Abstract: A heuristic process for color formula calculation of pigmented shades matched to a target shade, comprising the steps of i) using suitable calibration scales to compile an effect matrix for each of the ingredients included in a coloring system, ii) determining the optical materials parameters of the target shade, iii) selecting a suitable starting formula, iv) determining the color difference between the starting formula and the target shade, v) calculating a first matched color formula while taking account of the effect matrices, vi) repeating steps iv) and v) until an acceptable remaining color difference is reached, wherein the effect matrices are continually updated with shade-relevant information during ongoing operation, achieves an improvement on the existing processes for shade formula calculation, not only in terms of reducing the number of tinting steps needed but also in terms of minimizing the remaining color difference.

Abstract: An acetyl-CoA-producing microorganism, which is capable of efficiently synthesizing acetyl-CoA using carbon dioxide, and a substance production method using the same are provided. An acetyl-CoA-producing microorganism including an acetyl-CoA production cycle obtained by imparting at least one type of enzymatic activity selected from the group consisting of malate thiokinase, malyl-CoA lyase, glyoxylate carboligase, 2-hydroxy-3-oxopropionate reductase, and hydroxypyruvate reductase, to a microorganism.

Abstract: An L-threonine-producing Escherichia coli including a pathway selected from the group consisting of a pathway that produces acetaldehyde from acetyl-CoA with acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, and a pathway that produces L-threonine from acetaldehyde and glycine with threonine aldolase, and a pathway that produces 2-amino-3-oxobutyrate from glycine and acetyl-CoA with glycine C-acetyltransferase, and a pathway that produces L-threonine from 2-amino-3-oxobutyrate with threonine dehydrogenase.

Abstract: An acetyl-CoA-producing microorganism, which is capable of efficiently synthesizing acetyl-CoA using carbon dioxide, and a substance production method using the same are provided. An acetyl-CoA-producing microorganism including an acetyl-CoA production cycle obtained by imparting at least one type of enzymatic activity selected from the group consisting of malate thiokinase, malyl-CoA lyase, glyoxylate carboligase, 2-hydroxy-3-oxopropionate reductase, and hydroxypyruvate reductase, to a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for testing a valve control system in an aircraft fuel supply system having a plurality of control valves, wherein the control system includes a processor adapted to receive feedback signals from each of the plurality of control valves, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a test device to the control system such that the test device is connected for signal transmission to the processor; outputting a signal to the processor simulating a feedback signal from at least one of the control valves; detecting a control signal which is output by the processor to the at least one of the control valves; and identifying the detected control signal which is output by the processor to the control valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a microorganism of the genus Bacillus, including one or more gene(s) selected from a group consisting of a gene conferring thiolase activity, a gene conferring CoA transferase activity and a gene conferring acetoacetate decarboxylase activity, wherein the microorganism produces acetone.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an aircraft tank system includes a fuel supply device including a fuel reservoir, a fuel supply line for supplying fuel from the fuel reservoir to a fuel outlet of the fuel supply device, and a first isolation valve disposed in the fuel supply line. A fuel transfer line transfers fuel from the fuel outlet of the fuel supply device to the aircraft tank system and a second isolation valve is disposed in the fuel transfer line. An electronic control unit (ECU) of the apparatus is adapted to control the first isolation valve and the second isolation valve so as to interrupt the supply of fuel through the fuel supply line and the transfer of fuel through the fuel transfer line, respectively, in response to a test parameter signal provided to the electronic control unit (ECU).

Abstract: The present invention provides test equipment for testing an additional center tank (ACT) system of an aircraft. The ACT system comprising control means configured to perform functions of an Auxiliary Fuel Management Computer (AFMC) and an Auxiliary Level Sensing Control Unit (ALSCU). The test equipment comprises at least one test module adapted for coupling to the ACT system in place of at least a portion of the control means, the test module comprising means for generating one or more test signals and outputting the test signals to the ACT system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing a valve control system in an aircraft fuel supply system having a plurality of control valves, wherein the control system includes relay means for outputting control signals to each of the plurality of control valves. The method includes providing connection means for electrically connecting a test device to the control system relay means, connecting a test device to the relay means such that the test device is adapted to receive control signals output by the control system to any one of the plurality of control valves, detecting an electrical control signal output from the relay means to any one of the plurality of control valves, and identifying the particular one of the plurality of control valves to which a detected control signal is output by the relay means and identifying the nature of the control signal output to that particular control valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for testing a valve control system in an aircraft fuel supply system having a plurality of control valves, wherein the control system includes a processor adapted to receive feedback signals from each of the plurality of control valves, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a test device to the control system such that the test device is connected for signal transmission to the processor; outputting a signal to the processor simulating a feedback signal from at least one of the control valves; detecting a control signal which is output by the processor to the at least one of the control valves; and identifying the detected control signal which is output by the processor to the control valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an aircraft tank system includes a fuel supply device including a fuel reservoir, a fuel supply line for supplying fuel from the fuel reservoir to a fuel outlet of the fuel supply device, and a first isolation valve disposed in the fuel supply line. A fuel transfer line transfers fuel from the fuel outlet of the fuel supply device to the aircraft tank system and a second isolation valve is disposed in the fuel transfer line. An electronic control unit (ECU) of the apparatus is adapted to control the first isolation valve and the second isolation valve so as to interrupt the supply of fuel through the fuel supply line and the transfer of fuel through the fuel transfer line, respectively, in response to a test parameter signal provided to the electronic control unit (ECU).

