Abstract: The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material with a supporting layer made of a copper alloy, and with a lining applied to the bearing metal layer. The copper alloy can contain 0.5 5% by weight of nickel, 0.2 to 2.5% by weight of silicon and =0.1% by weight of lead. The lining can be a sputtered layer that is applied without an intermediate layer. The invention also relates to methods for producing this composite material.

Abstract: There is provided a diagnostic reagent for use in the detection of M. bovis or M. tuberculosis infection in an animal, comprising a peptide which has an epitope from Mycobacterium bovis hypothetic protein Mb3645c (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an epitope from a polypeptide having at least 76% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: A planing amphibious vehicle with retractable wheels and a sit-astride seat having dimensions that impart enhanced capability in both land as well as water modes of operation. The beam, track, dead rise angle and the location of the handlebars cooperate to enhance freeboard and ground clearance without sacrificing manoeuvrability. The length is at least 1800 mm; the beam is at least 800 mm; the deadrise angle at least 3°; and the center of rotation of steering control is located near the halfway distance from transom to bow.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to production of thermoplastic materials which swell in water to produce hydrogels. These materials will hereafter be referred to as “thermoplastic hydrogels”. They are useful as contact lenses or for use in vision correction prosthetics or as cosmetic devices. In particular, the invention relates to thermoplastic hydrogels which show improved flow characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tubes formed from fibre reinforced composite material, the apparatus including: an elongate hollow mandrel (3) having an internal mandrel cavity (5), the mandrel having an external surface (7) upon which reinforcing fibre materia (9) can be wrapped to provide a composite lay-up (10) supported thereon; and fluid flow means (11) for enabling heat transfer fluid of different temperatures to be circulated through the mandrel cavity (5), such that when fluid at an elevated temperature is circulated, heat is transferred from the fluid, through the mandrel (3) to the composite lay-up (10) for curing or forming said lay-up.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production, forming bonding, joining and repair systems composite and metal components utilising at least one pressure chamber having a displaceable abutment face, wherein fluid is circulated at an elevated temperature and pressure through the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-usable medium for automatically identifying the source of copied software. A single identifying marker can be embedded in a common code base associated with different software application products. A suspected copy of a product can be fed to an automated tool, which extracts the type of object code, which is then scanned to determine the identifying marker. The automated tool can therefore identify the exact product and version of the suspected copy utilizing the identifying marker and the type of object code without the need for labor-intensive modification of the common code base and product-specific markers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide bearing composite material which comprises a support layer from a copper alloy and a bearing coating applied to said support layer. The copper alloy may comprise 0.5 to 5% by weight of nickel, 0.2 to 2.5% by weight of silicon, ?0.1% by weight of lead. The bearing coating can be a galvanic layer, a sputter layer or a plastic layer. The invention also relates to methods of producing such a composite material.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide for a method for validating a target document written in a structured language against a schema for the structured language. A record of document fragments that have been previously validated against the schema is maintained. The target document is compared to the document fragments to identify portions of the target document that are schematically identical to corresponding document fragments. Validation is omitted for at least one of the portions of the target document that are schematically identical to the corresponding document fragments when validating the target document.

Abstract: A system for producing composite or bonded metal components including: first and second pressure chambers, each pressure chamber having an elastically deformable chamber wall; means for circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through each said pressure chamber; and at least one mould assembly including at least one separate mould section providing a mould cavity within which a composite or bonded metal lay-up can be located; wherein when the system is in use, the pressure chambers are held together with the elastically deformable chamber walls located in opposing relation, the at least one mould assembly containing a said lay-up being accomodated between the chamber walls while fluid at elevated temperature and pressure is circulated through each pressure chamber such that the lay-up can be compressed and cured or formed.

