Abstract: An aromatic polyamide resin composition is obtained by blending an inorganic filler and an impact modifier. The ratio of the weight M of the inorganic filler to the weight T of the impact modifier is preferably 2.0≦M/T≦6.5. The aromatic polyamide resin has a melting point of at least 290° C., and preferably a glass transition temperature of at least 60° C. The composition has an excellent balance of toughness and stiffness.

Abstract: An adhesive resin composition comprising:

Abstract: Random propylene thermoplastic copolymers can be used to increase the elongation to break and toughness of thermoplastic vulcanizates. Semi-crystalline polypropylene is a preferred thermoplastic phase. The rubber can be olefinic rubbers. Random thermoplastic polypropylene copolymers are different from conventional Ziegler-Natta propylene copolymers as the compositional heterogeneity of the copolymer is greater with Ziegler-Natta copolymers. This difference results in substantial differences in properties (elongation to break and toughness) between thermoplastic vulcanizates modified with random thermoplastic propylene copolymers and those modified with conventional Ziegler-Natta propylene copolymers. An increase in elongation to break results in greater extensibility in the articles made from a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

Abstract: A rubber-modified styrene type polymer excellent in transparency and excellent in impact strength and moldability, is presented.

Abstract: A resin composition for an aqueous paint containing different phase structure emulsion particles obtained by multi-stage emulsion polymerization as a binder, wherein the different phase structure emulsion particles have an outermost phase formed by an emulsion polymer of an ethylenic unsaturated monomer, having a glass transition temperature of from −50° C. to 10° C.

Abstract: A flame-Retardant advanced epoxy resin was prepared by reacting an active-hydrogen-containing phosphorus compound with a di- or poly-functional epoxy resin via an addition reaction between the active hydrogen and the epoxide group, which has a high glass transition temperature (Tg), high decomposition temperature and high elastic modulus and thus is suitable for printed circuit board and semiconductor encapsulation applications by curing with a curing agent.

Abstract: A polymer bearing specific cyclic silicon-containing groups is novel. A resist composition comprising the polymer as a base resin is sensitive to high-energy radiation and has excellent sensitivity and resolution at a wavelength of less than 300 nm, and high resistance to oxygen plasma etching. The resist composition lends itself to micropatterning for the fabrication of VLSIs.

Abstract: Provided is an electrically conductive inorganic polymer containing at least one alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and at least one of the metals selected from the IVth to XIth subgroup and IIIrd to Vth main group starting with atom number 31.

Abstract: A process of controlling the molecular weight and dispersity of poly(p-ethylphenol) and poly(m-cresol) synthesized enzymatically by varying the composition of the reaction medium. Polymers with low dispersities and molecular weights from 1000 to 3000 are synthesized in reversed micelles and biphasic systems. In comparison, reactions in bulk solvents resulted in a narrow range of molecular weights (281 to 675 with poly(p-ethylphenol) in a DMF/water system and 1,400 to 25,000 with poly(m-cresol) in an ethanol/water system). Poly(p-ethylphenol) was functionalized at hydroxyl positions with palmitoyl, cinnamoyl, and biotin groups.

Abstract: A method for producing a copolymerized polyester resin, which comprises subjecting a dicarboxylic acid component containing terephthalic acid or its ester derivative as the main component and a phenylene dioxydiacetic acid as a copolymerizable component, and a diol component containing ethylene glycol as the main component, to polycondensation through an esterification reaction or a transesterification reaction, wherein the phenylene dioxydiacetic acid is added to the reaction system in the form of a solution dissolved in the diol component.

Abstract: The invention describes the preparation of high molecular weight copolymeric polyaspartic esters which have been hydrophobically modified with alkyl radicals having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing patient specific anti-cancer antibodies using a novel paradigm of screening. By segregating the anti-cancer antibodies using cancer cell cytotoxicity as an end point, the process makes possible the production of anti-cancer antibodies customized for the individual patient that can be used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The invention further relates to the process by which the antibodies are made and to their methods of use. The antibodies can be made specifically for one tumor derived from a particular patient and are selected on the basis of their cancer cell cytotoxicity and simultaneous lack of toxicity for non-cancerous cells. The antibodies can be used in aid of staging and diagnosis of a cancer, and can be used to treat tumor metastases.

