Abstract: The plate is fixed by screws (3) engaged in holes (1a) formed in the thickness of the plate which is designed in such a way as to ensure an adjustable compression effort, created by a screwing effect, which brings the two bone parts closer together. The design consists of at least one recess (1b) having a cross-section defining a plurality of separate areas (1b1), (1b2) and (1b3) that can co-operate with a screw (3) in order to generate a progressive translational movement of the screw (3) during the screwing action, corresponding to a movement of at least one of the bone parts, and causing the compression effort. Said plate (1) comprises a recess (1c) for the introduction of a spindle (4) on the side of one of the bone parts, and another recess (1d) for the introduction of a spindle (5) on the side of the other bone part, one of said recesses (1c) consisting of a circular hole having a diameter which essentially corresponds to that of the spindle (4), and the other recess (1d) consisting of an oblong hole.

Abstract: A closure for closing over the opening of a bottle comprises a body attachable to the bottle and at least one projection that projects out from the body. An in-use underside surface of the projection has an ergonomic curvature whereby a user's finger F can be closely received against the underside surface in use. A plurality of discrete apertures extend through the one or more projections and are located around the closure. Alternatively, the one or more projections with optional discrete apertures are located to projects out from the bottle.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. Compounds according to the invention bind to and are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists of the CB2 receptor, and are useful for treating inflammation. Those compounds which are agonists are additionally useful for treating pain.

Abstract: An end effector includes a base part and a first member. The first member includes first, second, and third serially articulated struts. The first strut articulates with the base part for relative angular displacement about a first pitch axis and about a first roll axis. The first roll axis is substantially orthogonal to the first pitch axis. The second strut articulates with the first strut for relative angular displacement about, firstly, a first yaw axis substantially orthogonal to the first pitch axis and the first roll axis, and, secondly, about a second pitch axis substantially parallel to the first pitch axis and substantially orthogonal to the first yaw axis. The third strut articulates with the second strut for relative angular displacement about a second yaw axis substantially parallel to the first yaw axis.

Abstract: An image analysis method to quantify visual showthrough of printed images on the reverse face of planar objects, such as paper. An illumination level is set using a white reference object. A white reference image is stored in a computer memory. An image of a planar object having a printed image on the reverse face is stored in a computer memory. A pixel by pixel ratio of the two images is calculated and a mean value of the ratios is calculated to characterize the visual showthrough. The measurements are substantially independent of both the illumination level and image shading.

Abstract: Described are methods for processing material, material processing systems, and processable materials. Preferred embodiments relate to a method of and apparatus for producing formable products such as polymer products and thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: Provided are methods, data processing systems, recovery components and computer programs for recovering from storage failures affecting data repositories. At least a part of the recovery processing is performed while the data repositories are able to receive new data and to allow retrieval of such new data. Although new data items may be received into the repository and retrieved therefrom during recovery processing, updates to the data repository which were performed before the failure and which are then restored to the repository by the recovery processing are restored within a recovery unit of work and are inaccessible to processes other than the recovery process until successful completion of the recovery unit of work. The recovery processing ensures that the recovered repository is consistent with the state of the repository at the time of the failure, but is available for addition and retrieval of new data items before completion of the recovery processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.

Abstract: A bearing retainer having an inner portion, an outer portion spaced apart from said inner portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the inner portion and the outer portion, such that the inner portion and the outer portion are radially spaced apart and define a space therebetween, and a contact surface on at least one of the inner portion and the outer portion for engaging a component of a bearing assembly disposed in the space.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, apparatus, computer program and computer program product for adjusting the frequency at which data is backed up. This involves receiving a target recovery time. A current estimated recovery time is then determined and the current and target times are compared. If it is determined that the current estimated recovery time has reached a predetermined threshold relative to the received target recovery time a new backup should be initiated.

Abstract: A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of deforming an intermediate form (10), including a plurality of thermoplastic elongated members that are initially movable relative to each other, while displaceably clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and optionally at least partially consolidating the thermoplastic elongated members of the intermediate form for forming a three dimensional article having a predetermined orientation of the elongated members. An apparatus including a press (32) for forming the shaped three-dimensional article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector (15) for connecting modules together comprises plastic connector member (16), an expander rod (17) and a threaded expander rod displacer (18). The connector member (16) has spaced dovetail style enlargements (19) on one side and a full length dovetail enlargement (20) on the other side. The connector member (16) is designed to slide in the confronting slots with the wasted sections (21) of the expander (17) located inside each of the sections (19). Once in position the threaded expander rod displacer (18) is used to axially displace the expander (17) to force the enlarged sections of the expander (17) into the sections (19) thus engaging the slot and at the same time biasing the modules together.

