sintered layer on the surface of backing metal is impregnated with baked PTFE, with one or both of the solid lubricant and wear-resistant additive together with fibrous PTFE forming an entangled fibrous PTFE structure, is used for a bearing of air-conditioner. Resistance of the bearing for local wear is required. Such wear resistance is to be enhanced. Carbides of an oligomer or polymer containing a hydrophilic group formed during baking are incorporated in the entangled structure of fibrous PTFE.
US08962139B2

A resin particle including: a resin mother particle; and silica particles externally added onto a surface of the resin mother particle, wherein primary particles of the silica particles, the primary particles which have a volume average particle diameter of from 80 nm to 300 nm, a particle size distribution index of from 1.10 to 1.40, an average circularity of from 0.70 to 0.92 and an average circularity distribution index of from 1.05 to 1.50, and a proportion of the primary particles having an average circularity of 0.95 or more is not more 10% by number.
US08962133B2

An object of the present invention is to provide: an electrophotographic member which enhances image quality, prevents the lowering of a grade of an image even when images have been repeatedly output, and can remarkably enhance the stability of the grade of the image; an intermediate transfer member; and an image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic member includes a base layer and a surface layer, wherein the surface layer has a binder resin, perfluoropolymer fine particles, a fluorocarbon resin dispersing agent and a particular fluorine compound, wherein the perfluoropolymer fine particle has a fluorine compound carried on its surface.
US08962131B2

Transparent conductive films comprising silver nanowires dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol or gelatin can be prepared by coating from aqueous solvent using common aqueous solvent coating techniques. These films have good transparency, conductivity, and stability. Coating on a flexible support allows the manufacture of flexible conductive materials.
US08962114B2

A compression molded preform for forming an invertible base hot-fill container, and systems and methods thereof. The preform includes a body with a first open end, a second closed end or end cap of hemispherical shape, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the second end is thinner than any portion of the sidewall. Further, the second end is gateless and has an inner surface that is substantially smooth along its entire area. The compression molded preform is blow molded to form a plastic container with an invertible or movable base. The invertible or movable base is responsive to, or can be moved based on, internal forces or pressure associated with processing the container with a filled product.
US08962112B2

In an intermediate transfer medium, a substrate, protective layers having a layered structure of two or more layers, and a receiving layer are layered in this order. One layer in the protective layers having the layered structure contains, as a main component, one material or a mixture of two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyesters having a high polymerization degree, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of not less than 12,000 and a Tg of not less than 60° C., polycarbonates and polyester urethanes. Another layer in the protective layers having the layered structure contains one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl butyrals, polyvinyl acetals and polyvinyl pyrrolidones or includes a cationic resin, and the receiving layer contains a side chain-type aralkyl-modified silicone in an amount of 0.5-5% by weight on a base of the total weight of the receiving layer.
US08962104B2

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel that suppresses the temperature dependence of transmittance-gradation characteristics and thus overcomes problems in which significant changes in transmittance-gradation characteristics are caused by the effects of environmental temperature and a light source to lead to the degradation of display performance, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel of the present invention includes a liquid crystal medium containing a plurality of liquid crystal compounds each having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy, the liquid crystal medium being held between a first substrate and a second substrate that are located opposite each other, and a side of each of the substrates in contact with the liquid crystal medium having vertical alignment properties for the liquid crystal compounds. The liquid crystal medium in the liquid crystal display panel contains a liquid crystal composition (1) or a liquid crystal composition (2) having a specific composition. In the liquid crystal display panel, Δγ which pertains to a transmittance-gradation characteristic curve coefficient and which is calculated from specific expressions is 0.2 or less.
US08962102B2

The invention relates to compounds of the formula I, and to a liquid-crystalline medium, preferably having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises one or more compounds of formula I, defined herein, for use in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALO, FFS or IPS effect, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formula II and one or more compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4, defined herein.
US08962095B2

A low conductivity is provided to a coating surface 21 of a non-conductive coating target 20, and the coating surface 21 is coated with a charged paint while free ions are suppressed.
US08962093B2

A portable, manually operable, trigger-activated pump spray applicator can be used to apply paints and coating fluids in commercial and military end use applications, especially chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) fluids. The applicator includes an impermeable, preferably rigid-walled, container capped by a manually operable spray pump with a single fluid nozzle. The assembly has capability of producing an atomized spray of viscous coating fluids. The applicator includes internal agitators suitable to redisperse solid components of the coating fluid that settle after long-term storage. The agitators include a plurality of small, heavy spheres and a single large, heavy, striker. The inside bottom wall and side wall meet with a concave radius of curvature that matches the radius of the small spheres. The striker has a characteristic dimension of about 10-500% greater than the diameter of the small spheres.
US08962092B2

The application relates to an agent containing bound octenyl succinic anhydride groups made via the reaction of octenyl succinic anhydride onto a dispersed waxy starch, which provides significant improvements in paper porosity reduction, when added at a low level to a commodity surface starch dispersion and used to surface size paper.
US08962080B2

The method for patterning a polymer layer arranged on a support comprises deposition of a layer made from a lithium-based polymerization inhibitor material on a first area of the support, deposition of a cationically polymerizable material on the polymerization inhibitor layer and on a second area of the support, application of polymerization treatment resulting in a non-solidified sacrificial layer in the first area and the polymer layer in the second area, and elimination of the sacrificial layer.
US08962079B2

A method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a tool having, on a replication side, a plurality of replication sections, each replication section defining a surface structure of one of an optical element(s), the tool further including at least one contact spacer portion, the contact spacer portion protruding, on the replication side, further than an outermost feature of the replication sections; aligning the tool with a feature of the substrate and bringing the tool and a first side of the substrate together, with replication material between the tool and the substrate, the contact spacer portion contacting the first side of the substrate, and thereby causing the spacer portion to adhere to the first side of the substrate, thereby producing a substrate-tool-assembly; dislocating the substrate-tool-assembly to a hardening station; causing the replication material to harden at the hardening station; and separating the tool from the substrate with the hardened replication material adhering to the substrate.
US08962076B2

A method of manufacturing a hollow body is disclosed, the body provided with a glass inside surface defining a cavity, said method being characterized in that it includes a step of covering at least a fraction of said inside surface with a lining of composition that is mostly metal, said covering step including sub-steps of activating and of grafting said inside surface respectively with an activation agent and with a grafting agent, and in that said hollow body comprises a single piece of glass inside which said cavity is formed.
US08962073B2

The disclosure relates to a method for depositing films on a substrate which may form part of an LED or other types of display. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for depositing ink on a substrate. The apparatus includes a chamber for receiving ink; a discharge nozzle having an inlet port and an outlet port, the discharge nozzle receiving a quantity of ink from the chamber at the inlet port and dispensing the quantity of ink from the outlet port; and a dispenser for metering the quantity of ink from the chamber to the inlet port of the discharge nozzle; wherein the chamber receives ink in liquid form having a plurality of suspended particles and the quantity of ink is pulsatingly metered from the chamber to the discharge nozzle; and the discharge nozzle evaporates the carrier liquid and deposits the solid particles on the substrate.
US08962071B2

Cold-in-place asphalt recycling is disclosed. A foamed asphalt may be produced by injecting water and optionally compressed air into a hot asphalt stream. A lubricating surfactant may be added to the hot asphalt stream to improve performance. The foamed asphalt may be mixed with reclaimed material to provide a uniformly coated paving material that can compacted to a desired density.
US08962068B2

An objective is to provide a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence element possessing a thin film exhibiting relatively low film-strength formed via a continuous wet coating process. Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence element possessing a substrate film and provided thereon at least an organic layer placed between a pair of facing electrodes, possessing a light emitting layer containing an organic light emission material; possessing the steps of forming the organic layer on a first electrode provided on the substrate film by a continuous wet coating method; and cutting the substrate film with an upper cutting blade and a lower cutting blade, wherein the lower blade faces the substrate film, the upper blade has a blade edge angle of 30-60°, and the lower blade has a blade edge angle of 80-90°.
US08962062B2

A method of manufacturing an end effector for a surgical instrument includes providing a substrate wherein at least an outer periphery of the substrate is formed from an electrically-insulative material. The method further includes forming at least one ridge on the outer periphery of the substrate and depositing an electrically-conductive material onto the at least one ridge to form at least one electrode.
US08962052B2

Acidulated carbonated beverage containing a foam control agent and/or carbon dioxide control agent. The control agent contains a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester.
US08962049B2

Capsule and filter unit for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid in the capsule. The capsule is constructed to have at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, and a filter adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid. The filter is formed as a relatively rigid filter unit that includes a filter membrane and an outlet wall for supporting the filter membrane. The outlet wall has at least one liquid outlet communicating with the compartment.
US08962043B2

Disclosed is a composition comprising MZ for use as a dietary supplement or food additive for oral consumption for improving the visual performance of a human subject.
US08962042B2

Nutrient compositions comprising botanical extracts and methods of their use for treating, inter alia, autism or apraxia and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms thereof are disclosed. The use of such compositions for enhancing cognitive function and/or one or more aspects thereof, or for treating stroke or seizures and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms thereof are also disclosed.
US08962033B2

The present invention relates to a fibrin matrix, its preparation and use for effectively sealing a defect in a mucosa or other moist tissue.
US08962032B2

There is provided a method for suppressing a pro-inflammatory immune response in a cell, comprising providing to a cell sialic acid or analogs thereof, wherein the sialic acid or analogs are presented by a substrate such that a pro-inflammatory immune response in a cell is suppressed or an anti-inflammatory immune response is increased in a cell. Further, there is provided a method of treatment of inflammatory disease in a subject in need thereof. There is also provided a drug delivery device and a biomaterial which can modulate the inflammatory response in a subject.
US08962030B2

Milled nanoparticles comprising a biologically active agent, at least one biopolymer and a coating containing at least one coating which is a polymer or ligand are produced using milling and coating techniques which have not previously been used for these applications.
US08962019B2

The invention relates to a sustained release formulation for delivering one or more pharmaceutically active agents. The formulation comprises cross-linked high amylose starch and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, and optionally can be subdivided into smaller dosage forms where the smaller dosage forms have substantially the same sustained release properties as the formulation from which they were derived. The formulations can provide sustained release for up to at least 24 hours, and because of their divisability permits a recipient of the active agent or the person administering the active agent to titrate the dosage of the agent.
US08962017B2

A high-efficacy, long-acting formulation of silymarin, comprising silymarin solid dispersion, silymarin-loaded silica nanoparticles, slow-release matrix material and release enhancer, wherein the mass ratio of these components is silymarin solid dispersion:silymarin-loaded silica nanoparticles:slow-release matrix material:release enhancer=1:0.5˜1.25:0.1˜0.3:0.1˜0.3; the drug loading rate of the said silymarin-loaded silica nanoparticles is 51.95%-52.87%; the said silymarin solid dispersion contains povidone K30, soybean lecithin and acrylic resin IV, and the mass ratio between silymarin and other medical accessories in silymarin solid dispersion is silymarin:povidone K30:soybean lecithin:acrylic resin IV=1:1˜3:0.3˜0.8:0.2˜0.5. Compared with the existing formulations, the half life of the high-efficacy, long-acting formulation of silymarin disclosed in this invention is 2.3 times longer while the mean residence time (MRT) of which is 9.94 times longer; when tested in vivo in Beagle dogs, this new formulation of silymarin presents a smoother concentration-time curve and reaches a continuous release for 72 hours. This invention discloses its preparation method.
US08962002B2

A composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent is provided. A method of making a composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, said method comprising admixing a biocompatible and pliable material with a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, is also provided. A method of augmenting soft tissue to provide long-term reduction of a skin defect, said method comprising stimulating collagen beneath the skin defect is further provided. In an embodiment of the method of augmenting soft tissue, the stimulation of collagen production is effected by injecting into the deep reticular dermis an a dermal filler, said dermal filler being an alloplastic injectable suspension and comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent.
US08961994B2

Aspects of the present invention relate to isolated nucleic acids that encode a consensus DIII domain of protein E and vaccines made using same, and also methods for using the aforementioned to generate in a host an immune response against multiple serotypes of flavivirus, particularly West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.
US08961992B1

Epsi-gam provides a novel fusion protein with the ability to cross-link either of the FcεRI or FcεRII cell surface receptors with an FcγRIIb cell surface receptor in order to block IgE-mediated biological responses.
US08961990B2

Vaccine vectors and methods for enhancing resistance to Campylobacter infection or for enhancing the immune response to Campylobacter are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a first polynucleotide which encodes an antigenic polypeptide selected from SEQ ID NO 7-9 or a fragment thereof. The vector may also include an immunostimulatory polypeptide. The methods include administering the vaccine vectors to a subject.
US08961986B2

There is provided a method for selecting a tolerogenic peptide by selecting a peptide which is capable of binding to an MHC class I or II molecule without further processing. There is also provided a peptide selected by such a method and its use in a pharmaceutical composition and a method to treat and/or prevent a disease. The present invention also relates to a composition which comprises the following myelin basic protein peptides: MBP 30-44; MBP 83-99; MBP 131-145; and MBP 140-154. The composition may be used to treat a disease, in particular multiple sclerosis and/or optical neuritis and the invention also relates to such uses and methods.
US08961983B2

A mucosal vaccine for the prevention or treatment of microbial infections is described that is capable of inducing vaccine antigen-specific immune responses in an organism without the addition of a mucosal adjuvant. The mucosal vaccine comprises a composite of a nanogel comprising a hydrophilic polysaccharide having a cationic functional group and a hydrophobic cholesterol added thereto as a side chain and a vaccine antigen. The vaccine is administered via a mucosal route.
US08961980B2

The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing GT468, including tumor-related diseases such as breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, and hepatocellular cancer.
US08961976B2

The present invention provides peptides, and fragments thereof, and antibodies, or fragments thereof comprising the same, wherein the peptide comprises at least one amino acid substitution compared to wild type 5c8 antibody. The present invention also provides compositions and methods of treating CD154-related diseases or disorders in a subject.
US08961975B2

The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US08961969B2

EphB3-specific antibodies are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions containing such antibody, kits containing a pharmaceutical composition, and methods of preventing and treating an EphB3-related disease or disorder.
US08961967B2

Antibody and other Fc-containing molecules with variations in the Fc region reduce binding to Fc gamma receptors and resulting activity and can be used in the treatment of various diseases and disorders.
US08961964B2

The present application relates to highly concentrated antibody and protein formulations with reduced viscosity that are stable, relatively isotonic and are of low turbidity. The formulations are particularly suitable for subcutaneous administration. The application further describes articles of manufacture containing such formulations and method for using them to treat disorders treatable by the formulated antibody or protein.
US08961963B2

Disclosed is a pharmaceutical natural composition containing both statin compounds (mevinolin and mevinolinic acid) serving as cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors and coenzyme Q (ubiquinone-10: CoQ10 and ubiquinone-9: CoQ9) compounds which are substances that inhibit factors causing complications such as myalgia involved in long-term use of the statin, prepared using Monascus sp. and natural medicinal substances such as ginseng, mushrooms and cereals.
US08961961B2

Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
US08961952B2

The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic micro-organisms, in particular to the field of non-replicating probiotic micro-organisms. Embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions comprising probiotic micro-organisms that were rendered non-replicating by extrusion. Such compositions may be used to treat or prevent disorders that are related to a compromised immune system.
US08961950B2

Low doses of IL-2 are administered locally and neo-adjuvantly to patients with early stages of the disease. This will result in local high concentrations of IL-2 within the relevant tumor draining lymph nodes. Patients with only early stages of disease will be more responsive to immunotherapy with the expectation of improved survival of patients compared to current therapy standards.
US08961939B2

Disclosed are compositions, apparatus, and related methods and systems for oral health care.
US08961928B2

A ligand and a metal complex having the ligand are provided. The ligand and a paramagnetic metal ion form a metal complex with high stability, high relaxivity and high biocompatibility. The metal complex of the present invention is applicable to the preparation of MRI contrast agents for detecting atherosclerosis. The MRI contrast agent includes a peptide sequence specific to a matrix metalloprotease, and can be recognized by a pathological thrombocyte to target a specific site, so as to enhance the imaging contrast.
US08961926B2

The invention relates to a method for targeting an imaging agent to cells of an animal to detect localized infections. More particularly, localized infections are detected by targeting imaging agents to inflammatory cells having receptors for a vitamin by using vitamin-imaging agent conjugates.
US08961922B2

A method for producing hydrogen from water is provided. The hydrogen production process includes splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, wherein the process includes decomposing sulfuric acid into water, sulfur dioxide and oxygen through a reaction of formula (X1) by using solar thermal energy, wherein at least a part of the elementary reaction of formula (X1-1) is performed using thermal solar energy, and at least a part of the elementary reaction of formula (X1-2) is performed using additional thermal energy other than solar thermal energy, and wherein the heating temperature by the additional thermal energy is higher by 10° C. or more than the heating temperature by the solar thermal energy, and at least a part of the additional thermal energy is generated in a reaction vessel: (X1) H2SO4→H2O+SO2+1/2O2, (X1-1) H2SO4→H2O+SO3, and (X1-2) SO3→SO2+1/2O2.
US08961920B1