Abstract: A recording paper coated or impregnated with a sizing agent containing a water-soluble soybean polysaccharide as an indispensable component, and optionally a cationic polymer and a surfactant, preferably a nonionic surfactant having HLB of 5-15. The water-soluble soybean polysaccharide is a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from soybean or soybean extraction residue and subjected to desalinating purification.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a compound having the formula 1

Abstract: Retinoid antagonist compounds have been found to be useful in the prevention and/or minimization of surgical adhesion formation.

Abstract: A novel process for making an isoflavone concentrate product from soybeans which includes diluting solubles from alcohol-extracted hexane-defatted soybean flakes to about 10% to about 30% solids, separating undissolved solids from the diluted soy solubles, such that the separated solids have at least 4% isoflavones by weight of dry matter. That concentrate can then be further concentrated to at least 40% isoflavones by weight of dry matter by adjusting pH and temperature and extracting with solvents. The soy isoflavone concentrate products are then used in a liquid or dry beverage, food or nutritional products.

Abstract: Certain novel sterol derivatives can be used for regulating the meiosis in oocytes and in male germ cells.

Abstract: For use in a process for the production of (meth)acrylic acid comprising at least a step for the reaction of (meth)acrylic acid by catalytic gas phase oxidation and a step for the absorption thereof, a method for preventing an effluent gas pipe from blocking is disclosed, which method is characterized by causing part or the whole of the gas discharged from the step for absorption, while being circulated via the effluent gas pipe to the step for the reaction or being discarded, to be subjected to temperature elevation and application of pressure and/or mist separation. Particularly by setting the temperature of the waste gas from the absorption column at a level in the range of 30-70° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing ketones by so-called “crossed aldol condensation” of a ketone with an aldehyde in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of approximately equimolar amounts of a secondary amine and of a carboxylic acid containing at least 2 C atoms, to form an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketone, and, where appropriate, subsequent catalytic hydrogenation.

Abstract: Aldehydes are prepared in a hydroformylation apparatus by the multiphase hydroformylation reaction of one or more olefins with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, where the continuous phase contains a solvent mixture and the hydroformylation catalyst is present in the continuous phase, at least one olefin is present in the dispersed phase, and the loading factor of the tube reactor is greater than or equal to 0.8.

Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of difluoromethane by gas-phase catalytic fluorination of methylene chloride.

Abstract: Cobalt catalysts, and processes employing these inventive catalysts, for hydrocarbon synthesis. The inventive catalyst comprises cobalt on an alumina support and is not promoted with any noble or near noble metals. In one aspect of the invention, the alumina support preferably includes a dopant in an amount effective for increasing the activity of the inventive catalyst. The dopant is preferably a titanium dopant. In another aspect of the invention, the cobalt catalyst is preferably reduced in the presence of hydrogen at a water vapor partial pressure effective to increase the activity of the cobalt catalyst for hydrocarbon synthesis. The water vapor partial pressure is preferably in the range of from 0 to about 0.1 atmospheres.

Abstract: A floating mass transducer for improving hearing in a hearing impaired person is provided. The floating mass transducer (100) may be implanted or mounted externally for producing-vibrations in a vibratory structure of an ear. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating mass transducer comprises a magnet assembly (12) and a coil (14) secured inside a housing (10) which is fixed to an ossicle of a middle ear. The coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet. The magnet assembly and coil are configured such that conducting alternating electrical current through the coil results in vibration of the magnet assembly and coil relative to one another. The vibration is caused by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the magnet assembly and coil. Because the coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet assembly, the vibrations of the coil cause the housing to vibrate. The vibrations of the housing are conducted to the oval window of the ear via the ossicles.