Abstract: A method for improving the survival and viability of microorganism inoculants on the seeds, comprising the step of coating seeds with a mixture comprising a carbohydrate, a sugar alcohol and microorganisms. Also described are the mixture used in the foregoing method, a kit comprised of an aqueous mixture of a carbohydrate and a sugar alcohol and an aqueous mixture of microorganisms as well as planting seeds with such coating applied. This invention is directed to all types of planting seed and a wide range of microorganism inoculants. Preparation of sterile liquid formulation of the novel mixture is described. The mixture is also biodegradable, which is environmentally advantageous.

Abstract: This application describes completely in many unique ways and detail all the devices to reduce a vehicle's speed and/or reduce a machines RPMs and/or stop any piece of equipment's as well as guide it if mobile through automated controls. First to slow it down, and guide it and/or control it if necessary (i.e., other pieces of equipment). Secondly it discusses how to stop any piece of equipment completely. And thirdly, the invention secures it in a safe stationary position either entirely or any number of specific moving parts. Many of these systems are initially here described to slow, reduce speed, steer, stop and/or secure equipment functions. However, they also can be used to increase a piece of equipment's functions. In other words their variations are completely capable to serve any remote or automated controls on a vehicle in the future to provide full robotics systems, e.g., for automated transportation systems, automated manufacturing, etc.

Abstract: An instrument hanger attachable to a microphone stand facilitates the supporting or hanging of various musical instruments on the stand. The hanger has an annular loop portion for receiving the top portion of the shaft of the stand, a neck and an instrument holding portion shaped to prevent the instrument to detach from the holder in typically encountered situations. A single hanger may hold several like or different instruments. The hangers taught herein may be more convenient than large conventional musical instrument stands which add to the expense and difficulty of travelling and which may crowd a concert stage.

Abstract: A system and methods for simultaneous editing of a document by two or more users are disclosed. The document is divided into a number of sections. Each section is stored in a separate data container, which is part of a document tree. A master copy of the document tree is accessible to a server which transmits all or part of the document tree to two or more clients, each of which is operated by a user. The clients can independently lock different sections, allowing the users to simultaneously edit different sections. When a user completes editing a section, the modified section is stored on the master server and broadcast to other users. The document tree is headed by an independently lockable and editable parent container which is used to store summary information and other information, such as default formatting and other document wide information.

Abstract: A system and methods for simultaneous editing of a document by two or more users are disclosed. The document is divided into a number of sections. Each section is stored in a separate data container, which is part of a document tree. A master copy of the document tree is accessible to a server which transmits all or part of the document tree to two or more clients, each of which is operated by a user. The clients can independently lock different sections, allowing the users to simultaneously edit different sections. When a user completes editing a section, the modified section is stored on the master server and broadcast to other users. The document tree is headed by an independently lockable and editable parent container which is used to store summary information and other information, such as default formatting and other document wide information.

Abstract: A communications system and method are disclosed. A transmitter includes a scrambler for scrambling original data, an ECC encoder for converting scrambled data into ECC data, and a serializer for converting the ECC data into a serial stream. A receiver includes a frame recoverer for converting the serial data into frame data, an ECC decoder from converting the frame data into ECC data and error indications, and a descrambler for restoring the original data. By using the results of the ECC decoding to convert the serial data into frame data, line decoding is unnecessary, thereby reducing channel usage.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.

Abstract: The invention comprises two wireless repeater/controller devices which interface all types of electronic messaging and provide local inter protocol translation and routing to both distant networks and locally, to mini smart cells made up of these two units. The units are termed Primary Focal Node PFN and PS-1 (a smaller dedicated self powered version). The PS-1 micro processes specific signal from sensors, scanners readers, video- cams, audio pickups, and other connected wireless, etc. and delivers the signal conditioned, secure and encrypted to the larger version or PFN for any further processing and translation for longer range wireless communications.