Embodiments of methods of altering the color of diamonds are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for altering the color of diamonds includes identifying and selecting a diamond having a suitable nitrogen content, HPHT processing the selected diamond under diamond-stable conditions to alter the color of the selected diamond from a first color to a second color, irradiating the HPHT-processed diamond with an electron source having an energy between about 1 MeV and about 20 MeV so as to alter the color of the selected diamond from the second color to a third color, and annealing the irradiated diamond either under partial vacuum conditions, or under HPHT diamond-stable conditions so as to alter the color from the third color to a fourth color (e.g., pink, red, or purple, depending on the nitrogen content of the selected diamond).
US08961908B1

An incubation system for incubating membranes in western blot experiments featuring a base with an inner cavity adapted to hold membranes and small amounts of solutions and a lid that can pivot between an open and closed position to respectively allow and prevent access to the inner cavity. A gasket is disposed in between the lid and base to provide a water-tight seal between the lid and base. The systems can be stacked atop one another to allow for multiple systems to be placed atop a moving platform such as a rocking platform or an orbital shaker.
US08961906B2

A fluid connector device is provided. The fluid connector device includes a coupling substrate having a conformal recess, a reconnectable fitting disposed in the recess to provide a first passageway, and a force applying element operatively coupled to the reconnectable fitting, or the coupling substrate, or both the reconnectable fitting and the coupling substrate to at least partially provide a sealing force between the reconnectable fitting and the coupling substrate, wherein at least one of the force applying element, the reconnectable fitting, and the coupling substrate comprises one or more degrees of freedom for self alignment of the reconnectable fitting and the conformal recess.
US08961903B2

A microfluidic passive device and a method for determining clotting time are described, of a fluid medium such as blood, of low production cost which can therefore be disposable. When optimised to determine blood clotting time, it requires a minimal whole blood sample (<5 μL) and it is particularly suited to INR or PT determination, which can be used autonomously by patient without venipuncture. Monitoring, and processing means to interpret the results are comprised in an external coagulometer device. A production method for the manufacture of the microfluidic device is also provided.
US08961901B2

A microfluidic system having a microchannel for the capillary transport of a liquid, in particular a body fluid for analytical purposes. The microchannel is provided with a surface coating comprising at least one hydrophilic substance selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylate, dextran sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The invention also concerns a coating method that is suitable for this.
US08961895B2

An air treatment system may include a housing including at least one wall defining a nozzle passage having a vent adjacent an upstream portion of the at least one wall. The air treatment system may also include a photocatalytic reaction chamber including a plurality of photocatalytic media and a light source disposed to illuminate at least a portion of the photocatalytic media for producing a photocatalytic reaction generating a plurality of hydroxyl radicals. The air treatment system may also include a blower fluidly coupled with the photocatalytic reaction chamber for conveying air through the photocatalytic reaction chamber and directing the air through the vent and along at least a portion of the at least one wall.
US08961894B2

An apparatus and method of producing an atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma (ANEP) in a sealed container having a selected working gas and an object to be treated is described. A variety of working gas mixtures including air, O2, N2, CO2, He and Ar, in combination with a range of ionization gradients, voltages and ANEP column lengths was investigated so as to establish effective ranges of the variables using the sterilization of a sample as a measure of effectiveness. Certain combinations of working gas, voltage gradient, voltage and ANEP column length were found to have greater effectiveness. The approach may be used for food products, medical equipment, or other objects where treatment with reactive gas atmospheres is effective.
US08961887B2

A two step process for the destruction of a precursor material using a steam plasma in a three zone reactor wherein the precursor material is hydrolyzed as a first step in the high temperature zone of the reactor, followed by a second step of medium temperature oxidation of the reactant stream in the combustion zone of the reactor where combustion oxygen or air is injected and immediate quenching of the resulting gas stream to avoid the formation of unwanted by-products. A related apparatus includes a non transferred direct current steam plasma torch, an externally cooled three zone steam plasma reactor means for introducing the precursor material into the plasma plume of the plasma torch, means for introducing the combustion air or oxygen into the combustion zone, means for exiting the reactant mixture from the reactor and means for quenching the reactant mixture located at the exit end of the reactor.
US08961885B2

A device for the purification of polluted waste gas by means of regenerative thermal oxidation. The device has at least two heat-accumulator towers having a common combustion chamber and each containing a heat-accumulator material, the upper ends of which face the combustion chamber. The heat-accumulator towers are each connected via a control chamber to a channel for the supply of the raw gas to be purified and a channel for the discharge of clean gas. The two channels are each connectable to the at least two heat-accumulator towers via the control chambers for an alternating supply of raw gas and discharge of clean gas via shut-off devices actuable by actuators. The two channels are arranged laterally adjacent to the heat-accumulator towers and are located adjacent each other and above the respective control chambers and interconnected with the respective control chambers through openings therebetween, with the openings being closable via shut-off devices.
US08961879B2

The invention relates to curable compositions which are prepared from polyol components containing one or more polyols and isocyanate components containing one or more isocyanates, which compositions contain at least one indicator having at least one quinonoid group, which indicator signifies the degree of curing by a change of color. The invention also relates to a method for indicating the progress of curing in such curable compositions.
US08961875B2

A method for inactivating a fluid culture includes inserting a collapsible bag within a chamber of a tank assembly. A fluid is dispensed into a compartment of the collapsible bag, the fluid including a culture containing live cells or microorganisms. A lid is positioned over an opening of the tank assembly so that the collapsible bag is substantially enclosed within the tank assembly. The fluid within the collapsible bag is heated to an inactivation temperature that is sufficiently high to kill all of the live cells or microorganisms within the fluid. In one embodiment, the fluid within the flexible bag is mixed while the fluid is being heated to the inactivation temperature.
US08961864B2

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a method and apparatus for cooling a metal strip that is being advanced in a generally horizontal fashion. The method involves delivering a coolant liquid onto a lower surface of the strip from below across the entire width of the strip, preventing the coolant liquid from contacting the upper surface of the strip, and optionally subsequently removing the coolant liquid from the lower surface. The coolant liquid is prevented from contacting the upper surface by forming a gas-directing channel immediately above the upper surface of the strip adjacent to one or preferably both lateral edges of the strip and forcing a gas through the channel in a direction generally away from a center of the strip towards the one or both lateral edges to deflect coolant liquid away from the upper surface of the strip. The apparatus provides means for carrying out these steps.
US08961863B2

An aeration system for a bed of ore that is laid upon a basal layer has a gas source located upstream for supplying gas and aeration pipes that distribute the gas downstream to the bed. Each aeration pipe has spaced-apart gas emitters that distribute gas to the bed and the aeration pipes extend through the bed towards the basal layer.
US08961862B2

Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. After the annealing, crystallites are grown around the formed nuclei. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the crystallite growth.
US08961859B2

There are provided expandable polystyrene resin particles formed by granulating a polystyrene resin containing an expanding agent, wherein the weight-average molecular weight Mw of the polystyrene resin is in the range of 120,000 to 270,000, and the expanding agent contains, as an essential component, pentane at a proportion of 3 to 8 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the polystyrene resin, while the composition of the pentane is in the range of isopentane:normal pentane=10:90 to 80:20 by mass ratio. These expandable polystyrene resin particles can utilize a recycled raw material, and can produce a molded foam product having sufficient mechanical strength, while the expandable polystyrene resin particles have a long bead life and excellent low pressure moldability.
US08961857B2

An expandable bladder has at least one first layer of butyl material and one second layer of silicone material, radially external to the first layer. The first and second layers have an undulated interface profile defining mechanical-engagement elements between the first and second elastomer materials. A process for manufacturing bladder as well as a tire molding and vulcanizing apparatus incorporating the bladder.
US08961856B2

The present invention discloses the use in rotomolding or slush molding applications of a composition comprising a polyolefin, a processing aid and optionally a UV-stabilizer.
US08961846B2

Methods using solid-state shear pulverization and melt mixing and related polymer-carbon nanotube composites, as can be used to affect various mechanical and/or physical material properties.
US08961835B2

The present invention relates to a conductive metal ink composition which is properly applied for roll-printing process to form conductive pattern with improved conductivity, and the method of preparing a conductive pattern using the same.The conductive metal ink composition comprises a conductive metal powder; an organic silver complex where an organic ligand including amine group and hydroxyl group binds with a silver (Ag) salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid; a non-aqueous solvent comprising a first non-aqueous solvent having a vapor pressure of 3 torr or lower at 25° C. and a second non-aqueous solvent having a vapor pressure of higher than 3 torr at 25° C.; and a coatability improving polymer.
US08961834B2

An electrically conductive thermoplastic composition is prepared by melt blending a polymer and a masterbatch of carbon nanotubes in wax having a melting point of about 45 to about 150° C. The masterbatch of carbon nanotubes in wax is more easily prepared than a conventional carbon nanotube masterbatch in high molecular weight polymer. Use of the masterbatch of carbon nanotubes in wax also improves the melt flow properties of the electrically conductive thermoplastic composition.
US08961823B2

The compound represented by formula (1). For example, the rings A1, A2, A3 and A4 are 1,4-phenylene, Z1 and Z2 are alkylene having 1 to 10 carbons in which at least one —CH2— may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—; L1, L2 and L3 are a single bond, —COO— or —CH═CH—; G1 and G2 are —O—; s, t and u are 0 or 1; and P1 and P2 is the group (P-1), the group (P-2) or the group (P-3). M1 and M2 are hydrogen or methyl.
US08961821B2

A process of treating a gas stream containing mercury and acid gas pollutants is disclosed. The process includes applying a sorbent composition into a gas stream in order to adsorb mercury containing compounds and acid gas pollutants. The sorbent composition includes a compound having the formula (SiO2)x(OH)yMzSaF.B. The combination of basic inorganic solids for the adsorption of acid gases, and metal sulfide-doped silica for the adsorption of mercury provides dual sorbent functionality, along with additional benefits for each individual sorbent: silica for moisture retention on the surface of the basic inorganic particle and adsorption of acid gas, which will improve metal sulfide performance at higher operating temperatures. The use of a hygroscopic solid effectively dries the metal sulfide-doped silica slurry without the use of filtration of drying equipment, providing significant economic benefit for the manufacture of metal sulfide-doped silica material.
US08961820B2

An granular composition for absorbing liquids, the composition comprising perlite, super-absorbent polymer, a pH-indicating dye, and a minor amount of water. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the subject composition comprises about 80 weight percent perlite, about 5 weight percent SAP, about 0.0125 weight percent pH indicating dye (most preferably phenolphthalein), and from about 7 to about 9 weight percent water in the final product.
US08961817B2

A getter device containing a combination of getter materials is described. The device has a mixture of cerium oxide, copper oxide and metallic palladium for the removal of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in vacuum applications, particularly suitable to be used in vacuum insulation applications. This combination of getter materials is preferably added to powders of other getter materials such as alkali metals hydroxides and desiccant materials that are effective for maintaining the vacuum in thermal insulation systems.
US08961814B2

Methods and formulations for the selective etching of etch stop layers deposited above metal-based semiconductor layers used in the manufacture of TFT-based display devices are presented. The formulations are based on an alkaline solution. Methods and formulations for the selective etching of molybdenum-based and/or copper-based source/drain electrode layers deposited above metal-based semiconductor layers used in the manufacture of TFT-based display devices are presented. The formulations are based on an alkaline solution.
US08961812B2

The present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems wherein the composition comprises Z-1,2-difluoroethylene (Z-HFO-1132a). The compositions of the present invention are useful in processes for producing cooling or heat, as heat transfer fluids, foam blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and power cycle working fluids.
US08961810B2

Nanocomposite materials comprising a SiGe matrix with silicide and/or germanide nanoinclusions dispersed therein, said nanocomposite materials having improved thermoelectric energy conversion capacity.
US08961807B2

Disclosed are a polishing composition and method of polishing a substrate. The composition has low-load (e.g., up to about 0.1 wt. %) of abrasive particles. The polishing composition also contains water and at least one anionic surfactant. In some embodiments, the abrasive particles are alpha alumina particles (e.g., coated with organic polymer). The polishing composition can be used, e.g., to polish a substrate of weak strength such as an organic polymer. An agent for oxidizing at least one of silicon and organic polymer is included in the composition in some embodiments.
US08961790B2

A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least one permeate exhaust conduit and at least one concentrate exhaust conduit. Each exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least one permeate carrier layer, and at least one membrane layer. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.
US08961779B2

A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
US08961764B2

A DNA analyzer includes an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer. The microfluidic chip includes a first separation channel for electrophoretic separation of DNA fragments in a first sample. Further, the DNA analyzer includes a first optical device. The first optical device includes an illuminating path and a detecting path. The illuminating path directs a first input light beam received from a light source to a first separation channel of the microfluidic chip. The first input light beam causes fluorescent labels attached on DNA fragments in the first separation channel to emit a first fluorescence light. The detecting path collects and directs the first fluorescent light to a first plurality of optical fibers. Further, the DNA analyzer includes a spectrometer configured to receive the first fluorescent light from the plurality of optical fibers and detect fluorescent components in the first fluorescent light.
US08961753B2

An electrolytic cell assembly for connection to a liquid flow line includes an electrode set, a cell housing supporting the electrode set, a cell retainer attached to the flow line and in fluid communication with the flow line, and a connection for detachably connecting the housing to the cell retainer in an operating position.
US08961747B2

In a method of stopping an operation of a water electrolysis system, an on-off valve disposed in a pressure release line communicating with a cathode side of an electrolytic membrane is opened while an electrolytic current is applied between power feeders to electrolyze water for generating oxygen on an anode side of the electrolytic membrane and high pressure hydrogen having a higher pressure than a pressure of the oxygen on the cathode side. A value of the electrolytic current is reduced in a predetermined cycle or continuously. One of a specific resistance and conductivity of water to be supplied to the high pressure hydrogen producing apparatus is detected. The value of the electrolytic current is increased if the specific resistance is equal to or lower than a first predetermined value, or if the conductivity is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value.
US08961746B2

Cathodic protection of steel in concrete is provided by locating an anode assembly including both a sacrificial anode and an impressed current anode in contact with the concrete and providing an impressed current from a power supply to the anode. The impressed current anode forms a perforated sleeve surrounding a rod of the sacrificial anode material with an activated ionically-conductive filler material between. The system can be used without the power supply in sacrificial mode or when the power supply is connected, the impressed current anode can be powered to provide an impressed current system and/or to recharge the sacrificial anode from sacrificial anode corrosion products.
US08961742B2

A multiaxial press felt base fabric construction is provided in which the base fabric is formed from a spirally wound precursor textile strip having a width that is less than an overall width of the assembled papermaking fabric and which is joined together along neighboring adjacent edges to form a fabric tube. At least one of: 100% of the MD yarns located on one surface of the precursor textile strip are comprised of cabled yarns or from 50% to 100% of the CD yarns are a cabled yarn. The MD yarns are arranged as vertically stacked pairs for compression resistance to provide void volume, and the vertically stacked arrangement is maintained by interweaving with one system of CD weft yarns.
US08961736B2

There is provided a plasma reactor with an internal transformer. The plasma reactor comprises: a plasma chamber with a gas inlet and a gas outlet, for providing a plasma discharging space; one or more core cylinder jackets for providing a core storage space in the plasma discharging space and forming a plasma centralized channel and a plasma decentralized channel by including one or more through-apertures; and one or more transformers each including a magnetic core with primary winding surrounding the through-aperture and installed in the core storage space, wherein the plasma discharging space comprises one or more first spatial regions to form the plasma centralized channel and one or more second spatial regions to form the plasma decentralized channel. In the plasma reactor, since the transformer is installed in the plasma chamber, energy is transferred with almost no loss from the transformer to the plasma discharging space and therefore the energy transfer efficiency is very high. Then, since most of gases flow through the first spatial region and the through-aperture inside the plasma chamber, most of active gases are generated in the plasma centralized channel. Consequently, the plasma reactor is very suitable for generating large amount of active gases. Further, even though the plasma chamber is composed of a conductive material, since no special insulating region needs to be formed, it is very easy to constitute the plasma chamber. Further, since the plasma chamber itself is sufficiently capable of forming an outer case, the plasma reactor is very simply manufactured.
US08961735B2

A plasma processing apparatus includes a microwave introduction device which introduces a microwave into a process chamber. The microwave introduction device includes a plurality of microwave transmitting plates which is fitted into a plurality of openings of a ceiling. The microwave transmitting plates are arranged on one virtual plane parallel to a mounting surface of a mounting table, with the microwave transmitting plates fitted into the respective openings. The microwave transmitting plates includes first to third microwave transmitting plates. The first to third microwave transmitting plates are arranged in such a manner that a distance between the center point of the first microwave transmitting window and the center point of the second microwave transmitting window becomes equal or approximately equal to a distance between the center point of the first microwave transmitting window and the center point of the third microwave transmitting window.
US08961733B2

A method of improving an impact-protective property of a conformable substrate is provided. The method includes positioning a central core adjacent the conformable substrate. The central core includes a plurality of rigid plates. A first of the plates is joined by at least one hinge to a second of the plates.
US08961730B2

