Abstract: The effects of decoherence and/or noise in adiabatic quantum computation and quantum annealing are reduced by implementing replica coding schemes. Multiple instances of the same problem are mapped to respective subsets of the qubits and coupling devices of a quantum processor. The multiple instances are evolved simultaneously in the presence of coupling between the qubits of different instances. Quantum processor architectures that are adapted to facilitate replica coding are also described.

Abstract: A coffee milling process comprising the steps of: a) introducing particles of a roasted coffee precursor into a milling chamber; b) introducing particles of soluble coffee into the milling chamber; c) jetting a gas into the milling chamber to mobilize the particles of the roasted coffee precursor and soluble coffee; d) thereby producing a milled and blended coffee product by comminuting the particles of the roasted coffee precursor by self-collision of the particles of the roasted coffee precursor and by collision of the particles of soluble coffee with the particles of the roasted coffee precursor within the milling chamber. Processes and products incorporating milled and blended coffee products are also described.

Abstract: A silicon nanowire bio-chip structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The structure comprises a semiconductor substrate (1), a SiO2 insulating layer (2) formed on the semiconductor substrate, a polysilicon layer (3) formed on the SiO2 insulating layer (2) and a structural layer formed on the polysilicon layer (3); wherein, the polysilicon layer (3) comprises a patterned silicon nanowire array (4); the structural layer includes a SiON layer, a TaN and/or Ta2O5 layer (6) from bottom to top, the TaN and/or Ta2O5 layer only covers surface of each silicon nanowire in the silicon nanowire array. The silicon nanowire array is prevented from being polluted during preservation and use, and the pollutants of Na ions, K ions, Fe ions, Cu ions and Ca ions as well as the effects of chemical factors including the PH value are blocked during biological detection, thereby achieving the high stability of detection.

Abstract: A method for range imaging allows determining respective distances to multiple objects, based on a single image. The image is captured through a component having a transmittance function of which the Fourier transform is inscribed on a circle within a plane of spatial frequencies. A Fourier transform of the captured image is calculated in order to obtain a total spectrum for the image content. The distance to each object is then calculated based on several homothetic superimpositions of a reference spectrum with the total spectrum, so that said reference spectrum coincides with a portion of the total spectrum each time.

Abstract: A process for preparing a carboxylic acid, by oxidative cleavage of at least one vicinal diol, or an epoxide, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst and of an oxidizing agent and in the absence of solvent.

Abstract: A method for determining target optical functions for a pair of ophthalmic lenses is provided, the method comprising steps of: generating a first target optical function (OFT1) for a first lens of the pair based at least on data relating to a first eye, generating a second target optical function (OFT2) for a second lens of the pair based at least on data relating to the first eye. This method makes it possible to obtain optical functions having improved symmetry. Thus, when using the target optical functions in an optical optimization method, lenses with improved binocular properties can be obtained. The comfort of the wearer of the pair of lenses is thus improved.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise device has a frame and guide link pivotally attached thereto. A foot support link is pivotally connected to a lower attachment point of each guide link so that when the guide links pivot relative to the frame, foot receiving areas of the foot support links move in a path of travel having a horizontal component of motion. A cam drive has cams supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and pivoting arms each engaging one of the cams such that rotation of the cams causes movement of the pivoting arms. Flexible elements couple the foot support links to the pivoting arms such that rotation of the cams moves the foot receiving areas of the respective foot support links in a path of travel having a vertical component of motion.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ophthalmic lens comprising a transparent substrate with a front main face and with a rear main face, at least one of the main faces being coated with a multilayered antireflective coating comprising a stack of at least one layer having a refractive index higher than or equal 1.5 and at least one layer having a refractive index lower than 1.5, such that:—the mean light reflection factor in the visible region Rv is lower than or equal to 0.5% for an angle of incidence lower than 35°;—the Chroma C* is equal or higher than 18, preferably 20, according to the international colorimetric CIE L*a*b* for an angle of incidence (?) of 15°.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, R3, R4, R5, A1, A2, T and W are as defined in the description. Medicinal products containing the same which are useful in treating pathologies involving a deficit in apoptosis, such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, and diseases of the immune system.

