Abstract: A sensor comprises silver nanoparticles in which substantially all of the surfaces of the silver nanoparticles are available for interaction with an analyte or for functionalization with a receptor which is capable of interacting with an analyte. Silver nanoparticles are preparated by forming the nanoparticles in the presence of a polymeric stabilizer such as PVA.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) securing a wide range of variable amount of oscillatory frequency is provided. In the VCO, a resistor R1 and a capacitor C1 are connected in series on a line of a crystal resonator and a control voltage supply terminal, a cathode of a variable-capacitance diode VD1 is connected between the R1 and the C1, and an anode of the VD1 is grounded. A parallel-connected circuit is disposed between the C1 and a port connected with the crystal resonator, the parallel-connected circuit including a variable-capacitance diode VD2 and a capacitor C3 connected in series, an expansion coil L1, and a Q dump resistor R6 which are connected in parallel. The parallel-connected circuit on an input side is grounded via a resistor R4, and a point between the R1 and the C1 and a point between the VD2 and the C3 are connected via a resistor R5.

Abstract: A sensor device comprising a holographic element comprises a grating or hologram recorded in a holographic recording medium wherein at least one physical and/or chemical and/or optical characteristic of the holographic element or the image produced by it varies as a result of variation in relative humidity or moisture content in the air surrounding the element. Also provided is an acrylamide-based photopolymer and an acrylamide-based reflection hologram.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable stair forming apparatus, adapted to form a flight of stairs of a settable material. The flight of stairs including a series of treads interconnected by intermediate risers. The apparatus comprises, a frame to support a series of forming units provide a forming surface. Each forming unit, includes a tread defining formwork that includes a rectangular shaped tread forming surface, slidably and pivotally mounted to the frame from or toward a first major edge of the tread forming surface. The forming unit also has a riser defining formwork that includes a rectangular shaped riser forming surface with a first major edge adjustably mounted from or toward the opposite major edge of the tread forming surface. The riser forming surface at least in part co-extending with the tread forming surface in a stair width direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing forks for lift trucks comprises the steps of: providing a straight metal bar designed to make the fork, heating the bar at a segment thereof where the fork knee is to be formed, bending the bar at the heated segment in order to form the knee by carrying out bending in a closed-die press provided with containment walls that, when bending has been completed, enclose the knee so as to define the surface contours of the latter.

Abstract: A bituminous cold glue for cold gluing of construction material and comprising at least 35% by weight of bitumen and at least 10% by weight of oil, and further comprising clay and a dispersing agent, said oil being a vegetable oil compound, based on a carbon chain comprising at least one of the C6 to C12 carbon atoms and further comprising between 0.1 and 5% by weight of a solvent.

Abstract: A stud for enabling a construction surface to be raised with respect to the ground, said stud comprising at least a first and second element, said first element comprising a first body mounted on a base intended to be placed on said ground, said second element comprising a second body, each of the bodies being provided with a screw thread for mutually engaging one in the other, thus forming an internal body and an external body, said external body being provided with an orifice giving access to the screw thread of the internal body, said stud also comprising a locking member arranged to lock the movement of the first body with respect to the second body in a plurality of positions, the locking member comprising first and second segments, said first segment being designed to pass through said orifice and be inserted between two successive grooves of the screw thread on the internal body, said second segment being designed to pass through said orifice and be interposed in a space provided in an internal wall of

Abstract: A pull through having a filament about which, at least in part, there is carried at least one mass to fulfil a cleaning role, wherein said mass defines a sheath at least in part on the filament and at least two radial fins (A) integral with and/or carried by the sheath or extension thereof, and (B) axially spaced with respect to the sheath axis and the filament axis, and wherein said fins are each substantially radially directed with respect to said axes axis yet are of a profile and are formed in a material such that each, without any substantial interference of the other, can assume a configuration for a conduit to be cleaned smaller than that notionally just touchable by the undeformed fins.

Abstract: A blood treatment machine has a housing and a blood treatment module to hold components of an extracorporeal blood circulation. The machine simplifies access to a securing means for securing objects, in particular containers such as bags containing medicinal fluids, that is attached to a rod-shaped means attached to the blood treatment machine. Vertical and horizontal directions are defined by the orientation of the housing during the use of the blood treatment machine. The rod-shaped means has at least one first section and a second section, whereby the axial extent in the second section runs in a different direction than in the first section. In another embodiment, the rod-shaped means has a cropped course.

Abstract: A cage-type animal trap with two opposed animal access openings that can operate in a one-door-opening configuration or a two-door-opening configuration. The trap has a set mechanism for holding one or both doors open to allow access through the corresponding trap access openings. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the doors of the trap by an actuating member. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots from a set position to a tripped position to allow movement of the actuating member which enables one of the doors to move from an opened position to a closed position when the trap is operating in a one-door-opening configuration, and both of the doors to move from the opened position to the closed position when the trap is operating in the two-door-opening configuration.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition in a dry powder form comprising at least one hydrophobic active principle, at least one water-soluble excipient and at least one surfactant, wherein the particles in said dry powder state have a Volume Mean Diameter VMDd greater than the Volume Mean Diameter VMDw of particles in a suspension obtained from said pharmaceutical composition at standard conditions of dispersion in a water-medium. It is also disclosed a process to prepare such dry composition and an extemporaneous suspension for inhalation therapy obtainable from said dry composition.

