Abstract: A trunking section (50) is described and has a body (51) with sides (52a, 52b and 52c) which form a channel (54). Trunking section (50) also has an end portion (62) inserted into first end (56) such that it engages the internal surfaces of sides (52a, 52b and 52c) and is welded thereto. End portion (62) is provided with a first aperture (64) which is adapted to receive a bush connector (66) and has four curved edges (70) and four straight edges (72) therebetween. The bush connector (66) has a male part (74) and a female part (76). Male part (74) has a tubular body (78) which has an aperture (80), it has external first threaded surfaces (82) and rotation prevention means, in the form of flat portions (84). Bush connector (66) also has a female part (76) with an internal second thread (88) which engages first threaded portions (82) of male part (74).

Abstract: A polarizing film includes a first phase of a first polymer having a birefringence of at least 0.05 and a second phase of a second polymer disposed within the first phase. The index of refraction difference between the first and second phases is greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and is less than about 0.05 along at least one axis orthogonal to the first axis. The diffuse reflectivity of the first and second phases taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation may be at least about 30%. In some exemplary embodiments, the second phase has a refractive index of about 1.53 to about 1.59. In some exemplary embodiments, the second polymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) higher than the Tg of the birefringent first polymer.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include a first optical film, a second optical film and at least one rough strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films. Also disclosed are optical bodies including a strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films and including a first polymer and a second polymer that is substantially immiscible in the first polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of processing optical bodies that include stretching the optical bodies.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt is produced containing 0.1% to about 5% confectionery filaments. The process involves providing a cooled fermented yogurt base at a temperature of 0° C. to 5° C.; injecting a liquid fat-bearing compound having a total fat concentration of 24% to about 40% into the cooled yogurt base; whereby the liquid fat-bearing compound is shattered into filaments upon contact with the cooled fermented yogurt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stabilization brace includes an upper belt configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body, a lower belt configured to be positioned around the portion of the user's body, and one or more supports coupled between the upper and lower belts. Each support includes a housing, a piston slidably engaged with the housing, and a motion limiter adjustably coupled to the housing in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, the support operable to limit flexion of the portion of the user's body to a predetermined range according to the position of the motion limiter.

Abstract: An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and an inflatable balloon mounted radially outside the retrograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. The retrograde portion may comprise bilumen tubing having an external wall, an internal wall that defines a central lumen radially inward of the internal wall, and an annular lumen in fluid communication with the balloon defined between the external wall and the internal wall.

Abstract: A junction for joining a first section of conduit to a second section of conduit is described. The junction has a body, which has a first connecting portion for connecting a respective first section of conduit to said body and has a second connecting portion for connecting a second respective section of conduit to said body. The body defines a volume extending between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The junction also has a lid which is engagable with the body and is adapted to close the aperture. The junction also has at least one earth connector which is located within the body and has at least one channel adapted to receive at least one earthed electrical cable in electrical contact with the body.

Abstract: Described herein are N?-acylated derivatives of desleucylA82846B. The compounds are useful as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: A coupling (30) for coupling a first section of trunking (32) to a second section of trunking (34), has a body (36). The body (36) has first and second elongate members (38) and (40), and defines first surface (42) and second surface (44). The first surface (42) is adapted to engage a first flange (46) on first trunking section (32) and the second surface (44) is adapted to engage a second flange (48) on second trunking section (34). A third surface (50) of body (36) connects the first and second surfaces (42) and (44) and provides a substantially continuous surface with external surfaces (52, 54) and (56) of first trunking section (32) and external surfaces (58, 60) and (62) of second trunking section (34).

Abstract: Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt is produced containing 0.1% to about 5% confectionery filaments. The process involves providing a cooled fermented yogurt base at a temperature of 0° C. to 5° C.; injecting a liquid fat-bearing compound having a total fat concentration of 24% to about 40% into the cooled yogurt base; whereby the liquid fat-bearing compound is shattered into filaments upon contact with the cooled fermented yogurt.

Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.

