Abstract: A method of projecting a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate using a projection system, the method including using an optical phase adjustment apparatus in the projection system to apply a phase modification to radiation which has been diffracted from an assist feature of the pattern, the phase modification acting to reduce the size of an assist feature image exposed in resist on the substrate or prevent printing of the assist feature image in the resist on the substrate, while maintaining a contribution of the assist feature image to an image enhancement of a functional feature of the pattern.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating and preventing non-degenerative neurological diseases and disorders associated with elevated sPLA2 activity as well as cardiovascular diseases using a CHEC peptide to inhibit sPLA2 activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport apparatus (1), comprising an endless conveyor belt (2) which is drivable by drive means (3), of which conveyor belt (2) at least the outer side (4) is embodied in a material which can withstand irradiation by the infrared laser radiation used to cut flat, thin materials such as textile, non-woven, sandpaper, cardboard, plastic film material present on the active upper part of the conveyor belt (2) and carried along by this part. The invention further relates to a cutting device (20), comprising said transport apparatus (1). The invention also related to a method for cutting flat, thin materials such as textile, non-woven, sandpaper, cardboard, plastic film material. A good choice of such a material is Werkstoff “S”®.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a plurality of electrofluidic chromatophore (EFC) pixel cells. Each pixel cell includes a fluid holder for holding a polar fluid and a non-polar fluid having differing display properties, the fluid holder including a reservoir having an orifice with a small visible area projected in the direction of a viewer onto the polar fluid, and a channel with a geometry having a large visible area projected in the direction of a viewer onto the polar fluid. The channel is connected to the reservoir via said orifice so as to enable free movement of the polar fluid and non-polar fluid between the channel and the reservoir. The reservoir is formed in a laminated resin structure of homogenous resin film layers, including an orifice film layer and a reservoir film layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the conversion of biomass into a biomass product which is suitable for use as a fuel. The biomass is of plant origin and comprises microorganisms naturally occurring in the biomass. The process comprises—preparing a slurry by dispersing the biomass comprising the naturally occurring microorganisms in an aqueous liquid, maintaining the slurry at conditions suitable for aerobic digestion by the microorganisms to obtain a slurry comprising the biomass product as a dispersed solid phase, and—recovering the biomass product. The recovering comprises washing and drying the biomass product. The invention also provides a combustion process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for the anaerobic digestion of organic material to biogas by means of microorganisms. The device and method intensify the anaerobic digestion process by using three separate reactors wherein a hydrolysis process, a first digestion process of a separated solid fraction, and a second digestion process of a separated liquid fraction take place respectively. Membranes and/or mechanical separation means are used to separate the fractions. This keeps the microorganisms, such as microbes, in the reactors. The obtained intensification of the anaerobic digestion process enables to operate with smaller tanks, which leads to lower building costs. The process also makes it possible to precipitate heavy metals for extraction.

Abstract: An EUV radiation generation apparatus includes a laser configured to generate pulses of laser radiation, and an optical isolation apparatus that includes a rotatably mounted reflector and a radially positioned reflector. The rotatably mounted reflector and the laser are synchronized such that a reflective surface of the rotatably mounted reflector is in optical communication with the radially positioned reflector when the optical isolation apparatus receives a pulse of laser radiation to allow the pulse of laser radiation to pass to a plasma formation location and cause a radiation emitting plasma to be generated via vaporization of a droplet of fuel material. The rotatably mounted reflector and the laser are further synchronized such that the reflective surface of the rotatably mounted reflector is at least partially optically isolated from the radially positioned reflector when the optical isolation apparatus receives radiation reflected from the plasma formation location.

Abstract: A method for the purification of aromatic polyether polymers prepared by a halide displacement polymerization process comprises adsorbing the catalyst with an alkali metal halide to form an adsorbent component and then removing the adsorbent component. Mixtures resulting from this method are also discussed.

Abstract: Integrated optical waveguide evanescent field sensor for sensing of chemical and/or physical quantities, comprising a substrate carrying a waveguide layer structure provided with—a waveguide core layer (3) sandwiched between two cladding layers (4, 5) formed by a lower (4) and a upper cladding layer (5), of a lower refractive index than the waveguide core layer,—a sensing section comprising a sensing layer (10) included in the upper cladding layer, wherein said sensing layer is exchangeable as a separate element.