Abstract: An examination table, particularly in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance image detecting machines of the so-called dedicated type, i.e. designed for detecting images of specific body parts, has an at least one-degree-of-freedom constraint (5, 6) to the machine (1), and has support means (6, 7, 12, 402, 302) which allow the examination table (2) to be moved in at least one, preferably two or more degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method of excavating tissue in the body, including bringing a catheter (60) to a location, injecting microbubbles (84) at the location and causing cavitation of tissue (76) at the location using ultrasound. Preferably, the microbubbles (84) are injected directly into the tissue, such as by using a hollow needle (62). Alternatively, microbubbles (84) are injected into the vascular bed of the tissue at the location, so that the capillaries (86) are infused with microbubbles (84).

Abstract: A biopsy site marker comprises small bodies or pellets of gelatin which enclose substantially in their interior a radio (X-ray) opaque object. The gelatin pellets are deposited into the biopsy site, typically a cylindrical opening in the tissue created by the recent use of a vacuum assisted large core biopsy device, by an applicator device that includes an elongated cylindrical body that forms a flexible tube and a piston slidable in the tube. One end of the tube is placed into the biopsy site. Typically, several gelatin pellets, only some of which typically do, but all of which may contain the radio opaque object, are deposited sequentially into the site through the tube. The radio opaque objects contained in the gelatin bodies are of a non-biological configuration and readily identifiable as man-made object, so that in observation by typical mammography equipment they do not assume the shape of a line, whereby they are readily distinguishable from granules and lines of calcification.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a pulse-wave-propagation-relating information of a living subject, including a bifurcate-portion determining device which determines a bifurcate portion of an artery of the subject that is present under a skin of the subject, a pulse-wave-detect-portion determining device for determining, based on the determined bifurcate portion of the artery, a pulse-wave-detect portion of the artery from which a pulse wave is detected, a reference-point determining device for determining a reference point on the pulse wave detected from the determined pulse-wave-detect portion of the artery, and a pulse-wave-propagation-relating-information obtaining device for obtaining the pulse-wave-propagation-relating information of the subject based on the determined reference point of the pulse wave.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (&agr;) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (&agr;o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and altematingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that efficiently clears solutes from blood of patients with renal disease solely by convection and with a single filter that includes a hemofilter, a blood pump for drawing blood from a patient and propelling the blood into a mixing chamber, a mixing and detention chamber where the blood and a non-isosmotic diluent are mixed and are allowed to approach or reach equilibrium (with regard to solute concentration), a mixing element for creating turbulence in the mixing/detention chamber, and suitable tubing for carrying the pumped blood to and from the patent. Methods for utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter system and method of performing posterior epicardial revascularization and intracardiac surgery on a beating heart. Several catheter systems are provided to achieve a left ventricular isolation and a right ventricular isolation as required to facilitate surgery according to the methods of the present invention. Myocardial infusion is provided in either antegrade or retrograde flow to insure the myocardium meets its oxygen demand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.

Abstract: A degradable disposable diaper includes one or more sheets made of polyolefin with the polyolefin including a prodegradant causing the sheet to degrade. The prodegradant includes a metal compound such as a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, cerium, and iron. The preferred metal compound is a metal carboxylate. The polyolefin is preferably polyethylene or polypropylene. A secondary polyolefin may be used to aid the incorporation of the prodegradant into the primary polyolefin. A filler may also be used with the polyolefin and prodegradant. The filler preferably has a particle size less than 150 mesh and is free of water. The filler is preferably calcium carbonate having a 1 to 10 micron particle size. The sheet contains between about 0.001 and about 15 weight % prodegradant and most preferably between about 0.01 and about 3 weight % prodegradant. The sheet also includes up to about 15 weight % filler. The diaper also includes a degradable absorbent core.

Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation instrument passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. An electrode is coupled to a high-frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Guidance of the electrode placement may be monitored by an imaging device. The instrument may consist of a catheter with an inflatable balloon structure for positioning the instrument. The temperature of the tissue may be sensed at the electrode to control the high-frequency heating energy and ablation process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjunct (add-on) therapy of depression, migraine, neuropsychiatric disorders, partial complex epilepsy, generalized epilepsy and involuntary movement disorders comprises an implantable lead-receiver, and an external stimulator having controlling circuitry, a power source, and a coil to inductively couple the stimulator to the lead-receiver. The external stimulator emits electrical pulses to stimulate a cranial nerve such as the left vagus nerve according to a predetermined program. In a second mode of operation, an operator may manually override the predetermined sequence of stimulation.

Abstract: A miniature light device delivers high energy modular photonic energy to an internal tissue region for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The miniature light device is a light source that can be placed at or near a distal end of an interventional device, providing localized application of energy in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A known method for treating pathological body vessels is the implantation of stents as an extended filament, by means of a catheter, which springs into a given form at the implantation site, as a result of its thermo-memory property or its elasticity. The invention relates to a new kind of stent, created in order to improve the flexibility and stability of the stent. This is achieved in that the stent filament or stent filaments are present in the form of at least two opposed spirals. The filament consists of a material with high elasticity or with thermo-memory properties. The stent can be covered with a structure made of pieces of fabric and/or fibers, and serves in this way as a stent graft. The new stent demonstrates high stability and flexibility. The stent can be introduced into a body vessel by means of a catheter lumen, which essentially corresponds to the outside diameter of the filaments forming the stent which expands in the point of destination to a larger-lumen tube-shaped implant.

Abstract: A magnetic spring includes a plurality of spaced-apart stationary circumferentially magnetized segments disposed along a circle about an axis to define a first plurality of spaced-apart gaps, and a plurality of spaced-apart moveable circumferentially magnetized segments disposed along the circle to define a second plurality of spaced-apart gaps. Each of the plurality of moveable magnetized segments is axially slidable within a respective one of the first plurality of gaps defined by the plurality of stationary magnetized segments. Significant applications of the magnetic spring in an actuator of a ventricle assist device (VAD) or a total artificial heart (TAH) in which stored energy in the magnetic spring is used to reduce motor power loses of an actuator during a power stroke of the VAD or TAH.

Abstract: A kit for a knee joint prosthesis comprises a tibia part (1, 1a), a femur part (4) and a meniscus part (3, 3a) which is to be arranged between the femur part (4) and the tibia part (1, 1a) . The kit enables the assembly of different prosthesis types, namely of prostheses in which the meniscus part (3a) is arranged to be immobile relative to the tibia part (1) and of prostheses in which the meniscus part (3) is arranged so as to be movable relative to the tibia part (1). The kit comprises a plurality of guiding elements (6, 6a, 6b) which are formed in such a manner that the respective guiding element (6, 6a, 6b) is in engagement with the tibia part (1, la) and with the meniscus part (3, 3a) when the prosthesis is assembled and determines the movability of the meniscus part (3, 3a) relative to the tibia part (1, 1a).

Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: A traction control system of a vehicle having a device for calculating a target traction torque of each of a pair of driving wheels based upon operating conditions of the vehicle, a device for calculating a target slip ratio of each of the pair of driving wheels based upon the target traction torque calculated therefor, and a device for controlling the engine and the brake system such that actual slip ratio of each of the pair of driving wheels coincides with the target slip ratio calculated therefor according to a feedback control, with a partial feedforward control of the engine and the brake system based upon the target traction torque.

Abstract: A motor control system employed in a mechanism including displacers driven by motors, for example, a vehicle seat control system, includes motor operation parameter detection or simulation as inputs to adaptive algorithms to simplify the control system. The adaptive algorithms compensate for the interference with detection of generated or sensed pulses in previous pulse counting implementations. The seat control permits additional functions to be performed without numerous sensors, power controls and robust demands required in previous systems for controlling motors.

Abstract: In a shift control method for an automatic transmission, it is first determined if a vehicle is running on a level road according to a signal from a drive state detector, then one of an economy or a power mode is selected according to a current throttle opening ratio. After, an upshifting point of the selected mode is set, a speed ratio is set according to the upshifting point of the selected mode and outputting a corresponding control signal to a drive unit.

