Abstract: A joint simulator for duplicating the biomechanical properties of body segments with joints. In one embodiment, the joint simulator includes a body model of the body segment to be simulated, controllable drive elements which are coupled mechanically with the body model in such a way that movements of the body model which correspond to real biomechanical joint movements of the body segment to be simulated can be effected by controlling the drive elements, a sensor arrangement for detecting forces and movements introduced by an examining person on the body model and a programmable control device for controlling the drive elements, whereby the control device is configured such that the measured signals processed by the sensor arrangement are introduced into a computer.

Abstract: A one-way see-through illumination system is constructed from a light guide panel, a front-illuminable image film, and a light injector. The light injector injects light into the light guide panel at a suitable angle for total internal reflection of the injected light at the surfaces of the light guide panel. The image film includes a half-toned front-illuminable image pattern that extracts light from the light guide panel. When active, light from the light guide panel front illuminates the image pattern for viewing by a front-side view, while a back-side viewer can see through the image pattern.

Abstract: A tank for use in a system that outputs a liquid at a user defined constant temperature in order to regulate the temperature of a piece of equipment includes a body of material defining a chamber for receiving and storing the liquid. The top wall has a fill port and one of the other walls includes an outlet port. An auxiliary port and fluid return port are also included. The body further includes a well, sized to accommodate a deionizer cartridge, extending down into the chamber from an opening in top wall that can be removed. A flow velocity reducer is disposed in the auxiliary port for reducing the velocity of the liquid entering the auxiliary port from the return fluid port and then passing into the fill port so that the liquid does not spray or splash onto the walls of the fill port.

Abstract: System for modifying the chemical composition of atmosphere within an enclosed space and incubator system including such a system. The concentration of oxygen within the enclosed space may be either increased or decreased using an electrochemical device. The concentration of carbon dioxide within the enclosed space may be increased using an electrochemical or chemical device. As necessary, purging of the system with ambient air can be a part of the process of controlling the chemical composition of the atmosphere. The present invention obviates the need to use pressurized gas cylinders to supply atmospheric gases to the enclosed space.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive light-extracting drawing surface including a light guide operable to receive a light source, wherein light is extracted from a light guide when pressure is applied to the drawing surface by a marking instrument. A resultant light-emitting drawing can be erased or can be made permanent. An optional multi-layered film disposed on the light guide allows drawings to be created in fluorescent, luminescent, phosphorescent, or photochromic colors. A background sheet containing designs may be inserted behind the light guide. The drawing surface can be embodied as a pressure-sensitive light-extracting “paper.” The invention may be embodied as a drawing tablet, a drawing tablet add-on to a modular graphic display device, or a toy drawing tablet for tracing alphabets, numerals, and characters from comic books, cartoons, and movies.

Abstract: A method for the detection of cytosine methylation in DNA samples is described. First, DNA is extracted from a sample and bound to a surface. In the second step, a genomic DNA sample is preferably treated with a bisulfite (=disulfite, hydrogen sulfite), such that all unmethylated cytosine bases are converted to uracil, while the 5-methylcytosine bases remain unchanged. In the third step of the method, one or more oligonucleotides is (are) hybridized to the treated DNA as primers. In the fourth step of the method, the hybridized primer(s) is or are elongated in a polymerase reaction. Here, labeled guanine nucleotides are preferably utilized which are essentially incorporated only if cytosine bases were still present in the treated DNA. Consequently, the extent of incorporation of guanine bases and thus also the number of incorporated labels is proportional to the methylation in the DNA sample under investigation.

Abstract: A label assembly and method of using the same to label articles durably, yet removably. In one embodiment, the label assembly is used to label fabric articles, such as clothing, and comprises (a) an image forming laminate for forming an image on the fabric article, the image forming laminate comprising an ink layer, the ink layer being bondable to the fabric article; and (b) an image removing laminate for removing the image from the fabric article, the image removing laminate comprising a remover layer, the remover layer, upon being activated by heat and/or light, being bondable to the ink layer of the image forming laminate; (c) whereby, upon bonding of the image removing laminate to the ink layer, the bonding between the image removing laminate and the ink layer is stronger than the bonding between the ink layer and the fabric article.

Abstract: An intermediate element for a communications system is described that has at least one communications module (131) and at least one contact mechanism (134) that is independent in form in relation to the components (12) to be contacted with the contact mechanism (134). In addition, a communications system (10) as well as a method for producing a communications link between an electronic device (11) and a support element (12) is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expansion valve, in particular for a vehicle air-conditioning system operated with cooling medium, with a valve seat (37) and a valve-closing element (39), which closes a passage opening (44) between a cooling medium inlet opening (14) and a cooling medium outlet opening (16), and with an actuating device (46) which acts on the valve-closing element (39) and opens and closes the passage opening (44), a shortened maximum working lift for opening the valve-closing element (39) out of the valve seat (37) being provided, at which a ball seat cross section formed between valve-closing element (39) and valve seat (37) is designed to be smaller than an annular gap cross section formed between a transmission pin (47) of the actuating device (46) and a passage opening (44).

