Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for use in optical processing of an article. The apparatus comprises: one or more optical windows for directing predetermined electromagnetic radiation therethrough to illuminate a region of interest and collecting radiation returned from the illuminated region; and two or more ports operable for inputting or discharging one or more gases from the vicinity of the region of interest on the article being processed to create in the vicinity of said region a substantially static state of environment, non-absorbable for said electromagnetic radiation, thereby reducing amount of ambient gas in the vicinity of said region of interest and enabling optical processing of the article while maintaining it in the ambient gas environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass including hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, including exploding the biomass cells to devolatilize the biomass, hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to produce a liquid component including hemicellulosic sugars and a solid component including less than 10% hemicellulose, separating the liquid and solid components, vaporizing the cellulose in the solid component, and condensing the cellulosic sugar vapors. The methods and systems may vaporize the cellulose in a continuous steam reactor at a temperature of about 400-550° C. and a pressure of about 1-3 bara. Electromagnetic and/or electroaccoustic treatment such as ultrasound and/or microwave treatment may be applied to the biomass immediately before or during cellulose hydrolysis.

Abstract: A system for reducing the effects of a blast wave includes armor plating configured to face a supersonic blast wave. The armor plating has a surface consisting of alternating tall and short peaks with valleys between the peaks. The peaks and valleys are positioned such that the supersonic blast wave reflects from the side surfaces of the tall peaks as a regular reflection that at least partially suppresses Mach reflection of the supersonic wave caused by the short peaks and the valleys. The surface may also be designed to not trap reflected waves. The valleys can be parabolic shaped to deflect and/or dissipate transonic flow that follows the blast wave front.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in characterizing properties of an article having a structure comprising a multiplicity of sites comprising different periodic patterns, where method includes providing a theoretical model of prediction indicative of optical properties of different stacks defined by geometrical and material parameters of corresponding sites, said sites being common in at least one of geometrical parameter and material parameter; performing optical measurements on at least two different stacks of the article and generating optical measured data indicative of the geometrical parameters and material composition parameters for each of the measured stacks; processing the optical measured data, said processing comprising simultaneously fitting said optical measured data for the multiple measured stacks with said theoretical model and extracting said at least one common parameter, thereby enabling to characterize the properties of the multi-layer structure within the single article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene using a mixed oxide catalyst supported onto a ceramic membrane by supplying an oxygen containing gas (air or pure oxygen) and pure ethane to the opposite sides of the membrane, so that the paraffin and the oxygen do not directly mix in the reactor.

Abstract: Injection apparatus and methods of positioning an injection needle in an injection apparatus are described herein. The injection apparatus may include one or more axes of rotation. The injection apparatus may include an injection unit attached to a support assembly that moves between a rearward position and a forward position, with the injection unit attached to the support such that it rotates relative to the support assembly about an injection unit axis.

Abstract: A scavenger is used to indirectly control the ratio of polymer components in a polyethylene composition made using a combination catalyst comprising an inorganic chromium catalyst, and a group 4 single site catalyst.

Abstract: A unitary plastic container, which is optionally used for waste collection comprises a base, a front wall, a back wall and two opposing side walls, each wall extending upwardly from the base to define an open container top and an interior container volume. Each side wall has an outwardly extending sidewall portion which is outwardly offset relative to the rest of the container side wall. In each outwardly extending sidewall portion, an elongated cutout, indentation or channel is present. The elongated channel has a forward opening, a rearward opening and an elongated side opening extending from the forward opening to the rearward opening. The elongated channel lies within the interior container volume and divides the outwardly extending sidewall portion into two areas: an upper outwardly extending sidewall portion and a lower outwardly extending portion. The outwardly open elongate channel may be fitted with a reinforcing sleeve.

Abstract: This invention refers to a new method for optimizing the composition of cell culture media. This new method comprises two main stages. In the first stage, a functional enviromics map is built through the joint screening of cell functions and medium factors by the execution of a specific cell culture protocol and exometabolome assays protocol. The functional enviromics map consists of a data array of intensity values of elementary cellular functions against medium factors. In the second stage, optimized cell culture medium formulations are developed that either enhance or repress target elementary cellular functions from columns of the functional enviromics map.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging for puzzles and board games, comprising: two co-acting box parts, a bottom part and a cover part, wherein at least one of the box parts is provided with a flat side and a plurality of side walls connecting to the periphery of the flat side, which side walls are pivotable. The invention further relates to an assembly of such a packaging and the objects forming part of a puzzle or board game.

