Abstract: A shock absorber (11) comprising a tubular first portion in the form of a shock absorber casing (12) telescopically receiving a tubular second portion in the form of a piston (13) is disclosed. The first portion has an alignment member (15) which encapsulates a friction element (17) wrapped around said second portion. The alignment member (15) is longitudinally movable in between a first stop bearing (18) and a second stop bearing (19). The novel friction element (17) has a plurality of tips or protrusions (25) which extend, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the piston (13), towards the two stop bearings (18,19) and which hit either of said bearings (18,19) during the oscillatory back and forth movement of the alignment member (15) during operation.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an annular outer seat protruding from a valve main body, an inner seat protruding inward of the outer seat of the valve main body, an intermediate seat disposed between the outer seat and the inner seat of the valve main body and protruding to surround an opening section of a passage, a first disk having a larger diameter than the outer seat and seated on the intermediate seat, a spring member configured to press the first disk toward the outer seat, a second disk stacked on the first disk, and a communication unit configured to bring the passage in communication with a space between the intermediate seat and the outer seat. The first disk starts to be pressed by the spring member to abut the outer seat while abutting the inner seat and the intermediate seat.

Abstract: An inner tube as a cylinder includes an axially extending tubular portion, a large-diameter portion, and a tapered portion. The large-diameter portion is located at one end side of the tubular portion and is formed so as to have a diameter increased radially outwardly. The tapered portion is located between the large-diameter portion and the tubular portion, and is formed in such a manner that the diameter thereof increases in a flaring manner from the one end of the tubular portion to the large-diameter portion. A tubular protrusion of a rod guide is fittedly attached to the inner circumferential side of the large-diameter portion. A valve mounting portion is formed at the inner circumferential side of the tubular portion. A valve mechanism is mounted on the valve mounting portion. A seat surface is formed at the back side of the valve mounting portion.

Abstract: A security luggage bag having multi layered walls defining a storage volume and at least one of the walls has a reinforcing layer comprised of a fabric with a reinforcing wire strand on a surface of the fabric, the reinforcing strand being fixed to the fabric as with stitching, tape or welds extending lengthwise along the reinforcing strand.

Abstract: A clutch for a torque converter, including: a piston axially displaceable to open and close the clutch; and a seal plate engaged with the piston and including: a main portion radially located between inner and outer circumferences of the seal plate and having a first thickness in an axial direction; and a seal retaining portion extending radially inward or outward from the main portion and including: first and second walls extending axially beyond the main portion; a weld fixedly connecting the first wall to the main portion; and a slot at least partially formed by the first and second walls and opening radially inward or radially outward. The slot is arranged to accept a seal element. The seal element is arranged to seal the seal plate to a cover for a torque converter or to a component fixedly secured to a cover for a torque converter.

Abstract: A system for supplying fluid to transmission control elements includes a body producing clutch-apply pressures and a lube source, clutches, each clutch including a servo and a balance volume, a shaft including passages, a support including paths communicating each of the clutch-apply pressures and the lube source to a respective passage, and a clutch hub communicating clutch-apply pressure from each of the passages to a respective servo, and communicating the lube source to the balance volumes.

Abstract: A one-way clutch used in a wind turbine generator connects an input rotor with an output rotor so that the input rotor and the output rotor are rotatable together with each other when a main shaft rotates in a forward direction and rotation speed of the input rotor is higher than rotation speed of the output rotor, and disconnects the input rotor and the output rotor from each other when the rotation speed of the input rotor is lower than the rotation speed of the output rotor. Further, the wind turbine generator includes a second one-way clutch that permits transmission of force caused by the rotation of the main shaft, to the input rotor when the main shaft rotates in the forward direction, and restricts the rotation of the main shaft when the main shaft tries to rotate in a reverse direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism preferably used in a vehicle door mirror with a high durability and which allows reaching, in a fast and simple way, a preset compression level owing to the existence of two limiting surfaces

Abstract: The present invention provides a starting clutch disposed between a transmission and an engine and having a wet type multi-plate clutch for transmitting a power, in which the wet type multi-plate clutch includes a plurality of friction plates housed for an axial sliding movement, a clutch drum for housing the friction plates, and a piston for urging a radial central region or therearound of the friction plate to engage the friction plates, and oil which has lubricated the wet type multi-plate clutch is temporarily trapped within the clutch drum and then is discharged.

