Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the presence or amount or rate of binding of an analyte in a sample solution is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical assembly having first and second reflecting surfaces separated by a distance “d” greater than 50 nm, where the first surface is formed by a layer of analyte-binding molecules, and a light source for directing a beam of light onto said first and second reflecting surface. A detector in the apparatus operates to detect a change in the thickness of the first reflecting layer resulting from binding of analyte to the analyte-binding molecules, when the assembly is placed in the solution of analyte, by detecting a shift in phase of light waves reflected from the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (1) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (2) a heat-sensitive coating, comprising an underlayer on said support and thereon an upperlayer, an IR absorbing agent in at least one of said underlayer and upperlayer, a phenolic resin in said upperlayer, and a first polymer in said underlayer, characterized in that said first polymer is an alkaline soluble polymer comprising a first sulfonamide containing monomeric unit having a specified structure according to formula I or formula II and a second amide containing monomeric unit having a specified structure according to formula III. The printing plates show an improved chemical resistance of the coating and a reduced undercutting of the image forming parts of the coating.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring a telematics device is constructed so as to use two-way short message service (SMS) to provide improved configuration execution. Mobile identification number (MIN), Mobile Directory Number (MDH), Home System Identification (SID) number, SID/NID pairs, NAI/password for packet data, over the air service provisioning (OTASP) number, and Preferred Roaming List (PRL) flag can be easily updated with no manual or voice channel configuration actions. In addition, other system settings such as button behavior, language, call barring, adding units to hands-free calling, etc. may be updated as well. In an example, a series of binary SMS messages configures the telematics device, with a subset of the messages being used specifically for configuration while the remaining message initiates a packet data session to complete additional configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides a set gypsum-containing product having increased resistance to permanent deformation and a method for preparing it comprising forming a mixture of a calcium sulfate material, water, and an appropriate amount of one or more enhancing materials chosen from condensed phosphoric acids, each of which comprises 2 or more phosphoric acid units; and salts or ions of condensed phosphates, each of which comprises 2 or more phosphate units. The mixture is then maintained under conditions sufficient for the calcium sulfate material to form a set gypsum material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite with inverse thermochromic properties, the composite changing from a colorless into a colored state with increasing temperature. The composite thereby contains a colorant, a developer and a fluxing agent and also an inorganic filler. The invention likewise relates to a composite material which contains a polymer-based matrix into which at least one composite with inverse thermochromic properties is doped. These composite materials are used in the field of sensor technology, solar technology, transport and communications technology and medical technology.

Abstract: A device for laser welding of a workpiece includes a laser treatment head, a receiver carrying the laser treatment head and displaceable along a linear treatment zone, and a support configured to be temporarily fixable to the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a variation with time of an amount of steam released from a food product during a cooking process in a cooking chamber of a baking oven. A heat sink is provided outside the cooking chamber or a vapor duct in fluid communication with the cooking chamber. A sensing head of a heat conducting body projects into the cooking chamber or vapor duct, and the heat conducting body is operable to transfer heat to the heat sink. The sensing head is protected from precipitation of condensate on its surface by its spatial positioning and/or the mode of operation of the baking oven. A variation with time of the temperatures of the sensing head and cooking chamber are measured with first and second temperature sensors, respectively. The variation with time of the amount of steam in the cooking chamber is determined using an evaluation circuit of a controller as a function of measurement signals generated by the first and second temperature sensors.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer; and an image-recording layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and an infrared light absorbing dye; characterized in that: said image-recording layer further comprises a compound, said compound comprising an aromatic moiety and at least one acidic group or salt thereof and having a most bathochromic light absorption peak at a wavelength between 300 nm and 450 nm.

Abstract: A thickness control apparatus of a reversing rolling mill has an entry thickness gauge that measures the thickness of the material to be rolled, and entry material speed detector that detects the speed of the material to be rolled. Measured thickness measured by the entry thickness gauge is tracked on the basis of the speed of the material to be rolled detected by the entry material speed detector. A mill delivery thickness calculator calculates thickness on the delivery side of the reversing rolling mill on the basis of the thickness on the entry side and the roll gap detected.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane including (A) a membrane formation step of forming a membrane-form product of an ionic group-containing polymer electrolyte on a support, (B) an acid treatment step of exchanging the ionic group into an acid type by bringing the membrane into contact with an inorganic acid-containing acidic liquid, (C) an acid removal step of removing a free acid in the acid-treated membrane, and (D) a drying step of drying the acid-removed membrane, wherein the steps (B) to (D) are carried out without separating the membrane from the support.

Abstract: A method for controlling Internet access of a mobile device by using a communication system having a number of access points includes the steps of performing a certificate-based authentication between an authentication access point and a mobile device seeking access to the Internet; transmitting a certificate from the mobile device to the authentication access point; verifying the certificate by the authentication access point; determining whether the authenticating mobile device's certificate has been revoked prior to the expiration of its lifetime; and granting the authenticating mobile device access to the Internet, if the certificate has been verified successfully and not revoked prior to the expiration of its lifetime.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet starch preparation system for gypsum wallboard comprising a loss-in-weight starch feeder, a venturi mixer, a vacuum pick-up unit for supplying the dry starch from the feeder at an adjustable rate to the venturi mixer, a first water pump for supplying water at an adjustable rate to the venturi mixer to form a starch pre-dispersion of from about 2% to about 10% by weight starch and a second water pump for supplying gauging water to the starch pre-dispersion, the system equipped with appropriate system controls. The present system provides more efficient use of starch such that the amount of pregelatinized starch is at least about 10% less than a system in which the starch is not pre-dispersed in water prior to the board mixer. The system can be used to make gypsum-containing products including gypsum wallboard having increased board strength and reduced board weight.

Abstract: A method of purifying cytidine diphosphate choline, which comprises contacting a cytidine diphosphate choline solution containing a nucleic acid analogue and having a pH of not less than 0.5 and not more than 5.0 with an H-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin, and eluting cytidine diphosphate choline adsorbed onto the resin with water or an aqueous solution having an ion concentration of not more than 0.1 mol/L to separate and purify the cytidine diphosphate choline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Neutrokine-alpha antibody and a process for producing a Neutrokine-alpha antibody. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying compounds that inhibit or enhance the action of Neutrokine-alpha. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting autoimmune disorders and therapeutic methods for treating autoimmune disorders using a Neutrokine-alpha antibody.

Abstract: Provided is an agent for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory diseases, allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection or the like. A compound represented by the following formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate thereof: wherein each symbol is as described in the specification.

Abstract: Provided is a PSA sheet comprising a PVC film (support) provided with PSA layer formed of an aqueous dispersion-type PSA composition, which exhibits a smooth unwinding motion. The PVC film can be obtained by molding a PVC composition comprising PVC and a metal soap. The metal soap comprises an alkali earth metal soap and zinc soap. At least part of the alkali earth metal soap is a stearate and at least part of the zinc soap is zinc laurate.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a semiconductor device having a structure wherein a semiconductor chip 3 is mounted on a wiring circuit substrate 2 and sealed with a resin. A wiring circuit substrate 2 having a connecting conductor portion that can be connected to an electrode of the chip is formed on a metal support layer 1 in a way such that the substrate can be separated from the metal support layer, the chip 3 is mounted on the wiring circuit substrate 2, a sheet-shaped resin composition T is placed on the chip and heated on the chip to seal the chip, and the metal support layer is separated and divided to obtain individual semiconductor devices.