Abstract: A memory device includes a memory material portion, and an ovonic threshold switch selector element. The ovonic threshold switch selector element includes a first carbon-containing electrode comprising carbon and a metal, a second carbon-containing electrode comprising the carbon and the metal, and an ovonic threshold switch material portion located between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining susceptibility to respiratory infections. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining whether an individual has increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, the method comprising: contacting cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) from the individual with a TLR4 agonist; measuring levels of expression of biomarkers in the CBMCs; wherein differential expression of biomarkers in the CBMCs contacted with the TLR4 agonist compared to CBMCs not contacted with the TLR4 agonist indicates the individual has increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Abstract: For each source process running on a source node, a rate of high-priority operations initiated by the first process during the period that require accessing a target node can be calculated. An average rate (e.g., an exponential moving average (EMA)) of high-priority operations initiated by the first process over a larger period of time that require accessing the target node can be calculated. Similarly, a rate of high-priority operations initiated by any process executing on a processing node during the period that require accessing the target node can be calculated, and an average rate (e.g., an EMA) of high-priority operations initiated by any such process over the larger period of time that require accessing the target node can be calculated. If one or more of the rates for the period or the average rates reach or exceed respective thresholds, corrective actions can be taken.

Abstract: A booking system and corresponding method for allocating a resource or for scheduling an appointment are presented. The booking system includes an interface for receiving booking requests and user information, a memory storing an index data structure and a processor for executing a matching engine. The index data structure has a plurality of parameters specific to an organization associated with the request. The matching engine is configured to compare the booking request with the index data structure to optimize at least one of a resource allocation and a scheduling of appointments.

Abstract: A cutting, or crimping, apparatus having first and second opposed jaw members which are mounted on a frame and are movable relative to each other from a first axial position to a second axial position along an axis so as to respectively cut, or crimp, wrapping material extending between adjacent articles wherein at least one of the jaw members is rotatably mounted to the frame such that it is rotatable from a first rotational position to a second rotational position, in the first rotational position the jaw members are movable relative to each other along a first said axis and in the second rotational position the jaw members are movable relative to each other along a second said axis that is inclined relative to the first axis.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for producing a printable film comprising: providing a web of film; at a first location subjecting at least a first surface of the film web to a modified atmosphere dielectric barrier discharge (MADBD) treatment; winding the film web onto a reel; transporting the wound film web to a second location; unwinding the film web from the reel; and subjecting the first surface of the film to corona treatment. The invention also concerns printed films obtainable by the process of the invention, and articles of packaging and/or labeling made from such films.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus and a method for assessing the integrity of a bonded joint and a bonded joint assembly. The assembly has a bonded joint monitored for bond integrity and comprises first (1) and second (2) components each defining a bonding surface (3,4); the joint (5) is formed between the bonding surfaces (3,4) and the first component (1) defines a passage (15) therethrough from the bonding surface to an exterior of the component. The joint (5) includes an optical fiber (11) extending along the joint (5) between the bonding surfaces, through the passage (15) and emerging from the passage (15) to the exterior of the component. The method of constructing the assembly includes the steps of passing the optical fiber (11) through the passage (15) and adhering the optical fiber (11) to the bonding surface (3) of the first component (1), thus bringing the two bonding surfaces (3,4) together and forming the bond (5).

Abstract: A packaging apparatus (1) comprising: a wrapping material applicator (3) for helically wrapping articles (A); an inlet conveyor (2) for transporting unwrapped articles to the applicator; an outlet conveyor (4) for transporting wrapped articles away from the applicator; wherein the outlet conveyor comprises a first conveyor (11) and a second conveyor (12) adjacent to and downstream of the first conveyor (11), wherein the packaging apparatus (1) further comprises a controller (80) arranged to selectively vary the linear velocity of the second conveyor relative (12) to the linear velocity of the first conveyor (11) so as to separate, or increase the separation of, collations of one or more articles (A) on the outlet conveyor.