The present invention provides a manufacturing method for LCD panel by coating the first sealant having electrical conductibility on the PSVA testing pad of the lower substrate or on the position of the upper substrate corresponding to the PSVA testing pad of the lower substrate such that the PSVA testing pad electrically connects to the transparent electrode through the first sealant.The present invention also provides a manufacturing method for the LCD device and a manufacturing equipment for the LCD panel. By the above ways, the present invention can improve the uneven phenomenon around the screen of the active viewing area of LCD panel and reduce the occurrence of broken bright spot and realize narrow frame design of the LCD panel.
US08961726B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a fiber composite workpiece. In the method according to the invention, cross-linking silicone is used with the aid of a volatile diluent for infiltrating individual mats of a mat composite. A further object of the present invention is a device for performing the method according to the invention.
US08961725B2

A method of placement of a component on a stretchable substrate is described. A base substrate, having a stretchable substrate layer, and a flexible foil, having an integral arrangement of multiple flexible foil components, are aligned, so as to be used in a reel based manufacturing process. Through lamination of the base substrate and the flexible foil an electro/optical via connection between in plane interconnecting traces on the stretchable substrate layer and component pads of the integral component arrangement is provided. The integral arrangement of flexible foil components are mechanically separated. The method may be used in a manufacturing process for multi-foil systems.
US08961717B2

The present invention provides stainless steel foil for flexible display use which enables fabrication of a TFT substrate for display use which is superior in shape recovery after being rolled up or bent and which is high in surface flatness and is characterized by having a thickness of 20 μm to 200 μm, a surface roughness Ra of 50 nm or less, and a shape recovery of a distortion angle of 10° or less after being wound around a 30 mm diameter cylinder.
US08961712B2

The present invention provides a rare earth based sintered magnet. The magnet is a rare earth based permanent magnet with a R-T-B (R represents one or more elements selected from Y and rare earth elements, T represents one or more metal elements including Fe or the combination of Fe and Co, and B represents B or the combination of B and C) based composition. When a R-rich phase (R represents rare earth element(s)) with atomic ratio of (Fe+Co)/(LR+HR+Fe+Co)≦0.2 (LR represents Y and light rare earth element(s) selected from 57La to 63Eu, and HR represents heavy rare earth element(s) selected from 64Gd to 71Lu) is present in the grain boundary triple point, a region with HR/(LR+HR)≧0.01 (atomic ratio) is present in the R-rich phase, and the region with HR/(LR+HR)≧0.01 accounts for 10% to 90% of the area of the grain boundary triple point.
US08961710B2

A carburized component with improved fatigue strength has a base steel containing, by mass %, C: 0.15-0.25%, Si: 0.03-0.50%, Mn: more than 0.60% and not more than 1.5%, P≦0.015%, S: 0.006-0.030%, Cr: 0.05-2.0%, Al≦0.10%, N≦0.03%, and O≦0.0020%, and optionally at least one element selected from Mo, Cu, Ni, B, Ti, Nb and V, the balance being Fe and impurities. A surface hardened layer portion satisfies: (a) average carbon concentration in the region from the outermost surface to a point of 0.2 mm depth of 0.35-0.60 mass %, (b) surface roughness Rz≦15 μm, and (c) σr(0)≦−800 MPa, σr(100)≦−800 MPa, and residual stress intensity index Ir≦80000, wherein Ir is calculated by [Ir=∫|σr(y)|dy], where y μm is the depth from the outermost surface and σr(y) is the residual stress for the points from the outermost surface to a depth of 100 μm with the range of y from 0 to 100 (μm).
US08961708B2

A condensate management system for an air conditioning condensate drainage system is provided. The condensate management system may comprise an inlet and an outlet; a primary condensate flow path from the inlet to the outlet; a check valve disposed along the primary condensate flow path; a flush path from the inlet to the outlet; a pump coupled to the flush path; and a logic panel configured to actuate the pump to a flushing mode. The check valve may be configured to allow fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. When the logic panel is configured to actuate the pump to the flushing mode, the pump is configured to exert a negative pressure at the inlet and a positive pressure at the outlet. Other system and methods to flush a condensate drain system are also described.
US08961706B2

A dishwashing machine equipped with a washing compartment and with devices for washing dishes using a washing solution also includes a sorption drying device which is connected to the washing compartment in an air-conducting manner and which comprises a sorption column containing reversibly dehydratable material, this sorption column being used for drying the dishes. To this end, the sorption drying device comprises a sensor that, during the executing of a washing program, serves to detect the state of the reversibly dehydratable material in order to influence the execution of the washing program according to the detected state.
US08961705B2

A dishwasher has a washing compartment; an air-guiding channel; and a sorption drying system to dry items to be washed. The sorption drying system includes a sorption compartment with reversibly dehydratable sorption drying material. The sorption compartment is connected to the washing compartment by the air-guiding channel for passage of an air flow. The sorption compartment has a sorption unit with the sorption drying material. The geometric shape of the sorption compartment is such that the sorption unit is provided with a default through-flow direction for the air flow substantially in or against the direction of gravity.
US08961699B2

A method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance, including a domestic dishwasher, wherein the water-conducting domestic appliance includes a program controller for performing a plurality of sequential program steps and the program controller operatively interacts with at least a detergent-dosing system, the method including the step of adding at least one cleaning substance having a function during at least one program step.
US08961691B2

A disclosed film deposition apparatus includes a susceptor having in one surface a substrate receiving portion provided rotatably in a chamber; a heating unit including plural independently controllable heating portions, thereby heating the susceptor; a first reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a first reaction gas; a second reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a second reaction gas; a separation area between a first process area where the first reaction gas is supplied and a second process area where the second reaction gas is supplied, the separation area including a separation gas supplying portion for supplying a first separation gas in the separation area, and a ceiling surface opposing the one surface to produce a thin space; a center area having an ejection hole for ejecting a second separation gas along the one surface; and an evacuation opening for evacuating the chamber.
US08961685B2

P-type silicon single crystals from which wafers having high resistivity, good radial uniformity of resistivity and less variation in resistivity can be obtained, are manufactured by the Czochralski method from an initial silicon melt in which boron and phosphorus are present, the boron concentration is not higher than 4E14 atoms/cm3 and the ratio of the phosphorus concentration to the boron concentration is not lower than 0.42 and not higher than 0.50.
US08961683B2

The present invention relates to an infrared reflecting blue pigment comprising a composite oxide comprising Co, Al and mg, wherein a content of Mg in the blue pigment is 11 to 22% in terms of a molar ratio thereof based on whole metal element present in the blue pigment, and the blue pigment has a BET specific surface area of 10 to 100 m2/g; and an infrared reflecting green pigment comprising a composite oxide comprising Co, Al, Mg and Fe, wherein a content of Mg in the green pigment is 11 to 22% in terms of a molar ratio thereof based on whole metal element present in the green pigment, a content of Fe in the green pigment is 0.5 to 20% in terms of a molar ratio thereof based on whole metal element present in the green pigment, and the green pigment has an average particle diameter of 0.02 to 1.2 μm.
US08961681B2

A process for the preparation of nano zinc oxide particles is disclosed. The process comprises of dissolving a zinc metal precursor in a solvent to obtain a first solution and dissolving a base in an alcohol to obtain an alkali solution. The alkali solution is then added to the first solution over a predetermined period of time to obtain nano zinc oxide particles in solution.
US08961679B2

The present invention discloses a method of preparing a lead-free piezoelectric thin film comprising the steps of: providing a precursor solution comprising at least one alkali metal ion, a polyamine carboxylic acid, and an amine; depositing the precursor solution on a substrate to form a film; and annealing the film. The present invention also provides a lead-free piezoelectric thin film prepared according to the method, a precursor solution for use in the method and a method of preparing the precursor solution.
US08961678B2

An organic solderability preservative solution includes pyrazine derivatives which inhibit corrosion of metal. The solution is applied to metal surfaces of components for electronic apparatus to improve solderability of electrical connections between the components in the electronic apparatus.
US08961677B2

A stable suspension of ethylpolysilicate nanoparticles having a size of between about 5 nm and 120 nm are in water and stabilized with between about 0.05 and 5 weight percent tetraalkylammonium hydroxide. The particles are between about 95% and 99.5% hydrolyzed and have superior removal rates when used in chemical mechanical polishing. A process for making ethylpolysilicate nanoparticles includes the step of adding reverse osmosis water and 25% tetramethylammonium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide to a reactor, agitating the mixture and heating the mixture to about 80° C. Tetraethylalkoxy silane is added to the mixture and the mixture stirred and hydrolyzed. Ethanol is then removed. The mixture was then subjected to a vacuum to remove additional distillate. The material left in the reactor was then transferred to a plastic drum.
US08961660B2

A canister arrangement structure in a fuel vapor recovery device includes a canister that has built therein an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel and temporarily collects fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine, the canister is arranged between an exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine and the fuel tank.
US08961656B2

The present invention relates to an ionic liquid compound that inhibits a formation of a gas hydrate. The compound of the present invention changes an equilibrium temperature and pressure of a gas hydrate in small quantity into a lower temperature and/or a higher pressure, and simultaneously retards the formation of the gas hydrate under the same environment. Thus, the compound of the present invention is used in oil and natural gas industries to effectively inhibit or delay the formation of the gas hydrate under the condition having a low temperature and a high pressure.
US08961652B2

A method for removal and condensation of vapors from within an enclosed space (120) is disclosed. An enclosed space (120) containing material (110) is surrounded by an insulative permeable layer (130) having a lowering temperature gradient (230) between the inner surface (220) and the outer surfaces (240). The insulative layer (130) may also be covered by an impermeable layer (140). Heating the material (110) in the enclosed space (120) causes the formation of vapors at a positive pressure within the enclosed space (120). Vapors pass through the inner surface (220) of the insulative permeable layer (130) and contact the permeable materials and are condensed by the lowering temperature within the insulative layer (130). The condensate liquid passes downwardly through the insulative layer (130) for collection. The positive pressure within the heated enclosed space (120) and the condensation and lowering of pressure and temperature within the insulative layer (130) serves to draw additional vapors from within the enclosed space (120) into the insulative layer (130) for condensation and collection.
US08961646B2

There is provided a nickel alloy having an excellent creep strength as well as high-temperature oxidation resistance. The nickel alloy of the present invention comprises, by mass percent, Cr in a range of 11.5 to 11.9%, Co in a range of 25 to 29%, Mo in a range of 3.4 to 3.7%, W in a range of 1.9 to 2.1%, Ti in a range of 3.9 to 4.4%, Al in a range of 2.9 to 3.2%, C in a range of 0.02 to 0.03%, B in a range of 0.01 to 0.03%, Zr in a range of 0.04 to 0.06%, Ta in a range of 2.1 to 2.2%, Hf in a range of 0.3 to 0.4%, and Nb in a range of 0.5 to 0.8%, the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities, and contains carbides and borides precipitating in crystal grains and at grain boundaries.
US08961626B1

The present invention includes a gasifier for gasifying fuels having a container with a top, sidewalls and a bottom for facilitating the gasifying process. One or more open vertical shafts extend downward inside the container for allowing a downdraft or updraft of air and fuel for the gasifying process. A rotating bed is preferably included inside the container and below the one or more shafts for receiving the fuel. The bed rotates essentially perpendicular to the shaft to facilitate even heating and gasifying of the fuel. The bed is further movable relative to the vertical shaft in order to increase or decrease the volume of fuel flow to the fuel.
US08961622B2

The invention thus provides terpolymers of ethylene, at least one ethylenically unsaturated ester and propene, which have i) from 4.0 to 12.0 mol % of structural units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated ester having a C4- to C20-alkyl radical, ii) from 0.5 to 4.0 methyl groups derived from propene per 100 aliphatic carbon atoms, and iii) fewer than 8.0 methyl groups stemming from chain ends per 100 CH2 groups.
US08961620B2

The present invention relates to a process for dyeing or lightening keratin fibers, comprising the step of extemporaneously mixing at the time of use two compositions (A) and (B) and of applying the said mixture to the said fibers; the said mixture comprising at least 25% by weight of fatty substances relative to the total weight of the composition obtained from the mixing of two compositions (A)+(B); with: —(A) representing a composition in direct emulsion form whose content of oil(s) ii) is at least 30% by weight relative to the weight of composition (A), and comprising: i) at least one nonionic surfactant that is solid at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure, with an HLB ranging from 1.5 to 10; ii) at least one basifying agent; Hi) optionally at least one additional surfactant other than the solid nonionic surfactants (i), iv) optionally at least one dye; and —(B) representing a composition comprising at least one chemical oxidizing agent. A subject of the present invention is also a multi-compartment device and a composition (A) in direct emulsion form and the ready-to-use composition resulting from the mixing of compositions (A) and (B). The process according to the invention makes it possible to dye keratin fibers in a powerful, intense and/or homogeneous manner while at the same time being easy to prepare and to apply, since the mixture in the form of an oil-rich emulsion does not run, but remains localized at the point of application. The process of the invention also makes it possible to lighten keratin fibers in a noteworthy manner.
US08961608B2

Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.
US08961607B2

A spinal implant assembly combines a spinal interbody spacer with a spine plate. The combined spacer and plate assembly provides stabilization and torsional resistance to promote fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer is configured for placement within an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae previously occupied by a spinal disc. The plate is configured for attachment to anterior sides of the adjacent vertebrae. Translation of the spinal plate allows it to be affixed to the vertebrae in various positions and/or allow movement post installation. In one form, the plate is defined by first and second spine plate or plate portions that are coupled to one another to allow rotation about each other. Ends of the first and second spine plates are received in/by the interbody spacer, while a pin extends through the interbody spacer to fix the first and second spine plates to the interbody spacer.
US08961603B2

A suction activated instrumentation system for use in implanting an ossicular prosthesis into the middle ear includes a suction handpiece and a vacuum source. A removable suction tip is coupled to the handpiece for engaging an ossicular prosthesis. The suction tip includes a distal portion with an elongate slot opening at an end face, and two arms defined at the end face. When suction is applied through the suction tip, the prosthesis is drawn against the end face and retained between the arms. In the event the prosthesis is inadvertently contacted during implantation, the suction tip provides for self-correction, causing a prosthesis to re-orient into the prior intended configuration.
US08961599B2

A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as heart pacing lead or heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer, and the composite material comprising less than about 80% fluoropolymer by weight.
US08961598B2

Described is a set of at least two annuloplasty devices having a particular size that corresponds to an inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distance of a heart valve annulus, wherein the at least two annuloplasty devices have different anterior-posterior ratios. Also, described is a kit for annuloplasty repair of a heart valve annulus including a plurality of annuloplasty devices each comprising one of a plurality of different sizes, wherein the different sizes each correspond to a different inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distance of a heart valve annulus, and for each of the plurality of different sizes there are at least two devices each having the same size but having different anterior-posterior ratios. Additionally, a method of choosing an annuloplasty device for implantation in a valve annulus is described.
US08961597B2

Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
US08961589B2

The present invention relates to implantable medical devices coated with polymer having tunable hydrophobicity and their use in the treatment of vascular diseases.
US08961583B2

This invention relates generally to an expandable intraluminal medical device for use within a body passageway or duct, and more particularly to an optimized stent having flexible links that minimize foreshortening during stent deployment. In one embodiment of the present invention the intraluminal prosthetic device includes a first hoop section, a second hoop section, and one or more flex members attached between the first and the second hoop section. Each flex member comprises two generally longitudinally extending curved segments connected by a circumferentially undulating segment.
US08961579B2

Disclosed herein is a portable device suited to treating psoriasis and other skin diseases in patients. The device can be carried like a suitcase from one location to another and can be used to treat various body parts, such as the hands, feet, face, and chest. The device includes a carrying case, ultraviolet bulbs, a ballast, and electrical components. The device can also include a timer to measure the duration of the phototherapy treatment.
US08961577B2

The invention relates to devices and compositions useful for and methods of female genital skin reduction, improvement of skin tone and treatment of female urinary incontinence, as well as the treatment or improvement of other clinical conditions, including but not limited to those involving the female genitalia.
US08961560B2

A marked heterofunctional suture thread has two or more sections having different features. One or more sections of the suture thread are provided with laser-marked and non-laser marked indicia in order that they may be identified and differentiated from other sections. The suture thread may have retainers on the surface of one or more sections such that the suture thread can engage and retain tissue without knots. The markers may be used to indicate fixed features of a section of suture thread such as the presence and/orientation of retainers. In particular embodiments, laser-marked and non-laser marked indicia are used to identify the transition section of a bidirectional self-retaining suture.
US08961552B2

A surgical obturator that includes an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and an obturator member disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated shaft. The obturator member may include a proximal section being convex along a majority of its length. It may also include a central section disposed adjacent the proximal section, the central section including a first pair of surfaces disposed relative to each other on radially opposite sides of the central section, and a second set of surfaces disposed between the first pair of surfaces and further being disposed relative to each other on radially opposite sides of the central section, at least a portion of a length of each one of the first pair of surfaces being concave, and at least a portion of a length of each one of the second pair of surfaces being convex. The obturator member may also include a guiding nub disposed distally of the central section and including a rounded distal-most portion. The rounded distal-most portion of the guiding nub may be atraumatic to tissue.
US08961541B2

