Abstract: A method of challenging a student may comprise obtaining an initial performance-level-value which may be a specific performance level value respective of, e.g.

Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.

Abstract: A Method for obtaining amniotic mesenchymal tissue cells (AMTC) and/or chorionic mesenchymal tissue cells (CMTC) comprises a) isolating amniotic membrane and/or chorionic membrane from human placenta and/or separating amniotic and chorionic membrane, a) washing the membrane of step a) to remove contaminants b) cutting the membrane of step b) c) incubating the membrane fragments of step c) in a medium containing dispase for 5 to 15 minutes at 33 to 42° C. d) incubating the composition of step d) in a resting solution for 5 to 15 minute at room temperature e) repeating steps d) and e) 0 to 6 times f) if chorionic membrane is involved peeling the stromal layer from the trophoblastic layer of the chorionic membrane of step e or f) g) digesting the fragments obtained in step e), f), or g) respectively, with collagenase for 1 to 5 hours at 33 to 42° C. h) collecting AMTCs and/or CMTCs from the suspension obtained in step h).

Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of selected monoanionic phosphine ligands, which also contain a selected Group 15 or 16 (IUPAC) element and which are coordinated to a Group 3 to 11 (IUPAC) transition metal or a lanthanide metal, are polymerization catalysts for the (co)polymerization of olefins such as ethylene and ?-olefins, and the copolymerization of such olefins with polar group-containing olefins. These and other nickel complexes of neutral and monoanionic bidentate ligands copolymerize ethylene and polar comonomers, especially acrylates, at relatively high ethylene pressures and surprisingly high temperatures, and give good incorporation of the polar comonomers and good polymer productivity. These copolymers are often unique structures, which are described.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulated wire having a conductor and an insulator of paste extruded PTFE fine powder around the conductor. The paste extruded insulator has at least one closed continuous longitudinal air channel spaced apart from the conductor. The invention further provides a process for forming an insulator around a conductor by paste extruding lubricated PTFE fine powder in an extrusion device comprising a die, mandrel, and at least one channel-forming member. The die and mandrel form a converging chamber leading to an extrusion orifice and the channel-forming member is positioned in the orifice. The mandrel has a central bore for supplying the conductor. Lubricated PTFE fine powder is forced through the chamber and out of the exit of the orifice as a lubricated green extrudate around the conductor forming an insulator with at least one closed longitudinal air channel spaced apart from the conductor.

Abstract: Modular pool constructive design whose walls are constituted by metallic panels (17, 18, 19), made up by folding metallic sheets, comprising a bottom including a structure that supports a plurality of metallic panels-tiles (16) —said walls (11, 12, 13, 14) are connected to said bottom's structure, making up a unique and non-deformable structure, all the pool's elements are interlinked by semi-permanent connecting means, such as screws and nuts. The dimensions of the pool's elements allow its easy transport in small vehicles or buildings' elevators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a lowest bidding vendor from a plurality of vendors of a customized good or service, including receiving a set of vendor's attributes from each of the plurality of vendors representing their respective capabilities, and receiving an invitation-for-bid data from the buyer defining a custom job for which the buyer desires price quotes or bids. The vendor attributes or the invitation-for-bid, or both, are received through a web browser. The invitation-for-bid is compared to each of the vendor's attributes according to certain standard or optional selection criteria to generate a vendor selection pool of vendors qualified to bid on the job. Each vendor in the vendor selection pool receives a vendor's invitation-for-bid. A bid is received from at least one vendor in the vendor selection pool, the lowest price bid is identified, the buyer is informed of the identity of the selected vendor, and solicited for approval of the selected vendor.

Abstract: Systems are described for the “on-site” production of substantial amounts of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The systems include a stack of multiple electrochemical cells, which decompose organic carboxylated compounds into CO2 and H2 without leaving any residue. From a bench-top small generator, producing about 1 lb of CO2 per day to a large-scale generator producing 1 ton of CO2 per day, the process is essentially identical. Oxalic acid, either anhydrous or in its dihydrate form, is used to efficiently generate the gases. The energy required is less than 0.3 Kilowatt-hours per lb of CO2 generated. Individual cells operate at less than 1.2 volts at current densities in excess of 0.75 amps/cm2. CO2 production rates can be controlled either through voltage or current regulation. Metering is not required since the current sets the gas production rate. These systems can competitively replace conventional compressed CO2 gas cylinders.

