Abstract: Synthetic nano-sized crystalline calcium phosphate, particularly hydroxyapatite, having a specific surface area in the range of 150 m2/g to 300 m2/g, is described. The nano-sized crystalline calcium phosphate may be in the form of a powder or in the form of a coating on a surface. A method of producing a nano-sized crystalline calcium phosphate powder or coating is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a prodrug of a pharmaceutically active agent, such prodrug comprising a beta-keto carboxylic acid, a beta-keto carboxylic acid salt or a beta-keto carboxylic acid ester functional group, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the prodrug, and to the use of the prodrug or composition for treatment of a mammalian subject suffering from a condition which can be cured or alleviated by administration of the pharmaceutically active agent. There is further provided a method of inhibiting decarboxylation of a compound comprising a beta-keto carboxylic acid or a salt thereof with a monovalent cation, characterized in that a dry salt of the beta-keto carboxylic acid with a divalent or polyvalent cation is prepared.

Abstract: In the area of coffee machines, especially espresso machines, it is desired to arrange a fine screen (40) in such a way that it is tightly locked in a receiving vessel (30) and carries an apparatus (41) which can be operated with objects conventionally found in a household such as a coin for example.

Abstract: A multi-functional device for a center stack of a vehicle and a center stack include, but are not limited to a storage room and a control panel, which is movable in an opened position and in a closed position. In the closed position the storage room is covered by the control panel. The storage room provides a connection element for multimedia devices and the multimedia devices are detachable from the connection element.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenation of carbon oxides comprising contacting a gas mixture containing carbon oxides and of hydrogen with a catalyst comprising bimetallic iron-nickel or iron-cobalt alloys as the active catalytic material supported on a carrier of an oxide. The carrier is preferably formed to have a surface area greater than 20 m2/g.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems that control the application of a material onto micro-rough implant surfaces. Thus, the present invention provides method of applying crystalline nanoparticles onto the surface of an implant to produce an implant with a crystalline nanoparticle layer on its surface, the method comprising: providing an implant substrate body; applying crystalline nanoparticles onto the surface of the implant; and rotating the implant, to produce an implant with a crystalline nanoparticle layer on its surface. This method of nanoparticle application is designed to promote the integration of implants, such as dental and orthopedic screws, into living tissue, and offers the ability to control the thickness and uniformity of the nanoparticle layer, in one or several layers, while simultaneously retaining the microroughness of the implant.

Abstract: Method for controlling the temperature of an oven, in particular a kitchen oven, so as to reach a preset temperature through a heating process during a predetermined heating period based on a control program, said control program consisting of a general basic control program predefined for a given type of oven and computationally adjusted by a static correction value that reflects the individual oven parameters, and/or a dynamic correction variable that takes into account variable operating parameters of the oven.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenation of carbon oxides comprising contacting a gas mixture containing carbon oxides and of hydrogen with a catalyst comprising bimetallic iron-nickel or iron-cobalt alloys as the active catalytic material supported on a carrier of an oxide. The carrier is preferably formed to have a surface area greater than 20 m2/g.

Abstract: Synthetic nano-sized crystalline calcium phosphate, particularly hydroxyapatite, having a specific surface area in the range of 150 m2/g to 300 m2/g, is described. The nano-sized crystalline calcium phosphate may be in the form of a powder or in the form of a coating on a surface. A method of producing a nano-sized crystalline calcium phosphate powder or coating is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus taught herein provide a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for use in a conversion feedback path of a sigma-delta type analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The DAC uses current pulse shaping to generate a conversion feedback signal in each feedback cycle of the ADC that provides a consistent charge transfer for accurate digital conversion and has a controlled current pulse shape. In one or more embodiments, the DAC includes a capacitor circuit for charge storage and transfer and a (series) resistive circuit having variable resistance for current pulse shape control. In at least one embodiment, current pulse control limits a peak current of the conversion feedback signal, thereby reducing DC power consumption and gain-bandwidth (GBW) and slew rate requirements of the ADC's integration amplifier, and limiting residual (ending) current in each feedback cycle, which yields commensurate gains in (feedback cycle) clock jitter insensitivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus taught herein provide a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for use in a conversion feedback path of a sigma-delta type analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The DAC uses current pulse shaping to generate a conversion feedback signal in each feedback cycle of the ADC that provides a consistent charge transfer for accurate digital conversion and has a controlled current pulse shape. In one or more embodiments, the DAC includes a capacitor circuit for charge storage and transfer and a (series) resistive circuit having variable resistance for current pulse shape control. In at least one embodiment, current pulse control limits a peak current of the conversion feedback signal, thereby reducing DC power consumption and gain-bandwidth (GBW) and slew rate requirements of the ADC's integration amplifier, and limiting residual (ending) current in each feedback cycle, which yields commensurate gains in (feedback cycle) clock jitter insensitivity.

