Abstract: A modular heat exchange system for use in a central heat exchange installation in buildings, including at least one heat exchange element equipped for exchanging heat between environmental air and a fluid which is conducted through the heat exchange element. The heat exchange element has a predetermined first shape with opposite lateral sides. At least one non-heat-exchange add-on element, equipped for adding a given additional functionality to the system, has a predetermined second shape with a complementary lateral side to one of the opposite lateral sides of the heat exchange element.

Abstract: A method for estimating the distance between a transmitter and at least one receiver. The transmitter has radio transmission circuitry, at least part of which is operable in a first operation mode for transmitting a first signal type within a first bandwidth and in a second operation mode for transmitting a second signal type including at least a ranging component which occupies a second bandwidth which encompasses and exceeds the first bandwidth. The method includes the steps of: (i) operating part of the radio transmission circuitry in a second operation mode, (ii) transmitting a signal of a second signal type, (iii) receiving a signal on one receiver and (iv) estimating the distance between the transmitter and a receiver from the ranging component in each received signal. A suitable transmitter and receiver for implementing the method are described.

Abstract: A polylactide-based polymer or copolymer (PLA) compositions with improved flame retardancy properties as obtained by conventional melt-blending of PLA polyester matrix (1) with both calcium sulfate (2) and organo-modified layered silicates (OMLS) (3). Combination of CaSO4 and OMLS exhibits synergistic effects on PLA flame retardancy by both significantly increasing the time to ignition and decreasing the heat release rate per unit area, and promoting non-dripping properties. Moreover, all other properties of PLA remain almost unchanged or are improved as regards to pristine PLA, especially thermal and mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns a coloured soda-lime glass deep coloured with a green-to-blue shade. It contains 0.40 to 0.52 wt. % of FeO, present under illuminant A and for a glass thickness of 4 mm, a light transmittance (TLA4) less than 70%, a selectivity (SE4) higher than 1.65 and an ultraviolet radiation transmittance (TUV4) less than 8%. Said glass is particularly suited for lateral rear glazing and rear glazing for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A glazing panel comprises in sequence at least: a glass substrate, a base antireflective layer comprising at least a base antireflective lower layer and a base antireflective upper layer which is of a different composition to that of the base antireflective lower layer, the base antireflective upper layer comprising a mixed oxide of Zn and at least one additional material X, in which the ratio X/Zn in the base antireflective upperlayer is between 0.02 and 0.

Abstract: A domestic or vehicle rearview silvered mirror having a silver coating which is not covered with a protective layer of copper. The silver mirror comprises a glass sheet, tin and preferably palladium at surface of the glass sheet, a silver coating of the surface of the glass sheet and at least one paint layer covering the silver coating. Optionally, tin may be present at the surface of the silver coating adjacent the paint layer and optionally traces of silane may be present at the surface of the silver coating adjacent to the paint layer. Alternate or additional materials may be present at a surface of the glass sheet and alternate or additional materials may be present at the surface of the silver adjacent to the paint layer.

Abstract: A limiter-amplifier device usable for burst mode communications. In one variation, the device includes a resistor bypassable via a switch, a capacitor, and a limiter-amplifier in series. In operation, in a first phase, the capacitor is discharged to ground via switches. In a second phase, the resistor is bypassed and the capacitor is charged while between the received signal and ground, via switching. In a third phase, in a fast tracking mode, the resistor is bypassed, and the capacitor is placed in series with the limiter-amplifier via switching, and in a slow tracking mode, the resistor is not bypassed, such that the resistor and capacitor are in series with the limiter-amplifier. In additional variations, the resistor is so placed such that less switching functions are needed to bypass the resistor, and additional resistors are optionally used in series with the switches to avoid exceeding current limitations for the switches.

Abstract: An automotive glazing panel having an electrically heatable solar control coating layer, spaced first and second bus bars adapted to relay electrical power to the coating layer and a data transmission window positioned at least partially in contact with the heatable solar control coating layer is arranged such that at least a portion of the periphery of the data transmission window is bounded by an electrically conductive band having an electrical resistance measured in ohms per square significantly less than the electrical resistance measured in ohms per square of the heatable solar control coating layer. This may be used to minimize perturbations to the heating of the glazing caused by the presence of the data transmission window and/or provide more even heating over the entire windscreen.

Abstract: The present invention maximizes modeling results for targeted marketing within a specific working interval so that lift within the working interval is higher than that obtained using traditional modeling methods. It accomplishes this by explicitly solving for lift through sorting a target list by predicted output variable outcome, calculating the integral criterion of lift for a desired range by using known response and non-response data for the target list, iterating on a set of input parameters until overfitting occurs, and testing results against a validation set.

Abstract: The invention concerns a colored soda glass of green shade comprising at most 0.27 wt. % of FeO and has under a standard illuminant A and for a thickness of 4 mm, a light transmission (TLA-4) less then 70%, a selectivity (SE4) higher than 1.50 and an ultraviolet radiation transmission (TUV4) less than 20%. Said glass is particularly suited for vehicle side glazing and rear windows.

