Abstract: A method of forming a welded metal product from a workpiece, comprising a sheet and a counterpart to which the sheet is to be welded, consisting in the steps of: providing: a workpiece support having a support surface for a workpiece counterpart, means for: gripping opposite edges of a workpiece sheet at respective opposite edges of the workpiece support, drawing the opposite sheet edges in a direction having a component from a counterpart on the support surface towards the support surface and holding the opposite sheet edges in their drawn position, a robotic device associated with the workpiece support and a laser welding head arranged to be moved by the robotic device in at least two dimensions with respect to the workpiece support, and to maintain a welding gap from a free face of the workpiece sheet on the supported counterpart in accordance with an array welds to be formed in welding together the sheet and the counterpart; placing a workpiece counterpart on the workpiece support; placing a work

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating macular degeneration and other forms of retinal disease whose etiology involves the accumulation of A2E and/or lipofuscin, and, more specifically, for preventing the formation and/or accumulation of A2E are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of patterning a layer formed from a fixable material such as photopolymer on a surface in a desired pattern. The method involves coating selected areas of the substrate with an adhesion promoter and subsequently coating the fixable material. The fixable material is then fixed, for instance by curing by exposure to UV radiation. The adhesion promoter is adapted to have a surface energy which is designed to adhere to the substrate or selected areas thereof and also to the fixed material such that fixed material may be easily removed from areas of the substrate not coated with adhesion promoter but retained in areas where the adhesion promoter has bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid crystal device wherein the surface profile of a surface alignment grating stabilizes at least one stable state. The invention involves the introduction or breaks (34, 36, 38) or discontinuities into the grating (10) to divide the grating into a plurality of groove segments. The breaks are discontinuities in the grating in the groove direction, the grating having substantially the same groove direction on each side of the break. The introduction of breaks prevent free movement of defects along the groove of the grating and therefore help to stabilize the desired liquid crystal configuration, either a Defect state or a Continuous state. Suitable breaks involve gaps (34) in the groove ridges (30), necks (36) between the groove ridges (30) and slips or relative displacement (38) of the grating.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly (1) is disclosed, the solenoid having a first electro-magnet (9) for producing a first magnetic field. There is also movable element (3), in the form of a permanent magnet (4), with flux guides (7,8) to distribute the magnetic field, which moves within the magnetic field created by the electro-magnet. A second electro-magnet (11) may also- be included in the solenoid thereby creating a push-pull solenoid. The second electro-magnet is arranged so that its magnetic field acts in the opposite direction to the first electro-magnet by having its coils wound in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a rotor supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis. The rotor comprises an elongate tubular member enclosing a substantially cylindrical space, the elongate tubular member having a first open end defining an inlet, and a second open end defining an outlet. The apparatus includes at least one electrically conductive element for generating a magnetic field when electric current flows therethrough and for controlling rotation of the rotor. At least a part of at least one said electrically conductive element is aligned axially with at least a part of said elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member comprises conveying means adapted so that upon rotation of said rotor, at least one body is caused to move in a direction from said inlet toward said outlet, through the substantially cylindrical space.

Abstract: A display system 10 for displaying information at a point of product display in a retail outlet comprising a communicator 12 for transmitting display information to a remote display module 18, the display module 18 being adapted in a first, low power mode to display information and in a second, higher power mode periodically, in a predetermined manner, to communicate with the communicator 12, the system 10 preferably being configured to enable determination of the accuracy and automated correction of the synchronisation of a periodic communication between the communicator 12 and the display module 18 while the display module 18 continues to switch between first and second modes of operation enabling a low overall consumption of power by the display module 18 and more preferably wherein the display module 18 is adapted to switch between first and second power modes between receipt of a synchronisation signal and a display information signal from the communicator 12.

Abstract: The invention is directed to liquid crystal compositions for use in bistable liquid crystal devices and to bistable liquid crystal devices containing said liquid crystal compositions. The liquid crystal composition comprises a component (?) said component (?) containing one or more compounds having a phenyl ring of formula A Whereby XA is F, CI, SF5, NCS or a C1 to C8 alkanyl, alkenyl or alkoxy radical substituted with at least one F atom; and LA is H or F.

