Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controlling expansion and contraction of a cylinder. The cylinder comprises an extension chamber and a contraction chamber. The hydraulic control system comprises a first servovalve comprising a first pressure supply port and a first pressure discharge port and adapted to selectively communicate the expansion chamber with the first pressure supply port and with the first pressure discharge port. A second servovalve, comprising a second pressure supply port and a second pressure discharge port, is adapted to selectively communicate the contraction chamber with the second pressure supply port and with the second pressure discharge port.

Abstract: A system has been disclosed for use in radiographic industrial non-destructive testing materials and personal monitoring, making use therefor, of tabular silver brom(oiod)ide emulsion grains having {111} major faces, an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.5 &mgr;m and an average thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m, having been chemically sensitized by the steps of adding at least a gold salt in order to provide the surface of said tabular grains with at least 6000 atoms of gold per &mgr;m2 of its grain surface and per (0.1 &mgr;m of thickness)2; and at least a sulfite salt in such an amount that the ratio of the number of gold atoms per &mgr;m2 and (concentration of said sulfite salt, expressed in mmole per mole of silver)2 is at least 200000.

Abstract: A method and system for determining meat quality in cattle is provided. In preferred embodiments the method comprises obtaining an ultrasound measurement of a cattle specimen between the 12th rib and 13th rib at weaning age. The ultrasound measurement is utilized to extrapolate a harvest quality parameter. Based on the harvest quality parameter, and preferably a yield grade, the specimen is categorized. Particularly preferred harvest quality parameters are ribeye area, fat thickness, intramuscular fat and ribeye shape. Methods for determining tenderness, stress and intramuscular fat are described and claimed.

Abstract: A planking tool comprising a base, a handle mechanism rotatably attached to the base and a pair of teeth slidably attached to the base wherein the teeth are movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position. A first connecting mechanism attaches the handle mechanism to the pair of teeth. A push plate slidably attached to the base is slidable between an extended position and a withdrawn position. A second connecting mechanism attaches the handle mechanism to the push plate. When the handle is rotated relative to the base the pair of teeth move from the disengaging position to the engaging position while the push plate remains in the withdrawn position. As the handle continues to rotate relative to the base the pair of teeth remain in the engaging position and the push plate moves from the withdrawn position to the extended position.

Abstract: A method, and system, for refuse removal from a collection site. The method comprises transporting multiple containers in an inverted stack to the collection site. Engaging a first container of the multiple containers with a rotating fork lift truck. Lifting the first container from the inverted stack with the rotating fork lift truck. Rotating the first container with the rotating fork lift truck.

Abstract: A stabilizer for training a person in equestrian jumping. The stabilizer comprises an upper brace and a lower brace. The upper brace comprises an upper side and a lower side. The upper brace is capable of receiving a person's neck therein. The lower brace is attached to the lower side of the upper brace and extends downward from the upper brace. The lower brace comprises a rear panel which is substantially parallel to the chest of the person.

Abstract: A pellet, intended for the late inoculation of cast irons, obtained by agglomeration of a powdered inoculant, characterised in that the mass proportion of the granulometric fraction 50-250 microns of the powdered inoculant of which the pellet is constituted is comprised between 35 and 60%, and the mass proportion of the granulometric fraction below 50 microns is lower than 25%.

Abstract: Nanoparticle dispersions of ZnS doped with a luminescent center and of CuxS are prepared together or separately by precipitation from aqueous solutions. When such dispersions are coated between conductive electrodes a Thin Film Inorganic Light Emitting Diode device is obtained.

Abstract: Described is a collapsible cart for transporting items from a first surface to a raised surface. The collapsible cart comprises a platform, for carrying items thereon, wherein the platform comprises a front edge and a back edge. A collapsible front leg is attached to the platform. The collapsible front leg comprises an front upper leg and a front lower leg. Connected to the front upper leg and to the front lower leg is a spring biased to rotate the front lower leg towards an extended position relative to the front upper leg. A front release mechanism persuades the collapsible front legs to be withdrawn towards the platform. A collapsible rear leg is also attached to the platform. The collapsible rear leg comprises a rear upper leg, a rear lower leg and a spring connected there between biased to rotate the rear lower leg towards an extended position relative to the rear upper leg. A rear release mechanism allows the collapsible rear leg to be withdrawn towards the platform.

