Abstract: Saponins of formula (I), a stereoisomeric form thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt thereof, wherein R1 to R12 have the meaning given in the description, can be isolated from plants of the family Myrsinaceae and used, to decrease the infectiousness of and reduce the mortality associated with protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania which are responsible for a group of conditions known as leishmaniases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coding a plurality of multimedia data according to which original multimedia data are acquired and converted into one or several bitstreams in which the different levels of information are then captured by means of analysis and segmentation. A description step allows to generate from said obtained levels of information description data that are then coded. More precisely, this description step comprises a defining sub-step, provided for storing a set of descriptors related to said plurality of multimedia data, and a description sub-step, provided for selecting the description data to be coded in accordance with every level of information as obtained in the structuring step. The set of descriptors includes, according to the invention, at least a shape descriptor and a shape deformation descriptor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to herbicide resistant N2 fixing bacteria. The bacteria are useful for effecting N2 fixation, nodulation, growth and yield of herbicide resistant or tolerant leguminous plants treated with herbicide. The bacteria are particularly useful for providing competitive advantage to superior N2 fixing rhizobial strains over non-resistant indigenous rhizobia for nodulation of herbicide resistant or tolerant leguminous plants.

Abstract: A mill for grinding a spice or grain material has a grinding mechanism including: a lever mounted for pivotal movement about a lever axis, a grinder bit mounted for rotational movement about a grinder bit rotational axis, the grinder bit rotational axis being at least approximately parallel to the lever axis, and a linkage coupled to the grinder bit and coupled to the lever to transfer pivotal movement from the lever to the grinding bit. The grinder bit may be cylindrical and include a gradated set of teeth. A cam pivots an engagement surface to adjust a spacing between the engagement surface and the grinding bit to select a size of resulting particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for tuning the content of information presented to an audience, for example, on a large display screen or an information kiosk. A disclosed content selection and driving system (i) extracts relevant characteristics about the audience, (ii) analyzes the characteristics, (iii) modifies the presented content based on the analysis, and (iv) records relevant statistics for reporting. An audio/visual analyzer derives audience characteristics and other information on the public reaction to the presented advertising or information by analyzing audio or video information, or both. The derived characteristics are utilized to tune the content of the presented advertising or information to the characteristics of the current audience. A reporting module receives real-time audience statistics and an indication of the selected content.

Abstract: A digital video recorder or similar apparatus implements a method of converting an input data stream having an MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS) format into an output data stream having an MPEG-2 Program Stream (PS) format. The input data stream (TS) includes data of at least first and second elementary data streams (404, 406) formed and multiplexed in compliance with a TS decoder model. The first elementary stream is a video stream, while the second stream is an audio stream of lower data rate. The input stream is parsed (402) and the elementary streams are demultiplexed into respective FIFO queues 404/406. Each stream is further parsed to obtain and calculate time stamp information which is queued separately at (408/410) with pointers to the stream data (at 404/406). The schedule and packetisation applied to the elementary streams in the input stream (TS) cannot be applied directly in creating the output stream (PS).

Abstract: An optical device for processing radiation that includes a beam splitter and a plurality of radiation processing parts arranged to process the characteristics of different radiation components separately, The polarizing beam splitter includes a wire grid polarizer, a first transparent plate arranged adjacent one side of the polarizer and a second transparent plate arranged adjacent the other side. Each of the first and second plates have substantially equal optical thickness profile.

Abstract: An optical input device for measuring the movement of a finger (15) ia accommodated in a housing provided with a transparent window (12) for transmitting a measurement beam (13) from a diode laser (3) to the finger and radiation reflected by the finger to a detector (4). This feature prevents that grease and dust disturb and block the measuring beam.

Abstract: A data processing arrangement (1) comprises a first processor (PROC1) for providing successive sets of input data, a second processor (PROC2) for receiving successive sets of output data and a memory system (2) comprising a plurality of memory circuits (MEM) for storing the input and output data. According to the invention, the data processing arrangement further comprises a master controller (MCP) for setting up memory system by means of control commands (CC) associated with a set of input data and a set of output data. These control commands are received in the memory system by a control unit (MCU). When a data (Di) from the set of input data is provided by the first processor, this control unit selects, on the basis of the control commands, a first memory circuit and generates a write-address (AD_W) in said first memory circuit.

