Abstract: A method of producing a higher purity metal comprising the step of electrolyzing a coarse metal material by a primary electrolysis to obtain a primary electrodeposited metal, the step of electrolyzing the material with the primary electrodeposited metal obtained in the primary electrolysis step used as an anode to obtain a higher purity electrolyte for secondary electrolysis, and the step of further performing secondary electrolysis by employing higher purity electrolytic solution than said electrolytic solution with said primary electrodeposited metal as an anode, whereby providing an electro-refining method that effectively uses electrodes and an electrolyte produced in a plurality of electro-refining steps, reuses the flow of an electrolyte in the system, reduces organic matter-caused oxygen content, and can effectively produce a high purity metal.

Abstract: An optoelectronic display device comprises an organic light emitting diode microdisplay 1 and a viewing convex lens 2 arranged at a distance from the microdisplay which may be less than, equal to or greater than the focal length of the lens.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant viral vector comprising the DNA of, or corresponding to, at least a portion of the genome of an adenovirus, which portion is capable of infecting a hepatic cell; and a human VLDL receptor gene operatively linked to regulatory sequences directing its expression. The vector is capable of expressing the normal VLDL receptor gene product in hepatic cells in vivo or in vitro. This viral vector is useful in the treatment of metabolic disorders caused by the accumulation of LDL in plasma, such as familial hypercholesterolemia or familial combined hyperlipidemia.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, T, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein are provided, together with pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrates and/or prodrugs thereof.

Abstract: A sputtering target having a sprayed coating at least on the side face thereof and producing few particles. The deposit produced on the side face of the sputtering target is prevented from separating and flying.

Abstract: In a ratchet-type hydraulic tensioner for use with a timing chain of an internal combustion engine, two or more oil reservoirs gradually receive oil fed under pressure from an external source, and supply the oil through a hydraulic valve mechanism to a high pressure oil chamber formed by a plunger and a housing in which the plunger is slidable. Throttle holes, formed in partition walls separating the reservoirs, control the flow of oil from one reservoir to another. An excess oil discharge hole is optionally provided in one of the reservoirs. The invention prevents abnormal protrusion of the plunger, reduces chain noise and component damage due to wear, and rapidly re-establishes proper tension on engine start-up.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a pressure chamber scraper for application of a liquid medium onto a rotating drum, said pressure chamber scraper having an axially extending scraper head, that together with an axially extending dosing scraper touching the mantle surface of the drum and with a sealing scraper forms a chamber in the circumferential direction, in said chamber there is an axially extending displacement element to form a pressure compartment and an outlet compartment and leaving an application gap to the mantle surface of the drum, and the liquid medium for wetting of the mantle surface flows through said gap, wherein the medium is supplied through an inlet opening into the pressure compartment. According to the invention, it is proposed that the displacement element and scraper head have mutually facing contact surfaces which bound at least one gap between them which opens into the pressure compartment and connects it to the inlet opening, so that the medium can move into the pressure compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which a still image, or still images, are obtained of a plurality of particles suspended in a fluid medium. Each still image is transferred to an image analyzing unit that measures a set of dimensional characteristics per particle for particles appearing in the image and determine an occurrence characteristic for particles having a matching set of dimensional characteristics. Preferably, a three dimensional representation of the characteristics is displayed in real time. More preferably, the displayed three-dimensional representation is continuously updated and further entries are accumulated on the display as image analysis is performed. The display provides information to a viewer enabling the viewer to determine a shape distribution of the particles within the suspension even when multiple particle shapes are present.

Abstract: A handbell has a bell body with an inner surface engageable by a clapper to produce a sound corresponding to a note of the musical scale and an outer surface with a vapor deposited nitride layer that resists tarnish. Preferably, the vapor deposited nitrate layer has a thickness of less than about 5 microns and does not adversely affect the sound produced when the handbell is rung. In addition, preferably the vapor deposited nitrate layer is zirconium nitride or titanium nitride and has a Vickers hardness (HV) of at least 2300. A method of making and/or refurbishing a handbell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A merchandising display comprises an array of vertical wires and an array of horizontal wires, and sheet metal panels which snap onto wires of one of the arrays to provide a slotted display backing. Shelf brackets extend through the slots and are supported by the horizontal wires. In one embodiment the slots are horizontal, and in another embodiment, the slots are vertical.

Abstract: A kit for assessing the level of pentraxin-binding moieties on particles in a biological sample containing a ligand comprising a pentraxin is useful in a method of assessing pentraxin-binding of particles for use in diagnosis of disease or abnormality. The method includes the steps of (a) exposing a biological test sample containing particles that comprise a pentraxin-binding receptor from a test subject to a ligand comprising a pentraxin in the presence of calcium; (b) determining quantitatively the level of binding between particles and ligand in said test sample; and (c) comparing the level of binding in said test sample to the level of binding in a control biological sample containing said particles from a healthy subject of the same species as the subject supplying the test sample. A change in the level of binding in said test sample from that of the control sample is indicative of disease or abnormality.