Abstract: A non-linear element is formed on a flexible substrate by securing the substrate to a rigid carrier, forming the non-linear element, and then separating the flexible substrate from the carrier. The process allows flexible substrates to be processed in a conventional fab intended to process rigid substrates. In a second method, a transistor is formed on a insulating substrate by forming gate electrodes, depositing a dielectric layer, a semiconductor layer and a conductive layer, patterning the conductive layer to form source, drain and pixel electrodes, covering the channel region of the resultant transistor with an etch-resistant material and etching using the etch-resistant material and the conductive layer as a mask, the etching extending substantially through the semiconductor layer between adjacent transistors.

Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and an apparatus for fabricating a tridimensional solid object by sintering inorganic particles of controlled size distribution. The particles are directed onto a target area in a powdery stream in the shape of a conical surface which is coaxial to a simultaneous heating flux while an at least bidimensional relative movement is maintained between the target area, the powdery stream and the heating flux. As a result the particles sinterization occurs in a single operation directly onto the target area.

Abstract: A MOS or CMOS based active pixel sensor with special sampling features to substantially eliminate clock noise. The sensor includes an array of pixels fabricated in or on a substrate, each pixel defining a charge collection node on which charges generated inside a photodiode region are collected, a charge integration node, at which charges generated in said pixel are integrated to produce pixel signals, a charge sensing node from which reset signals and the pixel signals are sensed. In preferred embodiments the sensor includes a continuous electromagnetic radiation detection structure located above the pixel circuits providing a photodiode region for each pixel. The sensor includes integrated circuit elements adapted to maintain voltage potentials of the charge integration nodes substantially constant during charge integration cycles. The sensor also includes integrated circuit elements having electrical capacitance adapted to store charges providing an electrical potential at the charge integration node.

Abstract: A transforming apparatus automatically adjusting the voltage of three-phase power supply comprising three input terminals, three output terminals, a Y-connection three-phase transformer, a switch group, and a switch switching circuit. The three input terminals are respectively connected to three main lines of the three-phase power supply, and the three output terminals are connected to a load installation. The Y-connection three-phase transformer comprises a core, an R-phase winding circuit, an S-phase winding circuit, and a T-phase winding circuit. In the R-phase winding circuit, an R-phase main winding, an R-phase first auxiliary winding, an R-phase first switch, an R-phase second auxiliary winding, and an R-phase third auxiliary winding are serially connected in that order between the input terminal Rin and a neutral point O, the output terminal Rout being connected to the other end of the R-phase main winding.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for making spin-drawn yarn from poly(trimethylene terephthalate). The yarn, when packaged on a cheese-shaped spindle, can be produced in large sizes without crushing.

Abstract: Foam-forming compositions are disclosed which contain a mixture of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and at least one hydrofluoroolefin. Also disclosed is a closed-cell polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer foam prepared from reaction of an effective amount of the foam-forming composition with a suitable polyisocyanate. Also disclosed is a process for producing a closed-cell polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer foam by reacting an effective amount of the foam-forming composition with a suitable polyisocyanate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to buffer bilayers, and their use in electronic devices. The bilayer has a first layer including at least one electrically conductive polymer doped with at least one highly-fluorinated acid polymer. The second layer is a reacted layer from a metal which can be one or more transition metals, Group 13 metals, Group 14 metals, or lanthanide metals.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for a determination, section after section, of a parameter-dependent correction value approximation course includes determining a first measurement signal value with a first parameter value associated with a sensor arrangement when the first parameter value fulfils a predetermined condition or a trigger condition is fulfilled, changing the first parameter value to obtain a second parameter value, determining a second signal value with the second parameter value and determining a second partial section of the correction value approximation course for a second parameter range based on a functional connection describing the second partial section, the first parameter value, the second parameter value, the first measurement signal value, the second measurement signal value and an initial correction value.