Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic means and methods for heart failure. In particular, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject suspected to suffer therefrom comprising determining the amount of at least one cholesterol parameter and/or total sphingomyelins and/or triacylglycerols in a sample of the said subject, and comparing the amount(s) determined in step (a) to a reference, whereby it is diagnosed whether the subject suffers from heart failure, or not. Moreover, the invention pertains to a device for diagnosing whether a subject suffers from heart failure, or not, and to the use, in general, of enzymatic detection agents for at least one cholesterol parameter and/or total sphingomyelins and/or triacylglycerols for diagnosing in a sample of a subject whether the said subject suffers from heart failure, or not. Finally, contemplated is a kit for diagnosing heart failure in subject suspected to suffer therefrom.

Abstract: A blast-protection element for protecting a vehicle against a blast is disclosed. It includes a deformable impact section which has a blast facing surface, at least one apex part and at least two blast-guiding parts. The blast-guiding parts extend at opposed sides of the apex part, and the apex part further includes a protruding apex in the blast facing surface. The blast-guiding parts each include a concave portion of the blast-facing surface and the blast guiding parts in total span at least 75% of the width of the impact section and more than 90% of the blast-facing surface of each of the blast-guiding parts is concave.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to regulate relay coil switching are disclosed. A disclosed example method of regulating switching times of a relay having a pair of contacts to selectively and electrically couple an analog alternating current (AC) power source and a load includes forming a digital pulse train representative of an AC signal at the load, determining a first value corresponding to a representative pulse width of the digital pulse train, providing a first relay switching signal to the relay at a first time relative to a zero crossing of the AC signal, selecting a second time for providing a second relay switching signal to the relay based the first value and a second value representative of the width of a first pulse of the digital pulse train associated with the first relay switching signal at the first time, and providing the second relay switching signal to the relay at the second time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic methods. Specifically, the present invention contemplates a method for diagnosing pancreas cancer in a subject and, preferably for differentiating between pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis and a method for identifying whether a subject is in need for a therapy of pancreatic cancer. The invention also relates to tools for carrying out the aforementioned methods, such as diagnostic devices.

Abstract: Embodiments for water tight sink seals and methods of use are disclosed. The sealer material is formed from extruded closed-cell neoprene or other suitable material and has a flat base bearing a layer of pre-applied adhesive. A strip of the sealing material can be applied as a single length to form an instant sink seal once the sink is clamped. The seals and method of using are suitable for top mounted sinks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic methods. Specifically, the present invention contemplates a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject based on a group of biomarkers. The invention also relates to tools for carrying out the aforementioned methods, such as diagnostic devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting pregnancy or ovulation status by detecting a wireless connection between a pregnancy test sensor and a mobile device; if the wireless connection is made: displaying guidance information on the mobile device for a user to dip a strip into a liquid; detecting at the sensor the presence of liquid on the strip and color change on the strip; and displaying on the mobile device one or more multimedia presentations based on personalized options relating to pregnancy detection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a protective device for a mobile device (smart phone or tablet), comprising: a frame comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall opposite to the third sidewall, the sidewalls being terminated with each other and attached to a backboard, thereby enclosing and defining a space for accommodating the mobile device; provided with an engaging feature allowing the front camera of the mobile device to be covered or uncovered, at the will of the owner. With the present invention, the front camera can be covered by snapping or sliding a small cover in place, or uncovered by lifting or sliding said little cover, thus ensuring protection from potential hackers using the front camera of the device for illegal purposes. The camera cover can be manufactured in any feasible shape and color (star-shaped, diamond-shaped, flower-shaped, heart-shaped, half circle-shaped, etc. etc.).

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to regulate relay coil switching are disclosed. A disclosed example method of regulating switching times of a relay having a pair of contacts to selectively and electrically couple an analog alternating current (AC) power source and a load includes forming a digital pulse train representative of an AC signal at the load, determining a first value corresponding to a representative pulse width of the digital pulse train, providing a first relay switching signal to the relay at a first time relative to a zero crossing of the AC signal, selecting a second time for providing a second relay switching signal to the relay based the first value and a second value representative of the width of a first pulse of the digital pulse train associated with the first relay switching signal at the first time, and providing the second relay switching signal to the relay at the second time.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a protective armor element, to body armor comprising one or more of such elements, and to a preventive method of reducing behind armor blunt trauma of an individual. The protective armor element of the invention comprises a fabric and/or a fiber based composite, wherein said armor element, prior to impact of a projectile, has a concave strike face.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a protective armour element, to body armour comprising one or more of such elements, and to a preventive method of reducing behind armour blunt trauma of an individual. The protective armour element of the invention comprises a fabric and/or a fibre based composite, wherein said armour element, prior to impact of a projectile, has a concave strike face.

