Abstract: The level of precious-metal inclusions in glass products, e.g., glass substrates for liquid crystal displays, is reduced by stirring molten glass in a stir chamber (11) under conditions such that the magnitude of the shear stress ? on the chamber's wall (19) and on the surfaces of the stirrer (13) is reduced while at the same time, the Q•E product for the system is kept high, where Q is the flow of glass through the stirring system and E is the system's stirring effectiveness.

Abstract: The invention provides T4 endonuclease V compositions that exhibit enhanced stability, including stability at non-refrigerated temperatures, through reduced activity of cryptic proteases. Methods for detecting cryptic protease activity and methods for reducing such activity are also provided.

Abstract: Microlens arrays (105) having high focusing efficiencies are provided. The high focusing efficiencies are achieved by accurately producing the individual microlenses making up the array at high fill factors. Arrays of positive microlenses are produced by forming a master having a concave surface-relief pattern (101) in a positive photoresist (21) using direct laser writing. Through this approach, the problems associated with the convolution of a finite laser beam with a desired profile for a microlens are overcome. The microlens arrays of the invention have focusing efficiencies of at least 75%.

Abstract: Spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques is achieved by sampling the signal as a function of time in the presence of magnetic field gradients, e.g., X, Y, and Z gradients. The gradient magnets have in the past been assumed to generate a linear gradient, and typical image reconstruction techniques have relied upon this assumption. However, to achieve high speed performance, gradient magnets often sacrifice linearity for speed. This non-linearity, in turn, results in distorted images, the distortion often being sufficiently large to compromise the usefulness of MRI images for stereotaxy or longitudinal studies, where precise volumetric information is required. The disclosure provides practical methods for correcting distorted images resulting from such non-linearity in the gradient fields, as well as distortions resulting from translational, rotational, and/or winding/design errors in the field generating devices.

Abstract: A glass composition suitable for manufacturing plasma displays and large-area displays using the fusion draw process is provided. The glass composition includes 59–66 mol % SiO2, 14.5–18.0 mol % Al2O3, 8.5–12.0 mol % Na2O, 2.5–6.5 mol % K2O, 2.5–9.0 mol % CaO, 0.0–3.0 mol % MgO, 0.0–3.0 mol % SrO, 0.0–3.0 mol % BaO, and 0.0–5.0 mol % MgO+SrO+BaO.

Abstract: Structured screens for the controlled spreading, diffusion, or scattering of an incident beam are provided. The screens are composed of microstructures (1,2) whose configurations and distribution on the surfaces of the screen are precisely determined. In certain embodiments, the configurations and/or their distribution is randomized. The structured screens can be used as diffusing screens or display screens.

Abstract: The topical use of ursolic acid compounds to alter the lipid content of mammalian skin is disclosed. The compounds can be encapsulated in liposomes and administered in this form to the skin in, for example, a lotion or a gel. The compounds are effective in, among other things, reducing the effects of aging, photoaging, and skin atrophy, including skin atrophy resulting from the topical use of retinoids and/or steroids. Compositions comprising a ursolic acid compound in combination with another therapeutically active topical compounds, such as, a retinoid or a steroid, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Isopipes for use in making sheet glass by a fusion process are provided which exhibit reduced sag. The isopipes are composed of a zircon refractory which has a mean creep rate (MCR) at 1180° C. and 250 psi and a 95 percent confidence band (CB) for said mean creep rate such that the CB to MCR ratio is less than 0.5, the MCR and the CB both being determined using a power law model. The zircon refractory can contain titania (TiO2) at a concentration greater than 0.2 wt. % and less than 0.4 wt. %. A concentration of titania in this range causes the zircon refractory to exhibit a lower mean creep rate than zircon refractories previously used to make isopipes. In addition, the variation in mean creep rate is also reduced which reduces the chances that the zircon refractory of a particular isopipe will have an abnormally high creep rate and thus exhibit unacceptable sag prematurely.

Abstract: A rear projection screen for use with a projection lens which has an exit pupil (23) is provided. The screen has a light entering side and a light exiting side and comprises in order from said light entering side to said light exiting side: (a) a Fresnel structure (11); (b) a lenslet array (13); and (c) an opaque layer (15) comprising a plurality of pinholes, said pinholes being at locations which correspond to the images of the exit pupil formed by the combination of the Fresnel structure and the lenslet array.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for regulating the melanin content of mammalian melanocytes; regulating pigmentation in mammalian skin, hair, wool or fur; treating or preventing various skin and proliferative disorders; by administration of various compounds, including alcohols, diols and/or triols and their analogues.

