Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing water-absorbing polymer, which comprises a base polymer A being mixed with a first aqueous solution B of at least one surface postcrosslinker and a second aqueous solution C of at least one polyvalent cation and thermally treated, wherein said base polymer A is based on at least 50% neutralized acid-functional monomer and said solutions B and C are metered wholly or partly concurrently through separate nozzles whereby a water-absorbing polymer having a high saline flow conductivity value is obtained.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus operable in the microwave, mm-wave, sub mm-wave (Terahertz) and infrared ranges comprises a primary drum (10) mounted for rotation about a central axis A of the primary drum being hollow and of rectangular polygonal form to provide a number of sides or facets (12, 14) each adapted to transmit such radiation, from a field of view, which is plane polarized in a first direction at 45° with respect to the rotary axis of the drum and to reflect radiation which is plane polarized in an orthogonal direction. Thus, radiation passing into the drum though whichever said side of the drum is currently facing the field of view and passing towards the diametrically opposite side will be plane polarized with a polarization direction such as to be reflected back by that diametrically opposite side towards the rotary axis of the drum.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a phase shift mask includes obtaining a layout of a mask region which sets up alight transmitting region; obtaining a layout of a phase shift region placed in a border portion of the mask region by disposing a shadow core region for light-shielding in a middle portion of the mask region; forming phase shift patterns following the layout of the phase shift region on a light transmitting substrate; and forming a shadow core layer pattern which exposes a portion of the substrate corresponding to the light transmitting region between the phase shift patterns and covering and light-shielding the portion of the substrate corresponding to the shadow core region, and a mask fabricated by the method.

Abstract: A directional coupler for the directional transmission of high-frequency signals provides at least three lines and at least three ports. Two lines of the three lines are connected in a conductive manner at least at their ends. A third line is arranged between the two first lines and coupled to the latter in an electromagnetic manner. In this context, the high-frequency signal is transmitted from the third line to the first line and second line. The coupling is implemented via a coupling gap.

Abstract: A method of reducing photodegradation of a coenzyme Q10 compound when exposed to UV radiation in a composition containing said coenzyme Q10 compound comprising combining with said coenzyme Q10 compound a compound of formula (I) in an amount effective to quench singlet excited state energy from the coenzyme Q10 compound and transfer the singlet excited state energy from the coenzyme Q10 compound to the compound of formula (I), wherein one of R1 and R2 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkoxy radical, and the non-alkoxy R1 or R2 is hydrogen; and R3 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkyl radical, thereby photostabilizing the retinoid compound.

Abstract: A gas regulator includes an actuator, a valve, and a cartridge disposed within the valve to advantageously direct, or “boost,” fluid downstream and away from the actuator under normal operating conditions, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the regulator. The cartridge includes a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. During normal operation, the first portion receives a valve disc of the actuator within generally tight tolerances such that the valve disc and the cartridge restrict fluid communication between the valve and the actuator. This directs or “boosts” the gas toward the outlet of the valve. Additionally, during a relief operation, the second portion of the cartridge receives the valve disc to allow the free flow of gas to the actuator.

Abstract: A wort copper and a method of boiling wort, with the wort copper having an external boiler arranged outside of the wort copper, which cyclically heats wort from the wort copper, wherein the heated wort is re-supplied to the wort copper, and comprises an infeed tube and a rising pipe, through which wort heated by the external boiler rises upwards in the wort copper, as well as at least one intake opening is provided in the rising line for sucking in wort from a wort reservoir of the wort copper, wherein the cross-sectional surface of the rising pipe enlarges at least section-wise towards the upper end of the rising pipe.

Abstract: A new package for medicine has an extended base section that has a generally planar top surface. A series of separate receptacles with frusto-conical walls are positioned across the base section. The receptacles are not integral with (or adhered to) the base section. Instead, each of the receptacles is nested in one of a series of apertures in the base section. Each receptacle has a flange that extends outwardly from and surrounds the opening on the receptacle. The flange has a top surface that is wider than the aperture in which the receptacle is nested, preventing the receptacle from falling through the aperture. A flexible, removable top sheet is sealed to a part of the top surface of the base section, sealing the medicine within the walls of the receptacles and preventing the receptacles from being lifted out of the aperture until the top sheet is peeled back. The top sheet may be adhered to the base section along lines of adhesion that surround each of the openings.

