Abstract: An array of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes is formed in a die and includes: an internal dielectric structure, arranged on the die; and an external dielectric region arranged on the internal dielectric structure. The external dielectric region is formed by an external material that absorbs radiation having a wavelength that falls in a stop-band with low wavelength and transmits radiation having a wavelength that falls in a pass-band with high wavelength, at least part of the pass-band including wavelengths in the infrared. The internal dielectric structure is formed by one or more internal materials that substantially transmit radiation having a wavelength that falls in the stop-band and in the pass-band and have refractive indices that fall in an interval having an amplitude of 0.4. In the stop-band and in the pass-band the external dielectric region has a refractive index with the real part that falls in the above interval.

Abstract: A multifunction wireless device having at least one of multimedia functionality and smartphone functionality, the multifunction wireless device including an upper body and a lower body, the upper body and the lower body being adapted to move relative to each other in at least one of a clamshell, a slide, and a twist manner. The multifunction wireless device further includes an antenna system disposed within at least one of the upper body and the lower body and having a shape with a level of complexity of an antenna contour defined by complexity factors F21 having a value of at least 1.05 and not greater than 1.80 and F 32 having a value of at least 1.10 and not greater than 1.90.

Abstract: An elastic fabric made by a plurality of rubber threads, first elastic wefts, second elastic wefts, first wraps, high-tensile nylons and second wraps. The rubber thread, the first elastic weft, the second elastic weft are elastic, and the first elastic weft, and the second elastic weft are knitted across and interlaced with the rubber thread at right angles such that the elastic fabric is configured to be stretched in all directions. The first elastic weft and the second elastic weft are wrapped on at least three rubber threads to form a plurality of breathing holes therebetween, and the first wrap and the second wrap are wrapped along the single rubber thread such that the elastic fabric is configured to have the solid structure and the great ventilation effect simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for image processing includes obtaining a mask of a stroke from an image and identifying a plurality of cross edges for the stroke based on the mask and a reference line. The plurality of cross edges includes a group of adjacent cross edges that intersect the reference line. The method further includes (a) calculating a first vector based on positions of at least two of the cross edges in the group, (b) expanding the group, based on the first vector, to include cross edges adjacent to the group that do not intersect the reference line, (c) calculating a second vector based on positions of at least two of the cross edges in the expanded group, and (d) expanding the expanded group, based on the second vector, to include a second group of adjacent cross edges nearby the expanded group that do not intersect the reference line.

Abstract: An engine includes at least one spark plug, an ignition advance management device to determine and to apply an optimum ignition advance of the spark plug, and an exhaust gas recirculation device equipped with a gas recirculation control valve. A control device for the internal combustion engine includes a first actuator to force opening and closing of the control valve, a map in which are stored theoretical ignition advance values as a function of engine speed and engine load, a first calculator to calculate a diagnostic criterion as a function of the theoretical ignition advance determined from the map and the optimum ignition advance, and a comparator to compare the diagnostic criterion to a control valve failure threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound having the following formula (I): in which: A1 represents a divalent alkylene radical comprising from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; A2 represents a divalent alkylene radical comprising from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; A3 is selected from the group consisting of the following divalent radicals: an alkylene comprising from 2 to 600; and an arylene comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms; X1, X3 and X4 represent —O— or —NH—; X?2 is selected from the group consisting of: —S—, —CH2— and a bond; and n and m represent an integer ranging from 1 to 1000; for the preparation of additives in a matrix of polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, poly(alkyl acrylate), poly(alkyl methacrylate), polystyrene or polyolefin.

Abstract: An avalanche photodiode includes a cathode region and an anode region. A lateral insulating region including a barrier region and an insulating region surrounds the anode region. The cathode region forms a planar optical guide within a core of the cathode region, the guide being configured to guide photons generated during avalanche. The barrier region has a thickness extending through the planar optical guide to surround the core and prevent propagation of the photons beyond the barrier region. The core forms an electrical-confinement region for minority carriers generated within the core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of an alpha-amylase having improved stability to chelating agents relative to its parent enzyme, compositions comprising the variants, nucleic acids encoding the variants, methods of producing the variants, and methods for using the variants.

Abstract: A method of scanning a document includes obtaining an original image by scanning a document; detecting at least one pair of marks disposed on the original image; extracting an image of an area that is defined by the detected at least one pair of marks from the original image; and creating a new document file by using the extracted image.

