Abstract: An electronic smoking device comprises a housing accommodating a battery as an electric power source powering an electrically heatable atomizer comprising an electric heater and adapted to atomize a liquid supplied from a reservoir to provide an aerosol exiting from the atomizer. The heater of the atomizer is controlled by means of control electronics. A puff detector indicates an aerosol inhaling puff to the control electronics. The control electronics operates, for a puff, the heater of the atomizer with a predetermined level of electric power. Preferably, the electronic smoking device comprises a voltage sensor measuring the battery voltage, wherein the control electronics distributes the predetermined level of electric power, for a puff, by pulse width modulation, based on the battery voltage measured by the voltage sensor.

Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for diagnosing faults in a software system, according to which, predictions of the probability of each software component of the software system to be faulty are obtained from a diagnoser, and the probability predictions are input to a fault diagnosis software module, executed by the diagnoser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery system comprising a core and a shell in which the core comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer X which polymer backbone comprises pendant ester and acid functionalities and in which the shell comprises a hydrolytic degradable polymer Y. The hydrolytic degradable polymers X and Y are different polymers. Polymer X further comprises amino-acids in the polymer backbone and degrades via zero order degradation kinetics for a period of at least 3 months. Polymer Y degrades via auto-acceleration degradation kinetics.

Abstract: The invention provides various designs for enabling a non-circular area of collimated light output or to enable tessellation of collimators. In a first aspect, a collimator arrangement comprises a plurality of collimators, each having a circular general outer shape with one or more indentation into the circular general outer shape, wherein each indentation comprises a pair of edges which meet at an internal angle and each indentation defines a pair of external angles where the cut-out meets the general outer shape. The collimators are tessellated with each internal angle adjacent one of the external angles of an adjacent collimator. In another aspect, a collimating optical structure comprises a first section comprising one or more portions of a first collimator lens design with a first diameter and a second section comprising one or more portions of a second collimator lens design with a larger, second diameter.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid-containing composition, which composition contains an aldehyde, is purified in a process, which process comprises introducing the carboxylic acid-containing composition and an aqueous electrolyte into an electrolytic cell comprising electrodes; electrochemically oxidizing the aldehyde in the electrolytic cell to obtain an electrochemically oxidized product composition comprising a carboxylic acid derived from the aldehyde; and, optionally, separating carboxylic acid from the electrochemically oxidized product composition.

Abstract: The application relates to the field of plant breeding, in particular watermelon breeding. Provided are bush type, triploid watermelon plants (and seeds from which these plants can be grown) and seedless watermelon fruits produced by these plants. Also provided are bush type pollenizer plants and bush type tetraploid plants and methods for producing triploid hybrids having a bush growth type, as well as methods for producing seedless watermelon fruits of high quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of detection, registration and quantification of an image. The method may include obtaining an image of a lithographically created structure, and applying a level set method to an object, representing the structure, of the image to create a mathematical representation of the structure. The method may include obtaining a first dataset representative of a reference image object of a structure at a nominal condition of a parameter, and obtaining second dataset representative of a template image object of the structure at a non-nominal condition of the parameter. The method may further include obtaining a deformation field representative of changes between the first dataset and the second dataset. The deformation field may be generated by transforming the second dataset to project the template image object onto the reference image object. A dependence relationship between the deformation field and change in the parameter may be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a contaminated surface of a lithographic apparatus are provided. A liquid confinement structure comprises at least two openings used to supply and extract liquid to a gap below the structure. The direction of flow between the openings can be switched. Liquid may be supplied to the gap radially outward of an opening adapted for dual flow. Supply and extraction lines to respectively supply liquid to and extract liquid from the liquid confinement structure have an inner surface that is resistant to corrosion by an organic liquid. A corrosive cleaning fluid can be used to clean photo resist contamination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pellets of a flame retardant long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composition having a core containing glass fibers and a sheath of a polypropylene compound comprising a flame retardant composition and surrounding said core, wherein the flame retardant composition comprises a mixture of an organic phosphate compound, an organic phosphoric acid compound and zinc oxide. The invention further relates to flame retardant molding compositions and articles manufactured using the pellets or the molding compositions.