Abstract: Devices and methods for information processing in optical communications are provided. In its simplest embodiments, collimated light (1) passes through a non-grating diffractive structure (2) and a lens (3). The light is spatially processed in the focal plane (4) of the lens (3). Thereafter, the light can, for example, be coupled into a fiber or detector array (5).

Abstract: Containers (19) are provided for packaging flexible substrates (13) such as the glass substrates used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. The containers include arc-shaped grooves (25) which apply an elastic strain to the substrates. The elastic strain stiffens the substrates and thus reduces the likelihood of damage to the substrates as a result of vibration during transport or sagging when held horizontally. Through the use of such grooves, dense packaging of large, thin substrates is achieved.

Abstract: Pulling rolls (13) for glass ribbons (11) are provided. The rolls include a shaft (17), a plurality of heat-resistant discs (15) mounted on the shaft in face-to-face contact, and a pair of fittings (25 or 25,31) affixed to the shaft which apply an axial compressive force to the discs. The axial compressive force gives the portions (27) of the roll surface (33) which contact the glass ribbon during use a Shore D hardness at room temperature of between 30 and 55. The rolls achieve a long service life without applying excessive force to the glass ribbon or generating high levels of particulate contamination.

Abstract: Microlens arrays (105) having high focusing efficiencies are provided. The high focusing efficiencies are achieved by accurately producing the individual microlenses making up the array at high fill factors. Arrays of positive microlenses are produced by forming a master having a concave surface-relief pattern (101) in a positive photoresist (21) using direct laser writing. Through this approach, the problems associated with the convolution of a finite laser beam with a desired profile for a microlens are overcome. The microlens arrays of the invention have focusing efficiencies of at least 75%.

Abstract: Glasses are disclosed which are used to produce substrates in flat panel display devices. The glasses exhibit a density less than about 2.45 gm/cm3 and a liquidus viscosity greater than about 200,000 poises, the glass consisting essentially of the following composition, expressed in terms of mol percent on an oxide basis: 65-75 SiO2, 7-13 Al2O3, 5-15 B2O3, 0-3 MgO, 5-15 CaO, 0-5 SrO, and essentially free of BaO. The glasses also exhibit a strain point exceeding 650° C.

Abstract: Self-aligned aperture masks are produced using a positive-acting photoresist (18) which is developed with a liquid developer. The apertures (30) of the mask have lower levels of inter-aperture variability than masks produced using mechanical transfer of toner particles (FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8), both for the apertures of a given mask and between masks.

Abstract: The linear dispersion of a dispersive optical system is increased by: (a) employing a transmissive diffraction grating (6) as a dispersive element; and (b) passing light through the grating twice. A reflector (7) is used to achieve the double passage through the grating. The system can be used to disperse light into its composite wavelengths (e g., the system can be a wavelength demultiplexer) or to combine dispersed light at different wavelengths into composite light (e.g., the system can be a wavelength multiplexer). The system can be employed in wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communication systems.

Abstract: An aluminosilicate glass having a composition consisting essentially of, as calculated in weight percent on an oxide basis, of 58-70% SiO2, 12-22% Al2O3, 3-15% B2O3, 2-12% CaO, 0-3% SrO, 0-3% BaO, 0-8% MgO, 10-25% MCSB (i.e., MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO), and SrO and BaO in combination being less than 3%.

Abstract: Telecentric lens systems for use with pixelized panels, such as LCD or DMD panels, are provided. The systems have a long aperture stop to object distance (ASOD) and a high level of aberration correction, including a high level of lateral color correction. Preferably, the systems also have a low f-number and are wide angle. The systems include a negative first unit which produces the long ASOD, a weak second unit which includes two meniscus elements which surround the system's aperture stop, and a positive third unit which images the aperture stop to form the system's telecentric pupil.

Abstract: Asymmetric, compact superconducting magnets for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. The magnets have a homogeneous region (the “dsv”) which can be located close to one end of the magnet so as to reduce the sensation of claustrophobia experienced by patients undergoing MRI procedures. The magnets can be designed using a hybrid process in which current density analysis is performed to obtain an initial coil configuration which is then refined using non-linear optimization techniques to obtain a final coil configuration. The hybrid method can incorporate various constraints, including, the location and size of the dsv, the uniformity and strength of the B0 field, stray field strengths outside of the superconducting magnet, and field strengths within the magnet's coils. The hybrid technique can also be used to design compact symmetric superconducting magnets.