Abstract: Ethylene, dienes and optionally ?-olefins are copolymerized by selected iron complexes of 2,6-pyridinecarbox-aldehydebis(imines) and 2,6-diacylpyridinebis(imines). The resulting copolymers contain residual olefinic unsaturation from the diene monomers, and some of these copolymers contain cyclic units in the main chain.

Abstract: A tension adjustment mechanism for a stringed musical instrument suitable for use on a tailpiece assembly comprises a pivoting member (such as a string receptor), an adjustable stop, and a lever handle engaged with the pivoting member. The pivoting member preferably has a post for securely receiving an end of a string and an elongate arm. Placement of the handle in a first position preferably causes the adjustable stop to engage and depress the elongate arm of the pivoting member, thereby increasing tension on the string. Placement of the handle in a second position preferably causes the adjustable stop to disengage the elongate arm of the pivoting member, thereby allowing the pivoting member to return to its original position, and decreasing tension on the string. A fine tuning adjustment may be included in the tailpiece assembly. The adjustable stop and/or fine tuning adjustment may comprise adjustable screws.

Abstract: An implantable enzyme-based monitoring system suitable for long term in vivo use to measure the concentration of prescribed substances such as glucose is provided. In one embodiment, the implantable enzyme-based monitoring system includes at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and having a window therein, and a polymeric window cover affixed to the outer membrane and covering the window. Preferably, the outer membrane of the monitoring system is silicone and the window cover is a polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N,N,-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and methacrylic acid (MA). Also provided herein is an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system having at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and a coating affixed to the exterior surface of the outer membrane, wherein the coating resists blood coagulation and protein binding to the exterior surface of the outer membrane.

Abstract: With a method for cryo-preservation, at least one specimen is arranged on a storage substrate and specimen data, which are characteristic for features of the specimen, are stored at specific positions. Also, a storage substrate for cryo-preservation with such a method is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conditioning fibrous substances, especially wood fibers that are dried in a dryer. In a substantially closed drying circuit (1) a vapor-gas mixture is guided in said dryer as a circulating gas (referred to as vapors) that is separated from the dried fibers (6) in a separator (5) once it has passed the drier, and is then returned to a first heat exchanger (7) connected to the drying circuit (1). Gas is heated in a furnace (11) and is supplied to the heat exchanger to heat the vapors. A partial flow (8) of the vapors is coupled out upstream of the first heat exchanger (7) when seen in the direction of the drying circuit (1), heated in a second heat exchanger (10) and is then supplied to the furnace (11) and combusted. In order to reduce emissions and save energy, the partial flow (8) of vapors coupled out, before being heated in the second heat exchanger (10), is cooled in a vapor condenser (9) and depleted, and the resulting condensation product (14) is fed out.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a microlens array having a plurality of microlenses for splitting a ray bundle of illumination light into a plurality of convergent partial ray bundles which illuminate a sample simultaneously at several measuring points; a beam splitter for separating a beam path of the illuminating light and a beam path of sample light originating from the illumination of the sample and captured in an inverse direction with regard to the illumination light; a pinhole diaphragm array having a plurality of pinhole diaphragms arranged in the beam path of the sample light and corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light; and a further microlens array having a plurality of microlenses corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light. Said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light and said microlenses of said further microlens array are arranged in the beam path of the sample light.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means (31, 33) for guiding and for holding the longitudinal edges of the film to be sealed so that they overlap with an intimate and distributed contact and comprises in an opposing position, a short distance from these guide means, a sealing head (6) made in good thermal insulator and with a low coefficient of friction in relation to the film, which directs onto the said film jets of hot air at an appropriate temperature and an appropriate pressure, through longitudinal slits of appropriate dimensions (35). The sealing head is connected to supply and control means (39-44) that keep it fully operational or have it promptly fully operational, the head being mounted on means (45) for moving it rapidly towards or away from the film to be sealed.