Abstract: A boom for mounting to an agricultural sprayer which includes an elongate frame that supports a plurality of liquid application and delivery means, and an elongate tray attached to, and extending along, the boom. The tray is movable between a first position in which the tray extends substantially horizontally beneath one or more of the application devices to prevent liquids from leaking onto the ground below, and a second position in which the tray is located clear of delivery paths of the liquid application devices.

Abstract: Examples of charging a photoconductive layer in an image forming apparatus are described. In one example, a method includes applying a charging voltage to the photoconductive layer and measuring surface voltages of the photoconductive layer at a plurality of positions on the photoconductive layer. Based on the measured surface voltages, a correction voltage profile is determined. The determined correction voltage profile includes at least a first correction voltage associated with a first position on the photoconductive layer and a second correction voltage associated with a second position, different to the first position, on the photoconductive layer. The method includes applying the first correction voltage to the photoconductive layer and applying the second correction voltage to the photoconductive layer.

Abstract: A multi-bit continuous-time sigma-delta modulator, SDM, includes an input configured to receive an input analog signal; a first summing junction configured to subtract a feedback analog signal from the input analog signal; a loop filter configured to filter an output signal from the first summing junction (304): an analog-to-digital converter, ADC, configured to convert the filtered analog output signal to a digital output signal; and a feedback path for routing the digital output signal to the first summing junction. The feedback path includes a plurality of digital-to-analog converters, DACs, configured to convert the digital output signal to an analog form. The ADC comprises a plurality of N-bit comparator latches that are each locally time-interleaved with at least a pair of latches and configured to function in a complementary manner and provide a combined complementary output.

Abstract: In certain examples, a liquid electrophotographic printer has a compressive element. The compressive element removes a portion of carrier liquid from an inked image on an imaging element. The compressive element is selectively engageable and a controller disengages the compressive element for a first layer of liquid toner so as to retain carrier liquid in the first layer, and engages the compressive element for a subsequent layer of liquid toner so as to remove a portion of carrier liquid from the subsequent layer.

Abstract: An anchor has a fluke, a shank that is connected to the fluke, a coupling to attach the fluke to an anchor line or anchor chain, and an angle adjustment provision to adjust the angle between the shank and the fluke, wherein the angle adjustment provision is a hinge between the fluke and the shank, a first positioning member connected to the shank that is provided with a series of first positioning holes at a first intermediate distance and a second positioning member connected to the fluke that is provided with a series of second positioning holes at a second intermediate distance and spaced apart from the hinge axis, and a positioning pin that is inserted in one of the aligned first and second positioning holes, wherein the second intermediate distance differs from the first intermediate distance.

Abstract: Embodiments of a device and method are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for communicating data frames on a bus that operates according to a multi-master bus protocol is disclosed. The method involves beginning transmission of a data frame from a node on the bus when the node gains control of the bus, wherein the multi-master bus protocol specifies a frame format that includes a start portion, a payload portion, and an end portion, during transmission of the payload portion of the data frame, inserting an in-payload arbitration field into the transmission, continuing transmission of the data frame if the node maintains control of the bus after insertion of the in-payload arbitration field, and halting transmission of the data frame before transmission of the data frame is complete if the node losses control of the bus after insertion of the in-payload arbitration field.

Abstract: A chirp-generator comprising a phase-detector for providing a phase-difference-signal representative of a phase difference between a clock-input-signal and a feedback-signal. A VCO-circuit is configured to provide a chirp-generator-output-signal based on the phase-difference-signal. The VCO-circuit comprises a switched-varactor-bank, which includes a plurality of varactors, and a varactor-switch associated with each of the plurality of varactors. The varactor-switch is configured to selectively control whether or not the associated varactor contributes to the capacitance of the VCO-circuit, based on the state of a varactor-control-signal. The chirp-generator also includes a feedback-component configured to: receive the chirp-generator-output-signal; and apply a variable-multiplication-factor to the chirp-generator-output-signal in order to provide the feedback signal for the phase-detector.

Abstract: The invention provides a three-channel lighting apparatus with the option to support the human circadian rhythm. By choosing especially the blue LED and green phosphor, the range of biological activity that can be changed is optimized. By adjustment of the LED spectra a bigger range in melanopsin effectiveness factor, at the same CCT range (from daylight like CCT down to dimmed halogen), can be obtained.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘GED18ARL2Y’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and uniformly rounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant habit; dark green-colored leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; long flowering period; and decorative-type inflorescences with ray florets that are bright yellow in color.