The present invention relates to a portable crozer adapted to be mounted above a new or used barrel for firstly creating a groove or “croze” along an inside surface to accommodate a barrel head, and secondly, for creating a bevelled top edge. In the case of used barrels, the croze is formed a short distance below the existing croze, and a new bevelled edge is formed to compensate for the lowered barrel head position. Conventional crozers are not adapted to be used on used barrels and have a number of inherent problems which are overcome by the present invention. In particular, conventional crozers are not portable which means they are not able to be used in mobile barrel reconditioning services, the time taken for each croze is significant, and they are generally in the form of bulky, quite expensive machinery.

An apparatus for measuring dimensions of a micro-scale object includes a movable stylus, a probe and at least one acoustic emissions sensor. The movable stylus is positionable to contact an object to be measured. The probe is rotatably coupled to the stylus and has a distal end that circumscribes a circle when rotated. The acoustic emissions sensor is operatively coupled to the probe. The sensor is operative to detect acoustic emissions generated from contact between the distal end of the probe and the object, thereby allowing dimensions of the object to be determined.

A micrometer includes: a frame; an anvil; a spindle; an encoder; a display; a strain gauge that detects a deformation of the frame; a storage that stores a change amount of the detection value (a displacement of the spindle detected by the encoder) per a unit deformation detected by the strain gauge, as a compensation factor; and a compensator that compensates the detection value based on a difference between a zeroset-time deformation that is detected by the strain gauge when a command for zeroset is given and a measurement-time deformation that is detected by the strain gauge in measurement, and based on the compensation factor stored in the storage.

A post for a dental crown is disclosed having improved structural features—including increased post strength and reduced likelihood of root fracture. In one embodiment, the post includes a quadrangle (4-way) split shank for increased compliance and root stress reduction while providing very high mechanical grip strength and pull-out resistance. In another embodiment, a shortened threaded section and a thread-free shank tip minimize the possibility of root fracture while still providing high grip strength and pull-out resistance. Embodiments also include a radiused transition from a primary thread to a secondary thread portion of the shank for stress reduction; and axial grooves, cross-axis through holes and other shape features of the post head for increased crown retention strength.

The present invention provides a novel cationized microfibrillated plant fiber and a method for manufacturing the same. A cationic microfibrillated plant fiber that is cationically modified with a quaternary-ammonium-group-containing compound, and that has an average diameter of 4 to 200 nm.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for sensing and communicating sensed downhole parameters using a hybrid micro-structured fiber optic cable are provided. The micro-structured fiber optic cable may be used to communicate and/or amplify sensor signals indicative of the sensed downhole parameters. These sensed downhole parameters may include one or more of a downhole temperature, pressure, magnetic field, electromagnetic energy, radioactivity, telemetry signal, or some other downhole measurement. The micro-structured fiber optic cable may include opto-electronic circuitry built into the internal structure of the cable for modulating the optical signal based on the sensed parameters. The opto-electronic circuitry may include diodes, triodes, and other components that are communicatively coupled to external sensors used to measure downhole parameters. The opto-electronic circuitry may include an internal sensor in the form of a functional material disposed within the micro-structured fiber optic cable for measuring downhole parameters.

A bitless bridle with double cross under reinstraps for riding, driving, and training horses and similar animals that achieves improved control, comfort, and communication with the animal. The bridle is composed of a solid crownpiece that bifurcates, after a brow band attachment, into a cheek strap and an elongated reinstrap. The cheek strap connects to two nosebands which have solid rings attached to each end. The elongated reinstraps cross under the horse's jaw and pass through the first set of rings then cross under the jaw a second time and pass through the second set of rings to continue back to the rider's hands. Pulling on a single reinstrap applies pressure to the horse's nose and poll causing it to turn in the direction pulled. Pulling on both reinstraps cinches the noseband in place, causing the horse to slow down or stop.

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is comprised of a micromirror attached to a semiconductor device. A stack of inorganic high index materials comprised of titanium oxide, titanium nitride, and titanium is deposited above metal levels within the semiconductor device. Another stack of inorganic high index materials comprised of titanium oxide, titanium nitride, and titanium may be deposited in a continuous or dis-continuous layer within one or more of the dielectric layers. Each stack of high index material films is deposited at a depth and of thickness to achieve a minimum reflectance for the entire film system and to ensure maximum destructive interference at the targeted wavelength range. The high index material stack results in reduced light scattering during operation of the micromirror and improves contrast of the display system.

