Abstract: A sample taking apparatus comprises a plurality of separation tools (10) (for example, punching capillaries) on a holding device (20), wherein the separation tools (10) are each provided with actuating means (30) for separate control thereof. In a sample taking method (for example, for punching samples from separation gels), successively removed samples are deposited in parallel onto a target substrate.

Abstract: A method has been developed to maintain the health of an activated sludge environment in a wastewater process comprising monitoring the levels of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) produced as an indicator of bioreactor health and regulating the concentration of feed nutrients and nitrate to maintain bioreactor health. In general, levels of PHA in excess of about 15% to about 20% dry weight of the biomass is an indication that the biocatalytic efficiency of the wastewater treatment process is impaired.

Abstract: A method for generating a signal having a frame structure, each frame of the frame structure comprising at least one useful symbol, a guard interval associated to the at least one useful symbol and a reference symbol, comprises the steps of performing an amplitude modulation of a bit sequence such that the envelope of the amplitude modulated bit sequence defines a reference pattern of the reference symbol and inserting the amplitude modulated bit sequence into said signal as said reference symbol. A method for frame synchronization of a signal having such a frame structure comprises the steps of receiving the signal, down-converting the received signal, performing an amplitude-demodulation of the down-converted signal in order to generate an envelope, correlating the envelope with a predetermined reference pattern in order to detect a signal reference pattern of the reference symbol in the signal, and performing the frame synchronization based on the detection of the signal reference pattern.

Abstract: A user of a computer aided design (CAD) system graphically places fire alarm appliances, such as smoke detectors and sirens, in a drawing area. After elements are placed and physical paths are determined, a series of electrical circuit connections between alarm source elements and alarm appliance elements are determined. The electrical circuit connections define wire gauges and lengths passing through the physical paths. The wire types may be determined by predefined rules, and multiple wires may be placed in a single physical path. Subsequently, the CAD system performs electrical calculations associated with the alarm system. The electrical calculations may be based on a supervisory mode of operation as well as an alarm mode of operation. The resistance of wires in the alarm system may be based on a scaled wire length and/or a schematic (non-scaled) wire length. In one example, a backup battery capacity requirement is calculated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic fitment with child-safe properties for attachment to a container component of film-like plastic material, including a tubular body portion defining a through passage having axially spaced ends, a welding rib, and a cap. Also disclosed are flexible pouch or beverage package comprising the fitment and a process for using the fitment.

Abstract: Multi-stage process for the polymerization of olefins CH2?CHR, where R is hydrogen or a C1–C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl radical, comprising: (I) a first polymerization stage carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising the product of the reaction between an alkyl-Al compound and a solid component comprising at least one compound of transition metal M1 not containing M1-? bonds, thus obtaining a porous polymer, (II) a treatment stage, wherein said porous polymer is contacted with a compound capable of deactivating the catalyst used in stage (I) and with a late transition metal complex; and (III) a second stage of polymerization, carried out in the presence of the product obtained from treatment stage (II).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal polypeptide compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests. Novel plant proteases, sequences encoding these proteases, and methods for their use are also provided.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a thermal-insulating material having an essentially magnetoplumbitic crystal structure, a metal substrate having a adhesive layer and a thermal-insulating layer made of the thermal-insulating material on its surface, and a process for coating metal substrates with the thermal-insulating material.

Abstract: Methods are provided for diagnosing/characterizing chronic immune disease activity in a subject. In the subject methods, a sample is obtained from a subject suspected of having or known to have a chronic immune disease. The sample is then assayed for the presence and amount of intact (i.e., native) p53 protein and/or fragments thereof. The assay results are used to diagnose the presence of chronic immune disease and/or characterize chronic immune disease activity in a subject, and/or to determine appropriate treatments protocols. Also provided by the subject invention are methods of treating chronic immune disease conditions by enhancing p53 activity. Also provided by the subject invention are kits for practicing the methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes useful for fabricating electronic devices, more particularly to a process for laminating a layer of dielectric material onto a semiconductor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to two component coating compositions that cure under ambient conditions and more particularly to those having low VOC (volatile organic content) that are suitable for use in automotive refinish and Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) applications. The coating composition includes crosslinkable and crosslinking components, wherein the crosslinkable component includes a low polydispersity, low molecular weight copolymer having on an average 2 to 25 crosslinkable functional groups, such as hydroxyl, acetoacetoxy, carboxyl, epoxy, primary amine and secondary amine. The copolymer is polymerized from a monomer mixture that includes one or more non-functional methacrylate monomers and one or more functional acrylate monomers provided with the functional groups. The crosslinking component includes polyisocyanate, polyamine, epoxy, polyacid, ketimine, melamine, or a combination thereof. The invention is also directed to coating produced from the coating composition.