Abstract: A mirror composed of a vitreous substrate having a silver coating formed on a surface thereof produced by a process including the steps of sensitizing the vitreous substrate; activating the vitreous substrate by contacting the vitreous substrate with a solution comprised of at least one ion selected from the group consisting of bismuth (III), chromium (II), gold (III), indium (III), nickel (II), palladium (II), platinum (II), rhodium (III), titanium (III), vanadium (III) and zinc (II); contacting the vitreous substrate with a silvering solution so as to form the silver coating; and applying at least one layer of paint over the silvered substrate. Preferably, the silver coating is not covered with a protective layer of copper.

Abstract: An improvement in the immunofixation electrophoresis procedure for detecting proteins in serum, urine or cerebral spinal fluids. Multiple samples from a single patient are placed on a gel and subjected to electrophoresis for resolving or separating proteins. A container has multiple receptacles which store, separately, various antisera. The separate antisera are withdrawn from the receptacles and simultaneously applied to the sample areas for subsequent incubation. The receptacles are preferably arranged in multiple series in the container, each series offset from, and partially overlapping, the receptacles of the next series.

Abstract: Novel apparatuses and methods for depositing or placing substances on substrates or plates are described. The invention relates to automated and semiautomated apparatuses and methods for controlled volume and precise placement of substances on substrates. Combinations of applicator tips, applicator tip assemblies, applicator reservoirs, applicator holders and movable racks precisely and accurately place samples and testing chemicals on substrates. Applicator tips particularly useful for dunk transfer and deposit processes and for carrying substances are disclosed. Apparatuses for precisely moving applicator holders, applicator reservoirs and tips are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses also have features for pre-loading substances on applicators and applicator reservoirs and precisely delivering the preloaded substances to substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to glazings adapted for automotive vehicle roofs. The glazing according to the invention comprises: a first sheet of glass on the external face of the roof; a second sheet of glass at at least a portion of the internal surface arranged towards the interior; an intermediate sheet of one or more traditional thermoplastic materials used for forming laminated glazings, which extends at least over the surfaces of the sheet of glass which face each other; functional non-transparent elements arranged under the first sheet of glass; the transparent laminated portion having a luminous transmittance of less than 35 percent and an energy transmittance less than 20 percent.

Abstract: A method and plant for treating laminated glass having at least two glass sheets between which is arranged at least on intermediate sheet of non-glass material. The glass is attacked in a basic solution of fragmented laminated glass, so as to obtain an attack medium, wherein the fragments are disintegrated into non-laminated glass fragments and non-glass material, separating in a) the basic solution, b) the disintegrated non-laminated fragments and c) the disintegrated fragments of the non-glass material, and neutralizing the disintegrated fragments “b) and c)” before their subsequent recycling or upgrading.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device for toll-free telephonic communications. According to a method of the present invention, a caller dials a toll-free number to establish a connection with a telecommunications platform. The caller then enters an authorization code that the telecommunications platform validates. If the authorization code is valid, the telecommunications platform can connect the caller to a called party or record a message by the caller for later retrieval by the called party.

Abstract: A multichannel pipette has downwardly depending tip cones to receive disposable tips which have free ends. Adjacent tip cones, and thus the disposable tips, are spaced apart a first distance, which is referred to as the intra-channel spacing. An adapter changes the intra-channel spacing of the free ends of the pipette tips. The adapter has a series of apertures therethrough, and the distance (center-to-center) between adjacent apertures differs from the first distance. The disposable tips are inserted through the adapter to change the intra-channel spacing between the free ends of the tips, either by spreading out or contracting the spacing between the free ends of the tips.

Abstract: An internal construction device for assembling a plant from a plurality of smaller plants, the device comprising a support pole which extends in the height direction of the construction, and a plurality of superimposed retainers applied around the support pole and nested within each other, the retainers being provided for receiving dirt and plants. A retainer underneath comprises a side wall and a top face; a subsequent retainer comprises a side wall and a bottom face. The top face of the retainer underneath has a larger surface area than the bottom face of the subsequent retainer so as to create, between the side walls of both retainers, a space for receiving plants. The retainer is a casing having a side wall, top face and bottom, the top and bottom faces being substantially open. The casing is connected to the support pole.

Abstract: A transparent coated substrate with high reflectance, especially for use as in exterior glazing panels for buildings, is provided by a substrate carrying a coating stack comprising a pyrolytically-formed main layer containing oxides of tin and antimony, in which the main layer has a geometric thickness of at least 250 nm and the stack includes an outer reflective layer having a geometric thickness in the range 30 to 150 nm and a refractive index in the range 2.0 to 2.8, whereby the so-coated substrate has a reflectance (RL) of more than 10%.