Abstract: A system and method for searching multimedia databases using a pictorial language, input via an iconic interface and making use of trained ontologies, i.e., trained data models. An iconic graphic user interface (GUI) allows a user to specify a pictorial query that may include one or more one or more key-images and optional text input. Similarities between the query key-images and images in a multimedia database based on a pictorial edit distance are used to select the images that are the closest match to the query. The result images are returned to the user in order of their relevance to the query.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fast applicable hair piece (1) for obtaining a special esthetical effect like e.g. a colour effect or a hair volume effect having a remarkable high wearing comfort for the user. The hair piece (1) comprises at least one thin, broad and flat hair piece (3) consisting of a number of hairs (20). The hair bundle (3, 3?, 3?) is provided at its free end with a lightweight and thin elongated weaving band (2, 2?, 2?) made from hair or from another suitable material like e.g. cotton or a synthetic material comprising regularly weaving elements (11). This weaving band is characterized by connection opening (4, 4?, 4?, 31) provided at regular mutual distance. A suitable number of basic hairs (9, 9?, 9?) may be passed through said connection openings (4, 4?, 4?, 31). As a result a temporarily, durable however eventually easily removable connection between the hair (1) piece and the basic hair (6) will be formed, in such a way that the hair piece (1) is always reusable.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method or apparatus is described for determining concentration(s) of one or more analytes in a sample using plasmonic excitations. In another aspect, a method relates to designing systems for such concentration determination, wherein metallic nanostructures are used in combination with local electrical detection of such plasmon resonances via a semiconducting photodetector. In certain aspects, the method exploits the coupling of said metallic nanostructure(s) to a semiconducting photodetector, said detector being placed in the “metallic structure's” near field. Surface plasmon excitation can be transduced efficiently into an electrical signal through absorption of light that is evanescently coupled or scattered in a semiconductor volume. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof.

Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for searching a database of graphical data are described. Embodiments of the invention use accelerated image-comparing techniques based on an adaptation of the Levenshtein algorithm for matching or searching one-dimensional data strings for use with recognizing pre-selected targets in graphical contents of 2D images.

Abstract: An anchor assembly includes a base to which at least one connector and three legs are operatively connected. The connector provides an anchorage point for connection to a lifeline. The legs are secured to a support structure. The legs are reinforced proximate the base and when a force is exerted on the at least one connector by the lifeline, the legs bend proximate the support structure thus placing a shear load on the legs proximate the support structure.

Abstract: A system and method for associating and controlling multimedia supporting events with a primary event. The events are translated into tasks and sent to media servers for execution at a predetermined time by being further translated into media specific tasks to control a bit-pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making an optical article with anti-reflection properties, comprising the steps of: a) forming on at least one main surface of a support, by applying a sol comprising at least one colloidal mineral oxide with a refractive index higher than or equal to 1.80 having an initial porosity; b) optionally, forming on the first lower layer by applying a sol comprising at least one colloidal mineral oxide with a refractive index lower than 1.65 a second lower layer having an initial porosity at least equal to the initial porosity of said first layer; c) applying onto the one or more lower layer(s) an upper layer composition of an optically transparent polymer material with a refractive index lower than or equal to 1.

Abstract: Inventors have developed a chromophore (nitrodibenzylfuranyl, or NBDF) for ultra efficient uncaging of a caged substrate (e.g., an organic molecule such as, for example, an amino acid, a biological molecules, such as, for example, second messengers inside cells). Photolysis of a NBDF derivative of EGTA (i.e. caged calcium) is about 50 times more efficient than others calcium cages (the quantum yield of photolysis is 0.6 and the extinction coefficient is 18,400. NDBF-EGTA has a 2-photon cross section of about 0.3-0.6 GM).

Abstract: The present invention is a probe, a primer, and an antibody, for detecting a dopaminergic neuron proliferative progenitor cell. According to the present invention, there is provided a polynucleotide probe and a polynucleotide primer for use in the detection or selection of a dopaminergic neuron proliferative progenitor cell, which can hybridize with a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence of an Msx1 gene or an Msx2 gene, or a complementary sequence thereto, and an antibody against an Msx1 protein or an Msx2 protein, or a part thereof for use in the detection or selection of a dopaminergic neuron proliferative progenitor cell.

