Abstract: Laminated (and, in some cases, additionally etched) glazing units for cooperation with solar-energy systems during architectural integration thereof include an optically-transparent substrate in contact with an incident medium, on one side, and with a non-quarter-wave thin-film-stack based interference filter on another side, followed by an exit medium. Embodiments are practically applicable to conceal physical structures disposed behind them and characterized by IR-light transmittance that is enhanced (as compared with conventional glazing units based on quarter-wave thin-film-stacks and similarly utilized) to improve efficiency of a solar-energy system carrying at least a portion of such glazing unit on its front surface. Colour of reflected light perceived as a function of angle is sufficiently stabilized for practical applications. In specific cases, a solar-energy system is integrated inside or with such a glazing unit.

Abstract: Laminated (and, in some cases, additionally etched) glazing units for cooperation with solar-energy systems during architectural integration thereof include an optically-transparent substrate in contact with an incident medium, on one side, and with a non-quarter-wave thin-film-stack based interference filter on another side, followed by an exit medium. Embodiments are practically applicable to conceal physical structures disposed behind them and characterized by IR-light transmittance that is enhanced (as compared with conventional glazing units based on quarter-wave thin-film-stacks and similarly utilized) to improve efficiency of a solar-energy system carrying at least a portion of such glazing unit on its front surface. Colour of reflected light perceived as a function of angle is sufficiently stabilized for practical applications. In specific cases, a solar-energy system is integrated inside or with such a glazing unit.

Abstract: A laminated and etched glazing unit having a substrate and a multi-layered interference filter each delimited by two main faces; the incident medium having a refractive index ninc=1, the substrate having a refractive index nsubstrate defined as: 1.45?nsubstrate?1.6 at 550 nm, and the exit medium being defined as follows 1.45?nexit?1.6 at 550 nm; and wherein the following requirements are met: The saturation of the colour is higher than 8 at near-normal angle of reflection, except for grey and brown; the visible reflectance is higher than 4%; the variation of the dominant wavelength MD of the dominant colour MD of the reflection is smaller than 15 nm for ?r<60°; and the total hemispherical solar transmittance is above 80%.

Abstract: A laminated and etched glazing unit having a substrate and a multi-layered interference filter each delimited by two main faces; the incident medium having a refractive index ninc=1, the substrate having a refractive index nsubstrate defined as: 1.45?nsubstrate?1.6 at 550 nm, and the exit medium being defined as follows 1.45?nexit?1.6 at 550 nm; and wherein the following requirements are met: The saturation of the colour is higher than 8 at near-normal angle of reflection, except for grey and brown; the visible reflectance is higher than 4%; the variation of the dominant wavelength MD of the dominant colour MD of the reflection is smaller than 15 nm for ?r<60°; and the total hemispherical solar transmittance is above 80%.

Abstract: Single- or multilayered coating, such as a selective solar absorber coating or a coating being part of an integrated electronic circuit, comprising one or more layers containing germanium (Ge) doped VO2+x, where ?0.1?x?0.1.

Abstract: A glazing for daylighting and seasonal thermal control, the glazing including a pane defined between an outside-oriented interface and an inside-oriented interface, the pane comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component has a parabolic reflective surface with a focus point located on the second component.

Abstract: Laminated and etched glazing unit for architectural integration of solar energy systems comprising a substrate delimited by two main faces and a multi-layered interference filter also delimited by two main faces, one main face of said substrate being adapted to be in contact with an incident medium, the other main face being in contact with a main face of said interference filter, the other main face of said interference filter being adapted to be in contact with an exit medium; said incident medium having a refractive index ninc=1, said substrate having a refractive index nsubstrate defined as follows: 1.45?nsubstrate?1.6 at 550 nm, and said exit medium being defined as follows 1.45?nexit?1.

Abstract: A glazing for daylighting and seasonal thermal control, the glazing including a pane defined between an outside-oriented interface and an inside-oriented interface, the pane comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component has a parabolic reflective surface with a focus point located on the second component.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer platform makes use of a streaming agent running at each peer. The streaming agent causes a peer to receive chunks of content from different neighboring peers, store some of the chunks in a local cache, and distribute those cached chunks to neighboring peers. Delivering next generation broadcasts (e.g., as streams of live audio and digital media) of any size utilizing the Internet is achieved. Users can view a live or prerecorded stream of a broadcast through an integrated media player, or can replay a broadcast through an integrated, intelligent archiving service. Use of the platform reduces bandwidth demands on live streaming and archiving services to a level where it is sustainable within a profitable business model to offer the services for at most a negligible fee.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for detection and treatment of syncope in an implantable medical device, and particularly to detection of syncope as a function of a predetermined increase in one or more respiration parameter and drop in heart rate and optionally delivering a pacing therapy in response thereto. The onset of a syncopal episode is declared when the patient's respiration rate and/or tidal volume and/or minute ventilation increases by a predetermined increment or threshold and a heart rate drops below a threshold heart rate drop. The threshold heart rate drop is preferably established as a function of the change in the respiration parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for detection and treatment of syncope in an implantable medical device, and particularly to detection of syncope as a function of a predetermined increase in one or more respiration parameter and drop in heart rate and optionally delivering a pacing therapy in response thereto. The onset of a syncopal episode is declared when the patient's respiration rate and/or tidal volume and/or minute ventilation increases by a predetermined increment or threshold and a heart rate drops below a threshold heart rate drop. The threshold heart rate drop is preferably established as a function of the change in the respiration parameter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-layer refractory wear body having a wear layer being exposed to a direct thermal, mechanical and/or metallurgical attack, and at least another layer of a ceramic material having different physical properties.

