Abstract: Methods of performing surface profilometry are provided. A low coherence light beam is scanned relative to a sample surface. The intensity of interference fringes generated by the interference of a sample beam and a reference beam are recorded by an image sensor. Variations of light intensity around each pixel are calculated in terms of variance or standard derivation. The peak position of variance on a particular location along vertical scan direction is identified as the scan position corresponding to zero optical path difference between the reference and measuring beams. A topography map (height map) may be generated using the relative scanning position where zero optical path difference occurs at each location on sample surface.

Abstract: Methods for measuring B1 values in an MRI sample space, generating B1 maps and using B1 maps to correct B1 profiles are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for refining and reclaiming rejects in a sulfite pulping process. Wood chips and sulfite cooking liquor are provided to a digester for delignification. The slurry obtained from the digester is screened to obtain a reject portion containing sulfite rejects. The sulfite rejects are disintegrated in a refiner, such that the rejects are refined to a freeness suitable for digestion in a subsequent re-cooking step. Refined rejects are then returned to the digester for re-cooking with wood chips.

Abstract: Polysaccharide fibres, such as cellulose or starch, modified by grafting an amino-containing antimicrobial polymer (ACP) onto the fibres or starch using a co-polymerization reaction, exhibits high antimicrobial activity. For example, the presence of 1.0% by weight grafted polymer in the cellulose fibres or starch fibres results in excellent antimicrobial activity (over 99% inhibition). The application further discloses that including triclosan or butylparaben into a novel cationic ?-cyclodextrin polymer or nanocapsule yields a bacteriostat.

Abstract: Methods for estimating annual average daily traffic for a road segment from historical traffic counts are disclosed.

Abstract: A cable for distributed fibre optic sensing comprising a flexible tape, an optical fibre suitable for Brillouin scattering measurement forming at least two lengths, and at least one free end of at least one length being connectable to a reading unit, wherein at least a section of the longitudinal length of the flexible tape is situated between at least a section of the two lengths such that the two lengths are in close proximity such that a temperature gradient between the two lengths is minimized, and wherein the section of the tape and the section of lengths can flex together.

Abstract: A process using a multicomponent enzyme preparation to treat chips that have been crushed using a device that combines shear and compressive forces where treatment occurs mainly during decompression and reduces the specific energy consumption and/or increasing production of subsequent refining while maintaining or increasing handsheet physical properties. The enzyme preparation is to have a major endoglucanase activity, a significant mannanase activity and a slight cellobiohydrolase activity. This enzyme mixture is prepared from a genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reseii.

Abstract: A process using a multicomponent enzyme preparation to treat screened once refined pulps and reduces the specific energy consumption and/or increasing production while maintaining or increasing handsheet physical properties. The enzyme preparation has a major endoglucanase activity, a significant mannanase activity and a relatively small cellobiohydrolase activity. This enzyme mixture is prepared from a genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reseii.

Abstract: A process for pretreating lignocellulosic biomass that increases monomeric sugar yields in subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis and reduces specific energy consumption during production of the hydrolysable material. The pretreatment includes a chemical treatment followed by a mechanical size reduction such as a disc refining step, and includes a second chemical treatment, harsher than the first, which may precede or follow the size reduction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on samples in metallic holders and vessels or in proximity to metallic objects is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of performing surface profilometry are provided. A low coherence light beam is scanned relative to a sample surface. The intensity of interference fringes generated by the interference of a sample beam and a reference beam are recorded by an image sensor. Variations of light intensity around each pixel are calculated in terms of variance or standard derivation. The peak position of variance on a particular location along vertical scan direction is identified as the scan position corresponding to zero optical path difference between the reference and measuring beams. A topography map (height map) may be generated using the relative scanning position where zero optical path difference occurs at each location on sample surface.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for assigning executable functions to available processors in a Multiprocessor environment comprising (as an example of a collection of different processing architectures) one or more CPUs and one or more GPUs, the method comprising: providing an input source comprising instructions and data; breaking the input source into data oriented cell and interface objects with processing attributes; assigning the cell and interface objects to one or more of the GPUs and CPUs based on processing attributes and the multiprocessor environment; and producing output data.

Abstract: A method based on pure phase encode FIDs that permits high strength gradient measurement is disclosed. A small doped water phantom (1˜3 mm droplet, T1, T2, T2*<100 ?s) within a microprobe is excited by a series of closely spaced broadband RF pulses each followed by single FID point acquisition. Two trial gradient waveforms illustrate the technique, neither of which could be measured by the conventional microprobe measurement. The first is an extended duration gradient waveform while the other illustrates this method's ability to measure gradient waveforms with large net area and/or high amplitude. This method is a point monitor with simple implementation and low cost hardware requirements.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for refining and reclaiming rejects in a sulfite pulping process. Wood chips and sulfite cooking liquor are provided to a digester for delignification. The slurry obtained from the digester is screened to obtain a reject portion containing sulfite rejects. The sulfite rejects are disintegrated in a refiner, such that the rejects are refined to a freeness suitable for digestion in a subsequent re-cooking step. Refined rejects are then returned to the digester for re-cooking with wood chips.

Abstract: A video imaging system including: a low resolution colour digital video camera and a high resolution monochromatic digital video camera operably connected to a digital processing system.

Abstract: A magnet array is disclosed which is suitable for inter alia producing a remote field for use in unilateral magnetic resonance. In the “Magnet Array”, two separated magnets, which are magnetized along a substantially same collinear magnetization direction, produce a field with a local maximum centered above and between them. The field produced by the two separated magnets is substantially parallel to the collinear magnetization direction of the two separated magnets. A third magnet is centered between the two separated magnets. The third magnet has a magnetization direction which is substantially parallel to the collinear magnetization direction of the two separated magnets. The third magnet produces a field which is substantially parallel to the collinear magnetization direction of the two separated magnets, and adds to the increasing field below the local maximum point produced by the two separated magnets.

Abstract: Wearable devices, and methods of use thereof, are provided for the measurement of isometric limb strength. In some embodiments, the device includes pivotally connected members and associated contact pads for contacting portions of a limb, where the members may be locked in position to perform isometric flexion or extension force measurements of the limb about a joint. A load cell or other force measurement sensor integrated with the device measures the force applied to one of the contact pads, either directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, the device can be reconfigured for the measurement of isometric strength for both flexion and extension.

Abstract: A process for dynamically generating browser-ready code from a high-level code description of a web page written in a first predefined language having one or more adaptive features and from one or more constraints associated with a request for such browser-ready code.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of adjusting original rational polynomial coefficients of an RPC model for an image acquired by an image sensor comprising providing rational polynomial coefficients associated with the image calculating a pseudo position and attitude angles for the sensor using the original coefficients providing at least one ground control point associated with the image adjusting the pseudo position and attitude angles using the at least one ground control point; and adjusting the original coefficients for the image using the adjusted pseudo position and attitude angles.