Abstract: A power tool includes an actuator that moves an implement, an infrared sensor, and a range sensor. A controller in the power tool receives temperature data and range data corresponding to objects in a region proximate to the implement. If an object in the predetermined has a temperature within a predetermined range and is identified as being within a predetermined minimum distance of the moving implement, then the controller deactivates the actuator to halt the implement.

Abstract: A medium storage and feeding device and a medium processing device that may prevent occurrences of faults more reliably than the related art. A drum (21) is provided that winds up a banknote BL nipped by pairs of tapes (28L, 28R, 30L and 30R) together with the pairs of tapes. Torque limiters (25L, 25R, 27L and 27R) are separately provided at each of tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R). The torque limiters control torques between the tape reels and reel rotation axle shafts (22 and 23), such that tensions applied to the tapes between the tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R) and the drum (21) are constant. Thus, tensions on the tapes between the respective tape reels and the drum may be kept constant, banknote nipping stability may be improved, and occurrences of faults may be prevented more reliably than in the related art.

Abstract: The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.

Abstract: The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting hollow tongue forward of the casing. The forward-extending hollow tongue accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.

Abstract: The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.

Abstract: The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.

Abstract: Guide rails for an article transport vehicle are provided and include a pair of right and left rail portion which are spaced apart from each other in a rail lateral direction. The guide rails are diverged into a straight forward path, a left diverging path, and a right diverging path at a three-directional diverging portion of the travel paths. The pair of right and left rail portions provided along the straight forward path are spaced apart in the path longitudinal direction from the pair of right and left rail portions provided along the upstream-side travel path of the three-directional diverging portion. In addition, an auxiliary receiving mechanism is provided for receiving and supporting the article transport vehicle traveling between the pair of right and left rail portion of the upstream-side travel path and the pair of right and left rail portions of the straight forward path.

Abstract: A package handling device includes a conveyor, a sensor system and a reject system. The conveyor transports a product along a product handling line. The sensor system is proximate to the conveyor system to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison to product acceptance criteria. Failure of the product to meet product acceptance criteria generates a reject signal. The reject system directs the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via a movable assembly that moves a portion of the conveyor to create a gap in the product handling line. The reject system includes a retract slide adjustment bracket that has at least one mounting position to which a selected retraction device is attachable to define a size of the gap based on the selected retraction device and the at least one mounting position limiting a movement range of the movable assembly.

Abstract: A food handling system having a positioning system and method. The positioning system includes a main conveying surface, an electronic sensor, a controller and a robot. The main conveying surface is configured to move food products. The electronic sensor is configured to capture position data about one or more food products on the main conveying surface within a sensor range of the sensor. The controller is signal-connected to the electronic sensor and the robot. The controller is configured to receive data captured by the sensor and is configured to instruct the robot to move a food product to a destination position. The robot is configured to reposition one or more food products on the conveying surface according to instructions sent by the controller. The robot has a longitudinal and a lateral working range. The food product may include formed meat patties or sliced meat or cheese products.

Abstract: A convey mechanism is a moving mechanism used to move a rack, which can store cuvettes, along a linear moving direction. A driving unit drives the convey mechanism to intermittently move the rack along. A detection unit outputs an error signal when it detects that a placement state of the rack on the convey mechanism corresponds to an error placement which does not allow the convey mechanism to normally convey the rack, and does not output any error signal when it detects that the placement state does not correspond to the error placement. A controller controls the driving unit to stop a convey operation of the rack when the error signal is output. The controller controls the driving unit to execute the convey operation of the rack when the error signal is not output.

Abstract: An auger assembly for moving material is disclosed. The auger assembly includes a first auger section, second auger section, and joint connecting the two sections. The second auger section includes an auger assembly output for dispensing material, such as a harvested grain. The first auger section, second auger section, and joint each rotate about its own axis, thereby causing three-dimensional movement of the auger assembly and particularly the auger assembly output. The auger assembly is capable of both manual control, such as by a joystick, and automatic control, such as by an electronic controller. Also provided is a material handling apparatus employing the disclosed auger assembly and also including a container for storing material to be moved by the auger assembly.

