Abstract: The present invention, known as The Collaboration Portal (COPO), relates generally to the field of automated entity, data processing, system control, and data communications, and more specifically to an integrated method, system, and apparatus for providing computer-accessible benefits for communities of users. It provides a framework for provisioning computer-accessible benefits for communities of users, and can efficiently and robustly distribute the processing in behalf of those users over a decentralized network of computers. The field of the invention generally encompasses enabling appropriate and desired communication among communities of users and organizations, and providing information, goods, services, a works, opportunities, and connections among users and organizations.

Abstract: A system for the representation, editing, evaluation, and inference of graphical models is disclosed which can be used to construct and evaluate a graphical model or graphical network and to calculate inference values. An efficient method of updating graphical models is demonstrated, and provides the basis for an improved system for manipulation and evaluation of probabilistic models. The graphical network editor is useful in the construction of graphical modes such as Bayesian Networks. The graphical network and network graphical user interface (GUI) are used in conjunction with each other to model a system wherein failure probabilities and the current state of components are taken into account to monitor the health and progress of a system for an engineer or engineering software to evaluate and monitor.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a novel dendrimer serving as an organic semiconductor material which is isotropic and which exhibits remarkably high carrier conductivity. Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic device employing the dendrimer. These objects are attained by a dendrimer having a branching structure in which repeating units each having a branch portion are repeatedly linked through the divergent method or the convergent method, each of said repeating units having a structure represented by formula (1), and containing a linear portion X formed of an optionally substituted divalent organic group and a branch portion Y formed of an optionally substituted trivalent organic group: characterized in that the linear portion X contains at least one thienylene moiety and is at least partially conjugated with the branch portion Y.

Abstract: A cleaning blade member comprising a polyurethane formed by using a polyol consisting essentially of a polycarbonatediol, a polyisocyanate, and a crosslinking agent containing a short chain diol and a triol, the polyurethane having a tensile strength at 60° C. of 200 kg/cm2 or higher, and a tensile strength retention ?T, represented by the following equation, of 40% or more: ?T(%)=T60/T10×100 where T10 denotes a tensile strength at 10° C., and T60 denotes the tensile strength at 60° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer useful for alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from at least one component selected from the group consisting of monomer, oligomer and polymer within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof and at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer and functionalized addition polymer wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal optical elements such as all liquid crystal display products or modes, liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal optical films comprising the novel hybrid polymer alignment layers.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a novel dendritic polymer serving as an organic semiconductor material which is isotropic and which exhibits remarkably high carrier conductivity. Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic device employing the dendritic polymer. These objects are attained by a dendritic polymer having a branching structure including repeating units each having a branch portion, each of said repeating units having a structure represented by formula (1), and containing a linear portion X formed of an optionally substituted divalent organic group and a branch portion Y formed of an optionally substituted trivalent organic group: characterized in that the linear portion X contains at least one thienylene moiety and is at least partially conjugated with the branch portion Y, and in that the polymer reversibly assumes an insulative state and a metallic state, depending on the presence of an external factor.

Abstract: A removable child car seat cover that enables removal of the cover without requiring that the car seat be removed from the car.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for finding the best match between buyers (or buyers consortiums) and sellers (or sellers consortiums), by a set of software intermediaries, and for using the information developed in those matches to define monetary and performance commitments between parties, and to create fair distribution of the benefits of the agreement among the respective participants. The system solves three related optimization problems concurrently: the optimal aggregation of individual buyers into buyers consortiums; the optimal aggregation of individual sellers into sellers consortiums, and the optimal match of requirements, posed by the buyers consortium, to offers, posed by the sellers consortium.

Abstract: A multi-layer patient support element comprising at least one structural member, wherein the structural member has a top surface and a bottom surface and wherein the top surface comprises a low radiation absorbing separation member. The support element of the present invention can be integrated into a patient support surface, used as an insert or easily removable from the patient support surface. The support element can reduce or eliminate radiation skin burn caused during radiation therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scaleable automatic method of using multiple techniques to generate models and combinations of models from data and prior knowledge. The system provides unprecedented ease of use in that many of the choices of technique and parameters are explored automatically by the system, without burdening the user, and provides scaleable learning over distributed processors to achieve speed and data-handling capacity to satisfy the most demanding requirements.

