Abstract: A composition and method for treating diabetes and metabolic disorders, and for achieving weight loss in a subject comprising a combination of naturally occurring compounds is provided.

Abstract: A tracking error signal is generated with stability without being easily affected by a distribution fluctuation of light reflected from an optical disc or by a lens shift. An optical disc drive according to the present invention includes: an objective lens 5 with an aperture radius r0 for converging a light beam emitted from a light source 1; a polarizing hologram substrate 2 for dividing the beam reflected from the optical disc 6 into branched light beams; a photodetector substrate 6, on which at least some of the light beams are incident to generate signals representing the intensities of the light beams; and a shielding mask 16 for cutting off the beam partially.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided having a fixing device which heats a fixing roller from the surface thereof by means of an external heating device, which image forming apparatus is capable of improving fixability immediately just after a start-up and enhancing a job efficiency. An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming section, a transfer section, a fixing device, and an interrupt control section. At least two levels are set as a job interrupt reference temperature, the interrupt control section individually selects, from among the at least two levels of job interrupt reference temperature, the level to be used for either or both of a job immediately after the start-up from a power-on and a job immediately after a return from a sleep mode, and the level(s) for other job(s), and carries out an interrupt control using the selected level of job interrupt reference temperature.

Abstract: For start of rotation of a fixing roller that is not currently being rotated, a control device causes a halogen lamp to heat an endless belt until a thermistor detects that a surface temperature of the endless belt has reached a first target temperature set at a temperature at which the endless belt is softened and is restored to its normal shape, from a deformed shape that the endless belt had while it was not rotated, to such an extent that the endless belt will never cause any rotation trouble during the rotation. This prevents the rotation trouble of the belt in a fixing apparatus in which a fixing member is heated by bringing the thus heated belt into contact with the fixing member.

Abstract: A device (4) for transferring a pattern to an object (2). The invention relates especially to production of micro and nanostructures. The device comprises an alignment means (10) arranged in connection with a first contacting means (7) for controlling the motion of the first stamp (8) in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction (A), and a second contacting means (11) having a second stamp (12) adapted to imprint a second pattern in the second surface (6) of the object (2), and a pressing means (9) further adapted to press the second stamp (12) into contact with the second surface (6) of the object (2) in the pressing direction (A). Hereby is obtained a device of a simple design, which has a high accuracy of the alignment of the stamps in relation to the object.

Abstract: A data processor that reads and writes data from/on a storage medium. The storage medium has stored thereon a first data stream being represented by a video signal that has been encoded by a first encoding process. The data processor includes: a controller, which acquires first playlist information to manage playback of the first data stream; a stream generating section for generating a second data stream by encoding the video signal by a second encoding process, which is different from the first encoding process; and a management section for producing second playlist information based on the second data stream and the first playlist information so as to manage an order in which the second data stream is played back.

Abstract: A microchannel reactor is described which has at least one process microchannel and at least one heat exchange zone. The microchannel reactor may be used for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.

Abstract: Locking mechanisms for releasably connecting handle extensions to tool handles having either compatible lock engaging end portions or standard internally threaded sockets include an adaptor mounted on an outboard end of a handle extension, the adaptor including an extension pole tip with circumferentially spaced thread segments axially insertable into tool handle sockets having compatible lock engaging end portions and threadably connectable to tool handles having standard internally threaded sockets. Means are provided for preventing relative rotation between the adaptor and tool handles having compatible lock engaging end portions when the extension pole tip is fully inserted into the tool handle sockets and for preventing inadvertent pull out of the extension pole tip from the tool handle sockets.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising cationic preservatives and anionic hydrocolloids, to methods of preparing them and their application in food microbiological protection. Due to their composition, food products are susceptible to act as a culture medium for microorganisms, and this constitutes a possible risk to human health. Thus, food products require good protection against microbiological contamination. The present invention relates to the interaction between cationic preservatives derived from the condensation of fatty acids and esterified dibasic amino acids and anionic hydrocolloids, such as pectins, xanthan gums, carrageenans, acacia gums or agars. The most preferred cationic preservative is the ethyl ester of the lauramide of arginine monohydrochloride (LAE). As a result of this interaction, some anionic hydrocolloids are able to absorb LAE and precipitate together by the enhancement of their lipophilic properties.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a paper feed cassette; a paper pickup roller; an image forming portion; a fixing unit; a paper discharge portion for discharging paper P with a developer image fused and fixed thereon; and an inversion roller and a paper discharge drive roller for conveying paper P along a paper conveyance path, and is constructed such that guide ribs are provided for a curved portion in a main conveyance path and the first and second curved portions of a sub conveyance path are provided in shapes that will not cause concentration of stress acting on the paper P in abutment.

