Abstract: A tracking device for automatically following a moving light source that is detectable in the presence of ambient light. A carrier platform including one or more radiant energy conversion devices and a sensor array is mounted to an upright support column with a universal joint. Three linear actuators, each having an associated light sensor, are equally angularly spaced about the support column with an upper end connected to the carrier platform with a universal hinge and a lower end connected to a floating base with a spherical hinge. The floating base is free to move axially but not radially of the support column. The actuator of a light sensor receiving a lesser amount of radiant energy retracts, and extends when receiving a greater amount of radiant energy. Each light sensor is moved in a stepwise manner, with a predetermined, limited number of steps used to define light source acquisition for tracking purposes.

Abstract: To perform image correction according to the features of an input image and output a fine and conspicuous image corresponding to a variety of scenes; an image correcting apparatus detects, from the pixels of the input image, the dark pixels that have the respective pixel values equal to or smaller than a first threshold value. Then, for each dark pixel having the pixel value equal to or smaller than the first threshold value, the image correcting apparatus detects calculates the shading variation between the dark pixel and the corresponding surrounding pixels, calculates a correction amount based on the calculated shading variation, and performs image correction with the calculated correction amount.

Abstract: The present invention reports a defect that has not been reported, and discloses a defect-controlled silicon ingot, a defect-controlled wafer, and a process and apparatus for manufacturing the same. The new defect is a crystal defect generated when a screw dislocation caused by a HMCZ (Horizontal Magnetic Czochralski) method applying a strong horizontal magnetic field develops into a jogged screw dislocation and propagates to form a cross slip during thermal process wherein a crystal is cooled. The present invention changes the shape and structure of an upper heat shield structure arranged between a heater and an ingot above a silicon melt, and controls initial conditions or operation conditions of a silicon single crystalline ingot growth process to reduce a screw dislocation caused by a strong horizontal magnetic field and prevent the screw dislocation from propagating into a cross slip.

Abstract: A method for repairing a guide vane segment of a gas turbine, the guide vane segment including at least two guide vanes as well as an inner and an outer shroud. At least one guide vane is irreparably damaged and is separated from the guide vane segment while the guide vane segment is completed by joining at least one replacement vane. If the one irreparable guide vane is located in one half of the segment outside the circumferential center of the guide vane segment, or if the several irreparable guide vanes are located in the same half of the segment, the matching number of guide vanes to be separated from the segment and replacement vanes to be joined to the segment are determined first. The determined number of replacement vanes are then joined to the guide vane segment. The same number of guide vanes, including the at least one irreparable guide vane, are finally separated from the guide vane segment.

Abstract: An acoustical flooring underlayment for placement between a subfloor and a finished floor, includes a mat having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface and including a plurality of corrugations creating a plurality of depressions in the upper surface. A layer of foam is applied to the upper surface and constructed and arranged to fill the depressions for creating a generally planar top surface configured for accommodating the finished floor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor light emitting element that can obtain oscillation at desired wavelengths. The semiconductor light emitting element comprises a semiconductor substrate 11, an active layer 12 for emitting and propagating light, which is formed in a stripe shape above the semiconductor substrate 11, buried layers 13a, 13b formed on both lateral sides of the active layer 12, a cladding layer 16 formed above the active layer 12 and the buried layers 13a, 13b, a first electrode 17a formed above the cladding layer 16, and a second electrode 17b formed below the semiconductor substrate 11. The active layer 12 opens on one end facet 14a among the two end facets formed by cleavage so that the active layer 12 makes a predetermined angle to the normal direction of the one end facet 14a.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting at least one selected from the group consisting of oxidation, the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in a mammal, comprising administrating to the mammal an effective amount of a Neonauclea reticulate leaf extract, is provided.

Abstract: According to example embodiments of the invention, a microscale testing stage comprises a frame having first and second opposing ends and first and second side beams, at least one deformable force sensor beam, a first longitudinal beam having a free end, a second longitudinal beam having a facing free end, a support structure, and a pair of slots disposed at each of the free ends. In certain embodiments, a separately fabricated microscale or nanoscale specimen comprises a central gauge length portion of a material to be tested, and first and second hinges providing a self-aligning mechanism for uniaxial loading. In other embodiments, a layer of a conductive material defines first and second conductive paths and an open circuit that can be closed by the specimen across the gap. In other embodiments, the stage is formed of a high melting temperature material.

Abstract: An error addition apparatus receives a data signal D having a frame format having a specific signal inserted into its front, adds errors to the data signal D, and outputs a resulting signal. The apparatus has an error addition regulation unit for receiving a frame synchronization signal F, indicative of a timing at which the front of the frame of the data signal has been inputted, and regulating the errors such that the errors are added to positions other than a region of the specific signal. Accordingly, errors are not added to a specific signal.

