Abstract: The present invention relates to a needle (1), wherein the needle (1) comprises a channel (12) extending through the needle (1), wherein the needle (1) comprises a needle tip (11), wherein the channel (12) comprises an opening at the needle tip (11), wherein the needle (1) defines an axial direction (x), wherein the axial direction (x) defines a distal direction and a proximal direction, wherein the needle tip (11) is a distal portion of the needle (1), and wherein the needle tip (11) comprises a first surface section (112) and a second surface section (111), wherein the first surface section (112) is arranged at a first angle (?) with respect to the axial direction (x) and the second surface section (111) is arranged at a second angle (?) with respect to the axial direction (x), wherein the first angle is different from the second angle. The present invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus, system and use.

Abstract: A system for use with a block heater connected to an engine for pre-start heating of the engine. The system includes a power source, a relay assembly coupled to the power source, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The relay assembly, when closed, electrically connects the power source to the block heater, to thereby energize the block heater to heat the engine. The temperature sensor senses an ambient temperature indicative of a temperature of the engine. The controller is programmed to selectively activate the relay assembly to energize the block heater such that the engine coupled to the block heater is heated from the sensed ambient temperature to a target temperature at approximately a target time.

Abstract: A system for use with a block heater connected to an engine for pre-start heating of the engine. The system includes a power source, a relay assembly coupled to the power source, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The relay assembly, when closed, electrically connects the power source to the block heater, to thereby energize the block heater to heat the engine. The temperature sensor senses an ambient temperature indicative of a temperature of the engine. The controller is programmed to selectively activate the relay assembly to energize the block heater such that the engine coupled to the block heater is heated from the sensed ambient temperature to a target temperature at approximately a target time.

Abstract: A sample-taking unit having a sampling unit and a hold-down device which is movable relative thereto in a parallel manner, said sample-taking unit including a self-holding mechanism which, as a result of a self-locking effect, automatically fixes the hold-down device in a lowered fixing position against an upward movement until the self-locking effect is removed again as a result of the self-holding mechanism being acted upon with a detaching force, preferably as a result of contact between the sampling unit and a clamping element of the self-holding mechanism.

Abstract: A switching valve includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes multiple connection ports. The rotor having predetermined switching positions and interacts with the stator to form a fluidic connection or a fluidic disconnection of predetermined connection ports. The rotor being mounted rotatably via a bearing and pressing device, where the bearing and pressing device is arranged in the housing and loaded with a predefined pressing force in a direction of the stator. The bearing and pressing device includes a spring unit, being supported against a receiving part mounted to rotate about a rotor axis. The receiving part is coupled rotationally conjointly to the rotor and has a drive region which faces away from the stator and is coupled to an output of a drive device.

Abstract: A sample-taking unit having a sampling unit and a hold-down device which is movable relative thereto in a parallel manner, said sample-taking unit including a self-holding mechanism which, as a result of a self-locking effect, automatically fixes the hold-down device in a lowered fixing position against an upward movement until the self-locking effect is removed again as a result of the self-holding mechanism being acted upon with a detaching force, preferably as a result of contact between the sampling unit and a clamping element of the self-holding mechanism.

Abstract: A switching valve includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes multiple connection ports. The rotor having predetermined switching positions and interacts with the stator to form a fluidic connection or a fluidic disconnection of predetermined connection ports. The rotor being mounted rotatably via a bearing and pressing device, where the bearing and pressing device is arranged in the housing and loaded with a predefined pressing force in a direction of the stator. The bearing and pressing device includes a spring unit, being supported against a receiving part mounted to rotate about a rotor axis. The receiving part is coupled rotationally conjointly to the rotor and has a drive region which faces away from the stator and is coupled to an output of a drive device.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub having a door that provides access to the tub. The door has a handle which extends a top surface of the door beyond a front surface of the door. A touchscreen panel is mounted to the top surface of a door to provide a user interface. The user interface includes a carrousel of icons via which a user may select a wash cycle. The user interface further includes a programmed delay interface via which a user may specify a desired start time and/or stop time for the wash cycle. The user interface may further provide the user with usage guidance to aid the user in the usage of the dishwasher.

