Abstract: Methods of encoding a signal using a perceptual model are described in which a signal to mask ratio parameter within the perceptual model is tuned. The signal to mask ratio parameter is tuned based on a function of the bitrate of the part of the signal which has already been encoded and the target bitrate for the encoding process. The tuned signal to 5 mask ratio parameter is used to compute a masking threshold for the signal which is then used to quantise the signal.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood therapy control unit housing has a first and second manually mounted panels and spring loaded components configured for releasably engaging and tensioning the said panels against a side of said housing. The first and second panels have arch-shaped tubing segments mounted on the interior side of said respective panels. Each of the tubing segments are held in operational engagement with a different peristaltic pump rotor by the panel engaging and tensioning components.

Abstract: A method and a device for acquiring a value of a defined reference point of a first variable which is measured by an incrementally measuring sensor of a motor vehicle are disclosed. The method includes the step of acquiring intermediate values of the defined reference point in at least two detection modules using at least one second measured variable, wherein each detection module is adapted to determine a value of the defined reference point of the first variable in a pre-defined driving situation. A quality level for each intermediate value is determined. The quality levels of the intermediate values are compared. The value of the defined reference point is determined from the acquired intermediate values in accordance with a result of the compared quality levels.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for removing perchlorate from water. The systems comprise reactors comprising biomass for degrading perchlorate, and the operation of the systems can be controlled according to novel logic specifications. Also provided are filters and filtration systems for clearing water in advance of analysis of the concentration of contaminants within the water. The filters comprise a length of tubing configured to generate backpressure at the filter sufficient to facilitate the flow of a water sample through the filter without overpressurization.

Abstract: Temper rolling at a total elongation percentage of 0.1% or more is performed on a steel strip using a temper rolling mill in which at least one roll stand having high roughness work rolls, the center-line averaged roughness Ra of which being in the range of 3.0 to 10.0 ?m, is provided, or at least one roll stand having bright rolls is further provided downstream of the above roll stand, and as a result, a predetermined elongation percentage, flatness, and center-line averaged roughness can be imparted even to a steel strip having a yield strength of 340 MPa or more at a rolling load approximately equivalent to that for a mild steel without using a large facility and complicated control. In particular, a high tensile-strength cold rolled steel sheet having an Ra of 0.5 to 3.0 ?m and superior die galling resistance is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detergent which contains a surfactant and optionally further conventional additives of detergents and cleaning agents, the detergent comprising an anti-grey polycarbonate-, polyurethane- and/or polyurea-polyorganosiloxane compound or a precursor compound thereof containing specific reactive groups, which can be used for the production thereof.

Abstract: A method of auditory communication is provided. The method includes measuring physiological data from at least one sensor to form a data set; identifying a type of the data set; identifying an auditory cue associated with the type of the data set; and generating an auditory notification based on the data set and the auditory cue. The auditory notification indicates at least one of a temporal, spectral, spatial or power characteristic of the data set. The method also includes emitting the auditory notification.

Abstract: A liquid-tight sealed assembly comprises a housing for a night vision device and a transmissive window, wherein the transmissive window permits a signal to pass-through the transmissive window for programming or controlling the night vision device within the housing. A night vision imaging sensor assembly comprises an electronic module disposed within a housing of a night vision device, a control assembly disposed externally of the housing, and a control interface of the housing interposed between the electronic module and the control assembly. The control assembly and the electronic module are configured to transmit and receive signals. The control interface permits a signal to pass-through the housing while preventing environmental leakage into the housing. The transmissive window permits signals, such as infra-red, capacitive, or magnetic signals, to pass-through. The assembly minimizes environmental leakage paths into the housing, thereby preventing damage from environmental contaminants such as moisture.

Abstract: Earpieces and methods for an earpiece to manage a delivery of a message are provided. A method can include receiving a notice that a message is available at a communication device, parsing the notice for header information that identifies at least a portion of the message, and requesting a subsequent delivery of at least a portion of the message from the communication device if at least one keyword in the header information is in an acceptance list.

Abstract: The object is to provide a video signal processing apparatus capable of minimizing overtaking of fields of a video signal and continuous display of the video signal of the same field and reducing degradation in image quality of the output video signal. The apparatus has a field signal holding section 9 which holds the value of an input field signal and outputs the held value as a held value signal and a readout determination section 10 which determines the video signal of the field to be read out, and which outputs the determined signal as a readout field signal. The field signal holding section 9 holds the value of the input field signal a plurality of times with every occurrence of the readout field signal period, and outputs a held value signal constituted of the plurality of values of the input field signal held.

