Abstract: A method for determining twist potential of wood is described. One embodiment of the method comprises nondestructively obtaining a grain angle of wood, such as trees or lumber, and then determining twist potential of the wood based on the grain angle. Where the wood comprises lumber, grain angle determinations typically are made on at least one major surface of the lumber. The method typically comprises determining grain angle at at least two measuring locations separated by a predetermined distance, such as at substantially one-foot intervals along the board. The method also can further comprise obtaining at least one fiber dive angle. Particular embodiments of the present invention determine grain angle using infrared radiation, microwave radiation, light energy (such as by using a laser), electricity, ultrasound energy, and combinations thereof. Working embodiments of the method used light energy and ultrasound energy to determine grain angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for allowing a multiprocessor computer system with shared memory distributed among multiple nodes to appear like a single-node environment. The single-node environment is implemented with a memory map that has a unique address for every memory location in the system. Overlapping address spaces in the multinode environment are also assigned unique representative addresses that are translated to actual addresses in conformance with the multinode environment. The apparatus and method allows a wide variety of operating systems to be run on the multinode environment. Additionally, industry standard BIOS and chip sets can be used.

Abstract: A parallel programming system implements dynamic load balancing to distribute processing workload to available processors in a parallel computer. A preprocessor in the system converts a nested parallel program into sequential code executable on processors of the parallel computer and calls to a message passing interface for inter-processor communication among the processors. When processing a nested parallel program, the preprocessor inserts a test function to evaluate the computational cost of a function call. At runtime, processors evaluate the test function to determine whether to ship a function call to another processor. This approach enables processors to offload function calls to other available processors in cases where it is more efficient to incur the cost of shipping the function call and receiving the results than it is to process the function call on the original processor.

Abstract: Image-formation methods and photosensitive materials used in such methods are disclosed that form very high-resolution patterns. The photosensitive materials comprise an ingredient that is triggered by a radical to undergo a latent-image-forming reaction. The radicals are produced by photons from an illumination light. Alternatively, the ingredient is triggered by a reactive-intermediate compound that is activated by the exposure-produced radical. The photosensitive materials possess a non-linear sensitivity characteristic in which the latent-image reaction density increases according to the mth power (m>1) of the incident light intensity. The photosensitive material can be applied to a sensitive substrate for exposure. Multiple exposures of the sensitive substrate are performed using a projected mask pattern in the presence of a radical deactivator.

Abstract: A method for still image compression reduces pixel and texture memory requirements in graphics rendering and other applications. The image compression method divides an image into blocks and stores a quantization index (QIndex) for each block that reflects the level of quantization applied to the block. The QIndex is an index into a table of QFactors. The method performs an invertable transform on a block to generate coefficients for spatial frequency components in the block. It then quantizes coefficients in the block by dividing them by the QFactor in the table corresponding to the QIndex for the block. The QIndex enables the compression ratio of an image to vary across blocks and within each block. A control structure associated with the image stores a pointer to each of the blocks in an image. This control structure allows each block to be accessed and decompressed independently.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optical communication are disclosed. An optical data stream is encoded to produce an optical data stream having a predetermined time-wavelength spectrum. Two or more encoded data streams are combined in a transmission medium (e.g., optical fiber) and the combined data stream is decoded with decoders corresponding to the encoding of the data streams, producing decoded outputs. The decoded outputs include a portion corresponding to a selected data stream as well as a portion corresponding to unselected data streams (crosstalk). A nonlinear detector receives the decoded outputs and rejects crosstalk. Coders produce temporal delays and phase shifts specified by a time-wavelength code for, the spectral components of an input optical signal. Some coders convert optical signals encoded with a first time-wavelength code into an output corresponding to a second time-wavelength code. Temporal delays and phase shifts can be selected to compensate for dispersion in a transmission medium.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Fuji apple tree named ‘Snyder’ having an intense and uniform red stripe pattern over the entire fruit surface and semi-spur growth habit.

Abstract: A miniature rose plant having dwarf, full plant habit; pointed ovoid buds; high centered, rich yellow flowers; abundant, dark green, glossy foliage; and resistance of foliage to powdery mildew and rust.

Abstract: A miniature rose plant having compact plant habit; novel, bright pink and white, bicolor flowers, the petals each having a yellow color spot on their lower portions which present a multi-pointed star shape in the center of a flower when it first opens; sweet, spicy fragrance; and dark green, glossy foliage, resistant to powdery mildew, blackspot and rose rust.

Abstract: A floribunda rose plant having compact, upright growth; dark green, glossy foliage; fragrant, open large flowers; and good resistance to rust and mildrew.

Abstract: A floribunda rose plant having compact, upright growth; dark green, glossy, disease resistant foliage; and medium size pink flowers having a citrus fragrance presented in large clusters.

Abstract: A hybrid tea rose plant having vigorous, upright growth; large, soft pink flowers of old fashioned form and strong, sweet fragrance; dark green, glossy foliage and resistance to rust and mildew.

Abstract: A hybrid tea rose plant having bright yellow flowers on long stems; dark green, glossy foliage; resistance to rust and mildew; and vigorous, upright growth.

Abstract: A grandiflora rose plant having large flowers of novel coloration presented singly and in large, open clusters, tall, upright growth habit, glossy, dark green foliage, and good disease resistance.

Abstract: A hybrid tea rose plant having vigorous, upright, well-branched growth; strong, healthy, dark green foliage; long cutting stems; and large, well-formed yellow-orange flowers.

Abstract: A hybrid tea rose plant with free flowering, pinkish flowers having a high centered bud and open flower form on long stems; strong fragrance; and vigorous, upright, well-branched growth.

Abstract: Floribunda rose plant having a high centered bud and open flower form; vigorous, upright, well-branched plant; glossy, dark green foliage; and novel, pink and yellow flower.

Abstract: Floribunda rose plant having bright, deep pink or light red flowers with a light pink reverse presented in large, open clusters; vigorous, upright growth habit; and dark green, very glossy foliage having excellent disease resistance.

Abstract: A floribunda rose plant having a vigorous, upright plant habit; good disease resistance; ability to grow well in its own roots; glossy foliage; and large, open clusters of many petaled white flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Pulmonaria characterized by large bright raspberry-colored flowers with upright, well marked foliage and an extended bloom period.