Abstract: A rotary-wing aircraft rotor blade (23) includes (semi)conductive loops (10) extending along axes (19A to 19C, 19W to 19Z) that are oblique relative to the longitudinal axis (26) of the blade. Impedance changes in the loops are sensed that indicate a location of damage to the blade.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a selective engagement mechanism includes a first barrel portion with a writing tip and a second barrel portion. A docking collar with male projections extending laterally therefrom is associated with one of the first and second barrel portions, and for each male projection, at least one complementary track is provided in a track-carrying member associated with the other of the first and second barrel portions. A biasing element, such as a gasket, facilitates securement of the first and second barrel portions when engaged with one another.

Abstract: An ambidextrous wrist brace is described, having a substantially rectangular main strap (2) designed to be closed in a tubular shape around the wrist and provided with a slot (21) through which the user's thumb passes to be immobilized by an immobilization system (3) connected to the main strap (2). The thumb immobilization system (3) includes a rod (30) substantially bent into a U-shape to give rise to two end arms (31) which engage telescopically in respective pockets (9, 9?) formed on the main strap (2), so as to be able to adjust the thumb immobilizer (3) in position.

Abstract: A corset (100) is described comprising a first portion (5) and a second portion (5?) with substantially the same shape as the first portion (5). Each portion (5, 5?) comprises a solid band (50) and a plurality of laces (52) which protrude from one end of the solid band (50). The two portions (5, 5?) are constrained to each other by crossing the laces (52) with each other and by closing the ends of groups of laces by means of closure means (56). The closure means (56) of the laces are connected to tightening means (6) which can be operated manually by the user to tighten the laces (52).

Abstract: A health product for sports use, in particular a joint support includes a main strap (5; 105; 205; 305) destined to surround the part of the body to be supported. The main strap includes: a bottom layer (2) destined to come into contact with the skin of the wearer, an intermediate layer of padding (3), and a top layer (4) destined to face outward. The main strap is obtained by die-punching and moulding along the peripheral edge.

Abstract: An electronic maintenance record file system for facilities comprising local monitoring units, installed near the equipment to be maintained, a calculator made available to the maintenance company and connected to the local units using a transmission network to receive and process the information transmitted by the local units. Each local unit includes identification resources of the technician in charge of maintaining the associated equipment; time stamping resources of the start and end of each operation performed by the technician; data input resources of the description of the work performed during the technician? s operation; and storage resources for storing, in the form of an electronic maintenance report file, the description of each operation performed on the associated equipment in relation with the identification information of the technician that performed the operation and the time stamp information of the start and end of the operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to use of a specific class of carbon structures in non-conductive materials in order to enhance the electrical- and/or the thermal conductivity of the materials. This invention is based on the discovery that a class of micro-domain carbon particles known as carbon cones and disks are excellent conductive filler in plastics with a critical loading level of approximately 1 weight %, which is comparable with the performance of carbon nanotubes. But, these carbon structures may be produced in industrial scale at the same cost as carbon black. Thus it is possible to provide thermal- and electric conducting composite materials with almost the same density and mechanical properties as the pure matrix material at the favourable cost of carbon black as filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to production of carbon nanotubes, more specific the invention relates to improvements in the arc discharge method for producing high quality multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT), in that the temperature of the anode is prevented from becoming excessively high by providing cooling means, at its lower parts facing the cathode, and in that the anode tip is provided with a narrow end section in order to obtain a better control with the initiation of the arc discharge.

Abstract: A writing instrument with a clip, having a writing instrument part with a contact area on its outer surface having variable radii, and a clip engaging the contact area and being axially rotatable relative to the writing instrument part.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a selective engagement mechanism includes a first barrel portion with a writing tip and a second barrel portion. A docking collar with male projections extending laterally therefrom is associated with one of the first and second barrel portions, and for each male projection, at least one complementary track is provided in a track-carrying member associated with the other of the first and second barrel portions. A biasing element, such as a gasket, facilitates securement of the first and second barrel portions when engaged with one another.

