Abstract: A method of joining a razor blade to a blade support to form a razor blade assembly, the method including: directing a laser beam having an adjustable power output at an upper surface of the razor blade; and while advancing the laser beam along the razor blade: a) applying the laser beam at a first power output to the razor blade; b) reducing the first power output of the laser beam to a second power output; and c) applying the laser beam at the second power output to the razor to form a weld area joining the razor blade to the blade support. The weld area may be elongated and may include (i) a ratio of depth:width that is greater than about 2:1, and/or (ii) a ratio of length:width that is greater than about 5:1.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a processor and a memory. The processor and the memory are configured to provide a first software process configured to execute at a first privilege level; and a second software process configured to execute at a second privilege level, wherein the first privilege level is more restrictive than the second privilege level. The processor is configured to, initialize, at the first privilege level, a memory pool within the memory, allocate, at the first privilege level, a block of memory, send a request to write protect the block of memory to the second software process, and to write protect, at the second privilege level, the allocated block of memory.

Abstract: A razor blade assembly including: a razor blade; a blade support; and one or more weld areas joining the razor blade to the blade support, each weld area having a length and a width, in which the width is about 0.05 mm to about 0.15 mm. Also provided is a razor blade assembly including: a razor blade; a blade support; and one or more weld areas joining the razor blade to the blade support, each weld area including a depth and a width, in which the depth is about 0.10 mm to about 0.20 mm.

Abstract: A method of joining a razor blade to a blade support to form a razor blade assembly, the method including: directing a laser beam having an adjustable power output at an upper surface of the razor blade; and while advancing the laser beam along the razor blade: a) applying the laser beam at a first power output to the razor blade; b) reducing the first power output of the laser beam to a second power output; and c) applying the laser beam at the second power output to the razor to form a weld area joining the razor blade to the blade support. The weld area may be elongated and may include (i) a ratio of depth:width that is greater than about 2:1, and/or (ii) a ratio of length:width that is greater than about 5:1.

Abstract: A printing system includes a base, a print head assembly, a print bed, and a shielding panel. The print head assembly is slidably coupled with the base and is slidable along a longitudinal path. The print head assembly includes a print head that is configured to selectively dispense a printing medium therefrom. The print bed is slidably coupled with the base and is slidable along a lateral path between a retracted and extended position. The print bed includes a lower tray that includes an outer edge. The shielding panel includes an upper surface. The shielding panel overlies at least a portion of the outer edge of the lower tray. The upper surface of the shielding panel is formed of a light absorbent material that has a hemispherical reflectance of between about 0% and about 5% for a light spectrum range of between about 220 nm and about 400 nm.

Abstract: A hollow core photonic crystal fiber (HCPCF) having a wavelength of operation, the HCPCF comprising: a core region having a first refractive index; a cladding region surrounding the core region and comprising a plurality of microcapillaries arranged in a transverse structure having a pitch, the pitch of the structure being at least five times larger than the wavelength of operation, the cladding region having a second refractive index higher than the first refractive index.

Abstract: There is described a modular cabinet for storing and driving stirrer cans containing liquids, the modular cabinet comprising a bottom stand on which at least one cabinet module is mounted, and a motion transmission system constituted by driver transmission elements and by driven transmission elements, each cabinet module being made up of two upright elements and a mechanical shelf for supporting and driving stirrer cans. The driver transmission elements of the motion transmission system are disposed outside said mechanical shelf and are independent thereof, and the mechanical shelf contains only the driven transmission elements.

Abstract: A hollow core photonic crystal fibre (HCPCF) having a wavelength of operation, the HCPCF comprising: a core region having a first refractive index; a cladding region surrounding the core region and comprising a plurality of microcapillaries arranged in a transverse structure having a pitch, the pitch of the structure being at least five times larger than the wavelength of operation, the cladding region having a second refractive index higher than the first refractive index.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds which are immunomodulatory compounds and, in particular, can induce IL-12 secretion. The invention also relates to compositions containing the compounds, precursors, and prodrugs of these compounds, use of these compounds as adjuvants in combination with vaccines, and use of these compounds for treatment of diseases or conditions relating to infection, atopic disorders, or cancer.

Abstract: A torque limiter driving head for paint cans with a stirrer is arranged in a storage cabinet for the paint cans. A number of rotatably driven pulleys and a matching number of stirring shafts are provided. The pulleys have a hub and the stirring shafts are inserted into the hubs. The hubs have elastic, radially inwardly projecting tabs. The stirring shafts have a non-circular portion engaged by the elastic, radially inwardly projecting tabs. The stirring shafts comprise a transverse pin-and-blade arrangement for driving stirrers of the paint cans.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid with the use of a measurement transducer. A memory containing the measurement characteristics of the transducer as arranged in close proximity to the transducer. A dialogue module is provided in an electronic computer assembly. The dialogue module is capable of initially reading the data of the transducer memory in order to transfer the data to a memory of the electronic assembly. Thereafter the transducer memory is isolated and processing of the measurement signals from the transducer is effected by means of the transducer characteristics transferred to the memory of the electronic assembly.

Abstract: A walking-beam furnace in the heating of metal bodies without bending in which at least a pair of walking beams straddle a stationary beam whose width is greater than that of the walking beams. The stationary beam is formed with a plurality of rectangular recesses opening at a support surface of the stationary beam upon which the metal bodies come to rest and communicate from below with a source of combustion gases so that the hot gas rises to contact the bottom of the metal bodies and the bottom of the metal bodies is subject to heating by radiation from the walls of the recess which converges downwardly to a duct supplying the hot gas. The width of the recess is greater than the widths of the portions of the fixed beam laterally flanking, while the length of the recesses is greater than its width.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support for products in a steel-making furnace. This support comprises, over a notable part of its height, but not over the whole of its height, from its base, a peripheral recess in which is housed an insulating envelope, the outer diameter of this envelope being substantially equal to that of the upper part of the stud.

Abstract: A wheel kit is disclosed for converting snowmobiles into wheeled vehicles. The kit is mounted on the chassis of a snowmobile after removal of the front skis and endless track. The conversion device comprises a front wheel drive assembly including a frame secured to the front end of the chassis of the snowmobile and a pair of laterally spaced wheels rotatably mounted on the frame and powered by the snowmobile engine, and a rear wheel steering assembly including a frame secured to the rear end of the snowmobile chassis, a single wheel pivotally mounted on the rear frame and steering means interconnecting the rear wheel to the regular steering mechanism of the snowmobile.