Abstract: A solder alloy may include a Sn—Cu hypereutectic area having Cu in the amount of up to 7.6 weight percent, from 0.006 to 0.5 weight percent of Al, Al2O3, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

Abstract: A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing measurements of an acoustic wave, the acoustic wave being within a member (12) made of a composite material and caused by an impact to the member (12), the method comprising: analyzing the measurements to detect an initial acoustic wave feature; analyzing the measurements to detect the presence of further acoustic wave features, the further features occurring after the initial feature; if there are no further acoustic wave features, determining that the impact to the member (12) has not changed the structure of the member (12); if there are further features, determining a value of a function of the further acoustic wave features; if the determined value satisfies certain criteria, determining that the impact has changed the structure of the member (12); and if the determined value does not satisfy the criteria, determining that the impact has not changed the structure of the member (12).

Abstract: There is provided apparatus and a method for assessing the integrity of a bonded joint and a bonded joint assembly. The assembly has a bonded joint monitored for bond integrity and comprises first (1) and second (2) components each defining a bonding surface (3,4); the joint (5) is formed between the bonding surfaces (3,4) and the first component (1) defines a passage (15) therethrough from the bonding surface to an exterior of the component. The joint (5) includes an optical fibre (11) extending along the joint (5) between the bonding surfaces, through the passage (15) and emerging from the passage (15) to the exterior of the component. The method of constructing the assembly includes the steps of passing the optical fibre (11) through the passage (15) and adhering the optical fibre (11) to the bonding surface (3) of the first component (1), thus bringing the two bonding surfaces (3,4) together and forming the bond (5).

Abstract: A cutting, or crimping, apparatus having first and second opposed jaw members which are mounted on a frame and are movable relative to each other from a first axial position to a second axial position along an axis so as to respectively cut, or crimp, wrapping material extending between adjacent articles wherein at least one of the jaw members is rotatably mounted to the frame such that it is rotatable from a first rotational position to a second rotational position, in the first rotational position the jaw members are movable relative to each other along a first said axis and in the second rotational position the jaw members are movable relative to each other along a second said axis that is inclined relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus (1) comprising: a wrapping material applicator (3) for helically wrapping articles (A); an inlet conveyor (2) for transporting unwrapped articles to the applicator; an outlet conveyor (4) for transporting wrapped articles away from the applicator; wherein the outlet conveyor comprises a first conveyor (11) and a second conveyor (12) adjacent to and downstream of the first conveyor (11), wherein the packaging apparatus (1) further comprises a controller (80) arranged to selectively vary the linear velocity of the second conveyor relative (12) to the linear velocity of the first conveyor (11) so as to separate, or increase the separation of, collations of one or more articles (A) on the outlet conveyor.

Abstract: A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, including at least two integrated circuit portions mutually spaced on a single electrically insulating die and at least one coupling region on the die to provide capacitive coupling between the otherwise mutually isolated integrated circuit portions, the integrated circuit portions being formed by a plurality of layers on the single die, the layers including metal and dielectric layers and at least one semiconductor layer; wherein at least one of the dielectric layers extends from the integrated circuit portions across the coupling region and at least a corresponding one of the metal layers and/or at least one semiconductor layer extends from each of the integrated circuit portions and partially across the coupling region to form capacitors therein and thereby provide the capacitive coupling between the integrated circuit portions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, including at least two integrated circuit portions mutually spaced on a single electrically insulating die and at least one coupling region on the die to provide capacitive coupling between the otherwise mutually isolated integrated circuit portions, the integrated circuit portions being formed by a plurality of layers on the single die, the layers including metal and dielectric layers and at least one semiconductor layer; wherein at least one of the dielectric layers extends from the integrated circuit portions across the coupling region and at least a corresponding one of the metal layers and/or at least one semiconductor layer extends from each of the integrated circuit portions and partially across the coupling region to form capacitors therein and thereby provide the capacitive coupling between the integrated circuit portions.

Abstract: A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

Abstract: ‘TAES 5701’ is an F1 hybrid bluegrass with exceptional turfgrass quality, establishment rate, seasonal color, shoot density, fine leaf texture, and ability to persist under a range of environmental stresses typically encountered in the southern United States.