Abstract: Materials and methods for regulating gene expression using nanoparticles functionalized with antisense oligonucleotides are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are flash memory devices and methods of making the same. According to one embodiment, a flash memory device includes first trenches formed in a semiconductor substrate and arranged in parallel, second trenches discontinuously formed in the semiconductor substrate and arranged between the first trenches, first isolation structures respectively formed within the first trenches, second isolation structures respectively formed within the second trenches, and active regions defined by the first isolation structures and the second isolation structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the probability that sampled data, associated with a source and obtained from a plurality of data input sources, are from a known source, given prior observed data obtained by the plurality of data input sources for one or more known sources. In one embodiment the data input sources are sensors for detecting molecules conveyed though the air and the method comprises identifying a source of the molecules. The present invention also provides a method of determining information about the position of at least one sensor relative to a previously known type of source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stem cells which exhibit increased sensitivity to a chemoattractant and, more particularly, to methods of generating and using them such as in clinical applications involving stem cell transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a splice variant of a human sodium channel alpha subunit and methods and compositions for making and using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for a sausage-casing-sensitive division of stuffed sausage strands, having at least one pair of dividing elements for dividing the stuffed sausage strand and at least two guide elements between which the stuffed sausage strand is conveyed in the conveying direction. The distance between the guide elements can be adjusted in dependence upon the sausage caliber.

Abstract: A process for producing odor-inhibiting water-absorbing polymer particles based on ethylenically unsaturated monomers bearing acid groups, wherein the polymer particles are coated with a chelating agent and a tannin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying substances with antiapoptotic activity, where i) cells which express both CD47 and the integrin ?v?3 are cultured, ii) the cells are caused to produce an apoptosis-inducing substance, and/or a substance or substances which induces/induce apoptosis is/are added, iii) the test substance is added, and iv) the apoptosis rate is measured, and to the substances which can be identified with the method.

Abstract: Electric power is supplied to a coil (17) to drive a valve (16) for displacement by a magnetic action, thereby adjusting the opening of a valve path (43). The electric power for thus driving the valve (16) is supplied to the coil (17) through an electric conductor wire (18). The electric conductor wire (18) extends from a portion of a housing (15) that is exposed from a tank (11) to a portion of the housing (15) that accommodates the coil (17) therein. Thus, the housing (15) holds the electric conductor wire (18) as extending inside the housing (15). Since the electric conductor wire (18) is thus held as extending inside the housing (15), the electric conductor wire (18) is protected against vibration and impact given thereto from the outside. Thus, the electric conductor wire (18) has enhanced reliability in terms of resistance to vibration and impact. With the electric conductor wire (18) thus positioned within the housing (15), the housing (15) can house the electric conductor wire (18) neatly.

Abstract: A laser marking unit for marking packets, having: a marking conveyor for feeding the packets successively along a marking path; and a marking station located along the marking conveyor, and having a laser marking device for marking a code on the outer surface of each packet conveyed on the marking conveyor. The laser marking device has a laser beam generator which emits a laser beam by means of an emitter; and a deflection box which deflects the laser beam onto the packet at the marking station by directing the laser beam along a focusing path that starts at the emitter and terminates on the outer surface of the packet.

Abstract: A combination weigher includes a plurality of upper collecting chutes disposed below weighing hoppers, a plurality of upper collecting hoppers provided at discharge outlets of the upper collecting chutes, a lower collecting chute provided below the upper collecting hoppers, a lower collecting hopper provided at a discharge outlet of the lower collecting chute, and a control unit which repeatedly performs a combination process to determine one discharge combination of the weighing hoppers, a discharge process for discharging the objects from the weighing hoppers onto the upper collecting chutes, and a discharge process for discharging the objects simultaneously from the upper collecting hoppers, and a discharge process for discharging the objects from the lower collecting hopper.