Abstract: A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by successively solidifying layers of a building material at positions in the respective layer corresponding to the cross-section of the object is provided, wherein at least a partial region of a layer is solidified such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S), and at least a partial region of a subsequent layer is exposed such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S) that are rotated with respect to the solidification lines of the pattern of the previous layer by an angle (?) that differs from 180°, 90° and 45°.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for obtaining antigens that are expressed by pathogenic microorganism during an infection process, as well as the antigens so obtained. Also disclosed are isolated polynucleotides encoding said antigens, recombinant polypeptides expressed from the isolated polypeptides, antibodies capable of forming immune complexes with the obtained antigens, and various other compositions useful in the detection, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a microbial infection. The methods of the invention utilize pooled sera from patients who have partly or completely undergone infection by a microbial organism in order to obtain genes that are expressed during in vivo but not during in vitro growth of the microbial organism.

Abstract: Domino wagering games are disclosed in which a player or players place a wager on which domino will be selected, the domino being selected with a domino roulette style wheel or by being revealed after selection from a boneyard. The wagers are based on a bet type as provided in a bet table that comprises a matrix of dominos arranged in columns and rows with paylines corresponding to particular bet types. The paylines are based on the odds that a first domino will be in a particular group as shown on the bet table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyridyl substituted heterocycles and hydro isomers thereof and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that inhibit replication and/or proliferation of HCV virus. The present invention also relates to the use of the pyridyl heterocycles and hydro isomers thereof and/or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds to treat or prevent HCV infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recording and reading of data with a holographic write/read apparatus onto a holographic recording medium with a thin holographic recording layer. The medium is preferably an optical card (2). The recording of the information is in the form of data pages stored as thin Fourier holograms (61). According to the invention, it is foreseen to use reflected transmission and polarisation holography with different write and read wavelengths, and to correct during reading the distortion in the readout channel caused by the difference between the write and read wavelengths. The invention further relates to an apparatus and system for performing the method. There is also disclosed a method of coding the recorded information.

Abstract: The present invention provides silicon based thin-film structures that can be used to form high frequency optical modulators. Devices of the invention are formed as layered structures that have a thin-film dielectric layer, such as silicon dioxide, sandwiched between silicon layers. The silicon layers have high free carrier mobility. In one aspect of the invention a high mobility silicon layer can be provided by crystallizing an amorphous silicon layer. In another aspect of the invention, a high mobility silicon layer can be provided by using selective epitaxial growth and extended lateral overgrowth thereof.

Abstract: Method for the production of airgaps in a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device comprising a stack of layers, the stack of layers comprising at least one iteration of a sub-stack of layers.

Abstract: A freestanding cover for a food tray has a flange section and a support section extending downwardly from the flange section. The support section supports the cover independently of the tray, with the flange section positioned above the tray opening. The freestanding cover is inserted into a heated compartment in a food warming cabinet and is supported on a retaining mechanism positioned on the shelf of the food warming cabinet. The retaining mechanism, in the form of a wire rack, prevents the cover from moving forward or backward. With the cover retained by the wire rack, a tray containing previously cooked food portions may be inserted into and removed from a receiving space in the cover, leaving the cover inside of the compartment.