Abstract: An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes. The aqueous extract in embodiments including a water extract step is separated into acetic acid and hemicellulose sugar aqueous solutions.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst carriers to be used as supports for metal and metal oxide catalyst components of use in a variety of chemical reactions. More specifically, the invention provides a process of formulating a low surface area alpha alumina carrier that is suitable as a support for silver and the use of such catalyst in chemical reactions, especially the epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide. A precursor for a catalyst support comprises an admixture of an alpha alumina and/or a transition alumina; a binder; and either a solid blowing agent which expands, or propels a gas upon the application of sufficient heat, and optionally contains talc and/or water soluble titanium compound.

Abstract: A surgery equipment holding device including a holder for holding surgical equipment, a bar connected to the holder, a brake which operatively engages the bar for stopping movement of the bar, and a pair of switches for switching being an active state and an inactive state of the brake. The surgery equipment holding device is characterized in the operation thereof at the time of disengaging the fixation state, and exhibits excellent operability.

Abstract: An image processing method includes steps of acquiring a first two-dimensional parallelogram image, creating a second two-dimensional parallelogram image by dividing the first image into two figures by a line along a predetermined scanning direction and joining together respective sides of the two figures corresponding to an upper base and a lower base of the first image, calculating a value w representing a numerical number of pixels constituting an upper base or a lower base of the second image and a value h representing a numerical number of pixels in a height direction of the second image, securing a w×h two-dimensional memory space, writing pixel values on each scanning line of the second image, sequentially in a scanning order, onto a corresponding scanning line of the two-dimensional memory space, and storing supplementary information of the second image in association with the two-dimensional memory space.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment or alleviation of Alzheimer's disease and of other conditions related to abnormal protein aggregation. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for the immunotherapy of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cataract. In one aspect the invention provides a method of prophylaxis, treatment or alleviation of a condition characterized by pathological aggregation and accumulation of a specific protein associated with an immunizing-effective dose of one or more tyrosine cross-linked compounds, and optionally also comprising copper ions complexed to the compound. Alternatively passive immunization against a tyrosine cross-linked compound may be used. Prophylactic or therapeutic compositions and diagnostic methods are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method and system for managing electric power consumption by elements of a distributed computing system comprises: determining one or more system metrics that relate to electric power usage as consumed by elements of a configured distributed environment; determining a system value in response to the one or more system metrics, the value determined according to one or more value criteria; and, while in-progress applications are being run in the computing environment, evaluating one or more potential changes in the distributed computing environment and determining an alternate system value based on the changes; and, re-configuring elements of the distributed computing environment dynamically while the computing environment is operating, in accordance with a determined alternate system value. The re-configuring elements step is in accordance with a potential change operative to alter electric power consumption.

Abstract: A medical device control system improves an inducing stability and operability of a medical device having its direction controlled with magnetism, which is used for the inspection or treatment in a subject's body. The control system is formed of a medical device including an insertion member inserted into the subject's body, and a magnetic field response portion disposed within the insertion member for generating torque in response to the magnetic field applied from outside the subject's body, a direction detection unit that detects an insertion direction of the insertion member, a user interface through which the information with respect to the control of the insertion direction is input and output, a magnetic field generation portion that generates a magnetic field that directs the insertion member to a control direction, and a user interface control unit that controls the user interface based on a discordance between the control direction and the insertion direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns compounds of general formula (I), wherein n, X1, X2, X3, X4, Y and W are as defined herein. The invention also concerns a method for preparing said compounds and their therapeutic use.

Abstract: A communication system includes: a communication device; and a data receiver that is configured so as to be capable of being connected to the communication device. The communication device includes: a content summary receiving unit that is configured so as to be capable of receiving content summary data transmitted from an external device, the content summary data including at least positional data and title data for content data; and a positional data transmitting unit. The data receiver includes a scheduled port querying unit that is configured to transmit to the communication device a query querying the communication device for a scheduled port. The communication device further includes: a scheduled port notifying unit that, upon receiving the scheduled port query from the data receiver, transmits to the data receiver a scheduled port notification indicating the scheduled port.