Abstract: This showcase for the preservation and display of objects in a protected environment, comprises a bell, a base and pantograph mechanisms housed in lateral end regions of the base and formed by arms, pairs of arms and lower arms, the latter with a curvilinear configuration. The pantograph mechanisms are actuated by actuation systems housed at the bottom of the lateral end regions of the base. The showcase ensures an easier recovery of the space otherwise occupied by the actuation systems and at the same time an appropriate opening of the showcase.

Abstract: A partner microphone unit comprising a) a multitude microphones for picking up a sound from the environment providing corresponding electric input signals, each comprising a target signal component and a noise signal component; b) a multi-input unit noise reduction system for providing an estimate ? of the target sound s comprising the person's voice and comprising a multi-input beamformer filtering unit coupled to said input units and configured to determine filter weights for providing a beamformed signal, wherein signal components from other directions than a direction of the target signal source are attenuated, whereas signal components from the direction of the target signal source are left un-attenuated; c) antenna and transceiver circuitry for establishing an audio link to another device; and wherein the multi-input beamformer filtering unit comprises an adaptive beamformer is provided.

Abstract: A gene vector for use in gene therapy comprising at least one miRNA sequence target operably linked to a nucleotide sequence having a corresponding miRNA in a hematopoietic progenitor cell (HSPC) or hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) which prevents or reduces expression of the nucleotide sequence in a HSPC or HSC but not in a differentiated cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polyolefin-based composition suitable for use as adhesives and/or tie-layer adhesive compositions as well as a multi-layered structure made from and/or containing the polyolefin-based composition. The polyolefin-based composition is made from and/or contains (a) a grafted polyolefin composition, (b) a first polymer composition, (c) a polypropylene-containing blend composition, and (d) optionally, an additives composition having one or more additives.

Abstract: The application relates to a hearing assistance device comprising an implantable part for electrically stimulating an auditory nerve of a user. The application further relates to a method of operating a hearing assistance device. The object of the present application is to improve the electrical stimulation of the cochlear nerve by a cochlear implant hearing assistance device. The problem is solved in that the implanted part comprises a) a current source generator; and b) an electrode array configured to be located inside one of the cochlear scala or adjacent to the auditory nerve. The hearing assistance device is configured to produce a time-varying waveform delivered by the current source generator, the time-varying waveform comprising a positively sloping positive pulse. This has the advantages of providing a smaller spatial spread of neurons being discharged by electric stimuli from a given electrode. The invention may e.g. be used in cochlear implant hearing assistance devices.

Abstract: A device for sensing the electrical conductivity of a liquid, particularly that of the washing bath in a washing machine, including an electrically insulating supporting casing through which first and second electrodes intended to contact the washing bath extend to the outside, electrical power supply and signal acquisition and processing circuit devices housed at least in part in the supporting casing and coupled to the electrodes, and signal coupling and galvanic isolation devices, interposed between these circuit devices and the electrodes and also housed in the casing, and including at least a first and a second capacitor, each of which is interconnected in series between one of the electrodes and a corresponding terminal of the circuit.

Abstract: A multi-phase power cable includes: a plurality of phase cores, each including an insulated electric conductor; a screen assembly including a metallic screen rod; a moisture barrier metallic sheet enclosing the plurality of phase cores and the screen rod; an outer jacket radially outer to the moisture barrier metallic sheet; and a multilayer arrangement including a first, second and third semiconducting water swellable layer surrounding the phase cores and in radial internal position with respect to the moisture barrier metallic sheet and in electric contact therewith, the screen assembly being arranged between the second and third semiconducting water swellable layers.

Abstract: A fluid-driven apparatus continuously feeds fabric in open-width form. The apparatus is associated in combination with a tumbler processing the fabric. The apparatus includes a tubular duct, with a substantially rectangular transversal cross section, has boundary walls which delimit an internal cavity inside the duct. A manifold supplies gaseous fluid into the duct through an opening formed in the top or bottom wall of the duct. Ports for the fluid extend in a direction longitudinal to the duct, into and out of the cavity. The manifold abuts the opening to divide the duct into two distinct stretches delimited by the manifold and by the ports. The manifold includes a diverter for selectively directing the fluid towards one of the stretches of the duct. A portion of one of the duct stretches is divergent in shape, with a transversal cross section increasing from the manifold to the respective end port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.