Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are associated with DPP IV, such as diabetes, particularly non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, and impaired glucose tolerance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing a stream of pictures. The method comprises the steps of selecting a first portion of pictures from a stream of pictures fulfilling a quality measure for processing in a first processing unit PROC1, and selecting a second portion of pictures not fulfilling said quality measure for processing in a second processing unit PROC2. The first portion of the pictures selected are processed in the first processing unit PROC1, and the second portion of the pictures are processed in the second processing unit PROC2. Finally, the first portion of the pictures processed in the first processing unit PROC1 are combined with the second portion of the pictures processed in the second processing unit PROC2.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes an actuator having at least two electrodes, an elastomeric dielectric film disposed between the two electrodes, and a frame attached to the elastomeric dielectric film. The frame provides a linear actuation force characteristic over a displacement range. The displacement range is preferably the stroke of the actuator. The displacement range can be about 5 mm and greater. Further, the frame can include a plurality of configurations, for example, at least a rigid members coupled to a flexible member wherein the frame provides an elastic restoring force. In preferred embodiments, the rigid member can be, but is not limited to, curved beams, parallel beams, rods and plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) 1

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and systems used in magnetic imaging environments that include an actuator device having an elastomeric dielectric film with at least two electrodes, and a frame attached to the actuator device. The frame can have a plurality of configurations including, such as, for example, at least two members that can be, but not limited to, curved beams, rods, plates, or parallel beams. These rigid members can be coupled to flexible members such as, for example, links wherein the frame provides an elastic restoring force. The frame preferably provides a linear actuation force characteristic over a displacement range. The linear actuation force characteristic is defined as ±20% and preferably 10% over a displacement range. The actuator further includes a passive element disposed between the flexible members to tune a stiffness characteristic of the actuator. The passive element can be a bi-stable element.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) 1

Abstract: The compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 has the significance as given in the description, are inhibitors of endothelin receptors and can therefore be used for the treatment of disorders which are associated with abnormal vascular tone and endothelial dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention is a novelty musical kettle that plays a song when liquid inside the kettle is heated. The kettle body contains a circular flute instrument with a release flap at a first end and a closed second end. When the water is heated, the flap opens allowing pressure to enter the instrument. Also, when the liquid is heated, a release strip releases a rachet which in turn releases a manually pre-wound rotating drum with a drive mechanism. As the drum unwinds, a plurality of multilevel cams along the drum's outer circumference lift a plurality of corresponding actuation valves. The actuation valves unseal and reseal a plurality of apertures along the circular instrument. When the aperture is open, the pressure inside escapes and a musical note is played. The unwinding drum continually unseals and reseals the apertures in a preprogramed manner, thus playing a song.

Abstract: A containment vessel formed from at least two rigid panels placed in a parallel plane having a spacer positioned between the panels wherein a containment area is formed along an upper surface of the spacer and inner surface of the rigid panels. The spacer can be formed into any shape with a distal end and proximal end of the spacer forming an inlet to the containment area. The containment vessel employs a reusable securement fastener allowing for the disassembly of the panels and replacement or reshaping of the spacer to form different shaped containment areas. The containment vessel can be pre-shaped or fixed.

Abstract: A push-pull switch includes an actuating mechanism whose actuating tappet is engaged in a thread in the handle. By this arrangement, a pulling movement on the handle is converted into a rotational movement of the actuating tappet. As such, balls mounted as latching elements in the actuating tappet can be released gently from a secure latching position in the ON state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing a stream of pictures. The method comprises the steps of selecting a first portion of pictures from a stream of pictures fulfilling a quality measure for processing in a first processing unit PROC1, and selecting a second portion of pictures not fulfilling said quality measure for processing in a second processing unit PROC2. The first portion of the pictures selected are processed in the first processing unit PROC1, and the second portion of the pictures are processed in the second processing unit PROC2. Finally, the first portion of the pictures processed in the first processing unit PROC1 are combined with the second portion of the pictures processed in the second processing unit PROC2.