Abstract: In a transmission having a silent chain meshing with a sprocket, each link plate of the chain includes inside engaging surfaces and outside engaging surfaces having the same shape as that of a tooth profile of a hob cutter for shaping the sprocket teeth. The sprocket, which engages the outside engaging surfaces of the link plates when the chain is seated on the sprocket teeth, includes tooth head portions shaped to avoid contact interference with inwardly curved portions of the link plates. The silent chain transmission device controls the engagement time of the inside engaging surface, and thereby decreases vibration noise and impact noise, and prevents stress concentration and wear loss on the inside engaging surface, the inwardly curved inside portion of the link plate, and the tooth head portion of the sprocket, thereby improving durability, making assembly easier, and improving production accuracy.

Abstract: A light stability testing device for conducting an accurate light stability test that permits an accurate ultraviolet irradiation and an accurate visible light irradiation, the device comprising an optical sensor having a visible light measuring sensor (5) for measuring the dose of visible light, and a ultraviolet measuring sensor (6) for measuring the dose of ultraviolet ray, an optical system having a total light regulating means (331) for regulating the absolute quantity of light emitted from a light source and a ultraviolet ray regulating means (335) for regulating the dose of ultraviolet ray in light regulated by the total light regulating means, and a control unit for controlling a total light control unit that controls the total light regulating means (331) by a signal from a visible light measuring sensor (5), and the ultraviolet ray regulating means (335) by a signal from the ultraviolet measuring sensor (6).

Abstract: The effective coupling and combination of coal gasification and coal liquefaction techniques to produce ultra clean liquid fuels from carbonaceous matter preferably provided from an abundance of waste coal mining material. The method and apparatus includes a final sulfur washing step utilizing a zinc oxide membrane to remove virtually all sulfur from synthetic gas produced in an entrained flow gasifier before the synthetic gas is permitted to enter a slurry phase vessel having a catalyst used to produce a parafin from which liquid fuel is produced. The liquid fuel is preferably an ultra clean, high cetane, sulfur-free diesel fuel.

Abstract: In a ratchet-type hydraulic tensioner for a chain transmission, having a plunger and a housing forming a high pressure oil chamber, an excess supply oil discharge passage is provided. The discharge passage communicates with an oil supply passage leading from an oil supply opening, which receives oil under pressure from a oil pump, to a hydraulic check valve mechanism in the housing, which delivers oil to the high pressure oil chamber. Excess oil is discharged to the exterior of the tensioner housing and directed toward the chain. Excessive chain tension is avoided, and smooth and reliable chain travel, and suppression of whistling sounds, are achieved.

Abstract: A device is provided for wireless transmission and evaluation of signals and switching statuses from at least one mobile device (10) to a second device (11), where at least one of the devices is capable of moving over a predefined travel path. A transmission link (12) is provided between devices (10) and (11). A transmission feeds the energy supply for the mobile device (10). At least one sensor device (9), connected to mobile device (10), brings about modulation on transmission link (12) between the two devices in accordance with a random signal string of the sensor. A receiving device is provided for modulation in device (11). A transmission device for transmission across transmission line (12) comprises at least two coupled coil devices (13, 14), which are mechanically and topologically independent of each other. The path of movement is not subject to those restrictions to which conventional devices are subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-purity zirconium or hafnium with minimal impurities, particularly where the content of alkali metal elements such as Na, K; radioactive elements such as U, Th; transitional metals or heavy metals or high melting point metal elements such as Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ta, V; and gas components such as C, O, etc. is extremely reduced, as well as to an inexpensive manufacturing method of such high-purity zirconium or hafnium, thereby reducing the impurities hindering the guarantee of the operational performance of semiconductors. The present invention further relates to an inexpensive and safe manufacturing method of high-purity zirconium or hafnium powder from hydrogenated high-purity zirconium or hafnium powder.

Abstract: A stair-climbing wheelchair has a pair of track assemblies that can be placed in an operative drive mode to propel the wheelchair along ascending and descending paths of travel relative to an obstacle such as a stairway, curb, or the like. Each track assembly includes a guide member with rollers at opposite ends thereof carrying an endless cleated belt. The guide member is arched between its end sections thereby permitting the endless belt to deflect upwardly between the rollers when the endless belt engages an obstacle such as a step, curb or the like. This permits a smooth gradual transition of the wheelchair onto and/or off the top step of a staircase. Preferably, each track assembly also includes an inclined tail section having a separate endless cleated belt. The track assemblies can also be utilized in connection with remote control and/or unmanned motorized vehicles.

Abstract: A sputtering target producing few particles, a backing plate or a sputtering apparatus, and a sputtering method producing few particles. An arc-spraying coating film and a plasma-spraying coating film over the former are formed on the sputtering target, a backing plate, or another surface in the sputtering apparatus, where an unwanted film might be formed. Thus a deposit is prevent from separating/flying from the target, backing plate, or another surface where an unwanted film might be formed in the sputtering apparatus.

Abstract: To address the conflict between structural strength and flexibility in a conventional elastic belt for a papermaking calender, and to reduce manufacturing time, a belt in which the paper sheet-facing side of a base body side is covered by a high molecular weight elastic layer, is characterized in that the high molecular weight elastic layer is composed of a dense, first high molecular weight elastic layer and a second, high molecular weight elastic layer having a multitude of small voids of almost the same size. Flexibility of the layer having small voids is achieved while the dense surface layer is adapted to the ruggedness of the paper sheet.