Abstract: Use of a compound having a hydrophobic moiety attached to a hydrophilic moiety, wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a ?-keto acid group and the hydrophobic moiety is attached via a bond from a carbon or an oxygen of the hydrophobic moiety to a carbon of the ?-keto acid group, provided that the ?-carbon of the ?-keto acid group does not form part of a carboxyl or ester group, or a salt thereof, as a surfactant. A dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent. A microemulsion comprising said surfactant. A method for breaking a dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent, said method comprising the steps of a) providing said dispersion at a temperature where it is substantially stable; and b) setting the temperature of said dispersion, so as to achieve a desired decomposition rate of the surfactant. A method for reducing the surface tension between a liquid and another phase, comprising adding to the liquid said surfactant.

Abstract: A control system for a low cost, light duty combustion engine, where the control system generally utilizes an engine speed input signal and independent operating sequences to determine a desired ignition timing. There are several independent operating sequences, each one of which is designed to optimally control the engine under certain conditions. These operating sequences include a Cranking sequence, a Warm Up sequence, a Normal Mode sequence, an Acceleration sequence, a Come Down sequence, a Recovery Bump sequence, and a Part Throttle sequence. During idling conditions, the Normal Mode sequence uses rapid changes in the ignition timing to maintain the engine speed in a small, idle engine speed range. By utilizing these operational sequences, the control system improves the performance of a low cost, light duty engine across a wide array of conditions.

Abstract: A controlled slow down apparatus and method for use in the event that a light-duty combustion engine has entered a state of excessive speeds or auto-ignition. The controlled slow down method is preferably initiated when the engine speed exceeds an activation speed for a predetermined number of engine revolutions. Once initiated, the controlled slow down method uses a combination of ignition timing and spark ratio manipulations in order to disrupt the auto-ignition conditions and slow down the engine in a controlled manner. Preferably, the controlled slow down method is only one part of an overall ignition control method, and can be incorporated within or utilized by one of a number of different ignition timing methods known in the art.

Abstract: Use of a compound having a hydrophobic moiety attached to a hydrophilic moiety, wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a ?-keto acid group and the hydrophobic moiety is attached via a bond from a carbon or an oxygen of the hydrophobic moiety to a carbon of the ?-keto acid group, provided that the ?-carbon of the ?-keto acid group does not form part of a carboxyl or ester group, or a salt thereof, as a surfactant. A dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent. A method for breaking a dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent, said method comprising the steps of a) providing said dispersion at a temperature where it is substantially stable; and b) setting the temperature of said dispersion, so as to achieve a desired decomposition rate of the surfactant.

Abstract: Method for controlling the temperature of an oven, in particular a kitchen oven, so as to reach a preset temperature through a heating process during a predetermined heating period based on a control program, said control program consisting of a general basic control program predefined for a given type of oven and computationally adjusted by a static correction value that reflects the individual oven parameters, and/or a dynamic correction variable that takes into account variable operating parameters of the oven.

Abstract: A kill-switch control circuit for use with a light-duty combustion engine determines whether to execute a controlled shut down method or an immediate shut down method in response to kill-switch activation. The selection of a shut down method is made, at least in part, by using engine speed readings and by counting engine revolutions. The controlled shut down method utilizes ignition timing delay and/or spark ratio techniques to quickly bring the engine to a stop, yet does so in a controlled manner that avoids backfiring and other undesirable effects. Conversely, the immediate shut down method abruptly stops sending a current to the spark plug.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an engine wherein ignition of the engine is activated according to a predetermined timing schedule that references engine speed, and the ignition is suppressed above a predetermined engine speed threshold to allow engine speed to fall below the predetermined engine speed threshold. Thereafter, ignition is reactivated according to timing that is retarded relative to the predetermined timing schedule for a predetermined number of engine revolutions substantially when the engine speed has fallen below the predetermined engine speed threshold, thereby mitigating undesirable spikes in combustion chamber maximum pressure.

Abstract: A control system for a low cost, light duty combustion engine, where the control system generally utilizes an engine speed input signal and independent operating sequences to determine a desired ignition timing. There are several independent operating sequences, each one of which is designed to optimally control the engine under certain conditions. These operating sequences include a Cranking sequence, a Warm Up sequence, a Normal Mode sequence, an Acceleration sequence, a Come Down sequence, a Recovery Bump sequence, and a Part Throttle sequence. During idling conditions, the Normal Mode sequence uses rapid changes in the ignition timing to maintain the engine speed in a small, idle engine speed range. By utilizing these operational sequences, the control system improves the performance of a low cost, light duty engine across a wide array of conditions.

Abstract: Use of a compound having a hydrophobic moiety attached to a hydrophilic moiety, wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a ?-keto acid group and the hydrophobic moiety is attached via a bond from a carbon or an oxygen of the hydrophobic moiety to a carbon of the ?-keto acid group, provided that the ?-carbon of the ?-keto acid group does not form part of a carboxyl or ester group, or a salt thereof, as a surfactant. A dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent. A method for breaking a dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent, said method comprising the steps of a) providing said dispersion at a temperature where it is substantially stable; and b) setting the temperature of said dispersion, so as to achieve a desired decomposition rate of the surfactant.