Abstract: A delivery device for and method of delivering substance, the delivery device comprising: a delivery outlet (7) from which substance (S) is in use delivered; a gas chamber (17) containing a gas and being of reducible volume, wherein a reduction in the volume of the gas chamber (17) to a predeterminable volume acts to pressurize the contained gas to a predeterminable pressure; a seal element (11) disposed between the gas chamber (17) and the delivery outlet (7); and an opening mechanism configured, on reduction of the volume of the gas chamber to a predeterminable volume, to open the seal element (11), whereupon a gas flow from the gas chamber (17) acts to deliver substance (S) from the delivery outlet (7).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving bodily safety during exposure to an intense pulsed light source by diverging the light, such as with a diffuser. At a first position of the distal end of the light source the energy density of exit light from the distal end is substantially equal to the energy density of the light required for desired applications, such as effecting an aesthetic improvement without appearance of purpura or scarring, and at a second position of the distal end the radiance of the light emitted therefrom is significantly less than the radiance of the intense pulsed light. Eye safety is further enhanced by attaching at least one element of adjustable opacity to the handpiece of the light source, so that subcutaneously backscattered light may be absorbed by the at least one element.

Abstract: A system for automated trading of U.S. Treasury, Liquid Agency, and Zero Coupon STRIP financial instruments comprises an updatable system database; an updatable offering inventory database which receives real time price and quantity information pertaining to each financial instrument from a market data feed; and a system proprietor operative to determine a national best bid and offer price and a derived price for each financial instrument in the offering inventory. The system proprietor applies a price improvement process to a trade in the event that an offsetting trade occurs, and updates the system database and offering inventory to reflect transactions executed by the system. Advantageously, the system provides users with a mechanism to provide the best price at the time of execution. Historical data is utilized to (i) price securities that are spread off a benchmark where an active quote for a particular security is unavailable, and (ii) retrieve prices for future analysis.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, that provide a practice mode for multiple musical parts in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a first and second target musical data associated with a musical composition. The game platform receives a selection by the user of the first target musical data to be performed and produces an audio output associated with the first and second target musical data. The game platform also produces a synthesized tone associated with the first target musical data. In some versions, the target music data that is not selected is dimmed and made less visible.

Abstract: A support arm for a clamping and/or centering element of a gripper frame for holding three-dimensional components includes an adjustment mechanism, such as a ball that can pivot or a cylindrical pin that slide and rotate, held in a clamping and release unit with clamping jaws that can be radially clamped and are configured as shells engaging on opposing halves of the ball or the cylindrical pin and whose separation distance can be set by a means of adjustment. A radially directed compression force can be applied to the clamping jaws by a ring-shaped hydraulic force generator that is arranged about the jaws.

Abstract: A particle trap for a remote plasma source includes a body structure having an inlet for coupling to a chamber of a remote plasma source and an outlet for coupling to a process chamber inlet. The particle trap for a remote plasma source also includes a gas channel formed in the body structure and in fluid communication with the body structure inlet and the body structure outlet. The gas channel can define a path through the body structure that causes particles in a gas passing from a first portion of the channel to strike a wall that defines a second portion of the gas channel at an angle relative to a surface of the wall. A coolant member can be in thermal communication with the gas channel.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking employee disclosure information and includes an employee database for storing employee status information. Also included is a previous disclosure database for storing any previous disclosures provided by the employee. Finally, a disclosure engine is included for determining disclosure requirements for the employee based on the employee status information. The disclosure engine also receives from the previous disclosure database the any previous disclosures provided by the employee for determining any additional disclosure required by the employee to satisfy the disclosure requirements. The disclosure engine also forwards to the employee a disclosure form for providing the additional disclosure.

Abstract: A task display switching method, a portable apparatus and a portable communications apparatus which, when a plurality of software applications are activated and processed in parallel, make it possible to switch a display between each of the software applications with ease. According to the task display switching method, a portable apparatus capable of processing a plurality of tasks in parallel and of displaying a plurality of display regions for displaying data, an icon associated with a task displayed on a first display region is generated automatically or manually, and the generated icon is displayed in a second display region. When any icon thus generated is selected from a plurality of icons displayed on the second display region, the task associated with the selected icon is restored and displayed in the first display region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is featured for providing linear control of a regulated electrical property (e.g., current or voltage) in a switch mode power supply of a thermal processing system that includes an inductive element and at least one switching element. The method and apparatus feature structure, or steps, for generating a nonlinear model that predict values for a regulated electrical property of the inductive element based on a given duty cycle of the at least one switching element and structure, or steps, for generating a nonlinear model that determines a duty cycle for the at least one switching element based on the nonlinear predictive model for the regulated electrical property, the nonlinear model determining the duty cycle such that a linear relationship results between the regulated electrical property and a selected value.

Abstract: A method for producing a longitudinally welded hollow profile from a sheet metal blank having defined longitudinal edges, in which the sheet metal blank is initially preformed into an open seam profile with the aid of at least two tool parts allows for the economical production of accurately formed hollow profiles. This is achieved in that to produce the open seam profile, the sheet metal blank, by a change in the relative position of the tools parts, is placed freely around a mandrel positioned between the tool parts and extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal blank, the outer shape of which mandrel determines the inner shape of the hollow profile to be produced, and in that the shaping of the open seam profile obtained is then completed in one or more stages in each case by a further change of the relative position of the tool parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading a hologram, in particular a computer-generated hologram, that includes a radiation source for irradiation of the hologram with a read beam composed of electromagnetic radiation, and an outlet opening for receiving an image that is produced from the hologram. The apparatus may allow both greater variability and greater convenience in use with a simple design. The apparatus further includes optics having at least two lenses in which a focal point of the first lens and a focal point of the second lens are each arranged essentially on one plane, and in which the hologram is arranged in front of the second lens as viewed along the beam direction.

