Abstract: A cervical collar comprising a neckband fabricated from a substantially incompressible plastic material and including a front body section having a first substantially flat shape and being bendable into a second substantially tubular shape, the front body section having a central portion, a laterally extending first side portion, and an opposed laterally extending second side portion. The cervical collar also includes a mandible support fabricated from a substantially and compressible plastic material comprising a centrally located chin support, a laterally extending first side portion, and an opposed laterally extending second side portion and a clip associated with the cervical collar which is moveable from a first unengaged position to a second engaged position in collaboration with a plurality of protrusions located on the cervical collar which define a plurality of predefined positions between the mandible support and the neckband.

Abstract: A security document, banknote, bond, travellers check, passport or token, including a substrate (1), said substrate having a device including a first macro-embossing (2, 3) of the substrate having a predetermined feature, and a second micro-embossing of smaller dimensions formed in or on said predetermined feature of said embossing. The first embossing being formed to hide and reveal said second embossing at predetermined viewing angles &agr;, &bgr;. The macro-embossing may comprise lines having a height of about 20 microns and a spacing of 80 microns, and the micro-embossing in the form of lines or dots (4) to a height of about 2 to 5 microns. The lines have a predetermined height (H) and a predetermined spacing (S) such that the ratio S:H is typically from about 6:1 to 2:1.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of mail items in an automated system without isolating each mail item on a scale. The method includes creation of a mail item record that identifies the item and includes the weight. Mail items may be weighed by determining a first scale weight reading, introducing a mail item onto the scale, determining the mail item weight at one or more times within a time window, and finding the difference between each consecutive scale weight. Differences between scale weight readings not equal to zero are outputted. All outputted scale weight readings are totaled to obtain the mail item weight. Further disclosed are a mail processing system and a method of ceasing mail processing when invalid weights are detected.

Abstract: A Mo source powder is added to and mixed with an iron-based powder containing 1.0% by mass or less of prealloyed Mn to yield a powder mixture containing 0.2 to 10.0% by mass of Mo, the resulting powder mixture is subjected to heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere to thereby yield an alloyed steel powder containing Mo as a powder partially diffused and bonded to a surface of the iron-based powder particles. The prepared alloyed steel powder for powder metallurgy has satisfactory compactability. The use of this alloyed steel powder can produce a sintered powder metal body (an intermediate material after compaction and preliminary sintering in re-compaction of sintered powder materials process) for highly strong sintered member.

Abstract: A flight kit having a process and a set of software tools for: marking up and restructuring of flight information content such as manuals, checklists, aerodynamic data, and alerting information; converting and storing this content in an electronic form; dynamically generating a user interface based on the specific data; and delivering this to a flight crew. The flight kit can provide remote data updates and management of flight kit applications via Internet connectivity.

Abstract: A UVA stabilized polyethylene terephthalate overlamination film having a maximum peak absorption of about 380 nm, an approximate absorptive area % of <14% and a Visible Absorbance value of less than about 20%, coated with an adhesive layer to facilitate anchorage of the polyethylene terephthalate film to a secondary print substrate.

Abstract: A method for inductively measuring the position of a metal strip is proposed, in which, at least on one side of the strip, a primary coil fed by AC voltage is arranged on one side of a strip edge and a secondary coil is arranged on the other side of the strip edge, which secondary coil measures the voltage which is induced by the primary coil and results from the coupling effect with the primary coil and the metal strip situated in between, in which, as a result of lateral relative movement between the metal strip and the primary and secondary coils, the measurement gradient that can be obtained as a result is determined and compared with a predetermined optimum measurement gradient, whereupon, in the event of a difference, the measurement gradient that has been ascertained is matched electronically to the predetermined optimum measurement gradient and the adapted values then obtained are used for the current strip movement control.

Abstract: An interleukin-6 production inhibitor is provided containing a methanebisphosphonic acid derivative as an active component, which has inhibitory effects on interleukin-6 production and is useful in prevention and treatment of diseases due to abnormal production of the interleukin-6. This pharmaceutical is anticipated to have effects in prevention and treatment of diseases related to the interleukin-6, for example, thrombocytosis, inflammatory diseases, abnormal immune response diseases, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypercalcemia, multiple myeloma, cachexia, and nephritis.

Abstract: Accurately and uniformly cooling a preformed plastic sheet that is formed at elevated temperature in an elongated plastic sheet die, using upper, middle and lower vertically arranged cylindrical cooling rolls closely spaced to one another to engage the sheet between them, and providing one or more auxiliary cooling rolls connected to provide additional cooling for the sheet.

