Abstract: A voltaic pile has first and second terminals by which it is charged and discharged. The pile comprises a plurality of modules (3), each having respective third and fourth terminals with a plurality of voltaic cells connected in series therebetween. The modules are connected series-wise or in series-parallel configuration by the respective third and fourth terminals, with the end terminals of the series of modules defining the previously mentioned first and second terminals. A power supply Load (1) is provided with DC input terminals and AC output terminals, the DC input terminals connected via lines (2) with the first and second terminals. Thus, even in the absence of Power charging current or drain current, the power supply is able to draw upon the output of the pile to supply power back to individual modules that may require charging, to maintain balance among the modules.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter comprises capacitor stack (61, 62), the common point of which is the output of the converter. Digitally controlled switches (66-70), which may be discrete outputs from a microcontroller, selectively apply first or second potentials to points in the capacitor stack, either directly (66, 70) or through resistors (63-65).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of determining the genotype of a human papilomavirus in a sample by amplifying a portion of the L1 open reading frame of human papilomavirus genome with the amplification primer having SEQ ID NO:2, the sequencing primer having SEQ ID NO:3 and an additional sequencing primer specific to HPV51 having SEQ ID NO:5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a branched polycarbonate composition, having increased melt strength, by late addition of branch-inducing catalysts to the polycarbonate oligomer in a melt polycondensation process. Surprisingly, it has been found that by adding branch-inducing catalysts, such as alkali metal compounds and/ or alkaline earth metal compounds, to the melt polycarbonate oligomer at a later stage of the melt polycondensation process, preferably after the oligomer has reached an average molecular weight of between about 3,000 and 30,000 g/mole, a unique branched polycarbonate composition is formed that has improved properties. It is believed that the addition of the branch-inducing catalysts at the later stages of the process produces a branched polycarbonate composition having longer chains between the branching points, and thus a new composition is produced. The invention also relates to various applications of the branched polycarbonate composition.

Abstract: A method for end-capping polycarbonate resins, comprising the step of processing a mixture comprising a polycarbonate having free hydroxyl-end groups and an end-capping reagent in a melt transesterification reaction to produce a polycarbonate resin, wherein the end-capping reagent comprises a mixture of:(a) at least one species of a symmetrical activated aromatic carbonate, and (b) at least one species of a symmetrical non-activated aromatic carbonate, whereby said end-capping reagent reacts with at least some of the free hydroxyl end-groups of the polycarbonate to produce an end-capped polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: The problem of undesired power consumption in an oscillator during “stop” periods of a device is addressed by providing the oscillator in apparatus external to the device, the apparatus including a current sensor sensing current in a line between the apparatus and the device, the line communicating an oscillator “clock” signal. If the device enters a “stop” state the current flow during certain half-cycles of the oscillation is relatively low compared to the current flow in the “no-stop” state. In response to the relatively low current, the apparatus halts oscillation. Later, when the device exits the “stop” state, current flow increases in the line, and the apparatus resumes oscillation, thereby resuming the communication of the clock signal to the device.

Abstract: Copolymers of BPA, BPT-1 and BPT-2, can be used as a modifier to enhance the thermal properties of a BPA polymer. A single copolymer modifier can be used in differing amounts to produce a product with desired thermal properties. Thus, polycarbonate can be made by combining a bisphenol A polycarbonate and a BPA/BPT-1/BPT-2 copolymer modifier, and mixing the combined materials to form a blend. By adjusting the relative amounts and the properties of the bisphenol A polycarbonate and BPA/BPT-1/BPT-2 copolymer, the glass transition temperature and the toughness of the blend can be selected. Suitable BPA/BPT-1/BPT-2 copolymers contain BPT-1 and BPT-2 in a ratio, BPT-1/BPT-2, in the range of 70/30 to 10/90, preferably less than or equal to 50/50, for example around 30/70.

