We're back and super excited to welcome the Hot Topic senior buyer Joe Enriquez to the show. Joe tells the...

The post Squared Circle Pit #56 - Hot Topic's Joe Enriquez talks AEW, ECW and Thrash Metal appeared first on Metal Injection.

Personas are antiquated… this coming from someone who has relied on and written about them for years. For years at 3.7 Designs, we’ve created personas during the design discovery phase. I recently realized that the traditional marketing persona is no longer a relevant practice. The keyword here is “traditional.” At 3.7 we’ve adopted a practice […]

The post Why personas are antiquated (and what you should use instead) appeared first on Psychology of Web Design | 3.7 Blog.

We show weak-strong uniqueness and stability results for the motion of a two or three dimensional fluid governed by the Navier-Stokes equation interacting with a flexible, elastic plate of Koiter type. The plate is situated at the top of the fluid and as such determines the variable part of a time changing domain (that is hence a part of the solution) containing the fluid. The uniqueness result is a consequence of a stability estimate where the difference of two solutions is estimated by the distance of the initial values and outer forces. For that we introduce a methodology that overcomes the problem that the two (variable in time) domains of the fluid velocities and pressures are not the same. The estimate holds under the assumption that one of the two weak solutions possesses some additional higher regularity. The additional regularity is exclusively requested for the velocity of one of the solutions resembling the celebrated Ladyzhenskaya-Prodi-Serrin conditions in the framework of variable domains.

ErdH{o}s and Hajnal constructed a 4-coloring of the triples of an $N$-element set such that every $n$-element subset contains 2 triples with distinct colors, and $N$ is double exponential in $n$. Conlon, Fox and R"odl asked whether there is some integer $qge 3$ and a $q$-coloring of the triples of an $N$-element set such that every $n$-element subset has 3 triples with distinct colors, and $N$ is double exponential in $n$. We make the first nontrivial progress on this problem by providing a $q$-coloring with this property for all $qgeq 9$, where $N$ is exponential in $n^{2+cq}$ and $c>0$ is an absolute constant.

Hypertension is a potentially unsafe health ailment, which can be indicated directly from the Blood pressure (BP). Hypertension always leads to other health complications. Continuous monitoring of BP is very important; however, cuff-based BP measurements are discrete and uncomfortable to the user. To address this need, a cuff-less, continuous and a non-invasive BP measurement system is proposed using Photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal and demographic features using machine learning (ML) algorithms. PPG signals were acquired from 219 subjects, which undergo pre-processing and feature extraction steps. Time, frequency and time-frequency domain features were extracted from the PPG and their derivative signals. Feature selection techniques were used to reduce the computational complexity and to decrease the chance of over-fitting the ML algorithms. The features were then used to train and evaluate ML algorithms. The best regression models were selected for Systolic BP (SBP) and Diastolic BP (DBP) estimation individually. Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) along with ReliefF feature selection algorithm outperforms other algorithms in estimating SBP and DBP with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 6.74 and 3.59 respectively. This ML model can be implemented in hardware systems to continuously monitor BP and avoid any critical health conditions due to sudden changes.

In this paper, some useful necessary and sufficient conditions for the unique solution of the generalized absolute value equation (GAVE) $Ax-B|x|=b$ with $A, Bin mathbb{R}^{n imes n}$ from the optimization field are first presented, which cover the fundamental theorem for the unique solution of the linear system $Ax=b$ with $Ain mathbb{R}^{n imes n}$. Not only that, some new sufficient conditions for the unique solution of the GAVE are obtained, which are weaker than the previous published works.

We review and critique Boyu Sima's paper, "A solution of the P versus NP problem based on specific property of clique function," (arXiv:1911.00722) which claims to prove that ${ m P} eq{ m NP}$ by way of removing the gap between the nonmonotone circuit complexity and the monotone circuit complexity of the clique function. We first describe Sima's argument, and then we describe where and why it fails. Finally, we present a simple example that clearly demonstrates the failure.

Sometimes when you're fairly well-known, especially for a particular style or product, it's tempting to stick with that style, especially if it's what pays the bills.…

Techniques for evaluation and/or retraining of a classification model built using labeled training data. In some aspects, a classification model having a first set of weights is retrained by using unlabeled input to reweight the labeled training data to have a second set of weights, and by retraining the classification model using the labeled training data weighted according to the second set of weights. In some aspects, a classification model is evaluated by building a similarity model that represents similarities between unlabeled input and the labeled training data and using the similarity model to evaluate the labeled training data to identify a subset of the plurality of items of labeled training data that is more similar to the unlabeled input than a remainder of the labeled training data.

