Abstract: A method and system for determining thermal diffusivity and porosity of an article are provided. The method comprises heating a surface of the article, capturing image data corresponding to an evolution of lateral heat flow from the surface of the article, applying a thermal time of flight analysis on the image data and determining thermal diffusivity and porosity values of the article using the thermal time of flight analysis for the lateral heat flow.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing a kernel level task upon initial execution of a child process at a user level begins with setting an instruction pointer for an initial child process instruction to an instruction to enter a kernel level. The method continues with beginning the child process which places a return value in a register for the child process and which causes the child process to enter the kernel level. The method concludes with executing a system call having a system call number of the return value. The system call comprises the kernel level task.

Abstract: In an image formation system, at least two copying machines are connected to each other. One of these machines functions as a master machine and the other functions as a slave machine. When the link copy mode is set in the master machine and when the user tries to select an operation mode which can not be executed in the master and slave machines concurrently, then copying is prohibited.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming mechanism configured to perform an image formation by performing a first image forming operation to form a first image on the image bearing member and an image transferring operation to transfer the first image onto a recording member, and an image quality controlling mechanism configured to perform an image control by performing a second image forming operation to form a second image on the image bearing member and an image controlling operation to control an image quality according to the second image. The image quality controlling mechanism determines an operation condition of starting the image control according to first information of operations during the image formation and second information of operations during the image control, when the second image forming operation is performed during the first image forming operation.

Abstract: A motorized ladder rack for loading or unloading a ladder on a vehicle is provided. The motorized ladder rack comprises a stationary front cradle, a pivotable and extendable rear cradle and a side rail. The rear cradle includes a motorized drive assembly which may be remotely controlled. The front and rear cradles are secured to the vehicle. The front cradle includes a support member, front and side guides removably secured to the support member and a side stop removably secured to the support member. The side rail is secured to the front and rear cradles and extends therebetween. The ladder rack is movable between a first position and a second position by activation of the motorized drive assembly.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a controller that uses one of a plurality of fuzzy logic algorithms for assigning an elevator car to service a passenger request. One example uses a passenger's desired destination as indicated by the passenger service request prior to the passenger entering an elevator car. One example includes multiple fuzzy logic algorithms, each corresponding to a particular relationship between an elevator car's current assignments, a passenger's desired destination, a source landing of the passenger's request, or a combination of them.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid fibrous articles. The apparatus can have a core pocket operatively related with an air-distribution manifold that can apply different air pressures to different portions of the core pocket. The core pocket can have a shield and a central opening defined by a void in the shield. The core pocket can have a central forming chamber in air-flow communication with the central opening and have a central forming chamber periphery. The core pocket can have a central foraminous forming surface in air-flow communication with the central forming chamber. The core pocket can have a pair of edge openings extending along the shield. The core pocket can have an edge forming chamber disposed about the central forming chamber periphery and in air-flow communication with the edge openings. The core pocket can have an edge foraminous forming surface in air-flow communication with the edge forming chamber.

Abstract: To provide a fluoropolymer having functional groups and having high transparency in a wide wavelength region, and a resist composition comprising the fluoropolymer. A fluoropolymer (A) having monomer units formed by polymerization of a fluorinated diene represented by the following formula (1): CF2?CFCH2CH-Q-CH2CH?CH2??(1) wherein Q is (CH2)aC(CF3)2OR4 (wherein a is an integer of from 0 to 3, R4 is an alkyl group or a fluorinated alkyl group having at most 20 carbon atoms which may have an etheric oxygen atom, an alkoxycarbonyl group having at most 6 carbon atoms, or CH2R5 (wherein R5 is an alkoxycarbonyl group having at most 6 carbon atoms)), or (CH2)dCOOR6 (wherein d is 0 or 1, and R6 is a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group or a fluorinated alkyl group having at most 20 carbon atoms), a process for its production and a resist composition having the fluoropolymer (A) as a base.

Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.

Abstract: A hand instrument for debonding an adhesively bonded orthodontic bracket from a patient's tooth includes two jaws, each of which includes a contact pad for engaging opposite sides of the bracket. When the jaws are moved together, at least a majority of the area of each contact pad that contacts the side of the bracket is located beneath the archwire slot of the bracket in a lingual direction in order to facilitate fracture of the adhesive bond and release of the bracket from the tooth surface.

Abstract: An hybrid four wheel drive system characterized by a vehicle having a conventional rear wheel driveline as well as a conventional driving front steer axle powered by an hydraulic motor. The hybrid four wheel drive system is provided in multiple embodiments, particularly with and without an hydraulic pressure accumulator.

Abstract: A method of bonding two semiconductor substrates to form a printhead includes aligning a top surface of a first substrate with a second substrate, wherein the first substrate has a fluid channel in the top surface, heating the first and second substrates to a first temperature in a partial vacuum, and placing the top surface of the first substrate in contact with the second substrate to form a bond.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a copper film onto the surface of a substrate from a supercritical solution containing copper-containing precursors having monoanionic bidentate and neutral monodentate ligands, which comprise contacting the substrate with the solution; heating the substrate to a temperature between about 60° C. and less than 150° C.; and forming a copper-containing film on at least a portion of the substrate surface. Also provided are copper-containing precursor compositions used therein.

Abstract: Elevator (2) comprising a car (4), a counterweight (6), a hoisting rope (8) for suspending the car (4) and the counterweight (6), a drive motor (10), a motor drive unit (26) for supplying the power to the drive motor (10), and a brake (18) for stopping the movement of the car (4) in an emergency situation, the elevator (2) further comprising an elevator rescue system (40), comprising an emergency power supply (42), an emergency brake switch (44) for connecting and disconnecting the power of the emergency power supply (42) to the brake (18), and an emergency drive switch (46) for connecting and disconnecting the power of the emergency power supply (42) to the drive motor (10), characterised in that the elevator rescue system (40) further comprises the motor drive unit (26) and a power line (74) connecting the emergency power supply (42) with the motor drive unit (26) and including the emergency drive switch (46).

Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation. A second fluid is produced from the portion. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. A controlled amount of oxidant is provided to the portion of the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.

Abstract: An image transmission device is disclosed. When a device user starts to use the device or logs in, authentication is done. If the device user is identified as a customer engineer, the system control part displays operations not permitted to be performed by the customer engineer in a manner different from permitted operations on an operations display part. For instance, the non-permitted operations are displayed at half brightness. The permitted operations may be specified in advance by a user registered as a manager.

Abstract: The present invention is a method which is capable of producing crystals having a mean particle diameter larger than conventionally produced crystals, by carrying out a crystallizing method so-called neutralization crystallization. An ingredient organic acid salt solution is supplied as a reaction initial liquid in a reaction vessel (2). An acid is supplied via a dropping tube (10) to the ingredient organic acid salt solution, so that crystals of a targeted organic acid is precipitated. Then, the base is supplied in the reaction vessel (2) via a dropping tube (15), thereby partially dissolving the crystals being precipitated. The acid is further supplied from the dropping tube (10) for carrying out the crystallization.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a vibration mirror having a mirror surface that reflects an optical beam. A pair of torsion beams swingably support the mirror. The mirror is vibrated in a sealed space whose pressure is adjusted such that a characteristic of the mirror falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, capable of controlling access to a portable medium inserted in a medium interface of an image processing apparatus. To control access, a medium cover is configured to be closed to cover the medium interface and to be opened to expose the medium interface. A detector is configured to detect opening or closing of the medium cover to generate a detection result. Operation of the image processing apparatus, which requires access to the portable medium, is controlled based on the detection result.