Abstract: The invention illustrates an innovative way to fabricate low cost, efficient, rigid or flexible mesoscopic optoelectronic devices such as photovoltaic (PV) solar cells or photo sensors (b) comprising three-dimensional arrays of semi-conductive micro- or nano-pillars (3b) deposited from suspensions e.g. by inkjet printing. Said pillars additionally increase the surface area of the device composed of an interpenetrating network of semiconductor particles of mesoscopic (2-50 nm) size forming junctions. In the present invention the active surface area is significantly increased when compared to previous flat structures (a, 3a), being fabricated preferably by inkjet patterning. Additionally, the invention allows for production of much more functional devices when compared with conventional mesoscopic PV cells due to smaller structure density what makes the layer more resistive to mechanical failure when bending.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for determining a line profile in a patterned structure, aimed at controlling a process of manufacture of the structure. The patterned structure comprises a plurality of different layers, the pattern in the structure being formed by patterned regions and un-patterned regions. At least first and second measurements are carried out, each utilizing illumination of the structure with a broad wavelengths band of incident light directed on the structure at a certain angle of incidence, detection of spectral characteristics of light returned from the structure, and generation of measured data representative thereof. The measured data obtained with the first measurement is analyzed, and at least one parameter of the structure is thereby determined.

Abstract: A coated medical implant, such as a coated dental component, is provided, the coated medical implant including a substrate surface formed of a material comprising available hydroxyl groups and a silicon oxide coating layer chemisorbed on the substrate surface. A method for the preparation of such coated implants is also provided, the method involving application of the silicon oxide coating layer to the substrate surface by chemical vapor deposition. A dental structure is also provided, which includes a first dental component having a substrate surface formed of a material comprising available hydroxyl groups; a silicon oxide coating layer chemisorbed on the substrate surface; a silane coupling agent overlying and covalently attached to the silicon oxide layer; a dental cement overlying and coupled to the silane coupling agent; and a second dental component having a surface bonded to the dental cement.

Abstract: A disposable urea sensor has a laminated body having a fluid sample inlet end and an electrical contact end, a fluid sample inlet, a substantially flat sample chamber in communication between the fluid sample inlet and a vent opening, the sample chamber being adapted to collect a fluid sample through the fluid sample inlet, a working electrode and a reference electrode within the sample chamber, and a reagent matrix disposed on the working electrode wherein the reagent matrix contains urease.

Abstract: Ethylene copolymers having a relatively high melt flow ratio and a multimodal profile in a temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) plot are disclosed. The copolymers can be made into film having good dart impact values and good stiffness properties under decreased extruder pressures.

Abstract: The invention refers to compositions that comprise the protein preparation, obtained from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis, in a low concentration. Additionally, the invention refers to the use of the protein preparation or the composition described herein, for the preparation of a medicine to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, and to the method of treating same that uses the aforementioned composition or the protein preparation.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Heuchera plant characterized by red purple spring leaves to silver with a dark purple margin summer leaves, medium-large, lightly ruffled, deeply lobed leaves, dark veins and leaf backs, multicolored flowers of yellow green, brown, and white on dark burgundy flowering stems, a large mounding habit, excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Heuchera plant characterized by medium, jagged edged leaves, red spring to very dark summer through winter leaf color, creamy white flowers on short dark stalks, medium, mounding habit, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Leucanthemum plant named ‘Bridal Bouquet’ characterized by daisy type inflorescences that are lightly ruffled and double, with yellow ray florets in the young inflorescences, numerous white ray florets around a large gold disc, excellent bloom size, a very low, compact habit, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Heuchera plant characterized by medium size leaves that change color depending on the temperature, with red spring leaves and veiled summer leaves which change from red to tan, winter leaves are veiled olive green, short flowering stems with showy white flowers, reblooming all spring, summer, fall, an excellent, multi-crowned, medium mounding habit, and excellent vigor.