Abstract: The compounds of formula (I) 1

Abstract: The compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 has the significance as given in the description, are inhibitors of endothelin receptors and can therefore be used for the treatment of disorders which are associated with abnormal vascular tone and endothelial dysfunction.

Abstract: A bone fusion apparatus and method for positioning over and attachment to a desired bone area which can provide for radial compression of bones, with particular suitability for wrist fusion by attachment to suitable bones such as, for example, a plurality of carpus area bones, with or without attachment to the radius bone and/or to one or more metacarpal bones. The bone fusion apparatus includes an annular plate having an outer side for at least partially contacting bone and an opposite inner side. The plate has a top outer edge of greatest diameter and a smaller diameter, bottom inner edge which defines an at least substantially central opening through the plate. The plate is substantially conical in shape such that the plate tapers outwardly from the inner edge of the plate to the outer edge of the plate. The plate defines a plurality of preferably countersunk holes therethrough between the inner edge and the outer edge, wherein each of the holes is adapted for receiving a bone fastener.

Abstract: A carpal tunnel release apparatus and method including a surgical knife including an elongated handle having a forward portion and a rearward portion with the forward portion of the handle terminating in a cutting head. The cutting head has top edge and a bottom edge with the cutting head terminating in a substantially linear cutting edge extending from proximate the bottom edge of the cutting head toward the top edge of the cutting head. The cutting edge intersects and forms an angle with an upper guide finger which is the only structure which projects forwardly past the plane of the cutting edge and which at least partially forms the top edge of the cutting head. The guide apparatus includes an elongated bar defining one or more elongated grooves therein.

Abstract: A compass with an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the compass legs and for changing the distance between the compass points, wherein each compass leg includes a pivot bearing and an adjustment bearing. Each compass leg is constructed as a two-armed lever, wherein a first lever arm of each lever extends along the compass leg axis from the pivot bearing to the compass leg point, on the one hand, and a second lever arm extends from the pivot bearing to the compass arm end. The adjustment bearing, or a tilting bearing constructed as the adjustment bearing, is arranged in the second lever arm of each two-armed lever forming a compass leg.

Abstract: An outer surface of a cam on a camshaft extending along a camshaft axis is honed by continuously rotating the camshaft about its axis while holding a grinding stone adjacent the cam with a surface of the stone directed radially inward at the cam surface. Movement of the grinding stone is restricted to displacement in two directions, one direction extending substantially radially of the camshaft axis and the other direction extending generally perpendicular to the one direction. The grinding stone is urged in the one direction extending radially of the axis against the stone to press the cam surface radially inward against the cam surface for contact of the stone surface along a line with the cam surface so that the stone moves in a radial direction as the camshaft rotates. The stone surface is continuously reciprocated in the other direction generally parallel to a plane perpendicular to the radial direction so as to continuously move the contact line between the cam and stone surfaces.

Abstract: A method for detecting and removing errors in pictures associated with a picture sequence in digital video sigals is disclosed. For this purpose an error detector and a filter for continuous processing of pixels associated with said pictures is used. The error detector detects an error if at least one error pixel, being a pixel with a specific contrast, i.e. difference in pixel intensities, is found when comparing the pixel intensities of pixels belonging to at least two pictures in said picture sequence. The error detector determines an error shape, and the filter which is an adaptive filter, replaces the intensity of a current error pixel with a mathematical function of pixel intensities of the current pixel and pixels surrounding the error shape.

Abstract: A block matching method for estimating motion contents in a video signal is presented. The motion is represented by a two-dimensional motion vector field, including horizontal and vertical vector components. The method can be used in a wide range of applications, has high spatial and motion vector resolution, is robust under adverse signal conditions, and is cost effective in real-time implementations. The block matching method includes iterative processing with different block sizes from coarse to fine with prediction of motion vectors from surrounding blocks. Resolution of each iteration's block size is preserved at the same resolution as the original input video signal for which the motion vector field is being generated.