Abstract: A gripper device is provided for picking up and releasing an article. The device includes a support (15, 16) and a pair of grippers (10, 11) pivotally mounted on the support for movement of their distal ends towards and away from each other. A belt (1) is belt arranged to extend across the gap defined between the distal ends of the grippers when they are spaced apart so that the belt is able to extend over the article to be picked up and to extend around the article when the grippers have been moved towards each other to pick up the article.

Abstract: A method of estimating the hydration reactivity of coal ash with high precision and determining the amount of milling water for obtaining a milling product in funicular form at the stage of milling; and a molding method being free from the problem of adhesion to a pressurization board at the stage of molding after the milling. When any collected coal ash exhibits a corrected basicity ((CaO+Fe2O3+MgO)/SiO2 (weight ratio)) of 0.1 or higher and a reactivity index (corrected basicity/(R2O/Al2O3) (weight ratio)) of 10 or higher, the coal ash as a raw ash is transferred to raw ash silo (2). Otherwise, the coal ash is transferred to waste ash silo (3). The raw ash within the raw ash silo (2) is poured in mill (8), and lime and gypsum are added and further milling water is charged thereto and milled.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for containing spills on shelving and the like, and the resulting support members made in accordance with the method, by providing the generally flat top surface of a support with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. The majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the shelving collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.

Abstract: Potent and selective ligands for the dopamine 3 (D3) receptor are disclosed. The D3 receptor ligands have a structural formula (I) wherein X is C?O or SO2, R1 is C1-6 alkyl, R2 is aryl, heteroaryl, aryl, —(CH2)1-3aryl, or —(CH2)1-3heteroaryl, and n is 0 or 1. Methods of using the D3 receptor ligands in the treatment of diseases and conditions wherein modulation of the D3 receptor provides a benefit also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for the detection of molecular associations, the system comprising: i) a first agent, comprising a first interacting group coupled to a first reporter component; ii) a second agent, comprising a second interacting group coupled to a second reporter component; iii) a third agent, comprising a third interacting group; iv) a modulator; and v) a detector; wherein proximity of the first and second reporter components generates a signal capable of detection by the detector; and wherein the modulator modulates the association of the second interacting group with the third interacting group; such that monitoring the signal generated by proximity of the first and second reporter components by the detector constitutes monitoring the association of the first and third agents.

Abstract: A control valve includes a valve body, a valve stem, and a control element. The valve body receives the stem and includes a packing box housing a packing set. A packing follower includes a bore sized to receive the stem and includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bearing surface, the lower portion sized to extend into the valve bonnet to engage the packing set to apply a first compressive force to the packing set, the upper portion including threads and having an upper counterbore housing a secondary seal ring. A nut operatively engages the threads of the upper portion of the packing follower, the nut positioned to apply a second compressive force to the secondary seal ring, and a spring is positioned between the packing flange and the bearing surface of the packing follower, wherein the first compressive force is independent of the second compressive force.

Abstract: A distributed user validation and profile management system operates to automatically validate and update user profiles, such as those stored within an organizational security database, to properly reflect the actual positions and rights of various users within the organization to the various organizational assets, such as computer implemented applications. The user validation and profile management system periodically sends validation e-mails to various users within the organization to initiate the process of updating and verifying user profile information. The individual users may respond to the validation e-mails to verify their position and status within the organization as well as the position or status of one or more closely associated users, such as a manager or a subordinate. Failure of the user to respond to the validation e-mail causes the user validation and profile management system to determine that the user profile is invalid when the user attempts to access an application.