Abstract: Solving computational problems may include generating a logic circuit representation of the computational problem, encoding the logic circuit representation as a discrete optimization problem, and solving the discrete optimization problem using a quantum processor. Output(s) of the logic circuit representation may be clamped such that the solving involves effectively executing the logic circuit representation in reverse to determine input(s) that corresponds to the clamped output(s). The representation may be of a Boolean logic circuit. The discrete optimization problem may be composed of a set of miniature optimization problems, where each miniature optimization problem encodes a respective logic gate from the logic circuit representation. A quantum processor may include multiple sets of qubits, each set coupled to respective annealing signal lines such that dynamic evolution of each set of qubits is controlled independently from the dynamic evolutions of the other sets of qubits.

Abstract: A method for hydrodesulfurization by forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen-containing gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than 1 micron dispersed in a liquid phase comprising sulfur-containing compounds. Desulfurizing a liquid stream comprising sulfur-containing compounds by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 to produce a dispersion of hydrogen in a continuous phase of the liquid and introducing the dispersion into a fixed bed hydrodesulfurization reactor from which a reactor product is removed. Systems of apparatus for hydrodesulfurization are also presented.

Abstract: Detail implant drill holes and the shape of a dental implant superstructure are shown by creating a computer model giving jawbone structural details, gum surface shape information and proposed teeth or dental prosthesis shape information. The computer model shows the bone structure, gum surface and teeth images properly referenced to one another so that implant drill hole positions can be selected taking into consideration proper positioning within the bone as well as proper positioning with respect to the dental prosthesis. Similarly, manufacture of the dental implant superstructure used for fixed dental prosthesis or overdentures can be designed based on knowledge of the actual implant positions referenced to an image of the gum surface and proposed dental prosthesis.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel iminium salts, which may be in the form of ionic liquids, and a process for producing electron deficient olefins, such as 2-cyanoacrylates, using such an iminium salt, for instance in the form of an ionic liquid.

Abstract: For each of a number of landmarks in an image an initial position of the landmark is defined. Next a neighborhood around the initial position, comprising a number of candidate locations of the landmark is sampled and a cost is associated with each of the candidate locations. A cost function expressing a weighted sum of overall gray level cost and overall shape cost for all candidate locations is optimized. A segmented anatomic entity is defined as a path through a selected combination of candidate locations for which combination the cost function is optimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antenna that produces a radiation pattern that is axisymmetric about a geometrical axis (X) and exhibits a radiation maximum in a plane perpendicular to the direction of said X axis that includes a feed wire extending along said axis (X) from a first end situated level with a conducting surface forming an earth plane of the antenna to a second end that feeds a set of N radiating strands, N being an integer, characterized in that it also includes at least one earth return rod for the strands, said rod linking one of the radiating strands of the set to the earth plane.

Abstract: An electric connection device including a first connection member to be powered by an electric current and a second conjugated connection member, the first connection member being provided with at least one luminous member having at least two states and powered by a portion of the supply current of said first connection member. The device includes a position sensor having two states and provided in the first connection member so as to be actuated by a portion of the second connection member, or a mobile portion of the first connection member driven by a portion of said second member when said members are in a connection position, thus switching the position sensor from state to the other, the latter being adapted to switch the luminous element or one of them from one state to the other depending on its own state.

Abstract: A present invention provides an optical communication apparatus and method which can use a data modulator and an OFDM modulator more narrow band than a transmission band. The optical communication apparatus comprise an intensity modulation means for modulating intensity of continuous light with a sine wave, a means for separating optical signal outputted by said intensity modulation means into a bottom sideband and an upper sideband and outputting, a first modulation means for modulating said upper sideband with a first electrical signal, a second modulation means for modulating said bottom sideband with a second electrical signal, and a multiplex means for multiplexing an output signal from said first modulation means and an output signal from said second modulation means and outputting.

Abstract: A stable solution of molecular material includes a first type of organic or organometallic molecule and a second type of organic or organometallic molecule or of ion. The first type has groups allowing electron delocalization. The solution further includes a third type of molecule that may be a surfactant or a solvent, capable of combining with the first or the second type of molecule or of ion), to form an adduct in solution whose presence prevents the precipitation of a compound formed by reaction between the first and second types of molecules, and makes it possible to obtain solutions whose concentration of the compound is greater than that governed by the precipitation constant of the compound in the absence of molecules of the third type.