Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using an atomic force microscope comprising exciting natural lower and higher vibration modes of a microlever (M) placed on a sample, and analyzing the variation of one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, and/or analyzing the variation of one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode.

Abstract: A method and system for hierarchical prioritization and execution of call completion services are provided. When a caller applies for a call completion service, the caller is identified and assigned a priority from among different priorities such as high priority or regular priority. Thereafter, attempts to execute call completion services are performed hierarchically by launching call completion services for callers having a higher priority before similar attempts are performed for callers of a lower priority. Hence, call completion services are handled according to the priority assigned to the callers rather than the order in which each caller applied for a call completion service.

Abstract: This metallic silicon is manufactured by refining molten crude metallic silicon by unidirectional solidification, and has a purity of 3N or more to 6N or less and an average crystal grain diameter of 1 mm or more. This method for manufacturing the metallic silicon includes: solidifying molten crude metallic silicon in a mold which contains fine silica particles in an inner peripheral layer thereof by unidirectional solidification at a rate of 1 mm/min or less; and then cooling to 200° C. or below at a rate of 2° C./min or less.

Abstract: A can body manufacturing method has a barrel section of the can body held between first and second rotation bodies. The first body has at a first recess in its outer surface, and the second body has a second projection on its outer surface. The bodies are brought together so the barrel section is pressed radially inward by the second projection and fits into the first recess. When the holding of the barrel section by the rotation bodies is released, that portion of the barrel section corresponding to the first recess and the second projection is caused to restore elastically radially outward. As a result, the outer surface of that portion of the barrel corresponding to the projection and recess is caused to position more outside than the rest of the outer surface of the barrel section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shrinking process for producing solid, transportable and printable containers by wrapping the articles to be packaged with a film in such a manner as to produce an overlapping section of the film ends on the base area, heating by heat exchange or convection in order to seal the free ends in the area of overlap, and finally heating in a shrinking oven, the container so produced being stabilized by the shrinking process.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an article that generally consists of a silicone material in combination with a fastening member, such as an adhesive backing, is provided and configured for easy application to a surface, including those associated with a variety of racquet sports, sporting goods, etc. The combination of the silicone material with the fastening member is hereby referred to as a “silicone adhesive product” that, as described below, overcomes the deficiencies of conventional sports equipment accessories, protects the sports equipment, reduces vibration; and can offer the degree of customization desired by some sports participants.

Abstract: A drill rod has a fitting portion protruding toward the distal end of the drill rod. The drill rod fitting portion further encompasses a parallel male thread portion in which a minimum distance from a first axial line in a cross-section perpendicular to the first axial line is constant; and a male thread ending portion is continuous with a proximal end of the parallel male thread portion. The minimum distance of the ending portion increases as a proximal end is approached. Furthermore, the fitting portion is formed such that the minimum distance does not decrease as the proximal end is approached from a distal end thereof. Additionally, the proximal end of the male thread ending portion is positioned where a distance from the first axial line gradually increases as the proximal end of the male thread ending portion is approached from the parallel male thread.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of disorders or diseases mediated by LFA-1/ICAM-1 molecular interaction. This is based on the use of novel chemical compounds capable of inhibiting said interaction, and more particularly, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.

Abstract: A throw-away tip is mounted on a first tip mounting seat of a pin mirror cutter. In the throw-away tip, cutting edges are formed at intersecting ridgeline parts between a pair of oppositely disposed long side faces of a substantially trapezoidal flat-plate-shaped tip body, and upper and lower faces of the tip body. A thickness direction of the tip body is approximately aligned with a radial direction of the cutter body to provide curved edges formed in acute corner parts of the tip body for cutting. The tip is mounted on a second tip mounting seat of the pin mirror cutter such that the thickness direction of the tip body is approximately aligned with an axial direction of the cutter body to provide curved edges formed in obtuse corner parts of the tip body for cutting.

Abstract: A cutting tool made of a surface-coated cubic boron nitride-based ultra-high-pressure sintered material, comprising a cutting insert main body formed by ultra-high-pressure sintering of a compact composed of titanium nitride, aluminum and/or aluminum oxide, and boron nitride, and a hard coating layer vapor deposited on the main body. The main body has a texture containing cubic boron nitride, titanium nitride and reaction product. The hard coating layer has a lower layer of nitride having a composition of [Ti1 -X-YAlXSiY]N, where X is in a range from 0.40 to 0.60 and Y is in a range from 0.02 to 0.10 in an atomic ratio, and the upper layer comprises a thin layer A having the composition of [Ti1-X-YAlXSiY]N, where X is in a range from 0.40 to 0.60 in an atomic ratio and Y is in a range from 0.02 to 0.10, and a thin layer B consisting of a Ti nitride (TiN). The upper layer consists of the thin layer A and a thin layer B layered alternately.

Abstract: A surge protector coated with an oxide layer having an excellent chemical stability at the high temperature range and excellent adherence with respect to main discharge electrodes. The surge protector includes a column-shaped ceramic member that has a conductive film divided by a discharge gap interposed therebetween; a pair of main discharge electrode members opposite to each other on both ends of the column-shaped ceramic member to come in contact with the conductive film; and a cylindrical ceramic tube which is fitted to the pair of main discharge electrode members opposite to each other to seal both the column-shaped ceramic member and sealing gas inside thereof. Oxide films are formed on main discharge surfaces of at least the protrusive supporting portions of the pair of main discharge electrode members opposite to each other, by performing an oxidation treatment, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.

