Abstract: Novel polypeptides of human megakaryocyte stimulating factors (MSFs). Pharmaceutical compositions containing same, and methods for their preparation and use are provided.

Abstract: Described are systems of recording piston rod position information in a magnetic layer on the piston rod. A piston rod moving with respect to a cylinder has a magnetically hard layer formed thereon to provide a recording medium. A magnetic pattern is recorded in the magnetically hard layer. A magnetic field sensor senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder and generates signals in response to the magnetic pattern that are used to determine an instantaneous position of the piston rod.

Abstract: A process is described for producing an alkylaromatic compound by reacting an alkylatable aromatic compound with a feed comprising an alkene and an alkane in a multistage reaction system comprising at least first and second series-connected alkylation reaction zones each containing an alkylation catalyst. At least the first alkylation reaction zone is operated under conditions of temperature and pressure effective to cause alkylation of the aromatic compound with the alkene in the presence of the alkylation catalyst, the temperature and pressure being such that the aromatic compound is partly in the vapor phase and partly in the liquid phase. An effluent comprising the alkylaromatic compound, unreacted alkylatable aromatic compound, any unreacted alkene and the alkane is withdrawn from the first alkylation reaction zone and at least part of the alkane is removed from the effluent to produce an alkane-depleted effluent. The alkane-depleted effluent is then supplied to the second alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: At least two fixable fluid materials are digitally applied adjacent to each other on a surface of a substrate and fixed to provide fixed coatings having different surface energies The first fixed coating has a first average receding contact angle with water, and the second fixed coating has a second average receding contact angle with water, wherein the magnitude of the difference between the first and second average receding contact angle is at least 30 degree. The coated substrates are useful for controlling the flow of fluid.

Abstract: An article for grooming an animal includes an elongated handle and a plurality of dematting blades, each of which has a sharp edge for aiding in removing mats from the fur of an animal. The article further includes a comb having a plurality of combing tines for combing the fur of an animal. Most advantageously, selective positioning structure is provided for selectively positioning the article in one of a first grooming position that is characterized by the dematting blades being operatively positioned while said comb is retracted, and a second grooming position that is characterized by the comb being operatively positioned while the dematting blades are retracted.

Abstract: A method of notifying clients of a change in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) including a first client requesting notification of a first change in the USB, detecting the first change in the USB, and notifying the first client requesting notification that the first change in the USB occured. The first change may be, for example, connection or disconnection of a USB device.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to electrical interconnect assemblies and methods of forming same. One exemplary method applies a generally flowable protective material to an electrical interconnect region comprising portions of at least two conductors. The method also exposes the protective material to conditions sufficient to render the protective material to a generally non-flowable state which protects the electrical interconnect region from degradation, wherein said exposing also reflows solder positioned proximate the electrical interconnect region to allow the solder to bond with the at least two conductors.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a sheet bending brake assembly for securing a work piece. The sheet bending brake assembly includes a clamping member having a lower leg extending therefrom and a pivoting arm pivotally supported by and extending from the clamping member. The pivoting arm defines a clamping area with the lower leg. A base supports the clamping members and provides support to the assembly while moving the pivoting arm between the open position and the clamped position. A guide mechanism reacts between the clamping member and the pivoting arm for moving the pivoting arm between the open position and the clamped position. The guide mechanism has a guide slot with a detent positioned within the guide slot between the first and the second ends for positioning the pivoting arm in an intermediate position to allow for precisely aligning the work piece.

Abstract: A printhead positioning mechanism has an arm mounted on a pivot member and having a first portion adapted to move along an arcuate path. A printhead is mounted on an arm.

Abstract: A variably amplified load indicating fastener includes a fastener (100) detachably secured to a load indicator via a base member. The fastener (100) has an abutment which is moved by a change in length under an applied load. The load indicator includes a dial plate (16), a needle (24) pivotally supported by the plate (16), a compensating slot (36), a driving slot, an elongated U-shaped element (50) disposed in the direction in which the load is applied when the fastener (100) is in use, and a first reference mark (40a). One side of the U is rigidly attached to the fastener. The closed end of the U is proximate to and movable by the abutment. The other side of the U extends through the compensating slot (36) and the driving slot (26). The needle (24) is operatively coupled to the outer end of said second side. A sleeve with a second reference mark fits over the outer circumference of both the load indicator and the base member.

Abstract: A support apparatus adapted to support a snowboard having a threaded insert during a tuning operation is provided. The support apparatus includes a support member and a board rest supported on the support member. An attachment member extends from the board rest and is adapted to engage the threaded insert of the snowboard. A method of supporting a snowboard is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, and software to form photoresist resin which has a more uniform distribution of polymers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes introducing a first monomer into a reaction vessel; introducing a second monomer into the reaction vessel; and introducing an initiator into the reaction vessel to cause a polymerization of the first and second monomers, wherein the introducing the first and second monomers into the reaction vessel is performed in a manner that a concentration ratio of the first and second monomers is a function of a predetermined inverse relationship to a reactivity ratio of the first and second monomers. In another embodiment, the method includes introducing an initiator into the reaction vessel to cause a living or pseudo-living polymerization of the first and second monomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for catalytically reducing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas stream containing nitrogen oxides and a reductant material by contacting the gas stream under conditions effective to catalytically reduce the nitrogen oxides with a catalyst comprising a aluminum-silicate type material and a minor amount of a metal, the catalyst characterized as having sufficient catalytic activity so as to reduce the nitrogen oxides by at least 60 percent under temperatures within the range of from about 200° C. to about 400° C.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for use with a sheet bending brake has a clamping member having a lower leg extending therefrom, a pivot arm and a guide mechanism. The pivoting arm being pivotally supported by and extending from the clamping member to define a clamping area with the lower leg. The guide mechanism reacts between the clamping member and the pivoting arm for moving the pivoting arm between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A method of increasing a number of possible users in a wireless communication system comprises directing steered beams to users within a sector of the system so that each user receives data via its own unique steered beam from a base station. The steered beams prevent more than one user from receiving data carried on the same beam. If the steered beams for at least two users are far enough apart so they do not interfere with each other, the base station assigns the two users the same code, such as the same Walsh code, for coding and decoding purposes to allow the base station to assign the same code to more than one user in a given sector.

Abstract: Methods of applying adhesive to a surface of a substrate comprise: digitally applying a fixable fluid material to a portion of the substrate surface, fixing the first fluid material to form a fixed coating in contact with the substrate surface, wherein the fixed coating has at least one boundary that encloses a region of the substrate surface within the at least one boundary, and applying a second fluid material comprising at least one of an adhesive and an adhesive precursor to at least a portion of the enclosed region of the substrate surface. Various products, including laminated products, may be prepared according to such methods.

Abstract: At least two fixable fluid materials are digitally applied adjacent to each other on a surface of a substrate and fixed to provide fixed coatings having different surface energies. The coated substrates are useful for controlling the flow of fluids.