Abstract: A data decoding system that includes a server-side proxy component and at least two back-end computers, where the server-side proxy component is configured, when it receives a decoding request from a client, to select a back-end computer to forward the decoding request to, based on either a pre-defined rule, load estimates for said at least two computers, estimated network throughputs across network paths to the two computers. In response to receiving this request, the back-end computer that is selected is configured to decode the request, which is an image of decodable indicia, by locating the decodable indicia within the image and decoding it into a decoded message. The decodable indicia was provided by a raw image byte stream, a compressed image byte stream, or a partial compressed image byte stream.

Abstract: A method for calculating electromagnetic scattering properties of a finite periodic structure having a direction of periodicity is disclosed. The method numerically calculates electromagnetic scattering properties using spatial discretization in the direction of periodicity and numerically calculates electromagnetic scattering properties using spectral discretization in a direction orthogonal to the direction of periodicity.

Abstract: A loop (5) is attached to a grip (1) of a pole using a ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint encompasses a ball (7) that is held with the capacity to turn and pivot in a recess (8) in the head (4) of the grip (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide having carbohydrate material degrading activity which comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, or a variant polypeptide or variant polynucleotide thereof, wherein the variant polypeptide has at least 96% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variant polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has at least 96% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional protein and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods for using the polypeptide in industrial processes. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention suitable for producing these proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods by which surface modification techniques can be used to modify wide range polymeric or metal substrates using metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: An illumination system for a lithographic or inspection apparatus. A plurality of optical waveguides transmit radiation from the illumination source to an output. A switching system enables selective control of one or more subsets of the optical waveguides. An inspection method uses an illumination system and inspection and lithographic apparatuses comprise an illumination system. In one example, the optical waveguides and switching system are replaced by a plurality of parallel optical bandpass filter elements. The optical bandpass filter elements each only transmit a predetermined wavelength or a band of wavelengths of radiation. At least two of the parallel optical bandpass filter elements each being operable to transmit a different wavelength or band of wavelengths.

Abstract: A data decoding system that includes a server-side proxy component and at least two back-end computers, where the server-side proxy component is configured, when it receives a decoding request from a client, to select a back-end computer to forward the decoding request to, based on either a pre-defined rule, load estimates for the at least two computers, estimated network throughputs across network paths to the two computers. In response to receiving this request, the back-end computer that is selected is configured to decode the request, which is an image of decodable indicia, by locating the decodable indicia within the image and decoding it into a decoded message. The decodable indicia was provided by a raw image byte stream, a compressed image byte stream, or a partial compressed image byte stream.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a lighting system for illumination a target area, the system comprising a light source and associated power controller, the system being configured to move from a first illumination mode to a second illumination mode based on a sensed or determined changed condition, such as predetermined temperature and/or change in a scene or brightness signal, or lack of change, from an image sensor that may be associated with the instrument.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes forming a conducting material above an insulating film, applying a mask to portions of the conducting material in a shape of a TFC structure, removing exposed portions of the conducting material to form the TFC structure, depositing an insulating film above the TFC structure, and planarizing the insulating film to form a planar upper surface of the insulating film. In another embodiment, a magnetic head includes a TFC structure positioned between insulating films and a magnetic element positioned above the TFC structure, the TFC structure configured for providing localized thermal protrusion of the magnetic head on a media facing surface thereof, wherein an upper surface of an upper of the insulating films is planar, the magnetic element includes at least one of a main magnetic pole and a read sensor, and the TFC structure is configured for providing thermal protrusion of the magnetic element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vane diffuser for separating a gas/liquid/particulate-mixture flow in a gas phase fraction and a liquid/particulate phase fraction, comprising: a distribution chamber holding a plurality of curved vanes and an inlet for the gas/liquid/particulate-mixture wherein the vane diffuser also comprises a cyclone pre-separator located before the distribution chamber. The invention also relates to a method for separating a gas/liquid/particulate-mixture.

Abstract: A composition useful for the injection molding of fluid engineering parts includes specific amounts of a high molecular weight poly(phenylene ether), a polystyrene, and glass fibers. The composition provides improved hydrostability and reduces or eliminates the butadiene monomer that is present in comparative compositions containing rubber-modified polystyrene. Fluid engineering articles prepared from the composition are described.