Abstract: A method for explosive cutting using converging shockwaves, and an explosive cutting device are disclosed. The method includes providing a projectile with an explosive charge, positioning the projectile over the object so it extends along an intended line of cut, and detonating the explosive charge so that the projectile is accelerated toward the object, wherein the projectile either impacts on the object and the projectile includes a wave-shaping element which is shaped such that the impact generates converging shockwaves in the underlying object to be cut causing a crack to be propagated through the object along the intended line of cut; or impacts on a wave-shaping element in contact with the object, the wave-shaping element being shaped such that the impact generates converging shockwaves in the underlying object causing a crack to be propagated through the object along the intended line of cut.

Abstract: A tubular twist beam comprises a tubular body 20 including a U-shaped groove 22, tubular end sections 28, and transition sections 26 therebetween. The width w of the U-shaped groove 22 decreases continuously from each transition section 26 to a center point C of the tubular body 20 and is narrowest at the center point C to shift stress from the transition sections 26 to an area around the center point C. The tubular body 20 also includes depressions 24 along side walls 38 of each transition section 26 to direct stress to the underside of the U-shaped groove 22 and further balance the stress levels along the length of the tubular body 20. Thus, the tubular body 20 can be formed with a reduced thickness t and thus a reduced weight without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A die 20 used to form a metal tube into a tubular twist beam part 22 having a U-shaped torsion section 66 is provided. The die 20 includes a punch 44 and side form blocks 34 which simultaneously engage a metal tube and form the metal tube into the tubular twist beam part 22. The form blocks 34 have a curved profile which depends on the desired profile of the tubular twist beam part 22 to be formed. The die 20 includes horizontal spacer blocks 38 and vertical spacer blocks 32 restricting movement of the punch 44 and form blocks 34. The spacer blocks 32, 38 can have various different dimensions and can be easily removed and replaced to adjust the closing position of the die 20 and thus form multiple tubular twist beam parts 22 each having a different dimension and different roll rate.

Abstract: A tubular twist beam comprises a tubular body 20 including a U-shaped groove 22, tubular end sections 28, and transition sections 26 therebetween. The width w of the U-shaped groove 22 decreases continuously from each transition section 26 to a center point C of the tubular body 20 and is narrowest at the center point C to shift stress from the transition sections 26 to an area around the center point C. The tubular body 20 also includes depressions 24 along side walls 38 of each transition section 26 to direct stress to the underside of the U-shaped groove 22 and further balance the stress levels along the length of the tubular body 20. Thus, the tubular body 20 can be formed with a reduced thickness t and thus a reduced weight without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A packer setting tool sets a liner top packer by mechanical rotation of the running tool and set down weight following cementing of a liner. The packer setting tool includes a tubular release body mounted on an end of the running tool. An annular dog sub circumscribes a portion of the release body. The dog sub is linked to the release body with a shear screw. A thread on an outer surface of the release body engages a thread on an inner surface of the dog sub to define a threaded connection between the dog sub and the release body. When the running tool rotates, the thread on the release body rotates with respect to the thread on the dog sub driving the release body in an axial direction fracturing the shear screw and urges an adapter sleeve against the packer assembly to set the packer assembly.

Abstract: A protective wall for use in a structure such as a ship comprises a first and second metal layer, with an armor plate in between and layers of elastomeric material between the armor plate and the first and second metal layer respectively. The first and second metal layer having a higher ductility than the armor plate, the armor plate being mounted between the first and second metal layer in a way that allows the first and second metal layers to stretch relative to armor steel plate at least in response to forces resulting from impact by fragments from an explosion. When an explosion occurs in a space bounded by the protective wall, the first and second metal layer deflect under the pressure pulses due to blasts, stretching relative to the armor plate. The armor plate blocks high speed fragments.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a protective amour element (2), to body armour comprising one or more of such elements, and to a preventive method of reducing behind amour blunt trauma of an individual. The protective armour element (2) of the invention comprises a fabric and/or a fibre based composite, wherein said amour element, prior to impact of a projectile, has a concave strike face.

Abstract: A method for explosive cutting using converging shockwaves, and an explosive cutting device are disclosed. The method includes providing a projectile with an explosive charge, positioning the projectile over the object so it extends along an intended line of cut, and detonating the explosive charge so that the projectile is accelerated toward the object, wherein the projectile either impacts on the object and the projectile includes a wave-shaping element which is shaped such that the impact generates converging shockwaves in the underlying object to be cut causing a crack to be propagated through the object along the intended line of cut; or impacts on a wave-shaping element in contact with the object, the wave-shaping element being shaped such that the impact generates converging shockwaves in the underlying object causing a crack to be propagated through the object along the intended line of cut.

Abstract: A packer setting tool sets a liner top packer by mechanical rotation of the running tool and set down weight following cementing of a liner. The packer setting tool includes a tubular release body mounted on an end of the running tool. An annular dog sub circumscribes a portion of the release body. The dog sub is linked to the release body with a shear screw. A thread on an outer surface of the release body engages a thread on an inner surface of the dog sub to define a threaded connection between the dog sub and the release body. When the running tool rotates, the thread on the release body rotates with respect to the thread on the dog sub driving the release body in an axial direction fracturing the shear screw and urges an adapter sleeve against the packer assembly to set the packer assembly.