Abstract: A method of processing a digital image. The method comprises: populating (100) a bilateral grid (10) comprising a plurality of cells (20), based on information obtained from the image, each cell comprising at least one value; then cumulatively integrating (110) the at least one value over the bilateral grid to form an integrated grid comprising integrated values; generating (120) a modified bilateral grid, comprising computing the sum of the at least one value over a predetermined rectangular box of cells of the bilateral grid, by using the integrated values corresponding to the corners of the box; and slicing (130) the modified bilateral grid to generate an output image.

Abstract: An underwater seismic system for reducing noise due to ghost reflections or motion through the water from seismic signals. The system includes two motion sensors. One sensor has a first response and is sensitive to platform-motion-induced noise as well as to acoustic waves. The other sensor has a different construction that isolates it from the acoustic waves so that its response is mainly to motion noise. The outputs of the two sensor responses are combined to remove the effects of motion noise. When further combined with a hydrophone signal, noise due to ghost reflections is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vitro cell based expression system for overexpressing heterologous pump proteins associated with drug resistance into the membrane of the host cell for drug screening applications.

Abstract: Multi-cladding optical fibers to be used in the context of fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers are described herein. Embodiments of optical fibers include a rare-earth doped core into which the signal field is to be amplified. The doped core is surrounded by multiple claddings that guide the pump field to be absorbed by the reactive core material. The first cladding has a depressed refractive index to improve high-order mode bending losses without incurring significant fundamental mode bending losses.

Abstract: A functional model of a business process which is annotated with security requirements is provided. Platform-specific executable code and at least one configuration file for a given security enforcement component to enforce the security requirements of the model are then generated automatically.

Abstract: A system provided herein permits a communications network subscriber to establish a local contact database on at least one communications device. The local contact database can communicate with a global contact database to receive contact information updates for a group of subscribers stored within the local contact database. The contact information can include basic contact information, such as name, address, email address, and telephone number. The contact information can also include advanced contact information, such as registration and activity information for each communications device associated with the group of subscribers, location information, hotspot information, points of interest information, and social networking information. Methods are provided herein that permit subscribers to introduce each other and obtain contact information securely. Methods are also provided herein that permit subscribers to request further contact information after a communication session is terminated.

Abstract: A method of kerf formation and treatment for solar cells and semiconductor films and a system therefor are described. A semiconductor film is backed by a first metal layer and topped by a second metal layer. A reference feature is defined on the film. An ultraviolet laser beam is aligned to the reference feature. A kerf is cut along the reference feature, using the ultraviolet laser beam. The beam cuts through the second metal layer, through the film and through the first metal layer. Cutting leaves debris deposited on walls of the kerf. The debris is cleaned off of the walls, using an acid-based solvent. In the case of solar cells, respective first terminals of the solar cells are electrically isolated by the cleaned kerf, and respective negative terminals of the solar cells are electrically isolated by the cleaned kerf.

Abstract: A method for depositing material on a turbine airfoil having a tip wall extending past a tip cap, wherein the tip wall includes a first alloy with a single crystal microstructure. The method includes: depositing a second alloy on at least a portion of the tip wall to form a repair structure, wherein a high temperature oxidation resistance of the second alloy is greater than a high temperature oxidation resistance of the first alloy, and wherein the repair structure has a crystallographic orientation that is substantially the same as a crystallographic orientation of the tip wall.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to cause a visual representation of a plurality of objects representative of respective physical structures to be provided with the height of at least one of the objects being modified, thereby visually accentuating the object(s). In regards to a method, one or more objects representative of respective physical structures are identified from among a plurality of objects. The plurality of objects therefore include first object(s) that were identified and second object(s) that were not identified. Each object has an associated height. The method may also modify the height associated with at least one of the objects such that a height differential between the first objects and the second objects is altered. The method may also cause a visual representation of the plurality of objects to be provided with at least one of the objects having a modified height.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the orientation of a surgical tool with respect to a bone of a patient are disclosed. The method includes defining a bone reference plane using a processor; receiving first information at the processor from a first active sensor attached to the bone at a location having a predetermined relationship with the plane, the first information relating to a movement of the first sensor and wherein changes in orientation to the plane are trackable through changes in orientation of the first sensor; receiving second information from a second active sensor attached to the surgical tool, the second information relating to a movement of the second sensor; and determining a three-dimensional orientation of the surgical tool with respect to the plane based on the first and second information. The reference plane may be defined from distances between at least three predetermined reference locations on the bone.

Abstract: In a process for mine waters, a hardness-free, alkaline reagent is first added at least once to the mine water that is to be worked up, whereby metals are sedimented or precipitated out as hydroxides from the mine water that is to be worked up. The precipitated metal hydroxides are separated off and the remaining mine water is further treated by adding a hardness-forming precipitation reagent, whereby gypsum, in particular in the form of gypsum mud, is precipitated out from the then metal-free mine water that is to be worked up. Thus a sequential separation of the metals and the sulphate from the mine water that is to be worked up proceed via corresponding precipitation using respectively corresponding precipitation chemicals, wherein, in the gypsum precipitation following the metal precipitation, a metal-free gypsum mud is produced that is safe to landfill.

Abstract: A connector system and tire assembly includes a tire having a toroidal tire cavity for containing pressurized air, an elongate integral air passageway contained within a flexible tire component, the air passageway extending between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component, the air passageway extending for at least a partial circumferential path around the tire, and a metallic connector assembly within the outlet cavity, the connector assembly including a through-channel for conducting air flow communication between the air passageway within the flexible tire component and a chamber of the connector assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes matching records from a plurality of international import/export databases, to unique corporate identifiers, and merging data from the records into a global database. There is also provided a system that employs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions that cause a processor to execute the method.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.

Abstract: A vehicle washing installation having two stands on which a nozzle beam with a plurality of high-pressure nozzles is held so as be adjustable in height is provided. The nozzle beam is surrounded by a protective body extending along the nozzle beam and having at least one outlet opening for cleaning liquid, the protective body being adjustable in height together with the nozzle beam and being movable relative to the nozzle beam upon striking an obstacle, the movement of the protective body relative to the nozzle beam being detectable by a sensor assembly in order to provide a control signal.

Abstract: Compound with formula (I), wherein R? and R? represent a hydrogen atom, a monovalent radical with formula (IIa), or a monovalent radical with formula (IIb), it being understood that at least one of the R? or R? radicals does not represent a hydrogen atom and that when the R? and R? radicals do not represent a hydrogen atom, R? and R? are identical; method for preparing and using in cosmetics and as a drug.

Abstract: Process for polymerization and, in particular, to a process for start-up of a gas phase fluidized bed polymerization reaction involving one or more monomers using a catalyst in a reactor. The process includes providing a start-up bed of particles in the reactor in the presence of the one or more monomers but in the absence of the catalyst, introducing at T0 catalyst to the reactor to initiate reaction and start-up polymer production at a time Ti, Ti being between 1 and 6 hours after T0. The value of Xi is less than a threshold value, wherein: Xi=Cumulative production in the time period T0 to Ti/(Cumulative catalyst injection the time period T0 to Ti*PiC2=), where PiC2= is the ethylene partial pressure in the reactor at the time Ti, subsequently stopping the injection of catalyst, and taking a corrective action to address the low value of X.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid (hereinafter also referred to as ‘6-ACA’) using a biocatalyst. The invention further relates to a method for preparing e-caprolactam (hereafter referred to as ‘caprolactam’) by cyclising such 6-ACA. The invention further relates to a host cell, a micro-organism, or a polynucleotide which may be used in the preparation of 6-ACA or caprolactam.