Methyllithium is prepared by reacting chloromethane with a dispersion lithium metal in an aromatic organic solvent with methyltetrahydrofuran.

This invention provides a process for reducing the amount of soluble halide in a solution comprising a liquid organic medium, at least one viscosity reducing agent, at least one dihydrocarbylmagnesium compound, and an initial amount of soluble halide. The process comprises mixing at least one alkali metal with the solution at a mole ratio of alkali metal to magnesium of less than about 1:2.5, thereby forming precipitated soluble halides. Also provided by this invention is a process for reducing the amount of soluble halide in a slurry comprising a liquid organic medium, at least one viscosity reducing agent, at least one dihydrocarbylmagnesium compound, solids from the formation of said dihydrocarbylmagnesium compound, and an initial amount of soluble halide. This process comprises mixing at least one alkali metal with the slurry at a mole ratio of alkali metal to magnesium of less than about 1:1.25, thereby forming precipitated soluble halides.

A method of preparing 2-methyl-4-phenylbutan-2-ol from a Grignard-type reaction of a benzylmagnesium halide with isobutylene oxide, and the use of the 2-methyl-4-phenylbutan-2-ol as a fragrance or flavoring, cosmetic agent, or detergent component.

The present invention provides protein hydrolysate compositions, processes for making protein hydrolysate compositions, and food products comprising protein hydrolysate compositions. The protein hydrolysate compositions generally comprise polypeptide fragments having primarily either an arginine residue or a lysine residue at each carboxyl terminus.

A novel maize variety designated X80B470 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X80B470 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X80B470 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X80B470, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X80B470. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X80B470.

Implementing a layered hyperbolic metamaterial in a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) to improve thermal conductivity and thermal dissipation thereby stabilizing optical performance. Improvement in the thermal management and power is expected by replacing the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirrors in the VCSEL. The layered metamaterial structure performs the dual function of the DBR and the heat spreader at the same time.

An apparatus comprising an optical medium, a power splitter coupled to the optical medium, a first delay line coupled to the power splitter such that the power splitter is positioned between the first delay line and the optical medium, a first comb reflector coupled to the first delay line such that the first delay line is positioned between the first comb reflector and the power splitter, and a second comb reflector coupled to the power splitter but not the first comb reflector and not the first delay line. A method comprising receiving an optical signal, splitting the optical signal into a first split optical signal and a second split optical signal, delaying the first split optical signal, tuning the delayed first split optical signal, tuning the second split optical signal, and delaying the tuned second split optical signal.

A light source for a photonic integrated circuit may comprise a reflection coupling layer formed on a substrate in which an optical waveguide is provided, at least one side of the reflection coupling layer being optically connected to the optical waveguide; an optical mode alignment layer provided on the reflection coupling layer; and/or an upper structure provided on the optical mode alignment layer and including an active layer for generating light and a reflection layer provided on the active layer. A light source for a photonic integrated circuit may comprise a lower reflection layer; an optical waveguide optically connected to the lower reflection layer; an optical mode alignment layer on the lower reflection layer; an active layer on the optical mode alignment layer; and/or an upper reflection layer on the active layer.

Disclosed are various embodiments relating to verifying a printed work comprises a correct number of pages. Associated with a stack comprising one or more pages is an identifier that may be used to obtain an expected thickness of the pages in the stack. A sensor may then measure an actual thickness of the pages in the stack. Before binding the pages in the stack, the expected thickness of the stack may be compared to the actual thickness of the stack in order to verify the stack comprises the correct number of pages.

A steplessly adjustable hydraulic insert valve has a housing defining a radial direction and an end side in an installation direction. An inflow connector on the end side is connectable to a pressure medium source. First and second working connectors and a return connector are arranged in the radial direction. The return connector is connectable to a pressure medium tank. The housing has an axial bore and an actuator guided movably therein. The actuator can be held in an axial center position by at least one spring and is adjustable steplessly axially out of the center position by controllable actuation. At least one of the working connectors is fluidically connectable to the return connector by axial adjustment of the actuator. The actuator has a radial widened portion with first and second control edges for steplessly opening and/or closing first and second radial openings, respectively, of the return connector.

Some implementations provide a structure that includes a first package substrate, a first component, a second package substrate, a second component, and a third component. The first package substrate has a first area. The first component has a first height and is positioned on the first area. The second package substrate is coupled to the first package substrate. The second package substrate has second and third areas. The second area of the second package substrate vertically overlaps with the first area of the first package substrate The third area of the second package substrate is non-overlapping with the first area of the first package substrate. The second component has a second height and is positioned on the second area. The third component is positioned on the third area. The third component has a third height that is greater than each of the first and second heights.

