Abstract: A vibrating table assembly for an apparatus for filling and weighing bulk bags comprises a bag support table, a vibrating device for vibrating the bag support table, and a lifting device for raising an lowering the bag support table, the lifting device being located below the bag support table. Preferably, the lifting device comprises a convoluted air bellows. Location of the lifting device below the table overcomes problems encountered with known bag filling apparatus where the bag support table and the lifting mechanism are connected to the frame of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a lens having a light entrance end forming a recess, a heat sink having an end portion facing the recess, and a light source positioned to transmit light via the recess into the lens. The light source is in thermal communication with the heat sink, which conducts away heat generated by the light source. The apparatus may be used to provide optical radiation at various wavelengths, activating tooth whitening material, and curing dental composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for real-time in-situ implantation and measurement incorporating a feedback loop to adjust the implantation dose of a substrate during the manufacturing and testing of semiconductor wafers. During processing, the substrate, such as a silicon wafer, is transported between a measuring device and an implantation device multiple times to ensure that where the beam from the implantation device hits the substrate, the doping concentration falls within the range of desired parameters.

Abstract: A stud bridging/spacing member generally having at least three longitudinally spaced apart notches for receiving and engaging therein a web of a metal stud. At least one of the notches has opposing notch sides which are oriented such that when a portion of a web is received therein, one of the notch sides contacts the web at a first portion of the web and the other notch side contacts the web at a second portion of the web such that the first portion of the web and the second portion of the web are not located on a common longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the removal and recycle of a supported transition metal catalyst complex from a polymerization reaction medium comprising the steps separating the supported transition metal catalyst from the reaction medium and contacting the supported transition metal catalyst with a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be a transition metal and/or a source of radicals. Also disclosed is a process for the recovery of transition metal catalyst from a reaction medium, comprising changing the conditions of a medium comprising transition metal catalyst attached to a solid support, wherein changing the conditions causes desorption of the transition metal catalyst from solid support.

Abstract: A simplified trade finance method useful, inter alia, in international trade in goods or services, a “traded product”, can employ one, and preferably two, novel, modified bills of exchange. A first bill of exchange, which is a payment draft, is executed by a buyer B, and returned to seller S prior to release of the traded product by seller S. Seller S can obtain credit verification of the first bill of exchange, if necessary, before releasing the traded product, protecting seller S from failure of buyer B to pay. The first bill of exchange can be dormant and non-negotiable until activated by an event agreeable to buyer B, for example, release of the traded product. Buyer B is thus protected against seller S delaying or failing to ship the traded product after having received a payment instrument from buyer B.

Abstract: A method for refining and casting metals and metal alloys includes melting and refining a metallic material and then casting the refined molten material by a nucleated casting technique. The refined molten material is provided to the atomizing nozzle of the nucleated casting apparatus through a transfer apparatus adapted to maintain the purity of the molten refined material. An apparatus including a melting and refining apparatus, a transfer apparatus, and a nucleated casting apparatus, in serial fluid communication, also is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an orthopedic training or therapeutic device for dogs, hoofed animals, and camels that consists of at least one elastic band (3), at least over part (5) of its length, and that is fastened on one side to the middle rear paw or middle front paw of the extremity (4) being treated and cooperates on the other side with a chest harness (2) of the animal (1). The invention is characterized by the fact that the band (3) is fastened on the other side to a linkage point (7, 7?) in the upper area of the chest harness (2) on the withers or on the side.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for performing a fluid process within a machine having a fluid system including at least two reservoirs of different types of fluids. The method includes the steps of identifying a first reservoir for use in performing a fluid process; (a) adjusting a configuration of a valve system operatively coupled to the fluid system to permit a fluid evacuation process to be performed for the reservoir, (b) subsequently performing the fluid evacuation process for the reservoir, (c) subsequently adjusting the configuration of the valve system to permit a fluid refill process to be performed for the reservoir, (d) subsequently performing the fluid refill process for the reservoir; and, subsequently identifying an additional reservoir and performing at least one of the steps (a), (b), (c) and (d) for the additional reservoir, wherein the first reservoir includes a fluid of a type which is different from a type of a fluid of the additional reservoir.