Abstract: A self standing bag having two side wall sheets and a bottom sheet. To flatten the bag, the bottom sheet is sandwiched between the two side wall sheets and symmetrically folded along a line parallel to its bottom edge, separating the bag into a four-layer part and a two-layer part. In the two-layer part, the bag includes first sloped sealing lines extending between a first two points on the top edges of the side wall sheets and spaced from the vertical side wall edges by a first distance, to a second two points spaced from the vertical edges of the side wall sheets by a second distance less than the first distance. The four-layer part includes second sloped sealing lines extending between the second two points and a third two points on the bottom edges of the side wall sheets.

Abstract: An optoelectronic detector and method of using same. In order to avoid any condensation on a surface, it has been known to heat such a surface. However, heating an optoelectronic detector will create a stronger hissing noise due to the greater dark current that is caused thereby. The invention is intended to avoid any condensation on an optoelectronic detector without airtight encapsulation. To this end, the detector is cooled and equipped with a sensor for the determination of a current value of one of the variables ambient humidity and ambient dew point temperature and a control unit that is connected with the sensor and designed to control the cooling device in dependence of such a value. By taking into account the ambient humidity or, respectively, the dew point temperature in the control of the cooling device, condensation on the detector can be avoided. An airtight encapsulation of the detector and the cooling device is not required.

Abstract: A firing pin safety catch mechanism for a firearm, especially an auto-loading firearm which operates with a closed action such as found on the United States Military's M16 and its various derivatives. The firearm includes a firing pin which is housed within a bolt carrier group and which is capable of being moved from a rest position in which its proximal end is out of the travel path of the hammer to a firing position. The safety catch mechanism includes a safety catch, a pin and a spring for biasing the safety catch to hold the firing pin in its rest position to prevent the unintentional movement of the firing pin and thereby prevent the unintentional discharge of the host firearm. The safety catch includes a cam surface cooperating with the hammer so that the catch is released from engagement with the firing pin when the hammer has substantially completed its path of travel.

Abstract: The bands and corners of rectangular or other geometric shapes for binary code symbols are used to measure non-linear and non-uniform strain in a material with an anomaly such as a crack in the area of strain measurement. In particular, they can be used to evaluate differential strains in the regions of the bands and corners; and the external and internal boundaries can be used to measure differentials in strain between the external boundaries and internal boundaries.

Abstract: A baseball/softball batting tee has a base, and one or more support post and ball holding assemblies mounted in a substantially vertical orientation on the base. A primary support post and ball holding assembly has an adjustable height provided by an upper tube that is telescopically received within a lower tube and a ball supporting rod similarly telescopically received within the upper tube. Wiper seals and bushings are mounted in the upper ends of both tubes for sealing engagement with the respective telescopically received components, providing a friction fit sufficient to “lock” the relative positions of the tubes and rod to set the tee at a desired height while still allowing the tubes and the rod to be easily telescoped together. A secondary support post and ball holding assembly is also provided that can be readily interchanged with the primary.

Abstract: A method for removal of ammonia from a polluted medium avoids the disadvantages related to the chemical-physical properties of an ammonium-containing salt (MAP). The method has improved technical and economical operational parameters and produces a reusable and environmentally friendly nitrogen fertilizer. All chemical processes and mechanical steps of the method are carried out in one single container, with the different steps divided into time phases. The chemical products are prevented from transportation between compartments and contact with pumps and pipes. Only liquids without precipitates are in contact with these elements. The method is applicable to ammonia-containing water from leachate, wastewater, the food industry, and agriculture.

Abstract: There is described is a process for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids such as plasmid or genomic DNA from cells or other sources, wherein a) the cells containing nucleic acids are digested and cell debris is removed, or other samples containing nucleic acids are treated with anion exchangers, namely, in buffer solutions of low ionic strength, b) thereafter, the nucleic acids are desorbed from the anion exchanger using a buffer of high ionic strength, in order to be subsequently c) treated in said buffer of high ionic strength or in the presence of lower alcohols and/or poly(ethylene glycol) with a mineral support material, with adsorption of the nucleic acid to the surface of the mineral support materials, whereupon d) desorption of the nucleic acid is effected using water or a buffer solution of low ionic strength.

Abstract: A liquid nectar hummingbird feeder has a reusable base with a feeding basin that receives a disposable cartridge containing a pre-filled volume of liquid nectar. The cartridge has a single bottleneck opening at a lower end which is initially sealed by a breakable seal in the form of a film layer of foil, coated paper stock, plastic or the like. The base includes a cartridge mounting and opening structure adapted to secure and open the cartridge bottleneck opening by rupturing the film layer seal to allow liquid nectar to flow from the cartridge into the feeding basin.