Abstract: A method of initializing an ITU Recommendation G.729 Annex B voice activity detection (VAD) device is disclosed, having the steps of (1) extracting a set of parameters from a signal that characterize the signal; (2) calculating an energy measure of the signal from the set of parameters; (3) comparing the energy measure with a reference value; (4) determining an initial value for an average of a noise characteristic of the signal; and (5) counting the number of times the energy measure equals or exceeds the reference level.

Abstract: Expansion resistant filter cartridge assemblies are provided that facilitate filtering of strong solvent solutions. The filter cartridge assemblies generally include a cylindrical filter element defining an outer periphery, an inner periphery and opposed end surfaces, a perforated cage operatively associated with the outer periphery of the filter element, a perforated core operatively associated with the inner periphery of the filter element and having opposed ends and a predetermined length, and an end cap operatively associated with each of the opposed end surfaces of the filter element and bonded to each end of the core. The perforated cage generally includes an expansion region of about 2.5% to about 4% of the total length of the filter cartridge, e.g., a region of axial discontinuity or a plurality of angular struts, to accommodate swelling and/or dimensional expansion of the cage without adversely affecting the integrity of the filter cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A hair relaxation composition is provided. The hair relaxation comprises an activator containing a thiosulfate compound, an acidifier that preferably does not impart a color change to the hair, and a catalyst. The composition has a pH ranging from about 3.0 to about 4.5. A method for relaxing hair is also provided. A composition as described above is applied to the hair. The composition is allowed to remain on the hair for a period of time ranging from about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes. The composition is removed from the hair. The application, standing and removal steps are then repeated.

Abstract: A VCO modulator controller including a ROM memory storing a number of waveform maps, a counter coupled to the ROM memory and capable of developing a sequence of ROM addresses, a temporal bit generator responsive to a data stream to develop a next bit Nb, a current bit Cb, and a past bit Pb, control circuitry developing a digital waveform signal from selected waveform maps in the ROM memory using the Nb, Cb, and Pb bits and the sequence of ROM memory outputs, and a DAC that converts the digital waveform signal to an analog VCO control signal that encodes said data stream.

Abstract: Method of identifying resistance to Hepatitis C infection wherein the presence of HLA-DRB1*1301-3, HLA-DRB1*1201, HLA-DRB1*1101 or HLA-DRB1*0701 are identified. Peptides capable of modifying immune response and methods of treating Hepatitis C are also disclosed.

Abstract: Application of two-dimensional materials (TDMs) that are exfoliated transition metal dichalcogenides in electrochemical fuel cells to remove contaminants that are harmful to the fuel cells; to effect proper transport and containment of various fluids in fuel cells to achieve proper and efficient operation; to protect various surfaces and materials commonly comprised in or used for fuel cells and critical to their operation; and to purify and lower the freezing point of cooling water used for the fuel cell stacks. Disclosed are methods whereby the TDM is used as a barrier to prevent unwanted crossover (between electrodes through a polymer electrolyte membrane or PEM) of chemical species; where the TDM is used to coat and/or encapsulate catalyst particles, carbon catalyst support, PEMs, and chemical or metal hydrides, to protect the same from unwanted exposure to chemical species; and where the TDM is used to purify and lower the freezing point of fuel cell stack cooling water.

Abstract: Macrocells, e.g., Random Access Memory (“RAM”), are arranged in columns and disposed in a core of an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The macrocells can abut each other within the columns or can be separated from each other by standard cells which are disposed to fill gaps between the macrocells within the columns. Power/ground rails are disposed vertically along the sides of the columns. The power/ground rails run the full height of the core and couple to a power/ground ring disposed along the perimeter of the core. The power/ground rails also couple to the macrocells and the standard cells and provide power to those cells. The columns can form right angles with horizontal standard cell rows, thus enabling the standard cells to couple easily to the vertically disposed power/ground rails.

Abstract: A media serial number (MS#) for a removable data storage cartridge (22) is asymmetrically encrypted using a private key (106) from a key list (103) which never leaves the factory. This factory encrypted value (FEMS#) is stored in a secure memory device (46) in the cartridge, along with an identifier (FKI#). A drive (21) can obtain the encrypted value and associated identifier from the memory device, and pass them to a requesting program (76), which has a list (176) that it accesses with the identifier to obtain a public key it then uses to decrypt the information. An additional feature involves a second level of asymmetric encryption using additional lists of public and private keys. Another feature permits the requesting program to include in its request a random number, which is subsequently included with the information encrypted at the second level.

Abstract: An improved process for the separation of cellulosic fiber from difficult to process coated and inked paper products is disclosed and claimed. This process readily separates the paper pulp fraction substantially free of contaminants from such waste paper products as single and two side polymeric coated board having wet strength resin, single and two side polymeric coated board having no wet strength resin, single and two-sided glossy printer trimmings, ultraviolet (UV) cured ink coated stocks, and mixtures thereof. Preferred embodiments include a process in an inclined pressure vessel equipped with agitating and rotating means operative to reflux the waste material with respect to the inclined axis of the vessel in the presence of steam and chemical aids for a sufficient period of time so as to bring about repulping and separation of the paper fiber fraction and formation of a contaminant-collecting polymer phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining a credit card account with a medical services or insurance account. A client establishes a credit card account and links the credit card account to an insurance policy or medical services account. The client uses the credit card and generates rebates used to offset the cost of the insurance policy or make payments into the medical services account. The form of the rebate depends on the type of insurance policy or medical services account selected by the client. An interactive Web site is provided for creation, coordination, and monitoring of the linked credit card accounts and insurance policies. A client uses the interactive Web site to explore different insurance policies and the effects of using credit card rebates to offset the price of an insurance policy. The interactive Web site also provides services for the client to maintain and monitor the linked accounts.