Abstract: The present relates to a method of preparing a dough product comprising: mixing flour, water and optionally other bakery ingredients to form a dough; and applying a coating composition directly to the outside surface of the dough at a stage of the dough manufacture when the dough is no longer subjected to kneading or lamination, said coating composition containing, calculated on dry matter, emulsifier in an amount of 10-100% and polysaccharide in an amount of 0-20%. The dough products obtained by the present method offer the advantage that they can be baked or fried to yield a product that will retain a crispy crust for a considerable period of time and even after reheating of the baked or fried product. Other aspects of the invention relate to dough products that can be obtained by the aforementioned method as well as to baked and fried products obtained by baking or flying such a dough product.

Abstract: A system for producing composite or bonded metal components including: first and second pressure chambers, each pressure chamber having an elastically deformable chamber wall; means for circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through each said pressure chamber; and at least one mould assembly including at least one separate mould section providing a mould cavity within which a composite or bonded metal lay-up can be located; wherein when the system is in use, the pressure chambers are held together with the elastically deformable chamber walls located in opposing relation, the at least one mould assembly containing a said lay- up being accommodated between the chamber walls while fluid at elevated temperature and pressure is circulated through each pressure chamber such that the lay-up can be compressed and cured or formed.

Abstract: A sit-astride amphibious vehicle configuration which supports a high performance envelope both on land as well as in water. The vehicle has a planing hull and four retractable wheels. Handlebars provide for directional control in both modes of operation. Each road wheel is retractable by pivoting through at least 45° so as to maximize ground clearance when in the land mode of operation and to minimize drag at substantial lean angles when in the marine mode of operation. While a jet drive may remain directly connected to the engine at all times, the driven wheels are only connected during land mode via a speed-change transmission. The entire power train is supported by a frame that is separable from the hull which in turn has a detachable top deck portion, whereby such configuration simplifies the construction, repair and servicing of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production, forming bonding, joining and repair systems composite and metal components utilising at least one pressure chamber having a displaceable abutment face, wherein fluid is circulated at an elevated temperature and pressure through the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A planing amphibious vehicle with retractable wheels and a sit-astride seat having dimensions that impart enhanced capability in both land as well as water modes of operation. The beam, track, dead rise angle and the location of the handlebars cooperate to enhance freeboard and ground clearance without sacrificing manoeuvrability. The length is at least 2400 mm; the beam is at least 1250 mm; the deadrise angle at least 10°; and the handlebars are located only slightly forward of the halfway distance from transom to bow.

Abstract: A method of repairing a composite component (1) having a damaged area including: laying a composite lay-up (7) over the damaged area; locating at least one pressure chamber (3, 4) over the damaged area, the pressure chamber including a displaceable abutment face (5, 6); circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through the pressure chamber (3, 4) to thereby compress the lay-up (7) between the abutment face of the pressure chamber and the composite and elevate the temperature thereof to effect curing of the lay-up.

Abstract: A novel occlusive dressing which allows the escape of fluid and air in cases of penetrating thoracic trauma. The dressing comprises a one-way valve that lies flat on the body of the patient during use such that the fluid from the wound is able to drain away without air from the surrounding environment penetrating the wound.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a liner from a plurality of longitudinal sections of flexible material having longitudinal edges adapted to be joined one to another to form the liner includes a path means along which the longitudinal sections of flexible material can be conveyed in a laterally reduced condition, an assembly zone at which the longitudinal edges can be joined together to form the liner, and a guide structure about which the flexible material can turn upon exiting from the path means to provide an inner section and an outer section turned back with respect to the inner section. The guide structure presents a guide, surface over which the longitudinal sections of flexible material can pass, the surface being configured to facilitate spreading of each longitudinal section from the laterally reduced condition.

Abstract: This invention pertains to pliers for increasing the interproximal retention of thermoplastic appliances by denting the appliances in the interproximal areas between the teeth, especially denting the thermoplastic material at the interproximal gingival area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for vacuum holding a dental veneer during the trial placement of a veneer on a tooth, application of adhesive to the veneer and final placement of the veneer on the tooth. The device includes a flexible suction cup with a connecting air bulb. The cup is placed on the external surface of the veneer while squeezing the air bulb. The veneer is held on the cup until the air bulb is squeezed.