Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the size and/or quality of a spot weld. The apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers arranged with a delay line for positioning adjacent a surface of a weld. A layer of gel is placed between the delay line and the weld surface. The array of transducers emit ultrasonic waves that pass into the weld. The reflected waves are received by the transducers and relayed to a central processing unit that analyzes the time delay, amplitude, and amplitude attenuation to calculate the border of the weld nugget, the thickness of the welded material, the thickness of the gel layer, and other factors contributing to weld quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel photoresist compositions and processes for preparing the same utilizing low polydispersity (co)polymers prepared via the polymerization of selected monomers in the presence of RAFT chain transfer agents. The polymers can be homopolymers of substituted styrenes, or can be copolymers comprising additional monomers. These (co)polymers can be converted into photoresist compositions for use as such.

Abstract: A stopper removing device for removing a stopper from a container or similar, such as a wine bottle, comprises a body, stopper means to engage a stopper to be removed and handle means on the body which are selectively engageable with the stopper means to enable selective movement of the stopper means therewith relative to the body and thereby removal of the stopper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for accessing an appliance, especially an automation appliance comprising a standardised interface. The aim of the invention is to access data of the appliance by means of a first processing device via a data network. To this end, a call is sent from a first data processing device to a second data processing device via a data network, and an address for identifying the appliance is extracted in the second data processing device, said address being contained in the data of the call of the first data processing device to the second data processing device and used to identify the appliance. Information pertaining to the appliance can be accessed via the standardised interface of the appliance by means of the address extracted in the second data processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the production of a two-component coating mixture, in particular for the production of a an aqueous two-component polyurethane coating emulsion from an aqueous binder dispersion comprising isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms and a polyisocyanate, with a mixer for the production of the two-component coating mixture by mixing a first coating component and a second coating component and with a homogeniser for homogenisation of the two-component coating mixture, the homogeniser being downstream from the mixer. It is proposed that, in the outlet zone of the homogeniser, a return line branches off, which opens into the inlet zone of the homogeniser, in order to recirculate a portion of the two-component coating mixture homogenised by the homogeniser for rehomogenisation. The invention furthermore comprises a corresponding process and a substrate which is coated with a coating produced in corresponding manner.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of Phospholipase A2, group VI (Ca2+-independent). The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding Phospholipase A2, group IV (Ca2+-independent). Methods of using these compounds for modulation of Phospholipase A2, group VI (Ca2+-independent) expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of Phospholipase A2, group VI (Ca2+-independent) are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for applying at least one graphic to at least one surface, comprising a portable scaffolding system that may be telescoped to accommodate a length and a width of the surface; a host device for receiving at least one head attachment; and a computing device for incrementally moving the host device along the width and the length of the surface and for controlling a distance between the host device and the surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for improving aberration determination capabilities, providing corrective prescription verification, and allowing binocular vision correction in ophthalmic wavefront measuring devices. (1) Improved aberration determination capabilities are achieved through input beam modification which includes sensing an image in a wavefront emanating from an eye in response to an input beam with a sensor and then modifying the input beam with an adaptive optical device based on the sensed information. (2) Corrective prescription verification includes modifying an image with an adaptive optical element to produce a corrected image at the patients eye. (3) Binocular vision correction for a pair of eyes includes measuring the aberrations of one eye with a first ophthalmic wavefront measuring device and measuring the aberration produced by the other eye with a second ophthalmic wavefront measuring device substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: The Remote Medical Image Analysis System implements a process for providing computerized medical image analysis for medical service providers using an Application Service Provider [ASP] model. To analyze a medical image, the system accepts a medical image file from a remotely located user. The medical image file is transferred over a computer network, such as the Internet, wherein the system analyzes the medical image file. The analysis results (which may include transformed images, reports, and diagnoses) are then transferred by the system to the user over the computer network. To accomplish this task, the system implements web servers, application servers, and processing servers, with data servers utilizing a database for data storage and retrieval, coordinating data flows among the various servers and system users and archiving data for longer-term storage.

Abstract: The system of the invention for adjusting a transmission ratio in a transmission, which is built into a motor vehicle, includes at least two determining elements with the aid of which values are determined based on different determining modes. These values represent the driving behavior of the driver of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, administrator means are provided with the aid of which the determined values are called up by the determining elements. Then, at least one counter value is changed in counter means in dependence upon the called up values. Finally, the transmission ratio is set at least in dependence upon the outputted values.

