Abstract: A test fixture configured to receive an electrical connector is provided that includes a circuit board having a mounting area configured to be joined to an electrical connector. The circuit board has at least two layers. Contacts are provided on the circuit board, and traces extend from the contacts, wherein traces joined to adjacent contacts are distributed between the at least two layers.

Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of a metal (70) from a compound thereof dissolved in a molten electrolyte comprises: a thermally insulated cell trough (10,20) and a thermally insulated cell cover (30) which are arranged to contain an electrolyte (40) and maintain it in a substantially crustless molten state; and a feeder (50) for feeding a particulate (60) of the metal compound to the molten electrolyte (40). The feeder (50) comprises a feeding tube (51) extending into the cell trough (10,20) and has a tubular end portion (52) which is located between the molten electrolyte (40) and the insulating cell cover (30) and which has a substantially horizontal axial direction. The feeder (50) is arranged to feed the particulate (60) into the feeding tube (51), along the feeding tube (51) and through an opening (53) in the tubular end portion (52) from where it is delivered over the molten electrolyte (40).

Abstract: In a wireless communication system having sometimes mobile subscriber units and a plurality of fixed network devices located at cell sites, a multimode acquisition protocol is provided at each subscriber unit which first senses whether the subscriber unit is static or mobile from the nature and quality of the communication links with nearby network devices and then enables an acquisition protocol suited to either static mode or mobile mode. In a specific embodiment, the protocol initiates procedures to change acquisition mode from static to mobile upon failure of the subscriber unit to sense three consecutive scheduled polling packets sent by a linked network device or upon loss of communication with any locally-known network device or upon failure to transmit 25 consecutive data packets. In such case, the procedure is initiated to determine whether it is appropriate to switch to a mobile mode for purposes of acquisition.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system having sometimes mobile subscriber units and a plurality of fixed network devices located at cell sites, a multimode acquisition protocol is provided at each subscriber unit which first senses whether the subscriber unit is static or mobile from the nature and quality of the communication links with nearby network devices and then enables an acquisition protocol suited to either static mode or mobile mode. In a specific embodiment, the protocol initiates procedures to change acquisition mode from static to mobile upon failure of the subscriber unit to sense three consecutive scheduled polling packets sent by a linked network device or upon loss of communication with any locally-known network device or upon failure to transmit 25 consecutive data packets. In such case, the procedure is initiated to determine whether it is appropriate to switch to a mobile mode for purposes of acquisition.

Abstract: A method of forming a dense and crack-free hematite-containing protective layer on a metal-based substrate for use in a high temperature oxidising and/or corrosive environment comprises applying onto the substrate a particle mixture consisting of: 60 to 99 95 weight %, in particular 70 to 95 weight % such as 75 to 85 weight %, of hematite with or without iron metal and/or ferrous oxide; 1 to 25 weight %, in particular 5 8 to 20 weight % such as 8 to 15 weight %, of nitride and/or carbide particles, such as boron nitride, aluminium nitride or zirconium carbide particles; and 0 to 15 weight %, in particular 5 to 15 weight %, of one or more further constituents that consist of at least one metal or metal oxide or a heat-convertible precursor thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a dense and crack-free hematite-containing protective layer on a metal-based substrate for use in a high temperature oxidising and/or corrosive environment comprises: (I) applying onto the substrate a mass of particles comprising hematite (Fe2O3) and: (a) iron metal (Fe) with a weight ratio Fe/Fe2O3 of at least 0.3 and preferably below 2, in particular in the range from 0.8 to 1.4; and/or (b) ferrous oxide (FeO) with a weight ratio FeO/Fe2O3 of at least 0.35 and preferably below 2.5, in particular in the range from 0.9 to 1.7; and (II) consolidating the applied mass of particles to form the hematite-containing protective layer by heat treating the mass of particles to: 1) sinter the hematite to form a porous sintered hematite matrix; and 2) oxidise into hematite (Fe2O3) the iron metal (Fe) and the ferrous oxide (FeO) to fill the sintered hematite matrix.

Abstract: A charger for rechargeable batteries has a pair of snap arms for retaining a battery within the pocket of the charger. When the battery is inserted into the charger pocket, the snap arms provide a downward force against the battery, thereby ensuring a sound electrical connection between the battery and electrical contacts disposed within the pocket. In one embodiment, the charger pocket includes a pair of channel apertures in which the snap arms are placed. Upon battery insertion, a flex member of the snap arm deflects, thereby allowing a mating feature of the battery to pass. When the battery is fully inserted, a coupling member of the snap arm exerts a force against the battery, thereby pushing the battery towards the bottom of the pocket.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing messages of a ring-topology-based link level communications protocol over a star-topology using a star-topology-based link level communications protocol are disclosed. According to one method, when a packet of the ring-topology-based link level communications protocol is received, it is determined whether the packet is to be sent to a number of destinations and returned to a sender. If the packet is intended for distribution to a number of destinations and return to the sender, the packet is encapsulated in a frame of the star-topology-based link level communications protocol, the destination address in the frame is set to a next destination address in a virtual ring topology, the frame is forwarded to a switch. The switch forwards the packet to the next destination in the virtual ring based on the input port and the destination address of the star-topology-based link level communications protocol.

Abstract: An anode for the electrowinning of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte has an electrochemically active integral outside oxide layer obtainable by surface oxidation of a metal alloy which consists of 20 to 60 weight % nickel; 5 to 15 weight % copper; 1.5 to 5 weight % aluminium; 0 to 2 weight % in total of one or more rare earth metals, in particular yttrium; 0 to 2 weight % of further elements, in particular manganese, silicon and carbon; and the balance being iron. The metal alloy of the anode has a copper/nickel weight ratio in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, preferably 0.2 to 0.3.

Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises a nickel-iron alloy substrate having an openly porous nickel metal rich outer portion whose surface is electrochemically active. The outer portion is optionally covered with an external integral nickel-iron oxide containing surface layer which adheres to the nickel metal rich outer portion of the nickel-iron alloy and which in use is pervious to molten electrolyte. During use, the nickel metal rich outer portion contains cavities some or all of which are partly or completely filled with iron and nickel compounds, in particular oxides, fluorides and oxyfluorides.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component, in particular an aluminium electrowinning anode, for use at elevated temperature in an oxidising and/or corrosive environment comprises: applying onto a metal-based substrate layers of a particle mixture containing iron oxide particles and particles of a reactant-oxide selected from titanium, yttrium, ytterbium and tantalum oxides; and heat treating the applied layers to consolidate by reactive sintering of the iron oxide particles and the reactant-oxide particles to turn the applied layer into a protective coating made of a substantially continuous reacted oxide matrix of one or more multiple oxides of iron and the metal from the reactant-oxide. The metal-based substrate comprises at its surface during the heat treatment an integral anchorage-oxide of at least one metal of the substrate.

Abstract: An oral care composition comprises polybutene with a molecular weight of about 300 to about 3000 and an oral care active. The oral care composition may further comprise an oral care carrier. Kits comprising polybutene, a container and instructions for use or an applicator for applying the composition directly to the tooth surfaces are also disclosed. The polybutene component of the kits can further comprise an oral care active or an oral care carrier.

Abstract: A system and method of setting up a multi-user communication session over a global computer network are provided. The method includes first sending a session participation request message from a first user to a second user, where the session participation request message includes the first user's QoS requirements for the session. The second user then sends a negotiating message to the first user in response to receiving the session participation request message, where the negotiation message includes the second user's QoS requirements for the session responsive to the first user's QoS requirements. The resource availability in access networks of the first and second users according to the second user's QoS requirements is determined, and resources in the respective access networks of the first and second users are then reserved in response to resources being available to achieve the second user's QoS requirements.

Abstract: An iron-based metal anode for the electrowinning of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte has an electrochemically active integral outside oxide layer on an iron-based alloy that consists of 75 to 90 weight % iron; 0.5 to 5 weight % in total of at least one rare earth metal, in particular yttrium; 1 to 10 weight % aluminium; 0 to 10 weight % copper; 0 to 10 weight % nickel; and 0.5 to 5 weight % of other elements. The total amount of aluminium, copper and nickel is in the range from 5 to 20 weight %; and the total amount of rare earth metal(s), aluminium and copper is also in the range from 5 to 20 weight %. The electrochemically active surface layer is predominantly of iron oxide that slowly dissolves into the electrolyte during operation and is maintained by progressive slow oxidation of iron at the interface of the bulk metal of the alloy with the oxide layer.

Abstract: This invention includes a spacer for a rechargeable battery pack. The spacer is hermaphroditic in that it may be rotated by 180 degrees and attached to itself. The spacer sits between two rechargeable battery cells and includes means for accommodating a circuit board. The spacer facilitates connections between the cells and circuit board by way of welding flexible metal tabs. The spacer allows assembly of a battery pack without the need for hand soldering.

Abstract: Systems for delivering cosmetic and therapeutic actives to the oral cavity employ a strip comprising a first layer of material, a second layer comprising polybutene with a molecular weight of about 300 to about 3000, and a cosmetic or therapeutic active included within the second layer. Therapeutic and cosmetic actives in compositions comprising polybutene inhibit or prevent gingivitis, caries, staining, fungi, bacteria and plaque build-up in the oral cavity by means of the delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing, inhibiting, and/or preventing, calculus, tartar, plaque, and/or microbes, in the oral cavity, comprising from about 15% to about 70% of an alkyl vinyl ether maleic copolymer or terpolymer denture adhesive component, an effective amount of a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of cetylpyridinium chloride, domiphen bromide, and mixtures thereof, and a non-aqueous vehicle. A denture wearer in need thereof applies the composition to the oral cavity and/or the denture prosthesis and thereafter secures the denture to the oral cavity.

Abstract: Systems for delivering cosmetic and therapeutic actives to the oral cavity employ a strip comprising a first layer of material, a second layer comprising polybutene with a molecular weight of about 300 to about 3000, and a cosmetic or therapeutic active included within the second layer. Therapeutic and cosmetic actives in compositions comprising polybutene inhibit or prevent gingivitis, caries, staining, fungi, bacteria and plaque build-up in the oral cavity by means of the delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing, inhibiting, and/or preventing, calculus, tartar, plaque, and/or microbes, in the oral cavity, comprising from about 15% to about 70% of an alkyl vinyl ether maleic copolymer or terpolymer denture adhesive component, an effective amount of a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of cetylpyridinium chloride, domiphen bromide, and mixtures thereof, and a non-aqueous vehicle. A denture wearer in need thereof applies the composition to the oral cavity and/or the denture prosthesis and thereafter secures the denture to the oral cavity.

Abstract: A denture cleanser composition comprising polybutene, with a molecular weight of about 300 to about 3000, an effervescence generator and a bleaching agent. Optionally, denture cleanser compositions may further comprise tablet binders, organic peroxyacid bleach precursors, surfactants including a dimethicone copolyol, lipophilic compounds such as flavorants and coolants, chelating agents, and other therapeutic and cosmetic active agents.