Abstract: A snow volume-reducing and fluidisation device comprising: a first fixed reservoir (1) equipped with snow fluidising and volume-reducing means (2-6); at least one second reservoir forming a storage basin (11), the volume of said storage basin being at least 20 times preferably 100 times the volume of the first reservoir and said storage basin being at least partly filled, preferably to at least 30% of its volume, with water at ambient temperature; and said fluidisation means (2-6) comprising: snow compacting means comprising mobile dynamic compacting means; and chopping and/or mixing means (2) capable of forcing the snow downwards; and means (3) to inject water derived from the machine reservoir or from the storage basin (11) capable of injecting water above and below said chopping and/or mixing means; and ultrasound generating devices, preferably distributed at several points in the first reservoir in substantially homogeneous manner, positioned below said water injection nozzles.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise device has a frame supporting guide links and foot support links. A cam system has a vertical control cam portion. Vertical control followers are pivotally connected to a vertical follower support. Mechanical vertical control couplings couple the foot support links to the vertical control followers. A foot receiving area of each foot support link moves in a generally elliptical path when the cam portion rotates about the cam axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a compound formed by functionalized micro- or nanoparticles associated covalently with rheology-modifying polymers. The invention is characterized in that the functionalized micro- or nanoparticles are functionalized micro- or nanoparticles of cerium oxide (CeO2) having a nominal diameter of between 1 and 1500 nm. The rheology-adapting or -modifying polymers are selected from among non-associative or associative polymers. The invention is used in skin protection or decontamination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens comprising a UV-absorbent transparent organic substrate, comprising submerging the organic substrate in a bath consisting of an aqueous solution containing a 2-(2-hydroxy-4-alkyloxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, in which the alkyl group is linear or branched and contains 3 to 12 carbon atom

Abstract: A crossbow may be a horizontal crossbow having a main beam and a bow assembly mounted to the main beam. The bow assembly may include: a bowstring; a riser attached to the main beam; a first bow limb; a second bow limb; a first wheel that is supported to the first bow limb; and a second wheel that is supported to the second bow limb. In some embodiments, the bow limbs may be separated at least as wide as a user's foot. In other embodiments, the bow assembly may include a trigger oriented parallel to pivot axes about which the wheels rotate. In yet other embodiments, a ratio of the distance between the wheels and the power stroke is less than 1.8.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a Conductive Bridge Random Access Memory (CBRAM) device that includes an electrolyte element sandwiched between a cation supply top electrode and a bottom electrode. The method comprises conditioning the CBRAM device by applying a forming current pulse having a pulse width (tf) of 100 ns or less and a pulse amplitude (If) of 10 uA or less, and when programming, setting the conditioned CBRAM device to a Low Resistance State (LRS) by applying a set current pulse having a pulse width (ts) of 100 ns or less and a pulse amplitude (Is) equal to or larger than the forming current pulse amplitude (If).

Abstract: An elliptical exercise device has a frame and guide link pivotally attached thereto. A foot support link is pivotally connected to a lower attachment point of each guide link so that when the guide links pivot relative to the frame, foot receiving areas of the foot support links move in a path of travel having a horizontal component of motion. A cam drive has cams supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and pivoting arms each engaging one of the cams such that rotation of the cams causes movement of the pivoting arms. Flexible elements couple the foot support links to the pivoting arms such that rotation of the cams moves the foot receiving areas of the respective foot support links in a path of travel having a vertical component of motion. A crank and horizontal control links control pivoting of the guide links.

Abstract: A superconducting integrated circuit may include a magnetic flux transformer having an inner inductive coupling element and an outer inductive coupling element that surrounds the inner inductive coupling element along at least a portion of a length thereof. The magnetic flux transformer may have a coaxial-like geometry such that a mutual inductance between the first inductive coupling element and the second inductive coupling element is sub-linearly proportional to a distance that separates the first inner inductive coupling element from the first outer inductive coupling element. At least one of the first inductive coupling element and the second inductive coupling element may be coupled to a superconducting programmable device, such as a superconducting qubit.

Abstract: An injection blow molding (IBM) system and method for forming a plurality of parisons and molded articles. The IBM system includes an injection station having upper and lower die sets and a plurality of upper and lower mold half blocks each attached to a respective die set. Each of the upper mold half blocks has a corresponding lower mold half block with which it cooperatively defines one or more cavities for forming the exterior shape of the body of one or more of the parisons. The individual, independent attachment of the mold half blocks to the die sets allows easy individual replacement of faulty or worn mold blocks. Further, such an independent attachment configuration also permits the mold half blocks of each die set to be spaced from one another, so as to reduce thermal expansion problems and ease dimensional tolerances required for the width of the mold half blocks.

Abstract: The invention provides novel quinolinone-carboxamide 5-HT4 receptor agonist compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat diseases associated with 5-HT4 receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.