Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet radiation generator is disclosed in which Xenon gas is continuously ejected from a high pressure nozzle into a low pressure chamber to generate Xenon atom clusters which are irradiated with a high repetition rate pulsed laser to form a plasma and yield quasi-continuous EUV generation. The nozzle has a beveled outer rim to enable the focus point of the laser light to be brought close to the nozzle. The nozzle is cooled to a temperature at which background Xenon gas condenses onto the nozzle forming a protective layer. A gas compressor serves to recirculate the Xenon gas and batch purification triggered by a mass spectrometer monitoring gas purity may be periodically applied.

Abstract: An articulating implant system is provided for fixation to a bone. The articulating implant system includes a fixation component for fixation to the bone and an articulating member for articulating against bone or cartilage. Specifically, a modular ulnar implant is provided in accordance with the articulating implant system of the present invention wherein the fixation component is a stem for insertion into the intramedullary canal of the distal ulna and the articulating member is a head for articulating with the radial sigmoid notch.

Abstract: A process for joining at least two substrates together comprises applying between the substrates a composition comprising a liquid pre-ceramic binder and at least one other component selected from a metal powder, a metal oxide powder and mixtures thereof, and pyrolysing the composition, to form a join between the two substrates, the join comprising a mixed metal oxide. The composition is capable of joining together a wide variety of substrates, without failure, after exposure to high temperature.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane, comprising polyesterifying a carbamate containing at least two functional groups selected from hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acid groups or esters or anhydrides thereof, in the presence of a polyesterification enzyme, and optionally in the presence of one or more copolymerizable monomers having two or more functional groups selected from hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acid groups or esters or anhydrides thereof. This process enables a broader range of polyurethanes to be accessed commercially than the previously described processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective apparatus for housing and protecting sensitive components disposed therein, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a hard drive. The protective apparatus includes an outer casing, a fan panel, a connector panel, an internal box including the sensitive components and located within the outer casing, an internal housing contained within the internal box, and shock assemblies suspending the internal housing within the internal box.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of an article having a contact biocidal property, there is provided a polymer solution which contains atomic/metallic silver in suspension or complexed with the polymer and/or which contains a silver compound in solution, in suspension or complexed with the polymer. This polymer solution is applied to a substrate by impregnation or surface deposition, thus coating the substrate. Alternatively, it is possible to convert the polymer solution to a fibre, film, powder or foam, effectively forming the article from the polymer solution instead of coating an existing article. In either case, any silver compound present is reduced to atomic/metallic silver, and the resultant article is dried.

Abstract: A coating composition comprises an inorganic phase homogeneously mixed with an organic phase, the inorganic phase being obtainable by hydrolysis of first and second hydrolysable inorganic monomer precursors, the first hydrolysable inorganic monomer precursors (A1) being different to the second hydrolysable monomer precursors (A2) and having at least two hydrolysable ligands, and the second hydrolysable inorganic monomer precursors having at least one non-hydrolysable ligand, the organic phase comprising polymerisable organci organic species, characterized in that the molar ratio, R (A), of first hydrolysable inorganic monomer precursors (A1): total hydrolysable inorganic monomer precursors (A1 & A2) is in the range 0.4 t to 0.99.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer ceramic coating for applying thermal barrier protection to a substrate. It has an inner ceramic layer coating the substrate. The inner ceramic layer has a plurality of macrocracks distributed throughout the inner ceramic layer. An outer ceramic layer coats the inner ceramic layer. The outer ceramic layer is substantially free of vertical macrocracks.

Abstract: Powders having contact biocidal properties comprise a polysacharide carrying atomic/metallic silver. The preferred polysaccharide is chitin, although other polysaccharides including chitosan, carboxymethyl celluloses and carrageenans can be used. The chitin may be obtained from deproteinated crustacean shells without demineralisation, thus being admixed with calcium carbonate and other naturally occurring minerals present in the shells, and may be enzyme deacetylated. The powders of the invention can be used as biocidal dusting powders, formulated into pastes, gels, hydrogels, creams, foams and aerosol sprays for pharmaceutical applications, or dissolved to form solutions for coating substrates such as skin, fabrics, glass, leather and paper to give a bactericidal surface. A particular application of such a solution is as a protective, post-wash treatment for workwear in a laundering process.

Abstract: The functions of IFN&ggr;-induced GTPases of the IGTP-family as strong anti-infective agents, and more particularly a strong anti-parasite and/or anti-bacterial agents, are disclosed. These molecules (in both protein and nucleic acid forms) are effective to modify anti-microbial e.g., anti-bacterial and/or anti-parasitic) immune responses in a subject, to prevent or inhibit replication or infectivity of microbe, to treat microbial diseases, and to detect susceptibility of a subject to microbial infection. This invention also provides kits and compounds useful in such methods. Also provided are transgenic non-human animals in which IGTP-family member gene expression has been altered, and the use of such animals to screen for anti-microbial agents.