Abstract: A heuristic process for color formula calculation of pigmented shades matched to a target shade, comprising the steps of i) using suitable calibration scales to compile an effect matrix for each of the ingredients included in a coloring system, determining the optical materials parameters of the target shade, iii) selecting a suitable starting formula, iv) determining the color difference between the starting formula and the target shade, v) calculating a first matched color formula while taking account of the effect matrices, vi) repeating steps iv) and v) until an acceptable remaining color difference is reached, wherein the effect matrices are continually updated with shade-relevant information during ongoing operation, achieves an improvement on the existing processes for shade formula calculation, not only in terms of reducing the number of tinting steps needed but also in terms of minimizing the remaining color difference.

Abstract: A method of preparing effect pigment color formulas matched to a color original, comprising the steps of (a) producing a calibration series for each pigment included in the coloring system of an effect pigment color original, (b) experimentally determining the reflectances R? of the color original and of the calibration series, (c) calculating the optical parameters of the color original and of the constituents of the coloring system, (d) selecting a suitable starting formula, (e) determining the residual color difference between the starting formula and the color original, (f) producing a first matched color formula, (g) and repeating steps (e) and (f) until the residual color difference between the matched color formula and the color original is acceptable, which involves (i) transforming the reflectances R? of the color original and of the calibration series by means of a suitable mathematical function such that all of the transformed reflectances R?? lie between 0 and 1, and (ii) calculating the optical

Abstract: The present invention provides test equipment for testing an additional center tank (ACT) system of an aircraft. The ACT system comprising control means configured to perform functions of an Auxiliary Fuel Management Computer (AFMC) and an Auxiliary Level Sensing Control Unit (ALSCU). The test equipment comprises at least one test module adapted for coupling to the ACT system in place of at least a portion of the control means, the test module comprising means for generating one or more test signals and outputting the test signals to the ACT system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing a valve control system in an aircraft fuel supply system having a plurality of control valves, wherein the control system includes relay means for outputting control signals to each of the plurality of control valves. The method includes providing connection means for electrically connecting a test device to the control system relay means, connecting a test device to the relay means such that the test device is adapted to receive control signals output by the control system to any one of the plurality of control valves, detecting an electrical control signal output from the relay means to any one of the plurality of control valves, and identifying the particular one of the plurality of control valves to which a detected control signal is output by the relay means and identifying the nature of the control signal output to that particular control valve.

Abstract: A three-dimensional flow cell for aligning non-isometric particles in a liquid sample in two axes, a method of aligning non-isometric particles in a liquid sample, the use of the three-dimensional flow cell, a reflectance sensor which has the three-dimensional flow cell according to the invention, a method of measuring the reflectance of a liquid sample containing non-isometric particles and the use of the reflectance sensor according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to reflectance sensors built up from an optical unit, a sample analysis unit and a system control unit, and to a method of measuring the reflectance of a sample in the form of a liquid pigment preparation, and to the use of a reflectance sensor according to the invention for the measurement of the reflectance of liquid pigment preparations in various process stages during the production, further processing and use of the liquid pigment preparations.

Abstract: A three-dimensional flow cell for aligning non-isometric particles in a liquid sample in two axes, a method of aligning non-isometric particles in a liquid sample, a reflectance sensor which has the three-dimensional flow cell according to the invention, a method of measuring the reflectance of a liquid sample containing non-isometric particles and the use of the reflectance sensor according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to reflectance sensors built up from an optical unit, a sample analysis unit and a system control unit, and to a method of measuring the reflectance of a sample in the form of a liquid pigment preparation, and to the use of a reflectance sensor according to the invention for the measurement of the reflectance of liquid pigment preparations in various process stages during the production, further processing and use of the liquid pigment preparations.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing cross wound yarn spools into an open top transport container utilizing a vertically extending dropping channel. The channel is raised and lowered into the transport container for guiding and directing the spools of yarn into the container. The container with the dropping channel provided therein is selectively moved for depositing the spools in a plurality of longitudinal rows.