Abstract: Frozen novelty containers are provided. An all paper-based commercial frozen novelty container is provided having a volume between two and six gallons. A cardboard sidewall is formed into a cylinder having the volume. A cardboard bottom is sealed to one opening of the sidewall. The second opening forms a top of the container that can be opened and closed via a cardboard lid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating macular degeneration and other forms of retinal disease whose etiology involves the accumulation of A2E and/or lipofuscin, and, more specifically, for preventing the formation and/or accumulation of A2E are disclosed.

Abstract: The Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives represented by formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts exhibit excellent kinase inhibiting activity. Drugs comprising the compounds as effective ingredients are therefore expected to be useful as therapeutic or prophylactic agents for a protein kinase mediated disorder in which kinase is implicated, such as inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, destructive bone disorder, cancer and/or tumour growth.

Abstract: A cardboard sidewall has a volume of greater than or equal to one and half gallons. A cardboard bottom includes a polyethylene coating on an inside of the bottom. An inside of the sidewall also includes a polyethylene coating. The bottom is heat sealed onto a bottom portion of the sidewall to form a seal. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a plastic ring is affixed to an inside of a top portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: Peptide-based compounds including heteroatom-containing, three-membered rings efficiently and selectively inhibit specific activities of N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolases. The activities of those Ntn having multiple activities can be differentially inhibited by the compounds described. For example, the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome may be selectively inhibited with the inventive compounds. The peptide-based compounds include at least three peptide units, an epoxide or aziridine, and functionalization at the N-terminus. Among other therapeutic utilities, the peptide-based compounds are expected to display anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of cell proliferation.

Abstract: A vascular treatment device delivery system includes an elongated protective sheath having a distal end and a proximal end, a delivery catheter disposed within an axial lumen of the elongated protective sheath, and a luer fitting operably connected to a proximal end of the delivery catheter. The system further includes a sealable container attached to the proximal end of the protective sheath, the sealable container surrounding the luer fitting and a sterility barrier attached to a portion of the sealable container.

Abstract: A cardboard sidewall has a volume of greater than or equal to one and half gallons. A cardboard bottom includes a polyethylene coating on an inside of the bottom. An inside of the sidewall also includes a polyethylene coating. The bottom is heat sealed onto a bottom portion of the sidewall to form a seal. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a plastic ring is affixed to an inside of a top portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a liquid crystal composition in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a single polariser reflective or transflective zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device as well as a bistable liquid crystal device comprising the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a liquid crystal composition in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device, a nematic liquid crystal medium, and a bistable liquid crystal device comprising the liquid crystal composition whereby said liquid crystal composition comprises at least 30 weight % (based on the total weight of the composition) of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 25, whereby at least 25 weight % (based on the total weight of the composition) of said compounds have a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 40; and at least 5 weight % of a component (?).

Abstract: A bistable nematic liquid crystal device cell is provided with a surface alignment grating on at least one cell wall and a surface treatment on the other wall. Such treatment may be a homeotropic alignment or a planar alignment with or without an alignment direction, and zero or a non zero pretilt. The surface profile on the monograting is asymmetric with its groove height to width selected to give approximately equal energy within the nematic material in its two allowed alignment arrangements. The monograting may be formed by a photolithographic process or by embossing of a plastics material. The cell is switched by dc pulses coupling to a flexoelectric coefficient in the material, or by use of a two frequency addressing scheme and a suitable two frequency material. Polarisers either side of the cell distinguish between the two switched states. The cell walls may be rigid or flexible, and are coated with electrode structures, e.g.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a fast switching liquid crystal composition said composition comprising at least 30 weight % of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 25, whereby at least 25 weight % of said compounds have a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 40; and at least 5 weight % of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a ratio of ?1/TNIK of 0.51 mPa·s/K or less, a clearing point TNI of at least 100° C. and a rotational viscosity ?1 of not more than 190 mPa·s (wherein ?1 is the rotational viscosity at 20° C. in mPa·s and TNIK is the clearing point in degrees Kelvin); in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device, a nematic liquid crystal medium, and a bistable liquid crystal device comprising said fast switching liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Hosta named ‘Forest Fire’, a sport of Hosta ‘Sagae’, that is characterized by its variegated foliage having cordate-shaped leaves with glaucous green centers and margins that emerge yellow-green and turn creamy white as the leaf matures. A combination of new leaves and mature leaves results in a two-toned effect. The margins of ‘Forest Fire’ comprise about one fourth of the leaf area. ‘Forest Fire’ is a medium-large sized Hosta with an upright, mounded habit, and pale lavender flowers that are held above the foliage in mid summer.