Abstract: A driving device of a conveyor device such as an intake finger assembly of an auger of a harvesting device includes a feeder aid disposed in an interior of the conveyor device, a swivel bearing for supporting the feeder aid on a control shaft, a first fastening section assigned to the swivel bearing, and a second fastening section. The second fastening section is disposed at a distance from the first fastening section, between which a predetermined breaking point is disposed on the feeder aid. The first fastening section and the second fastening section are interconnected by a resiliently elastic connecting element.

Abstract: A tipper retrofit bearingless reciprocating slat-type conveyor assembly 200 for use in a load-holding compartment including a plurality of elongate hold down strips 220, a plurality of elongate guide trough subdecks 230, and a plurality of longitudinal slats 210 adjacent to and parallel to each other is described herein. Also described herein is a snap together bearingless reciprocating slat conveyor for use in a load-holding compartment (that has at least one cross-member having an overhang) that includes at least one reciprocating slat-type conveyor assembly 300, 400 and at least one elongate slat 310, 410 at least partially supported by at least one subdeck 330, 430.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and a belt module having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a bottom roller in contact with an axially elongated top roller. Driving the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite angular direction. The bottom rollers in first longitudinal lanes are arranged to rotate obliquely toward one side of the belt, and the bottom rollers in second lanes are arranged to rotate toward the other side of the belt. Either the first lanes of roller sets or the second lanes can be selectively actuated to direct articles conveyed atop the top rollers rearward and toward one side of the belt or the other or to receive articles fed onto the belt from either side.

Abstract: A high temperature conveyor belt is provided having a non-metallic conveying surface which will not scratch, abrade or otherwise mar the surface of a product being carried on the belt through a furnace and which will not contaminate the product. In one embodiment, the conveyor comprises a high temperature fabric belt attached to a metal belt which may be a conventional woven metal conveyor belt. In another embodiment, the conveyor is composed of a non-metallic high temperature strand which is woven or threaded through a metal belt to provide a non-metallic conveying surface. In a further embodiment, the non-metallic product support elements are coupled to roller chains at each side of the furnace chamber and which are cooperative with a drive mechanism to transport the conveyor through the furnace. The roller chains can be located outside of the furnace chamber to avoid exposure to the high temperature of the furnace chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a shutter lock assembly for a circuit breaker cassette having a shutter coupled to a shutter rod is provided. The shutter lock assembly includes a lock plate assembly configured to couple to the circuit breaker cassette and an actuation mechanism having a first end coupled the lock plate assembly. The actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the lock plate assembly to lock the shutter of the circuit breaker cassette in a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switch comprising two electrodes (12, 18), wherein: at least one (18) of the electrodes comprises an active layer (10) thereon; and at least one (12) of the electrodes is movable along a given direction (z), from a: non-contact position to a contact position where one of the electrodes contacts the other one (18) of the electrodes, at the level of a contact point (P); and the active layer exhibits a conductive pathway (16), which pathway: extends along said given direction (z) to enable electrical conduction from one of the electrodes to the other one of the electrodes in the contact position; and is confined to a given region (R1) of the active layer, said region having nanoscale dimensions in a sectional plane (x, y) perpendicular to said given direction. The present invention is further directed to related devices, systems and methods.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes, a first contact and a second contact, the second contact being moveable relative to the first contact, a drive assembly structured to move the second contact relative to the first contact, and an erosion monitoring device including a linear transducer coupled to a portion of the drive assembly. The liner transducer is structured to generate an output signal representative of an amount of linear displacement of the portion of the drive assembly, wherein the erosion monitoring device is structured to monitor a degree of erosion of at least one of the first contact and the second contact based on the output signal.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising a keyboard module, a support plate and at least one screw nut attached to the support plate.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a two-stage switch which has few components, can be made thin, and can obtain a clear clicking sense. [Solution] A two-stage switch (10) is provided with a click dome plate (20) having a movable contact, a keypad (30) joined to the upper surface of the dome of the dome plate (20), and a fixed contact (41) formed on a substrate (40). The fixed contact (41) comprises a first stage fixed contact (42) and second stage fixed contact (43). When the keypad (30) is not being subjected to a pressing operation, the dome plate (20) is in a floating state without contacting any of the fixed contacts. With a first stage pressing operation on the keypad (30), the pad (30) is deformed and the dome plate (20) comes into contact with the first stage fixed contact (42). With a second stage pressing operation on the keypad (30), the dome plate (20) deforms with a clicking sensation and comes into contact with the second stage fixed contact (43).