Maskless hybrid laser scribing and plasma etching wafer dicing processes are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a front surface with a plurality of integrated circuits thereon and having a passivation layer disposed between and covering metal pillar/solder bump pairs of the integrated circuits involves laser scribing, without the use of a mask layer, the passivation layer to provide scribe lines exposing the semiconductor wafer. The method also involves plasma etching the semiconductor wafer through the scribe lines to singulate the integrated circuits, wherein the passivation layer protects the integrated circuits during at least a portion of the plasma etching. The method also involves thinning the passivation layer to partially expose the metal pillar/solder bump pairs of the integrated circuits.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) having thyroid stimulating activity (TSAb), especially full or considerably agonistic activity, or thyroid blocking activity (TBAb), which are obtainable by genetic immunization of mice, or fragments (F(ab')2, Fab or Fv) or humanized forms of such monoclonal antibodies or single chain forms (SCA; scFv) of such fragments, which antibodies, or their fragments, compete with bovine TSH for epitopes of the human TSHr, compete with autoantibodies from sera from Graves' patients as well as with autoantibodies from sera from patients harboring blocking autoantibodies for epitopes of the human TSHr, bind to conformational epitopes of the human TSHr located in the first 281 amino acids of the human TSHr, and usually also bind to TSFR receptors (TSHr) from different animals. Various uses of such antibodies, or of peptides corresponding to variable regions of such antibodies, are also described and claimed.

The present patent application concerns an enzyme capable of catalysing the conversion of a α-hydroxyglycine to an α-amide and the use of such enzymes for producing a C-terminal α-amidated peptide.

Disclosed are process for contacting a protein containing material with one or more wet-mill streams. The protein content of the protein containing material is increased.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a system for obtaining, processing and managing data from an implanted sensor. In some embodiments, a patient or other persons can use a flexible antenna to obtain data from the implanted sensor. The flexible antenna includes at least one transmit loop and at least one receive loop. The transmit loop is adapted to propagate energizing signals to the implanted sensor. The receive loop is adapted to detect a response signal from the implanted sensor. The transmit loop includes a capacitor formed by a discontinuous area. The capacitor is adapted to allow the loop to be tuned. The flexible antenna can communicate with a patient device that collects the data from the implanted sensor, creates a data file and transmits the data file to a remote server over a network. A physician or other authorized person may access the remote server using an access device.

Disclosed are methods of lithography using a tip array having a plurality of pens attached to a backing layer, where the tips can comprise a metal, metalloid, and/or semi-conducting material, and the backing layer can comprise an elastomeric polymer. The tip array can be used to perform a lithography process in which the tips are coated with an ink (e.g., a patterning composition) that is deposited onto a substrate upon contact of the tip with the substrate surface. The tips can be easily leveled onto a substrate and the leveling can be monitored optically by a change in light reflection of the backing layer and/or near the vicinity of the tips upon contact of the tip to the substrate surface.

A device includes a chemical hydride fuel pellet having a plurality of holes extending from a first end to a second end. A plurality of tubes formed of water vapor permeable and hydrogen impermeable material extend from the first end to the second end through the tubes. A container has an inlet for water vapor containing gas coupled to the first end of the tubes and an outlet coupled to the second end of the tubes. A hydrogen outlet is coupled to the fuel pellet.

Magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys with addition of transition and rare earth elements were produced by conventional induction melting and by rapid solidification. The magnesium based-alloys of this invention posses reversible hydrogen storage capacities ranging from 3 to over 6 wt. %, and excellent performance on the hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics.

An apparatus for monitoring nuclear thermal hydraulic stability of a nuclear reactor, contains: a calculation unit configured to calculate a stability index of a nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on nuclear instrumentation signals, the signals being outputted by a plurality of nuclear instrumentation detectors placed at regular intervals in a reactor core; a simulation unit configured to simulate the nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on a physical model by using information on an operating state of the nuclear reactor as an input condition; a limit value updating unit configured to update a limit value of the nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on a result of the simulation; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on the stability index and the limit value, whether or not to activate a power oscillation suppressing device.

This invention relates to a vehicle comprising an antihydroplaning system, particularly for improving the wheel adhesion despite the presence of a sheet of water on the road. Output signals from sensors for detecting body and chassis vibrations, ambient temperature and other parameters are analyzed to determine when hydroplaning is occurring or about to occur, and to activate antihydroplaning measures.

