Abstract: An electrical process interface device for provision in a low control and protection level of a Substation Automation or Distribution Automation system; the device includes a process interface unit for interfacing the electrical process at the low control and protection level, which unit has a number of parallel data connections on which I/O data related to control and protective devices on higher control and protection levels may be transmitted. The device also includes a signal conversion unit connected to the data connections, which unit packets data of the data connections according to a communication standard used by control and protective devices on the at least one higher control and protection level for allowing data to be directly transmitted between the electrical interface device on the low control and protection level and other devices on higher control and protection levels.

Abstract: An exercise system preferably having a mat dimensioned to support a user stretched out on the floor. The mat has a central fastening band disposed widthwise across the mat. A belt fits around the midsection of the user adapted to be aligned with and at least partially adhere to the fastening band of the mat. The user is intended to perform certain flexibility exercises with the belt in contact with the fastening band. If the user lifts her midsection off of the mat during such exercises, the removal of the belt makes an audible noise (and the mat tugs on the user) to cue the user to reposition her body flat on the mat. The fastening band preferably includes one half of a hook-and-loop-type fastener and the belt comprises the other mating half. Alternatively, one or both of the band and belt may be provided with an adhesive material.

Abstract: A two-piece, adjustable width merchandising tray for the organized display of multiple product containers. Two L-shaped tray sections, formed of plastic material. The bottom portions of the two L-shaped sections are provided with laterally extending, interengaging fingers that enable the width of the tray to be adjusted for different product sizes while maintaining substantial continuity to the surface of the bottom structure for containment of product leakage. An asymmetrical side wall arrangement with a forwardly projecting hand grip at the front of one of the side walls enables individual trays to be removed and replaced from a closely packed array of trays arranged in side-by-side fashion. The trays can be conveniently lifted and carried for product restocking, reorganizing, tray cleaning, etc. A simple pull strip and paddle arrangement enables product to be fronted at all times. Double stacking of product containers is also accommodated.

Abstract: An endoscope light source safety system, including visible light transmitted along an illumination path, one or more sources for providing radiation along at least a portion of the illumination path, an optical element for combining the radiation from said one or more sources into the illumination path, an illumination attenuator connectable to the illumination path for receiving said visible light and the radiation, a reflector connected to said illumination attenuator for transmitting said visible light and returning at least a portion of the radiation, and one or more detectors for receiving the returned radiation from said reflector and for generating a signal indicative of the receipt of visible light by said illumination attenuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillating piston machine, comprising a housing which has an essentially spherical housing inner wall, four pistons which rotate together about an axis of rotation which is approximately in the center of the housing being arranged in the housing in which case, of the four pistons in each case two pistons which are approximately diametrically opposite one another with respect to the center of the housing form a rigid piston pair the two piston pairs being capable of pivoting to and fro in opposite directions about a common pivot axis (42) which runs approximately perpendicularly with respect to the axis (40) of rotation, the two piston pairs being arranged in criss-cross fashion with respect to the pivot axis (42) in such a way that in each case two pistons of the two piston pairs have their piston working faces opposite one another in order to form a working chamber between them, each piston pair having a bearing section for mounting the piston pair on the pivot axis and in each c

Abstract: A dispenser made of four molded polymeric pieces, a housing, an annular connector, an insert and an elevator. The dispenser has a slim profile that allows a twist-up dispensing of product having friction drag and suitable camming for an appealing movement of the parts and dispensing of product.

Abstract: A system for controlling the mixture of an air flow and an exhaust gas flow utilizing two valves, the first valve at least partially positioned in an air intake conduit and regulating the flow of fluid through the air conduit, and the second valve positioned in an exhaust gas recirculation conduit for regulating the flow of exhaust gas. The control scheme presenting a sequential or stepwise control sequence, where the first valve is actuated over a first pressure range and the second valve is actuated over a second pressure range such that valves operate in a sequential manner.