Abstract: A switch includes a switch main body having a movable section displaceable downward by pressure to bring a movable contact into contact with a fixed contact, the movable section being displaced upward to open each contact by a release of pressure; a button section that presses the movable section in response to a downward pressing operation; and a support arm having one end portion supporting the button section. An end of the support arm not coupled to the button section is turnable and held at a location in a support surface arranged vertically. The button section bottom surface is inclined and separated from the movable section when the button section is not pressed. When the button section is pressed and is lowered to a position at which the fixed contact and the movable contact are closed, the bottom surface is in an approximately horizontal state and presses the movable section.

Abstract: A stationary contact for a rotary switch is provided. The stationary contact includes a connection portion for connecting to a conductor and a first portion being a contact portion for connecting the stationary contact to a rotary contact. The stationary contact also includes a second portion being a support portion for supporting the stationary contact to a switch body. The contact portion and support portion extend in the same angle from the connection portion. A method of mounting a rotary switch is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a fluid, including decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing the fluid into a vessel. The fluid is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the fluid to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or fluid input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated fluid may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of manufacturing isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol with high purity is obtained from a feed including water and isopropyl alcohol. In addition, energy used in a process of obtaining the isopropyl alcohol, and investment cost for manufacturing facilities are reduced.

Abstract: A photocatalytic process is disclosed for the reduction of carbon dioxide and water. The process comprises reacting carbon dioxide and water in the presence of a photocatalytic composition that is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of from 200 to 700 nm. The photocatalytic composition is capable of chemisorbing carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depositing a selected material on a substrate by means of ion beam sputtering, which include a plurality of targets of a selected material, each of which is bombarded by an ion beam, the lateral dimensions of each of the ion beams being less than one tenth of the lateral dimensions of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transparent substrate carrying a layer of a transparent dielectric nanocomposite, comprising a matrix of SiNyOz, y being in the range 0 to 4/3, z being in the range 0 to 2 and y and z not being equal to 0 simultaneously, said matrix including nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of aluminum nitrides, zirconium nitrides, titanium nitrides, aluminum oxides, zirconium oxides, zinc oxides, titanium oxides, tin oxides, tantalum oxides and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.

Abstract: A radiation conversion device is presented comprising at least one radiation conversion cell. The radiation conversion cell comprises a photo-absorber unit having a predetermined absorption spectrum for absorbing radiation of a certain wavelength range thereby converting the absorbed radiation into charge carriers, and at least partially reflective layer structure configured to be substantially reflective for said certain wavelength range.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor cell is disclosed. The cell comprised of a diffusion membrane, a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, electronic circuit board with electronic leads contained in housing. The anode is made of substantially pure bismuth. The electrolyte may be either solid or aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution or acetic acid (CH3COOH). The cathode may be a carbon fiber substrate with gold deposited thereon. The sensor may be RoHS compliant.

Abstract: A potentiometric sensor includes an elongate non-glass, non-metal housing having opposite first and second longitudinal ends and a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends. The housing defines a lumen extending along the length of the housing. A measuring half-cell assembly is received in the lumen of the housing and secured to the housing. The measuring half-cell assembly includes a glass body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends and a length extending between the first and second ends of the glass body. The second longitudinal end of the glass body is adjacent the second longitudinal end of the housing and a longitudinal extent of the glass body is less than the length of the housing.

