Abstract: The invention provides a coating liquid containing an organic modified clay complex, being able to reduce the haze value when formed into a coating retardation film and to maintain a high contrast ratio of the liquid crystal display device. The coating liquid is formed into a retardation film and composite polarizing plate, and the composite polarizing plate is applied to a liquid crystal device. The invention also provides a coating liquid for coating a retardation film containing an organic modified clay complex and a binder resin in an organic solvent and having a moisture content in the range from 0.15 to 0.35% by weight as measured with a Karl Fischer moisture meter. A retardation film is formed from the coating liquid for coating the retardation film by forming a composition obtained by removing the organic solvent and water from the coating liquid into a film. A composite polarizing plate is prepared by laminating the polarizing plate, adhesive layer and retardation film in this order.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus (10) includes a housing defined by two aluminum parts (12, 13) which are brazed to each other. A plurality of sector-shaped recesses (21-28) are provided within the housing, and collectively define a chamber having a plurality of ribs (41-48) extending therethrough. Each recess contains a sector-shaped piece of porous material (17, 18), which is brazed to surfaces of the housing parts. The remaining space within the chamber is filled with a phase change material. Each of the ribs has therein a respective radially extending opening (101-108) which contains a heat pipe (141). Expansion accumulators (151) are mounted on the housing, and communicate with the chamber therein, in order to accommodate expansion of the phase change material within the chamber as the phase change material is heated.

Abstract: Electronic devices are disclosed that may be used for infrared radiation detection. An example electronic device includes a substrate, a transistor included in the substrate and a silicon-germanium (Si—Ge) structural layer coupled with the transistor. The structural layer has a stress in a predetermined range, where the predetermined range for the stress is selected prior to deposition of the structural layer. Also, the structural layer is deposited on the substrate subsequent to formation of the transistor such that deposition of the structural layer does not substantially adversely affect the operation of the transistor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating metabolic disorders, including, for example, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular disorders, methods of inducing weight loss and increasing muscle mass in a patient, by administration of MC3R agonist peptides. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of an MC3R agonist peptide for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metabolic disorders, including, for example, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular disorders, inducing weight loss and increasing muscle mass in a patient.

Abstract: In a maintenance/recovery device for a liquid discharging device, a cap member covers a surface of a nozzle of a liquid discharging head, the liquid discharging head discharging a droplet of a recording liquid from the nozzle. A resilient contact member is provided in the cap member to come in contact with the surface of the nozzle. A recess-forming member is providing in the cap member to form a recess for receiving the recording liquid attracted from the nozzle. The contact member and the recess-forming member are integrally formed by molding, the recess-forming member is made of a resin material containing a water repellent agent, and the recess-forming member is provided to have at least two slopes being inclined toward an outlet at a bottom of the recess.

Abstract: A package control conveyor system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable package conveying units each of which comprises a zone control module operably connected to a package sensing device and a package conveying unit for selectively activating and deactivating the package conveying unit, wherein the zone control modules are communicably interconnected upstream and downstream so that each zone control module can selectively activate and deactivate its associated package conveying unit in response to information provided by one or more upstream and/or downstream zone control modules.

Abstract: Chirped synthetic wave laser radar apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser source, a controller operatively coupled to the laser source and adapted to frequency-modulate first and second laser outputs, and an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes a plurality of reference channels adapted to receive a portion of a combined laser output and to provide a reference interference signal, and a signal channel having a focusing telescope adapted to focus and transmit at least part of the combined laser output onto the target, and to receive a scattered signal from target, and to provide a return interference signal. The system further includes a signal processing portion adapted to receive the reference interference signals and the return interference signal and to determine the distance to the target based on the reference and return interference signals.

Abstract: One-to-many comparisons of callers' words and/or voice prints with known words and/or voice prints to identify any substantial matches between them. When a customer communicates with a particular entity, such as a customer service center, the system makes a recording of the real-time call including both the customer's and agent's voices. The system segments the recording to extract different words, such as words of anger. The system may also segment at least a portion of the customer's voice to create a tone profile, and it formats the segmented words and tone profiles for network transmission to a server. The server compares the customer's words and/or tone profiles with multiple known words and/or tone profiles stored on a database to determine any substantial matches. The identification of any matches may be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing representative feedback or customer follow-up.

Abstract: A system comprising a radiation source, a holder operable to securely hold at least one mask oriented to receive radiation emitted from the radiation source, a projection system operable to direct radiation passing through the at least one mask, and an image capture system operable to receive radiation directed by the projection system and capture a projected image of the at least one mask.

Abstract: A system for transporting materials that traverses seams and stepped sections of a standing-seam type roof includes two trolleys, the lower one of which has ridges on its top simulating roof seams and upon which the wheels of the upper trolley can be placed. When a step in the roof is encountered, the upper trolley can be rolled off the lower trolley onto the upper section of the roof.

