Abstract: A computer receives information about a debit account controlled by a third-party issuer, a user owing the account and instructions for managing the account after a specified trigger date. Operating according the instructions, an unknown remaining balance in the account may be exhausted after the trigger date has passed, using a sequence of charges responsive to the initial balance, to the last charge amount completed or attempted, and to whether or not the last charge amount is accepted. In the alternative, or in addition, the account may be managed to convert the remaining balance to a non-monetary coupon (e.g., “virtual currency”) for use in an online computer game or the like, after the trigger date.

Abstract: An atomizer having an auxiliary dispenser is provided. The atomizer is coupled to a container filled with a liquid. The auxiliary dispenser is designed according to a preferred dispensing manner of the liquid so that the liquid is more efficiently appropriately dispensed. The auxiliary dispenser includes a connecting member disposed on an atomizer body, and a dispensing unit having a coupling portion for coupling with the connecting member. The liquid is released from the connecting member. The dispensing unit receives and further dispenses the liquid. A manufacturing method of the atomizer is further provided. A second outlet is disposed on the atomizer body, and the connecting member is configured at the second outlet. A series of different dispensing units are manufactured according to the types and preferred dispensing manners of different liquids, and each dispensing unit includes a coupling portion for coupling to the connecting member.

Abstract: An assembly for a bottle which includes a neck with a vertical axis, which neck has a shoulder. The assembly includes a ring which is capable of being engaged around the neck and which includes profiles for retention on the neck which are capable of co-operating with the shoulder. The assembly further includes a fixed insert which is capable of being fitted to the bottle and which delimits a housing for receiving the ring. Opposing surfaces of the ring and the housing include complementary protruding and recessed fastening profiles for resilient engagement of the complementary profiles, at least two successive profiles on the ring or the housing allowing the ring to be fastened in at least two positions which are axially offset relative to the housing.

Abstract: Method and device for mixing and initiating a pyrotechnic charge, comprising at least one coherent porous fuel structure (16) and at least one oxidizer (8). According to the invention, the coherent porous fuel structure (16) and the oxidizer (8) are placed apart in a mixing device (1, 20) to prevent unintentional ignition, and in which the oxidizer (8), in response to the action of a force upon the mixing device (1, 20), for example upon firing of an artillery shell, is transported into the coherent porous fuel structure (16), after which the obtained pyrotechnic charge is initiated after a set time delay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid particle, and to a composition including a plurality of the solid particles, for reducing the sodium chloride content in food products. The solid particle(s) includes: a) a fatty oil, wherein the fatty oil is suitable for consumption; b) a solid core particle selected from potato powder; manioc powder; tapioca; cereal powder; dietary fiber; solid fats; solid waxes; crystalline sugar; and fruit powder; and c) a salt including sodium chloride. The solid core particle is wholly or partly wetted with the fatty oil and the salt adheres to the surface of the solid core particle wetted with fatty oil.

Abstract: A method of monitoring incapacity of a subject which includes the steps of continuously monitoring eye and eyelid movement of at least one eye of the subject; analyzing eye and eyelid movements to obtain measures of ocular quiescence and the duration of an interval of no eye or eyelid movement; and if the duration of ocular quiescence exceeds a predetermined value providing a potential incapacity warning and requesting a response within a predetermined period, and applying an emergency procedure if no response is made within a predetermined interval.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light wood-base materials comprising from 30 to 92.5% by weight, based on the wood-base material, of wood particles, the wood particles having a mean density of from 0.4 to 0.85 g/cm3, from 2.5 to 20% by weight, based on the wood-base material, of polystyrene and/or of styrene copolymer as a filler, the filler having a bulk density of from 10 to 100 kg/m3, and from 5 to 50% by weight, based on the wood-base material, of a binder, the mean density of the light wood-base material being less than or equal to 600 kg/m3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the improvement of blue-emitting organic electroluminescent devices comprising stilbenamines, and to materials for the production of these electroluminescent devices.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising an air permeation preventive layer comprising a film of a thermoplastic resin composition containing a polyvinyl alcohol or ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, to which a protective film of a rubber composition containing an ethylene propylene rubber (EPM) or ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) is, directly or via an adhesive, placed adjacent thereto, as one layer in at least one side thereof, whereby both a further reduction in the air leakage rate of the pneumatic tire and a good durability can be achieved and furthermore a reduction in the weight of the tire can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ampholytic copolymer based on quaternized nitrogen-containing monomers which has a molar excess of cationogenic/cationic groups compared to anionogenic/anionic groups, to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions which comprise at least one such ampholytic copolymer, and to further uses of these copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention describes new metal complexes. Such compounds can be used as functional materials in a variety of different applications which can in the broadest sense be considered part of the electronics industry. The compounds of the invention have the formulae (1) and (1a).

