Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for fast text drawing in an enhanced version of the Swing application program interface for Java applications. According to the system and method, two lightweight component peers, JTextFieldPeer and JfastLabelPeer, are created. These peers allow the Swing components, JTextField and JLabel, to define the look and feel of the TextField and Label in the graphical user interface for the application; however, they are not allowed to draw the text. Instead, special fast text drawing code within the peers themselves is used to draw the text. Once the text has been initially drawn, editing functions are handled by the Swing components, as is normal. Furthermore, the special fast text drawing routines are assigned a low event priority, making it possible for text to be updated even after it has been buffered and is waiting to be drawn. These features significantly accelerate text rendering. The enhanced version of Swing is referred to herein as AWTSwing.

Abstract: Methods for altering one or more parameters of a measurement system are provided. One method includes analyzing a sample using the system to generate values from classification channels of the system for a population of particles in the sample. The method also includes identifying a region in a classification space in which the values for the populations are located. In addition, the method includes determining an optimized classification region for the population using one or more properties of the region. The optimized classification region contains a predetermined percentage of the values for the population. The optimized classification region is used for classification of particles in additional samples.

Abstract: A device such as a slide track or a slipring for transmitting electrical energy or signals between at least two units that are rotatable relative to each other along a path of rotation comprises at least one slide track formed as a closed circuit of electrically conducting material disposed along the path of rotation, and at least one tap movable along the slide track for coupling electrical signals into the slide track from one of the units, or coupling electrical signals out of the slide track to one of the units. In order to reduce a superposition of signals that have traveled along different directions along the closed circuit, the at least one slide track is configured to have electric losses resulting in an amplitude of an electrical signal coupled into the slide track being reduced by at least 6 dB, preferably 10 dB, during a passage of the signal along one entire length of the slide track.

Abstract: A log periodic dipole array (LPDA) antenna including a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a pair of transmission line structures is provided herein. The first antenna element is fabricated as a continuous piece of conductive material to include a plurality of dipole elements extending outward from a center conductor. The second antenna element is fabricated in the same manner, albeit a mirror image, of the first antenna element. In one embodiment, the antenna elements are fabricated by cutting a contour of the plurality of dipole elements and the center conductor from a sheet of metal (e.g., aluminum or one of its alloys). The antenna elements and transmission line structures are preferably coupled, such that no electrical discontinuities exist between the antenna elements and a respective transmission line structure.

Abstract: Various methods for controlling one or more parameters of a flow cytometer type measurement system are provided. One embodiment includes monitoring parameter(s) of the measurement system during measurements of sample microspheres. The method also includes altering the parameter(s) in real time based on the monitoring. Another method includes monitoring a temperature proximate to the measurement system. One such method includes altering a bias voltage of an avalanche photo diode in response to the temperature using empirically derived data. A different such method includes altering output signals of a photomultiplier tube in response to the temperature using a characteristic curve. Some methods include monitoring a temperature of a fluid, in which sample microspheres are disposed, that will flow through the flow cytometer type measurement system. This method also includes determining a velocity of the sample microspheres in the measurement system from a viscosity of the fluid at the temperature.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus and a method are provided which include an illumination system configured to focus a beam of radiation at a non-orthogonal incidence angle to form an illumination line on a surface substantially in a plane of incidence of the focused beam. The apparatus and method further include a collection system configured to image the illumination line onto an array of detectors oriented parallel to the illumination line. The collection system includes an imaging lens for collecting light scattered from the illumination line, a focusing lens for focusing the collected light, and the array of detectors, each configured to detect a corresponding portion of the illumination line. The collection system may be configured to image the illumination line such that the width of the imaged illumination line on the array of detectors is larger than the pixel size of the detectors along the same direction.

Abstract: A transmitting or receiving coil assembly for nuclear spin tomographs comprises a multi-layer structure of conducting layers forming inductive components on an insulating support layer. Discrete components such as capacitors are accommodated in recesses of the support layer. Reinforcement members make it possible to increase the mechanical stability of the arrangement.

Abstract: A system and method for observing a security event which shares the position of a number of friendly participants with other participants. Preferably, the position of unknown participants or foes is also displayed to friendly participants. The views are selectable by friendly participants on, for example, a handheld device, to include a view from the participant's position, zoom, pan, and tilt views, or views of another friendly or from another location, giving increased situational awareness. Other information can be shared among friendly participants, including status and directions.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a method of establishing a computer-based communication session involving a user of a computer, notification may be received from the user of a desired participant and a desired communications application for the session. A participant identifier effective to identify the desired participant to the desired communications application may then be retrieved, and the retrieved identifier may be provided to the communications application. An embodiment of a system for computer-based communications includes means for receiving notification of a desired participant in a communications session and a desired communications application for the session, means for retrieving a participant identifier appropriate to identify the desired participant to the desired communications application, and means for providing the retrieved participant identifier to the communications application.