Abstract: A method for transmission of a user data record to a user station. The method features the following steps: (i) transmitting the user data record as a broadcast data record via a network system including at least two networks capable of data transmission, of which at least one is designed as a broadcast network in which a network identification of the broadcast network used for transmission is added to the broadcast data record prior to transmission in the respective broadcast network; (ii) extracting at least the network identification last added to the broadcast data record at reception of the last used broadcast data records from this broadcast data record; and (iii) forwarding at least the last network identification to the user station for allowance of at least the last network identification in connection with the user data record usage.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame with a hinge for angling the eyeglass temples, for which, in the middle of the hinge surface, the hinge has excess material, which, depending on the position of the excess material, leads to a bending of the hinge or holds the hinge in one plane.

Abstract: A system for sensing, sampling and processing an input signal includes an encoding subsystem for sensing and sampling the input signal into a plurality of distinct data paths using a sub-Nyquist sampling rate. The system architecture is designed to induce encoded variations between the plurality of data paths, such as channel differences in amplitude or phase. The system additionally includes a decoding subsystem for reconstructing the encoded signal back to its original bandwidth. Preferably, the decoding subsystem exploits mismatch effects between the plurality of data paths as a form of signal diversity to resolve ambiguities introduced from sub-Nyquist signal sampling during signal reconstruction.

Abstract: Attachments are removably coupled to the magnetic core of a rotating electric machine, the magnetic core being shaped to include a plurality of coil-receiving slots that are separated by radial teeth. Each attachment is constructed as a unitary member and includes a base and a stem, the stem being dimensioned for fitted insertion within a recess formed in the distal end of a corresponding tooth. The base includes a convex bottom wall, a flattened top wall and a pair of non-planar sidewalls. The stem is integrally formed on the top wall of the base and includes a front end, a rear end, a flattened top wall and a pair of opposing sidewalls. A longitudinal groove is formed into each of the pair of opposing sidewalls of the stem. An outwardly protruding shoulder designed for engagement by a retention plate is formed into the front and rear ends of the stem.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool includes, in one embodiment, an elongated pole and a head that are pivotally joined by a coupling mechanism. The head is a unitary member that includes a semi-circular edger plate and a comb-like rake. The coupling mechanism includes a pivot screw pivotally connecting the pole to the gardening head, a lock rod extending longitudinally through the elongated pole, and a pull cam mounted within one end of the hollow pole, the pull cam being threadingly coupled to one end of the lock rod. By disposing the gardening head in a variety of fixed positions relative to the pole, a plurality of distinct gardening instruments can be created. Locking the position of the gardening head relative to the elongated pole is achieved through rotation of a handle that is mounted onto the free end of the pole, the handle being connected to the free end the lock rod.

Abstract: A system and method for treating cellulite tissue and related conditions comprising apparatus configured to transmit shear and other vibration modes beneath a patient's skin sufficient to break down connective tissue so that pocketing and dimpling of adjacent skin is ameliorated.

Abstract: An EAS marker includes a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The method of making the EAS marker is preferably automated, with the top piece, the bottom piece and the separator being manufactured by rotary extrusion molding as part of a continuous web. The various continuous webs are automatically laminated to one another at nips between pairs of rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the quantification of methylated cytosines in DNA. In the first step of the invention unmethylated cytosines in the DNA to be analysed are chemically converted into uracil while 5-methylcytosines remain unchanged. In a second step the converted DNA is amplified methylation specifically in a real time PCR using a methylation specific probe. Finally the amount of uniformly methylated DNA is calculated by combining criteria derived from the shape of the real time curve and from the signal intensity. The method is preferably used for diagnosis and/or prognosis of adverse events for individuals, for distinguishing cell types and tissues, or for investigating cell differentiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disc, particularly an internally ventilated brake disc, having at least one friction ring (12), which is connected to a brake-disc chamber (14) via fastening elements, the fastening elements taking the form of threaded bolts (19), which have a cylindrical section (22) and a threaded section (21), which can be screwed into the brake-disc chamber (14) in such a way that the cylindrical section (22) of the threaded bolt (19) extends outward in the radial force direction over an outer circumference (25) of the brake-disc chamber (14), and that the cylindrical sections (22) engage in holding sections (34) of the friction ring (12) and take up the friction ring so as to form an annular gap (36) with respect to the brake-disc chamber (14).

Abstract: An interleaf is disclosed, as well as a process and device for producing an interleaf, in particular for a book-like identification document. At least one additional layer (26) made of thermally resistant plastics is laminated onto at least one layer (24) made of thermoplastic elastomer, a section (42) of the at least one additional layer (24) being integrated into a folding region (31) without producing a thickened region on the outer side of the at least one layer (24) made of thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite membrane comprises a porous ceramic support having a top surface and a bottom surface. The porous ceramic support may be formed by laser micromachining a ceramic sheet or may be formed by electrochemically oxidizing a sheet of the base metal. A solid polymer electrolyte fills the pores of the ceramic support and preferably also covers the top and bottom surfaces of the support. Application of the solid polymer electrolyte to the porous support may take place by applying a dispersion to the support followed by a drying off of the solvent, by hot extrusion of the solid polymer electrolyte (or by hot extrusion of a precursor of the solid polymer electrolyte followed by in-situ conversion of the precursor to the solid polymer electrolyte) or by in-situ polymerization of a corresponding monomer of the solid polymer electrolyte.