Abstract: A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting the onset of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) from electrocardiogram (ECG) data representing a patient. A signal processing component determines parameters representing the activity of the heart of the patient from the ECG data. A feature extraction component calculates a plurality of features useful in predicting postoperative AF from the determined parameters. A classification component determines an AF index for the patient from the calculated plurality of features. The AF index represents the likelihood that the patient will experience AF.

Abstract: A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronization of detection loops in a multilane environment. A plurality of loop sensors are arranged in a plurality of lanes such that loop sensors in adjacent lanes are mutually contiguous. A simultaneous synchronization signal is sent to each of the plurality of loop detector controllers, where each loop detector controller is in communication with a loop sensor. The signal causes a scheduling of sampling periods for each loop sensor, such that the sampling period of each loop sensor does not overlap with that of a contiguous loop in an adjacent lane.

Abstract: A novel dual functioning excipient for metal chelate contrast agents is disclosed. The present excipient, Xm[X?(L?)]n, which is the calcium or zinc salt of the calcium or zinc complex of an organic ligand, enhances safety in that it is able to scavenge both free metal ions and free organic ligand.

Abstract: A lavatory system has a cabinet including a base, a basin and a head extending above the basin. A water outlet/sensor is mounted in the head. A water supply line is connected to the water outlet. A solenoid valve in the water supply line controls the flow of water through the water supply line. A circuit board sends electrical signals to the solenoid valve for opening and closing the valve upon receipt of indications from a sensor as to whether a user hands is present or not. The solenoid valve, shut off valve, circuit board and sensor are mounted in the head with a sloped surface towards the basin. A manual shutoff valve mounted in the head is included in the supply line.

Abstract: Methods of making optical films having continuous phase/disperse phase morphology are disclosed which can control the nature of the disperse phase in such films to yield enhanced optical properties. When used in liquid crystal displays and the like, the films can increase the screen luminance beyond that achievable with known continuous phase/disperse phase optical films.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining an optimal performance of a lossless circuit. In one embodiment, the number of inductors and capacitors contained in a circuit of interest are input, and then a random search of a plurality of lossless circuits, each having the same number of inductors and capacitors, is conducted. Then, the electrical load used by the circuit of interest is input into each of the plurality of lossless circuits. The method then searches for a circuit of the plurality of lossless circuits having the smallest mismatch between the electrical load and the circuit's input reflectance. The circuit having a lowest mismatch between the input electrical load and the circuit's input reflectance is then determined.

Abstract: A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.

Abstract: A toilet training system is provided that exhibits an average improvement in Weighted Progress Scale score over baseline of greater than 1.0 over four weeks. Also provided is a method for improving the efficacy of toilet training, the method including producing a toilet training system including an absorbent article having a reactive component, the toilet training system enabling a statistically significant improvement in average Weighted Progress Scale score over baseline over three weeks as compared to use of a substantially identical absorbent article without the reactive component. Also provided is a toilet training system yielding a measurable reduction in time to progress toilet training as compared to use of a wetness liner training pant, wherein the measurable reduction in time is met by achieving the same average Weighted Progress Scale score over baseline in a shorter time period.

Abstract: A transportable system for separating materials in a waste stream. An arrangement of separation and grinding devices is mounted on a transportable platform. The devices are configured and arranged to produce three or more product streams from a plastic-rich feed mixture. One of the product streams is a coarse heavy stream, one stream is a ground plastic-rich product stream, and one stream is a ground light material stream. The system can be transported to a waste-goods location, operated to separate waste-goods, and relocated a new location.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronization of detection loops in a multilane environment. A plurality of loop sensors are arranged in a plurality of lanes such that loop sensors in adjacent lanes are mutually contiguous. A simultaneous synchronization signal is sent to each of the plurality of loop detector controllers, where each loop detector controller is in communication with a loop sensor. The signal causes a scheduling of sampling periods for each loop sensor, such that the sampling period of each loop sensor does not overlap with that of a contiguous loop in an adjacent lane.

Abstract: The invention concerns a window assembly in a vehicle having a window pane that is fixed in a window frame that is also used for movable windows. The window assembly may have a window mounting bracket assembly including a support plate mounted to the vehicle structure; a window support cam mounted to the support plate and pivotable about a cam axis, the window support cam having a lobe portion extending away from the cam axis and a peripheral window support surface for receiving and supporting a lower edge of the window pane; and a cam lock operatively engaging the window support cam to selectively prevent the window support cam from rotating relative to the support plate. The invention also concerns a method of mounting the fixed window pane in the vehicle window assembly.

Abstract: An ink set is made up of at least three differently colored phase change inks, for example cyan, magenta and yellow, wherein at least one of the colored phase change inks is a photochromic ink that contains a photochromic material. Upon exposure to activating radiation such as ultraviolet light, the at least one photochromic ink changes to a color different from the color of the photochromic ink prior to exposure to the activating radiation.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a first reflective polarizer substantially reflecting light having a first polarization state and substantially transmitting light having a second polarization state, a polarization rotating layer or depolarizing layer (or both) positioned to receive light passing through the first reflective polarizer, and a second reflective polarizer positioned to receive light passing through the polarization rotating layer or depolarizing layer, the second reflective polarizer substantially reflecting light having a third polarization state back through the polarization rotating layer or depolarizing and substantially transmitting light having a fourth polarization state. Articles containing the assembly can be formed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing media products are disclosed herein. As one example, a system for producing a media product that includes a microprocessor is disclosed. Such a system may include a content object set maintained on a computer readable medium accessible to the microprocessor and software executable to receive a job definition; receive a composition zone definition; receive a layout definition; and export a product in accordance with the job definition and the layout definition to a first media and a second media.

Abstract: A method and system for performing quality control checks upon weather data are provided. The weather data includes information pertaining to a plurality of weather parameters. The quality control checks may identify inaccurate weather parameters or be used to rank weather data sets. The quality control checks include hourly, daily, and forecast quality control checks performed upon hourly, daily, and forecast weather parameter data. The method and system may exclude the inaccurate weather parameters identified from a reasonable weather database. The method and system may determine reasonable or approximate weather parameters that approximate the actual weather parameters. The system may rank a plurality of weather data sets based upon the accuracy determination. The reasonable weather data or the weather data ranked as the most accurate may be used to calculate energy or cost savings for building energy conservation measures.

Abstract: Curable monomer that is liquid at 25° C., curable wax and colorant together from a radiation curable ink. This ink may be used to form images by providing the radiation curable ink at a first temperature; applying the radiation curable ink to the substrate to form an image, the substrate being at a second temperature, which is below the first temperature; and exposing the radiation curable ink to radiation to cure the ink.

Abstract: A radiation curable phase change ink preferably used in piezoelectric ink jet devices includes an ink vehicle that includes at least one gellant comprised of a curable polyamide-epoxy acrylate component and a polyamide component, and at least one colorant. The use of the gellant enables the ink to form a gel state having a viscosity of at least 103 mPa·s at very low temperatures of about 25° C. to about 100° C. The ink may thus be jetted at very low jetting temperatures of, for example, about 40° C. to about 110° C. The ink may be used to form an image by heating the ink to a first temperature at which the ink may be jetted, jetting onto a member or substrate maintained at a second temperature at which the ink forms a gel state, and exposing the ink to radiation energy to polymerize curable components of the ink.