Abstract: A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and mounting at least one interposer on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. At least one sidewall of the interposer is slitted to facilitate the venting of gases and pressure therethrough. The method includes arranging a plurality of electrically-conductive elements about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extending them radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel synthetic polysaccharides with antithrombotic activity exhibiting at least one covalent bond with biotin or a biotin derivative and to a process employing avidin or streptavidin which makes it possible to neutralize these polysaccharides.

Abstract: A method of fabricating high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips including a single semiconductor nanowire grown at an apex of a semiconductor pyramid of each AFM tip is provided. The semiconductor nanowire that is grown has a controllable diameter and a high aspect ratio, without significant tapering from the tip of the semiconductor nanowire to its base. The method includes providing an AFM probe including a semiconductor cantilever having a semiconductor pyramid extending upward from a surface of said semiconductor cantilever. The semiconductor pyramid has an apex. A patterned oxide layer is formed on the AFM probe. The patterned oxide layer has an opening that exposes the apex of the semiconductor pyramid. A single semiconductor nanowire is grown on the exposed apex of the semiconductor pyramid utilizing a non-oxidized Al seed material as a catalyst for nanowire growth.

Abstract: An endoscope of the present invention includes a distal end main body portion provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, a disposing hole having a first space and a second space that is formed in the distal end main body portion, and an objective lens. The endoscope also includes an image pickup unit that is provided inside disposing hole such that objective lens faces a second opening and that has a shape formed along a part of first space and second space. Image pickup unit is fixed inside disposing hole by a screw that is inserted into distal end main body portion through a screw hole formed in distal end main body portion at an intersecting region between first space and second space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing an activated ester of the formula (I), where R is a (C1-C6) alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl group, and ALK is a (C1-C6) alkylene group, said method consisting of reacting the dicyclohexylamine P1 salt and the disuccinimidyl carbonate (DSC) in a solvent in which the dicyclohexylamine salt of the N-hydroxysuccinimide P2 is precipitated. The invention also relates to products of the formula P1.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus of the present invention is a medical image processing apparatus to which a plurality of color components corresponding to frame-sequentially picked-up images of an object are time-sequentially inputted while maintaining periodicity thereof, including a color component storage section that can store a first color component inputted to the medical image processing apparatus at one timing and a second color component, which is a component of the same wavelength band as that of the first color component inputted to the medical image processing apparatus at timing preceding the one timing by one cycle or more, and an image correction processing section that simultaneously reads the first color component and the second color component stored in the color component storage section and performs image correction processing.

Abstract: A system, method and/or computer program product for analyzing a functionality of at least two manufactured products obtain a first characteristic of a first manufactured product. The system acquires a second characteristic of a second manufactured product. The system identifies a common feature between the first characteristic and the second characteristic. The system identifies a distinguishable feature between the first characteristic and the second characteristic. The system determines a cause of a deviation of a functionality in the first manufactured product or the second manufactured product or both manufactured products based on the identified common feature or the identified distinguishable feature or both features.

Abstract: A communication device has a process unit, a network interface, a communication interface, an interface control unit, a device control unit, and a relay unit. The network interface communicates with a terminal device connected to a network. The communication interface communicates with a locally connected peripheral device. The interface control unit controls the communication interface and transmits control data to the peripheral device, the control data being for controlling the peripheral device. The device control unit generates the control data for the peripheral device in accordance with an instruction entered from the processing unit, and transmits the control data to the interface control unit. The relay unit extracts the control data for the peripheral device from a packet received by the network interface, and transmits the control data to the interface control unit.

Abstract: A thin client system includes a thin client server, a thin client terminal, and a session management server. The thin client server contains a plurality of execution sections respectively provided for tasks. The session management server is configured to assign the thin client terminal to a specific one of the plurality of execution sections.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which users interact through avatars via client devices in network communication with a server device. A request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment is received to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). A user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a Human Identification Proof (HIP) message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at the identified user client device. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user. If a challenged avatar is determined to be a bot, then the server device prevents the challenged avatar from further interaction in the virtual world environment.