An alumino-borosilicate glass for the confinement, isolation of a radioactive liquid effluent of medium activity, and a method for treating a radioactive liquid effluent of medium activity, wherein calcination of said effluent is carried out in order to obtain a calcinate, and a vitrification adjuvant is added to said calcinate.

A liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal module and a polarizer stacked with each other. The polarizer includes a polarizing layer, a transparent conductive layer and at least two driving-sensing electrodes. The polarizing layer and the transparent conductive layer are stacked with each other. The at least two driving-sensing electrodes are spaced from each other and electrically connected with the transparent conductive layer.

A logical operations functional block for an execution unit of a processor includes a first input data link for a first operand and a second input data link for a second operand. The execution unit includes a register connected to an error correction code detection unit. The logical operations functional block includes a look-up table configured to receive an error correction code syndrome from the error correction code detection unit. The logical operations functional block also includes a multiplexer configured to receive an output signal from the look-up table at a first input and the first operand at a second input, wherein an output of the multiplexer is coupled to the first input data link of a logical functional unit.

The invention provides a method and apparatus for creating plasma particles and applying the plasma particles to a liquid. Liquid feedstock (e.g., water and/or hydrocarbons mixed with biomass) is pumped through a pipeline; the single-phase stream is then transformed into a biphasic liquid-and-gas stream inside a chamber. The transformation is achieved by transitioning the stream from a high pressure zone to a lower-pressure zone. The pressure drop may occur when the stream further passes through a device for atomizing liquid. Inside the chamber, an electric field is generated with an intensity level that exceeds the threshold of breakdown voltage of the biphasic medium leading to a generation of a plasma state. Furthermore, the invention provides an energy-efficient highly adaptable and versatile method and apparatus for sanitizing water using plasma particles to inactivate biological agents contaminating water.

A technique to enable efficient interrupt communication within a computer system. In one embodiment, an advanced programmable interrupt controller (APIC) is interfaced via a set of bits within an APIC interface register using various interface instructions or operations, without using memory-mapped input/output (MMIO).

A liquid crystal compound having a high stability to heat, light and so forth, a high clearing point, a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and an excellent solubility in other liquid crystal compounds, a liquid crystal composition containing the compound, and a liquid crystal display device including the composition. The compound is represented by formula (1): wherein, for example, R1 is fluorine or alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons; ring A1 and ring A2 are 1,4-phenylene, or 1,4-phenylene in which at least one of hydrogen is replaced by fluorine; Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond; L1 and L2 are hydrogen or fluorine; X1 is fluorine or —CF3; and m is 1, and n is 0.

To provide a compound, when the compound has both a high clearing point and a low crystallization temperature, having a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase and also an excellent solubility in other liquid crystal compounds, and further having general physical properties necessary for the compound, namely, stability to heat, light and so forth, a suitable optical anisotropy and a suitable dielectric anisotropy. A compound is represented by formula (1): wherein, for example, Ra and Rb are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons; A1, A2, A3 and A4 are 1,4-phenylene; Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 are a single bond or alkylene having 1 to 4 carbons; and m, n, q and r are independently 0, 1, or 2, and a sum of m, n, q and r is 1, 2, 3 or 4.

The invention is to provide a new liquid crystal compound having a high clearing point, a good compatibility with other compounds, a small viscosity, and a high stability to heat, light and so forth; compound (1) is provided: R1CF2nR2 (1) wherein, for example, R1 is alkyl having 4 to 10 carbons or —(CH2)2—CH═CH2, R2 is alkyl having 2 to 10 carbons, n is 8, and R1 and R2 are not allowed to be straight-chain alkyl having an identical number of carbons.

The present invention relates to 1,4-diethynylbenzene derivatives having substituents in the 2,3-position (cf. formula I, Claims), to the use thereof for high-frequency components, to liquid-crystalline media comprising the compounds, and to high-frequency components, in particular antennae, especially for the gigahertz range, comprising these media. The liquid-crystalline media serve, for example, for the phase shifting of microwaves for tuneable ‘phased-array’ antennae.