A tissue closure system can include a deployment instrument and a sealing element. The deployment instrument can be slidably mounted to and guided by a tubular medical device. The deployment instrument can be advanced over the tubular medical device to the desired location. The sealing element can then be advanced off of the end of the tool. The sealing element can include tissue engaging elements that are configured to automatically close upon deployment to bring together tissue. A slidably attached guided skin (or other tissue) cutter can also be used if desired to facilitate entry of the deployment instrument.
US08961540B2

A tissue fastener assembly delivers a fastener for deployment. The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a flexible connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first member has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire slidingly received within the through channel of the first member that pierces into the tissue and guides the first member through the tissue, a guide structure defining a lumen that receives the fastener and deployment wire and guides the deployment wire and fastener to the tissue, and a fastener configuration structure that orientates the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member within the lumen for dependable deployment.
US08961539B2

A system, device, device and method for implanting a food restrictor in a patient's stomach, by coupling the restrictor to a plurality of tissue-plication anchors already placed in the stomach, are disclosed. The device includes an elongate shaft assembly for accessing the stomach transorally, and on which the restrictor can be carried, and a plurality of cable members mounted on the shaft assembly. The cable members are disposed on the shaft assembly along a distal section thereof, and releasably attached to the shaft assembly's distal end. After a cable member engages a tissue-plication anchor, retracting the cable is operable to first release the member from a holder at the distal end of the shaft assembly, then pull a portion of the anchor through an aperture in the restrictor. This process is repeated for each anchor in the stomach for attaching the restrictor to the stomach.
US08961522B2

A bone reduction method and apparatus includes a bone reduction tool including a shaft with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion for insertion into a fractured bone, a first rigid portion located at the distal end portion, and a first flexible portion located between the first rigid portion and the proximal end portion.
US08961521B2

Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed.
US08961511B2

This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a treatment tip that comprises both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. As the treatment tip contacts the epithelial mucosa, the tip cools the mucosa by contact, and delivers energy thought the epithelium to the underlying tissue, thereby creating a reverse thermal gradient. The effect of the applied heat is to remodel genital tissue by tightening it. Such remodeling may include a tighter vagina and a tighter introitus. The tightening may be a consequence of thermal denaturation of collagen as well as a longer term healing response in the tissue that includes an increased deposition of collagen.
US08961496B2

A wound healing system for promoting healing of a wound of a patient includes a positive pressure source, a reduced pressure source, and a porous foam positioned in contact with the wound. The porous foam includes a plurality of flow channels in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source. The system further includes a filler member having a flexible wall defining an interior chamber. The interior chamber is in fluid communication with the positive pressure source, and a cover member is positioned over the filler member.
US08961494B2

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a re-entry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.
US08961488B2

A wearing article has a chassis and leg elastic members of a flat band shape that are attached to the chassis along leg side edges thereof. The chassis has regions each of which overlaps one of the leg elastic members and includes at least one series of depressions extending along the respective leg side edge.
US08961487B2

A method of making an elastic composite is described that entails conveying a first sheet of material on a conveyor, and wrapping a section of elastic about the first sheet and the conveyor, thereby applying elastics cross directionally across the first sheets. A second sheet of material is applied onto the first sheet having elastics applied thereon, thereby creating a subcomposite including the first sheet, the second sheet, and elastics sandwiched therebetween, wherein a plurality of elastics extend outward from the one side of the subcomposite, about the conveyor, and return into an opposite side of the subcomposite. The sub-composite is cut through the first and second sheets and the elastics, thereby separating the sub-composite into a first carrier and a second carrier, each carrier including a first material layer and a second material layer, whereby a plurality of spaced apart elastic elements extend from the first carrier to the second carrier, the first and second carriers defining an exposed elastic region therebetween formed by the plurality of spaced apart elastic elements.
US08961486B2

An absorbent pad is described. The absorbent pad can include a main body having a top absorbent surface and an intergluteal extension formed perpendicular to the top absorbent surface of the main body portion, the intergluteal extension disposed near one side of the main body portion and having a triangular shape with an angle from a center portion of the main body portion extending to an outer edge of the main body portion.
US08961485B2

A method for fastening a thread (24) to a tampon (10), in particular a veterinary tampon, comprising the steps of passing the thread through the tampon by means of a needle (12, 14), and knotting the loose ends of the thread, wherein that the step of passing the thread through the tampon comprises: -piercing the tampon (10) with two hollow needles (12, 14), -inserting the distal ends of the needles into a mould (20) that forms a passage (16) interconnecting the open ends of the hollow needles, feeding the thread (24) to the proximal end of one (12) of the two needles, -applying a suction pressure to the proximal end of the other (14) of the two needles, -opening the mould (20), and -withdrawing the needles (12, 14) from the tampon (10).
US08961481B2

Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.
US08961479B2

A hemostatic tablet preferably including potassium ferrate and a cation ion exchange resin pressure formed into a tablet for delivery to a bleeding wound. The tablet improves the rate of adhesion to a bleeding wound surface, and allows a significantly greater and more uniform pressure to be exerted by manual compression of the tablet on the wound site, as compared to that of a thin layer of scattered hemostatic powder. After the seal is formed from the interaction of blood or exudates with the immediate contacting surface of the tablet, the bulk of the unused tablet easily delaminates from the seal making clean up facile. If the unused portion of the tablet is not removed from the wound site, a reservoir of hemostatic dressing stops further bleeding and to provide antimicrobial protection and healing. The tablet may be applied to any surface orientation and take any shape and thickness possible.
US08961474B2

A syringe is disclosed. The syringe may include a syringe body with a fluid chamber, the syringe body having a distal end and a proximal end, with an extrusion opening at the proximal end; a dividing wall disposed within the fluid chamber, defining a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in communication with the extrusion opening; a first plunger disposed in a distal end of the first chamber, the first plunger including a first locking mechanism configured to prevent the first plunger from sliding away from the proximal end of the syringe body, when the first plunger is in a first initial position and the second plunger is being depressed; and a second plunger disposed in a distal end of the second chamber, the second plunger including a second locking mechanism configured to prevent the second plunger from sliding away from the proximal end of the syringe body when the second plunger is in a second initial position and the first plunger is being depressed.
US08961465B2

A method for calculating a meal bolus in an insulin pump and an insulin pump are disclosed. The insulin pump includes a pump mechanism and a memory configured to store a plurality of food entries in a food database. The insulin pump also includes a programmable circuit arranged to control the pump mechanism and operatively connected to the memory. The programmable circuit is programmed to accept entry of one or more food entries into the food database. The programmable circuit is also programmed to associate each of the one or more food entries with a carbohydrate value. The programmable circuit is programmed to prompt selection of one or more food entries. The programmable circuit is further programmed to calculate a meal bolus based on the one or more food entries.
US08961460B2

To prevent a coating agent applied to the surface of a needle tube from being infiltrated into the clearance between the needle tube and a needle hub, a device comprises a needle tube that has a needle tip capable of puncturing a living body and that is coated with a coating agent on the surface of a tip-end portion on the side of the needle tip; and a needle hub adapted to hold the needle tube in a state where the needle tip of the needle tube is protruded. The needle hub has a through-hole through which the needle tube is inserted, and a discharge hole extending from the through-hole to the outer surface of the needle hub and adapted to discharge the coating agent infiltrated into the through-hole.
US08961458B2

A therapeutic treatment device, system and method for improving administration of a temperature sensitive drug into a tissue on the body of a patient at a drug injection site are disclosed. The device includes a treatment element with a controllable heating element in temperature communicative contact with the tissue adjacent to the drug injection site. The controllable heating element is configured to heat the tissue adjacent to the drug injection site to a controllable temperature but does not heat the injected drug above a predetermined limiting temperature, above which degradation of the injected drug may occur.
US08961440B2

A device for reducing traumatic brain injury comprises a first sensor, a first linkage element, and a processing element. The first sensor is coupled to a head component and configured to measure an acceleration of a user's head as a result of an impact on the head component and to generate corresponding first sensor measurements. The first linkage element is configured to connect the head component to a body component and is able to switch between a first state in which it is relatively flexible and a second state in which it is relatively rigid. The first linkage element is switched from its first state to its second state by a locking signal. The processing element is configured to receive the first sensor measurements and to generate the locking signal when a value of the first sensor measurements is greater than or equal to an injury level.
US08961439B2

A system for analyzing gait using textile sensors is disclosed. A system includes a sock sensing system, which comprises a sock and at least one switch, tension sensor, or pressure sensor for sensing a posture or movement; and a processor configured to receive signals from the sock sensing system and to analyze a gait parameter, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the gait parameter using a signal from the sock sensing system as a trigger point.
US08961435B2

A coaxial guidewire for use in accessing smaller vessels within a patient's body, consists of an inner core wire and an outer hollow wire. The distal end of the inner core wire tapers and supports a spring coil. The core wire, including the spring coil, fits within a 25-gauge needle that is used to locate an artery of the patient. When the needle is removed over the inner core wire, the outer hollow wire, having a distal end that tapers to the outer diameter of the spring coil, fits over the inner wire and is advanced until the distal end of the outer wire meets the spring coil of the core wire. A dilator and introducer sheath combination may then be fed over the assembled coaxial guidewire. When the distal end of the sheath is in the desired position, the dilator and the coaxial guidewire are removed.
US08961434B2

Provided is a guidewire including a core shaft, an outer flexible tube, a stranded wire that extends parallel to the core shaft, and a hollow stranded-wire coil disposed in the outer flexible tube. The hollow stranded-wire coil is formed of multiple strands and surrounds the distal end portion of the core shaft and the stranded wire. Distal ends of the hollow stranded-wire coil, the core shaft, and the stranded wire are joined to a distal end of the outer flexible tube.
US08961432B2

Systems, devices, techniques and methods are disclosed for implementing an actuator mechanism of an analyte testing device. In one aspect, a method to test an analyte includes advancing an analyte sensor from a first position within a sensor cartridge of an analyte testing device to a second position that exposes at least a portion of the analyte sensor outside of the device, advancing a lancet projecting component from an initial position to a cocked position for a subsequent projection of a lancet, in which the advancing the analyte sensor and the advancing the lancet projecting component are initiated by a single operation, projecting the lancet to expose at least a portion of the lancet outside of the device, receiving a testing sample including an analyte at the exposed portion of the analyte sensor, processing the testing sample to determine a parameter of the analyte, and ejecting the analyte sensor from the device.
US08961426B2

Improved methods and apparatus for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with fluidic systems such as the circulatory system of a living organism, when such parameters are potentially affected by other concurrent events. In one exemplary embodiment, apparatus and methods for compensating for occlusive events (e.g., pressure cuff inflation) occurring ipsilateral to the location of parameter measurement are disclosed. Upon passive detection of signal degradation resulting from the event, the apparatus selectively enters a “wait state” wherein further processing of the hemodynamic data is suspended until the degrading event subsides. This behavior mitigates any adverse effects the event might have on the accuracy of the representation of the measured hemodynamic parameter generated by the system. In another exemplary embodiment, the measured data is analyzed in order to classify the type of event (e.g., occlusive or other), such classification allowing the system to appropriately tailor its response to the event.
US08961403B2

A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
US08961384B2

An electrical system having an underlying structure resembling the double helix most commonly associated with DNA is used to produce useful electromagnetic fields for health applications and/or medical applications.
US08961382B2

A control circuit optimizes a radiation-treatment plan to provide an initially-optimized radiation-treatment plan and then modifies that initially-optimized radiation-treatment plan to reduce corresponding monitor units (MU's) to provide a radiation-treatment plan that is further optimized for monitor units. This modification can comprise, at least in part, imposing a stronger smoothing constraint with respect to fluence. Optimizing a radiation-treatment plan to provide an initially-optimized radiation-treatment plan can comprise identifying at least one particular leaf pair for a multi-leaf collimator that requires a longest amount of time to move into a position that achieves a particular desired fluence and then selectively smoothing position requirements of that particular leaf pair to reduce the amount of time associated with that particular leaf pair while not also smoothing position requirements for all leaf pairs as comprise that multi-leaf collimator.
US08961381B2

A dual feed centrifuge system for separating solids from fluids in a drilling mud, the centrifuge system including: a bowl; a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the bowl; a first feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a first feed port in a wall of the screw conveyor to a first annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor; and a second feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a second feed port in the wall of the screw conveyor to a second annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor. The multiple feed ports may allow the centrifuge to operate more efficiently with both weighted and unweighted drilling fluids.
US08961378B2

A handle for an elastic resistance cord training system includes a grip on a handle frame adjacent to a first end of the handle frame. A base is provided on the handle frame adjacent to a second end of the handle frame, with the base having one or more one cord channels. A gate is movable or slidable on the handle frame from an open position where the gate is substantially spaced apart from the cord channel, to a closed position wherein the gate overlies the cord channel. With the gate in the open position, the cords can be quickly and easily swapped out.
US08961372B2

Various implementations of this disclosure provide apparatuses and methods for assisting users to align and place limbs to perform various yoga positions. Apparatuses and method disclosed herein comprise a towel or mat having markings (e.g., lines, dots, circles, or any other indication) to help a user align and place the user's limbs. Some of the markings can be used to measure distances as some of the markings are a predetermine distance apart.
US08961371B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for enabling exercise by a user. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a communication unit, a user interface unit, and a processor. The processor may receive user identification data from the user via the user interface unit and retrieve data based on the user identification data from an electronic data store. The processor may use the data to generate an exercise routine and command signals may be sent to an exercise machine based on the generated exercise routine. The processor may receive exercise data from the exercise machine via the communication unit and store the exercise data in the electronic data store.
US08961370B2

A vehicle control apparatus includes a controller that performs control such that an engine output does not increase when a control mechanism and a brake override are operated simultaneously, wherein the control mechanism controls the engine output independently of an accelerator operation amount, and wherein the brake override system reduces the engine output in response to simultaneous operations of an accelerator and a brake.
US08961367B2

A driving force transmission apparatus includes a linkage mechanism that is able to carry out switchover between a connected state where first and second intermediate shafts are connected to each other so as to be non-rotatable relative to each other to transmit torque output from an electric motor to a rear wheel, and a disconnected state where the first and second intermediate shafts are disconnected from each other. When switching the driving force transmission apparatus from the connected state to the disconnected state, a control unit reduces the torque that is generated by the motor during a drive state where the torque output from the motor is transmitted from the first intermediate shaft to the second intermediate shaft, and switches the driving force transmission apparatus from the connected state to the disconnected state by controlling the linkage mechanism while the torque that is generated by the motor has been reduced.
US08961357B2

A power transmission includes an input, output, a planetary gearset including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first carrier driveably connected to the input, first pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first sun gear, and second pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first ring gear and first pinions, and a second planetary gearset including a second sun gear, a third sun gear, a second ring gear driveably connected to the output, a second carrier, third pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the second sun gear and second ring gear, and fourth pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the third sun gear and the third pinions.
US08961355B2

A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. A method for controlling the transmission selectively engages the torque transmitting devices in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08961353B2

A vehicle driveline that includes an input member, a multi-speed transmission, a first differential assembly, a first bevel ring gear and a mode clutch that are disposed axially along a rotational axis of the input member. The multi-speed transmission includes a range collar that is axially movable along the input member axis.
US08961351B2

A continuously variable transmission includes a first gear shift mechanism for changing continuously a speed ratio of drive power input from a prime mover, a second gear shift mechanism for changing continuously a speed ratio of drive power input from the prime mover, and a planetary gear mechanism to which drive power output from the first gear shift mechanism and that output from the second gear shift mechanism are input and from which combined drive power is output to an output shaft. The planetary gear mechanism includes a sun gear, a planetary carrier and a ring gear. An output from the first gear shift mechanism and that from the second gear shift mechanism are respectively input to any two of the sun gear, the planetary carrier and the ring gear and the remaining one is coupled to the output shaft.
US08961347B2

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a vehicle engine which provides enhanced cold starting and reduced wear under all conditions. The transmission includes mechanical transmission components, hydrostatic transmission components, and a clutch to decouple only the mechanical transmission components from driving engagement with the engine or other power source. Decoupling allows cold starting with significantly reduced parasitic losses. The transmission may use a hydraulic circuit to re-engage the mechanical transmission components with the input power source and full driving re-engagement of the transmission with the power source, such as an engine, after the transmission reaches a desired speed.
US08961341B2

A self-locking archery arrow field tip or broadhead and arrow insert that provides prevailing torque to offset rotational and vibrational forces applied to the arrow tip when released from a bow. A nylon polymer chemically or thermally applied to a threaded field tip or broadhead or a threaded arrow insert provides a detachable and reusable self-locking arrow tip or arrow insert.
US08961339B2

A sports training target is provided. In exemplary embodiments, a sports training target may comprise a return net for substantially covering an opening defined by a frame, the return net adapted to withstand the impact of a sports projectile propelled from an originating location and allow the sports projectile to pass downward along the return net, exit a bottom portion of the return net, and return in the direction of the originating location; a target for substantially covering the return net, the target having an opening formed therein, the opening adapted to allow the sports projectile to pass behind the target to the return net, the target adapted to withstand the impact of a sports projectile; and an attachment means adapted to attach the sports training target to the frame.
US08961332B2

A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face, and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency.
US08961326B2

