Abstract: An approach is provided for mid-service sharing and includes selecting an icon in a display on an apparatus. The icon represents an application, such as a network resource, in a particular state of interaction with the apparatus. Sending a message is initiated. The message specifies icon data for presenting the icon within a different user device. According to another embodiment, an approach includes receiving a message that specifies state data for a first user device to access a network resource in a state of interaction with a second user device. A media stream is transmitted to the first user device. The media stream is synchronized with a media stream being transmitted to the second user device. In some embodiments, once a collaborative session is evoked, the action of either user augments the state presented on other user's device, for the duration of the joint action.

Abstract: A reactor for the conversion of biomass material includes an elongate annular chamber with an inner wall and an outer casing. A screw conveyor extends from one end into the chamber to feed biomass material. A heat source is provided within the inner wall of the chamber, and may be comprised of a series of permanent magnet assemblies mounted for rotation within a sleeve of electrically conductive material. The sleeve also serves as the inner wall of the chamber. Each magnet assembly includes a series of magnets spaced apart on a periphery of a circular support. A layer of insulating material is provided between the magnet assemblies and the sleeve. A rotatable shaft adapted for connection to a driving power source provides a mounting for the magnet assemblies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit, and the related method of making the same. Use of the multifunctional battery permits structural integrity and versatility, wile maximizing power output of the cells and minimizing the overall weight of the structure. The multifunctional battery includes an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells so as to provide a structural electrode. The structural electrode is configured to be a load bearing member. The battery also includes interstitial electrodes that are counter electrodes to the structural electrode. The interstitial electrodes are at least partially received within a predetermined number of the cells of the interconnected structure. Additionally, a separator portion is disposed between the structural electrode and interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to PCR-based clonality studies for among others early diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders. Provided is a set of nucleic acid amplification primers comprising a forward primer, or a variant thereof, and a reverse primer, or a variant thereof, capable of amplifying a rearrangement selected from the group consisting of a VH-JH IGH rearrangement, a DH-JH IGH rearrangement, a VK-JK IGK rearrangement, a VK/intron-Kde IGK rearrangement, a V?-J? IGL rearrangement, a V?-J? TCRB rearrangement, a D?-J? TCRB rearrangement, a V?-J? TCRG rearrangement, a V?-J? TCRD rearrangement, a D?-D? TCRD rearrangement, a D?-J? TCRD rearrangement, a V?-D? TCRD rearrangement, or a translocation selected from t(11; 14)(BCL1-IGH) and t(14;18)(BCL2-IGH). The primers can be used in PCR-based clonality studies for early diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders and detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). Also provided is a kit comprising at least one set of primers of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the manufacture of a dental restoration including the steps of forming a model of refractory material of a tooth, and forming, by flame spraying directly on to said refractory model, a base layer of predetermined thickness of said restoration, said refractory model being cooled during the formation of said base layer. The refractory model is subjected to burn out, and optionally hardening heat treatment, and one or more layers of dental porcelain are applied to the base layer following sintering of said base layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the manufacture of a dental restoration including the steps of forming a model of refractory material of a tooth, and forming, by flame spraying directly on to said refractory model, a base layer of predetermined thickness of said restoration, said refractory model being cooled during the formation of said base layer. The refractory model is subjected to burn out, and optionally hardening heat treatment, and one or more layers of dental porcelain are applied to the base layer following sintering of said base layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a refractory material for use in the manufacture of dental restorations, the refractory material comprising essentially of an admixture of Silica, Silicon Carbide, Magnesium Oxide, Mono Ammonium Phosphate, and Zircon or Aluminium Oxide in predetermined proportions by weight. The material is formed as an homogenous powder and mixed with a colloidal silica based solution to form a creamy mixture suitable for casting into a silicone based impression of a prepared tooth so as to form a refractory model of said tooth. The homogenous powder may be stored in moisture resistant material until required to be mixed with said colloidal silica based solution.

Abstract: A football boot has a plurality of studs disposed in a pattern which includes a part of at least one ring. The studs are asymmetric in that they provide grip along a first axis and permit sliding along another axis in a manner to encourage self cleaning. The studs are arranged with their respective first axes aligned along the locus of the ring and their respective second axes aligned transversely of the ring.