An anti-hydroplane system for tires that includes a blower assembly in front of each of the tires of a vehicle. Each blower assembly discharges a high pressure stream into a water dispersal area in front of a respective one of the vehicle tires.

The present invention provides a catalyst for generating hydrogen containing at least one composite metal selected from the group consisting of a composite metal of platinum and nickel and a composite metal of iridium and nickel, the catalyst being used in a decomposition reaction of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and a hydrate thereof; and a method for generating hydrogen, including contacting the catalyst for generating hydrogen with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and a hydrate thereof. According to the invention, hydrogen can be efficiently generated with improved selectivity in the method for generating hydrogen that utilizes the decomposition reaction of hydrazine.

The present invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen, with reduced carbon dioxide emissions, from a hydrocarbon mixture. In said method, the hydrocarbon mixture is reformed so as to produce a synthetic gas that is cooled, then treated in a shift reactor so as to be enriched with H2 and CO2. Optionally dried, said mixture is treated in a PSA hydrogen purification unit in order to produce hydrogen. The residue is treated by means of partial condensation with a view to capturing CO4 before said residue is sent as fuel to reforming.

The present invention is directed to a hybrid process using ion exchange resins in the selective recovery of nickel and cobalt of leaching effluents that is comprised of the steps of processing (1) the laterite ore (M), which is then treated through leaching (2) (either atmospheric or under pressure), considering solutions from the solid-liquid separation step of existing plants already in operation (2) as well, in a way that the downstream process comprises an ion exchange hybrid circuit, wherein the first ion exchange step (3) with resins (Re) exhibits specific selectivity conditions for the removal of iron, aluminum and copper and an increased pH, and the second ion exchange step (4) allows the removal of nickel and cobalt.

Process for preparing hydrocyanic acid by catalytic dehydration of gaseous formamide, wherein the dehydration of formamide is coupled with an exothermic reaction by the reactor used in the dehydration comprising two separate fluid paths which are separated by a common reactor wall, with one fluid path being provided for the dehydration of formamide and the second fluid path being provided for the exothermic reaction.

System and method for sustainable economic development which includes hydrogen extracted from substances, for example, sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water. The hydrogen extraction is accomplished by thermal dissociation, electrical dissociation, optical dissociation, and magnetic dissociation. The hydrogen extraction further includes operation in conjunction with energy addition from renewable resources, for example, solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, or biomass resources.

Provided are a method for post-treatment of a carbonaceous material using dehydrocyclization, a carbonaceous material post-treated by the method, and a polymer composite material including the carbonaceous material. More particularly, provided are a method for post-treatment of a carbonaceous material using dehydrocyclization, including subjecting the carbonaceous material to dehydrocyclization at room temperature to heal structural defects in the carbonaceous material, while increasing the effective conjugated length of the carbonaceous material to improve the electrical conductivity thereof, as well as a carbonaceous material post-treated by the method and a polymer composite material including the carbonaceous material.

A method of determining an optimized face cone element for spiral bevel and hypoid gears. The form of the root fillet of one member of a gear pair is determined and that from is transferred to the tip of the other member of the gear pair. With the inventive method, tooth root-tip clearance is optimized and the contact ratio is maximized while avoiding root-tip interference between mating gear members.

A method of chip-removal machining a tooth gap of a work piece includes executing a first substantially linear plunging movement of the cutting tool along a first plunge vector and machining a region of the work piece near a tooth head of a first tooth flank of the tooth. A substantially transverse movement of the tool along a transverse vector is then executed to machine a region of the work piece near a tooth head of the second tooth flank of the tooth. A second plunging movement of the cutting tool along a vector path is then executed, to an end point of the second plunging movement that lies at a position of the work piece corresponding to the slot depth of the tooth gap to be fabricated. The cutting tool is rotated about an axis of rotation thereof during execution of these steps.

The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device.

A mirror for the EUV wavelength range (1) having a layer arrangement (P) applied on a substrate (S), the layer arrangement having a periodic sequence of individual layers, where the periodic sequence has at least two individual layers—forming a period—composed respectively of silicon (Si) and ruthenium (Ru). Also disclosed are a projection objective for microlithography (2) including such a mirror, and a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography having such a projection objective (2).

