Abstract: The installation according to the invention comprises at least one mould, a vessel intended to receive the liquid metal and means for directly determining the evolution of the level of molten metal in the impression of the mould. These determination means comprise means for detecting the presence of this liquid metal in the impression, particularly of electromagnetic nature, which are adapted to penetrate at least partially in the interior volume of this impression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of fibroblast growth factor-binding protein (FGF-BP) polypeptides, and functional variants of these polypeptides, respectively, or of nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides or variants, or of functional variants of these nucleic acids, and/or of a cell which is expressing an FGF-BP polypeptide or functional variants thereof, for treating, diagnosing and/or preventing wound healing disturbances which are characterized by a reduced quantity of FGF-BP, in particular diabetes-associated wounds, and also to the use of at least one FGF-BP polypeptide as depicted in SEQ ID No. 1 and SEQ ID No. 3 and/or of at least one FGF-BP-encoding nucleic acid as depicted in SEQ ID No. 2 and SEQ ID No.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display (100) comprises a front light-transmissive substrate (112), a rear substrate (116) spaced from the front substrate (112) so as to leave a cavity, and an electrophoretic medium (102) in the cavity, the electrophoretic medium (102) comprising a liquid external phase (120) and a plurality of capsules (104) suspended in the liquid external phase (120), each of the capsules comprising a capsule wall, a suspending fluid (106) held within the capsule wall and at least one electrically charged particle (108, 110) suspended in the suspending fluid (106).

Abstract: A computer-implemented process prepares bank service charge reports for banking activity of a client. An electronic translator is provided for converting service charge items of a plurality of individual banks, expressed in terminology of the respective individual banks, to a service description expressed in a standardized terminology. Bank service charge items and bank account data are inputted into a computer. The bank service charge items and bank account data are for a specified period of time for one or more banks being used by a client. The bank service charge items and bank account data are obtained from one or more bank statements of a client and are expressed in the one or more statements in terminology used by the one or more banks. In the computer, one or more bank service charge reports are automatically created for the client from the inputted bank service charge items by using the electronic translator.

Abstract: Multilayer articles, particularly multilayer articles having electrical or ionic conductivity, are made using an improved melt extrusion process. The process includes a combination step in which a macroscopically homogeneous mass is formed prior to introduction into an extruder. The multilayer article may include an electrode layer and a separator layer that are extruded onto a metal current collector. Such structures are particularly useful in lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of chipboard comprising a centre layer (18) of coarse chips and outer layers (20) of chips whose fibers are oriented in the plane of the board. In order to be able to reduce the density of the finished board while retaining the intrinsic characteristic profile of the board, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the chips used to compose the centre layer (18) will comprise end-grain cut, flake-like chips (22) whose fibers are oriented in the thickness direction (24) of the chips, the chip fibers in the centre layer being oriented substantially transversely to the plane of the chipboard. The invention also relates to chipboard manufactured in accordance with the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing N-aryl-2-lactams, N-alkyl-2-lactams, and N-cycloalkyl-2-lactams by reductive amination of lactones with aryl or alkyl nitro compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: A Network Address Register (NAR) is a routing device for use in a GSM telephone system. The NAR receives network messages and determines the network address of the appropriate network elements (network items) that is the destination of the message. The NAR allows subscribers and network elements of the GSM telephone system to be assigned independently. Existing methods of assigning subscribers and network elements using fixed association, such as telephone number blocks, are eliminated.

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 very thin essentially pure interlayer material of a compatible interlayer material placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the eutectic formed between the metal part and the metal interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of either the interlayer material, 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 any residual free nickel and nickel salts, to assure a biocompatible component assembly for implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation, especially for electromagnetic radiation in the GHz or THz range. The detector comprises a semiconductor structure having a 2D charge carrier layer or a quasi 2D charge carrier layer with an edge, at least first and second contacts to said charge carrier layer, said contacts being provided at said edge and being spaced apart by a distance, and a device for measuring at least one of the photocurrent between said first and second contacts, the photovoltage between said first and second contacts and the resistance between said first and second contacts. A device is provided for applying a magnetic field to said detector with a field component perpendicular to said charge carrier layer. An output signal of said measuring device provides information about at least one of the presence of electromagnetic radiation, the intensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation and the frequency of the incident electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electro-active lens is disclosed. The lens is manufactured by providing a lens blank having a front and back surface, a thickness, and an index of refraction. An electro-active element is placed on one of the front or back surfaces of the lens blank. A covering surface is then formed over the surface of the lens blank containing the electro-active element. In some embodiments, the electro-active lens may then be surfaced to provide a desired fixed optical power and edged to fit within a spectacles frame.