A suspended flying rig system including a plurality of cables attached to a load support. In response to retraction and/or deployment of at least one of the plurality of cables, motion is provided generally within a three-dimensional working space to the load support. The motion includes at least six degrees of freedom.
US08961319B1

One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing dynamic and static contest prize allocation based on in-game achievement of a user in an online game in order to encourage players to continue to purchase items to improve their tournament metrics even if they may be unable to improve their tournament rank. For example, calculation of a dynamic prize may comprise for rank x, the player may gain 1 prize unit for every y Glory gained (when Glory may be the measured by the tournament). The y value may increase for lower ranks achieved in the tournament.
US08961315B1

Techniques are described for facilitating performance of tasks by users in a computer game environment. In some situations, the techniques include automated operations of a system that receives multiple tasks from a task fulfillment system, provides the multiple tasks to multiple users as part of playing an electronic game, receives results of performance of the tasks by the users as part of the game playing, sends the task performance results to the task fulfillment system, receives and retains monetary compensation for the performance of the tasks, and provides non-monetary virtual rewards to the multiple users for the performance of the provided multiple tasks. The non-monetary virtual rewards may be rewards that are part of the electronic game and are usable by the multiple users as part of the playing of the electronic game.
US08961312B2

A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. One or more optional auxiliary components modularly attach to the input device to selectively create a modified input device having different desired functions or aesthetics.
US08961308B2

A gaming machine display (14) includes a game playing arrangement (16) mountable in a cabinet (62) of a gaming machine (10). An electronically controlled display element (50) overlies the game playing arrangement (16) so that, depending on a state of the display element (50), the game playing arrangement (16) is visible through the display element (50).
US08961305B2

An example game system includes a home-console type game device and a terminal device. The terminal device includes a touch panel and an inertia sensor, and wirelessly transmits to the game device operation data including touch panel data and inertia sensor data. The game device receives the operation data from the terminal device, and performs game processes based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device generates first game images and second game images based on the game processes. The first game images are compressed, and the compressed image data is wirelessly transmitted to the terminal device. The second game image is output to, and displayed on, an external display device which is separate from the terminal device. The terminal device receives the compressed image data from the game device, expands the received compressed image data, and displays the first game images on a display section.
US08961304B2

A wagering device video display system for displaying a presentation on a plurality of display devices. A plurality of gaming devices and video displays are provided. Each video display may be controlled by a video display controller that is adapted to communicate with other video display controllers. When a multi-screen presentation is requested by a gaming device or a game device controller, the video display controllers coordinate among themselves to determine when the presentation will be displayed. Various bonus presentations or attractive presentations may be displayed on a plurality of video screens.
US08961299B2

A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Different variations of the game and winning are also explained in details.
US08961298B2

A bet sensor for determining the value of a wager includes a transparent cover having a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon. A minor arrangement is disposed on an opposing side of the transparent cover from the bet placement surface. The bet sensor also includes an image sensor. The minor arrangement is located and configured to direct an image of a lateral side surface of a stack of gaming tokens supported on the bet placement surface onto the image sensor. A gaming table may incorporate such a bet sensor. Methods of forming such bet sensors include disposing a mirror arrangement on an opposing side of a transparent cover from a bet placement surface, and locating an image sensor such that the mirror arrangement directs an image of a lateral side surface of a stack of gaming tokens onto the image sensor.
US08961289B2

A gaming machine executes a game in which a player makes a bet in a desired bet pattern having combined a plurality of bet elements; stores the bet pattern used for the game; and allows the player to select one of the bet element and the bet pattern. When the bet element is selected, a bet is made by the bet pattern using the bet element selected. When the bet pattern is selected, a bet is made by the bet pattern selected.
US08961288B2

Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include detecting a request to present a wagering game via a browser application and providing wagering game content for the wagering game, wherein a wagering game toolbar of the browser application is configured to present the wagering game content. In some examples, the operations further include providing a wagering game result for the wagering game, wherein the wagering game toolbar is configured to present the wagering game result.
US08961283B2

An agricultural harvesting machine has a measurement device for investigating a crop flow conveyed through the harvesting machine. The measurement device includes at least one optical detection unit disposed at the crop flow for detecting light reflected by the crop and an evaluation unit for evaluating the spectrum of the detected light in order to derive properties of the crop. The evaluation unit is disposed at a position of the harvesting machine that is decoupled from mechanical loading by the crop flow to the greatest extent possible and is connected to the detection unit by way of at least one optical waveguide.
US08961281B2

The present invention concerns a ventilation group that is capable of causing reversal of a gas flow according to two opposite directions, and that can be applied, in particular, to plants for the aerobic treatment of organic wastes through a phase of fermentation/bio-oxidation performed by means of forced air.
US08961278B2

A system for cooling rack mounted equipment includes: a rack configured to house rack mounted equipment, the rack providing a front port bordered by a top and two sides; and a cold-air duct separable from and attached to the rack about the top and two sides, the duct being configured to be in fluid communication with a region adjacent to the duct to receive air from the region, the duct includes: a front member; side members coupled to the front member; and an end member configured to selectively allow the passage of air through the end component from the region into the duct; where the duct is attached to the rack to form a substantially airtight seal between the rack and the duct.
US08961277B2

The invention relates to a V-shaped trough comprising two vertical side walls joined by two converging top walls, said walls being provided with a plurality of openings, thereby making the grain columns between the rows of troughs smaller inside the tower and increasing the sped of drying, since the thickness of the grain columns is reduced, thus shortening the drying time.
US08961276B2

The present invention provides a coin feeding device in which coin jam can be easily eliminated and coins causing a coin jam can be easily removed.When a coin jam occurs between a transporting belt 57 and a separating roller 65, the separating roller 65 is moved by a moving unit 66 in a direction to expand a clearance 64 between the separating roller 65 and the transporting belt 57. By moving the separating roller 65, coin jam can be easily eliminated, and coins causing the coin jam can be easily removed.
US08961273B2

A poultry front half processing module is shown and described. The module includes a rotatable wing bracket for securely engaging the wings of the front half to allow more accurate processing and easier deboning and transfer operations.
US08961271B2

An abrasive blasting apparatus comprises a blast pot, a blast media valve fluidly connected to said blast media outlet of the blast pot, a source of pressurized gas, a proportional air valve in fluid communication with the blast media valve and the source of pressurized air, a hose having a blast nozzle at a distal end thereof, and a main control unit fluidly connected to the blast media valve and the air valve. The blast media valve comprises a housing having a blasting media intake, a plunger disposed within the housing, a sleeve disposed between the housing and the plunger, a blast media port in the sleeve, a casing fixedly connected to the housing, a piston disposed within the casing and connected to the plunger, and a base member fixedly connected to the housing. The plunger is movable by the piston with respect to the blast media port.
US08961264B2

A controller controls the position of an abrasive. The abrasive is moved to a first desired position adjacent a ball. The ball is rotated while in contact with the abrasive. The abrasive abrades the outer surface of the ball and burrs on the outer surface to remove the burrs. A sensor may be used to sense the position and size of the burrs.
US08961263B2

A sleeve material retaining loop is attached to or looped around a strap of a brassiere to retain gathered sleeve material or other items. One end of the sleeve material retaining loop extends out of the neck hole of the outer garment, and another end of the loop extends out of the arm hole of the sleeve above the shoulder of the wearer. The first and second ends of the sleeve material retaining loop are attached at the shoulder of the wearer to retain the sleeve. This helps prevent the sleeve from interfering with the wearer's movement and improves evaporative cooling of the wearer. A sleeve retaining loop storing mechanism stores the loop. Each sleeve retaining loop may be formed of separate interchangeable pieces that are attached to the brassiere. An additional piece of clothing may also be secured to a fastener on the brassiere.
US08961257B2

The present disclosure relates generally to flexible laminated construction toy set and method of manufacture thereof, and more particularly to a construction set made of pieces with a bendable metal layer enclosed by two layers of a plastic mat. Two flexible think plastic mats with potentially a surface printed design are sealed around an internally deformable metal insert. Sets are sold using multiple geometry elements each having a different purpose, a different design to enhance playability.
US08961256B2

A method and apparatus for fabricating an organic electroluminescent device, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes depositing an organic material on a substrate coupled to a first tray in a first substrate treatment unit using the first tray as a mask, depositing a metal material on the substrate coupled to a second tray in a second substrate treatment unit using the second tray as mask, wherein the deposition of the organic material or the metal material in the first and second substrate treatment units includes primarily moving the first and second trays such that the first and second trays are aligned with the substrate, when each of the first and second trays is coupled to the substrate, and secondarily moving the first and second trays and the substrate such that the substrate and the trays are aligned at predetermined positions.
US08961251B1

A swimming device for increased underwater resistance increases resistance while underwater for purposes of rehabilitation and fitness. The device includes a glove having a main portion and a plurality of finger portions and a thumb portion whereby the glove is configured for covering a human hand. A channel-forming member has a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the main portion of the glove and a top wall extending between a first side and a second side of the peripheral wall. The channel-forming member has a pair of separator portions extending downwardly from the peripheral wall wherein the separator portions are configured for separating the channel-forming member into a plurality of channels. A pair of fins is coupled to the channel-forming member wherein the fins and the channels are configured for increasing underwater resistance when the glove is positioned on the hand and moved underwater.
US08961244B2

A bulb socket includes a socket body in which a bulb is mounted, an earth terminal, a pair of terminal fittings for making elastic contact with a contact point of the bulb, and packing 6 with which a gap between the socket body and an attachment part of the socket body is sealed. One end of the socket body is provided with a mounting port of the bulb. The earth terminal and the terminal fittings are attached to the inside of the mounting port. The terminal fitting includes a body, a leg part linearly extending from one end of the body, and a spring part extending from the other end of the body in a meandering shape. The spring part includes four bent parts. Bending angles of the bent parts are equal.
US08961235B2

An electrical connector includes a first insulative housing defining a base member and a mating member extending forwardly from the base member in a mating direction, and a plurality of first contacts retained in the first housing. The mating member defines opposite first and second mating faces in a vertical direction perpendicular to said mating direction, and a receiving portion recessed towards the first mating face from the second mating face thereof. The receiving portion cooperates with a corresponding portion of a mating connector for preventing incorrect insertion of the electrical connector.
US08961233B2

An electrical connector is provided to assembled on a circuit board for inserting a connecting member, and includes an insulating body having a cavity, a plurality of first terminals received in the insulating body for connecting with the connecting member, a cap body covered on the insulating body and a set of positioning mechanisms provided for fixing the cap body on the insulating body. Each positioning mechanism has first positioning portions and second positioning portions, so that the first positioning portions are buckled with the second positioning portions. The first positioning portions and the second positioning portions are assembled on the insulating body and the cap body respectively. Under this arrangement, the cap body is securely fixed on the insulating body via the positioning mechanisms, so that the first terminals are not detached from the insulating body.
US08961231B2

An improved electrical connector retainer employs a shell having a cavity. A pair of mated electrical connectors are received within the cavity and at least a portion of an upper wall of the shell is deflected towards a lower wall of the shell. The shell is configured to retain the upper wall in the deflected position, maintaining the pair of connectors in the mated position.
US08961230B2

A connecting structure comprises a board-side connector and a wire-side connector. The board-side connector comprises a frame pedestal surrounding an accommodating chamber; a metal outer shell covering the exterior of the frame pedestal; a metal inner shell mounted to a mounting hole at a rear end of the accommodating chamber; and a transmission main body mounted to an interior of the metal inner shell. The wire-side connector comprises a transmission main body having multiple terminals having multiple first ends soldered to discrete core wires of a wire cable and multiple second ends configured to contact terminals of the board-side connector; a clamp cage at a rear side of the transmission main body; and a plastic case surrounding an accommodating chamber, wherein the accommodating chamber receives second ends of the terminals.
US08961229B2

An electrical connector assembly includes plural wafers that are stacked. Each wafer includes a conductive board defining plural slots therein, and plural contact modules each received in one of the slots. The conductive board is made from plastic coated with metal plating to improve shielding performance. Each of the contact modules includes a pair of contacts and an insulating holder fixing the contact pair to the conductive board. The insulating holder is differently void along the contact pairs to improve impedance.
US08961221B2

A stacked electrical connecting device includes an insulating body, first and second connectors and a conductive connecting member. The insulating body includes first and second accommodation portions and a separator between the first and second accommodation portions. The first and second connectors have first and second metal casings fixed into the first and second accommodation portions. The conductive connecting member is installed at the separator and includes a first planar section electrically contacted with the first metal casing, a second planar section electrically contacted with the second metal casing, and a third planar section coupled between the first and second planar sections. The first and second planar sections have a first elastic plate elastically pressing at the first metal casing and a second elastic plate elastically pressing at the second metal casing, and the conductive connecting member is electrically coupled between the first and second metal casings and grounded.
US08961217B2

An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive housing for inhibiting electromagnetic interference. A latch device is mounted to opposite sides of the housing and extends from the housing for positively latching together the electrical connector with a mating connector. The latch device includes a biasing member for driving a latching end of the latch device toward a catch of the mating connector to securely retain the connectors in a mated configuration. The housing further includes a skirt on a mating end, the skirt having a plurality of cantilevered tangs for bearing against a corresponding skirt of the mating connector.
US08961214B2

A connecting device includes a riser bracket, a positioning mechanism and a riser card. The positioning mechanism has a plurality of standoffs and a latch disposed on the riser bracket. Each standoff has a head, a shoulder and a neck interconnecting the head and the shoulder. The latch is movable between a locking position for locking the riser card and a releasing position. The riser card is formed with a plurality of through holes corresponding in position to the standoffs. Each through hole has a large hole portion for extension of the head of a respective standoff and a small hole portion having an inner diameter that is equal to an outer diameter of the neck of the respective standoff.
US08961211B2

A card edge connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of conductive terminals and a pair of metal members attached to the insulative housing. The insulative housing defining a pair of latching arms integrally extending forwardly from opposite ends thereof and a mounting slot below said each latching arm. Each metal member including a first metal member closely and vertical attached to the latching arm and a second metal member movably received in the mounting slot. wherein the first metal member defines a stopping portion extending to the second metal member, the second metal member defines a solder portion and a stopped portion extending to the stopping portion, the stopping portion is located in front of the stopped portion in a front-to-rear direction, thereby the second metal member is prevent from forwardly departing from the mounting slot by the stopping portion of the first metal member.
US08961209B2

To provide a technique by which an accumulated tolerance caused by the arrangement of terminal fittings is eliminated to improve the workability in a multipole cell-voltage detection connector. When all of receptacle terminals (94) are inserted into receptacle insertion groove parts (22), each of the receptacle terminals (94) is buckled at a bending hole (97) and a mark-off part (98) formed as a boundary of a receptacle root part (95) and a receptacle front part (96). Because the receptacle insertion groove parts (22) are formed in a state where there is substantially no tolerance, the terminal pitch tolerance correction housing (10) is fitted to receptacle units (90), and the receptacle terminals (94) (receptacle front parts (96)) protruded from the receptacle insertion groove parts (22) toward a bottom inner surface (15) are corrected to a state where there is no tolerance.
US08961206B1

A mini USB connector with card plug-in function includes an electrical insulating terminal holder including an accommodation chamber and first and second tongue members bilaterally disposed at a front side of the accommodation chamber, a conducting terminal set including multiple conducting terminals mounted in the accommodation chamber and arranged in three sets, and an EMI shielding shell surrounding the electrical insulating terminal holder and the conducting terminals and defining therein a mating chamber that matches with the accommodation chamber, the first tongue member and the second tongue member to constitute first, second and third insertion spaces respectively for the insertion of different types of electronic cards or electrical connectors.
US08961202B2

An electrical safety device includes a body having a cavity, a plurality of prongs configured to be received into sockets of an electrical outlet, and a plurality of sockets each of which is configured to receive a prong of an electrical plug therein. The electrical safety device further includes a locking assembly configured to secure the prongs of the electrical plug in the sockets of the body. At least a portion of each of the prongs of the electrical safety device includes at least one insulator disposed thereon and a retractable sheath surrounds each of the prongs of the electrical safety device to militate against an undesired contact therewith.
US08961198B2

A junction box assembly is provided with a conductive boss having a first contact surface and a second contact surface spaced apart from the first contact surface. A pair of threaded conductive studs each extends from one of the contact surfaces. A housing is overmolded onto the boss so that the first contact surface, the second contact surface, and the pair of studs are exposed. A printed circuit board (PCB) is oriented in the housing. A busbar is oriented in the housing in electrical communication with the PCB. The busbar has a conductive tab with an aperture formed therethrough. One of the pair of studs is received within the aperture and the contact tab is in electrical communication with one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface.
US08961184B1

Apparatus for teaching mathematics has numerical and mathematical operational inputs by way of coded cards placed in respective card readers and a keypad that produces number values and numerical equations. The number values and equation results are compared to the numeric value of weight objects placed on a scale by the student. The apparatus is bi-directional in that unit weights are placed on the scale to attempt to match the numeric values and the equation solution values produced by the cards and keypad or the cards and keypad entries for numerical values and equations are made to match the numeric value of the unit weight objects on the scale. The student is informed of the result of the comparison in terms of correct or incorrect, or by explanatory messages to either increase or decrease the unit weight value or change the number value or the equation.
US08961181B2