Abstract: A poly(carbonate-co-ester) block copolymer is synthesized using synthetic strategies that can be incorporated into conventional melt facilities that are commonly used in the production of polycarbonate polymers. The polycarbonate block of the poly(carbonate-co-ester) copolymer is derived from a polycarbonate reaction mixture comprising an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a carbonic acid diester, such as bisphenol A and diphenyl carbonate, respectively. The second block of the copolymer is derived from a polyester prepolymer, the polyester prepolymer comprising a diol, diacid or diester, and at least one monomer that is selected to advantageously incorporate desired properties into the poly(carbonate-co-ester) copolymer. The polyester prepolymer is introduced to the polycarbonate reaction mixture to form the poly(carbonate-co-ester) copolymer. Properties of the copolymer can be altered by varying numerous conditions of the reaction.

Abstract: A process for converting carbonyl-type impurities contained in a phenolic solvent to high-boiling derivatives is provided by contacting the phenolic solvent with a hydrotalcite-type material (HTM). The phenol can be separated from the high-boiling derivatives using conventional separation techniques, such as distillation, so the invention also provides a process for separating carbonyl-type impurities, such as hydroxyacetone (HA), from a phenolic solvent. The process can be applied in the conventional industrial process for converting cumene to phenol to remove carbonyl-type impurities from the phenol product. A process and a facility for producing purified phenol by converting cumene to phenol are provided. In the conversion of cumene to phenol, the phenol often contains carbonyl-type impurities. The phenol and carbonyl-type impurities are reacted in the presence of an HTM to produce phenol and high-boiling derivatives.

Abstract: A package storage and delivery system includes electronically controlled lockers disposed at or near customer locations. Each locker is unlocked by a courier, preferably by means of a short-range transceiver or transmitter carried on the courier's person. The customer can unlock the locker and receive the delivered package. Cryptographically signed communications are employed along with nonvolatile usage logs to minimize the risk of loss of a package or fraud by courier or customer. The lockers may be stackable, permitting a delivery courier to add lockers in the event a customer receives too many deliveries to fit into a single locker. Each box has, of course, a physical location, and has associated with it an address code indicative of the physical location, for example by means of a human-readable or compressed representation of the precise latitude and longitude. A package delivered to such a box preferably bears the address code.

Abstract: The on-chip electrical circuit (1) for the detection of modulated signals (I), e.g., light, comprises sensor means (PS), e.g., a photosensor, and feedback means (FB) including a low-pass frequency filter. The circuit (1) further comprises a voltage-controlled current source (CS), the input of which is connected to the output of the feedback means (FB) and the output of which is connected in series with the photosensor (PS) in a common node. The common node is connected to the input of an amplifier (AMP). The output of the amplifier (AMP) may be connected to a rectifier (RF), followed by a low-pass filter (LPF). A plurality of such electrical detection circuits (1) with parallel outputs can form a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array sensor for the coherent or heterodyne analog detection of intensity modulated optical signals simultaneously for all pixels with a high dynamic range. The array sensor may be used, e.g.

Abstract: An essentially C-shaped tool holder (10), preferably having a long inner edge, which holder at its free shank ends can carry a tool such as a riveting, glueing or welding unit. The holder (10) comprises a truss or frame work which includes an outer and an inner C-shaped frame (11, 23) and a plurality of slewing brackets (27-32) connected to the C-shaped frames. The frames (11, 23) and the slewing brackets (27-32) are arranged to form a number of connected triangular sections, defined by connection points 18-22, 37) which are designed as intersections or joints. The outer C-shaped frame (11) is arranged to support only thrust forces; the inner frame (23) is arranged to support thrust and tensile forces, and the slewing brackets (27-32) are arranged substantially to support tensile forces.

Abstract: A functional polymer having active and stable functional groups, for separation or reactive processes in chemical manufacture or analysis, has carbon-linked functional groups on dimethylene spacers; a method of preparation is from pre-existing polymers comprising polymeric 1-(vinylphenyl)ethylene repeat units, by treating with H—X in the presence of free radicals, wherein X comprises a carbon atom that is linked to the —CH[Ph-CH2CH2—]—CH2— remainder of said —CH[Ph-CH2CH2—X]—CH2— repeat unit in said product as a consequence of said reaction; the carbon atom can have characteristics selected from being sp2-hybridized and doubly bonded to an oxygen, being sp3-hybridized and singly bonded to an oxygen, being sp3-hybridized and singly bonded to a nitrogen that is also singly bonded to an sp2-hybridized carbon, being sp3-hybridized and singly bonded to a nitrogen and also to an sp2-hybridized carbon, and being sp3-hybridized and singly bonded