Abstract: Truncated aggrecanase proteins and nucleotides sequences encoding them as well as processes for producing them are disclosed. Additionally, aggrecanases with amino acid mutations that lead to increased stability and expression levels in comparison with wild-type or native aggrecanases are also disclosed. Aggrecanases of the invention are especially useful for development of compositions for treatment of diseases such as osteoarthritis. Methods for developing inhibitors of the aggrecanase enzymes and antibodies to the enzymes for treatment of conditions characterized by the degradation of aggrecan are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for efficiently expressing antibody fusion proteins. Antibody fusion proteins of the invention include a hybrid antibody moiety containing sequences from more than one type of antibody and/or mutant antibody sequences. Hybrid antibody fusion proteins of the invention may be produced at high levels and may combine functional properties characteristic of different antibody types in addition to functional properties of a non-antibody moiety.

Abstract: An LED-based color measurement instrument including an illumination system and a sensing system. The illumination system includes modulated LEDs and a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of the LEDs, thereby improving the consistency of their performance. The sensing system includes a photodiode, a transimpedance amplifier, and an integrator in the first stage to cancel the effect of ambient light on the output of the first stage. The sensing system also includes a lens system for imaging a target area of the target sample onto the photo sensor in a manner so that the product of the target area times the solid angle captured by the lens system is generally uniform over a selected range of distances, thereby reducing the positional sensitivity of the instrument with respect to the target sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to protein complexes and fusion proteins including at least two different cytokine molecules. The protein complexes and fusion proteins may further include a targeting moiety such as a region of an immunoglobulin. Methods of using the protein complexes and fusion proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for integrating one or more electronic transcription systems (12) having sessions providing data on a network (18) wherein real-time, two-way interactive access to the data by one or more remote users to the system is provided. In particular, the system and method provides one or more electronic transcription systems operably connected such that one or more users can access one or more of the electronic transcription systems. By networking the one or more electronic transcription systems and decoupling the processes of recording a particular transcription session, storing the data from the session on a network, and accessing the data, a wider range of control, access, and utilization of the electronic transcription systems can be accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for preventing and/or treating cachexia comprising TCF-II as an effective ingredient. An agent for preventing and treating cachexia caused by cancer, acquired immunodeficient syndrome (AIDS), cardiac diseases, infectious disease, shock, burn, endotoxinemia, organ inflammation, surgery, diabetes, collagen diseases, radiotherapy, chemotherapy is provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A binding system for applying a vertical compressive force to the refractory walls of a rectangular or circular furnace comprises a compressive member engaging a laterally extending surface of the furnace wall and a support member to which the compressive member is connected. The compressive member preferably comprises a coil spring which acts directly on the laterally extending surface or indirectly through a force-applying member. The force applied by the compressive member is sufficient to control vertical expansion and substantially prevent vertical expansion of the furnace walls due to infiltration of material into the joints between the refractory bricks during operation of the furnace.

Abstract: A machine for slitting a metal sheet has a number of knife holder assemblies each containing a rotary knife. The knife holder assemblies are mounted for movement along upper and lower rotating shafts which rotate the knives during a slitting operation. The position of the knife holder assemblies is programmably controlled for efficient and accurate positioning and adjustment of the knives along the rotating shafts for a variety of slitting configurations. Additionally, each of the upper and lower drive shafts contains a pair of drive shaft sections that are normally connected together during operation and can be disconnected for servicing of the knife holder assemblies on the shafts. The slitting machine includes upper and lower frames that are movable relative to each other by adjustment of a pair of jack screws to slit metal sheets of differing thicknesses without labor intensive adjustment or reconfiguration of the machine.