Abstract: A package control conveyor system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable package conveying units each of which comprises a zone control module operably connected to a package sensing device and a package conveying unit for selectively activating and deactivating the package conveying unit, wherein the zone control modules are communicably interconnected upstream and downstream so that each zone control module can selectively activate and deactivate its associated package conveying unit in response to information provided by one or more upstream and/or downstream zone control modules.

Abstract: The light control device can improve visibility at the side faces of the pair of transparent substrates with transparent electrodes held in the gap between two transparent plates, irrespective of the number of the optical elements installed in the light control device. A light control device 10 according to the present invention comprises a plurality of optical elements 3 between two transparent plates 1, 2, in each of which a pair of transparent substrates 31, 32 with transparent electrodes 33, 34 are located so as to face each other and a light control layer 35 capable of changing the light transmitting state by electrically controlling the pair of transparent electrodes 33, 34 is disposed between the pair of transparent electrodes, wherein a transparent solid layer 8 is filled in a space formed in the gap between the two transparent plates 1, 2 and the transparent substrates 31, 32 have taper-shaped side faces.

Abstract: A flow splitter for use with a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle dispenses a first fluid and a second fluid. The flow splitter may include an inner chamber for collecting the first fluid and an outer chamber for collecting the second fluid. The inner chamber may include an internal vent so as to vent air into the inner chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cabinet devices for lavatories are provided. In one embodiment, a method for resupplying a lavatory in an aircraft includes removing a first amenities module from an amenities cabinet in the lavatory; and inserting a second amenities module into the amenities cabinet, wherein the first and second amenities modules include a plurality of amenity compartments. In another embodiment, a method of providing a lavatory unit includes providing a cabinet assembly including a first wall having an opening disposed therethrough and a second wall having at least one access port; inserting a module into the cabinet assembly through the opening in the first wall, the module having at least one compartment disposed therein; and aligning the at least one compartment with the at least one access port.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for offset correction of images from a flat panel detector. In some embodiments, the apparatus and method develops one or more offset maps, acquired during system idle, for the imaging system at a plurality of exposure windows. In some embodiments, exposure parameters acquired for the imaging system before image acquisition are used to select an offset map to subtract from subsequent X-ray images. In some further embodiments, executable instructions are disclosed for directing a processor to compile one or more offset map and exposure parameters to subtract based on a selected offset map noise elements from X-ray images and thereby minimizing the time between image acquisition and display of processed images.

Abstract: There is provided a display device, which is capable of easily changing display information and of reducing power consumption. The control system of the display device is divided into a power supply control system, a main control system and a liquid crystal display panel driving system. When a main power switch 192 is turned on, only a sub-control circuit 170 as the power supply control system is supplied with power in a normal state. When an event relating to control of the display device 80 occurs, a power supply circuit 172 is set in an energized state to supply power to the main control system, setting the main control system in an active state. When the event relating to control of the display device 80 is accompanied by rewriting of display on a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal power supply circuit 193 is set in an energized state to supply power to the liquid crystal display panel driving system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spacer placed between a top substrate and a bottom substrate for a field emission display device. The spacer comprises at least two insulating layers for electrical insulation; and at least one metal layer sandwiched between the insulating layers, wherein the metal layer has plural apertures for electrons passing therethrough and disturbing pathway of electrons as the electrons impact the apertures.

Abstract: The present invention provides blue colored flakes which are free from agglomeration of the ultramarine particles, and when incorporated in a cosmetic, a coating material, or the like, they are free from rough feeling, and give good use feeling such as good spread on the skin as well as good spread on a base plate, and exhibit beautiful color tone. The blue colored flakes comprise, as a mother material, a transparent metal oxide such as silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide and, incorporated therein in a dispersed state, 5 to 60% by mass of ultramarine particles having a particle diameter of 30 to 3000 nm. The blue colored flakes have an average particle diameter of 5 to 500 ?m, an average thickness of 0.1 to 5 ?m, and an average aspect ratio of 5 to 300.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a variable cooling capacity cryocooler for a superconducting magnetic resonance imaging device having a liquid cryogen pressure vessel to provide cryogenic temperatures to a magnet assembly, a vacuum vessel surrounding the pressure vessel and a radiation shield spaced from the cryogen pressure vessel, and a pressure sensor positioned inside the cryogen pressure vessel pressure boundary for sensing pressure variations. A controller for varying the heat removal rate of the cryocooler based on the pressure variations in the cryogen pressure vessel and where the cooling capacity of the cryocooler is adjusted by modifying the speed of the electric power drive (DC or AC motors) or by changing the mechanical transmission ratio between the constant speed electric power drive and the cryocooler displacer/piston to adjust the cooler oscillating frequency of the gas flow.

Abstract: A scintillator single crystal of a specific cerium-doped silicate compound that contains 0.00005 to 0.1 wt % of one or more types of element selected from the group consisting of elements belonging to group 2 of the periodic table based on the total weight of the single crystal.