A liquid detergent composition containing (A) 10 to 70 mass % of a nonionic surfactant, (B) 1 to 15 mass % of an anionic surfactant, (C) 0.01 to 2 mass % of a protease, and (D) 0.001 to 0.1 mass % of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiazole-based compounds and sulfur-containing amino acids.

Techniques for protecting a superconducting (SC) article are disclosed. The techniques may be realized as an apparatus for protecting a superconducting (SC) article. The apparatus may comprise a porous sleeve configured to fit around the superconducting (SC) article. The porous sleeve may be made of non-conductive, dielectric material.

When a user enters text into an application, the application can utilize an auto-complete feature to provide the user with estimations as to a complete term a user is attempting to enter into the application. Visualization can be provided along with an estimation to disclose the likelihood the estimation is what the user intends to enter. Furthermore, a rationale can be provided to the user for the reason an estimation was provided to the user.

Techniques are described to transmit commands to a display device. The commands can be transmitted in header byte fields of secondary data packets. The commands can be used to cause a target device to capture a frame, enter or exit self refresh mode, or reduce power use of a connection. In addition, a request to exit main link standby mode can cause the target enter training mode without explicit command to exit main link standby mode.

A device is described for measuring electrical characteristics of biological tissues with one or a plurality of electrodes and a processor controlling the stimulation and measurement in order to detect the presence of abnormal tissue masses in the breast and determine probability of tumors containing malignant cancer cells being present in a breast. The device has the capability of providing the location of the abnormality, at least to the quadrant. Either single or multiple source electrodes can be used. Either palpable lumps can be evaluated or screening or breasts, whether with palpable masses or not, can be accomplished. The method for measuring electrical characteristics includes placing electrodes and applying a voltage waveform in conjunction with a current detector. A mathematical analysis method is then applied to the collected data, which computes spectrum of frequencies and correlates magnitudes and phases with given algebraic conditions to determine mass presence and type.

A problem of the present invention is to prevent a base layer beneath the layer to be irradiated with light from deterioration in property and a functional thin film from deterioration in property as the fine patterning of a functional film is performed with light irradiation. Means for solving the problem is a compound obtained by dimerizing with light irradiation a compound (A) containing a group that has photosensitivity and can be photodimerized and a group having lyophilicity and a compound (B) containing a group that has photosensitivity and can be photodimerized and a group having liquid-repellency.

A liquid crystal composition including a dioxolane compound represented by the general formula (G1) as a chiral agent is provided. In the general formula (G1), R1 and R2 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and having a phenyl group as a substituent; R1 and R2 may be bonded to each other to form a ring; R3 and R4 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and a cycloalkyl group; and R5 to R40 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

A process for the production of 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran by catalytic hydrogenation of dialkyl maleates includes the following steps: a) hydrogenating a stream of dialkyl maleate in a first stage of reaction over suitable catalysts to produce dialkyl succinate;b) further hydrogenating the dialkyl succinate in a second stage of reaction, by using a different suitable catalyst, for producing mainly 1,4-butanediol, together with gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran as co-products. In both stages of reaction the conditions, as hydrogen/organic feed ratio, pressure and temperature, are such to maintain the reactors in mixed liquid/vapor phase.

An apparatus for filtering a material from a medium includes a first housing having a wall with a plurality of openings formed therein, a conveyor disposed in the housing for moving the material therealong, and a conduit line communicating with the interior of the housing for supplying the medium to the apparatus. At least one of the first housing and the conveyor rotate relative to a central axis to direct the medium toward the wall so as to separate the material from the medium. A method for filtering a material from a medium includes supplying the medium to a first housing, spinning the medium within the housing, passing the medium through a wall of the housing to separate the material from the medium, moving the material along the housing, introducing a fluid into the material within the housing, and washing the material using the fluid.

The invention is a method of processing tarry or resinous liquids. Tarry liquids include wet scrubber liquids containing tars and chars derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. Resinous liquids include those derived from processing coniferous biomass. Tarry or resinous liquid is processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling. The removed tar and char can be used as solid fuel or recycled to the gasification or pyrolysis process. Polymers, for instance cationic polymers, can be added to the tarry or resin containing liquid prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Removed resin can be recycled for further use. Tar, char or resin depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or more easily treated prior to disposal.