Abstract: A method of stretching films in which all or a portion of the width of the film is cooled during or just after stretching so as to improve the uniformity of the film. The includes stretching a polymeric film in a tenter that grasps the film with a plurality of clips along the opposing edges of the film and propels the clips to thereby stretch the film. The tenter includes driven clips and idler clips, with at least one idler clip between respective pairs of driven clips. The cooling is done so as to improve the uniformity of the clip spacing relative to the spacing obtained at otherwise identical process conditions without such cooling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a dry toner powder from an aqueous pigment concentrate dispersion by blending at least an aqueous-based pigment concentrate dispersion and a resin compound to produce a paste; charging the paste to an extruder to generate a hot melt extrusion; dispersing the hot melt extrusion in a mixture of a surfactant and a high boiling organic medium in which the resin compound is substantially insoluble; mixing at elevated temperature and under shear force to form uniform particles of from about 2 microns to about 15 microns particle size; isolating and washing the particles in a low boiling hydrocarbon solvent; and drying and collecting the particles for use as a dry toner powder, and to the dry toner product produced by this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to color toner compositions prepared from a process for the preparation of a dry toner powder from an aqueous pigment concentrate dispersion comprising: blending at least an aqueous-based pigment concentrate dispersion and a resin to produce a paste; charging the paste to an extruder to generate an extruded pigment/resin mixture; dispersing the extruded pigment/resin mixture in a low boiling organic medium to create an organic phase; dispersing the organic phase in an aqueous phase containing a particulate stabilizer and mixing the organic phase and the aqueous phase at elevated temperature and under shear force to form toner particles of a controlled size and shape; removing the organic solvent and particulate stabilizer from the formed particles; and washing, drying, and collecting the particles for use as a dry toner powder.

Abstract: The invention provides fermented dairy products composed of fermented dairy base containing active cultures and a low water activity sweet brown base component admixed within the fermented dairy base. Further, the invention provides methods for preparing fermented dairy products including steps of fermenting a dairy base by lactic fermentation to a pH of 4.7 to 5.3 to provide a fermented dairy base; cooling the fermented dairy base; admixing a sweet brown base component with the fermented dairy base to form a sweet brown flavored fermented dairy product; and packaging the sweet brown flavored fermented dairy product. Methods of formulating yogurt compositions are also described.

Abstract: An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and an inflatable balloon mounted radially outside the retrograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. The retrograde portion may comprise bilumen tubing having an external wall, an internal wall that defines a central lumen radially inward of the internal wall, and an annular lumen in fluid communication with the balloon defined between the external wall and the internal wall.

Abstract: A system for collecting, storing and displaying dermatological images for the purpose of monitoring and diagnosis of skin conditions and skin cancers, including melanoma. A hand-held unit illuminates a section of the patient's skin, and an imaging device generates imaging signals from light derived from a skin section. Pairs of light output ports in the hand-held unit are arranged such that their intensity distributions overlap at their half-intensity levels so that the resulting summation of their intensities has a flat central region. Three image stores are maintained, one for lesion images, one for “nearby skin” images, and one for reference-white images. The “nearby skin” images are used by the system software to automatically determine the skin/lesion border. The reference white images are used to set the dynamic range of the instrument and to compensate for lighting irregularities.

Abstract: A section of waterproof trunking (30) has an elongate tubular member (32) of rectangular cross section, two opposing sides of which have holes (34) with screws therein. These holes act as means for attaching member (32) to further members (32a) and/or (32b). Member (32) also has an aperture (36) in one side. Aperture (36) has a length L1 which is substantially less than the length L2 of member (32), this length being measured axially along member (32). Aperture (36) also has dimension L3 which is measured perpendicular to L1 and L2, and this length is equal to or slightly less than length L4, the external dimension of member (32) measured in the same direction. Trunking section (30) also has closure means (38) for the or each aperture (36). Closure means (38) has a cover plate (40) which is attached to member (32) by use of screws (42) through holes (43) and into threaded holes (44). Plate (40) is also provided with a neoprene sealing gasket (46).

Abstract: The invention relates to color toner compositions prepared from an aqueous pigment concentrate dispersion which renders a toner exhibiting improved pigment dispersion, and consequently improved image density and color characteristics.