Methods and systems for improving the accuracy of hitting a target are described. An apparatus includes a LIDAR unit, a storage device, an aim adjustment controller and an adjustment interface. The LIDAR unit is configured to measure at least one of wind profiles along a path between a shooting device and the target, and a range to the target. The storage device is configured to store ballistic information for at least one of ammunition types, shooting devices, and environmental conditions. The aim adjustment controller is configured to analyze at least one of the wind profile, the range to the target, and the ballistic information to determine a set of aiming parameters and the adjustment interface is configured to provide aiming instructions based on the set of aiming parameters, wherein the aiming instructions substantially improve the accuracy.
US08961179B2

An apparatus and method for mineralising demineralised and hypo-mineralised biological material such as tooth or bone. The apparatus has a probe electrode for receiving a mineralisation agent and a counter electrode. It is also provided with a controller to control the electrical signal provided to the probe such that the extent of mineralisation of the biological material is controlled by modulating or changing the electrical signal provided by the probe based upon the measured output of the circuit formed from the probe, counter electrode and biological material. The electrical output provides a measure of the extent of mineralisation of the biological material which is compared with data from a reference technique which gives 3D structural information on an area of interest in the biological material.
US08961174B2

The apparatus includes a motor (20) which drives a first compound gear (28) having first and second portions (26, 32), the second portion driving a second compound gear (36). The second compound gear has one portion (38) which has teeth over only one half the circumference thereof. The apparatus further includes an air cylinder (12) and a rack (62) and a spring assembly (66) a sealing end portion (64) of the rack fitting in a fluid-tight relationship with the air cylinder, wherein the rack member is engaged by the one portion of the second compound gear, compressing the spring when the teeth thereon engage the rack member. When the no-teeth portion comes adjacent the rack member, the rack is released and the sealing end of the rack member is forced by action of the spring into the air cylinder, producing bursts of air. The second compound gear also drives a peristaltic pump, producing liquid in bursts which are directed to a mixing chamber 58, from which a stream of liquid droplets exit through exit 16.
US08961172B2

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of the bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot.
US08961165B2

The present invention leads to a method for preparing a dough piece rolled up with separator sheet, comprising supplying in a transport direction, a dough piece positioned on a separator sheet, the dough piece and the separator sheet having a length and a width, wherein a leading edge of the separator sheet exceeds the dough piece at least a first side, rolling up the at least one side of the dough paper that exceeds the dough piece, thus forming a cylinder of separator sheet, extending in a width direction of the dough piece and rolling up the rest of the separator sheet with the dough piece around the cylinder. The invention further relates to a device for performing the method and a roll formed by the method and/or device.
US08961159B2

A scroll compressor may include a blocking portion provided in a fixed component thereof, and positioned adjacent to a discharge hole formed in an orbiting scroll of the compressor. The blocking portion may temporarily obscure the discharge hole upon initiation of a discharging operation, thereby preventing refrigerant discharged into a discharging space from flowing back into a compression chamber, without the use of a separate check valve. Such a blocking portion may prevent an increase in overall compressor noise due to noise typically generated by a check valve. Such a blocking portion may also prevent degradation in compressor reliability levels due to valve damage and increases in fabricating costs due to the addition of the valve.
US08961156B2

A fluid conveying device includes: a tube; a cam having protrusions; fingers arranged along the tube between the tube and the cam; a driving rotor which rotates the cam to sequentially push the fingers by the protrusions in a flowing direction of a fluid, repeatedly pressuring and opening of the tube, driving the cam; a detection unit which detects a rotating position of the cam; a control unit which calculates a cam rotation angle along a cumulative ejection volume, using a first approximation formula for an ejection area H where the cumulative ejection volume increases substantially in proportion to the rotation angle of the cam and a second approximation formula for a constant area J where the cumulative ejection volume little increases or decreases even if the cam rotates, driving the driving rotor until a rotating position of the cam corresponding to a designated cumulative ejection volume is reached.
US08961154B2

An electric water pump apparatus may include a body having a stator chamber and a rotor chamber therein, a stator having a hollow cylindrical shape and being disposed in the stator chamber and generating a magnetic field, wherein the stator fluidly insulates the stator chamber and the rotor chamber, a rotor disposed in the rotor chamber and enclosed by the stator, wherein the rotor is rotated by the magnetic field, and a pump cover connected to the body and forming a volute chamber therein, wherein the volute chamber and the rotor chamber are fluidly-communicated through a connecting hole formed to the body and a coolant is supplied to the rotor chamber through the connection hole, wherein the stator includes a stator groove formed in an inner circumference therein and the stator groove is fluid-connected to the rotor chamber and the volute chamber through the connection hole.
US08961153B2

A subsea, seawater injection system, positionable on a seabed for connection to a subterranean well includes a frame, an electrical submersible pump (ESP) positioned in the frame so as to be oriented substantially parallel to the seabed when positioned thereon, and a filter operationally positioned between a source water intake and the ESP.
US08961152B2

Portable battery-operated fan comprises a two-part base of which the lower part can be detached to allow the fan to stand on its own or attached to permit the fan to be placed in a cup or bottle holder. A facsimile of an element of sports apparatus such as a golf ball, basketball, or bowling pin is pivotally attached to the fan and provides a mounting place for a DC motor which is driven by a battery in the lower base. A shrouded fan is attached to an end or a side of the sports apparatus facsimile so as to provide cooling air flow on demand.
US08961148B2

A unified variable displacement pump having a housing which includes a fluid pump and a vacuum pump. A portion of the housing is part of the fluid pump, and a portion of the housing is part of the vacuum pump. A shaft extends through the fluid pump and the vacuum pump. A vacuum pump rotor is formed as part of the shaft, and a vane pump rotor is mounted to the shaft such that when the shaft rotates, the vacuum pump rotor and the vane pump rotor rotate, causing the fluid pump to pump fluid and the vacuum pump to generate a vacuum. The vacuum pump and fluid pump are combined into a single component driven by a single shaft.
US08961145B2

A compressor system is disclosed, comprising a first pump driven by a D/C motor, a second pump driven by an A/C motor, and a switch which allows a user to manually selectively engage of one of the D/C motor or A/C motor, including a gauge having a user settable shut-off mechanism which interrupts power to at least one of D/C or A/C motors. Also disclosed is a gauge configured to display system pressure independent of the user settable shut-off mechanism. A gauge having a rotatable bezel with a needle stop comprising a first needle rotatably coupled to a gauge shaft, and a second needle fixable coupled to the gauge shaft, and a spring disposed between the first and second needles, the spring configured to bias the first needle into the second needle so changes in pressure causes rotation of both is also disclosed.
US08961139B2

An aircraft system/method for propeller balancing. The system includes an inboard driver with a first and second inboard electromagnetic coil, the inboard driver and the first counterweight balancing rotor and the second counterweight balancing rotor centered around the aircraft propeller shaft rotating machine member with the first inboard electromagnetic coil proximate the first inboard magnets of the first counterweight balancing rotor, with the inboard electromagnetic coil driver proximate the rotation axis of the aircraft propeller shaft rotating machine member and the first counterweight balancing rotor outboard of the inboard electromagnetic coil driver with the first inboard electromagnetic coil generating a electromagnetic field to electromagnetically step the first inboard magnets of the at least first counterweight balancing rotor to electromagnetically actuate rotational movement of the first counterweight balancing rotor around the rotating machine member and relative to the inboard electromagnetic coil driver to a first rotor held balancing position.
US08961137B2

A turbine wheel for a turbine engine, comprising a disk carrying blades, each having a platform carrying an airfoil and connected by a tang to a root, and sealing and damping sheets housed in the inter-tang spaces, the platforms including projections on their radially internal faces against which the sheets bear radially in operation, in order to define radial clearance and create at least one space between the sheets and the platforms, and the sheets including holes for feeding air to the or each space.
US08961136B1

A film cooling hole for an air cooled turbine airfoil, where the film cooling hole includes a first expansion section with expansion only on the downstream wall and a second expansion section with expansion on the downstream wall and the two side walls. No expansion is formed on the upstream walls on the first and second expansion sections.
US08961133B2

An cooled airfoil for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The airfoil includes an outer wall having a plurality cooling air exit openings and an inner wall having plurality of cooling air inlet openings. A plurality of flow migration dams extend between the inner wall and the outer wall to form a plurality of cooling passages and prevent cooling air from moving radially outward past the migration dams.
US08961127B2

A shaft cap to connect between a shaft and a tie rod on a rotative assembly includes a circular portion with a central opening for connecting to the tie rod; a conical portion extending out from the circular portion at a slope; and a pilot around the outer edge of the conical portion. The pilot includes an outer lip to connect to an end of the shaft, an inner portion to connect to the inner circumference of the shaft and an undercut portion between the outer lip and the inner portion.
US08961126B1

Apparatus, systems and methods of 70 (seventy) CFM (cubic feet per minute) ventilation fans for bathrooms with recessed cans for lights with the motor inside and beneath the blower. A housing for the bath fan can be attached to joists in the ceiling by a telescoping brackets. The motor and blower can be removed as a single unit to allow the motor to be easily replaced or repaired, and to allow for the inside to be inspected during and after installation. A decorative ring shaped pan about the light can have vents that receive the incoming air into the fan, which is exhausted by the blower. Sealing members can seal the can to the light, and to the decorative ring shaped pan.
US08961105B2

A vacuum pump includes: a pump main body; a control unit which drives and controls the pump main body; a connector device including a first connector member on the pump main body side and a second connector member on the control unit side, at least one of power and a control signal being input and output between the pump main body and the control unit; and a connector attachment member attached to the pump main body coaxially with the pump shaft center between the pump main body and the control unit, the first connector member being attached to the connector attachment member. The connector attachment member is attached to the pump main body at one of a first phase of attachment and a second phase of attachment depending on a phase of attachment of the pump main body and the control unit.
US08961104B2

A turbomolecular pump includes a drag pump unit constituted with a rotational cylinder portion disposed at a rotor and a fixed cylinder (24) disposed via a gap on an outer circumferential side of the rotational cylinder portion. The fixed cylinder (24) includes: a cylinder upper portion (240a) locked to a base (1); and a cylinder lower portion (240b) connected to a discharge downstream side of the cylinder upper portion (240a) via a groove (243) formed so that a break occurs when the rotational cylinder portion (32) breaks and a broken rotational cylinder portion (32) collides with the fixed cylinder (24) subjecting the fixed cylinder (24) to a rotational torque working in a direction matching the direction in which the rotational cylinder portion (32) rotates.
US08961101B2

A system of operating a wind turbine that is capable of extending electricity production, such as in low and high wind speed environments. In accordance with various embodiments, a wind turbine speed maintenance system has a wind turbine with at least one turbine blade that has a trailing edge with a speed feature. The speed feature is connected to a controller and a pressure vessel, the controller selectively activating the speed feature in response to the turbine blade reaching a predetermined radial velocity.
US08961098B2

A vehicle for transporting bulk seed containers and for transferring seed from the bulk seed containers to a seed planting machine includes a frame; a number of bulk seed container supports attached to the frame, each bulk seed container support supporting a bulk seed container; a feed tube connected to each of the bulk seed container supports, each feed tube engaging a bulk seed container; a delivery tube connected to each feed tube; a funnel commonly connected to the delivery tubes; an auger tube connected to the funnel and an auger to transfer seed to a seed planting machine.
US08961097B2

A system for transporting containers includes a trailer frame with independent hoist systems for loading and unloading multiple containers. The trailer frame supports the containers during transport, inclines to load/unload the containers, and supports a tilting sub-frame that loads/unloads a container. Thus, the system is chassis-less.
US08961096B2

A transportable apparatus has a main body configured to be transported in a horizontal orientation, and then raised to a vertical orientation in a working position. A base is mounted on the bottom end of the main body such that the main body rests on the base in the working position, and such that the base is carried at a rear end of the main body when the main body is in a horizontal transport position supported on. The base is rotatable about a vertical base axis such that the main body can be rotated with respect to the base about the base axis. A frame and wheels can be pivotally attached to the main body to transport the main body and then be stored in a vertical orientation along a wall of the man body in the working position.
US08961087B2

A blind rivet element includes a setting head attached to one head of a shank that is smaller in diameter than the setting head and has an opposite end with an internal female thread or a receptacle for a threaded bolt as well as a deformation section disposed axially therebetween. The blind rivet is inelastically deformed from an unset condition to a set condition thereby forming a radially outwardly protruding bead which serves to fasten the blind rivet element to a workpiece. The deformation section includes a void that interrupts the bead and defines a non-arcuate edge along that portion of the bead disposed adjacent to the void.
US08961080B2

Provided is a boring tool which not only is lightweight but also has both abrasion resistance and high stiffness. More specifically, provided is a boring tool wherein a shaft-like tool body (10) is equipped with cutting bits, and wherein the tool body (10) makes a reciprocating motion, thereby reaming a hole provided to a workpiece to be machined. The tool body (10) is provided with a substrate (11) formed by a carbon fiber reinforced composite material, a hard plating layer (13) consisting of hard plating applied to the surface (10b) of the tool body (10), and a backing layer (12) which is applied between the substrate (11) and the hard plating layer (13) and serves to improve the wettability of the hard plating layer (13).
US08961079B2

The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using concentric cutters in which a rotatable cutter having floating teeth rotates concentrically about a stationary cutter having fixed teeth. The object is cut by a severing action caused by the floating teeth of the rotatable cutter sliding against the fixed teeth of the stationary cutter. Embodiments of the invention include a UUV system for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects, concentric cutting assemblies for use in the UUV system and other systems, and a method for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects. A UUV system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a concentric cutting assembly at the forward end and a propulsor at the aft end. The concentric cutting assembly integrates seamlessly within the UUV housing and is deployed from the forward end of the UUV, enabling the UUV to quickly and efficiently penetrate through objects blocking its path.
US08961064B2

A screed system is provided. The screed system includes a base screed. The screed system includes an extension member, wherein the extension member is detachably coupled to the base screed. The screed system also includes an identification module associated with the extension member. The identification module is configured to provide an indication of the extension member. The screed system further includes a controller, wherein the controller is configured to determine a parameter associated with the extension member based on the indication. Further, the identification module and the controller are configured to communicate with each other.
US08961059B2

A method of fabricating a self-locking joint in a panel structure. The method provides a panel structure having at least two face sheets and a core portion sandwiched therebetween. The method further fabricates in a first portion of the panel structure at least one mortice opening having self-locking end portions. The method further fabricates on a second portion of the panel structure at least one tenon extension having flexible self-locking members. The method further interlocks the flexible self-locking members of the at least one tenon extension with the self-locking end portions of the at least one mortice opening to form a self-locking joint in the panel structure.
US08961058B2

A corner coupling for attaching one or more beams to a support post, the coupling comprises one or more central coupling unit attached or integral with the support post, and one or more beam end couplers each extending at an end of the beam and being detachably attachable to a respective central coupling unit; wherein a each beam end coupler is configured for arresting engagement with an arresting arrangement of a respective central coupling unit composed of at least a wedge-type engagement, surface-to-surface load bearing and one or more auxiliary locking arrangement.
US08961056B2

An adjusting device for a vehicle component includes a first fitting part arranged on an axis of rotation and a second fitting part arranged on the axis of rotation. The relative position of the first fitting part and the second fitting part with respect to each other is adjustable. The adjusting device also includes an eccentric arranged on and rotatable about the axis of rotation and a plurality of first rotating members arranged concentrically about the eccentric. The first rotating members are configured to roll along the first fitting part. The adjusting device further includes a plurality of subcomponents that each include a first fitting-part element of the first fitting part and a second fitting-part element of the second fitting part. The plurality of subcomponents are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry that extends at right angles to the axis of rotation.
US08961050B2

A filtered fluid pump spray dispenser and applicator assembly includes a container having a pump spray mechanism connected to a fluid feed tube immersed in a fluid to be dispensed. The open end of the fluid feed tube is covered by a porous and permeable filter, which filters particulate matter from the fluid during spray mode fluid dispensing. The pump mechanism and fluid feed tube may be removed, and fluid contained in the filter applied directly to a surface in direct application mode fluid dispensing.
US08961045B2

A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.
US08961032B2

An interconnect assembly includes an optical fiber cable, legs, connectors, and covers. The optical fiber cable includes a jacket and sub-units. The jacket has an interior defining a passage and the sub-units extend through the passage and include optical fibers extending lengthwise through the sub-units. The legs of the interconnect assembly extend from the passage on an end of the jacket, where the legs are continuations of or extensions from the sub-units such that the optical fibers further extend through the legs. The connectors are attached to the optical fibers on distal ends of the legs and the covers are attached to the connectors. The covers each include an end having a track for wrapping one or more of the legs over in order to package the legs and connectors, such as for placement of the legs and connectors within a pulling grip for installation of the interconnect assembly through a duct.
US08961031B2

A connector system comprising a set of plug housings, each plug housing having a front face and defining a first keying element at least partially on the front face, the first keying element of each plug housing in the set of plug housings being different, a set of receptacles, each receptacle being an adapter configured to connect two plugs together, each receptacle defining a front opening and a second keying element projecting from at least one interior surface of the receptacle into the front interior space of the receptacle, the second keying element of the each receptacle of the set of receptacles being different and being adapted to cooperate with the first keying element of one and only one plug housing of the set of plug housings such that each receptacle of the set of receptacles mates with only one plug housing of the set of plug housings.
US08961029B2