Abstract: Methods and systems for expanding the dynamic range of a system are provided. One method includes splitting fluorescent light emitted by a particle into multiple light paths having different intensities, detecting the fluorescent light in the multiple light paths with different channels to generate multiple signals, and determining which of the channels is operating in a linear range based on the multiple signals. The method also includes altering the signal generated by the channel operating in the linear range to compensate for the different intensities. Another method includes illuminating a particle in multiple illumination zones with light having different intensities and separately detecting fluorescent light emitted by the particle while located in the multiple illumination zones to generate multiple signals. The method also includes determining which of the signals is located in a linear range and altering the signal located in the linear range to compensate for the different intensities.

Abstract: A dissemination system for satellite broadcasting comprises a satellite receiving antenna for receiving satellite signals, receivers for demodulating the signals received by the antenna, and a line system for relaying the signals to a plurality of subscribers, in which the receivers are assigned to the satellite receiving antenna in close spatial proximity, and only demodulated or decoded signals are relayed to the subscribers by means of the line system.

Abstract: What is described here is a method of or a device for transferring optical signals. An optical conductor including a light-conducting core, which has at least two parallel interfaces provided with coatings that result in a reflection of the light guided in the light-conducting core, comprises at least one means for coupling the emitter or the receiver, respectively, by diffraction, refraction or diffusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a borehole are provided. One system includes a continuously variable transmission. An input shaft of the continuously variable transmission is coupled to a power supply. An output shaft of the continuously variable transmission is coupled to one or more system components such that the continuously variable transmission controls rotation of the one or more system components. One method for drilling a borehole includes supplying power to an input shaft of a continuously variable transmission. The method also includes controlling rotation of one or more system components using the continuously variable transmission during drilling of the borehole. The one or more system components are coupled to an output shaft of the continuously variable transmission. Also provided is a borehole that is drilled by this method.

Abstract: A device for transmitting data between a rotating part and a stationary part of a computer tomograph, in which the rotating part comprises at least one data source; a conductor structure; and at least one first transmitter for energizing the conductor structure; and the stationary part comprises at least one data sink for evaluating data; at least one receiver; and a receiver coupler for tapping off signals from the conductor structure and supplying the signals to the at least one receiver; is improved to reduce radiation of high-frequency signals.

Abstract: A device in accordance with the invention for transmitting data between a rotating part and a stationary part of a computer tomograph comprises at least two couplers and receivers connected therewith for receiving signals from a transmission conductor arrangement. Using an evaluation means, a signal is selected from signals received by the receiver on the basis of at least one given quality criterion.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of characterizing autoimmune diseases by detecting and measuring at least one analyte using multiplexed assay systems. According to one embodiment, a target is detected and measured by different bead sets having different reactants. According to another approach the ratio of self-antigen to autoantibody is measured by exposing a sample suspected of containing self-antigen and autoantibody to a bead set associated with monoclonal antibody specific for the self-antigen and a bead set associated with the self-antigen.

Abstract: A circuit and method are provided herein for monitoring the status of a clock signal. In general, the method may include supplying a pair of clock signals to a clock monitor circuit, which is configured for monitoring a status of one clock signal relative to the other. The status indicates whether the frequency of the one clock signal is faster, slower or substantially equal to the frequency of the other clock signal. Once determined, the status may be stored as a bit pattern within a status register, which is operatively coupled to the clock monitor circuit. This enables the status to be read by detecting a logic state of one or more bits within the status register.

Abstract: An improved method of making a series of bead or microsphere or particle populations characterized by subtle variation in a proportion or ratio of at least two fluorescent dyes distributed within a single bead of each population is provided. These beads, when excited by a single excitation light source are capable of giving off several fluorescent signals simultaneously. A set containing as many as 64 distinct populations of multicolored, fluorescent beads is provided and when combined with analytical reagents bound to the surface of such beads is extremely useful for multiplexed analysis of a plurality of analytes in a single sample. Thus, methods of staining polymeric particles, the particles themselves, and methods of using such particles are claimed.

Abstract: A phase shift apparatus, system and method are described herein for synchronizing output signals upon one or more components of a synchronous system. In one embodiment, the phase shift apparatus may be implemented as a clock generation circuit, which is configured to provide synchronous clocking signals to one or more components of the synchronous system. In another embodiment, the phase shift apparatus may be implemented as a data interface circuit, which is configured to provide error-free data transmission within a synchronous system. In either embodiment, the phase shift apparatus is configured to shift the plurality of signals by programmable first phase shift amounts prior to shifting the plurality of signals by programmable second phase shift amounts. As such, the phase shift apparatus is adapted to substantially eliminate clock skew, data skew and/or jitter, which may otherwise adversely affect the synchronous system.

Abstract: A device for transmitting optical signals comprises two collimator units, supported to be rotatable relative to each other about a rotation axis and one derotating optical element. A first beam splitter receives input signals and splits them into at least two signals, so that they are transferred by at least two optical channels over the collimator units and the derotating optical element. After passing the second collimator unit, the signals are combined by a second beam splitter to a single signal, resulting in largely reduced variations of attenuation during rotation.