Abstract: A system provides an optical image of an object. A first module tracks a reference feature of the object. A second module includes a source for an imaging beam, a scanning device to move the imaging beam along a portion of the object and a detection device receives a signal associated with an image of the portion of the object. The first module controls the position of the imaging beam relative to the reference feature to correct for the motion of the object. A third module detects a distortion of the object and compensates for the distortion.

Abstract: Coating steel strips comprising, in % by weight, C: ?1.6%, Mn: 6-30%, Al: ?10%, Ni: ?10%, Cr: ?10%, Si: ?8%, Cu: ?3%, Nb: ?0.6%, Ti: ?0.3%, V: ?0.3%, P: ?0.1%, B: ?0.01%, the rest being iron and unavoidable impurities, and a method of forming steel strips are described. Up to now, such steel strips were not adequately coatable, with a metal coating ensuring outstanding corrosion-resistance and good welding properties. This is ensured by applying an aluminium layer to the steel strip before final annealing and applying the metal coating to said aluminium layer after final annealing.

Abstract: An improved system and method for controlling ozone concentration in connection with a multi-chamber tool. The system and method involve a first and a second concentration controller in combination with an ozone generator. The first concentration controller detects an EVENT (i.e., one of the chambers in the multi-chamber tool coming on-line or off-line) and in response provides a power instruction to the ozone generator in accordance with a predictive control algorithm. The first concentration controller has a fast (i.e, about 1 second) response time. The second concentration controller is masked from the ozone generator during the EVENT, but otherwise controls the generator after an interval of time has lapsed after the EVENT. The second concentration controller has a slower response time than the first concentration controller, however the second concentration controller provides the system with long-term stability and can be used to provide updated data to the predictive control algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a traveling-wave tube having an electron gun having a cathode. The apparatus also includes a first power supply for establishing a first electric potential between the cathode and an anode and for providing an operational current to the cathode to generate a beam of electrons. The apparatus also includes a slow-wave structure having a passage through which the beam of electrons passes. The apparatus also includes a second power supply for providing a voltage to a beam focusing electrode to establish an electric potential between the cathode and the beam focusing electrode. The apparatus also includes a switching module coupled to the first power supply and the second power supply, the switching module providing a current path between the cathode and the beam focusing electrode, wherein the current path is disabled when a biasing current is below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A beam of radiation can be provided to treat a dermatological condition in a target region of skin. The beam of radiation can have a wavelength between about 700 nm and about 800 nm, a fluence greater than about 50 J/cm2, and a pulse duration between about 10 msec and about 300 msec. The beam of radiation is delivered to the target region of skin to affect (i) at least one pigmentary abnormality disposed in an epidermal region of the target region and (ii) at least one vascular abnormality disposed in a dermal region of the target region. A surface of the epidermal region of the target region of skin can be cooled to prevent substantial unwanted injury to at least a portion of the epidermal region.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for statistical multiplexing of compressed video streams. A deadline of a packet of a compressed video stream is computed based on a program clock reference value of the packet. A plurality of packets, which includes the packet, is sorted based on deadlines corresponding to the packets. A next packet from the sorted plurality of packets is selected, the next packet having a corresponding deadline nearest to a system clock time. The next packet is transmitted.

Abstract: A device for the free-form bending of longitudinal profiles, in particular pipes, in which an axial sleeve is arranged downstream of a feed unit in its direction of feed. Arranged downstream of the axial sleeve in the direction of feed, is a bending sleeve. The feed unit and the axial sleeve in each case have a drive pointing in the direction of feed, wherein the axial sleeve can be adjusted independently of the feed unit. The feed unit and the axial sleeve further have rotary drives for the simultaneous rotation in the same direction of the longitudinal profile held and guided by them. The bending sleeve can only be adjusted in a translatory manner by means of a drive in an axis running transverse to the axis of the longitudinal profile and the feed device. In addition to this, it can be pivoted by means of a drive about an axis lying transverse to the axis of the longitudinal profile and the feed device.

Abstract: A seal device (20) with a seal body (21) and an attachment device (22) for the captive attachment of the seal body to an object to be sealed, wherein one end of the attachment device is connected in a single piece with the seal body while its other end comprises a joining device (26) for non-positive joining to a connection device (27) that is provided on the seal body, wherein the seal body comprises a data carrier that comprises a data transmission device (32), which data carrier is designed as a switching circuit (23), wherein the switching circuit comprises an external circuit bridge (25) which for the purpose of connecting two connection points (29) of the switching circuit leads through the attachment device.

Abstract: Multiple corruptions and/or erasures in data storage or data communication systems are corrected. An encoder generates M of parity fields from N data channels. Each item of the generated parity fields is the result of simple exclusive-or operations on one item from one or more data fields and possibly one item from one or more of the other parity fields. A decoder can regenerate as many as M missing or corrupted fields of either data or parity using combinations of correct and/or previously corrected items as inputs using M independent parity equations to solve for and correct each missing or corrupted item in turn.