Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the assessment of quantity and quality parameters of biological particles in a liquid analyte material. The method comprises applying a volume of a liquid sample to an exposing domain from which exposing domain electromagnetic signals from the sample in the domain can pass to the exterior, and exposing, onto an array of active detection elements such as CCD-elements, a spatial representation of electromagnetic signals having passed from the domain, the representation being detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements, under conditions permitting processing of the intensities detected by the array of detection elements during the exposure in such a manner that representations of electromagnetic signals from the biological particles are identified as distinct from representations of electromagnetic signals from background signals.

Abstract: A method of forming a device using a graded anti-reflective coating is provided. One or more amorphous carbon layers are formed on a substrate. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) is formed on the one or more amorphous carbon layers wherein the ARC layer has an absorption coefficient that varies across the thickness of the ARC layer. An energy sensitive resist material is formed on the ARC layer. An image of a pattern is introduced into the layer of energy sensitive resist material by exposing the energy sensitive resist material to patterned radiation. The image of the pattern introduced into the layer of energy sensitive resist material is developed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is carbon nanofibers mainly characterized by their high specific volume of mesopores, their high gas adsorption capacity and presenting a graphitic hollow structure. A second object of this invention is a procedure for obtaining such carbon nanofibers, which makes use of a metallic nickel catalyst and specific process furnace parameters that combined with the chemical composition of the furnace atmosphere and the fluidodynamic conditions of the gas stream inside the furnace, result in a faster growth of the carbon nanofibers and also in a higher quality of the carbon nanofibers obtained.

Abstract: A processor chip includes data processing elements that each has dedicated to it a respective switch for dynamically establishing an interconnection between the data processing elements conditional upon verification of a validity of the interconnection, which verification is automatically performed by at least one of the data processing elements to be interconnected.

Abstract: A spark plug has a central electrode and a plurality of peripheral electrodes. The central electrode has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the central electrode has a circular cross-section with a longitudinal axis and terminates in a distal end. Each peripheral electrode has a lower portion and an upper portion. Each upper portion has a distal-most point. Each distal-most point is disposed in a central plane within which the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the central electrode is wholly disposed. The cross-section of each upper portion taken along its central plane defines a convex outer side and a non-convex inner side. Each convex outer side has a curved surface which is tangent to a plurality of tangent planes, all of which intersect the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the central electrode at points at or above the distal end of the distal point of the central electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a mobile device. A first set of signals from a plurality of radio frequency (“RF”) sources may be received at a mobile device and then downconverted into a second set of signals. The mobile device may then time stamp the second set of signals and transmit the time stamped signals to a location determining system. The location of the mobile device may be determined at the location determining system as a function of the time stamped signals.

Abstract: A system for automatically managing information privacy includes an input system for receiving a request that includes a call for information in a bean and a purpose for the call, which indicates a manner an information requestor intends to use the information, wherein the call is to a method within the bean referencing at least one privacy control rule, which governs access and/or use of the information, that is packaged with the bean, the privacy control rule being additional to the information and methods of the bean and being packaged as an element of a deployment descriptor; and a privacy control system for automatically determining whether the request should be granted by comparing the purpose to the at least one privacy control rule to determine whether the purpose is valid, wherein the request is granted if the purpose complies with the at least one privacy control rule.

Abstract: A process for shutting down an operating electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium is described. The process includes: lowering anodes until a lower portion of the anodes is immersed in an aluminium layer; allowing the aluminium layer and an electrolyte bath to cool down with the lower portion of the anodes immersed in the aluminium layer; determining if the electrolyte bath is solidified, and if the electrolyte bath is solidified, raising the anodes before solidification of the aluminium layer to create a space between the solidified electrolyte bath and the anodes and the aluminium layer.

Abstract: A mixer having a mixing pipe (1), a rotatable mixing unit (3) having back-mixing action, and a supply of the liquid colorant (4, 5) through the wall of the mixing pipe in the area of the mixing unit allows uniform mixing of liquid colorants of differing viscosities even with fixed-cycle supply of the liquid colorants. Mixing liquid colorants using this mixer allows direct dosing of the mixed liquid colorant into a plastic processing machine in the event of volumetric dosing of the employed liquid colorants.

Abstract: The device has a housing (5) which comprises an opening (4) in which a button (15) is fixed on a receiving part (8) mounted movably in the housing (5). A fitting aid (36) is provided, with which the button (15) may be introduced into the opening (4) in the housing (5) and positioned in a recessed manner therein as well as being fixed to the receiving part (8). Sets of teeth (23, 27) on the receiving part (8) and on the button (15) enable simple and depth-adjustable fixing of the button (15) to the receiving part (8).