An X-ray photography apparatus including: a turning arm that supports an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector which are opposed to each other so that the head of a patient can be interposed therebetween, and a moving mechanism that includes a turning part and a moving part. The turning part turns the turning arm about a turning axis with respect to the head. The moving part moves the turning arm relative to the head in a direction perpendicular to the turning axis. The X-ray photography apparatus also includes: an image processor that generates an X-ray image, a photographic region designation part that designates part of a row of teeth along a dental arch as a pseudo intraoral radiography region, and an X-ray forming mechanism that changes the irradiation direction in which the head is irradiated with an X-ray relative to the axial direction of the body axis of the patient.

An X-ray photography apparatus including: a turning arm that supports an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector while the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are opposed to each other so that a head of a patient can be interposed therebetween; and a moving mechanism that turns the turning arm about a turning axis with respect to the head and moves the turning arm in a direction perpendicular to the turning axis with respect to the head. The X-ray photography apparatus further includes: an image processor that generates an X-ray image based on an electric signal output from the X-ray detector; and a photographic region designation receiving part that designates part of a row of teeth along a dental arch as a pseudo intraoral radiography region. The image processor generates plural tomographic images by applying convolution and filtered back projection to X-ray image data obtained by pseudo intraoral radiography.

A method for recording a four-dimensional angiography data record using an x-ray facility with a C-arm is proposed. Projection images are recorded from different projection directions at different time points of the cardiac cycle. A number of three-dimensional reconstruction image data records assigned respectively to a time segment of the cardiac cycle are reconstructed from the projection images and combined to form the four-dimensional angiography data record by temporal assignment in respect of the cardiac cycle. At least one recording parameter describing the temporal sequence is selected when recording the projection images as a function of cardiac stimulation performed to ensure a stable heart rate during recording so that the recording of the projection images takes place in such a manner that it is synchronized with the cardiac cycle.

A method for obtaining multi-material decomposition images of an object is presented. The method includes acquiring an image pair from a dual energy computed tomography scan of the imaged object. The method then includes selecting a material basis for multi-material decomposition of the image pair. The method further includes applying a physicochemical model for the material basis. Also, the method includes performing multi-material decomposition using at least one constraint imposed by the physicochemical model.

A method of projection domain processing based on a local transform and shrinkage for use in reconstructing digital images from a set of projections, the method including providing a target image of a target object, providing projection data of the target object, producing filtered projection data by applying a sparsifying transform and a shrinkage function to the projection data, followed by an inverse of the sparsifying transform, producing a restored image by applying a reconstruction transform to the filtered projection data, comparing the restored image to the target image, and producing an optimized projection domain shrinkage function by adapting the shrinkage function to minimize differences between the restored image and the target image. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

A method is provided. The method includes acquiring a first dataset at a first energy spectrum and a second dataset at a second energy spectrum. The method also includes extracting a metal artifact correction signal using the first dataset and the second dataset or using a first reconstructed image and a second reconstructed image generated respectively from the first and the second datasets. The method further includes performing metal artifact correction on the first reconstructed image using the metal artifact correction signal to generate a first corrected image.

A method is disclosed for energy calibrating quantum-counting x-ray detectors in an x-ray installation including at least two x-ray systems turnable around a center of rotation. A target, for producing x-ray fluorescence radiation, is positioned between the first x-ray source and first x-ray detector and irradiated with x-radiation of the first x-ray source in such a way that x-ray fluorescence radiation which strikes the second x-ray detector from the target is produced by the x-radiation of the first x-ray source. The second x-ray detector is then energy calibrated by way of the x-ray fluorescence radiation of the target. The first x-ray detector can be energy calibrated in the same way with the aid of the x-radiation of the second x-ray source. With the proposed method, the x-ray detectors of a dual-source CT x-ray installation can be calibrated with little expenditure under conditions close to those of the system.

An image processing device of a computer tomography system includes an interface and a calibration data determiner. The interface is implemented to receive a first set of X-ray recordings of an object to be examined from first discrete recording angles and to receive a second set of X-ray recordings of the object to be examined from second discrete recording angles. The calibration data determiner is implemented to determine calibration data for the computer tomography system on the basis of the first set. The first set is further recorded during a first rotation run wherein the computer tomography system and the object to be examined rotate relative to each other, wherein the second set is recorded during at least a further rotation run after the first rotation run. On the basis of the calibration data and the first and second sets a computer tomography recording is reconstructable.

A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system are provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, and a source positioned within the gantry. The source can be responsive to a signal to output at least one pulse. The system can include a multi-row detector positioned within the gantry. The multi-row detector can be in alignment with the source and sets multi-row detector data based on the detected at least one signal. The system can include a flat panel detector positioned within the gantry. The flat panel detector can in alignment with the source and sets flat panel detector data based on the detected at least one signal. The system can include an image acquisition control module that determines which of the multi-row detector and the flat panel detector to use.