A system for the production of conversion products from synthesis gas, the system including a mixing apparatus configured for mixing steam with at least one carbonaceous material to produce a reformer feedstock; a reformer configured to produce, from the reformer feedstock, a reformer product comprising synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from the reformer feedstock; a synthesis gas conversion apparatus configured to catalytically convert at least a portion of the synthesis gas in the reformer product into synthesis gas conversion product and to separate from the synthesis gas conversion product a tailgas comprising at least one gas selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane; and one or more recycle lines fluidly connecting the synthesis gas conversion apparatus with the mixing apparatus, the reformer, or both.

A gas-to-liquids process and plant for treating natural gas, in which the natural gas is subjected to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, enables liquids to be separated from the gas stream. The natural gas may be cooled before it reaches the flow restrictor by heat exchange with fluid that has passed through the flow restrictor. This decreases the proportion of longer-chain hydrocarbons in the natural gas, which may simplify subsequent processing, and may enable the size of the plant to be decreased.

Iron/carbon (Fe/C) nanocomposite catalysts are prepared for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. A preparation method includes steps of mixing iron hydrate salts and a mesoporous carbon support to form a mixture, infiltrating the iron hydrate salts into the carbon support through melt infiltration of the mixture near a melting point of the iron hydrate salts, forming iron-carbide particles infiltrated into the carbon support through calcination of the iron hydrate salts infiltrated into the carbon support under a first atmosphere, and vacuum-drying the iron-carbide particles after passivation using ethanol. Using such catalysts, liquid hydrocarbons are produced.

A gasification-liquefaction disposal method, system and equipment for MSW are disclosed. The method involves the MSW pretreatment of dehydrating and separating, thus reducing water and inorganic substance content of the waste. Then, the MSW is introduced into a plasma gasifier (23) by a carbon dioxide air-sealed feeding device (13) and gasified therein to obtain hydrogen-rich syngas. The hydrogen-rich syngas is then cooled, deacidified, dedusted and separated to obtain carbon dioxide. Then, the hydrogen-rich syngas is catalyzed to produce methanol product in a methanol synthesis reactor (52). The separated carbon dioxide is sent back to a carbonation reaction chamber (2007) of a gasification system to perform carbonation reaction with calcium oxide, thereby releasing heat to provide assistant heat energy for gasification and avoiding greenhouse gas from being discharged into environment. Exhaust gas is returned to the plasma gasifier (23) for remelting treatment, thus forming a closed-loop circulation production system and realizing the disposal of the MSW with zero discharge and no pollution, thereby avoiding dioxin pollution and converting the MSW to chemical raw materials and fuel needed by mankind. The method, system and equipment are suitable for harmless and recycling disposal of MSW, industrial high polymer waste, composting waste and waste in waste sorting sites.

A method of modelling a hydrocarbon-containing reservoir which is representative of such reservoir in at least one physical characteristic such as reservoir porosity or permeability. Data, such as reservoir porosity is firstly determined. Such data is then transformed into printing instructions for a 3D printer. The 3D printer is used to print a reduced-scale model which is representative of the reservoir in respect of the at least one physical characteristic, such as reservoir porosity. A method of comparative testing of different hydrocarbon recovery techniques on a single hydrocarbon-containing reservoir is also disclosed and claimed.

A method for perfusing a biocompatible material graft with a perfusion liquid includes the steps of: introducing the graft (100) in a perfusion chamber (2), arranging a transfer chamber (3) partly filled with the perfusion liquid (101), coupling in a tight manner the perfusion chamber (2) and the transfer chamber (3) for establishing a fluid communication between them, lowering the pressure in the transfer chamber (3) for transferring therein part of the air existing in the perfusion chamber (2), increasing the pressure within the transfer chamber (3) for injecting in the perfusion chamber (2) the perfusion liquid (101) existing in the transfer chamber (3). A perfusion kit includes a perfusion chamber (2) apt to contain a graft (100) to be perfused with a liquid (101) and a transfer chamber (3) apt to contain a liquid (101) to be perfused, the perfusion chamber (2) being connectable in a tight manner with the transfer chamber (3) for allowing a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and inhibiting a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and the external environment.

A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising a downstream portion having a first average inner cross-sectional area, and an upstream having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, the upstream portion defining a shoulder configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of a consumable material.

