Abstract: A noise-absorbing device includes a substantially flat base and embossed and/or hollow elements each including at least one recess. This base reveals with the embossed and/or hollow elements, a configuration exhibiting a fractality zone of between 1 cm and 50 cm, of fractal dimension greater than 2.5 enabling the localization of the waves over the sound frequency range, in the vicinity of the elements.

Abstract: An improved biochip type device comprising a substrate (10) including an intermediate non-absorbent multilayer mirror (12) covered by a layer (14) of high refractive index material having chromophore elements (16) fixed thereon, the layer (14) further including feature (24) for extracting guided-mode light in order to recover the light emitted by the chromophore elements (16) into the layer (14) in response to light excitation, and direct the light to detection and measurement means.

Abstract: The disclosed method and system may be used for creating advanced protection means for secure items (e.g. bank notes, identity documents, certificates, checks, diploma, travel documents, tickets) and valuable products (e.g CD-ROMs, DVD's, prescription drugs, products with affixed labels, watches). Secure items are authenticated by shape level lines. The shape level lines become apparent when superposing a base layer comprising sets of lines and a revealing layer comprising a line grating. One of the two layers is a modified layer which embeds a shape elevation profile generated from an initial, preferably bilevel, motif shape image. By modifying the relative superposition phase of the revealing layer on top of the base layer or vice-versa (e.g. by translation or rotation), shape level lines grow and shrink dynamically. In the case that these shape level lines are present, the secure item is accepted as authentic. Otherwise the item is rejected as suspect.

Abstract: A broadband ellipsometer/polarimeter system for analyzing a sample includes an illumination source emitting a polychromatic light beam, a polarization state generator (PSG) including a fixed linear polarizer and a substantially achromatic retarder mounted on a rotating holder, a sample holder, a polarization state analyser (PSA) including a fixed linear polarizer and a substantially achromatic retarder mounted on a rotating holder, a primary detection system measuring the intensities at each wavelength of the light beam transmitted through the PSA, optics to collimate the beam into the PSG and into the PSA and to focus the beam into the sample surface and the detector. The linear polarizer and achromatic retarder in the PSA are identical to those of the PSG but mounted in a reverse order.

Abstract: The present invention aims at synthesizing superposition images formed either by band moire shapes or by shape level lines for making the information forwarded by valuable articles or by time pieces such as watches and clocks more dynamic, as well as for improving their attractiveness and aesthetics. A further application is publicity. For synthesizing band moiré images, the present invention relies on a band moiré image layout model allowing to obtain the layout of the base the band grating, given the layouts of the band moire image and of the revealing line grating. Base and revealing layer layouts may be conceived to create band moiré image shapes whose patterns move e.g. radially, circularly, or according to a spiral trajectory. Shape level lines occur in a superposition image when e.g. a base layer comprising modified sets of lines is superposed with a revealing layer comprising a line grating. Such a base layer embeds a shape elevation profile generated from an initial motif shape image (e.g.

Abstract: A probe for measuring electrical characteristics of an excitation current of a plasma is provided. The probe is mounted on a conductive line that includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The probe includes a current sensor and a voltage sensor. The current sensor includes a grove formed in the ground of one of the conductors in order to form a detour for the current flowing through the conductor, and a point for measuring electric voltage between a ground connected to the conductor and a point of the groove. The current sensor thus is able to measure a voltage proportional to the first time derivative of intensity (Iplasma) of the excitation current. The voltage sensor is a shunt sensor capable of measuring a voltage proportional to the first time derivative of the voltage (Vplasma) of the excitation current. A plasma reactor including a probe of the aforementioned type is also provided.

Abstract: Method of detecting anomalous behaviour in a computer network comprising the steps of—monitoring network traffic flowing in a computer network system,—authenticating users to which network packets of the network traffic are associated,—extracting parameters associated to the network packets for each user, said parameters including at least the type (T) of network services,—forming symbols based on a combination of one or more of said parameters, and—modelling and analysing individual user behavior based on sequences of occurrence of said symbols (S).

Abstract: A method for obtaining NMR (=nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra of quadrupolar nuclei having spin I>½ using magic angle spinning (=MAS) in solid powders and transfer of coherences from a neighboring nucleus with spin S= 1/2 to single- or double-quantum transitions of quadrupolar nuclei having spin I>½, is characterized in that the transfer of coherences occurs through a combination of scalar and residual dipolar splittings. With the inventive method improved NMR-spectra can be obtained from which parameters can be extracted, which can be related to the structure and internal dynamics of solids containing the quadrupolar nuclei.

Abstract: An integrated imager circuit having a monolithic array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) for capturing an image of a scene when said scene is hit by an optical pulse. The array has a plurality of SPADs connected to 2D readout circuits which determines the intensity of the light reflected by the scene by counting the number of photons received by the SPADs during a period of time. A plurality of SPADs connected to 3D readout circuits determines the distance to the scene by determining the elapsed time between the emission of each pulse and reception of the corresponding reflected photons.