Abstract: An electrochemical process comprising: providing a 125 mm or larger semiconductor wafer in electrical contact with a conducting surface, wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor wafer is in contact with an electrolytic solution, said semiconductor wafer functioning as a first electrode; providing a second electrode in the electrolytic solution, the first and second electrode connected to opposite ends of an electric power source; and irradiating a surface of the semiconductor wafer with a light source as an electric current is applied across the first and the second electrodes. The invention is also directed to an apparatus including a light source and electrochemical components to conduct the electrochemical process.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of atherosclerosis. The method includes the administration of a 32P-labeled agent as a beta emitter, such as 32P-labeled ATP or other 32P-labeled adenine nucleotides, whereby the 32P-labeled agent seeks and then permeates the atherosclerotic plaque en bloc without prior degradation. The accumulation of the 32P-labeled agent in the atherosclerotic plaque is achieved at time points whereby the 32P-labeled agent is cleared from the blood. Thus, radionuclide-labeled adenine nucleotides accumulate with high specificity in atherosclerotic lesions and in the heart. The beta particles (electrons) emitted by the 32P-label have a maximal path distance of about 0.5 cm and their energy preferentially destroy cells present in the atherosclerotic plaque without affecting vessel integrity or inducing arterial thrombosis.

Abstract: An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for timesensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuously preparing diaryl carbonates from dialkyl carbonates and at least one monohydroxyl compound in the presence of catalysts, and to the use thereof for preparation of polycarbonates. The alkylene glycol obtained in the preparation of the dialkyl carbonate used is recycled by oxidative carbonylation with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to give the cyclic alkylene carbonate which is in turn converted to the dialkyl carbonate. More particularly, the process utilizes the alkylene glycol obtained for the diphenyl carbonate preparation process (DPC process).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing triethylenetetramine (TETA), which, comprises the following steps: a) reaction of ethylenediamine (EDA) with formaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in a molar ratio of EDA to formaldehyde to HCN of from 1:1.5:1.5 to 1:2:2 to give ethylenediaminediacetonitrile (EDDN), b) hydrogenation of the EDDN obtained in step a) in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for improving plant growth characteristics by increasing expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a CCS52 protein and/or by increasing level and/or activity in a plant of a CCS52 protein. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having improved growth characteristics, such as increased plant size, increased organ size or increased number of organs, which plants have increased expression of a nucleic acid encoding a CCS52 protein.

Abstract: A process of preparing a silica sol is described. The process involves reacting a fresh sol with guanidine carbonate. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of a base (e. g. , sodium water glass), and at a pH of from 8 to 12. The process of the present invention may also include concentrating steps. The silica sol prepared by the method of the present invention has a BET surface area of greater than or equal to 100 m2/g, and contains from 0.05 to 15% by weight of gaunidinium ions, based on the total weight of the silica gel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing polymer fibers, especially nano- and mesofibers, by electrospinning a colloidal dispersion of at least one essentially water-insoluble polymer in an aqueous medium, and to fibers obtainable by this process, to textile fabrics comprising the inventive fibers, and to the use of the inventive fibers and of the inventive textile fabrics.