The present invention concerns a solvent-free photocrosslinkable writing ink advantageously for a pen, comprising, as a percentage by weight relative to the total weight of the ink: a—between 40 and 75% of a photocrosslinkable acrylate and/or methacrylate oligomer,b—between 1 and 55%, optionally, of a photocrosslinkable acrylate and/or methacrylate monomer,c—between 0.5 and 6% of a photoinitiator,d—between 1 and 10% of a dye, advantageously a basic dye, ande—between 0 and 10% of an additive. It further concerns a method for securing a writing medium using said ink, the crosslinked ink obtained by crosslinking said ink and a pen for photo-crosslinkable ink comprising said ink.

Methods for preventing the transmission of viral and bacterial diseases are disclosed. Disease transmission is inhibited through the application of an antimicrobial film to touchpoints, the antimicrobial film having at least 60 percent copper and being at least 0.0001 mm.

Methods for controlled microstructure creation utilize seeding of amorphous layers prior to annealing. Seed crystals are formed on an amorphous layer or layers. The material, size, and spacing of the seed crystals may be varied, and multiple seed layers and/or amorphous layers may be utilized. Thereafter, the resulting assembly is annealed to generate a crystalline microstructure. Via use of these methods, devices having desirable microstructural properties are enabled.

The disclosure relates to microwave cavity plasma reactor (MCPR) apparatus and associated tuning and process control methods that enable the microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (MPACVD) of a component such as diamond. Related methods enable the control of the microwave discharge position, size and shape, and enable efficient matching of the incident microwave power into the reactor prior to and during component deposition. Pre-deposition tuning processes provide a well matched reactor exhibiting a high plasma reactor coupling efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions, thus allowing operational input parameters to be modified during deposition while simultaneously maintaining the reactor in a well-matched state. Additional processes are directed to realtime process control during deposition, in particular based on identified independent process variables which can effectively control desired dependent process variables during deposition while still maintaining a well-matched power coupling reactor state.

An improved organic photoconductor drum having a protective overcoat layer and method to make the same is provided. The protective overcoat layer is prepared from a curable composition including a crosslinkable hole transport molecule containing four radical polymerizable functional groups in combination with a crosslinkable acrylate having at least 6 functional groups.

An electronic display assembly having forced-air cooling. A thermally conductive plate or a thermally conductive backlight surface is located behind an electronic display of the electronic display assembly and within a housing thereof such that a gap is formed between the plate or backlight surface and an adjacent wall of the housing. External cooling air may be caused to flow in a top-to-bottom direction through the gap in order to remove heat from the electronic display that has been conductively transferred to the gap. A plurality of ribs may be placed within the gap and in thermal communication with the electronic display to enhance the conductive transfer of heat from the electronic display.

A harvesting header includes a cutter bed having a plurality of cutting elements arranged transverse to the header and a crop chopping and conditioning region having a crop chopping device and a crop conditioning device. The crop chopping device is configured to chop crop cut by the cutter bed into smaller lengths and the crop conditioning device is configured to crimp the crop to aid in drying. The first chopping roller has a tubular, cylindrically-shaped body and a plurality of parallel knife-mounting lugs extending radially outward along substantially the full length of the body. A plurality of chopping knives are attached to the knife-mounting lugs and arranged around the body, each chopping knife having a length that is shorter than the length of the knife-mounting lug to which it is attached such that each chopping knife covers only a portion of the lateral length of the first chopping roller.

A crop lifter apparatus has a base member adapted to be attached to a cutting header guard finger about a lifter pivot axis. A plurality of lifter tips with different configurations are releasably attachable to the base member at a mounting position such that the attached lifter tip extends forward from the base member. A bias element is operative to exert a bias force on the base member urging a front portion of the base member forward of the lifter pivot axis to pivot downward about the lifter pivot axis, and the bias force urges the base member to bear against a stop. The tips can be configured to suit various conditions of soils and crops.

