Abstract: Data is encrypted onto an electromagnetic beam by providing an electromagnetic beam having a signal component having a modal state, wherein the signal component is susceptible to accumulation of a geometric phase, and a reference component, transmitted along a path over at least part of which the signal component accumulates a geometric phase by transformation of its modal state from a first to a second modal state, from the second to at least one further modal state, and then back to the first modal state; and modulating with the data the geometric phase so accumulated, by modulating the modal state transformations. Data is decrypted from a received electromagnetic beam by corresponding processing of the received electromagnetic beam and by comparing an overall phase of the signal component with an overall phase of the reference component so as to retrieve the modulation.

Abstract: Image editing tools are commonly used to assist with manipulating and saving visual compositions. Many image editing tools provide slicing functionality to create images slices (sub-images) of the visual composition. As provided herein, a slice representation of a visual composition is defined by an arbitrarily chosen set of coordinates within the visual composition. This slice region may be defined independent of other slice regions (e.g. the slice region may or may not overlap, abut, etc. other slice regions). The slice representation comprises the slice region and one or more objects or portions thereof within the slice region. Slice representations may also comprise overlapping objects and/or slice region coordinates. Objects may be manipulated within a slice representation without affecting that object within other slice representations.

Abstract: A computer or computer system stores digital images, user personalization profiles, and image usage profiles. The image usage profiles contain information identifying how often and by what user a digital image was viewed, shared, printed or otherwise used by a user. The user personalization profiles include information identifying the digital images that are viewed, shared, printed or otherwise used by a user. The system automatically generates and stores a preferred product or service associated with a user personalization profile based on the information in the user profile and on information in an image usage profile.

Abstract: A method of mounting a hubcap on a wheel that involves providing a wheel having an annular hub surrounding an axis of rotation, the hub including a first periphery extending along the circumference of a circle surrounding the axis of rotation and a second periphery spaced from the circumference of the circle, providing a hubcap having a top wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending from the top wall, the cylindrical sidewall having an end edge spaced from the top wall and a circumferential flange projecting from the cylindrical side wall, the circumferential flange having a sidewall and an alignment tab projecting from the sidewall, aligning the hubcap alignment tab with the second periphery, placing the hubcap sidewall against the hub and the alignment tab over the second periphery, and clamping the hubcap to the wheel. Also a wheel (10, 80) including a hubcap (30, 90) and a clamp (50).

Abstract: Image editing tools are commonly used to assist with manipulating and saving visual compositions. Many image editing tools provide slicing functionality to create images slices (sub-images) of the visual composition. As provided herein, a slice representation of a visual composition is defined by an arbitrarily chosen set of coordinates within the visual composition. This slice region may be defined independent of other slice regions (e.g. the slice region may or may not overlap, abut, etc. other slice regions). The slice representation comprises the slice region and one or more objects or portions thereof within the slice region. Slice representations may also comprise overlapping objects and/or slice region coordinates. Objects may be manipulated within a slice representation without affecting that object within other slice representations.

Abstract: An aircraft brake piston housing (10) has a composite body (14) including a plurality of fibers embedded in a matrix, the body (14) including a central bore (18) and a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings (23) surrounding the bore (18), at least some of the circumferentially disposed openings (23) being configured to receive a brake piston (26), and a frame (12) embedded in the composite body (14) and formed from a material different than the matrix. Also a method of forming such a brake piston housing.

Abstract: Isolation and purification of stem cells from within a bulk sarcoma tumor. These cells express the marker genes of pluripotent embryonic stem cells, Stat 3, Oct 3/4, and Nanog. A subset of these cells show the surface marker of mesenchymal stem cells Stro-1, as well as express attributes of mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal differentiation. The isolation, purification and characterization of these stem cells now provides the ideal target for the development of highly effective therapies against tumors.

