Abstract: A training ammunition projectile has a solid chemical component disposed in a base compartment that produces a gaseous visible plume after impact. The ammunition cartridge generates kinetic energy while propelling the projectile through a weapon barrel. This firing process imparts heat into a projectiles driving band. When the projectile is in flight, heat passes from the projectile's driving band into a compartment in the projectile housing the chemical component. When the component is exposed to increasing heat and low pressure, the it undergoes rapid sublimation. The projectile is configured with a vent opening in its base for emergence of the gaseous plume during flight. The opening is preferably capped to allow for stable storage and to prevent any gas from escaping until the projectile is fired.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a toy arrangement involving a flickering, animated and/or luminescent toy object will be described. The toy arrangement includes a toy object having a light sensitive layer. A light source is arranged to illuminate the light sensitive layer with a pattern revealing light. The light sensitive layer is arranged to emit colored light in response to exposure to the pattern revealing light. In some implementations, the light source is arranged to vary the intensity of the pattern revealing light, which in turn can cause the colored light emitted from the toy object to fade, brighten and flicker. The toy arrangement may also include a speaker that emits sounds that are synchronized with changes in the colored light.

Abstract: A reference voltage generator circuit may include at least one MOS transistor and at least one bipolar transistor coupled together to provide an electrical path from an input reference potential to an output of the generator circuit. The electrical path may extend through a gate-to-source path of the MOS transistor and further through a base-to-emitter path of the bipolar transistor. The MOS transistor may be biased by a bias current that is proportional to T2·?(T), where T represents absolute temperature and ?(T) represents mobility of a MOS transistor in the bias current generator. Optionally, the reference voltage generator may include N MOS and M multiple bipolar transistors (N?1, M?1), and the output reference voltage may be N*VGS+M*VBE as compared to the input reference potential.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a toy arrangement involving a flickering, animated and/or luminescent toy object will be described. The toy arrangement includes a toy object having an ultraviolet sensitive layer. A light source is arranged to illuminate the ultraviolet sensitive layer with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet sensitive layer is arranged to emit colored light in response to exposure to the ultraviolet light. In some implementations, the light source is arranged to vary the intensity of the ultraviolet light, which in turn can cause the colored light emitted from the toy object to fade, brighten and flicker. The toy arrangement may also include a speaker that emits sounds that are synchronized with changes in the colored light.

Abstract: The present invention comprises cyclic peptides bearing antitumor and antiangiogenic properties, as well as their corresponding pharmaceutically-suitable salts and also pharmaceutical compositions containing it. These cyclic peptides are used to prepare medicines for human and/or veterinary therapeutics, and additionally in diagnosis. These compounds can be used to detect, monitor and/or control a range of cellular proliferation-related disorders, such as oncological diseases and undesired angiogenesis. Moreover, they can be included as part of controlled release systems, and used more precisely in the field of nanobiotechnology, either because of their self-assembly capacity or as part of other systems.

Abstract: A focus error signal resulting from the photothermically-induced expansion is measured in a sample of material under analysis. A laser is disposed as a periodically modulated heating source which is directed to the sample and a device for focus error measuring which is directed to the surface being heated. A device measuring focus error generates a signal representative of the displacement of the surface of material in perpendicular direction due to the expansion produced by the periodic heating, which is filtered, either analogically or digitally, to discriminate the displacement component at the frequency in which it was modulated or at any other related frequency, such any harmonic or a sum with any other modulation. The focus error signal, appropriately calibrated, gives a precise and sensitive measure of the magnitude the expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining characterizing attributes of an actuator is provided. An actuator may be moved to a maximum capacitance position. At the maximum capacitance position, an initial measurement of the actuator capacitance is made. The actuator is moved a predetermined increment toward a first extreme position, and the actuator capacitance is again measured. If the capacitance changed by a threshold amount, the signal preceding the signal that caused the actuator to move is recorded as an approximate response curve end point, or the first extreme position. The actuator is again moved a predetermined increment toward a second extreme position. After each move, the capacitance is measured. If it is determined the capacitance did change by a threshold amount from the previously measured capacitance, the signal related to the previously measured capacitance is recorded as an approximate response curve end point, or the second extreme position.

Abstract: The disclosure includes assays and methods for screening for risk of Down syndrome and/or trisomy 21 in a fetus. The assays and methods comprise determining the level of at least one biomarker selected from mucin 13 (MUC13), bile salt-activated lipase (CEL), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), carboxypeptidase A1 (CPA1), amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tenascin-C (TNC-C) polypeptides in a test biological sample from a pregnant subject, wherein a decreased level of MUC13, CEL, DPP4, and/or CPA1 polypeptide and/or an increased level of APP and/or TNC-C polypeptide in the test biological sample compared to a corresponding reference biomarker polypeptide level indicates an increased risk of Down syndrome or trisomy 21 in the fetus. The disclosure also includes assays, compositions, immunoassays, and kits for performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in an electric transformer uses a rigid fastening member during transportation which is uncoupled during its operation, leaving the live part of the transformer coupled to a tank through damper elements reducing vibration transmission from the live part to the tank, reducing the noise emitted by the transformer.

