Abstract: Methods of determining a value of a parameter of interest are disclosed. In one arrangement, a symmetric component and an asymmetric component of a detected pupil representation from illuminating a target are derived. A first metric characterizing the symmetric component and a second metric characterizing the asymmetric component vary non-monotonically as a function of the parameter of interest over a reference range of values of the parameter of interest. A combination of the derived symmetric component and the derived asymmetric component are used to identify a correct value from a plurality of candidate values of the parameter of interest.

Abstract: Composition for treatment of mucus on fish gills for a therapeutic or a prophylactic treatment of an amoebic gill disease in fish, where the composition comprises an extruded fish feed supplemented with arginine; said fish feed comprising protein, binder, fat, vitamins and minerals; and a total arginine content of the fish feed is at least 3.0% (wt/wt) of a total feed weight.

Abstract: An LED backlight system having a plurality of backlight segments including an integral light waveguide, each backlight segment supporting a sidelight emitting LED. A light guide can have a rectangular shape, a flat top surface, and a curved lower surface that defines a cavity having a top and sidewalls, with the sidelight emitting LED positioned in the cavity. The cavity sidewalls can include light in-coupling structures such as prisms. In one embodiment, each sidelight emitting LED can be rotated with respect to a rectangular cavity, with edges of the sidelight emitting LED facing corners of rectangular cavity. At least one of a reflective layer and a top out-coupling structure can be positioned between the top of the cavity and the sidelight emitting LED.

Abstract: A method of reducing effects of reticle heating and/or cooling in a lithographic process, the method including calibrating a linear time invariant reticle heating model using a system identification method; predicting distortions of the reticle using the reticle heating model and inputs in the lithographic process; and calculating and applying a correction in the lithographic process on the basis of the predicted distortions of the reticle.

Abstract: An LED backlight system having a plurality of backlight segments including an integral light waveguide, each backlight segment supporting a sidelight emitting LED. A light guide is included in each of the plurality of backlight segments and defines a cavity having a top and sidewalls, with the sidelight emitting LED positioned in the cavity. At least one of a reflective layer and a top out-coupling structure can be positioned between the top of the cavity and the sidelight emitting LED.

Abstract: A fibre for use in artificial turf has an elongate cross-sectional shape defining a first face and a second face that meet at side edges of the fibre. The first and second faces having respective first and second ridges that are offset with respect to each other, such that the cross-sectional shape is 2-fold rotationally symmetric with no reflectional symmetry. The fibre may be an extruded monofilament and shows improved resilience over symmetrical fibres of similar dimensions.

Abstract: Processes are provided herein for deposition of organic films. Organic films can be deposited, including selective deposition on one surface of a substrate relative to a second surface of the substrate. For example, polymer films may be selectively deposited on a first metallic surface relative to a second dielectric surface. Selectivity, as measured by relative thicknesses on the different layers, of above about 50% or even about 90% is achieved. The selectively deposited organic film may be subjected to an etch process to render the process completely selective. Processes are also provided for particular organic film materials, independent of selectivity. Masking applications employing selective organic films are provided. Post-deposition modification of the organic films, such as metallic infiltration and/or carbon removal, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An offshore drilling vessel includes a floating hull subjected to heave motion. The hull includes a moonpool and a drilling tower near the moonpool. A drilling tubulars storage rack is provided for storage of drilling tubulars. The vessel includes a heave motion compensation support that is adapted to support a slip device whilst performing heave compensation motion relative to the heaving motion of the vessel. A racking device is provided with a heave motion synchronization system that is adapted to bring a tubular retrieved from the storage rack in heave motion into a vertical motion that is synchronous with the heave compensation motion of the string slip device. The racking device includes vertical rails and at least two separate motion arm assemblies mounted on said vertical rails. Each separate motion arm assembly includes its own vertical drive which is electrically connected to the heave motion synchronization system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling device for sampling a body cavity, in particular for sampling the vagina and/or cervix. The sampling device comprises a tube having two open ends, a sample-collecting member and a plunger. The plunger is inserted in the tube, with the distal plunger end protruding from the distal tube end, and carries the sample-collecting member at the proximal tube end. The plunger is displaceable in the proximal direction in the tube from a retracted introduction position into an extended sampling position. In the introduction position, the sampling member is situated inside the tube and protrudes from the tube in the sampling position.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward mitigating water escapement. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and/or method involve detecting liquid flow in a liquid channel, and controlling the flow of liquid through the liquid channel with a liquid flow valve in response to control inputs. In response to indicated liquid flow, mitigating the detected liquid flow based upon at least one input variable, each input variable characterizing operational conditions of a premises in which the liquid flow is detected. One or more of control of the flow-arresting circuit and reporting of liquid flow characteristics provided by the flow-arresting circuit are provided via communications with a remote user.