Abstract: The cold-adapted master strain A/Ann Arbor/6/60 7PI (H2N2) and progenitor wild type E2(3) viral strains have been deposited and their genomic sequences identified. Seven nucleotide differences were found between the sequences identified herein and the previously published sequences for cold-adapted A/Ann Arbor/6/60 genes. The cold-adapted live influenza virus of the present invention can be reasserted with a variety of epidemic wild type influenza viruses and used to produce vaccines to prophylactically and therapeutically treat influenza.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication service using a private packet network backbone exchange (PPNBE) are disclosed. The private packet network backbone exchange may include a logical call control entity, a logical routing database, one or more PPNBE gateways, and a private packet network. The PPNBE may provide “one-hop” call connection between a call-originating entity and a call-terminating entity without traversal of any other exchanges. The PPNBE may simultaneously support both one-hop local and long distance calls. The PPNBE architecture is easily scalable and incorporated into existing communication networks for on-net and off-net service. Methods and systems for providing access tandem communication service using a PPNBE are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seal assembly in a rotary ball valve is installable and replaceable through a bonnet opening in a valve body of the rotary ball valve. The seal assembly includes an anchor ring located in an internal recess in the valve body and one or more seal assembly components, such as a flexible seal member, a seal carrier, a seal retainer, and a rigid seal ring, are secured to the anchor ring.

Abstract: A gas regulator includes an actuator, a valve, and a balanced port housing disposed within the valve for flow conditioning to convert turbulent flow within the valve to laminar flow when the fluid reaches the sensing point of a Pitot tube disposed within the outlet of the valve. The balancing port housing includes an opening through a sidewall and disposed between a valve port of the valve and the outlet. The opening may include a partial obstruction, such as baffles or a mesh screen over which the fluid flows to convert the turbulent flow to laminar flow. The regulator may further include balanced trim having a balancing diaphragm in fluid communication with the upstream pressure to apply a force to a valve disc of the valve in the opposite direction of the force applied to the valve disc by the upstream pressure so that the upstream pressure does not affect the regulator's control of the downstream pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx.

Abstract: The present relates to the field of dental and bone surgery. In particular, the invention relates to fibrous pharmaceutical compositions; fibrous webs, yarns and woven fabrics of such pharmaceutical compositions; to implant material essentially consisting of fibrous pharmaceutical compositions; to the manufacturing and use of such fibers/webs/implant materials.

Abstract: Provided are purified and isolated VEGF-C polypeptides capable of binding to at least one of KDR receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-2) and Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-3); analogs of such peptides that have VEGF-C-like or VEGF-like biological activities or that are VEGF or VEGF-C inhibitors; polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; vectors and host cells that embody the polynucleotides; pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic reagents comprising the polypeptides; and methods of making and using the polypeptides. Methods of inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation are also provided.

Abstract: A cutting valve for portioning a paste-like mass, having a partitioning piston which is drivable in a portioning chamber with an inlet relative to the inlet and which comprises a cutting edge which during partitioning is movable to sweep over the inlet, the partitioning piston is drivable in the partitioning process to perform a helical movement with simultaneous translatory and rotatory movement components, so that the cutting edge carries out a draw cut in the mass strand.

Abstract: A process is described for producing thin crimped tows from LOY, POY, or FOY filaments in a total linear density from 2 ktex to 9 ktex by filament yarns being withdrawn from creeled bobbins, folded and provided with a processing finish, then drawn or tension-uniformized and thereafter heated and stufferbox crimped. The process can be carried out in-line with numerous further processing operations. The tows are particularly useful for producing textile hygiene articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, inserts and incontinence guards and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides that bind cellular receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor polypeptides; polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides; compositions comprising the polypeptides and polynucleotides; and methods and uses involving the foregoing. Some polypeptides of the invention exhibit unique receptor binding profiles compared to known, naturally occurring vascular endothelial growth factors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pseudoazulenyl nitrone compounds and methods of using these compounds to trap free radicals and to treat, prevent, or ameliorate various diseases associated with free radicals.

Abstract: A holding device for a stuffing machine for stuffing sausages, having a head provided with a casing brake, and a drive shaft through which the casing brake can be driven, the casing brake enclosing the free end of a filling tube of the stuffing machine at an operating position and exposing the free end of the filling tube by pivoting the head away at a sausage casing pull-on position. When the head is being moved from the operating position to the sausage casing pull-on position, the drive shaft is deflected at an angle ? relative to the longitudinal axis of the holding device without decoupling of the power train.