Abstract: A game of chance and a method and system for playing the game for a plurality of game participants that is based on “tic-tac-toe”. Game participants self-select or have selected automatically for them a plurality of playing game pieces from a population of game pieces. Game participants assign the plurality of playing game pieces into one of a plurality of discrete cells of at least one matrix that appears on each game ticket. A selection device randomly selects a plurality of winning game pieces from the same population of game pieces with or without replacement. Game participants can win a prize if a plurality of their playing game pieces match a plurality of winning game pieces to form one of more winning lines. A winning line comprises a plurality of matched playing game pieces, which are located in adjoining cells of the at least one matrix, forming one or more horizontal, vertical or diagonal “rows”.

Abstract: A game of chance for a plurality of game participants that is played in a plurality of drawing stages and a method and system for playing the game are disclosed. Game participants self-select or have selected automatically for them a plurality of playing numbers from a population of numbers that are arranged on a game ticket in a number of columns and/or rows, which are grouped in a plurality of discrete blocks. A selection device randomly selects a plurality of winning numbers from the same population in two or more stages. Game participants can win a prize during or at the completion of each drawing stage if all of their playing numbers in designated rows and/or columns match the winning numbers selected in that drawing stage. Thus, game participants can win some prize for matching fewer than all of the winning numbers selected. Moreover, a plurality of winning combinations is possible on each game ticket, producing a plurality of ways to win on a single ticket.

Abstract: A novel lottery ticket as well as a lottery game and method of playing that game using the lottery ticket are disclosed. The lottery ticket can be used to participate in at least one of a plurality of drawing events that occur over a period of time. The lottery ticket comprises a number of panels that conceal a number of playing game pieces and/or free spaces. The playing game pieces and/or free spaces are concealed by a removable coating material. Participants can choose which drawing event to play, manifesting their intent to play a particular drawing event by revealing the playing game pieces associated with the panels that are designated specifically for that particular drawing event. The game is played further by selecting a combination of winning game pieces and determining whether any of each participant's playing game pieces match some or all of the winning game pieces.

Abstract: A composition containing at least one isocyanate terminated polyester obtainable by enzyme catalyzed polyesterification of one or more monomers selected from dicarboxylic acids, diols or polyols and/or hydroxyacids in the presence or absence of an inert organic solvent and a diisocyanate.

Abstract: A system and method for improving performance and fuel efficiency of a combustion engine by providing an oxygen enriched gel which is inserted near an air intake, where the gel is stored within a container formed from a gas permeable membrane which is sufficiently porous so as to enable the gel to gradually evaporate. The evaporating gel releases oxygen, which is drawn into the air intake, resulting in reduced emissions and improved performance of the engine. No modifications to the combustion engine are required to use the system. The gel is inexpensive, and the gel container is preferably replaced or refilled approximately as often as an oil change is performed.

Abstract: A technique for creating, training, and using a telecommunication network-based automatic voice-dialing system is provided through the automatic determination, by a network element, of likely called parties for a given customer. This determination is made based on records of network usage by the customer. Names of the likely called parties are determined through the use of, e.g., a conventional reverse telephone directory database.

Abstract: In order to optimize the utilization of resources (e.g., technicians) in performing a number of jobs, each job is assigned a cost time-dependent function and each resource is assessed for the time at which it will be available. For each combination of jobs with resources, an actual can be determined. The combination giving the lowest overall cost is then determined. Additional features are disclosed to ensure incompatible job/resource combinations are not allocated, and to reduce the complexity of the calculation by prioritizing the jobs and resources.

Abstract: A compressor or turbine blade having its tip coated with a zirconium-based oxide having a plurality of macrocracks extending at least 100 microns through the coating and the process used to produce such a coating.

Abstract: A thermal spray process for producing a MCrAlY-based coating wherein M is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel and mixtures thereof and wherein the oxygen in the fuel-oxidant mixture of the thermal spray process converts a substantial portion of the yttrium component to Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, a minor portion of the aluminum component to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and the Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 are present in an amount of less than 15 volume percent of the coating.

Abstract: A method and for mounting a flat printing plate on a cantilevered plate cylinder of a printing press, particularly in a lithographic web-fed rotary printing press. The printing plate is bent into an essentially cylindrical shape and inserted into a hollow tube. The tube and plate are slid from the side over a mandrel mounted on the plate cylinder. The mandrel expands the printing plate to a condition where the mandrel has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube and which is larger than the outer diameter of the plate cylinder. The tube and printing plate are slid down the length of the plate cylinder, and the ends of the plate are then locked using a lock-up device. The tube is then removed from the plate cylinder. Air bearings may be used on the mandrel or the plate cylinder, and the mandrel may be expandable.