Abstract: A fluid storage facility includes an arrangement for transferring liquefied propane or butane from a supply source of a pipeline or at least one delivery vehicle to at least one pumping station via at least one weighing station, the pumping station transferring the liquefied propane or butane to at least one storage vessel, the at least one storage vessel being secured within a tunnel that is one of a railroad tunnel, a highway tunnel, an aqueduct tunnel or other transportation tunnel, the tunnel passing through the earth, and including an entrance at both ends, each of which is directly connected and directly accessible at ground level, and being configured to contain the at least one storage vessel for the storage of liquefied propane or butane.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the content of a monounsaturated aliphatic amine (III) in a mixture (IV) containing an aminonitrile (I) or a diamine (II), or mixtures thereof, and the amine (III), wherein a) the mixture (IV) is reacted with an anionic nucleophile (V),  which contains a nucleophilic atom selected from the group comprising oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur,  which is capable of taking up an H+ ion to form an acid with a pKa ranging from 7 to 11, measured in water at 25° C., and  which has a relative nucleophilicity, measured in methyl perchlorate/methanol at 25° C.,  ranging from 3.4 to 4.7 when oxygen is the nucleophilic atom,  ranging from 4.5 to 5.8 when nitrogen is the nucleophilic atom, and  ranging from 5.5 to 6.8 when sulfur is the nucleophilic atom,  in an amount ranging from 0.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed which inhibit the activity of phospholipase enzymes, particularly cytosolic phospholipase A2. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of treatment using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A border gateway protocol (BGP) management system (10) dynamically determines an optimum or preferred data route (12) from wireline networks (18) into a satellite communication system (11). Multiple gateways (16, 30-34) provide access points to the wireline networks. The management system includes a connectivity matrix which processes (74) information, such as bandwidth availability and route congestion, and then generate a BGP update that is communicated (80) into at least one of the gateways. The BGP update promotes preferred gateways and so identifies a preferred access path to the satellite system. Specifically, the BGP update instruction contains a metric altering a weighting of an identified route data route, which metric effects path selection at a gateway receiving IP datagrams. The metric is derived from information pertaining to a connectivity matrix associated with the satellite system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating a compact orbit model is described. Satellite tracking data is obtained having a first set of orbit terms that define a first orbit model. The satellite tracking data is formatted to form formatted data having a second set of orbit terms that define a second orbit model. A number of terms in the first set of orbit terms is greater than a number of terms in the second set of orbit terms.

Abstract: A multi-layered interconnect structure and method of formation. In a first embodiment, first and second liquid crystal polymer (LCP) dielectric layers are directly bonded, respectively, to first and second opposing surface of a thermally conductive layer, with no extrinsic adhesive material bonding the thermally conductive layer with either the first or second LCP dielectric layer. In a second embodiment, first and second 2S1P substructures are directly bonded, respectively, to first and second opposing surfaces of a LCP dielectric joining layer, with no extrinsic adhesive material bonding the LCP dielectric joining layer with either the first or second 2S1P substructures.

Abstract: A circuit and method for bridging an analog signal between two integrated circuits operating at different supply voltages. The circuit is a two stage fixed gain amplifier. The first stage is a transconductance amplifier and the second stage is an operational amplifier. The first stage converts an input signal from a voltage into a current. The second stage converts the current signal to an output voltage signal.

Abstract: A machine for processing a pair of wetted knit fabric tubes from a common control simultaneously and independently. A pair of wetted knit tube processors are operatively connected to a frame, are disposed side-by-side to each other, and are spaced-apart from each other so as to form a common operator alleyway therebetween. A controller is accessible from the operator alleyway for convenient access to either of the processors eliminating an operator from having to walk around or duck under the processors to make adjustments to the processor requiring attention.

Abstract: Pigskin is processed to provide a bleached, expanded skin used in dog treat or chew products. The raw pigskin is dehaired and then daubed with an alkali mixture of an alkali liquid, alkali enzymes and lime, the mixture having a pH of greater than or equal to 12. The alkali mixture dissolves the colloidal protein. The alkali is removed by alternately rinsing the skin in water and agitating the skin with first ammonium chloride, or chloride sulphate or ammonium sulphide, and then second with ammonium chloride, or chloride sulphate or ammonium sulphide, and pancreatic enzymes. The skin is agitated with sodium carbonate and a degreaser to remove the fat. The skin is then washed with hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches and expands the skin. The skin is then formed into a dog product and dried.