Abstract: Reinforced moulds for a casting machine include a wall for containing a cast article, the wall including a lip region. The lip region includes a reinforcing element cast internally in the lip region. The reinforcing element provides enhanced resistance to tensile tearing and cracking of the moulds. Methods of making and using the reinforced moulds also are provided.

Abstract: Date system for a horological movement comprising a tens disc (2) connected to a star wheel (4) driven by a first drive device (12), and a units disc (1) driven by a second drive device (13). The said drive devices (12, 13) are connected to a rocker (9) which works with cams (10, 11) connected to a driving runner (5), which effects one rotation per month. These cams (10, 11) are provided with a tooth (20) and a notch (21) which keep the first drive device (12) in the disengaged position until the tooth (20) and the notch (21) actuate the said rocker (9) in order to engage and disengage the respective drive devices (12, 13) in such a way as to move the display from the 31st to the 1st of the month without an error of one day between the date indicated and the actual date.

Abstract: A heat spreader is disclosed. The heat spreader includes a body member, a first fin connected to the body member, a second fin connected to the body member, a third fin connected to the body member, and a fourth fin connected to the body member. The first and second fins define a first spacing therebetween. The second and third fins define a second spacing therebetween. The third and fourth fins define a third spacing therebetween. The second spacing is greater than the first spacing and the third spacing.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprising initiating a first polymerization of monomers using an initiator functionalized with an ATRP initiating site, wherein the first polymerization is selected from the group of cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization, conventional free radical polymerization, metathesis, ring opening polymerization, cationic ring opening polymerization, and coordination polymerization to form a macroinitiator comprising an ATRP initiating site and further initiating an ATRP polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers using the macroinitiator comprising an ATRP initiating site. Novel block copolymers may be formed by the disclosed method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of hydrolyzing glycerol fatty acid ester-containing composition, such as a fat and/or an oil, to produce fatty acids having a low proportion of trans-isomer fatty acids. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for the hydrolyzing the glycerol fatty acid ester-containing compositions under conditions resulting in a low proportion of trans-isomer fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of activated polyethylene glycols, or PEG(NPC)2s, comprising reacting polyethylene glycol with an activator while in the presence of an aromatic nitrogen containing heterocyclic base. The process is carried out at temperatures ranging from about 20 to about 30° C., more preferably at room temperature, and under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: Novel aggrecanase proteins and the nucleotide sequences encoding them as well as processes for producing them are disclosed. Methods for developing inhibitors of the aggrecanase enzymes and antibodies to the enzymes for treatment of conditions characterized by the degradation of aggrecan are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions, organisms and methodologies employing a novel human protein kinase, HPK3P23. The novel human kinase has sequence homology to the catalytic domains of several protein kinases. The gene encoding this novel protein kinase is localized in or near the 3p23 locus of the human chromosome 3. The sequence similarity between the novel human protein and the catalytic domain of protein kinases indicates that the novel human protein may function as a protein kinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified ADAMTS4 proteins having improved stability comparing to the corresponding native, unmodified proteins. The modified ADAMTS4 proteins can be expressed and isolated in large quantities, thus allowing further characterization of the proteins, such as crystallographic and enzyme kinetic studies. The purified, stable proteins would also facilitate the production of anti-ADAMTS antibodies and the development of inhibitors to ADAMTS enzymes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring damage of an ion implanted semiconductor wafer during semiconductor processing. The method includes the steps of conveying the wafer such that a surface of the wafer is substantially parallel to a surface photovoltage electrode of a head assembly during the semiconductor processing and exposing at least a portion of the wafer to light having a wavelength, and an intensity and modulating the light intensity at a predefined frequency. The method also includes the step of varying the frequency of the light intensity modulation and detecting the surface photovoltage in response to light modulated at the various frequencies using the surface photovoltage electrode. The method then calculates an electrical property of the wafer from the photovoltage induced at the surface of the wafer at each of the light intensity modulation frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for activating Caspase 9 in such a way that it can be used in assays to discover modulators of Caspase 9.

Abstract: In vitro methods for qualitative screening and/or quantitative determination of the functional activity of components of the Protein C anticoagulant pathway of blood coagulation are described. The methods entail measuring the conversion rate of a substrate by an enzyme, the activity of which is related to the Protein C anticoagulant activity, in a blood sample of a human comprising coagulation factors and said substrate, after at least partial activation of coagulation through the intrinsic, extrinsic or common pathway and triggering coagulation by adding calcium ions; and comparing said conversion rate with the conversion rate of a normal human blood sample determined in the same way. The methods include the addition of additional metal ions to the sample to enhance activity, sensitivity and resolution. Kits and reagents for use in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus used for notifying a user of a patient's upper body physical orientation. The apparatus uses an inclinometer that is attached in the region of the patient's upper body to measure the physical orientation of the patient's upper body, which is then transmitted to a display. In one embodiment, the display can be set to display a plurality of alarm conditions. In other embodiments the patient upper body orientation information is transmitted to a processor and then to the nurses' station or to a ventilator. The invention also relates to a method for measuring the physical orientation of a patient, using such an apparatus.

Abstract: Cutting tool assemblies and wear and retention sleeves. The assemblies may include a support block that has a sleeve-receiving hole therethrough and a cutting tool that has an elongated shank. Various configurations of sleeves are disclosed for supporting the elongated shank of the cutting bit in the support block. Such sleeve embodiments may be provided with a plurality of axially extending overlapping notches to establish segments of various degrees of interference fit between the sleeve and the support block when seated in the sleeve-receiving hole of the support block. Some sleeve embodiments are configured to permit the shank of a cutting bit to freely rotate therein. Other sleeve embodiments are configured to prevent rotation of the cutting bit shank when inserted therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for preventing and/or treating cachexia comprising TCF-II as an effective ingredient. An agent for preventing and treating cachexia caused by cancer, acquired immunodeficient syndrome (AIDS), cardiac diseases, infectious disease, shock, burn, endotoxinemia, organ inflammation, surgery, diabetes, collagen diseases, radiotherapy, chemotherapy is provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A method of making an article includes forming a molten material by melting at least a portion of a mass of a metal and an alloy. The method further includes forming the article by solidifying at least a portion of the molten material within a mold, and contacting the article with plasma during formation of the article. A method for making an article also is disclosed wherein a molten material is formed by melting at least a portion of a mass of one of a metal and an alloy, the molten material is collected within a mold, and at least a portion of the molten material is magnetohydrodynamically stirred within the mold.

Abstract: A transistor structure which includes a raised source, a raised drain, a gate located between the source and the drain, a first capping layer in communication with at least a portion of the gate and the source, a second capping layer in communication with at least a portion of the gate and the drain, a first portion of a gate oxide region in communication with at least a portion of the gate and the source, a second portion of a gate oxide region in communication with at least a portion of the gate and the drain. The source, the gate, the first capping layer, and the first portion of a gate oxide region define a first gap. The drain, the gate, the second capping layer, and the second portion of a gate oxide region define a second gap. The structure also includes a first junction area located beneath the first gap, the gate and the source and a second junction area located beneath the second gap, the gate and the drain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laundry bleaching composition comprising: a) a macrocycilc tetra amido N-donor metal-ligand complex (preferably, 5,6-benzo-3,8,11,13-tetraoxo-2,2,9,9,12,12-hexamethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclo-tridecane), and b) an alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant, said composition being substantially devoid of any added peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or peroxy-generating bleach system.

Abstract: A method of handling an electrical component is disclosed. The method includes initiating a first engagement between the electrical component and a conveyor, initiating a second engagement between a tool and the electrical component without altering the first engagement, and performing a tooling operation on the electrical component with the tool.