Abstract: A tightening device is described. The tightening device can be utilized for facilitating the operation of rotation of items mutually coupled by means of closing and locking systems of rotating, screw, bayonet type, or the like.

Abstract: A bone-anchored surgical mesh has slot-like anchoring members that allow for the variable placement of screws and other bone fasteners. This permits the surgeon discretion in the placement of bone fasteners used to attach the mesh to the patient's bone. The elongate openings of the anchoring members allow for a sliding motion between the bone fasteners and the anchoring members, and facilitates positioning and articulation of the mesh. The anchoring members may include bushings to aid the sliding motion of the anchoring member on the bone fastener. In one embodiment, the mesh consists of shorter modular strips that overlap each other such that a single bone fastener is passed through two overlapping anchoring members to lock the two modular mesh strips together. Additional modular mesh strips can be added on at either end, as desired, to provide the desired length of dural coverage.

Abstract: LEDs (30) are described containing a getter system comprising a getter material (13) and a metallic part (10), in which the getter material is optically shielded from the metallic part.

Abstract: Electrical connecting element (2) that is designed to be welded or soldered onto an electrically conductive component (11) of a window pane, comprising an electrically conductive body (20), of which one section is designed to be welded or soldered onto the component (11) for its electrical connection, and of which another if section is designed to be connected in the direction of the outer side of the window pane, characterized in that the body comprises an electrically conductive foil (21) with a thickness between 1 and 500 ?m and intermediate means (5, 6) that serve as shock-absorbing means between the stiff section of the body of the connecting element and the window pane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a recombinant protein comprising using a selection method other than antibiotics. In particular, it relates to a stable host/vector system based on the pyrC gene complementation designed to produce high level of heterologous recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. The expression system of the present invention allows rapid selection of plasmid containing cells during the cloning phases and lead to high protein expression during fermentation. This system has a strong selective efficiency, especially during the induction phase, leading to the selection of an almost homogeneous and stable plasmid bearing cell population. Moreover the productivity of the culture is to a large extent better than the one based on antibiotic resistance. This elevated vector stability combined with its high productivity fulfils the requirements for heterologous protein production in Escherichia coli to an industrial level.

Abstract: A method for setting up a peer-to-peer communication link between a first communication medium (3) and a second communication medium (4) by means of a mediation server (5), wherein the first communication medium (3) comprises a multitude of communication ports, which are assigned in dependence on the destination by the first communication medium (3) for setting up communication links, and wherein a first communication port of the first communication medium (3) has been assigned for communication with the mediation server (5). The method further comprises the steps of composing port identification data of a second communication port yet to be assigned of the first communication medium (3), the first communication medium (3) sending the port identification data to the second communication medium (4) via the mediation server (5), and the first communication medium (3) assigning the second communication port for setting up the peer-to-peer communication link.

Abstract: A micro-alloyed low carbon steel strip is obtained by hot rolling at temperature of the pre-strip never lower than 900° C. and shows such metallurgical and geometrical features, as well as relating to planarity and deformability, to render the same suitable to obtain structures of low weight and good mechanical resistance, thus being able for use in replacement of cold rolled strips for the production of finished stamped or cut pieces. Said steel strip, having thickness>0.7 mm, has a ratio yield load/breaking load>70%, a fine grain structure better than grade 10 of ASTM E 112 standard in a percentage higher than 90% of the whole structure and a ratio between breaking limit under strain and yield point ?/RPo.2>90%.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic plant and a method of stockage in a covered yard of petcoke fuel with high humidity-contents, natural dehumidification up to set humidity values and subsequent reuptake for conveyance to the silos feeding a thermal unit.

Abstract: A method for adhering two layers of materials is described. An additional layer of material deposited on one of the layers is used. The additional layer of material is perforated and undercut by etching away one of the layers thereby generating anchor shaped holes. The other layer is then deposited on the additional layer filling the anchor shaped holes therefore, providing adhesion.

Abstract: A self-feeding apparatus for the disabled and elderly, which comprises: a support base; a holder for an open food container, pivotally connected to the base; an article for scooping food from the container; a system for moving the scooping article from a food scooping position from the container and a food dispensing position at a selected height from the base corresponding to the user's mouth. The system includes a first arm slantingly extending from the base and a second arm, arranged in a substantially horizontal position and slidably mounted on the first arm, the food scooping article being slidably mounted on the second arm. A motor is further provided for sliding the second arm along the first arm and the food scooping article along the second arm and for rotating the food container holder. At least one tank for liquid or semi liquid food and for beverages is placed on the base and a conveyor is provided for transporting the food from the tank to the user's mouth.

Abstract: Digital communication coding methods are shown, which generate certain types of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes built from protographs. A first method creates protographs having the linear minimum distance property and comprising at least one variable node with degree less than 3. A second method creates families of protographs of different rates, all structurally identical for all rates except for a rate-dependent designation of certain variable nodes as transmitted or non-transmitted. A third method creates families of protographs of different rates, all structurally identical for all rates except for a rate-dependent designation of the status of certain variable nodes as non-transmitted or set to zero. LDPC codes built from the protographs created by these methods can simultaneously have low error floors and low iterative decoding thresholds.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered proteins and biomedical products made from the engineered proteins. The biomedical products include lenses useful for ophthalmic purposes.

Abstract: A cover plate for wall-mounting at least one electrical apparatus is described. The cover plate comprises: a base to be fixed to a mounting bracket; at least one decorative portion coupled to the base and provided with a window; at least one portion of electrically conductive metal material and/or at least one surface coated with electrically conductive metal material; and at least one electrically conductive grounding element comprising at least one fixing portion adapted to be interposed and clamped between the base and the decorative portion for fixing the grounding element.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein A and Z are as defined in the description, along with methods for preparing such derivatives and their use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Photodetection devices and methods are described. The photodetection devices comprise semiconductor tapered pillars.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for removing bone, cartilage, or similar tissue is described. The surgical instrument has a shaft that extends in a longitudinal direction and supports a cutting plate which is inclined perpendicular or relative to the longitudinal direction, and a cutting element which is movably mounted on the shaft and supports a blade at the distal end in which the blade is pointing in the direction of the cutting plate and being advanced to the cutting plate in order to cut tissue.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-fluoroadenine with a purity of at least 98% (HPLC Area) is presented. Such very high purity degree of at least 98% (HPLC Area) is obtained directly on the crude product after reacting 2,6-diaminopurine in an amount of anhydrous fluorinating agent; heating the resulting reaction mixture; quenching the heated reaction mixture; separating the solid obtained thereby; and washing and separating the solid, without recrystallization and/or any further purification steps.

Abstract: A system and method for cognitive processing of sensor data. A processor array receiving analog sensor data and having programmable interconnects, multiplication weights, and filters provides for adaptive learning in real-time. A static random access memory contains the programmable data for the processor array and the stored data is modified to provide for adaptive learning.