Abstract: Aging or damaged skin is treated by irradiating affected skin areas with an effective amount of visible light emanating from an optical apparatus and having a wavelength of about 400 nm to about 500 nm. A light source may be sunlight or artificial light, coherent or noncoherent, pulsed or continuous, of high or low energy, exposed generally or directed to target areas, or any combination of these. In one embodiment, light-emitting diodes are applied directly to discrete skin areas as needed as patches or thin sheets such as pliable masks. Green light (about 500 to about 590 nm) may be used as adjunct therapy with blue/violet light in some embodiments. Compositions containing compounds that enhance light penetration of the stratum corneum such as ?-hydroxy acids (e.g., glycolic acid) and/or filter light may be applied to the skin prior to or during phototreatment.

Abstract: A system for managing service provider agreements, the system comprising a server, an agreements database accessible by the server, the agreements database having stored thereon contracted performance data indicative of minimum service performance required by at least one service provider agreement, a user preferences database accessible by the server, the preferences database having stored thereon user preference data indicative of a user specified maximum allowable deviance from the minimum service performance, a performance measurement module in communication with the server; the performance measurement module gathering actual performance data indicative of actual service performance and a variance calculator in communication with the server, the variance calculator determining agreement conformity status by determining whether the actual system performance indicated by the actual service performance data corresponds with the minimum service performance indicated by the contracted performance data within t

Abstract: A fluid operated control valve for controlling fluid flow of a system which includes a first and a second fluid channels therein, the control valve includes: a hollow casing with closed first and second ends; a piston member slidably disposed within the casing and defining thereby within the casing a first chamber adjacent to the first end of the casing and a second chamber adjacent to the second end of the casing; a first magnet disposed adjacent the first chamber of the casing for attracting the piston member to a first terminal position; a second magnet disposed adjacent the second chamber of the casing for attracting the piston member to a second terminal position.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes at least one endoscope having an objective which generates an image of an area to be observed, at least one video recorder which records the image generated by the objective, at least one instrument, a position-sensing device which detects a position of the at least one instruments, and an assessment and control unit to which an output signal of the video recorder and the position-sensing device are applied and which displays on a monitor the image and symbols representing the position of the instrument. The position-sensing device includes a sensor which also detects orientation of the instrument, and the assessment and control unit displays symbols which indicate, in addition to the position the orientation of the instrument.

Abstract: Methods for the prevention and treatment of skin damage, and, arising from exposure to ultraviolet or solar radiation, using lipoic acid in a dermatologically acceptable carrier that can be topically applied to the skin areas. A fat-soluble fatty acid ester of ascorbic acid such as palmityl ascorbate and/or tocotrienol and/or an &agr;-hydroxy acid such as glycolic acid is applied with the lipoic acid and/or its derivatives in some embodiments.

Abstract: A balun transformer includes a coaxial transmission line terminating at one end with balanced terminals and terminating at another end with unbalanced terminals. At least two impedance segments are connected in series between the balanced terminals and the unbalanced terminals, each of the at least two impedance segments being formed by a magnetic core and at least one winding of the coaxial transmission line wound about the magnetic core.

Abstract: A circuitry for high-speed reading of a video cell for a video pickup chip including a plurality of such video cells disposed in the form of a two-dimensional array, and a read-out logic designed for imaging a high input signal dynamic volume onto a reduced output signal dynamic volume, wherein the photosensitive element of the video cell is connected to the first main electrode of a first MOS transistor (M0) and to the gate of a second MOS transistor (M1) such that the gate and the other main electrode of the first MOS transistor (M0) are short-circuited and applied to an invariable potential (Vpp) so as to achieve a logarithmic characteristic line, and that an output signal amplifier is connected to the second main electrode of the second MOS transistor (M1). Moreover, a method of high speed reading of this video cell is described.

Abstract: An endoscopic or microscopic apparatus for diagnosis by means of a light-induced reaction in biologic tissue “in vivo” which is created by a photo-amboceptor or by autofluorescence is provided. The inventive apparatus is characterized by the feature that at least one reference wavelength &lgr;r is provided which is longer by up to 2&Dgr;&lgr; at maximum or smaller than the wavelength &lgr;s at the point of intersection.