Construction of a roller thrust bearing is achieved wherein it is possible to keep a thrust race from coming apart from a cage without wear or cracking occurring in a cage element and without impact occurring between the thrust race and cage even when used in an application wherein a rotating section rotates at high speed, or when used in an application wherein relative displacement between members of a rotating section is large. The thickness of metal plate of a first cage element 35 is preferably ⅚ the thickness of metal plate of a second cage element 36 or less. Alternatively, the thickness of metal plate of a second cage element 56 is preferably ⅚ the thickness of metal plate of a first cage element 55 or less.
US08961022B2

The present invention relates to a rolling bearing for rotatively mounting a machine element, including a sensor for measuring a mechanical load acting on the rolling bearing. The rolling bearing can be a wheel bearing of a motor vehicle, for example, or the bearing of a gearbox shaft. The rolling bearing includes a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, which can be rotated with respect to the first bearing ring. A bearing inner space, which has at least one first axial section in which rotatable rolling elements are arranged, is formed between the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring. The rolling bearing further includes at least one sensor for measuring a mechanical load acting on the rolling bearing, in particular for measuring a force or torque, or a physical variable derived from a force or torque, for example, angular momentum or mechanical tension.
US08961021B2

A roller body for a roller bearing includes at least one cavity extending from an end face of the roller body, at least one retaining element is disposed in the cavity, and at least one sensor is disposed in the cavity, such as in or on the retaining element. The sensor is at least partially surrounded by an elastic material in a protective manner.
US08961016B2

A linear guide apparatus is provided in which an excellent sealing performance is achieved. The linear guide apparatus includes a retainer for retaining plural cylindrical rollers rotatably in a rolling element rolling passage. The retainer includes an opening portion and accommodates for retention of the plural cylindrical rollers in the opening portion. The retainer also includes an endless seal unit surrounding the opening portion. The seal unit includes an inward facing lip inclining toward the inner side of the opening portion and extending toward the guide rail to be in sliding contact with the guide rail. The inward facing lip is formed continuously all around the seal unit. The seal unit includes an outward facing lip inclining toward the outer side of the opening portion and extending toward the guide rail to be in sliding contact with the guide rail, in addition to the inward facing lip.
US08961013B2

A self-supporting, rigid, and collapsible reusable bag made from flexible material and having a bottom, two first sidewalls, two second sidewalls, a top opening, and rigid insert. A rigid full-wall board is embedded in each of the two first sidewalls. A rigid insert comprised of at least one pair of sidewalls and bottom with substantially similar dimensions to the second sidewalls and bottom of the bag are placed in the interior and in frictional contact with the second sidewalls and bottom of the bag. The rigid insert sidewalls are held in place with securing devices located on the interior upper corners of the sidewalls of the bag. The bag can be collapsed by moving the rigid insert away from the second sidewalls and bottom to allow the second sidewalls to fold either inward or outward. A full-wall pocket is provided for each first sidewall to receive the full-wall board.
US08961012B2

A bag has a front panel, a back panel, and a gusset panel. Either or both of the front panel and the gusset panel at one side has an extension, and either or both of the back panel and the gusset panel at the other side has an extension. The extensions are welded together at outer margins thereof so that the width of the combined extensions is greater than the width of the gusset panel. The extensions are formed with carrying apertures.
US08961010B2

An x-ray system having a C-arm 1 and an associated method are provided. The x-ray system includes at least one adjustment unit for at least one component of the x-ray system that is actively connected to the C-arm. The at least one adjustment unit compensates for a spatial change in position of the component caused by deformation and/or oscillation of the C-arm.
US08961007B2

A method of forming a thermocouple (12), including: depositing a first material on a component (10) to form a first leg (14); depositing a second material through a mask (30) to form a pattern (50) on the component (10), the pattern (50) forming a plurality of discrete second leg junction ends (20) and a continuous patch (52) of the second material comprising indiscrete lead ends of the second legs (16), each second leg junction end (20) spanning from a respective junction (18) with the first leg (14) to the continuous patch (52); and laser-ablating the continuous patch (52) to form discrete lead ends (22) of the second legs (16), each lead end (22) electrically connected to a respective junction end (20), thereby forming discrete second legs (16).
US08961006B2

Fiber optic sensing systems and methods. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic sensing system includes an optical fiber transmitting energy to a chemical vapor deposited diamond material proximate a substance in a well. The diamond material is deposited as a coating on a substrate. The substrate and coating are heated when the energy is transmitted by the optical fiber. This heats the substance in the well, which is detected to determine a property of the substance. In another embodiment, light energy is transmitted through the diamond material.
US08961002B2

An assembly for an escapement of a timepiece movement (100), including an escapement bridge (10), a balance cock (30), a pallet lever (7) for controlling an escapement wheel (6) in cooperation with a balance (3). This escapement bridge (10) carries a bottom pallet lever bearing (14) for guiding a bottom pallet lever pivot (15) of this pallet lever (7), and this cock (30) carries a top pallet lever bearing (14A) for guiding a top pallet lever pivot (15A) of this pallet lever (7). An arm (41) of this pallet lever (7) carries a banking pin (39) which can move in a hole (40) comprised in this balance cock (30), to limit the pivoting of this pallet lever (7).
US08960999B1

A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
US08960997B2

A portable feed apparatus comprising a feed container, a mixing assembly that receives a feed from said feed container, at least one feed additive assembly in flowable connection with said mixing assembly, and a controller in communication with said mixing assembly.
US08960994B2

A portable nail polish creator is provided. The portable nail polish creator may include a user interface to allow a user to select a nail polish color. Additionally, the nail polish creator may include a processor that can receive the selection of the nail polish color via the interface. Once the selection is received, the processor may determine an amount of at least one of a plurality of nail polish colors to create a nail polish corresponding to the selection. The nail polish creator may further include an arm assembly that may receive a signal from the processor to move a nail polish bottle in position to receive the nail polish based on the amount of at least one of the plurality of nail polish colors determined by the processor. Moreover, the nail polish creator may include a mixer assembly for mixing the nail polish in the nail polish bottle.
US08960979B2

An optical device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first surface light source emitting light rays wherein it comprises a reflecting optical system deflecting the light rays emitted by the first surface light source.
US08960976B2

A mounting apparatus for adjustably positioning a lighting device. The mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket having an ear and a first indicator associated with the ear. The mounting apparatus also includes a second indicator adapted to be coupled to the lighting device for conjoint rotational movement about a rotational axis with respect to the mounting bracket. The second indicator and the lighting device may be selectively rotated about the rotational axis such that the second indicator is located in a desired position with respect to the first indicator whereby the lighting device is located in a desired measured orientation with respect to the mounting bracket.
US08960974B2

Included are a plurality of cylindrical holders having holes into which laser modules are fitted and fixed, respectively; a plate-like base that has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of through holes through which the laser beams from the plurality of laser modules fixed to the holder pass, the holders abutting against the first surface so as to connect the holes thereof to the through holes of the base, the second surface of the base being arranged with a plurality of lenses corresponding to the through holes; and adhesives applied to outer corners of abutment portions, at which the base and the LD holders abut against each other, for fixing the base and the LD holders to each other.
US08960968B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a cheap, rapid, controlled, reproducible and polyvalent method for manufacturing a light emitting device with an internal source of light capable of achieving an enhancement in extraction efficiency. The invention proposes a method for manufacturing an optical layer for a light emitting device having an internal source of light and an optical layer separating the internal source of light and an external medium of light diffusion, wherein the method comprises the use of coherent electromagnetic radiation speckle lithography, such as laser speckle lithography, to make a nano/micro texturation on at least one surface of the optical layer.
US08960967B2

An intelligent light fixture is shown which allows for hands-free or automatic control of any desired combination of the color of the lighting beam, the focus position of the lighting beam, the movement of the lighting beam and projection of patterns created by the lighting beam. The intelligent light fixture is configured and mounted in such a way that all of the above can be accomplished from a single mounting position on top, or of within, the structure that holds the intelligent light fixture. The intelligent light fixture may be contained within a housing and said housing maybe mounted to a light pole.
US08960952B2

Set of a plurality of LED emitters, wherein the LED emitters in the set generate a different luminous efficacy, and have a standard housing.
US08960945B1

A personally portable solar-powered electrical energy source includes a personally portable chassis; an array of solar cells mounted on the chassis, with the solar cells being adapted to generate electrical energy from light captured by the solar cells; a battery charger disposed in the chassis and so coupled to the solar cells as to be able to charge a battery installed in the chassis with the electrical energy generated by the solar cells; and at least one electrical outlet disposed in the chassis and adapted for providing electrical energy to an external electrical device from a said installed battery. The solar-powered electrical energy source can provide electrical energy to an electrically chargeable external electrical device, such as cell phone, and thereby charge the electrically chargeable external electrical device.
US08960942B2

A novel flashlight assembly that includes an interface integrated into the housing thereof to facilitate mounting of the flashlight to the dovetail rail on a modern combat weapon. The outer body of the flashlight includes a head mounted to a flashlight body at one end and a tapered tail extending outwardly at the other end of the body. Further, the flashlight includes a clamping interface that is a seamless and integrated feature of the outer housing of the flashlight itself for interfacing the flashlight with a firearm. The operational modes of the flashlight are controlled by a single push button and a selector switch. To facilitate a highly compact design the flashlight employs two circuitry arrangements positioned remote from one another and in communication with one another via a single conductive trace to operate at a first signal frequency or a second signal frequency.
US08960940B2

A lighting apparatus having a light source and a leveling mechanism capable of maintaining the light source in a desired orientation is described. The lighting apparatus may have a pivot mechanism about which the light source is capable of rotating such that the lighting apparatus maintains the desired orientation. In specific embodiments, the lighting apparatus comprises a directional light source, a pivot mechanism, a connector capable of connecting the pivot to another object, and a mechanism that allows the light source to rotate about the pivot to maintain a desired orientation. The lighting apparatus may be connected to an object, such as a piece of wheeled luggage, such that when the luggage is tilted the light source maintains an desired orientation such as a horizontal orientation.
US08960937B2

The structure of base for decorative aquatic ball mainly contains a shell, a hollow transparent shell made of plastic material; a decorative layer, a laser paper film with a pattern, the laser paper film covering the inner wall of the shell; and a decorative aquatic ball, a light-transmittable three-dimensional shape, disposed on top of the shell, and sealing in a fluid with slightly higher viscosity. As such, the decorative layer enables the base carrying the aquatic ball to create rich and layered visual effects.
US08960926B2

In order to minimize a change in the luminance of a projected image caused by a lamp refreshing process, projector 10 according to the present invention includes lamp refreshing controller 13 which, upon detecting that the lighting power of lamp 15 is lower than rated power thereof for a given period of time, increases the lighting power of lamp 15 to the rated power and, after elapse of a predetermined period of time, reduces the lighting power to an original level thereof, and aperture data generator 16 which controls the aperture of optical diaphragm 18 depending on a change in the lighting power to keep constant the amount of light passing through optical diaphragm 18.
US08960919B2

An image projection device includes a number-of-times measurement section that measures the number of passage times that the scanned laser light has passed through the light radiation members, a time measurement section that is triggered to measure an elapsed time when the number-of-times measurement section measures the number of passage times, an arithmetic section that calculates an initial timing at which the laser light source section starts outputting the laser light based on the measurement results of the number-of-times measurement section and the time measurement section, and a signal generation section that generates the switch signal at the initial timing calculated by the arithmetic section.
US08960911B2

A projector includes a lamp that emits projection light to project 3D picture, in which a right eye image and a left eye image are represented in a time division manner, to an object, a synchronization signal transmission section which transmits shutter synchronization signal to glasses having a right eye shutter and a left eye shutter to control the opened state or the closed state of the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter, based on the signal indicating a displaying period of the right eye image and the left eye image of 3D picture, and a lamp drive section that supplies AC current having peak overlapping with a period when the right eye shutter of the glasses is in the opened state and peak overlapping with a period when the left eye shutter of the glasses is in the opened state to the lamp, based on the signal.
US08960904B2

In order to change a size of an imaging area of a tomographic image of an object to be inspected easily, provided is an optical tomographic apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image of an object to be inspected, the optical tomographic apparatus including a control unit for controlling a measuring light path length changing unit to change an optical path length of measuring light in a case where the size of the imaging area of the tomographic image is changed, and for controlling a movable unit for moving a focus lens for focusing the measuring light to the object to be inspected along an optical path to move the focus lens in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
US08960902B2

A method and apparatus for producing a first spectacle lens of a pair of spectacle lenses to be used with a second spectacle lens for a specific situation of wear, in which optical parameters for the spectacle lens are calculated to minimize the value of a target function that corresponds to the pair of spectacle lenses. The target function is the sum of a first monocular function, with a weighting factor, that depends on the values of a first monocular optical property at a plurality of monocular evaluation points, a the binocular function, with a weighting factor, that depends on the values of a second monocular optical property at the plurality of pairs of binocular evaluation points, and a remainder term.
US08960900B2

A progressive-power lens has one surface which satisfies the following expressions CY(DP)=CT(DP) CY(P)>CT(P) where CT(DP) denotes a vertical direction curvature at the distance reference point, CY(DP) denotes a horizontal direction curvature, CY(P) denotes a horizontal direction curvature at a point on the principal meridian which is located further on the near portion than the progressive start point, and CT(P) denotes a vertical direction curvature at the point.
US08960895B2

A spectacle frame comprises two opposite lens support elements (10,20) and two opposite flexible temples (30,40). Each support element (10,20) has a channel (13,23) with an attachment seat (14,24). Each temple (30,40) has an end having attachment members (33,43) that are suitable to engage the attachment seat (14,24) of a respective support element (10,20). Each temple (30,40) is suitable to slide along the channels (13,23) of the two opposite support elements (10,20) such that the attachment members (33,43) of a temple (30,40) engage the attachment seat (14,24) of the support element (10,20) opposite to said temple (30,40).
US08960894B2

An inkjet recording apparatus includes a first belt transport section having a first transport belt, a recording section, a second belt transport section having a second transport belt, and a guide mechanism provided in an upstream-side end part of the second belt transport section. The guide mechanism includes a guide support member and a biasing member. The guide support member has formed therein a guide portion to pass the recording medium held by attraction on the first transport belt to the second transport belt and a positioning portion to keep a fixed gap between the guide portion and the transport surface of the first belt transport section, and is arranged to be swingable in a movement direction of the first belt transport section. The biasing member biases the guide support member in a direction approaching the first belt transport section.
US08960884B2

White ink of the present invention for ink jet recording contains a white pigment having an average particle size of 200 nm to 400 nm and composed of metallic oxide, and the white ink satisfies Formula (1): 0.5×A≦V≦1.3×A   (1) where A represents the white pigment content (mass %) in the white ink, and V represents the proportion (%) of the volume of the white pigment which has completely settled in the white ink to the total volume of the white ink.
US08960879B2

An ink jet ink contains a resin A, a resin B, and a pigment, in which the pigment is a halogenated metal phthalocyanine pigment being dispersed by the resin B, the resin A is a random copolymer having a carboxy group, the resin B is a block copolymer having a carboxy group, the acid value of the resin A is less than the acid value of the resin B, and the ink further includes a polybasic acid having a functional group whose pKa is 4.3 or less and a functional group whose pKa is 5.0 or more and 6.6 or less.
US08960878B2

An ink jet ink containing a pigment and a polyurethane polymer, wherein the polyurethane polymer has units derived from a polyol having no acid group and having the carbon number of 13 or more and 250 or less, a diol having an acid group and having the carbon number of 1 or more and 7 or less, a polyol having a siloxane structure, and a polyisocyanate, and an acid value of the polyurethane polymer is 40.0 mgKOH/g or more and 80.0 mgKOH/g or less.
US08960856B2

A method and apparatus for printing digital ink jet images to be backlit by a light source is provided. Such backlit printing relies upon additional color pigment to be hidden in the white layer to add additional color density to the image as the back light source passes light through the layers. Print heads are divided into a region of multiple single color print head arrays and a region of white and color print region printed over a color print region. Such backlit printing may be used on both first surface printing and second surface printing. When such backlit printing is used, it may not be necessary to divide the print heads exactly in half as one layer may require less print nozzles than the other as the interlacing and or DPIs may vary for the different layers.
US08960832B2

A minute vibration driving signal is configured to include a first signal section which generates a plurality of minute vibration driving pulses, and a second signal section which maintains potential to a constant level without generating the minute vibration driving pulse, and can select a first mode in which duration of the second signal section is set to T2 which is longer than duration T1 of the first signal section, and a second mode in which duration of the second signal section is set to T4 which is longer than T2.
US08960827B2

A shelving assembly includes a support plate, left and right side supports, and rear and front anti-tip and retention features. The side supports each include a front end located adjacent to a front edge of the support plate, and a rear end located adjacent to a rear edge of the support plate. A portion of the rear and front anti-tip and retention features is disposed above the support plate for preventing tipping and for retaining the support plate on the side supports. The front and rear anti-tip and retention features are spaced apart such that a majority of the top surface of the support plate along opposite left and right side edges is freely exposed and unencumbered by the front and rear anti-tip and retention features.
US08960821B2