Abstract: The apparatus for supplying a cooling fluid to the outer surface of a tool consists of a guide element which surrounds the tool shank and gives rise to a laminar coolant flow.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a housing and a dispensing device for flowable and/or pourable chilled material, the dispensing device being located in a front recess of the housing. The front of the housing is covered at least in part by an adjustable decorative plate. The recess is accessible through a hole in the decorative plate while a case that is open towards the dispensing device and the hole of the decorative plate is adjustably mounted in the recess.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) suppress the normal signalling activity CB1 receptors, and are thus useful in the treatment of diseases or conditions which are mediated by CB1 receptor signalling activity, such as treatment of obesity and overweight, prevention of weigh gain, treatment of diseases and conditions directly or indirectly associated with obesity and overweight: wherein A1 is hydrogen, —COOH, or tetrazolyl, and A2 is hydrogen, —COOH, or tetrazolyl, provided that one of A1 and A2 is either —COOH or tetrazolyl; p is 0 or 1 and A3 is phenyl or cycloalkyl, either of which is optionally substituted with R4 and/or R5; q is 0 or 1; R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, cycloalkyl, —CF3, or —OR9; R4 and R5 independently —R9, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —OR9, —NR7R8, —NR7COR6, —NR7SO2R6, —COR6, —SR9, —SOR9, or —SO2R6; R6 is C1-C4 alkyl, cycloalkyl, —CF3 or —NR7R8; R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, —CF3, or cycloalkyl; R9 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, cycloalkyl, fully or partially fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl; R1 is

Abstract: A condenser for a motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit includes a multitude of stacked main-section plates assembled to delimit first flow channels for a refrigerating fluid which alternate with second flow channels for a cooling fluid. The condenser includes at least two passes over the refrigerating fluid. The condenser also includes at least one condenser inlet and one condenser outlet for refrigerating fluid. The condenser also includes an inlet pass over the refrigerating fluid communicating with the condenser inlet and an outlet pass communicating with the condenser outlet. The cross section of the passes diminishes from the inlet pass towards the outlet pass.

Abstract: A reusable container for the sterile transfer of pharmaceutical recipients, in particular of syringe bodies. The container comprises an outer case and a sterilizable interior, wherein the interior is microbially isolated from the environment of the container. The interior has at least one holder for accommodating at least one nest for storing a plurality of pharmaceutical recipients. The nest can be removably accommodated in the holder. The container further has at least one container door for removing or introducing the nest into the interior and at least one lock for coupling the container to a sterile space. The lock is configured in such a way that, after coupling to the sterile space, it is possible to open the container door without substantially suspending sterility.

Abstract: A device for pulling in flat-stock pieces and precisely-aligned transporting of the flat-stock pieces at a work station of a machine for processing the flat-stock pieces has a gripper apparatus that grabs a forward edge of a piece of flat stock and accelerates the flat-stock piece, and a sheet pick-up roller that picks up the accelerated piece of flat stock from the gripper apparatus, whereby the sheet pick-up roller has a roller gripper effective at a circumference thereof for grabbing the accelerated piece of flat stock. The roller gripper can move between a closed position in which the piece of flat stock is held fast and an open position in which the piece of flat stock is released. Suction holes operable to be charged with intake air are disposed in a part of a circumference of the sheet pick-up roller following in a direction of rotation behind the roller gripper.

Abstract: A coupling closure is provided for substantially environmentally-sealed reversible closure of containers or hose elements. At least one first flexible band with at least one first closure element is provided. At least one second flexible band is provided with at least one second closure element that is complementary to the first closure element. A top side of the first band comprises at least one third closure element and a top side of the second band comprises at least one fourth closure element. Also a coupling closure is provided for substantially environmentally-sealed reversible closure of containers or hose elements comprising a plurality of frame bands and articulation devices. Immediately adjacent frame bands are connected with one another via at least one articulation device between the immediately adjacent frame bands to form a circumferential folding frame wherein inner sides of at least two adjacent or opposing frame bands are foldable one on top the other to form a closure.

Abstract: A simulated real-time environment employs a plurality of computer controlled video projectors and screens at least fore and aft of a participant-trainee to present life-size displays mutually coordinated to represent views of a same environment from a participant's perspective, each screen representing the participant's view looking in a different direction. In response to a participant's actions, the computer seamlessly changes a projected video to match the participant' actions and maintain a scenario consistent between the two screens. The participant uses a light-emitting simulated firearm or his own firearm loaded with a light-emitting cartridge and/or other equipment with which he is familiar, such as a modified or simulated flashlight, taser, chemical spray container or the like, tethered or untethered by a communication wire, to respond to a simulated situation, which response detected and interpreted by the computer to direct a branch in the projected videos and even shoot back a simulated bullet.

Abstract: A method and device have an electrode rod (1; 21) for a pH meter. The electrode rod (1; 21) has a measuring end (2; 22) for immersion into a liquid test sample (31), wherein the measuring end (2; 22) has a pH measuring element, and wherein electrical feed lines (5) in the electrode rod (1; 21) extend towards the pH measuring element. A plurality of capillaries (8, 9, 10; 23) for feeding liquids and gas into the test sample (31) extend in the electrode rod (1; 21) and have outlet openings (11, 12, 13; 24) in the area of the measuring end (2; 22). The method and device facilitate and accelerate preparation of liquid test samples and adjustment of a pH value for small amounts of test samples or narrow sample containers in NMR spectroscopy applications.