Abstract: The photosensitive resin composition is composed of a poly((meth)acrylic acid)-based water-soluble photo-sensitive resin (A) having an acid value of 150 mgKOH/g or more on a solid basis; the resin (A) being formed of a ((meth)acrylic acid)-based polymer in which a compound represented by formula (1): (wherein R1 represents H or Me; and R2 represents a liner or branched C2-C10 alkylene group) has been added to portions of the carboxylic groups, a photopolymerization initiator (B); and water (C).

Abstract: A photosensitive resin which exhibits excellent storage stability, affinity, miscibility, or solubility with respect to a variety of compounds, and high sensitivity can be solidified even under hydrous conditions as well as exhibiting high cure-related sensitivity and high flexibility and being uniformly solidified even under highly hydrous conditions, a photosensitive resin composition containing the resin, and a novel compound. The photosensitive resin is a saponified poly(vinyl acetate)-based photosensitive resin having a structural unit represented by formula (1): (wherein R1 represents H or Me; R2 represents a linear or branched C2-C10 alkylene group; n is an integer of 1 to 3; X represents m is an integer of 0 to 6; and Y represents an aromatic ring or a single bond).

Abstract: The invention provides a high-yield method for producing onium salt derivatives useful as agents, such as acid-generators, employed in chemically amplified resists; and to provide novel onium salt derivatives. Reaction of an onium salt derivative containing a halide anion or a carboxylate anion with a sulfonic acid ester derivative or a phosphoric acid derivative provides an onium sulfate derivative or an onium phosphate derivative at high yield.

Abstract: The invention provides a feed/transport roller formed of polyurethane material, which roller has high wear resistance as well as low hardness for providing excellent sheet feeding capacity and which meets a recent requirement; i.e., high durability for allowing high-speed operation. The feed/transport roller has an elastic layer formed of a castable polyurethane produced through reaction of a polyester-polyol having a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 3,000 with a polyisocyanate, wherein the elastic layer is formed from the polyester-polyol, the polyisocyanate, an adipic acid ester derivative serving as a plasticizer, a short-chain diol having a molecular weight of 70 to 120 serving as a chain-extender, and a triol having a number average molecular weight of 3,000 to 5,000 serving as a cross-liking agent.

Abstract: The radiation-sensitive negative-type resist composition for pattern formation containing an epoxy resin, a radiation-sensitive cationic polymerization initiator, and a solvent for dissolving the epoxy resin therein, characterized in that the resist composition, through drying, forms a resist film having a softening point falling within range of 30 to 120 C and that the epoxy resin is represented by formula (1): (wherein R1 represents a moiety derived from an organic compound having k active hydrogen atoms (k represents an integer of 1 to 100); each of n1, n2, through nk represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 100; the sum of n1, n2, through nK falls within a range of 1 to 100; and each of “A”s, which may be identical to or different from each other, represents an oxycyclohexane skeleton represented by formula (2): (wherein X represents any of groups represented by formulas (3) to (5): and at least two groups represented by formula (3) are contained in one molecule of the epoxy resin))

Abstract: A bundling system with improved locking tie head comprising a smooth planar strap and a locking head with two flexible independent L-shaped pawls. One end of the pawl is anchored in the locking head. The locking head has two transverse pawl cavities allowing flexural movement of the pawl during insertion of the planar strap and locking engagement to prevent withdrawal of the strap.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprises a base material, and a polymer membrane provided on at least a part of the base material, the polymer membrane having at least hydrophilicity, and the polymer composite is used in a state exposed to water or a water-based solvent. The polymer membrane is a resin film formed by photo-crosslinking a photosensitive resin composition consisting essentially of a water-soluble polymer, and during crosslinking of the photosensitive resin composition, some of photosensitive groups of the photosensitive resin composition are bound to amino groups fixed to the surface of the base material, whereby the resin film is fixed to the base material.

Abstract: A patient support device with shoulder depression devices for accurately and repeatably positioning a patient on a treatment table. The patient support device includes a headrest frame and an adjustable shoulder depression device and optionally includes a torso positioning device and a buttock restraint device.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise crosslinking diamines containing a C3–C22 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon—carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.