A pull-out guide for drawers, including a body rail, a drawer rail, and a center rail which runs differentially between these two and is guided in two rolling body carriages. The center rail has a toothed wheel and the two rolling body carriages each have one toothed rack that meshes with the toothed wheel. When the pull-out guide is completely pulled out, the drawer rail is pulled out beyond the body rail. Each toothed rack includes a toothed rack end section which projects past the rolling body carriage and meshes with the toothed wheel when the pull-out guide is completely pulled out. The body rail and/or the drawer rail each have a support on which a side of the toothed rack end section facing away from the tooth profile is supported when the pull-out guide is completely pulled out.
US08960811B2

A brake apparatus includes: a fluid pressure control valve; a fluid pressure pump; a feedback control circuit correcting a control power corresponding to a feedback control target rotation number of a motor and feed the corrected control power to a motor; a feed forward control circuit configured to feed, to the motor, a control power corresponding to a feed-forward control target rotation number of the motor; and an abnormal control fluid pressure generation control device, if a rotation number detector is abnormal, rotating the electric motor with the rotation number higher than the feedback control target rotation number by a margin rotation number, increases the brake fluid passing through the fluid pressure control valve, and changes the control current to be supplied to the fluid pressure control valve so that the wheel cylinder fluid pressure is not changed.
US08960810B2

A cutting bit for use in a heavy-duty mining, drilling or milling operation includes a generally conical body, a first end of which presents a cutting point and a second end of which presents an axially extending recess. The body has a generally convex surface portion. Locking means releasably and rotatably connect the cutting bit to a protruding part of a bit holder. The recess has an entrance portion presenting a generally conical surface portion. A corresponding bit holder is presented as well as a system using the cutting bit and bit holder.
US08960804B2

A child restraining system for a vehicle the system comprising: at least one web (60), suitable for attachment to a harness comprising a shoulder strap (14); wherein in use the one or more webs (60) covers an area substantially below the scapula and the same or a different web covers at least part of the side of the abdomen; thereby limiting the ability of a child to slide an arm or a shoulder out from under the strap (14).
US08960801B2

A multi-functional structure for armchair armrest pad comprises an armrest frame connecting unit, a block slider, a movable fixing unit, a rotary positioning unit, a fixing unit, an inclined movable unit, a pressing unit, an armrest pad and a top board, wherein the unlocked position can easily get when pressing the pressing unit, thus the armrest pad can be adjusted to the front, back, left, right, and be rotated to the right and the left, and the locked position can easily get when letting go the pressing unit, thus the armrest pad can be fixed and remained the angle which is adjusted.
US08960799B2

A lumbar support seat is disclosed for supporting lumbar vertebra portion, which stably supports the lumbar vertebra portion and the pelvis portion so as to maintain proper posture and comfortable sitting. The lumbar support seat includes a seat main body having an upper central portion that is curvedly indented so as to correspond to the shape of pelvis portion; a lumbar supporting die including fixing frames fixed at the upper portion of the rear end of the seat main body, and a base plate for supporting lumbar vertebra portion. The pelvis portion is supported via the seat main body and the lumbar vertebra portion is stably supported via the lumbar supporting die. The lumbar support seat helps a user to sit with proper and comfortable posture.
US08960793B2

A child booster seat includes a seat shell, and armrests that can be conveniently placed in an outer envelop of the seat shell. The armrests can be placed in a storage cavity of the seat shell, and deployed outside the storage cavity for use. When the armrests are received in the seat shell, the outer envelop of the booster seat can substantially match with the outer contour shape of the seat shell. The booster seat can thereby occupy a smaller volume.
US08960790B2

A vehicle seat includes a tension structure extended on a back frame with a configuration in which a natural frequency in the right-and-left direction of the back frame is set lower than the natural frequency in the front-and-rear direction. Thereby, the structure can easily deflect in the right-and-left direction. Therefore, since an impact load larger than a predetermined level inputted in the front-and-rear direction due to front-and-rear/pitching vibration or a rear collision and the like becomes a force of deflecting the back frame in the right-and-left direction, the vibration/impact energy is consumed by that, and moreover, rearward displacement of the back frame consumes vibration/impact energy. Thus, absorbing performances of the vibration/impact energy are higher than before.
US08960788B2

The invention consists of modification to the groove of the side panels and integration of locking system on seat and foot plates of the adjustable chair for children. The upright panel of the adjustable high chair has grooves with a single or plurality of holes along the top and bottom surfaces of the groove to catch a comparable interlocking device, for locking desired object at various positions. The modification to the groove allows more versatility to adjustment of height, and exchanging the usability of the adjustable chair to other types of fixtures. In addition to the modification, similar groove system is to be added to the outer surface of the side panels to accommodate changing positions of the food tray or grab rail in accordance to the changing positions of the seat plates. This groove system can also be applied to other adjustable chairs.
US08960787B2

A chair with a coupling companion stool base includes a frame that has: a claw extending downward from a second portion of a lower portion of the frame; a latch extending downward from and movably connected with a first portion of the lower portion; two legs adapted to support the frame upon a supporting surface extending downward from the lower portion; and a receptacle defined between the claw and the latch. The base supports the frame above a supporting surface and has a saddle with opposite back and front edges and a top surface that faces away from the supporting surface. The top surface may also define at least one of a work surface, a writing surface, and a sitting surface. The base releasably couples with the frame, having the saddle seated in the receptacle, the front edge seated in the claw, and the back edge captured by the latch. When decoupled, the chair portion may be used as casual floor rocker seating.
US08960783B2

A recliner mechanism for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle, the recliner mechanism comprising a cam stop member coupled to the seat assembly; a cam bracket pivotably coupled to the seat assembly; a catch lever pivotably coupled to the seat assembly; a release crank member coupled to the catch lever; a cable member coupled to the cam bracket and to the cushion pivot bracket; and wherein rotation of the seat assembly via the cushion pivot bracket causes the cable to wind about the cam of the cushion pivot bracket such that the first end of the cable member pulls an actuates the cam bracket causing the cam bracket to rotate against the pin catch lever causing the catch lever to actuate the release crank member to release the recliner mechanism and thereby enable reconfiguration of the seat assembly from a first position to a second position.
US08960779B2

An opening portion is formed at a specified portion of a roof gusset which covers part of a panel joint portion from below. A pair of center-pillar side joint portions is provided at an outward end portion of the roof gusset, which is joined to a center pillar directly or via another panel member. A pair of first high-rigidity portions is provided at specified portions of the roof gusset which overlap the opening portion in a vehicle width direction and overlap the center-pillar joint portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively. A second high-rigidity portion is provided at an inward end portion of the roof gusset to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
US08960777B2

A lower crossbeam for a window opening, the lower crossbeam to be installed between an edge of a windshield and a firewall. The lower crossbeam includes: a first portion having an attachment edge connected to a firewall and a receiving edge for receiving the windshield edge; and a second portion having a bearing edge and a connecting edge connected to the first portion while dividing the first portion into a receiving portion and an attachment portion. The bearing edge is connectable to the firewall so as to form a transverse hollow shell between the second portion and the attachment portion.
US08960769B2

A truck for pulling a semi-trailer includes an operator cab positioned on a frame and a fifth wheel mounted on the frame for receiving an underside of the semi-trailer. The trailer when attached to the truck defines a gap between a forward most portion of the semi-trailer and rearward most portion of the operator cab. A fairing can be located on the frame, aft of the operator cab and forward of at least a portion of the fifth wheel. The fairing can block at least a portion of the air flow attempting to enter the gap from below the frame.
US08960768B2

A structure for a side portion of a vehicle, the structure having a bulkhead provided within a closed cross-section of a center pillar. The bulkhead is disposed so as to be superposed on the lapping section of a lower door beam in the width direction of the vehicle and has a movement restriction section capable of supporting the lapping section. When the lower door beam is moved by a load inputted in the lower door beam from a side of the vehicle, the movement restriction section supports the lapping section of the lower door beam to restrict the movement of the lapping section in the vertical direction.
US08960753B2

A storage structure of a saddle riding type vehicle with enhanced ease of storage and removal of small storage articles. An article storage unit is provided so as to include an opening in a rear surface of a front portion cover and at a position facing a rider and to be longer in a longitudinal length extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to a height direction. In addition, a removable tray including riser walls along its periphery is disposed at a position closer to a lid than an inner wall of the article storage unit.
US08960748B2

A method and apparatus for supporting and aligning a flange is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for supporting a flange is provided. The apparatus includes a first member having a first surface and a second surface, a first side member extending orthogonally from the first surface of the first member, a second side member extending orthogonally from the first surface of the first member in a spaced apart relation to the first side member to define a U-shaped structure, wherein each of the first side member and the second side member include an aperture formed therein along a longitudinal axis of the U-shaped structure, a lifting lug coupled to the second surface of the first member in a transverse axis of the U-shaped structure, and a plurality of set screws disposed through the first member on opposing sides of the lifting lug.
US08960747B2

A lifting bracket is disclosed. The lifting bracket includes a point of suspension realized to attach a load to be lifted to a lifting means; a lifting angle adjusting means realized to adjust the position of the point of suspension on the lifting bracket according to a specific lifting angle; and a coupling device for rigidly coupling the lifting bracket to the load to be lifted. Also described are a lifting assembly and a method of lifting a wind turbine generator transport assembly, including a wind turbine generator mounted on a wind turbine generator transport frame, at a specific lifting angle.
US08960741B2

The assembly is for mounting to a motor vehicle having a bumper skin and it comprises a body part forming at least a portion of a bumper skin. The body part is defined by bottom and top edges. The top edge includes a first portion to be masked by a member of the vehicle that is to be fitted to the body part. The assembly includes at least a first masking element masking at least one portion of the bottom edge and at least a second masking element masking at least one second portion of the top edge of the body part, complementary to the at least one first portion of the top edge of the body part. The first and second masking elements are fixed relative to the body part once the assembly is mounted to the motor vehicle.
US08960740B2

A shell assembly includes a first shell having an elastic joint component securely formed on a side face of the first shell, a second shell received in the first shell having a concavity to correspondingly partially receive therein the joint component, such that the first shell and the second shell are separably connected together for a replacement application.
US08960732B2

A seal for use with a reciprocating rod in which a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion formed on the rod defining opposed walls. The seal has an inner diameter greater than the small diameter portion of the rod such that the seal is disengaged from the rod during reciprocating movement of the rod; but sealingly engages one of the opposed walls on the rod at first and second end positions of travel of the rod. In a specific implementation, the seal and the reciprocating rod are mounted on a vehicle fuel door housing for sealingly locking the fuel door in a closed position.
US08960731B2

A locking system is mounted to a door with three rods extending therefrom. The rods have a locked position extending beyond the periphery of the door and an unlocked position not extending beyond the periphery of the door. Three rod receivers are adapted to receive the three rods in the locked position. A handle rotatably engages cam plates which are operatively engaged with the rods whereby rotation of the handle rotates the cam which moves the rod ends from one position to the other. A locking tab extends forwardly from the lower cam plate into a recess and is engaged by a circular lock while the recess prevents movement of the engaged circular lock. A second locking tab extends forwardly from the rod-locking link and a stationary locking tab is aligned thereto. Both locking tabs are engaged by a padlock preventing movement of the rod-locking link.
US08960724B2

The seatbelt pretensioner, which is designed for reducing slack in seatbelt webbing upon deployment in response to a triggering event, comprises an igniter that generates gas in response to the triggering event, an elongate body defining a chamber for receiving and the confining gas generated by the igniter, a piston movable within the elongate body by the gas generated, a slack-reducing assembly that responds to movement of the piston and is connected to at least a portion of seatbelt webbing, movement of the piston causes the slack-reducing assembly to move the seat belt webbing reducing slack in the seatbelt webbing; and a controlled pressure release that enables gas to escape from the elongate body after deployment, relieving gas pressure within the pretensioner. The controlled pressure release may comprise one or more of various pressure relieving features such as a porous intermediate disposed between the vent hole and the gas within the elongate body, a piston having a porous portion and/or a safety valve, and one or more plugs that seal vent holes in the elongate body that become unsealed by loosening the pretensioning assembly.
US08960719B2

An airbag apparatus has an airbag formed by sewing fabric portions together at peripheries thereof. A periphery sewn portion of the airbag has two terminals separated from each other. The terminals are formed by leaving sections of the peripheries of the fabric portions unsewn. A surrounding sewn portion is formed about each terminal of the periphery sewn portion. The airbag has a vent hole between the terminals. The opening of the vent hole is defined by vent hole defining sections, each of which is in one of the surrounding sewn portions. Position determining portions are provided in the margin of the airbag. Each surrounding sewn portion is formed in place with reference to the corresponding position determining portion. Each position determining portion is located father from the vent hole in the circumferential direction of the margin than the vent hole defining section of the corresponding surrounding sewn portion.
US08960718B2

A gas generator includes a case enclosing a combustion chamber containing at least one pyrotechnic charge, a diffusion chamber, and a chamber for storing a material releasable from the chamber during combustion of the charge, to change state endothermically under the effect of gas coming from this combustion, then be evacuated via the diffusion chamber. The material is a liquid stored at atmospheric pressure. The chamber has at least one inlet opening, and a series of outlet openings. The outlet openings are arranged within a wall separating the chamber from the diffusion chamber. The charge and the combustion and diffusion chambers are dimensioned such that during combustion, at least one portion of gas flow generated by the charge opens at least the inlet opening and penetrates into the chamber provoking the escape of the material via the outlet openings, then its endothermic change in state, mainly in the diffusion chamber.
US08960717B2

A seatbelt strap for a seatbelt of a motor vehicle includes several seatbelt strap layers and at least one belt interior that can be charged with gas and is arranged between at least two seatbelt strap layers. The seatbelt strap layers are connected to one another in the region of the chargeable seatbelt interior at edge regions by tear strips having different seam thicknesses in different sections. The seatbelt strap layers are fastened to one another outside a region of the chargeable seatbelt interior in such a way that these remain connected to one another at least during the charging of the seatbelt interior.
US08960708B2

Some embodiments relate to an example towable power generation system. The towable power generation system includes a guide that facilitates mounting the enclosure onto a base. In some embodiments, the guide is attached to the enclosure. When enclosure is mounted on the towable power generation system, the guide on the enclosure engages another portion of the towable power generation system as the enclosure is assembled onto (or removed from) the rest of towable power generation system. The guide facilitates alignment and mounting of the enclosure relative to the towable power generation system.
US08960705B2

A sliding hitch with a self-arming latch is described. The hitch includes a carriage slideably mounted on a base. The base includes a latching pin on a pivot arm that is biased to extend toward engagement with the carriage and a rotatable shaft with an arming member and a locking member. Rotation of the shaft to an unlocked orientation, cams the pivot plate away from the carriage to withdraw the pin and enable sliding of the carriage on the base. An arm of the arming member is also rotated into the path of a protuberance associated with the carriage. Contact between the protuberance and the arm during sliding of the carriage along the base causes rotation of the shaft to a locked orientation enabling extension of the pin toward engagement with the carriage and engaging the locking member with the pivot plate to restrict withdrawal of the pin.
US08960701B2

In a two-wheeled motor vehicle having a pair of right and left front forks for supporting a front wheel so that the front wheel is rotatable, a top bridge for supporting upper ends of the pair of right and left front forks, a handle post provided to the top bridge, and a bar-shaped handle secured to the hand post, the handle is provided above the front forks with respect to an axial line direction of the front forks, each front fork is provided with an air valve for sealingly filling air in the front fork and a projection on the upper surface thereof, and the projection is formed to be higher than the air valve.
US08960696B2

A top mount for a suspension damper has a housing with an interior chamber and a damper attachment member disposed in the interior chamber and spaced from the top end and the bottom end. An isolation assembly, formed of MCU, has an upper portion disposed between the member and the top end of the housing and a lower portion disposed between the member and the bottom end of the housing such that the isolation assembly supports the member in the housing. A travel limiter is disposed in the housing and has a first body of resilient material disposed between the member and the top end of the housing and a second body of material disposed between the member and the bottom end of the housing. The isolation assembly is disposed so as to function in parallel to the travel limiter.
US08960695B2

The present invention concerns a suspension thrust bearing device adapted to receive a shock absorber piston rod along a main axis (X1), the device including a single bearing forming an axial thrust bearing and including an inner race, an outer race and rolling members disposed between the inner race and the outer race, and at least one intermediate member adapted to transmit to the inner race essentially axial forces exerted on the device by a suspension spring. One of the inner race and the intermediate member extend(s) radially beyond the outer race in the direction of the main axis (X1), forming a bearing surface for fixing and centering the shock absorber piston rod relative to the device. The invention also concerns a motor vehicle McPherson strut including a shock absorber and a suspension thrust bearing device as referred to above.
US08960683B2

A pipe coupling seal including a cylindrical elastomeric seal (10) including annular pad portions (14, 16) axially spaced apart from one another and extending from a bridge portion (18), each of the pad portions (14, 16) being thicker than the bridge portion (18) and adapted to seal against an outer diameter of a pipe, wherein at least one of the pad portions (14, 16) includes a removable section that includes a continuously enclosed annular hollow void (34).