Abstract: A track fastener assembly for securing a seat or cargo apparatus to a floor track of a vehicle. The assembly includes a bottom rail with forward and aft ends. Front and rear movable slides carrying locking studs are carried by the bottom rail. A locking rod having a helical groove formed in its outer surface is operatively connected to the bottom rail and the slides. Rotation of the locking rod causes the slides to move axially from an installation position to a locking position. As the slides move to the locking position, they are deflected upwards along with the attached locking studs, clamping the track fastener assembly to the track.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a mevalonate synthesis enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the mevalonate synthesis enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the mevalonate synthesis enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an vehicle wheel includes engaging a valve stem with a robotic manipulator, moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel, coaxially aligning the valve stem with the aperture in the rim, and inserting the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. Preferably, the aperture location in the rim is determined at a gauging station by a machine vision system. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station can use a table which rotates the wheel about a central axis, and an optical sensor detects the location of the aperture. Optionally, a probe mounted on the gauging station can be extended into the aperture to confirm the aperture position and to reposition the rim slightly if required.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a mevalonate synthesis enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the mevalonate synthesis enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the mevalonate synthesis enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: An electrically driven membrane process apparatus is provided comprising a first spacer having a perimeter having a surface with an inner peripheral edge defining an opening, and a recess formed on the inner peripheral edge, and an ion exchange membrane having an outer edge fitted within the recess. The spacer can further comprise a plurality of bosses and an ion exchange membrane having a corresponding plurality of apertures for receiving the bosses. The spacer can include a plastic mesh consisting essentially of polypropylene or polyethylene, and a perimeter surrounding the plastic mesh, the perimeter comprising material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic vulcanizates and thermoplastic elastomeric olefins. The spacer can have an upstanding seal member depending therefrom, received by groove within a corresponding frame member. A second spacer is also provided having a continuous flange depending from its surface and surrounding a throughbore, for pinching a portion of the first spacer.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition having low absorption loss at 1,300-1,610 nm and is suitable for practical waveguide devices. The composition comprises at least one (meth)acrylate prepared from a fluorinated monomer or polymer having minimum two hydroxyl groups, at least one multifunctional non-fluorinated (meth)acrylate and at least one photoinitiator. An optical coating on a variety of substrates is obtained by exposing the photosensitive composition to actinic radiation such as UV light. An optical waveguide device is fabricated by patterning the photosensitive composition on a substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding granule-bound starch synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of the granule-bound starch synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the granule-bound starch synthase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for managing, tracking and controlling page sub-component prerequisites in a graphical user interface (GUI). According to one embodiment, in response to a request for a destination page and with reference to prerequisite information, one or more sub-component prerequisites associated with the destination page are identified. Then, a determination is made whether one or more requirements associated with the identified sub-component prerequisite have been satisfied by invoking a method of an instance of the identified sub-component prerequisite that causes stored information to be retrieved regarding the state of the sub-component prerequisite from a current environment/context.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-N-(methyl aryl)-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-N-(methyl cycloalkyl)-2-pyrrolidone and 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone by reductive amination of levulinic acid esters with aryl or alkyl cyano compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: A configuration for measuring the concentration of contaminating particles at high time resolution in the mini environments of loading and unloading chambers of processing appliances in semiconductor fabrication includes a probe, a movement unit for the probe, a particle detector, vacuum pump and a control unit. Reaching critical layer thicknesses of disk carriers or boats in ovens, and maladjustments of handling systems for wafers, masks, flat panel displays and other disc-like objects can be detected in terms of the cause and quantified immediately. The movement unit moves the probe to a desired position in the loading and unloading chamber as a reaction to the positioning of the handling system. A method of operating the configuration is also provided.

Abstract: A sputter ion source includes an ionizer; a sputter cathode, including a cathode, a sputter insert, and a shielding cap; a forming electrode; cathode insulator; a hollow, cylindrical shielding cathode, surrounding the sputter cathode, and tapered rotationally symmetrically in the region of the sputter insert; and a vacuum-tight housing for enclosing all of the foregoing. The sputter ion source has a prolonged operating life, low maintenance costs, and prevents atomization of parts of the ion source, for generating negative ions, in the vicinity of the cathode insert.

Abstract: A photosensitive element for use as a photopolymer printing plate comprising a support, a layer of a photopolymerizable material on the support, and an infrared ablation layer which is ablatable by infrared radiation and substantially opaque to actinic radiation on the photopolymerizable material. The infrared ablation layer comprises at least one infrared absorbing material, a radiation opaque material, and at least one binder which is substantially incompatible with low molecular weight materials in the photopolymerizable layer. The infrared ablation layer is tack-free or substantially tack-free on the photopolymerizable layer. The infrared ablation layer is ablatable from the surface of the photopolymerizable layer upon exposure to infrared laser radiation.