Abstract: A method of exam protocol creation in a diagnostic imaging system includes initiating a non-protocol diagnostic imaging exam with the diagnostic imaging system. Concurrently with implementation of the initiated non-protocol diagnostic imaging exam, procedural characteristics of the non-protocol diagnostic imaging exam are recorded, wherein recording includes automatic system recording. In addition, the method includes defining a diagnostic imaging exam protocol in response to the recorded procedural characteristics of the non-protocol diagnostic imaging exam. Defining includes producing an automatic system generated definition of the diagnostic imaging exam protocol as a function of information extracted from the recorded procedural characteristics.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub having a door that provides access to the tub. The door has a handle which extends a top surface of the door beyond a front surface of the door. A touchscreen panel is mounted to the top surface of a door to provide a user interface. The user interface includes a carrousel of icons via which a user may select a wash cycle. The user interface further includes a programmed delay interface via which a user may specify a desired start time and/or stop time for the wash cycle. The user interface may further provide the user with usage guidance to aid the user in the usage of the dishwasher.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide analogs are disclosed having pyrimidine monomeric sub-units therein that are modified at the 2? and 5? positions. Monomeric sub-units having these modifications may be further modified at the 2? position. Improved processes for the synthesis of 2?-O-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides are also provided. The processes feature alkylation of a 2,2?-anhydropyrimidine nucleoside or a 2S,2?-anhydropyrimidine nucleoside with a weak nucleophile in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Abstract: A system for organizing one or more accessory devices for a personal computer includes a first body structure that houses a first accessory device and an attachment unit detachably attached to the first body structure for attaching and detaching the first body structure mechanically to an outside surface of a personal computer (PC) component. According to the present invention, the attachment unit can be removed from the first body structure and attached to a second body structure that houses a second accessory device so that the second body structure can be attached to the PC component.

Abstract: For large scale preparation of pyrimidine ribonucleosides, the intermediate 2-O-methyl-(or ethyl)-1,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-.alpha.-D-ribose can be prepared using a diazomethane (or diazoethane) reaction that is controlled via an inert solvent transferring system. This transfer system allows for large scale preparations of the pyrimidine ribonucleosides.

Abstract: A system which utilizes a bar code having an instruction field whose data specifies an action to be performed and also having a reference field whose data relates to the data in the instruction field. The system reads the instruction and reference fields of the bar code and processess the read data. This processing may determine from the instruction field data that the action or actions to be taken are to be taken on data other than that in the reference field of the bar code. It also may determine from the data in the instruction field that an action to be taken on the data in the reference field is other than an action identified in the instruction field of the bar code. Based on these determinations, the system continues the processing using the appropriate action and data.A unique bar is also used in the system. This bar code, between its start and stop fields, has a separator field whose width is greater than that of any of the individual bar code characters.

Abstract: A method and system for reproducing halftone originals utilizing threshold gray level values of the scanned pixels of the halftone original to determine adjacent pairs of pixels bordering the edges of the halftone dots. Edge errors for the adjacent pairs of pixels are determined using the scanned gray level values and a threshold value. A processing window defines sub-arrays of pixels whose thresholded gray level values are processed based on the edge errors. For each sub-array, the edge errors of the adjacent pairs of pixels are summed. The thresholded values of the adjacent pairs of pixels are then selectively changed in the order of pixel pairs of descending edge error until the number of values changed equals the closest integer to the summed edge error.

Abstract: A document sorting system employing a plurality of elongated flexible strips which form document transport channels therebetween and which terminate at a plurality of sorting areas. A magnetic apparatus is provided for selectively deflecting the ends of the flexible strips to form an appropriate channel entrance for the document to be sorted. A coil member is attached to the said end of each flexible strip and current is sent through the coil of the coil members. The coil members are disposed for movement on a piece of the magnetic apparatus and current through the coils of the coil members cooperate with the magnetic field produced by the magnetic apparatus to selectively deflect the coil members and the ends of the flexible strips. The coils of the coil members are connected in a circuit which determines the direction of the current flow in each of the coils.