Abstract: In an intermediate coating composition comprising high-acid-value polyester resin, low-acid-value polyester resin, melamine resin containing an imino group and pigments, a ratio (AV1/AV2) of acid value (AV1) of high-acid-value polyester resin to that (AV2) of low-acid-value polyester resin is adjusted to be 1.25-5. A method for forming multilayered coating films using this intermediate coating composition and multilayered coating films prepared using said method are provided, wherein, by specifying the acid value of resins and type of cross-linking agents in the intermediate coating, said multilayered coating films formed even under short-time baking conditions is excellent in its appearance and adhesiveness to the top coating, and said intermediate coating composition is able to maintain its storage stability excellent so as to be capable of shortening the coating processes.

Abstract: The wafer clamping apparatus is disclosed including a cam rotatably coupled to a base plate. The cam is configured to couple with a robot arm. The clamping apparatus also includes a rotating clamp mechanism rotatably coupled to the base plate about a single fixed point. A biasing mechanism, coupled to the rotating clamp mechanism, urges the rotating clamp mechanism towards a clamped position. The rotating clamp mechanism is configured to interact with the cam to engage and disengage the rotating clamp mechanism from the clamped position. The rotating clamp mechanism preferably comprises a hub rotatably coupled to the base plate and a clamping arm and cam follower extending from the hub. The clamping arm is configured to clamp a wafer when the rotating clamp mechanism is in the clamped position, while the cam follower is configured to interact with the cam.

Abstract: N-deacetyl-thiocolchicine and 10-deacetyl-baccatin III derivatives of formula (I) wherein R and n have the meanings specified in the disclosure, are valuable antitumoral drugs.

Abstract: Bus communications are optimized by adjusting signal characteristics in accordance with one or more topography dependent parameters. In a bus transmitter, a transmit signal characteristic is adjusted in accordance with a topography dependent parameter. A port in the bus transmitter receives the topography dependent parameter for later use by the parameter adjustment circuitry. The parameter adjustment circuitry adjusts a parameter control signal in accordance with the topography dependent parameter, which is coupled to the output driver. Prior to driving an output signal onto a bus, the output driver adjusts the transmit signal characteristic in accordance with the parameter control signal. In a bus receiver, a receive signal characteristic is adjusted in response to a topography dependent parameter. A port associated with the bus receiver receives the topography dependent parameter and stores it in a register.

Abstract: A system and method for memorializing life is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes storing human or other animal remains in a structure, such as an outer pyramid-shaped structure, wherein the remains are stored in vaults and urns. The embodiment also may include other structures, such as one or more inner pyramid-shaped structures housed by the outer pyramid-shaped structure. The embodiment also preferably includes computer resources employable to display holographic images and memorial records concerning the deceased, such as video and photographic images, medical records, such as DNA, as well as artifacts and personal belongings. The invention may also include a structure positioned underneath the outer pyramid-shaped structure, housing a world religions museum offering various displays, exhibitions, and services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a titratable dosage transdermal delivery system for systemic delivery of a therapeutic agent or drug. The system comprises a plurality of patch units that are connected along one or more borders. The plurality of patch units are divisible into units along the one or more borders having one or more lines of separation. Each patch unit is surrounded by a border. The therapeutic patch has at least a backing layer and a therapeutic agent comprising layer. The dosage of therapeutic agent delivered to a patient is proportional to the number of patch unit applied per treatment. The system enables systemic administration of a titratable dosage of therapeutic agent, adjustable by the patient under the direction of a physician, through the skin or mucosa. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of making the titratable dosage transdermal delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel cytokine protein called IL-12 or Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Maturation Factor (CLMF) which is produced and synthesized by human NC-37 B lymphoblastoid cells (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md.). CLMF synergistically induces with low concentrations of IL-2 the cytolytic activity of Lymphokine Activated Killer (LAK) cells, and CLMF is capable of stimulating T-cell growth. Also claimed are the cloned gene for CLMF, its recombination in a suitable vector, the transformed cells containing said vector, the recombinant protein produced by the transformed cells and antibodies to CLMF.

Abstract: A lever for grasping bone tissue includes a shaft defining a channel and having a proximal end and a distal end, a claw member disposed on the distal end of the shaft for holding the bone tissue, and a rod threadably received in the channel and having a proximal end and a distal end. Rotation of the rod with respect to the shaft causes the rod to move substantially axially with respect to the shaft to selectively position the distal end of the rod with respect to the claw member. The lever may further include a locking member to allow the rod to slide axially with respect to the shaft. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lever may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a front pillar reinforcing structure of a vehicle with a front pillar inner reinforcing panel installed at the part where the front pillar upper mounting bracket and the front pillar hinge bracket are folded to receive an impact caused in a collision due to the balanced strength of the inner and outer sides of the front pillar, thereby effectively absorbing or dispersing the impact, preventing separation of the part coupling the front pillar inner panel and the front pillar outer panel, and minimizing the amount of push of the front pillar toward the interior of the vehicle to protect the passengers to the maximum extent.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a flexible or rigid, transparent substrate provided with a stack of thin layers, which includes at least one functional layer predominantly based on silver Ag placed between two coatings of dielectric material, at least one of the coatings comprising a layer predominantly based on aluminum nitride AlN. The functional layer or at least one of the functional layers is modified by incorporating at least one minor metal M other than Ag and/or the said AlN-based layer, or at least one of them, is modified by incorporating at least one metal M′ in a minor amount compared with the aluminum.

