Abstract: An image enhancement technique includes a filter that receives an input image and provides a low-pass filtered image that maintains a substantial number of edges therein. The low pass filtered image is provided a likelihood of being a sky color for each pixel of the low pass filtered image. The low-pass filtered image is filtered based upon a user selection to selectively enhance the sky color. The low-pass filtered image and the filtered low-pass filtered image are blended based upon the user selection based upon the likelihood. The blended image is combined with a high pass filtered input image to provide an enhanced image.

Abstract: A safety locking device 18 for a quick hitch/coupler 10 of an earth working machine. The safety locking device 18 has a locking element 21 which is biased into a locking position to automatically lock a front pin of an implement when it is engaged in the hook 14 of the coupler 10. The safety locking device 18 has an hydraulic operable mechanism to move the locking element 21 to an unlocking position. The hydraulic supply to the safety locking device 18 is independent of the hydraulic supply to a locking mechanism 16 of the coupler 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and method for monitoring and presenting the status of an electrolytic process in an electrolytic cell (1). The arrangement is characterized by a return channel arrangement (8) for transmitting status information, established by the data processing means (7) of a data processing device (6) and describing the status of the electrolytic process in the electrolytic cell (1), from the data processing device (6) to an indicator device (9) arranged in connection with the electrolytic cell (1). The indicator device (9) comprises first presentation means (10) for presenting the status information established by the data processing means (7) of the data processing device (6) and describing the status of the electrolytic process in the electrolytic cell (1).

Abstract: A sharpening technique for digital images for presentation on a display. The technique may include an upscaling process, a noise reduction process, and a sharpening process. The technique may further use a single buffer for the upscaling, noise reduction, and sharpening.

Abstract: Elements of the present invention relate to systems and methods for image enhancement for color enhancement, brightness enhancement and/or backlight modulation compensation. Some elements comprise backlight illumination level selection.

Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.

Abstract: A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a deck in a deck-crib to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a dealing rack. The dealing rack is moved by a motor to align a receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.

Abstract: The invention encompasses microfluidic microarray assemblies (MMA) and subassemblies and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment, first and second channel plates are provided and are sealingly connected to a test chip in consecutive steps. Each plate includes microfluidic channels configured in a predetermined reagent distribution pattern. The test chip comprises a plurality of discrete test positions, each test position being located at the intersection between a first predetermined reagent pattern and a second predetermined reagent pattern, wherein at least one of said patterns is non-linear. The first channel plate allows the distribution of a first reagent on said test chip, wherein said first reagent is immobilized at said test positions. The second channel plate allows the distribution of a second reagent on said test chip, wherein said second reagent comprises a plurality of different test samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular support (12) comprising a composite layer of resin and longitudinal arranged first fibers (66), said tubular support (12) further comprising longitudinal arranged second fibers (68) that are concentrated in discrete domains along the circumference of the tubular support, said second fibers having a Tensile modulus that is higher than the Tensile modulus of said first fibers.

Abstract: The invention comprises a membrane and device and method for removing proteases from fluids, particularly from biological fluids and pharmaceutical solutions, which uses a microporous membrane body, whereby inhibitors that selectively bind proteases are coupled to the membrane body by chemically activated groups.

Abstract: The invention comprises a membrane and device and method for removing proteases from fluids, particularly from biological fluids and pharmaceutical solutions, which uses a microporous membrane body, whereby inhibitors that selectively bind proteases are coupled to the membrane body by chemically activated groups.

Abstract: A stapler 100 is provided with a driver 5 provided at a forward end of the driver arm 4, as shown in FIG. 20A, driving a staple 30 out according to any predetermined clinching force, the driver 5 having projections 5b, 5b which contact portions of the staple 30 over the legs of the staple pushed against the front inner wall of the magazine 3 by a staple-pushing member 40. Accordingly, the clinching force is transferred to the legs through the projections 5b, 5b of the driver 5 so that the clinching force can be concentrated onto the legs. Furthermore, a staple-pushing member 40 pushes the staple 30, so that it is possible to prevent buckling from occurring in the legs.

Abstract: A method of processing wood oil which is generated during pulping. In the method, low molecular weight carboxyl acid that is approximately 0.5-5.0% of the wood oil quantity (weight) is added to that wood oil early in its separation stage, in order to esterify the alcohol groups present in the wood oil, by the said acid. The protective esterification according to the present invention prevents the esterification of the alcohol groups by the fatty acids naturally present in the wood oil.

Abstract: An implement (800) for use in the consumption of food includes a pair of elongate members (820, 822) having a first end for contacting the food and a second end for applying a pressure to operate the implement. The elongate members are pivotable with respect to each other. The implement is urged to a storing position in which the first ends of the elongate members are in close proximity to each other and the second ends are spaced apart so that as pressure is applied to the second ends of the elongate members (820, 822) the elongate members pivot with respect to each other separating the first ends and enabling food to be located there between. When the pressure is released the food is gripped by the first ends of the elongate members and can be lifted.

Abstract: To provide a paper-sheet-loading device that makes it easy to take out booklet or the like loaded on a tray. The paper-sheet-loading device 1 is provided with a discharge-processing portion 7 which discharges the booklet or the like through a discharge portion and a discharged paper stacker 8 having a loading stage 80 on which the booklet or the like discharged from the discharge-processing portion 7 is loaded. The loading stage 80 is provided with a tray 81 on which the booklet or the like is loaded and which can be pulled out from the front side of the device and an auxiliary loading member 80b closing the lower side of a rear side of the tray 81 when the tray 81 is pulled out. The auxiliary loading member 80b has a shape after a loading face 81a of the tray 81 and becomes exposed continuously from the lower side of the tray 81 to the rear side thereof, thereby enabling the booklet or the like to be loaded without losing its balance.

Abstract: A stepladder includes first and second legs and a plurality of treads, wherein each first and second leg forms a separate channel for receiving the treads. A pad installed in the stepladder includes has a first portion residing under compression within the channel of the first leg between adjacent treads and a second portion residing outside of the channel of the first leg to provide the cushion for a worker when carrying the stepladder on his or her shoulder. The pad, suitably consisting of closed-cell foam, is held within the channel by frictional forces between the resilent pad, the first leg and the adjacent treads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing fat floating on hot soup. A thermally conducting plate 14 having a flat underside is cooled to a temperature below that at which the flat solidifies and lowered onto the floating fat to cause the fat to congeal and adhere to its underside. The plate 14 is then raised to remove the adhering fat from the soup, and the fat adhering to the underside is scraped off by dragging the underside across a straight edge 22.

Abstract: A soft contact lens for fitting to a cornea includes a lens main body made of a light permeable member. The lens main body has a diameter larger than that of a light-shielding portion which shields incident light incident to the cornea. The light-shielding portion includes a main body constituting a light-shielding member, an aperture that allows incident light to be transmitted, the aperture being positioned on a position of the main body of the light-shielding portion, and multiple holes that maintain a scotopic vision and a night vision, the holes being provided around the aperture in the main body of the light-shielding portion and each of the holes having a diameter smaller than that of the aperture.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprises nanoparticles comprising a poorly water-soluble drug, ethylcellulose, and a bile salt.