Abstract: A compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view concentric scanning optical sensor. In a most general embodiment, the inventive optical arrangement (10) includes an at least semi-spherical lens (14) having a base; a reflective surface (16) centered at a center of said base and parallel thereto: and an array (20) of detectors dispose to receive electromagnetic energy received through said lens and reflected by said surface. In the illustrative embodiment, the semi-spherical lens is a ball lens (14). The reflective surface is aspheric and designed to effect aberration correction. A mechanism (19) is included for rotating the ball lens (14) causing the system to scan. A dome lens (18) is disposed over the ball lens and concentric therewith. Electromagnetic energy is received through the dome and ball lenses and reflected by the mirror to the detector array. A field lens assembly (21) is disposed between the detectors and the mirror.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the manufacture of reinforced, three-zone, microporous phase inversion membrane having any one of a plurality of different possible pore sizes in any of the three zones from at least a single mother dope batch is disclosed. The systems and methods include formulating at least a single mother batch of dope in a vessel preferably maximizing the non-solvent to solvent ratio for a given weight percentage of polymer for use in a microporous phase inversion membrane production operation to produce three-zone phase inversion membranes having one of a plurality of different predetermined pore sizes in any or all of the three zones. The at least one mother dope batch is controllably formulated in at least one vessel such that the temperature of the dope does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a relatively low temperature (lower than the mixing temperature) suitable for storage.

Abstract: A method for employing a plurality of reusable reticles in an integrated circuit manufacturing process employing lithographic exposure of a semiconductor wafer. Initially there is provided a matrix of a plurality of reticles, each matrix comprising a plurality of tuples of reticles, each reticle tuple comprising one or more reticles. The method then includes defining at least one set of valid groups of reticles in the matrix for use in a desired lithographic exposure process, defining a set of conditions for determining availability of all reticles in the valid groups in the lithographic exposure process, and comparing the availability conditions to the reticles in the set of valid groups and eliminating valid groups which do not meet the availability conditions, leaving non-eliminated valid groups.

Abstract: A method for exposing a workpiece in a dual exposure step-and-repeat process starts by forming a design for a reticle mask. Deconstruct the design for the reticle mask by removing a set(s) of the features that are juxtaposed. Form unexposed resist on the workpiece. Load the workpiece and the reticle mask into the stepper. Expose the workpiece through the reticle mask. Reposition the workpiece by a nanostep. Then expose the workpiece through the reticle mask after the repositioning. Test whether the plural exposure process is finished. If the result of the test is NO the process loops back to repeat some of the above steps. Otherwise the process has been completed. An overlay mark is produced by plural exposures of a single mark. A dead zone is provided surrounding an array region in which printing occurs subsequent to exposure in an original exposure. Stepper-framing-blades are moved over the dead zone to prevent additional exposures after an initial exposure.

Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.

Abstract: This invention provides devices for the measurement of total organic carbon content in water samples. The device has a microfluidic sample cell with a sample channel for receiving a water sample wherein the water sample can be irradiated with UV radiation to oxidize organics to CO2. The sample channel is sufficiently thin in the region irradiated to allow very rapid substantial mineralization of the organics in the sample. A photocatalyst, such as TiO2 or platinized TiO2 can be employed to speed sample oxidation. Substantial mineralization of a sample can be achieved in less than about 30 seconds, significantly decreasing the time required for making a TOC measurement. CO2 generated by sample oxidation can be detected and/or quantitated by various methods, particularly by conductivity measurements or by infrared methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for servo writing an optical or magneto-optical medium where a data path is defined by transmitting a laser beam onto the medium to change the crystalline structure at preselected portions. These portions can guide an optical head along the data path. Embodiments include using a far-field laser servo writer to transmit a laser beam in combination with a high numerical aperture, using a far-field laser servo writer to transmit a laser beam in combination with a solid immersion lens, using a near-field laser servo writer to emit a laser beam in combination with a solid immersion lens, creating a sub-wavelength aperture for emitting a laser beam onto the medium, lithographic and maskless lithographic techniques.

Abstract: A filter cartridge is provided having a filter element including media preferably constructed from continuous, reinforced, geometrically symmetrical, microporous membranes having three distinct pore zones. Preferred filter elements are assembled with high and/or increased filtration area to yield increased throughput cartridge elements. Preferred filter elements are constructed from reinforced microporous membranes that include a scrim having two sides at least substantially encapsulated within a first dope and at least one additional dope coated onto each side of the encapsulated scrim prior to the first dope being quenched.

Abstract: A method of generating language model statistics for a new word added to a language model incorporating at least one class file containing contextually related words. The method can include the following steps: First, language model statistics can be computed based on references to at least one incorporated class file. Second, a new word can be substituted for each reference to a selected class file. Additionally, the language model statistics can be re-computed based on the new word having been substituted for the reference. Third, the re-computed language model statistics can be displayed in a user interface and modifications can be accepted to the re-computed language model statistics through the user interface. Fourth, the language model statistics can be further re-computed based on the modifications. In consequence, the language model statistics are re-computed for the new word without introducing contextual inaccuracies in the language model.