Abstract: The network type audio system includes a content server storing a large number of music data pieces, an audio client reproducing music, and a controller monitoring and controlling the audio client through the content server. The audio client requests the server to provide the music data of a music piece selected in response to the user's operation. The content server returns the music data of the selected music piece in response to the request from the audio client. The music data is distributed from the content server to the audio client on the basis of a specified amount. The audio client notifies the content server of its status. The content server notifies the controller of the status of the audio client. The controller displays the status. The controller also instructs the audio client to reproduce the music piece selected in response to the user's operation through the content server.

Abstract: If a sub broadcast is unavailable so a reception means receives the main broadcast instead of the sub broadcast, reception of the sub broadcast is booked. When the sub broadcast is booked and the sub broadcast becomes available, the reception means automatically receives the sub broadcast booked instead of the main broadcast. Accordingly, reception of the sub broadcast can start automatically when the sub broadcast starts, without inputting instructions to select the sub broadcast repeatedly, whereby operation performed by a user can be simplified.

Abstract: A multi-band radio antenna device (1) for a radio communication terminal is disclosed. The antenna device comprises a substrate and a radiating antenna element thereon having a radio signal feeding point (13), wherein the radiating element comprises a continuous trace of conductive material. The continuous trace has a first radiating portion connected to said radio signal feeding point comprising a at least partly meandered radiating portion (11) arranged distal from said radio signal feeding point (13) and connected to an elongate radiating portion (10) arranged proximal to and connected to said signal feeding point, and a second radiating portion (12) connected as a branch to said first radiating portion at a branching position (14) thereof arranged distal from said radio signal feeding point (13). The antenna device offers a minimized number of necessary contacts and improved antenna efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hotspot location database system and a method for creating, maintaining and updating such a system. A hotspot location database (6) is created locally in a mobile terminal (1). The mobile terminal is adapted to monitor locations of available hotspots and store information in its local database (6). The mobile terminal is also adapted to monitor the presence of other mobile terminals (9) using a local connectivity network, in order to share information with the other mobile terminals by exchanging information for update of their local databases. The invention also relates to such a mobile terminal for use in the system.

Abstract: A production method for a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: step (A) of providing a substrate including a semiconductor layer having a principal face, the substrate having a device isolation structure (STI) formed in an isolation region 70 for partitioning the principal face into a plurality of device active regions 50, 60; step (B) of growing an epitaxial layer containing Si and Ge on selected device active regions 50 among the plurality of device active regions 50, 60 of the principal face of the semiconductor layer; and step (C) of forming a transistor in, among the plurality of device active regions 50, 60, each of the device active regions 50 on which the epitaxial layer is formed and each of the device active regions A2 on which the epitaxial layer is not formed.

Abstract: A control for an auto-darkening lens or other optical device monitors light incident on the viewing area or in relatively close proximity to the viewing area of the lens to provide accurate light sensing and to avoid inadvertent blocking of light to one or more light sensors. Reflectors, prisms, prism strips and the like may be used to direct light to the sensor(s). A method for detecting light incident on an auto-darkening lens and a method for controlling an auto-darkening lens direct light from the viewing area of an auto-darkening lens or from relatively close proximity to the viewing area to one or more sensors to detect such light and, accordingly, to control operation of the auto-darkening lens.

Abstract: A fire suppression device characterized by a plunger that is extendible from a housing for delivery of a fire suppressant foam. The plunger may be equipped at its outer end with a puncture tip that can penetrate through the wall of a container or cargo cover for delivery of the fire suppressant foam directly to the cargo, preferably after full or almost full extension of the plunger. The plunger may be driven outwardly under high force by a pressurized gas that may also be used as a propellant for mixing with a liquid foaming agent, preferably within a foaming chamber carried by the piston. Provision may also be made for connection to a source of pressurized fluid to effect retraction of the plunger.

Abstract: The catching nozzle according to the invention for a powder conveying device has a tubular powder flow duct and a shoulder, with which the position of the catching nozzle is predetermined in the powder conveying device and that is arranged between a upstream catching nozzle section and a downstream catching nozzle section. The shoulder has a duct for dosage air, wherein the duct connects the upstream catching nozzle section to the downstream catching nozzle section. The downstream catching nozzle section is developed such that it forms, with a hose socket that can be pushed over the downstream catching nozzle section, another duct for dosage air in order to lead the dosage air up to the downstream end of the catching nozzle.