Abstract: To render the elevator landing doors fitted with an elevator control unit (5) safe, this system comprises: elevator landing door surveillance units (10), installed on each elevator landing door, to receive the state of the electrical contacts (11, 12) fitted to each of the elevator landing doors (21); synthesis unit (4) connected to the surveillance units (10) to receive the state of the elevator landing door electrical contacts (11, 12), and to the elevator control unit (5) to receive other information on the working order of the elevator; and alarm signal devices (13, 14); synthesis unit (4) further including means of determining (41) the state elevator landing doors are in according to the received information, and to actuate the signal devices (13, 14) if the state of the elevator landing doors is considered to be critical to the elevator users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary-wing aircraft rotor blade (23) that presents a longitudinal axis (26) and that includes (semi)conductive loops (10) extending along axes (19, 19A to 19C, 19W to 19Z) or directions that are oblique relative to the longitudinal axis (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating cell signaling mediated by signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT). The compositions target cellular STAT3 and STAT1 protein, particularly STAT3, for degradation via the ubiquitination pathway. Thus, the STAT inhibiting agents are useful for inhibiting STAT mediated signal transduction events, such as responses to IL6 and v-Src, any may be applied to treating diseases associated with activated STAT proteins, particularly STAT3 activity, such as cell proliferative disorders, inflammatory reactions, and autoimmune conditions.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously detecting and reflecting electromagnetic radiation consisting of a thin layer of insulating pyro-electric and/or piezoelectric material sandwiched between two conducting electrodes. The upper-most electrode is effective to separate the radiation into a reflected part and an unreflected part, which is absorbed, and the insulating layer has an electrical property dependent on the intensity of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the upper-most electrode. An electrical voltage and/or current measured between the two electrodes is responsive to the electrical property of the insulating layer and is indicative of the intensity of the absorbed electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An electronic maintenance record file system for facilities comprising local monitoring units, installed near the equipment to be maintained, a calculator made available to the maintenance company and connected to the local units using a transmission network to receive and process the information transmitted by the local units. Each local unit comprises identification resources of the technician in charge of maintaining the associated equipment; time stamping resources of the start and end of each operation performed by the technician; data input resources of the description of the work performed during the technician's operation; and storage resources for storing, in the form of an electronic maintenance report file, the description of each operation performed on the associated equipment in relation with the identification information of the technician that performed the operation and the time stamp information of the start and end of the operation.

Abstract: An electronic maintenance record file system for facilities including local monitoring units, installed near the equipment to be maintained, a calculator made available to the maintenance company and connected to the local units using a transmission network to receive and process the information transmitted by the local units. Each local unit includes identification resources of the technician in charge of maintaining the associated equipment; time stamping resources of the start and end of each operation performed by the technician; data input resources of the description of the work performed during the technician's operation; and storage resources for storing, in the form of an electronic maintenance report file, the description of each operation performed on the associated equipment in relation with the identification information of the technician that performed the operation and the time stamp information of the start and end of the operation.

Abstract: To render the elevator landing doors fitted with an elevator control unit (5) safe, this system comprises: elevator landing door surveillance units (10), installed on each elevator landing door, to receive the state of the electrical contacts (11, 12) fitted to each of the elevator landing doors (21); synthesis unit (4) connected to the surveillance units (10) to receive the state of the elevator landing door electrical contacts (11, 12), and to the elevator control unit (5) to receive other information on the working order of the elevator; and alarm signal devices (13, 14); synthesis unit (4) further comprising means of determining (41) the state elevator landing doors are in according to the received information, and to actuate the signal devices (13, 14) if the state of the elevator landing doors is considered to be critical to the elevator users.

Abstract: A thin walled microtube is formed by providing a continuous elongated member having an outer surface. The member is at least partially formed of a water soluble material. A coating material is provided. The coating material may be a silicone compound that is curable such that the coating material cures into a substantial non-porous silicone. The outer surface of the elongated member is coated with a coating material so as to form a substantially uniform and continuous layer of coating material on the outer surface. The layer of coating material is cured so as to form a substantial uniform and continuous layer of substantially non-porous silicone on the outer surface. The elongated member is at least partially dissolved using water and purged from the silicone layer, such that an elongated tube of substantially non-porous silicone is formed.

Abstract: Solid fuels, such as contaminated biomass and solid city waste, are converted into a synthesized gas by gasification and exploitation of the energy contained in the fuels. The fuel is gasified an a co-current gasogen (1), while the cinders are separated, removed and purified after a fraction of the fuels has undergone combustion and before the fuel has been gasified. Cinder purification is made by complete combustion, while the fuel that has undergone the gasification step without being completely transformed in CO is recirculated by mixing it to fresh fuel material. The process is carried out in an apparatus comprising a vertical co-current gasogen (1) and a device for the separation and removal of cinders (16,19,5,6) as well as a scorification chamber (3) where cinders are purified from accompanying fuel material by complete combustion and are then collected in a waste tank (28).