Abstract: A shutoff and/or control assembly for use in regulating the discharge from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory ceramic rotor member to be coupled to a stator to be rotated relative thereto to control discharge. A drive rod has an inner end extending into the rotor member and engaging therewith such that rotation of the drive rod causes rotation of the rotor member. At least an inner end portion of the drive rod is formed of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A closing and/or regulating apparatus for tapping molten metal from the interior of the metallurgical vessel includes an inner refractory pipe having extending through a wall thereof at least one opening and an outer refractory pipe fitted over the inner pipe and having extending through a wall thereof at least one opening. Outer and inner surfaces of the inner and outer pipes, respectively, define mating sealing surfaces. One of the pipes is fixedly mounted to a metallurgical vessel, and the other pipe is movable axially and/or rotatably relative to the one pipe to thereby selectively bring the openings to the two pipes relatively into and out of alignment. The inner pipe has adjacent an inner end thereof at a position inwardly of the opening therein a closure closing the interior of the inner pipe. The outer pipe defines therein a space forming a gas distribution chamber at a location confronting the closure.

Abstract: A closing and/or regulating apparatus for tapping molten metal from the interior or a metallurgical vessel includes a vertical inner pipe having extending through a wall thereof at least one opening for the passage of molten metal. An outer pipe is fitted over the inner pipe and has extending through a wall thereof at least one opening. One of the pipes is to be mounted stationarily with respect to a metallurgical vessel, and the other of the pipes is displaceable relative to such one pipe in a vertical axial direction through a working stroke at which the openings of the pipes may be brought into alignment to thereby discharge molten metal downwardly through the interior of the inner pipe. The dimension of the opening in the stationary pipe in such direction is greater than the dimension of the opening in the displaceable pipe in such direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are wearable carbon-containing refractory elements, such as wearable refractory parts of a slide valve for use in controlling flow of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel, which are impregnated with tar or other wear reducing agent. In order to prevent decarburization of the refractory elements, they are saturated in an aqueous borate solution and then dried, so that the borate will migrate outwardly toward the surfaces of the elements and form protective layers which will prevent infiltration of ambient air into the refractory material. Prior to saturation of the elements in the borate solution, the wearable surfaces of the elements, such as those surfaces which will be subject to contact with molten metal, are coated with film which will prevent saturation by the borate solution, such that no protective layer is formed at the wearable surfaces. This allows the tar or other wear reducing agent to migrate outwardly through the wearable surfaces so as to reduce wear caused by the molten metal.

Abstract: A closing and/or regulating apparatus for tapping molten metal from the interior of the metallurgical vessel includes an inner refractory pipe having extending through a wall thereof at least one opening and an outer refractory pipe fitted over the inner pipe and having extending through a wall thereof at least one opening. Outer and inner surfaces of the inner and outer pipes, respectively, define mating sealing surfaces. One of the pipes is fixedly mounted to a metallurgical vessel, and the other pipe is movable axially and/or rotatably relative to the one pipe to thereby selectively bring the openings to the two pipes relatively into and out of alignment. The inner pipe has adjacent an inner end thereof at a position inwardly of the opening therein a closure closing the interior of the inner pipe. The outer pipe defines therein a space forming a gas distribution chamber at a location confronting the closure.

Abstract: A refractory shutoff assembly for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory inner pipe to be fixedly mounted in a bottom of the vessel, such inner pipe having therethrough at least one opening at a position to be above the vessel bottom. A refractory outer pipe is mounted about the inner pipe and has therethrough at least one opening. The outer pipe has a lower end with an annular end surface. The outer pipe is movable relative to the inner pipe axially thereof between an open position, whereat the opening in the outer pipe aligns with the opening in the inner pipe, and a closed position, whereat such openings are isolated to block molten metal discharge.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lead calcium alloy for electrode grids, the alloy being substantially antimony-free. Copper and/or sulphur in small amounts are added to said alloy in order to significantly improve the casting properties, the mechanical and the corrosion properties.