A harvesting machine for threshing crop materials includes a platform supported in front of a chassis, an erecting device having a number pairs of guiding bars attached to the platform and having a channel formed between two bar members of each pair of guiding bars, a guiding element disposed between every two adjacent pairs of guiding bars for guiding a stalk of the crop materials into the channel of the guiding bars, a number of pawls extended into the channel for sending the stalk of the crop materials into the channel, and a cutting device having two or more cutting elements for cutting the stalk into a lower base segment that carries no grain and an upper straw segment that carries grains.

An example method includes providing a packaging device includes a substrate having an integrated circuit die mounting region. A plurality of microstructures, each including an outer insulating layer over a conductive material, are disposed proximate a side of the integrated circuit die mounting region. An underfill material is disposed between the substrate and the integrated circuit die, the microstructures preventing spread of the underfill. In another example method, a via can be formed in a substrate and the substrate etched to form a bump or pillar from the via. An insulating material can be formed over the bump or pillar. In another example method, a photoresist deposited over a seed layer and patterned to form openings. A conductive material is plated in the openings, forming a plurality of pillars or bumps. The photoresist and exposed seed layer are removed. The conductive material is oxidized to form an insulating material.

Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas.

A flexible flat cable structure capable of improving crosstalk interference includes plural telecommunication signal conductors separated from one another and provided for transmitting differential signals, two support members installed on two lateral sides of the telecommunication signal conductor respectively, at least one filled material disposed between the telecommunication signal conductors. The ratio of the equivalent dielectric constant of the filled material to the equivalent dielectric constant of the support members falls within a range of 0.39˜0.27, and the ratio of the thickness of the filled material to the thickness of the support members falls within a range of 1.49˜1.37. Therefore, the flexible flat cable structure achieves the effects of reducing the time delay of the signal transmission of the flexible flat cable (FFC), suppressing the ringing noise of resonance, and improving the eye height of amplitude measurement, so as to suppress crosstalk interference and improve signal transmission quality effectively.

Polycrystalline ultra-hard materials and compacts comprise an ultra-hard material body having a polycrystalline matrix of bonded together ultra-hard particles, e.g., diamond crystals, and a catalyst material disposed in interstitial regions within the polycrystalline matrix. The material microstructure is substantially free of localized concentrations, regions or volumes of the catalyst material or other substrate constituent. The body can include a region extending a depth from a body working surface and that is substantially free of the catalyst material. The compact is produced using a multi-stage HPHT process, e.g., comprising two HPHT process conditions, wherein during a first stage HPHT process the catalyst material is melted and only partially infiltrates the precursor ultra-hard material, and during a second stage further catalyst material infiltrates the precursor ultra-hard material to produce a fully sintered compact.

An abrasive article includes a fibrous substrate, a binder disposed on the fibrous substrate, and abrasive grains in contact with the binder. The binder includes an imide cross-linked urethane derived from a blocked isocyanate component and an anhydride component.

An abrasive element comprises a body of crystalline abrasive material. The body has an array of cutting elements formed of crystalline abrasive material which projects from a surface of the body. The shape, size and form of the projections is controlled in the production process. The body may be a natural or synthetic crystal. The body may be a film formed by deposition. The body may be diamond or cubic boron nitride. The body may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. The projections may be aligned along a crystallographic plane or planes.

The present invention mainly provides a novel microchannel structure comprising a plurality of first fluid-guiding channels, a plurality of micro fluid-guiding channels and a plurality of second fluid-guiding channels. Particularly, the first fluid-guiding channel has an arc-shaped fluid-guiding end corner communicating with a first channel opening of the micro fluid-guiding channel, and the second fluid-guiding channel has an arc-shaped fluid-guiding start corner communicating with a second channel opening of the micro fluid-guiding channel. Therefore, when a refrigerant fluid flows in the heat sink, the flow speed of the refrigerant fluid would be changed because the cross sectional area of an U-shaped fluid-guiding channel constructed by the arc-shaped fluid-guiding end corner, the micro fluid-guiding channel and the arc-shaped fluid-guiding start corner varies along the flow direction of the refrigerant fluid, such that the heat dissipating ability of the heat sink is enhanced without increasing the power of circulation pump.

Microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration and an optimized droplet actuation surface are provided. The devices include a conductive substrate having a dielectric layer, a hydrophobic layer covalently bonded to the dielectric layer, and a first electrode electrically coupled to the dielectric layer and configured to be connected to a voltage source. The microfluidic devices also include a second electrode, optionally included in a cover, configured to be connected to the voltage source. The hydrophobic layer features self-associating molecules covalently bonded to a surface of the dielectric layer in a manner that produces a densely-packed monolayer that resists intercalation and or penetration by polar molecules or species. Also provided are microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration that further include a section or module having a dielectrophoresis configuration; systems that include any of the microfluidic devices in combination with an aqueous droplet and a fluidic medium immiscible with the medium of the aqueous droplet; related kits; and methods of manipulating droplets, optionally containing micro-objects such as biological cells, within the microfluidic devices.

An assembly is provided for interfacing with a microfluidic chip having at least one microscopic channel configured to receive a liquid sample for analysis. The assembly includes a chip carrier, an electronics module, an optical module, and a mechanical module. The chip carrier includes a base and a cover defining a cavity to receive the microfluidic chip. The electronics module includes a signal generator which applies at least one electrokinetic signal electrode(s) of the chip. The optical module includes an excitation radiation source which causes excitation radiation to impinge on the sample, and an emission radiation detector which detects radiation emitted from the sample. The mechanical module includes a chip-carrier receiving structure, relatable with respect to the optical module for focus and at least one degree of translational freedom.

The invention includes novel devices and methods for inhibiting or preventing colonization of fluid flow networks by bacteria that have upstream surface motility. In certain aspects, the devices and methods of the invention prevent or minimize undesirable bacterial colonization of medical devices and/or treat or prevent bacterial infections.

Disclosed herein are methods for treating solid mass tumors with direct delivery of an anti-tumor immunotherapeutic agent to the tumor site. In one aspect, this invention encompasses methods of treating solid mass tumors by direct microinjection via a microcatheter of an anti-tumor immunotherapeutic agent into the microvasculature leading into tumor thereby providing high levels of contact with the tumor while minimizing the degree of systemic buildup of the immunotherapeutic agent.

A transdermal drug delivery device comprises: a reservoir for holding a drug; and at least one microneedle in fluid communication with the reservoir through which the drug can be delivered transdermally, wherein the transdermal drug delivery device is concealed from view during operation thereof.

A gyroscope includes a substrate, a first structure, a second structure and a third structure elastically coupled to the substrate and movable along a first axis. The first and second structure are arranged at opposite sides of the third structure with respect to the first axis A driving system is configured to oscillate the first and second structure along the first axis in phase with one another and in phase opposition with the third structure. The first, second and third structure are provided with respective sets of sensing electrodes, configured to be displaced along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to rotations of the substrate about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and to the second axis.

A micro-electromechanical (MEMS) apparatus includes a substrate, two first anchors, a frame, and two elastic members. The substrate is provided with a reference point thereon. The frame surrounds the two first anchors, and each of the elastic members connects the corresponding first anchor and the frame. Each of the first anchors is disposed near the center of the MEMS apparatus to decrease an effect caused by warpage of the substrate. The MEMS apparatus can be applied to an MEMS sensor having a rotatable mass, such as a three-axis accelerometer or a magnetometer, to improve process yield, reliability, and measurement accuracy.

Superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors (SNAPs) have using meandering nanowires to detect incident photons. When a superconducting nanowire absorbs a photon, it switches from a superconducting state to a resistive state, producing a change in voltage that can be measured across the nanowire. A SNAP may include multiple nanowires in order to increase the fill factor of the SNAP's active area and the SNAP's detection efficiency. But using multiple meandering nanowires to achieve high fill-factor in SNAPs can lead to current crowding at bends in the nanowires. This current crowding degrades SNAP performance by decreasing the switching current, which the current at which the nanowire transitions from a superconducting state to a resistive state. Fortunately, staggering the bends in the nanowires reduces current crowding, increasing the nanowire switching current, which in turn increases the SNAP dynamic range.