Abstract: Methods and systems whereby two electronic wallets communicate and exchange information. In one such system, a consumer's personal electronic wallet communicates with the exclusive or preferred wallet of a web merchant. In one such system, an internet consumer registers with a web merchant's exclusive or preferred electronic wallet (“merchant wallet”) and provides consumer information (e.g., credit card number, mailing address, and other information) to the merchant wallet, which is stored by the merchant wallet in a database on the merchant server. Such information may be automatically populated by the consumer's personal electronic wallet. The consumer maintains current consumer information in a consumer electronic wallet on the consumer's personal computer. When the consumer visits the merchant site again, and orders goods or services, the merchant's preferred wallet can be automatically updated by the consumer's electronic wallet if any of the data in the merchant's wallet has changed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a polymer obtainable from the steps: polymerizing a mixture, that is substantially free or organic solvents, of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which consist for at least 70% of methacrylates, and which comprises specific chain transfer agents, ?-methylstyrene dimer being preferred, to form a first polymer, aqueous emulsion polymerizing a mixture comprising ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of the first polymer to form a dispersion of a water-insoluble second polymer, wherein these steps are preferably performed in the absence or the substantial absence of a surfactant.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent display device comprising a front electrode member, a counterelectrode member, an organic electroluminescent member arranged between the front electrode member and the counterelectrode member, and an optical filter member with a cut-off filter to absorb electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is below a cut-off wavelength ?k, and to transmit electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is above a cut-off wavelength ?k, has an improved contrast under bright ambient light conditions.

Abstract: A method of calculating forces applied at an interface between a revolving element and a support on which the element revolves using a set of fixed sensors capable of delivering three independent signals representative of forces being applied on a fixed race of a bearing. The method is an iterative processing procedure and a calibration procedure, which is carried out before a first iteration of the processing procedure. The invention also applies such a method to the case of a tyre running on a road.

Abstract: The user is enabled to upload, to a server on the Internet, information from a first contact data base in a first communications apparatus. The server manipulates the uploaded information and extracts or converts the format of the records for a second contact data base of a second communications apparatus.

Abstract: A method for thermally-assisted magnetic recording at an areal density above 100 Gb/in2 combines thermo-magnetic writing and optical or magnetic reading. In order to increase the stability of the recorded information, writing is carried out at an elevated temperature on a medium with a very high coercivity at room temperature. The magnetic write head determines the track width, allowing very small track widths, and the coercivity gradient resulting from the thermal gradient at the edge of the focused radiation spot, determines the bit length. The radiation may be varied so that the coercivity gradient at the trailing edge of the magnetic field is highest, when the magnetic field is switched.

Abstract: A first set of interferometric measuring beams is used to determine a location of a patterned surface of a reticle and a reticle focus plane for a reticle that is back clamped to a reticle stage. A second set of interferometric measuring beams is used to determine a map of locations of the reticle stage during scanning in a Y direction. The two sets of interferometric measuring beams are correlated to relate the reticle focal plane to the map of the reticle stage. The information is used to control the reticle stage during exposure of a pattern on the patterned surface of the reticle onto a wafer.

Abstract: The use of growth hormone (GH) together with an interferon (IFN) to produce a pharmaceutical composition for treating multiple sclerosis and/or other demyelinating diseases is disclosed. Disclosed are also pharmaceutical compositions for treating multiple sclerosis and/or other demyelinating diseases. Disclosed are also pharmaceutical compositions for the simultaneous, separate or sequential use of its active ingredients for the above specified therapy. In particular, the advantage of EP0003504 of GH together with IFN-? to produce a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of multiple sclerosis are shown.

Abstract: An audio signal processing device is described for deriving auxiliary audio signals, such as audio direction sensing signals or a center audio signal from first and second audio signals through first and second filter paths, each of which comprises a first adaptive filter, and a first summing means is provided for coupled to the first adaptive filters for providing a summed audio signal at its summing output. Each filter path further comprises a second adaptive filter coupled to said summing output, whose respective adaptive filter coefficients are transferred to the first adaptive filters and are adapted in response to respective comparisons of the first and second audio signals with filtered sums of the first and second audio signals. Therewith correlated and uncorrelated parts of the input audio signals are processed effectively.

Abstract: A method for sealing rock or soil comprising inserting a sealing composition obtained by mixing a silica sol and at least one gelling agent, wherein the silica sol has an S-value higher than about 72%, a method for preparing the sealing composition and the composition obtained from the method.

Abstract: A squeeze dispenser for liquids, preferably relatively highly viscous liquids, is provided with a flexible holder (1) with an outflow opening (2) via which a liquid can be pressed out of the holder, and with a sealing element (3) arranged over this outflow opening. In this sealing element, a first valve (12) is arranged via which, when the holder is squeezed, liquid can be pressed out of the holder, as well as a second valve (18) for admitting air into the holder when the holder is no longer squeezed.