Abstract: This invention relates to an insect trap having a receptacle with a rear wall the top edge of which is thin. The trap is placed on a windowsill so the thin top edge of the rear wall lies flush against the window, providing a substantially smooth transition between the rear wall and the window. The receptacle is partially filled with a mixture of water and surfactant. In use, insects flying down the window travel over the thin top edge of the rear wall and continue down and fall into the water and drown.

Abstract: Copolymers of BPA and menthane bisphenols such as BPT1 and BPT2 can be used as a compatabilizer to allow the formation of homogeneous blends of BPA with menthane bisphenol polycarbonates such as poly-BPT1 or poly-BPT2 or copolymers thereof. Thus, a compatible polycarbonate blend is made by combining a bisphenol A polycarbonate, a menthane bisphenol polycarbonate and a BPA/menthane bisphenol copolymer compatabilizer, and mixing the combined materials to form a blend. The compatabilizer may contain one or more species of menthane bisphenol. In a specific example, BPT1 and BPT2 are used in the compatabilizer in a ratio, BPT1/BPT2, in the range of 70/30 to 10/90, preferably less than or equal to 1/1, for example around 30/70. By adjusting the relative amounts and the properties of the bisphenol A polycarbonate and the menthane bisphenol polycarbonate, the glass transition temperature and the toughness of the blend can be selected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a probe, thus prepared probe, and the use of such a probe for selectively choosing sequence for nucleic acid diagnostic purposes, using preferably homogenous solutions. The invention is based upon a great number of probes having different sequences and lengths which all are complementary to different parts of the nucleic acid to be detected, which probes are synthetised on a solid matrix. The signal which they provide in non-hybridized condition is monitored, whereupon the nucleic acid to be detected is added, and the signal is monitored again. Those probes that show the most significant difference in signal are those, from a sensitivity point of view, that are the most suitable one.

Abstract: The optical sensor contains an optical waveguide (1) with a substrate (104), waveguiding material (105), a cover medium (106) and a waveguide grating structure (101-103). By means of a light source (2), light can be emitted to the waveguide grating structure (101-103) from the substrate side and/or from the cover medium side (101-103). With means of detection (11), at least two differing light proportions (7-10) radiated from the waveguide (1) can be detected. For carrying out a measurement, the waveguide can be immovably fixed relative to the light source (2) and the means of detection (11). The waveguide grating structure (101-103) itself consists of one or several waveguide grating structure units (101-103), which if so required can be equipped with (bio-)chemo-sensitive layers. The sensor permits the generation of absolute measuring signals.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the status of a current ovulation cycle of an individual human female subject, involving testing of the body fluid concentration of an analyte of significance in relation to the status of the ovulation cycle, such as urinary E3G, during at least part of the pre-ovulation phase of the current ovulation cycle of the individual subject, and identification from the results of such testing an analyte concentration change indicative of imminent ovulation, relative to an analyte concentration reference value that has been adapted to the individual human subject on the basis of analyte concentration test data obtained from the individual human subject during one or more previous ovulation cycles.

Abstract: A shelf enclosure for a network data storage system employs drive carriers having wedge mechanical interfaces with respective features on the enclosure, locking into place at the top and bottom of the carriers.

Abstract: A controller contains software which, when triggered in some prearranged way such as assertion of an input to the controller, calculates a digital signature for the contents of the protected memory of the controller. The digital signature is preferably extracted from the contents of the memory by means of a function that varies greatly with even small changes to the memory contents. The function preferably is such that one cannot easily determine from the output what input generated the output. The function is preferably such that one cannot easily create a data set for input that yields any particular predetermined output. The circuitry generating the signature may be embedded in hardware of the controller so that its digital signature function is unknown even to the programmer writing the main body of code to be stored in the protected memory. With such a hardware configuration, it is possible to have a very high degree of confidence that the memory contents are what they are expected to be.