Abstract: A radiographic film material has been described for recording medical diagnostic images of soft tissue through exposure to light, emitted by a single intensifying screen, after having been subjecting to exposure with X-rays, emitted from an X-ray generating device with a tube voltage of 20 kV to 40 kV, and processing, including development, fixing and drying, within a time of 120 (and more preferably 90) seconds or less, wherein said film is comprised of a transparent film support, front and back major faces and an image-forming portion for providing, when imagewise exposed by light emitted by said intensifying screen and processed, an average contrast or gradient in the range from 3.0 up to 4.5, measured over a density above fog in the range of from 0.25 to 2.

Abstract: A single-side coated light-sensitive silver halide photographic film material has been disclosed, having on one side of a subbed support, one or more light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer(s) overcoated with an outermost protective layer; and, at the other side of said support, a backing layer, covered with a protective outermost layer, characterized in that at least said backing layer is provided with a layer wherein, besides a cross-linked or cross-linkable first binder an organic component free from cross-linking upon reaction with a hardener is present as a second binder having a low molecular weight.

Abstract: A high contrast photographic material is disclosed containing a new type of hydrazine compound characterized in that said hydrazine compound comprises a redox moiety capable of developing an exposed silver halide crystal. Preferably the photographic material is a graphic arts material for pre-press applications. The developed photographic material shows high gradation, and excellent dot quality and exposure latitude.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid screening of layered materials, for a useful property. In the method at least two layered materials are applied on one single substrate. Preferably the materials are applied by coating from a coating composition and are multi-layered materials having at least two distinct layers.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element is disclosed comprising a support and an ink receiver layer comprising a binder and a calcium phosphate pigment showing the whitlockite crystal structure. Improved ink absorptivity and drying time are obtained.

Abstract: Highly efficient ZnS:Mn phosphors can be obtained by using triazole or diazole compounds during homogeneous precipitation in aqueous medium. Coated layers containing such phosphors can be incorporated in Thin Film Inorganic Light Emitting Diodes.

Abstract: A method has been described for preparing an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion rich in silver bromide, having {111} major faces, wherein tabular grains having a thickness of less than 0.08 &mgr;m exhibit an average aspect ratio of more than 5:1 and account for at least 75% by number of hexagonal grains and a coefficient of variation on average equivalent surface area of less than 0.50. The process is characterized in that during formation, (a) pH is maintained from 0.8 to 10; (b) a gelatino-peptizer is present in a concentration of 0 to 50 g per liter of dispersing medium, and (c) pBr having a value of at least 1.8 is maintained during grain nucleation and pBr is maintained at less than 2.4 during growth provided that a gelatin peptizer which is free from calcium ions and has a methionine content of less than 30 micromoles per gram of gelatino-peptizer is present.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic film element has been disclosed, said element comprising on a light-sensitive side of a transparent polyester support, and, in order, an electrically conductive subbing layer, an antihalation undercoat, a light-sensitive emulsion layer or multilayer arrangement, optionally including one or more intermediate, non-light-sensitive layers between emulsion layers in said multilayer arrangement, and a protective overcoat; and on a backing layer side opposite thereto, in order, a subbing layer containing a lubricant and a topcoat layer, characterized in that on the light-sensitive side of said element said subbing layer comprises an antistatic agent providing a substantially unchanged electrical resistivity of the said element before and after processing of said material, and said antihalation undercoat optionally comprises a high temperature boiling solvent; whereas on the backing layer side a friction coefficient of the backing layer versus stainless steel remains unchanged in the rang

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a substrate for use in the production of lithographic printing plates, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aluminum substrate; (b) graining at least one surface of the substrate; (c) applying an anodic layer to the at least one grained surface; (d) treating the at least one grained and anodized surface with an aqueous solution comprising at least one salt of a metal from Group IB, IIB, IVA, IVB, VB, VIA, VIB, VIIB or VIII of the Periodic Table; and (e) treating the at least one treated surface with an aqueous solution comprising at least one orthophosphate salt of an alkali metal.