A method for producing a liquid developer containing toner particles containing a resin containing a polyester and a pigment, and an insulating liquid, wherein the toner particles are dispersed in the insulating liquid, including: step 1: melt-kneading the resin and the pigment, and pulverizing a melt-kneaded mixture to provide toner particles; step 2: dispersing the toner particles obtained in the step 1 in the insulating liquid in the presence of a basic dispersant to provide a dispersion of toner particles; and step 3: wet-milling the dispersion of toner particles obtained in the step 2 to provide a liquid developer, wherein the basic dispersant is an amide compound obtained by a reaction between a polyethyleneimine and a polyester (D) obtained by self-condensation of 12-hydroxystearic acid. The liquid developer obtained by the method of the present invention can be suitably used in development of latent images formed in, for example, an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or the like.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device that includes a photoalignment film. The photoalignment film is formed from a liquid crystal alignment agent, and aligns liquid crystal molecules horizontally to the main face of the at least one of the substrates. The liquid crystal alignment agent contains a solvent and at least two kinds of polyamic acids or their derivatives obtained by reacting diamine and tetracarboxylic dianhydride. At least two of the diamines and at least one of the tetracarboxylic dianhydrides are compounds represented by predetermined formulas. The method includes the steps of: (1) forming the film of the liquid crystal alignment agent; (2) pre-baking the film; (3) irradiating the pre-baked film with light; and (4) post-baking the irradiated film, the step (4) including an operation of post-baking the film multiple times at temperatures ranging from low to high temperatures.

Systems and methods for liquid deposition photolithography are described. In particular, some embodiments relate to systems and methods for using photolithography to control the 2D structure of a thin layer of material (e.g., photopolymer) using various masks, projection optics and materials. In one or more embodiments, this thin layer can be manipulated by micro-fluidic techniques such that it can be formed, patterned and post-processed in a liquid environment, vastly simplifying the creation of multi-layer structures. Multiple layers are rapidly built up to create thick structures of possibly multiple materials that are currently challenging to fabricate by existing methods.

A method of tilting liquid crystal molecules is presented. The method entails providing a substrate including a photoalignment layer on top of a layer of liquid crystal molecules. The photoalignment layer is exposed to patterned light that is incident on the substrate at a substantially normal angle. The patterned light is polarized in a polarization direction that is non-parallel to an incident surface of the substrate.

In a case where a communication device belongs to a first wireless network for the communication device to execute a wireless communication, the communication device may execute using a wireless communication with a mobile device via the first wireless network after sending to the mobile device a first wireless setting. The first wireless setting may be for the mobile device to belong to the first wireless network and include a password. In a case where the communication device belongs to a second wireless network for the communication device to execute a wireless communication, the communication device may execute a wireless communication with the mobile device via the second wireless network after sending to the mobile device a second wireless setting. The second wireless setting may be for the mobile device to belong to the second wireless network and not including the password.

A method of mixing together liquids or liquid/solid combinations, and mixing apparatus/universal combine utilizing a vertical spinning container or vessel having a rib, or a cross rib in its bottom wall. The container is spun about a vertical axis with no wobbling component to the motion. Meshed elements are used for high shear mixing. Start/stop routines, and variable acceleration/speed values are used, to facilitate complete mixing. Use of ‘impeller’ blade stirrers is completely eliminated.

A method and devices comprise a low frequency high energy ultrasound system having at least one sonotrode projecting into a reactor vessel through which the liquid passes via at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. To avoid cavitation at the sonotrode, in a close region of the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface a pressure/amplitude combination close to or above the pressure-amplitude characteristic line is generated at which considerably reduced or no cavitation occurs and in the adjacent region in the vessel at least in a region and at least at times a pressure/amplitude combination is maintained below the pressure-amplitude characteristic line at which cavitation is generated. A device has an inlet orifice arranged such that the liquid impacts directly onto the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface, and is shaped that in the close region of the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface a pressure close to or above the pressure-amplitude characteristic line prevails.

An apparatus for swirling wine within a wine glass or a decanter, or for moving a liquid within a container. A driver is mounted to move a driving element with respect to a housing. A base for holding or removably attaching the glass, the decanter or the container, is moveably mounted with respect to the housing. A receiver and a connector are moveably mounted with respect to each other and with respect to the housing. When the driver moves the base, the base and thus the container follow a path defined by movement of the connector with respect to the receiver. When the glass, the decanter or the other container is mounted with respect to the base, the base moves the glass, the decanter or the container to impart a swirling motion of wine or another liquid within the glass, the decanter or the container.

