Abstract: Provided are systems and methods that address the problem of single scattering in homogeneous volumes. In one implementation, an importance sampling technique is provided that avoids a singularity near point light sources. The system and method can be extended to the situation of area lights of arbitrary shapes. The error caused by the non-constant distance to the finite-extent area light is distributed by using random sample points within the area light as points from which lighting is calculated for sampling points along the ray.

Abstract: A system is provided for setting up satellite dishes located on roof tops to receive most favorable signals in view of locations of the emission towers and the roof tops, without requiring manual adjustment of the satellite dishes.

Abstract: A method of performing nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a body comprising at least two populations of nuclei characterized by different spin resonance frequencies, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immerging said body (B) in a static magnetic field (B0) for aligning nuclear spins along a magnetization axis; (b) exposing it to a transverse radio-frequency pulsed field (B1) for flipping said nuclear spins, said radio-frequency pulsed field comprising a train of elementary pulses, each having a constant frequency and amplitude, and a continuous phase; (c) detecting a signal emitted by nuclear spins excited by said radio-frequency pulsed field; characterized in that it also comprises, prior to performing steps (a)-(c), computing a set of optimal parameters (N, ?i, ?i, ?i) of said train of elementary pulses for minimizing the differences between the actual values of the spin-flip angles (FAj) of nuclei belonging to each of said populations and predetermined target values thereof; said predetermined targ

Abstract: A roofing material has multiple coatings with at least one directionally disposed coating. The roofing material has at least one non-planar surface for exposure to environmental conditions. A first coating is directionally disposed on a portion of the non-planar surface to cover less than all of the non-planar surface. The first coating has a visual attribute and an energy-efficiency attribute which are both different from corresponding visual and energy-efficiency attributes of the non-planar surface on which the first coating is disposed. A second coating is directionally disposed on at least a portion of the first coating. The second coating has a visual attribute which is different from the visual attributes of both the first coating and the non-planar surface.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device includes an accumulator, a deformable fluid reservoir, a user-actuated valve, a fluid delivery channel and an application element. The accumulator accumulates pressure and houses the fluid reservoir. The fluid delivery channel couples the fluid reservoir on a proximal end and extends to a distal end. A user-actuated valve controls a flow rate of fluid passing through the fluid delivery channel from the fluid reservoir to the distal end in response to pressure in the accumulator being above a predetermined threshold. The application element is coupled to the distal end of the fluid delivery channel to facilitate dispersal of fluid from the fluid delivery channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved garment for capturing bodily fluids. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide a garment including a main garment body configured to be worn by a wearer and a capturing panel having a receiving surface configured to receive bodily fluids excreted from the wearer attached to the main garment body such that the capturing panel covers at least a first portion of said main garment body. The capturing panel is made out of a natural material, has a thickness no greater than approximately 4 mm, and is configured to transfer bodily fluid received from the wearer away from the receiving surface. A fluid resistant treatment may be applied to at least a second portion of the main garment body, which second portion may be identical to the first portion. A odor-neutralizing treatment may be applied at least a portion of the capturing panel.

Abstract: Verification facilitating company or companies X and verifying company or companies (e.g., credit service company or companies) Y may respectively manage member ID(s) and password(s) of user(s) 1 in mutually separate and mutually secret fashion. User(s) 1 may send member ID(s) to verification facilitating company or companies X from mobile telephone(s) 2, and verification facilitating company or companies X may use originating telephone number(s) and/or member ID(s) to carry out first-stage identity check(s). In the event of positive verification of identity as a result of such identity check(s), verification facilitating company or companies X may issue one-time ID(s) to user(s) 1 and may communicate such one-time ID(s) to verifying company or companies (e.g., credit service company or companies) Y. User(s) 1 may send one-time ID(s) and password(s) to verifying company or companies (e.g., credit service company or companies) Y from company or companies (e.g., store or stores) Z.

Abstract: Roofing material with an irregular surface and tailored radiation properties and tailored aesthetic properties in separate directions, simultaneously. This provides enhanced thermal performance in the sun direction and aesthetically pleasing visual appearance from viewing directions.

Abstract: A harmonic gear device (10) in which a spindle (28) and a gear rim (48) are rotatable relative to each other on a common centre axis (32), and in which a gearwheel (42), which is engaged with the gear rim (411), is rotatably connected to the spindle (28) around a first eccentric axis (36), and in which a balancing gearwheel (58), which is engaged with the gear rim (48) or a balancing gear rim, is rotatable around a second eccentric axis (40).

Abstract: A desktop organizer for association with a keyboard having legs comprises a body having one or more compartments and two keyboard attachment sections that are integrally formed with the body. Each keyboard attachment section includes a plurality of recesses or slots that are each adapted to receive a foot of a keyboard.

Abstract: A desktop organizer for association with a keyboard having legs comprises a body having one or more compartments and two keyboard attachment sections that are integrally formed with the body. Each keyboard attachment section includes a plurality of recesses that are each adapted to receive a foot of a keyboard.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine including an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, with an adjuvant in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing hematogenously disseminated or mucocutaneous candidiasis. The method includes administering an immunogenic amount of a vaccine an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium.

Abstract: A content item may be associated with metadata comprising one or more tags. A user may indicate a relevance rating associated with a tag. The relevance rating may indicate whether the user feels the tag is relevant to a particular content item. Using a plurality of user-provided relevance ratings, a tag relevance model may be established. A tag relevance model may comprise a weighted or un-weighted average and/or median relevance rating of the tag and/or a consistency of the relevance rating. The tag relevance model may be used to order or otherwise inform search results. Tag ratings may also be used to aggregate users into groups comprising users having a similar point of view relative to one or more tag ratings. In addition, users may be grouped according to content access and/or tags rated regardless of the relevance rating applied.

Abstract: An endpiece (E) is composed by disposing a pair of elastic inner and outer wiring or plating parts in juxtaposition. An outer part external member (1) is adopted to keep a shape and structure of the endpiece (E) intact and reinforced. The inner part is a buffer piece (2) doubled back into a hairpin shape and has at least a first bending portion (21) of convex shape and a second bending portion (22) of concave shape. When a temple (T) is unfolded to excess, the first and second bending portions (21) and (22) flexibly bend towards a direction to which those portions expand so as to counterbalance stress to which the external member (1) is subjected.