Abstract: A programmable signal analysis device for detecting and counting neurological and muscular events in living tissue that incorporates one or more signal threshold levels to identify an event, a counter to count events, and a timer to determine event frequency as events per unit time. The threshold levels and counter/timer operating modes/parameters are digitally programmable to identify and count events, i.e., electrical signals having defined parameters. Such a circuit is of particular use in a microstimulator/sensor which is capable of being injected into living tissue at the site of interest. The microstimulator/sensor is used to stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or to block a neural pathway to alleviate pain or block stimulation of a muscle.

Abstract: A container for packaging items such as semiconductor wafers has a restraining portion with a changeable dimension at an open end that facilitates using conventional loading techniques while also more securely containing the items to avoid undesirable movement of the items in the container. In one example embodiment, the restraining portion includes a sidewall portion that has a first, nominal inside dimension at one end. A second end of the sidewall portion has a second, greater inside dimension at an open end. Another member of the container cooperates with the sidewall portion to change the inside dimension at the open end from the second, greater dimension to the first, nominal dimension. The nominal dimension is selected to correspond to an exterior dimension of the items to be contained within the package so that the container maintains the items in a secure alignment that eliminates lateral movement of the items once the container is secured.

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by heating a component assembly comprised of the metal part, the ceramic part, and a compatible interlayer material such as titanium-nickel alloy placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the eutectic temperature of the interlayer material, where alloys, intermetallics or solid solution formed between the metal part and the metal interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of either the ceramic part or the metal part. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a hermetic and strong bond between the ceramic part and the metal part. The bonded component assembly is optionally treated with acid to remove unwanted materials, to assure a biocompatible component assembly for implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: A flame retardant fabric comprising bicomponent fibers having a sheath and a core wherein the sheath comprises a fully aromatic thermoplastic polymer with a Limited Oxygen Index of at least 26 and the core comprises a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A method for flipping pages of an electronic book via an electromechanical information browsing device that controls page flipping actions of information displayed as an e-book on a display device. The browsing device includes a controller that provides tactile feedback so as to lessen the user-interface differences between conventional books and e-books. Sensors and control mechanisms in the controller generate a series of electrical signals that are interpreted by the computer that displays the e-book to control various browsing operations, such as flipping pages, controlling a rate of page flipping, jumping to pre-set locations in the e-book, etc.

Abstract: A base frame (2) for use with a base station in mobile communication (aerial, operating cabinet) comprising a first and second cross arm (3, 4), frictionally connected or clamped, and adjustably connected by means of stays (11, 12, 13, 14) to a supporting surface (1), whereby the first and second cross arm are arranged at a distance from the supporting surface (1), a first and second longitudinal arm (3, 4) adjustably frictionally connected or clamped to the first and second cross arm (5, 6).

Abstract: A cryostorage device (100) is described that includes at least one data storage device (200) and at least one sample receptacle device (300) with at least one sample chamber (301, 302, etc.) for the uptake of a suspension sample, the at least one sample chamber (301, 302, etc.) being connected to the data storage device (200) and having a elongated, hollow shape that extends from an inlet end (320) over a predetermined length to an outlet end (330) and being attached to the at least one data storage device (200) in a flexible and movably hanging manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inkjet printer for printing on goods, wherein said printer comprises a computer for controlling the operation process, at least one replaceable tank in the shape of a bottle filled with a previously known quantity of a liquid, an intermediate container arranged in the printer and filled with the liquid from the tank as well as a device also arranged in the printer for detecting the quantity of liquid drawn from the taken. The invention is characterized in that the tank includes an identification element comprising a coded piece of information related to the liquid it contains. The identification elements is inputted into the computer when a new tank is mounted, while said computer comprises a verification program for checking the inputted identification element and for authorizing normal operation of the inkjet printer only when one at least selected verification criterion is correct, such as the use-by date.