Abstract: A pizza cutter includes at least one blade, a handle attached to the blade, and extenders for positioning the cutter in a pizza box to cut uniform slices of pizza. The blade may be a single blade or two blades forming a 90 degree “X”. The handle is attached across the top of the blade and may include slots to better grasp the handle. The extenders are attached to opposite ends of the cutter and may be fixed or rotating, and intersect opposite corners of the pizza box to align the blade to cut uniform slices.

Abstract: A via is provided on a printed circuit board with at least one additional depression encompassing the via, such that the via passes through a portion of the depression. Solder can pool in the depression, allowing for a stronger mechanical bond and eliminating many issues with respect to a lack of coplanarity between a lead and the printed circuit board. The depression can be provided with plugged and unplugged vias, and improves the mountings associated with both.

Abstract: A detection circuit is coupled to an output terminal of a driver circuit. The detection circuit includes a comparator to compare a signal at the output terminal to a reference signal corresponding to a signal that would be generated if a capacitive load having a relatively high capacitance value were connected to the output terminal. Output of the comparator is sampled at a predetermined time after the driver circuit provides the drive signal. An error signal is generated when the sampled output indicates that the capacitive load having the relatively high capacitance value is actually connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a pellet of epidermal growth factor and methionine or K2S2O7, a capsule which comprises these pellets, processes for theirs preparations and it use for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing mechanically reinforced plated through-holes (PTH) in PCBs, which advantageously allow improved soldering capabilities and reliability, are described herein. Such systems and methods are achieved by reducing the heat sinking effects of PTHs by providing one or more vias surrounding the PTHs to provide an electrical connection between the PTH and the internal and bottom conductive layers of a PCB. In this regard, the PTHs are spaced apart from at least one of the internal conductive layers (e.g., ground or power layers), so the heat sinking effects are reduced. This feature enables molten solder to substantially fill the entire PTH before freezing, thereby improving the mechanical and electrical connection between an electrical component and the PCB. One or more electrically-nonfunctional lands (or “rib reinforcements”) are provided in internal conductive layers to mechanically support the walls of the PCB.

Abstract: The disclosure includes assays and methods for screening for risk of Down syndrome and/or trisomy 21 in a fetus. The assays and methods comprise determining the level of at least one biomarker selected from mucin 13 (MUC13), bile salt-activated lipase (CEL), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), carboxypeptidase A1 (CPA1), amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tenascin-C (TNC-C) polypeptides in a test biological sample from a pregnant subject, wherein a decreased level of MUC13, CEL, DPP4, and/or CPA1 polypeptide and/or an increased level of APP and/or TNC-C polypeptide in the test biological sample compared to a corresponding reference biomarker polypeptide level indicates an increased risk of Down syndrome or trisomy 21 in the fetus. The disclosure also includes assays, compositions, immunoassays, and kits for performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in an electric transformer uses a rigid fastening member during transportation which is uncoupled during its operation, leaving the live part of the transformer coupled to a tank through damper elements reducing vibration transmission from the live part to the tank, reducing the noise emitted by the transformer.

Abstract: A detection circuit is coupled to an output terminal of a driver circuit. The detection circuit includes a comparator to compare a signal at the output terminal to a reference signal corresponding to a signal that would be generated if a capacitive load having a relatively high capacitance value were connected to the output terminal. Output of the comparator is sampled at a predetermined time after the driver circuit provides the drive signal. An error signal is generated when the sampled output indicates that the capacitive load having the relatively high capacitance value is actually connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: A system for a Class AB Amplifier output stage that includes a first push pull system connected to an output terminal including a first driving transistor coupled to the output terminal and a second push pull system connected to the output terminal including a second driving transistor coupled to the output terminal. The amplifier also includes a current mode amplifier where the current mode amplifier's output is coupled to the first driving transistor's gate. The amplifier further includes a pair of resistors, a first resistor coupled to a first input terminal of the current mode amplifier, a second resistor coupled to a second input terminal of the current mode amplifier and coupled to the second driving transistor.

Abstract: A frame block for use in displaying typically flat planar rectangular objects such as photographs comprises two parallel planar areas, at least one such area having a plurality of grooves and associated ridges. The grooves and ridges each have a predetermined width and an associated length. The grooves are cut into a surface of the frame block and have a predetermined depth for receiving a clear plastic protector frame for an object to be displayed. The grooves and ridges form an area for display in which a two- or three-sided clear plastic protector frame may be mounted, each of which protects the object to the displayed. When standing on a side with the grooves horizontally aligned to said side, the frame block area is adapted to receive a three-sided protector and associated object at a location within the area selected by a user, two opposite sides of the three-sided protector being received into two horizontally aligned grooves.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a toy arrangement involving a flickering, animated and/or luminescent toy object will be described. The toy arrangement includes a toy object having an ultraviolet sensitive layer. A light source is arranged to illuminate the ultraviolet sensitive layer with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet sensitive layer is arranged to emit colored light in response to exposure to the ultraviolet light. In some implementations, the light source is arranged to vary the intensity of the ultraviolet light, which in turn can cause the colored light emitted from the toy object to fade, brighten and flicker. The toy arrangement may also include a speaker that emits sounds that are synchronized with changes in the colored light.