Abstract: A filter element for filtering a fluid, particularly oil, in which the filter element has at least two individual elements (10), that are interconnected by a connector (11). The individual elements (10) each include two end disks (13) and a filter medium (12) arranged therebetween. The connector (11) has a radially circumferential sealing bead (23), which communicates with the end disk (13) of an individual element (10) so as to form a seal and ensures a tight seal between the individual element (10) and the connector (11).

Abstract: Aryl oxime derivatives of the formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, X and B are as defined in claim 1, act as phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors and can be employed for the treatment of osteoporosis, tumours, cachexia, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory processes, allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, myocardial diseases and AIDS

Abstract: Pyridazine derivatives of the formula (I) act as phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors and can be employed for the treatment of osteoporosis, tumours, cachexia, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory processes, allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, myocardial diseases and AIDS

Abstract: A technique for managing an object in memory is disclosed. The technique comprises: assigning the object to an assigned frame wherein the object can be released when the assigned frame is released; detecting an attempt to place a reference to the object in an older frame, the older frame being older than the assigned frame; and reassigning the object to a reassignment frame that is at least as old as the older frame.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for seeding an implantable medical device, such as a vascular prosthesis, with cells, such as endothelial cells, are described. The invention supports techniques for seeding a luminal surface of the device with axial centrifugation. Cells are introduced in suspension into the lumen of the device. The introduction of the cells may occur after a blood centrifugation product, such as platelet-poor plasma, is applied to the luminal surface. After the cells are introduced, the device is then subjected to centrifugation around a longitudinal axis defined by the lumen. Axial centrifugation causes the cells to concentrate toward and adhere to the luminal surface. Shortly after axial centrifugation, the seeded device can be presented for implantation in a patient. The implantable medical device may be inserted into a protective sleeve prior to seeding the device with cells, and the sleeve may or may not be removed prior to implantation.

Abstract: Aryl oxime derivatives of the formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, X and B are as defined in Claim 1, act as phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors and can be employed for the treatment of osteoporosis, tumours, cachexia, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory processes, allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, myocardial diseases and AIDS.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for seeding an implantable medical device, such as a vascular prosthesis, with cells, such as endothelial cells. The invention supports techniques for seeding a luminal surface of the device with axial centrifugation. Cells are introduced in suspension into the lumen of the device, and the device is subjected to centrifugation around a longitudinal axis defined by the lumen. Axial centrifugation causes the cells to concentrate toward the luminal surface. Shortly after axial centrifugation, the seeded device can be presented for implantation in a patient.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to devices and methods that are useful for surface preparation of implantable medical devices. In the case of a vascular graft, the invention presents devices and methods that enhance endothelial cell seeding by providing recesses in the luminal surface that can receive endothelial cells. When the device is constructed of a material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), the recesses may be created by physical processing of the microstructures of the material. The physical processing lifts nodes from the surface, forming recesses that can receive endothelial cells.

Abstract: An oil filter for an internal combustion engine with a cup-shaped housing that is releasably connectable to a receiving head. The housing has a first interlocking element that extends across at least a portion of the outer circumference of the housing and is interrupted by at least one axially extending recess. The filter element has a liquid-tight canister provided on its outer surface with second interlocking elements, which fit into the recesses of corresponding first interlocking elements when the filter element is installed in the housing.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing a heap of memory allocated to a program being executed on a data processing system is disclosed. A limited amount of memory is allocated to a program being executed by a mutator on a data processing system. The memory comprises memory objects. The disclosed method identifies memory objects, which are allocated to the program but are not referenced anymore. These dead memory objects are freed and made available for further allocation in the program. The memory objects that are still referenced are organized in compact contiguous blocks. Thus, the disclosed method recycles memory allocated to the program. The disclosed method is executed iteratively and concurrently with the execution of the program. The disclosed method does not interfere with program execution. Amount of memory required is specified before the commencement of the disclosed method and the same amount is freed without any surplus.

Abstract: A clock filter circuit (20), which serves for filtering the clock of non-isochronous data signals having a selected one of at least two nominal data rates, has an auxiliary clock source (21) that generates an auxiliary clock signal (27) with a pulse repetition rate which is in the range between the at least two predetermined data rates, a delay line (22).connected to the auxiliary clock source (21) for creating a set of mutually delayed copies of the auxiliary clock signal and a multiplexer (23) that switches in a cyclic order between the delayed copies according to predetermined rules, which depend on the selected data rate to generate a filtered clock signal (28). A control circuit determines whether the rate of the filtered clock (28) signal must be increased or decreased as compared to said data signal and controls the multiplexer (23) to delay or advance the cyclical switching accordingly.

Abstract: In a method of drying molds or mold parts for the manufacture of optical lenses, in particular ophthalmic lenses and especially contact lenses, the mold or mold part to be dried is exposed to drying air. For this purpose, humid pressurized air (T) is used to which the mold or mold part is exposed.

Abstract: A method for nondestructively characterizing alignment overlay between two layers of a semiconductor wafer. An incident beam of radiation is directed upon the wafer surface and the properties of the resulting diffracted beam are determined, in one embodiment as a function of wavelength or incident angle. The spectrally or angularly resolved characteristics of the diffracted beam are related to the alignment of the overlay features. A library of calculated diffraction spectra is established by modeling a full range of expected variations in overlay alignment. The spectra resulting from the inspection of an actual wafer having alignment targets in at least two layers is compared against the library to identify a best fit to characterize the actual alignment. The results of the comparison may be used as an input for upstream and/or downstream process control.

Abstract: Thiazole derivatives of the formula I in which R1, R2, R3, V, W, X and B are as defined in claim 1, act as phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors and can be employed for the treatment of osteoporosis, tumours, cachexia, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory processes, allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, myocardial diseases and AIDS.

Abstract: Aryl oxime derivatives of the formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, X and B are as defined in claim 1, act as phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors and can be employed for the treatment of osteoporosis, tumours, cachexia, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory processes, allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, myocardial diseases and AIDS.

Abstract: Pyridazine derivatives of the formula (I) act as phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors and can be employed for the treatment of osteoporosis, tumours, cachexia, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory processes, allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, myocardial diseases and AIDS.

Abstract: A network element with equipment protection has first and second redundant signal paths for first and second redundant signals; a selector for selecting either of the two redundant signals as active; and first and second transition monitors coupled to the first and second signal paths, respectively, for monitoring the first and second signals for bit level transitions. The selector is controlled by the transition monitors to alter selection in the case that the selected signal does not contain bit level transitions while the non-selected signal does.

Abstract: A graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a blood vessel segment, e.g., a vein segment, carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.

Abstract: Imidazole compounds of the formula I in which R1 and R2, independently of one another, each denote A1, OA1, SA1 or Hal, A1 denotes H, A, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or alkylenecycloalkyl, A denotes alkyl having 1-10 carbon atoms, Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I, and X denotes O, S, SO or SO2, and their physiologically acceptable salts and/or solvates, as phosphodiesterase VII inhibitors, and their use for the preparation of a medicament.