Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a long glass fibre reinforced polypropylene composition. The process comprises: a) providing at least one continuous glass multifibre strand, b) applying a sheath of a polypropylene composition around said continuous glass multifibre strand so as to form a sheathed continuous glass multifibre strand, c) cooling the sheathed continuous glass multifibre strand to a cutting temperature, d) cutting the sheathed continuous glass multifibre strand into pellets using a rotary cutting tool at a cutting temperature that satisfies the following equations I, II and III T_max=?0.625×GF+112.5??(I) T_min=10??(II) T_min?T_cut?T_max??(III) wherein: T_cut is the cutting temperature, T_max is the maximum cutting temperature [° C.], T_min is the minimum cutting temperature [° C.], and GF is the amount of glass fibres based on the weight of the composition [wt. %].

Abstract: One example discloses a near-field device, configured to receive a non-propagating quasi-static near-field signal from a near-field antenna, comprising: a tuning circuit including a set of impedance tuning banks; and a controller configured to, identify a set of impedance values for the impedance tuning banks corresponding to an initial resonance frequency, bandwidth and/or quality factor of the near-field antenna and near-field device combination; detect a change in the resonance frequency, bandwidth and/or quality factor; access a pre-stored set of specific resonance frequency, bandwidth and/or quality factor changes corresponding to a set of specific conductive structures; identify a conductive structure from the set of conductive structures corresponding to the detected change; access a pre-stored set of specific near-field device actions corresponding to the set of conductive structures; and effect a set of specific actions from the set of near-field device actions corresponding to the identified conduct

Abstract: The invention relates to a shading device for an architectural opening comprising a shade, a drive unit for extending and retracting the shade between a first and second end position, a spindle, a first end stop, stationary connected to the spindle near a first end of the spindle and at least one travelling nut, movably arranged on the spindle and operatively connected to the drive unit so as to move towards, respectively away from the first end stop as the shade is extended, respectively retracted. The travelling nut is articulated in circumferential direction into segments, with at least two segments being detachably connectable to each other at one of their ends.

Abstract: Use of a composition comprising the administration of crushed leaves of green tea in the treatment of type I allergy. The composition may especially be enriched with substances extracted from green tea, preferably catechin or a derivative thereof. The veterinary treatment of type I allergy, as in the treatment of sweet itch, is especially envisaged. A preferred embodiment comprises a composition for use according to the present invention, as well as a veterinary pharmaceutical formulation comprising a composition according to the invention, and a veterinary pharmaceutical formulation comprising said composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of obtaining and storing data relating to a count of journeys made between origin and destination pairs in respect of different predetermined time periods. Positional data is received from vehicles, and filtered to obtain positional data relating to travel between each of a plurality of origin-destination pairs. The filtered positional data is analysed to obtain multiple sets of profiles. Each set of profiles represents a count of journeys made between the origin and destination in a plurality of predetermined time periods for each origin-destination pair. The different sets of profiles relate to different days of the week, and journeys having arrival or departure times in the predetermined time periods. The sets of profiles are used in a clustering operation to provide a reduced set of standard profiles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the driving of a vehicle performing a journey on a road network is disclosed. The method comprises determining a fuel usage rate and an engine speed of a vehicle, and determining when the vehicle is coasting based upon at least one of the fuel usage rate and the engine speed of the vehicle. An acceleration of the vehicle, when the vehicle is determined to be coasting, is compared with a predetermined reference acceleration, and an application of braking during the coasting is determined based on the result of the comparison. A method and apparatus is also disclosed for determining a score indicative of the relative amount of time for which the vehicle is coasting without braking during a journey.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a semiconductor surface may be effectively passivated by nitridation, preferably using hydrazine, a hydrazine derivative, or a combination thereof. The surface may be the semiconductor surface of a transistor channel region. In some embodiments, native oxide is removed from the semiconductor surface and the surface is subsequently nitrided. In some other embodiments, a semiconductor surface oxide layer is formed at the semiconductor surface and the passivation is accomplished by forming a semiconductor oxynitride layer at the surface, with the nitridation contributing nitrogen to the surface oxide to form the oxynitride layer. The semiconductor oxide layer may be deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and the nitridation may also be conducted as part of the ALD.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic component including a ferrule having a distal end and a proximal end. The ferrule defines a fiber passage extending though the ferrule along a fiber passage axis in a proximal-to-distal orientation. The fiber optic component also includes an optical fiber structure affixed within the fiber passage. The optical fiber structure includes a beam expansion section optically coupled to a sacrificial section. The beam expansion section has a construction adapted to expand an optical beam from a first beam diameter to an enlarged second beam diameter. The sacrificial section is configured to receive the optical beam having the second beam diameter from the beam expansion section. The sacrificial section is positioned at the distal end of the ferrule and has a polished end face at the distal end of the ferrule. The sacrificial section has a core-less construction or has a core with a core diameter that is larger than the enlarged second beam diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements of a heat exchanger, particularly a scraping heat exchanger having an outer cylinder comprising a first wall having a smooth circle-cylindrical inner side, and an inner cylinder positioned concentrically within it. The improvements regard a simple detachable inner cylinder, a heat exchanger with lid including a fluid barrier, a heat exchanger with a tangential output, and a method and heat exchanger adapted for improved evacuation of a product chamber of a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A target formed on a substrate, the target having: an alignment structure; and a metrology structure; wherein the alignment structure comprises structures that are arranged to generate a beat pattern when the alignment structure is illuminated with source radiation. Advantageously, when the target is illuminated, the beat pattern that appears in an image of the target allows the target to be easily identified using a pattern recognition technique.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an ambience lighting system for providing an ambient light effect for a cinema display screen is proposed. The method is based on implementing the ambience lighting system in the form of one or more of coded light (CL) sources. The method then includes processing one or more images of a scene being illuminated by the ambience lighting system to determine, based on the CL embedded into the light output of the individual CL sources, color and/or an intensity of the light generated by the individual CL source. The set of control data for controlling the CL sources to provide the desired ambient light effect is then based not only on the color and/or intensity of image content to be displayed on the cinema display screen, but also on the determined color and/or intensity of the light output of the individual CL sources.