Abstract: A method of forming an article having a cermet layer on a porcelain substrate, via the steps of (a) providing a substrate made a porcelain comprising one or more crystalline oxide phases dispersed in a glassy matrix, the glassy matrix containing 0.25 to 45.0 weight % of a reducible metal oxide having a reduction potential of between -1.0 and +3.5 E.degree./V; and (b) heating the substrate in a reducing atmosphere to form on at least one surface of the substrate a layer of cermet comprising elemental metal which is a reduction product of the reducible metal oxide. The article may be used as a substrate for magnetic recording disks.

Abstract: A composition which represents a new class of unleaded transparent vitreous ceramic which is described as an `Advanced or Combined Intermediate-Oxide Alkali Borosilicate. The composition comprises in combination a specially developed alkali borosilicate and a major addition selected from combinations of the group of traditionally accepted opacifiers, consisting of Zirconium, Tin, and Titanium, the said elements being present in said combination in amounts 0.5 to 43.9 wt % in terms of the Oxide form. The major addition will consist of at least two of said elements. The composition may include minor additions (.ltoreq.10 wt %) of any other element or elements which do not cause loss of transparency.

Abstract: An electrode is formed on a substrate such as a varistor, a PTC ceramic, or a piezoelectric ceramic by coating a surface of the substrate with a combination of a metal source and a source of reducing carbon. The substrate and/or the combination is an absorber of microwave radiation. Irradiation with microwave radiation causes a carbothermic reduction to occur, converting the metal source to a metal electrode on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an infusion package comprising a closed bag (1) containing an infusible substance for infusion in a liquid, the bag being formed from panels (2,3) of porous material sealed together at their peripheral margins (4); and a pair of drawstrings (11, 12), each of which extends into the interior of the bag through a seal between the panels at a first location (13,14) on the peripheral margins, and extends across the interior of the bag to an anchoring point at a generally opposed location on the peripheral margins without any intermediate interengagement with the said panels of the bag; and wherein each drawstring is anchored by being held between two sealed together portions of the panels, the arrangement being such that pulling the drawstrings in generally opposite directions causes the bag to collapse, thereby to express liquid absorbed by the infusible substance during infusion. The infusion package is preferably a tea bag or coffee bag.

Abstract: An infusible package includes a closed bag, containing an infusible substance for infusion in a liquid. The bag is formed from panels of porous material sealed at their peripheral margins; and at least one string. Each string extends through a seal between the panels, enters the interior of the bag at a point on the peripheral margins and extends across the interior of the bag to an anchoring point at or adjacent the peripheral margins. The length of that portion of each string which extends across the interior of the bag between the point on the peripheral margins and the anchoring point is greater than the distance between that point and the anchoring point. With this arrangement, pulling the string initially causes withdrawal from the bag interior of slack string length disposed therein.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an orthopedic bandage which hardens by means of a free radical catalyzed polymerization reaction, wherein said reaction is initiated by an improved redox catalyst system, and an improved method for forming a cast from said orthopedic bandage. The bandage comprises a flexible carrier having a cast forming composition comprising a monomer (polymerizable by means of said improved redox catalyst system) supported thereon, which monomer may be a solid, water soluble vinyl monomer such as diacetone acrylamide (DAA), N isopropylacrylamide (N-IPA) or mixtures thereof. The improved catalyst system includes a copper salt in combination with a reducing agent such as ferrous sulfate, sodium sulfite, oxalic acid and the like. The preferred copper salt is cupric acetylacetonate.The polymerization of the above monomer may be initiated by contacting the cast forming composition with water, in the presence of said improved redox catalyst system, e.g.

Abstract: The use of certain complex carboxylic acids and the salts thereof in compositions capable of providing a moisturizing effect in skin and methods for their use is disclosed. The compositions comprise a water-in-oil emulsion containing an amount that is effective to provide a moisturizing effect when applied to the skin, of a compound selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-methyl-butyrolactone-.gamma.-carboxylic acid, the alkali metal salts of said acids and mixtures thereof; or selected from the group consisting of the succinic half acid esters of sucrose having a degree of substitution of at least about 5, the salts of said acids and mixtures thereof.