Abstract: Methods and devices for situation awareness facilitation for a vehicle driver are provided. A method includes receiving a first acoustic signal from outside a vehicle that the driver is in and converting the first acoustic signal into a first acoustic electronic signal; sending the first acoustic electronic signal to a processor; matching the first acoustic electronic signal by the processor to stored reference electronic signals; and sending an acoustic message associated with a matched reference electronic signal to a speaker in the cab of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to soliconorganocopolymers with high silicon content, with a silicon content of ?25 wt. % in form of a high solid content solution thereof, with a solid content of >30 wt. %, obtainable with radically initiated solution polymerization of a) 20 to 75 wt. % of one or more ethylenic unsaturated monomers, and b) 25 to 80 wt. % of one or more silicones of the general formula R1aR3?aSiO(SiR2O)nSiR3?aR1a, wherein R is equal or different, and refers to a monovalent, possibly substitutes, alkyle- or alkoxy group with 1 to 18 C-atoms, R1 refers to a polymerizable group, a is 0 or 1 and n=10 to 1000, wherein 85 to 100 wt. % of the silicones b) contain one or two polymerizable groups, wherein silicones b) with only one polymerizable group only in the mixture with silicones b) with two polymerizable groups and in a weight ratio <50/50 are used, wherein the wt. %-indications for the components a) to b) refer to the whole weight of the used monomers and add up to 100 wt.

Abstract: A composite film comprising a heat-stabilised, heat-set, oriented poly(ethylene naphthalate) substrate, and a coating layer having a surface; wherein said substrate exhibits one or more of: (i) a shrinkage at 30 mins at 230° C. of less than 1%; and/or (ii) a residual dimensional change ?Lr measured at 25° C. before and after heating the substrate from 8° C. to 200° C. and then cooling to 8° C., of less than 0.75% of the original dimension; and/or (iii) a coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) within the temperature range from ?40° C. to +100° C. of less than 40×10?6/° C.; and wherein the surface of said coating layer exhibits an Ra value of less than 0.6 nm, and/or an Rq value of less than 0.8 nm, the thickness of the substrate is between 50 and 250 ?m and wherein the number of surface peaks in the range 300 to 600 nm per 5 cm2 area (N(300-600)) of the film is less than 50.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) device includes a WLAN adapter having a USB terminal connected to a USB terminal of a PC (personal computer). The WLAN adapter is loaded with a program for setting a WLAN and executing a communication, and a connection of the adapter to the PC prompts the PC to recognize the adapter as a CD-ROM drive, and prompts the program for setting a WLAN and executing a communication to run automatically. The PC loads data of SCSI standard into the WLAN adapter by using a vender defined command of SCSI standard by way of the program for setting a WLAN and executing a communication. The WLAN adapter converts the data of SCSI standard into data for setting a WLAN or data of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), and sets the WLAN and executes the communication.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (A), (B) or (C): wherein P is H, CH3 or a hydroxyl protecting group; X is O, a protected ketone, OH, a protected hydroxyl group or H; Y is OH, a protected hydroxyl group or H; W is C(CH3)2OH, C(CH3)(C(CH3)3)OH or COCH3; Z is C2-C10 alkyl or C2-C10 arylalkyl; and is a single bond or a double bond, is disclosed. The process is a reductive alkylation in the presence of hydrogen and a reductive alkylation catalyst.

Abstract: Shaped articles made of balsa veneers, balsa chips, balsa strands or balsa strips, which are oriented in the same direction according to their grain direction, and the grain direction of the individual chips deviates by 0° to 30° from the direction of the axis of the grain. The spaces of the adjacent balsa veneers, chips, strands or strips are filled with a, for example foamed, adhesive, the density of which may be the same as or close to the density of the surrounding balsa wood.

Abstract: The invention relates to machine dishwashing agents containing specific polycarbonate-, polyurethane-, and/or polyurea-polyorganosiloxane compounds or precursor compounds thereof of the reactive cyclic carbonate and urea type which help to avoid the formation of water spots and filming after the use of the agents and accelerate the drying of dishes.

Abstract: An MEA comprising: (i) a central first conductive gas diffusion substrate having a first face and a second face; (ii) first and second catalyst layers each having a first and second face and wherein the first face of the first catalyst layer is in contact with the first face of the gas diffusion substrate and the first face of the second catalyst layer is in contact with the second face of the gas diffusion substrate; (iii) first and second electrolyte layers each having a first and second face and wherein the first face of the first electrolyte layer is in contact with the second face of the first catalyst layer and the first face of the second electrolyte layer is in contact with the second face of the second catalyst layer; (iv) third and fourth catalyst layers each having a first and second face and wherein the first face of the third catalyst layer is in contact with the second face of the first electrolyte layer and the first face of the fourth catalyst layer is in contact with the second face of the se