Abstract: A heat transfer assembly for transferring heat from a heat generating device to a circulating fluid, said heat transfer assembly comprising an evaporator device having at least one microchannel formed therein, in thermally conductive contact with said heat generating device, a condenser device, actuating means and manifold means for circulating said fluid between said evaporator device and said condenser device, wherein said heat transfer assembly further comprises a bubble generator capable to create bubbles in said at least one microchannel at a controlled frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to an effusing source for film deposition made of a reservoir comprising one hole characterized by the fact that the hole diameter is less than one order of magnitude than the mean free path of the molecules determined by the pressure and its thickness is at least one order of magnitude smaller than the diameter. Preferably the source has several holes.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method and a computing system for deducing ink thickness variations from spectral reflectance measurements performed on a printing press or on a printer. The computed ink thickness variations enable controlling the ink deposition and therefore the color accuracy, both in the case of high-speed printing presses and of network printers. Ink thickness variations are expressed as ink thickness variation factors incorporated into a spectral prediction model. The method for computing ink thickness variations comprises both calibration and ink thickness variation computation steps. The calibration steps comprise the calculation of ink transmittances from measured reflectances and the computation of possibly wavelength-dependent ink thicknesses of solid superposed inks. Wavelength-dependent ink thicknesses account for the scattering behavior of non-transparent inks or of inks partly entering into the paper bulk.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inertial sensor based on the magnetic levitation of an inertial mass comprising an active magnetic bearing unit arranged in such a way as to levitate the inertial mass and characterized by the fact that it furthermore comprises additional active magnetic bearings units arranged in such a way as to control the position of said inertial mass along three independent axis and to create, for any of said independent axis, restoring forces that can be oriented in any of the two directions of these independent axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a combinatorial method for the generation of new split-protein sensors, and its application towards the (?/?a)8-barrel enzyme N-(5?-phosphoribosyl)-anthranilate isomerase Trp1p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is demonstrated. The generated split-Trp protein sensors allow for the detection of protein-protein interactions in the cytosol as well as the membrane by enabling trp1 cells to grow on medium lacking tryptophan. This powerful selection thus complements the repertoire of the currently used split-protein sensors and provides a new tool for high-throughput interaction screening.

Abstract: A neuromuscular monitoring system comprises at least one neurostimulator to apply muscle-activating stimulation signals to a patient's body via at least one electrode, and at least one pressure waveform sensor to detect pressure waveform signals produced by a patient's muscle in response to the applied stimulation signals. The detected pressure waveform signals are processed and data related to these detected pressure waveform signals are displayed. A method for neuromuscular monitoring using pressure waveform sensors is also described.

Abstract: An electronic control cell for at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED) of a pixel or segment of an active matrix display, the cell including at least one control circuit (6,61,62) with a control input and operating relative to a control signal arriving at a control line (5,5?) and enabling to turn the OLED(s) on, one capacitive storage circuit of the control signal with a capacitor C connected to the control line, one selection circuit (4,41,42) operating relative to a selection signal Vsel on a selection line (3,3?) and enabling electrical connection or insulation of the capacitive storage circuit with/from a control voltage Vcom (2) relative to the selection signal. The storage is temporary by discharging the capacitor through a resistor Rf parallel to the capacitor. Operating methods and a display unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for labeling acyl carrier protein (ACP) fusion proteins with a wide variety of different labels is disclosed. The method relies on the transfer of a label from a coenzyme A type substrate to an ACP fusion protein using a holo-acyl carrier protein synthase (ACPS) or a homologue thereof. The method allows detecting and manipulating the fusion protein, both in vitro and in vivo, by attaching molecules to the fusion proteins that introduce a new physical or chemical property to the fusion protein. Examples of such labels are, among others, spectroscopic probes or reporter molecules, affinity tags, molecules generating reactive radicals, cross-linkers, ligands mediating protein-protein interactions or molecules suitable for the immobilization of the fusion protein.

Abstract: A liquid crystal based polarimetric system, a process for the calibration of this polarimetric system, and a polarimetric measurement process intended for measuring the representative parameters of a sample in which the polarimetric system contains an excitation section emitting a light beam that passes through a polarization state generator (PSG) and onto a sample. After reflection or transmission by the sample, the beam goes through an analysis section with a polarization state detector (PSD). The PSG and PSD each have a first and a second liquid crystal elements LCj (j=1,2) having, for each LCj element of the PSG (respectively for each LCj element of the PSD), an extraordinary axis making an angle ?j (resp. ??j) with respect to the polarization direction (i), and a retardation ?j (resp (??j) between its ordinary and extraordinary axes, the liquid crystals LCj elements being positioned in reverse order in the PSD with respect to the LCj elements of the PSG.

Abstract: The present invention aims at synthesizing superposition images formed either by band moire shapes or by shape level lines for making the information forwarded by valuable articles or by time pieces such as watches and clocks more dynamic, as well as for improving their attractiveness and aesthetics. A further application is publicity. For synthesizing band moiré images, the present invention relies on a band moiré image layout model allowing to obtain the layout of the base the band grating, given the layouts of the band moire image and of the revealing line grating. Base and revealing layer layouts may be conceived to create band moiré image shapes whose patterns move e.g. radially, circularly, or according to a spiral trajectory. Shape level lines occur in a superposition image when e.g. a base layer comprising modified sets of lines is superposed with a revealing layer comprising a line grating. Such a base layer embeds a shape elevation profile generated from an initial motif shape image (e.g.

Abstract: A method for obtaining NMR (=nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra of quadrupolar nuclei having spin l>½ using magic angle spinning (=MAS) in solid powders and transfer of coherences from a neighboring nucleus with spin S= 1/2 to single- or double-quantum transitions of quadrupolar nuclei having spin l>½, is characterized in that the transfer of coherences occurs through a combination of scalar and residual dipolar splittings. With the inventive method improved NMR-spectra can be obtained from which parameters can be extracted, which can be related to the structure and internal dynamics of solids containing the quadrupolar nuclei.