Abstract: Tools for use in the creation of cavities in bones. The tools include a probe, a cannula that provides percutaneous passageway to the interior of the treated bone, a bone tamp, and a system for delivering bone filler material into the cavity. The bone tamp has a shaft that is inserted into the bone through the cannula. The end of the shaft that is inserted into the bone may have a flapper tip that extends out of axial alignment with the shaft upon deployment by the physician. Once the tip is deployed, the bone tamp can be rotated to form the cavity. The cavity may then be treated with a medicament, filled with bone filler material, or both. Other tools and materials described herein may be used to lift or restore the treated bone closer to its natural anatomy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid polymer electrolyte of polyether poly(N-substituted urethane) comprising an electrolytic compound and a polymer matrix, wherein the polymer matrix is a copolymer comprising polyether unit and polyurethane unit and has 50,000-2,000,000 of a weight average molecular weight, where N-positions of the polyurethane unit are substituted with oligo(ethylene oxide) derivatives which provide flexibility and electrolytic conduction of the polymer matrix by controlling its length, composition, structure and crosslinked degree. Accordingly, the solid polymer electrolyte of the present invention provides excellent thermal stability, electrochemical stability and mechanical properties and thus, is suitable for use in polymer secondary batteries and electrochemical devices.

Abstract: A framing assembly system for steel building that substantially reduces assembly time while maintaining excellent strength and mechanical integrity. In fabricating this type of building, foundation assemblies are first placed in concrete footings at a precise location in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Once the concrete has cured, columns are placed over the foundation assembly and bolted into place using pre-drilled holes in the columns and foundation assembly, thereby eliminating the difficult task of holding the columns erect while at the same time trying to precisely position the column in the horizontal and vertical planes. Trusses are connected to the top of the columns by means of bolts passes through pre-drilled holes.

Abstract: A measuring system and method of detecting an object distance by transmission media with different wave velocities are described. The measuring system has a computer, a primary detector and a secondary detector. The primary detector is connected to the computer through bus communication and the secondary detector connected to the primary one through two different transmission media. The primary detector is able to receive separately a first signal and a second signal emitted simultaneously from the secondary detector through the transmission media. Moreover, the first signal has light-speed and the second signal has sound-speed. To calculate the distance between the objects which the primary and the secondary detector are attached respectively. The delay time of second signal and the wave velocity of the supersonic media are multiplied.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for agitating a liquid hardener used for improving soft ground. The apparatus comprises a storage tank section formed with an introduction part and having storage tanks in which mixing impellers are arranged, and transparent indicator tubes which are communicated with the storage tanks each; an agitation tank section positioned underneath the storage tank section and having agitation tanks, supply valves which are installed on the agitation tanks, and agitation impellers which are respectively arranged in the agitation tanks; a liquid mixture supply section having connection pipes which are connected to the storage tanks, a supply pipe which is connected to the connection pipes, and distribution pipes which are connected to the supply pipe; and a cleaning water tank section positioned in front of the agitation tank section and having a plurality of cleaning water tanks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres useful for embolization which comprises polyvinylalcohol. The present invention also relates to an injectable suspension suitable for embolization which comprises the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. The present invention further relates to a method for prophylactic or therapeutic embolization which comprises administering to a mammal an injectable suspension containing the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. Finally, the present, invention relates to a process for producing the polyvinylalcbhol microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for high information content (HIC) analysis or screening of complex biological systems using Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). The present methods are useful for analyzing complex biological mixtures containing both high molecular weight molecules (e.g., polynucleotides, proteins, polysaccharides) and low molecular weight molecules (e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides, lipids, oligosaccharides, steroid hormones, catabolic and metabolic intermediates) permit the elucidation of molecular differences between complex biological samples, and permit the identification of biologically active molecules (e.g. therapeutically active drugs, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical preparations for treating or preventing neuronal cell damage in the brain and other tissues in mammals, comprising administering an effective amount of a PACAP, or an agonist, analog or derivative thereof having PACAP neurotrophic activity, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in a concentration which is effective for protection of neuronal nerve cells in vivo.

Abstract: In order to minimize an effect of centrifugal force on a release operation of a clutch piston, this invention provides a return apparatus including a spring support rotating at a same speed as the clutch piston, and a return spring abutted at an end against the spring support and exerting an elastic force on the clutch piston, the elastic force increasing as the clutch piston rotating speed increases.