The invention provides a lubricant composition containing (A) an ionic liquid having an anion represented by formula 1: (Rf1-SO2) (Rf2-SO2) N− or formula 2: (Rf3) (Rf3) (Rf3) PF3− wherein Rf1 and Rf2 in formula 1 may be the same or different and are each F, CF3, C2F5, C3F7 or C4F9, and Rf3 in formula 2 may be the same or different and is CF3, C2F5, C3F7 or C4F9; and (B) a fatty acid amine salt in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 mass %. The lubricant composition of the invention can favorably be used under a high vacuum or an ultra high vacuum, or under high temperatures, and exhibits excellent rust prevention properties.

The invention relates to a lubricant in the form of grease or thick lubricating gel or transmission oil, as well as motor or universal oils with a myriad of applications. As a result of its contents presented in the patent application is characteristic of low coefficient of friction ranging from 0.055 to 0.062. As the main component, the contents of the discussed lubricant includes three or four stearates of metals or hydroxistearates of metals, which interact and cause a noticeable reduction of friction drag on the lubricated surfaces. Additionally, these substances may include a number of other solid or liquid elements, which maintain low friction drags and, furthermore, improve the lubricant through increasing its load capacity, antirust characteristics, shear strength, etc. The lubricant made according to the invention underwent comparative tests against other greases and greasing oils, the accounts of which are included in the application as diagrams, descriptions of research tests and examples of the contents of the lubricant products.

A surgical tourniquet cuff that includes a stabilizer component that facilitates application of an overlapping cuff around the limb of a patient. The stabilizer is fixed to the cuff, and requires no tying or similar user manipulation to secure the overlapping cuff in alignment with the underlying cuff. The stabilizer improves the stability of the inflated cuff to prevent sideways shifting motion of overlapping cuff portions as the cuff is applied to the limb. The stabilizer also provides a handle mechanism to enable the user to snugly apply the overlapping cuff around the patient's limb while the overlapping portions remain properly aligned along their long axes. The stabilizer is designed to also facilitate attaching together two tourniquet cuffs end-to-end, with respective bladders overlapping and in proper alignment so that those attached cuffs can be used as a single, extended surgical cuff applied around a patient's limb.

A mixture comprising a molecule of formula (I); in which A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6, which may be the same or different, are each N or —CH; Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6, which may be the same or different, are each hydrogen or C1 to C12 alkoxy; X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6, which may be the same or different, are each hydrogen, C1 to C12 alkoxy or alkyl C1 to C12; and R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 and R12 are each hydrogen, or each of R7 and R8, R9 and R10 and R11 and R12 may form a bond; and a molecule of formula (II); in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, which may be the same or different, are each alkyl or substituted (and/or chiral) alkyl C1 to C16, acyl C1 to C16, polyethyleneoxy, a flexible connection to a polymer backbone or part of a polymer backbone in homopolymers, copolymers or block copolymers; and B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6a, which may be the same or different, are each, hydrogen, alkyl C1 to C16, alkoxy C1 to C16, nitro, halogeno, cyano, amido, diazo or ester, e.g. alkyl C1 to C16 ester.

An in-liquid plasma electrode according to the present invention is an in-liquid plasma electrode for generating plasma in a liquid and has an electrically conductive member having an electric discharge end surface in contact with the liquid, and an electrically insulating member covering an outer periphery of the conductive member at least except the electric discharge end surface. Preferably, d and x satisfy −2d≦x≦2d, where d is a length of a minor axis of the cross section when a conductive end portion of the electrically conductive member having the electric discharge end surface has an approximately circular cross section, or d is a length of a short side of the cross section when the conductive end portion has an approximately rectangular cross section, and x is a distance from a reference plane to a plane containing the electric discharge end surface when the reference plane is an end surface of the electrically insulating member that is approximately parallel with the electric discharge end surface. Owing to this construction, it is possible to provide an in-liquid plasma electrode which can simply generate plasma in a wide variety of liquids including a conductive liquid such as water and alcohol, and furthermore an in-liquid plasma generating apparatus having this electrode, and an in-liquid plasma generating method using this electrode.

In various embodiments, an electrode has a shaft extending from an electrode head and a cooling passage extending from an open end disposed at an attachment end of the shaft to a closed end disposed within the electrode head.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide novel liquid crystalline compounds that are capable of inducing phase transition by a light stimulus and are useful in the display, optoelectronics, and photonics field. The present invention relates to the liquid crystalline compounds represented by general formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyloxy, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxyphenyl, and N-alkylaminocarbonyl, and n is an integer.