Abstract: A double separator assembly used for a mail sorting system. A conveyor system facilitates movement of mail items through the double separator assembly. A substantially nonrotatable component is positioned proximate to the conveyor system. A mail driving assembly positioned proximate to the conveyor system if provided downstream from the friction component and in functional relation thereto. The mail driving assembly further includes an idler roller and a force generating device to hold the mail item against the conveyor system. Further disclosed are a mail processing system including a double separator, a mail processing method, a mail sensing assembly and method.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operational reliability of rechargeable lithium cells including measuring the cell voltage and cell temperature, the cell is discharged if a predetermined cell limit voltage (UG) and a predetermined ambient limit temperature TG are exceeded at the same time, until a predetermined lower voltage level or a predetermined lower ambient temperature is reached. A circuit for carrying out the method has a first threshold value switch which responds when a predetermined upper limit voltage (UG) is exceeded in the cell, and a second threshold value switch (C) which responds when a predetermined ambient temperature limit (TG) is exceeded, and has a logic circuit (E) which connects (G) the cell to a load when the first and second threshold value switches respond at the same time, wherein both threshold value switches (C, D) are configured such that they trip when a lower cell voltage or a lower ambient temperature is reached.

Abstract: A method for controlling dust on paper machinery and the like is shown. A foil, a baffle and an exhaust are used to direct contaminated air away from the machinery and the sheet or web of material running through the machinery. Thus the deleterious effect of the contaminants is minimized and contained.

Abstract: A polyimide porous film obtained by drying and imidizing a polyimide precursor porous film which is substantially homogeneous on both sides, the polyimide porous film having pores on both sides wherein the pores all satisfy the conditions: 1) the difference in the mean pore size of both sides is less than 200% based on the smaller average value of the mean pore size, 2) the coefficient of variation for the pore size on each side is smaller than 70%, 3) the coefficient of variation for the pore centroid distance on each side is smaller than 50%, and 4) the mean pore size on each side is 0.05-5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A device for joining two tubular elements composed of two complementary parts extending end portions of the tubular elements, the two complementary parts each including an essentially rigid substantially conical flared part extended by a semitoric flange, with the semitoric collars being capable of interlocking together.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel PGI2 derivatives and an anti Helicobacter agent, a platelet function potentiating agent or a cervical ripening agent containing any of the derivatives.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermodynamically activated flue damper for a gas water heater that includes a flue damper for controlling the passage of exhaust gases through the flue; and a thermally sensitive member that is capable of contracting when the exhaust gasses in the flue heat the thermally sensitive member to its transition temperature and expanding when the temperature of the thermally sensitive material falls below its transition temperature. The thermally sensitive member is connected between the flue damper and a support member in the flue to control the pivoting of the flue damper as the thermally sensitive metal expands or contracts at the transition temperature. The flue damper system may also include a counter-balancing member to provide a counter-balancing force to the said thermally sensitive metal, such as a coil spring. The thermally sensitive member may be formed in the shape such as a rod, a wire, and an elongated bar, and may be made from Nytinol or other similar metals.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a porcelain object comprising creating a mold, pouring a first layer of porcelain into the mold, drying the procelain at least partially, applying color to the first porcelain layer, pouring a second layer of porcelain into the mold above the applied color, drying the second porcelain layer at least partially and releasing the porcelain layers from the mold. Also disclosed are a lamp and sculpture fabricated according to the method.

Abstract: A microtitration plate including a plastic base having a multiplicity of cups shaped and sized to receive biological liquid samples, each cup being surrounded by an attenuated zone and having an upper collar sized and shaped to cooperate with a complementary sized and shaped tool to exert a torsional force on the upper collar, thereby causing detachment of the cup by tearing at least a portion of the attenuated zone.

Abstract: A high-strength, high-toughness seamless steel pipe used for a line pipe contains 0.03 to 0.06% of C, 0.05 to 0.15% of Si, 1.6 to 2.0% of Mn, 0.010 to 0.10% of Al, 0.3 to 0.7% of Ni, 0.10 to 0.40% of Mo, 0.01 to 0.06% of V, 0.003 to 0.03% of Nb, 0.003 to 0.020% of Ti, and 0.0010 to 0.0100% of N, the relationships Mo+5V≧0.4% and 2Nb−V≦0% being satisfied, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. Consequently, it is possible to provide the high-strength, high-toughness seamless steel pipe used for a line pipe in which grade X80 strength and toughness are stably ensured, and the target strength can be easily attained regardless of the size.