Abstract: A plurality of chip discharge flutes are located on an outer periphery of a tip portion of the end mill body which rotates on its axis. Helix angles between the axis and the cutting edges in the chip discharge flutes, of which are at least one or more; are different from others. A cross-section perpendicular to the axis shows that a flute bottom face in a main flute portion forms a concavely curved shape from the rake face to a point where the flute bottom face, touches a web thickness circle of the end mill body, forms a linear shape, and goes toward the end mill rotating direction; and a flute bottom face in a sub-flute portion forms a linear shape, intersects with the flute bottom face in the main flute portion at an obtuse angle, goes further toward the end mill rotating direction.

Abstract: A process is described for generating hydrogen through the oxidation of fuels that contain chemically bound hydrogen, in particular hydrocarbons, having the following process steps: a) introducing the fuel (1) as well as the oxidation agent (2) into a reactor (3) having a porous material (4?) that is embodied in such a way that flame propagation in a direction opposite the direction of flow is prevented, and b) reacting the fuel with the oxidation agent in partial oxidation so that hydrogen is obtained in gaseous form. In addition, an apparatus for generating hydrogen that has a reactor that contains a porous material (4, 4?), and the reactor (3) is embodied as a tubular reactor that has a central chamber (5) to introduce the fuel and the oxidation agent that extends in the axial direction and is delimited radially toward the outside by a first wall that has porous material (4), and the first wall is delimited radially toward the outside by a second wall that contains the porous material (4?).

Abstract: In the radius end mill, main gash faces has an angle of inclination with respect to an axis that is smaller than a twist angle of chip discharge flutes. The main gash faces are formed on inner circumferential sides of distal end portions of wall surfaces that face in a tool rotation direction of helically twisted chip discharge flutes, which is formed on an outer circumference of a distal end portion of a tool body that is rotated around the axis. End cutting edges are formed on a distal end of the main gash faces. Sub gash faces has an angle of inclination with respect to the axis that is greater than that of the main gash faces. The sub gash faces are formed on an outer circumferential side of the main gash faces such that they extend away via step portions from the main gash faces.

Abstract: A track lighting system comprises an extruded track body, having adjacent first and a second track sections; a defined entrance to the track body that is common to both the first and the second track sections, a respective conductive member connectable to an electrical power source disposed at a bottom of each of the first and the second track sections so as to form two independent circuits within the extruded track body; and a separating wall positioned between the first track and the second track. The system further comprises a light fixture insertable through the entrance so as to make electrical connection with one of the conductive members, the fixture comprising: a socket housing a stem connecting the socket housing to a transformer housing containing an electrical circuit having an output transformer; a lamp in electrical connection with the output transformer by wires within the stem; and the transformer housing including a wall having first and second contact slots formed therein.

Abstract: A decoration in a variety of shapes and including a substantially flat main body and a string. The main body has a plurality of extensions extending from a base portion. Each extension has an aperture therethrough at its free end. The string passes through each aperture in a same direction. The extensions are foldable such that the ends with the apertures are stacked and the string passes through the apertures in a line. Accordingly, the decoration forms a curved surface. Two edges of the main body can be attached to form a closed loop structure. The extensions may extend from both ends of the base portion to form fully enclosed surfaces, for example a sphere.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a single source of gas; a connector and an accessory having a main conduit body. A nebulizer is sealingly and removably coupled to the main conduit body. A supplemental gas inlet port is in fluid communication with the connector for introducing a flow of supplemental gas from the single gas source to the patient under select conditions. The gas from the gas source that flows to the supplemental gas inlet port passes through a flow metering member that is remote from the supplemental gas inlet port that controls the flow rate of the supplemental gas to the patient interface. The flow rate of the gas through the supplemental gas inlet port is different than a gas flow rate into the nebulizer for generating the aerosolized medication.

Abstract: A vehicular upholstery fabric is made from a raw tricot fabric which is knitted by using a PPT-multifilament yarn whose single fiber fineness is about 0.5˜6.0 dtex and whose total fineness is about 30˜180 dtex for the ground yarn and the pile yarn. The raw tricot fabric has been transformed into a napped tricot pile fabric by raising the sinker loop of the pile yarn of the raw tricot fabric to form fluffs which are then sheared to form cut piles. A PPT-bulky multifilament yarn is used for the ground yarn. A PPT-non-bulky texturized multifilament yarn or a PPT-bulky texturized multifilament yarn is used for the pile yarn.

Abstract: Roll forming a round tube to a square tube without applying excessive load to the raw tube scheduled portions to become corner portions and shoulder portions. This invention structures the curvature of the rotation axis direction of the forming roll surface in a way that in relation to other raw tube locations (straightening precedes for the raw tube locations adjacent to the corner portion scheduled locations of the square tube. It disposes stands of four-direction roll structure at the forming roll stand furthest upstream and furthest downstream sides and disposes stands of upper-lower and left-right two-direction roll structure between the upstream and downstream roll stands, and by adopting forming roll with a structure having a curvature for constricting the raw tube locations to become the shoulder portions adjacent to the corner portions of the square tube at a smaller curvature than that constricting the raw tube portions to become the side portion centers of the square tube cross section.