Abstract: Wind turbine blades comprising one or more deformable trailing edge sections, each deformable trailing edge section comprising a first and a second actuator, wherein the second actuator is arranged substantially downstream from the first actuator, and wherein the first actuator is of a first type and wherein the second actuator is of a second type, the second type being different from the first type. The application further relates to wind turbines comprising such blades and methods of operating a wind turbine comprising one or more of such blades.

Abstract: Cell that is genetically modified comprising: a) one or more nucleotide sequence encoding a NAD+-dependent acetylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.2.1.10); b) one or more nucleotide sequence encoding a acetyl-CoA synthetase (E.C. 6.2.1.1); c) one or more nucleotide sequence encoding a glycerol dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.6); and d) one or more nucleotide sequence encoding a dihydroxyacetone kinase (E.C. 2.7.1.28 or E.C. 2.7.1.29).

Abstract: A lighting system comprising: a first controllable light source (11) configured to provide light in a first direction; a second electrically controllable light source (16) configured to provide light in a second direction; a support structure (14) comprising at least one region of light diffusing particles configured to diffuse light provided by the second electrically controllable light source such that at least a portion of the light provided by the second electrically controllable light source is output in the first direction and is mixed with the light provided by the first controllable light source.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, NUN 00261 TOP.

Abstract: A method is provided for cancelling an electric crosstalk contribution in a monitoring signal from a monitored electro-mechanical transducer in a device including at least three electro-mechanical transducers. The crosstalk contribution results from an actuation of other transducers than the monitored transducer. The method includes selecting a second transducer, associated with the first, monitored transducer, wherein the electric crosstalk caused by an actuation of a third transducer is equal in the first and second transducer; actuating the first transducer and not acutating the second transducer; simultaneously measuring a monitoring signal from the first transducer and the second transducer; and subtracting the two monitoring signals to obtain a clean monitoring signal from the first transducer.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising activated carbon particles, for oral administration. The pharmaceutical composition may be for (use in) the treatment of gastrointestinal fistula.

Abstract: In a transition of a transport unit of a long stator linear motor from a first control zone to a following second control zone in a movement direction, a first segment control unit is responsible for controlling the movement of the transport unit and the first control zone is extended, in the movement direction, by a number of virtual drive coils. The first segment control unit, which is assigned to the first control zone, calculates manipulated variables for the virtual drive coils, and transmits the manipulated variables for the virtual drive coils to the second segment control unit, which is assigned to the second control zone. The second segment control unit uses the transmitted manipulated variables for the virtual drive coils in order to energize the drive coils of the second control zone for moving the transport unit.

Abstract: Linear tension member having multiple fibers and at least 0.1 wt % of solid hydrophobic organic nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 10-300 nm and a standard deviation ? of at least 10% of the mean value, which linear tension member has a linear mass density of at least 10.000 dtex and has at least 80 wt % of fibers having a mass density higher than 1 g/cm3. The disclosure also pertains to the use of such particles for making a linear tension member buoyant and to a process to manufacture a floating linear tension member.