Abstract: An encapsulation material, intended for use in encapsulated electrophoretic displays, comprises the coacervation product of a polyanionic polymer having a vinyl main chain and a plurality of anionic groups bonded to the main chain, with a cationic or zwitterionic water-soluble polymer capable of forming an immiscible second phase on contact with the polyanionic polymer.

Abstract: A two-phase electrophoretic medium comprises a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase. The discontinuous phase comprises a plurality of droplets, each of which comprises a suspending fluid and at least one particle disposed within the suspending fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the electrophoretic medium. The continuous phase surrounds and encapsulates the discontinuous phase. To reduce the humidity sensitivity of the medium, a non-ionizable or crystalline polymer may be used as the continuous phase.

Abstract: Electrodes for use in electrochemical assays to determine whether a candidate drug is metabolised by an oxidative drug-metabolising enzyme (DME) are described. In a first type of electrode the DME is immobilised at the surface of the electrode. In a second type of electrode, a surface of the electrode is modified by the covalent or non covalent addition of chemical groups to allow efficient transfer of electrons from the electrode to the DME in solution. Use of the electrodes in electrochemical assays are described, as well as electrochemical reaction chambers comprising the electrodes.

Abstract: An implantable, integrated apparatus that contacts the brain with a plurality of metal needles to detect electrical signals or to transmit signals to the brain. The needles are connected by wires that pass along a flex connector to a ceramic case that contains electrodes to carry the signals to the electrical processing components that are hermetically contained in the ceramic case. The processed signals are received by or are transmitted by an antenna to a remote central processor.

Abstract: A hose apparatus used as part of an air and water supply system to deliver water and air to a firefighter. The hose apparatus includes an air hose and a water hose with an adaptor at each end of the air and water hoses. The adaptors have an inner passageway with an air groove. The adaptors have a first air hole in fluid communication with the air hose and the air groove and a second air hole in fluid communication with the air groove and the air supply or breathing hose for the firefighter. The second air hole has a coupling which prevents air from exiting the adaptors when the hose apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: The electric microfluidics multiplex system comprises at least one channel for liquid flows which includes molecules, particularly biomolecules, molecule complexes or microparticles adapted to be manipulated and in particular to be transported by electric fields. Further, the electric microfluidics multiplex system comprises a multitude of electrodes arranged to follow each other individually or in groups along the at least one channel, and drive electronics with a plurality of outputs for control signals to be applied to the electrodes. The electrodes are divided into groups. Each group is assigned to an output of the drive electronics. The electrodes of each group are interconnected and are connected to the respective assigned output of the drive electronics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is related to providing sensing functions that are similar to “human touch” when located in a prosthetic device such as a BION microstimulator that is implanted in a patient. The apparatus includes a power circuit, a communication circuit, and a sensor circuit. The power circuit provides power to the communication circuit and the sensor circuit. The sensor cooperates with the communication circuit, which communicates to the brain. The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity, return signal spectrum, return signal rate, and return signal phase to name a few. For example, the impedance observed by the sensor changes when: the skin tissue is deformed around the sensor, or when the skin is surrounded by water. The sensory information is interpreted by the brain as an analog of touch or feel.

Abstract: The invention relates to organically modified, stable in storage, UV curable, NIR permeable silicic acid polycondensates which are photostructurable in layers having a thickness of 1 to 150 ?m. The invention also relates to the production and use thereof as negative resists. The polycondensates according to the invention are obtainable by condensation of organically modified silanediols of the formula I with organically modified silanes of the formula II. Ar2Si(OH)2 ??(I) RSi(OR?)3 ??(II) The radicals are identical or different and have the following meaning: Ar=a radical having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and at least one aromatic group, R=an organic radical having 2 to 15 carbon atoms and at least one epoxy group and/or at least one C?C double bond, R?=methyl or ethyl. Condensation occurs without the addition of water. The molar ratio of said compounds I and II is 1:1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing N-aryl-2-lactams, N-alkyl-2-lactams, and N-cycloalkyl-2-lactams by reductive amination of lactones with aryl or alkyl nitro compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.