Abstract: A method detects a fault, in particular coking, in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection, a throttle valve, and a variable intake valve lift controller.

Abstract: A method detects a fault, in particular coking, in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection, a throttle valve, and a variable intake valve lift controller.

Abstract: A system for publishing a sponsor-comment together with content of a publisher that is associated with a particular file. A code segment is included in the particular file. A database relates a plurality of keywords with one or more sponsors. A registration module is operative to register one or more channels of the publisher, each said channel including at least one of the plurality of files. A communication module is operative to receive a sponsor-comment across the network. A comment management module is operative to selectively associate the sponsor-comment with the particular file in accordance with at least one criterion accessible to one or more of the servers. Upon opening each respective file in a browser of a client machine, the code segment executes to cause the browser to include in the display the sponsor-comment together with the publisher-content. Variations of systems and methods that publish sponsor comments are disclosed.

Abstract: A website run by a server can be accessed by many visitors. Service and support for the website are provided by a live agent at a call center by engaging the visitors in verbal conversations. A conversation is initiated when a visitor requests telephone assistance on the website. Information about the visitor, including pages he has visited in a current or previous visit is placed in a data file or record. In response, the live agent obtains the record corresponding to the visitor and a telephone link is automatically established between the agent and the visitor.

Abstract: A coated metal reinforcement element for polymeric or elastomeric materials comprises a coating of: a polymer or prepolymer compatible with and co-polymerizable, co-vulcanizable or crosslinkable with said polymeric or elastomeric material to be reinforced, and bearing functional groups; either covalently bonding to the metal surface of said reinforcement element; or forming covalent bonds with the outward directed first functional groups of a mono-or multimolecular layer of a bifunctional adhesion promotor intercalated between said metal by its second functional groups. A method for the coating includes a one step and a two step procedure.

Abstract: In a composite of vulcanizable rubber or rubber-like composition with one or more metal reinforcement elements embedded therein, the metal reinforcement element is coated with a polymer or non-cured rubber composition compatible with and co-polymerizable, co-vulcanizable or crosslinkable with said vulcanizable ruber composition to be reinforced, and additionally bearing functional groups either covalently bonding to the metal surface of said reinforcement element or forming covalent bonds with the outward directed first functional groups of a mono- or multimolecular layer of a bifunctional adhesion promoter intercalated between said metal and said coating and bound to said metal by its second functional groups. A cured rubber or rubber-like product, for instance a pneumatic tire, is obtained by vulcanization of such a composite.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the diagnosis of the Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome (MCNS) in a human by detecting and/or quantifying a biochemical marker which is specific of the disease.

Abstract: In a composite of vulcanizable rubber or rubber-like composition with one or more metal reinforcement elements embedded therein, the metal reinforcement element is coated with a polymer or non-cured rubber composition compatible with and co-polymerizable, co-vulcanizable or crosslinkable with said vulcanizable ruber composition to be reinforced, and additionally bearing functional groups either covalently bonding to the metal surface of said reinforcement element or forming covalent bonds with the outward directed first functional groups of a mono- or multimolecular layer of a bifunctional adhesion promoter intercalated between said metal and said coating and bound to said metal by its second functional groups. A cured rubber or rubber-like product, for instance a pneumatic tire, is obtained by vulcanization of such a composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive substance for improved adhesion between a vulcanizable polymer and a metallic reinforcing carrier.The use of an adhesive substance with the following structure is proposed in order to produce an improved adhesion between rubber and a metallic reinforcing carrier:X--(R).sub.n --(Ar).sub.i --(R).sub.m --Y,whereinX: --SH; --Si(Cl).sub.3 ; --Si(OR.sub.1).sub.3 ; --COOHwith R.sub.1 : alkyl remainder (branched and unbranched), particularly --CH.sub.3 ; --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 or --C.sub.3 H.sub.7 ;R: --CH.sub.2 --; --CF.sub.2 --; wherein 0.ltoreq.n,m.ltoreq.12, or--CH.sub.2 --CO--NH--CH.sub.2 --; --CF.sub.2 --CO--NH--CF.sub.2 --; --CH.sub.2 --CO--NH--CF.sub.2 --; --CF.sub.2 --CO--NH--CH.sub.2 --, wherein 0.ltoreq.n,m.ltoreq.4Ar: aromatic and/or heteroaromatic system, comprised of one or several of the following molecules:benzene, phenylene, aniline, thiophene, pyrrole, furane,with or without substituentswherein 0.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.