The invention relates to an X-ray device comprising an x-ray sensitive camera for creating tomograms, especially panoramic tomograms. Means for creating 3D shots of a partial volume of the mandibular arch are also provided, said 3D shots being created especially by a second image receiver for creating a 2D shot and means for taking a plurality of 2D shots from different directions and creating a 3D shot therefrom, preferably according to conebeam technology with the associated reconstruction algorithms. The x-ray sensitive camera comprises a first x-ray sensitive image receiver for creating a tomogram, and a second x-ray sensitive image receiver for creating plane shots.

The present invention provides method and apparatus to perform combined cognitive and motor rehabilitation on a computerized non-portable system or on single portable device. A patient can play a variety of games that require the patient to perform a variety of memory exercises which involve physical exertion. The activities of the patient are monitored with pattern analysis software which provides feedback to the patient. The feedback can include voice synthesis, video guidance, progression messages etc. Patient data obtained while the patient is performing each of the memory exercises is stored locally on a database module and then uploaded to a cloud server. A remote psychologist/psychiatrist monitors the patient by logging into the same cloud, and updating cognition exercises. The same therapist can have live chats with the patient for further interaction and coaching.

A coupling device for use in a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network may be configured to disable an upstream path through it when there is only noise incident on the upstream path, and enable the upstream path through it when a desired transmission from a cable modem downstream of the coupling device is incident on the upstream path. The coupling device may be a trunk amplifier, a distribution amplifier, a splitter, or the like. The coupling device may comprise a single upstream interface coupled to a plurality of downstream interfaces. The enabling and/or disabling may be in response to a signal strength indicated by the SSI being below a threshold and/or in response to one or more control messages indicating whether any downstream cable modem is, or will be, transmitting.

A textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes an elongate wall having opposite edges extending parallel to a central axis. The wall is woven with warp yarns extending parallel to the axis and hybrid fill yarns extending transversely to the warp yarns. The hybrid fill yarns are provided having a yarn filament core and non-metallic first and second yarn filaments overlying the yarn filament core. The first yarn filament is twisted about the yarn filament core in a first helical direction and the second multifilament yarn is twisted over the first yarn filament and about the yarn filament core in a second helical direction. The first helical direction and the second helical direction being opposite one another to provide a resultant zero torque on the yarn filament core.

Processes for the production of high strength polyethylene tape articles from high strength ultra-high molecular weight multi-filament yarns, and to the tape articles, fabrics, laminates and impact resistant materials made therefrom.

An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

A method and apparatus for automating some of the tasks that heretofore required operator action at headland turns or similar events are provided. The present invention automates operation of lift assist wheels and/or gull wings, such as those found on a stack-fold implement, based on the position of the tractor hitch to which the implement is coupled. An operator may control the position of the implement, such as at a headland turn, by raising and lowering the tractor hitch using a remote control. The invention enables the planter to compare the tractor hitch position relative to an implement position and control operation of the implement accordingly without additional user inputs.

A hitch on a vehicle is raised and lowered by a hydraulic actuator controlled by an electrically operated valve. A control system receives a command that indicates a designated velocity and uses the command to operate the valve. Based on a reference external force exerted on the hitch, the control system is configured with relationships for converting a plurality of command values to corresponding electric current levels for operating the valve. The control system compensates for effects due to differences between the actual force acting on the hitch and the reference external force. Velocity feedback adjusts the electric current level applied to the valve. The passive load force control provides a predictor of the hitch load force to eliminate overshoot/undershoot of hitch motion. During hitch motion, the velocity feedback also compensates for effects due to load and hitch geometry changes that occur.

A control arrangement for a hydropneumatic suspension system and a hydropneumatic suspension system are provided. The control arrangement has a pressure supply connection, a return connection, a piston chamber connection adapted to be connected to the piston chamber of a suspension cylinder of the hydropneumatic suspension system, an annular chamber connection adapted to be connected to the annular chamber of the suspension cylinder, and at least one controllable valve arrangement comprising a plurality of switch positions via which the pressure supply connection and the return connection are connectable to the piston chamber connection and the annular chamber connection. The annular chamber connection is in flow connection with the return connection via a pressure-limiting line having a hydraulically controllable pressure-limiting element. The pressure-limiting element has a control input adapted to be acted upon via a control line by a control pressure which is limitable to a predefinable pressure limit.