Abstract: A boost integrated flyback (BiFRED) converter which has a current sensing element (R2) in series with the energy storage device (C1) of the converter for sensing a boost portion current and a discharging flyback portion current. A feedback circuit (54) processes the sensed current to derive a control signal which is then used for adjusting the time duration for which the switching element (S1) of the BiFRED converter is switched on based on the control signal. This arrangement makes use of primary side current sensing to modify standard on-time control so that the current ripple in the output can be suppressed.

Abstract: Light emitting die (300) comprising a plurality of light emitting elements (310A, 310B), each having a pair of bond pads (N1,P1 and N2,P2), wherein at least two diagonally opposite bond pads of adjacent light emitting elements on a die have their facing corners truncated (330) to enable a direct diagonal coupling of a complementary pair of diagonally opposite bond pads when the die is monted on a substrate on which an interconnection pattern is formed. By enabling diagonal as well as lateral coupling of the bond pads of multiple light emitting elements of a die, the multiple light emitting elements may be arranged in a variety of series and/or parallel configurations, thereby facilitating the use of the same die at different nominal operating voltages with a single interconnect layer on the substrate upon which the die is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastic polymer composition, comprising subsequent steps of unwinding from a package of a continuous glass multifilament strand and applying a sheath of thermoplastic polymer around said multifilament strand to form a sheathed continuous multifilament strand, wherein at least two continuous glass multifilament strands together are provided within said sheath of thermoplastic polymer, wherein said sheath of thermoplastic polymer surrounds said at least two continuous glass multifilament strands in such a way that said at least two continuous glass multifilament strands are in close contact with each other.

Abstract: A bis(benzoxazinyl)phthalimidine has the structure wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, j, and k are defined herein. The bis(benzoxazinyl)phthalimidine is useful as a component of a curable composition. It exhibits a high melting temperature and a high exotherm onset temperature. Also described is a composite that includes a reinforcing filler and the curing product of the bis(benzoxazinyl)phthalimidine.

Abstract: There is provided a process for heat transfer printing, comprising: electrostatically printing a transparent release composition onto a transfer material (1) to form a release layer (2) disposed on the transfer material; (1) electrostatically printing an electrostatic ink composition to form an image layer (3) disposed on the release layer (2); applying a heat-activatable adhesive composition to the image layer to form a heat-activatable adhesive layer (4); contacting the heat-activatable adhesive layer (4) with a target substrate (5) under conditions such that the heat-activatable adhesive layer (4) is activated to adhere to the target substrate and the release layer (2) is softened; and separating the target substrate (5) and the transfer material (1) such that the heat-activatable layer (4), image layer (3) and release layer (2) are transferred to the target substrate.

Abstract: A flow stopping tool for pipelines is disclosed, wherein the flow stopping tool comprises an inflatable balloon-like element that is in connection to a pressure rod. A hose is used for inflating the balloon-like element with a gas or a fluid, such that the balloon-like element can block a flow in a pipeline. A first end of the hose is in connection to the pressure rod and a second end of the hose is in connection to the balloon-like element. A part connecting the hose with the inflatable balloon-like element, but outside said balloon-like element, comprises a shock absorber for securing the hose-balloon connection.

Abstract: A screw driver system includes a screw driver and a guide clamp. The screw driver includes a driving bit. The driving bit includes a body having a first end and a second end and an outer surface comprising a cylindrical portion between the first and second ends. The screw driving bit includes a first circumferential groove and a second circumferential groove on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion each having a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the first circumferential groove defines a first outer diameter that is larger than a second outer diameter defined by the second circumferential groove. The guide clamp includes a jaw for holding the screw driving bit. When engaged with the first circumferential groove, the guide clamp prevents rotation of the screw driving bit. When engaged with the second circumferential groove, the guide clamp does not prevent rotation of the screw driving bit.

Abstract: A radiation sensor apparatus for determining a position and/or power of a radiation beam, the radiation sensor apparatus including a chamber to contain a gas, one or more sensors, and a processor. The chamber has a first opening and a second opening such that a radiation beam can enter the chamber through the first opening, propagate through the chamber generally along an axis, and exit the chamber through the second opening. Each of the one or more sensors is arranged to receive and detect radiation emitted from a region of the chamber around the axis. The processor is operable to use the radiation detected by the one or more sensors to determine a position and/or power of the radiation beam.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGYQXH’, particularly characterized by having white, flecked and slightly shaded flowers with red-purple lips, 1 to 2 peduncles that are long and sturdy, leaves that are obovate, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.