Abstract: The combined value of integrating optical forces and electrokinetics allows for the pooled separation vectors of each to be applied, providing for separation based on combinations of features such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. The interplay of these separation vectors allow for the selective manipulation of analytes with a finer degree of variation. Embodiments include methods of method of separating particles in a microfluidic channel using a device comprising a microfluidic channel, a source of laser light focused by an optic into the microfluidic channel, and a source of electrical field operationally connected to the microfluidic channel via electrodes so that the laser light and the electrical field to act jointly on the particles in the microfluidic channel. Other devices and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for high speed, high resolution of analytes by capillary electrophoresis starting with uncoated capillaries. The compositions comprise a sieving component, comprising a non-crosslinked acrylamide polymer, and a surface interaction component, comprising at least one uncharged and non-crosslinked water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymer. Methods for employing the novel compositions in capillary electrophoresis are provided. Kits comprising the novel compositions for use in the novel methods are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to the flow of analytes, particles or other materials. As consistent with one or more embodiments described herein, an apparatus includes a membrane having one or more pores in a membrane. First and second electrodes facilitate electrophoretic flow of analytes through the pore, and a third electrode controls movement of the particles in the pore by modulating the shape of an electric double layer adjacent sidewalls of pore.

Abstract: A method for plating metal to a solar cell is disclosed. The method includes plating a metal layer only on the surface of solar cell without plating metal along the solar cell edges by conducting a first current in a first direction in an electroplating bath, ejecting metal from the metal layer by conducting a second current in a second direction and plating additional metal to the metal layer by conducting a third current in the first direction. The first, second and third current can be alternated. Subsequent to an electroplating process, an ultrasonic cleaning process is performed on the solar cell to remove any excess plated metal along the surface and edges of the solar cell.

Abstract: An electrode structure of the present invention includes: an aluminum electrode which is to be in contact with a surface of an aluminum base; a fixing member for fixing the aluminum electrode on the surface of the aluminum base; an elastic member provided between the fixing member and the aluminum base; a lead wire which is electrically connected to the aluminum electrode at least under a certain condition; and a cover member which is tightly closed with the lead wire penetrating through an opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stereoscopic imaging and viewing of aluminum electrolysis and related operation and/or maintenance activities are disclosed. The system may produce stereoscopic images based at least in part on images obtained from two or more imaging devices. The system may display the stereoscopic images for viewing to facilitate aluminum electrolysis cell operation and/or maintenance.

Abstract: A process and system for reducing the sulfur content from a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxidized sulfur-containing hydrocarbons is provided by electrochemical decomposition. The electrochemical reactions occur under electrical potential and in the presence of an electrolyte solution that is effective promote decomposition of a portion of the oxidized sulfur compounds, to recover a hydrocarbon product having a reduced sulfur content while minimizing loss of hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Features for an aqueous reactor include a field generator. The field generator includes a series of parallel conductive plates including a series of intermediate neutral plates. The intermediate neutral plates are arranged in interleaved sets between an anode and a cathode. Other features of the aqueous reactor may include a sealed reaction vessel, fluid circulation manifold, electrical power modulator, vacuum port, and barrier membrane. Methods of using the field generator include immersion in an electrolyte solution and application of an external voltage and vacuum to generate hydrogen and oxygen gases. The reactor and related components can be arranged to produce gaseous fuel or liquid fuel. In one use, a mixture of a carbon based material and a liquid hydrocarbon is added. The preferred carbon based material is powdered coal.

Abstract: A method to evaluate the corrosion resistance of a can to a content includes filling the can with the content to form a specimen, setting the specimen in an apparatus capable of blocking an outside atmosphere from entering the specimen, optionally saturating the content with nitrogen gas to expel dissolved oxygen present in the content, thereafter while maintaining the temperature of the content at a constant temperature in the range of 25 to 60° C., applying a constant potential that is more anodic than an immersion potential by 50 mV to 200 mV to the can of the specimen, and evaluating the corrosion resistance of the can to the content based on the accumulated amount of electricity generated during a time appropriately selected from 6 to 48 hours immediately after the application of the constant potential.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems to apply a plurality of test voltages to the test strip and measure at least a current transient output resulting from an electrochemical reaction in a test chamber of the test strip so that a glucose concentration can be determined that are generally insensitive to other substances in the body fluid sample that could affect the precision and accuracy of the glucose concentration.