Warriors fans from around the Bay Area flocked to Oakland for a parade through downtown and a rally on the shore of Lake Merritt. The massive crowd spilled into the streets, stopping traffic in many parts of the city, as team members, coaches, staff, and members of government gave speeches to commemorate the Warriors' historic championship.…

From the new releases everyone's talking about to the cult classics they should be, here are five things to stream and skip this week. Well, we still can't go to the movies — it may be the least of our problems, but it still really sucks. So this week we turn our attention to the world of streaming, where approximately 98.87 percent of our entertainment now exists.…

Oakland’s Alphabet Rockers lands a second nomination for best children’s music album for record honoring gender and cultural diversity. The motto of the Alphabet Rockers is: "We make music that makes change." On its most recent album, The Love, the Oakland hip-hop collective lives up to that promise.…

The invention generally relates to assemblies for displacing droplets from a vessel that facilitate the collection and transfer of the droplets while minimizing sample loss. In certain aspects, the assembly includes at least one droplet formation module, in which the module is configured to form droplets surrounded by an immiscible fluid. The assembly also includes at least one chamber including an outlet, in which the chamber is configured to receive droplets and an immiscible fluid, and in which the outlet is configured to receive substantially only droplets. The assembly further includes a channel, configured such that the droplet formation module and the chamber are in fluid communication with each other via the channel. In other aspects, the assembly includes a plurality of hollow members, in which the hollow members are channels and in which the members are configured to interact with a vessel. The plurality of hollow members includes a first member configured to expel a fluid immiscible with droplets in the vessel and a second member configured to substantially only droplets from the vessel. The assembly also includes a main channel, in which the second member is in fluid communication with the main channel. The assembly also includes at least one analysis module connected to the main channel.

A microbial gaseous-fluid sampler for collecting microbial particles from gaseous fluid includes a gaseous-fluid intake portion having a sample head with a plurality of holes. The gaseous-fluid intake portion further includes a collar configured to receive a Petri dish including agar. The plurality of holes define an exit plane that is positioned a distance from the agar within a range of 5.5 millimeters to 7.5 millimeters. The velocity of the air exiting the plurality to holes is within a range of 18.5 meters per second to 20.5 meters per second.

The present invention provides a method for imaging microtentacles on isolated, living, non-adherent primary tumor cells from a cancer subject comprising: i) obtaining one or more living, non-adherent primary tumor cells that has been isolated from a solid tumor from the subject; and ii) imaging the one or more living, non-adherent primary tumor cells and detecting the microtentacles.

Embodiments are generally directed to cooling of electronics using folded foil microchannels. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a semiconductor die; a substrate, the semiconductor die being coupled with the substrate; and a cooling apparatus for the semiconductor die, wherein the cooling apparatus includes a folded foil preform, the folded foil forming a plurality of microchannels, and a fluid coolant system to direct a fluid coolant through the microchannels of the folded foil.

The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions that contain linear monohydric alcohols. The present invention provides for TPU compositions which may be applied at relatively low temperatures, but upon activation (e.g., activation by ultraviolet light), exhibits higher temperature and melt resistance.

HARRY Foyle stole the show with two best-yet individual performances as St Cross Symondians thrashed hapless New Milton by 162 runs to move fourth in the ECB Southern Premier Division.

A NUMBER of schools are closing across Hampshire amid the coronavirus outbreak.

SAFETY will come first in all plans for recovery in Hampshire, it has been revealed.

SAINTS have had the ninth-highest amount of VAR reviews in home matches across Europe’s five major leagues.

FORMER Saint Peter Crouch has revealed the "embarrassing" moment Theo Walcott and Nathan Dyer burst onto the scene.

GENEROUS music lovers have secured the immediate future of an iconic Southampton music venue after a desperate plea for help over coronavirus cancellations.

AFC TOTTON fear midfielder Liam Crook’s season may be over.

CAR parking charges are to be reinforced across Southampton as of next week following their suspension during the coronavirus pandemic.

SAFETY will come first in all plans for recovery in Hampshire, it has been revealed.

HAMPSHIRE racing starlet Brody Crockford has followed in his father’s tyre marks after completing his debut MiniGP50 Motorcycle British Championship in spectacular style.