Abstract: Disclosed a vehicle speed control system using wireless communications, the system including a driving state detecting unit for detecting a driving state and outputting corresponding signals; a transmitter/receiver for outputting low-strength signals; an electronic control unit for receiving the signals of the transmitter/receiver and establishing an ISA mode if necessary, determining if a present driving state corresponds to a first driving state, determining if the driver has performed deceleration operations and performing control into the first driving state if needed; an engine control unit for outputting signals for control of the throttle valve opening; a throttle valve electronic control unit for outputting electrical signals to a throttle valve to control the same; and a display for displaying a present mode and a vehicle state.

Abstract: In an air traffic control system for controlling aircraft a three-dimensional position is provided to monitor a position of an air traffic controller. An image is displayed on a display portion with reference to the position of the controller. The image displayed on the display portion always appears in a front image regardless of the position of the controller or may be selected to be displayed on a selected area of the display portion determined by the position of the controller.

Abstract: A collision avoiding system is provided to enhance a collision avoiding effect by stabilizing a vehicle behavior during automatic braking. Steering controlling apparatus includes not only an ordinary electric power steering control unit but also an active steering reaction calculating unit for driving a motor of a steering system to compensate for the influence of disturbances, if the vehicle is shocked by an unusual bounce from an uneven road or the like. When obstacle detecting apparatus such as a laser-radar detects an obstacle which requires operation of automatic braking, a control parameter changing unit receives the automatic braking activating signal to make a change in the control parameters for an active steering reaction control.

Abstract: A method for reducing the barriers between creative designs and complete drawings and databases by generating complex engineering drawings, such as lighting systems from lines and/or other simple shapes automatically, eliminates the tedious, time-consuming tasks of drawing, placing and annotating elements of structure, such as mounting trusses, fixtures, lighting patterns (often referred to as “gobos”), projectors and any other lighting, sound, video, plumbing, HVAC, street layouts or other graphical representations.

Abstract: The present invention intends to enhance a sound quality of a sound source generating portion in a CELP type voice encoding device and a CELP type voice decoding device. A pitch peak position of an adaptive code vector is obtained by a pitch peak position calculator 12, a window for emphasizing an amplitude of the pitch peak position is prepared by an amplitude emphasizing window generator 13, and an amplitude of a noise code vector corresponding to the pitch peak position is emphasized by an amplitude emphasizing window unit 16. Alternatively, pulse search positions are determined in such a manner that they become dense in a pitch peak position vicinity and coarse in the other portions. Based on the determined search positions, a pulse position searching is performed. Alternatively, the pitch peak position and pitch cycle information in the immediately previous sub-frame and the pitch cycle information in the present sub-frame are used to backward adapt and switch a sound source constitution.

Abstract: A feature description method capable of high-speed, efficiently searching audio data or grasping a summary of the audio data by giving considerations to elements and characteristics peculiar to the audio data, is provided. Also, an audio video data feature description collection construction method for collecting feature descriptions from multiple pieces of audio video data based on a specific feature type makes it possible to efficiently, clearly describe a feature description collection.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed which comprises: a first acquiring element for acquiring the number of times information contents are downloaded over a network; a second acquiring element for acquiring the number of times the information contents are reproduced; and a computing element for computing a pricing index for the information contents based on the number of times the information contents have been downloaded as acquired by the first acquiring element and on the number of times the information contents have been reproduced as acquired by the second acquiring element.

Abstract: An information retrieval site S1 connected to the Internet has a retrieval server S1a and a retrieval database S1b. The retrieval server S1a of this information retrieval site S1 fetches data representing the details of services respectively provided by a plurality of hotel reservation sites S2, S3, . . . therefrom and stores the data in the retrieval database S1b. Moreover, the server S1a retrieves data corresponding to information-retrieval input information, which is inputted from an information terminal T, from the retrieval database S1b according to the inputted information. Then, the server S1a causes a monitor of the information terminal T to display data read by this retrieval.