Abstract: A dry mixture for use with water has been developed to be used as an erosion control spray matrix for reducing erosion of sandy soils while awaiting development of a root system of plants to hold the soil in place. The dry erosion control mixture includes alpha-calcined calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a non-gypsum binder polymer; biodegradable fibers; and wood fiber mulch. An erosion control slurry is applied to an area of soil in need of erosion-control. After obtaining the dry erosion control mixture, it is mixed with water to form erosion control slurry. The ratio of the composition to the water is preferably from about 1:8 to about 1:12. Seed is distributed over the soil and the erosion control slurry is applied over the distributed seed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for determining parameters of a contact between bodies occurring within an activity. A digital camera directed towards a target area during the activity captures image frames including infra red image data. Structure for comparing image data for multiple temporally spaced frames with image data of a reference datum records any localized infra red emission appearing in at least one incident frame. The image data for at least one of the incident frames is analyzed to determine at least one parameter of the contact, and the image data for the incident frame is recorded. Visual display means displays the incident frames including the image data in the IR spectrum to enable visual inspection of the activity in the target area at the time of the incident frame and that gave rise to the contact producing the infra red emission.

Abstract: A highly antimicrobial composition having characteristics of a lactic acid polymer such as biodegradability is prepared by combining a lactic acid oligomer with a metal salt thereof.

Abstract: A virtual-machine control program includes an operational-status inquiry unit that inquires of another machine about a memory usage status of virtual machines realized on another machine; a swapping-target selecting unit that selects a virtual machine capable of being swapped for a virtual machine realized on a machine from among the virtual machines realized on another machine based on information obtained by the operational-status inquiry unit; and a swapping performing unit that swaps the virtual machine realized on the machine for the virtual machine selected by the swapping-target selecting unit. The virtual-machine control program enables to move the virtual machine to another machine without preparing a free space in advance.

Abstract: The optical path of the light having spread at each point of an object to be shot is limited by an iris unit of a density filter. Since the density filter unit has a desired transmittance characteristic, the amount of the light passing through the density filter unit continuously changes from the center of the luminous flux toward the periphery. After the luminous flux forms an image on the image forming surface, it spreads toward the light-receptive surface of an image sensor, and becomes an image spreading on the light-receptive surface in a predetermined range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing corn into one or more corn products. Oil is extracted from corn or corn products or by-products with a solvent. The corn-solvent mixture is separated into streams, one of which preferably includes an extract containing at least oil and solvent, and another containing de-oiled corn solids and adsorbed solvent. Zein is separated from the de-oiled corn solids. Solvent is then separated, and the de-oiled, de-zeined, desolventized corn solids are processed to provide one or more corn products.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing corn into one or more corn products. Zein is extracted from corn or corn products or by-products with a solvent. The corn-solvent mixture is separated into streams, one of which preferably includes an extract containing at least zein and solvent, and another that contains de-zeined corn solids and adsorbed solvent. The solvent is separated from the zein, and the de-zeined, desolventized corn solids are processed to provide one or more corn products.

Abstract: A method for preparing a modified beta-stucco from calcined natural rock gypsum that includes preparing a solution of liquid diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid in water, applying the solution onto beta-stucco while hot from the calciner, forming a wetted beta-stucco, and allowing the wetted stucco to dry and heal, forming the modified beta-stucco.

Abstract: Provided are: a noise reduction device with an improved adhesion of a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material and with a reduced processing time; a method of manufacturing the noise reduction device; and a pneumatic tire including the noise reduction device. The noise reduction device of the present invention includes: a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material; a band member for attaching the noise absorbing member to the inner surface of a tire; and locking members formed of a thermoplastic resin. The band member is formed of a thermoplastic resin. The noise absorbing member is disposed between the band member and the locking members. The locking members are bonded to the band member through the noise absorbing member by thermal fusion.

Abstract: A recognition result extraction unit and an agreement determination unit are provided. The recognition result extraction unit extracts, from a recognition result storage unit, N best solutions A and B obtained by an utterance B. The utterance B follows an utterance A corresponding to the N best solutions A and made by a speaker b who is different from a speaker of the utterance A. In a case where a repeat utterance determination unit determines that the N best solutions B are N best solutions obtained by a repeat utterance B according to the utterance A corresponding to the N best solutions A, when the best solution A and B are different each other, the agreement determination unit determines that some or all of the N best solutions A can be replaced with some or all of the N best solutions B.

Abstract: A route data collection method includes: a transmission source apparatus transmitting a request packet to request at least layer-2 apparatuses on a route to a destination apparatus to reply a response packet including predetermined setting data of the layer-2 apparatus to the transmission source apparatus; upon receiving the request packet, the layer-2 apparatus that can respond to the request packet, reading out the predetermined setting data stored in a storage device of the layer-2 apparatus, transmitting the response packet including the predetermined setting data to the transmission source apparatus, and outputting the request packet to the destination apparatus; and upon receiving the response packet, the transmission source apparatus displaying the predetermined setting data included in the response packet on a display device.