Abstract: Isolation and purification of stem cells from within a bulk sarcoma tumor. These cells express the marker genes of pluripotent embryonic stem cells, Stat 3, Oct 3/4, and Nanog. A subset of these cells show the surface marker of mesenchymal stem cells Stro-1, as well as express attributes of mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal differentiation. The isolation, purification and characterization of these stem cells now provides the ideal target for the development of highly effective therapies against tumors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a delay to an optical signal including a Latin router having a plurality of input ports, including at least one signal-input port, and a plurality of output ports, including at least one signal-output port, and a plurality of optical waveguides, each connecting one of the input ports to one of the output ports that is not a signal-output port, in which the plurality of waveguides are connected between the input ports and the output ports in an arrangement such that a first signal entering the device and mapped to any one of the output ports experiences a delay that is different from a delay that is experienced by a second signal entering the device and mapped to a different one of the output ports.

Abstract: Data is encrypted onto an electromagnetic beam by providing an electromagnetic beam having a signal component having a modal state, wherein the signal component is susceptible to accumulation of a geometric phase, and a reference component, transmitted along a path over at least part of which the signal component accumulates a geometric phase by transformation of its modal state from a first to a second modal state, from the second to at least one further modal state, and then back to the first modal state; and modulating with the data the geometric phase so accumulated, by modulating the modal state transformations. Data is decrypted from a received electromagnetic beam by corresponding processing of the received electromagnetic beam and by comparing an overall phase of the signal component with an overall phase of the reference component so as to retrieve the modulation.

Abstract: An aircraft brake piston housing (10) has a composite body (14) including a plurality of fibers embedded in a matrix, the body (14) including a central bore (18) and a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings (23) surrounding the bore (18), at least some of the circumferentially disposed openings (23) being configured to receive a brake piston (26), and a frame (12) embedded in the composite body (14) and formed from a material different than the matrix. Also a method of forming such a brake piston housing.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises a core and is characterised in that the core has a refractive index that includes a radial discontinuity and varies, with increasing azimuthal angle ?, from a first value n2 at a first side of the discontinuity to a second value n1 at a second side of the discontinuity.

Abstract: A method of mounting a hubcap on a wheel that involves providing a wheel having an annular hub surrounding an axis of rotation, the hub including a first periphery extending along the circumference of a circle surrounding the axis of rotation and a second periphery spaced from the circumference of the circle, providing a hubcap having a top wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending from the top wall, the cylindrical sidewall having an end edge spaced from the top wall and a circumferential flange projecting from the cylindrical side wall, the circumferential flange having a sidewall and an alignment tab projecting from the sidewall, aligning the hubcap alignment tab with the second periphery, placing the hubcap sidewall against the hub and the alignment tab over the second periphery, and clamping the hubcap to the wheel. Also a wheel (10, 80) including a hubcap (30, 90) and a clamp (50).

Abstract: An aircraft wheel noise reduction fairing (8) includes a disk (10) having first and second sides (12, 14) and a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings (16) between the first side (12) and the second side (14) and at least one mesh structure (24, 26) connected to the second side (14) of the disk (10) overlying the plurality of circumferentially disposed openings (16). Also the combination of an aircraft wheel (30) and a noise reduction fairing (8) wherein the aircraft wheel (30) includes a hub (32) surrounding a wheel axis of rotation (34), a web (36) projecting from the hub (32) and a cylindrical wall (40) having an inner surface (42) and an outer surface (44) connected to the web (36) and surrounding the axis of rotation (34).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for grouping elements of element pairs into element sets are disclosed. A master processor transmits number pairs corresponding to the element pairs to worker processors, selectively assigns processing of one or more of the number pairs to the worker processors, receives developed sets of numbers from the worker processors, and processes the developed sets of numbers to generate the element sets. Worker processors process the assigned number pairs using a row hash table and a column hash table created from the number pairs corresponding to the element pairs to develop the sets of numbers.

Abstract: A strong, light weight walking aid with optional seat that can be used to assist a person in walking and resting on the walking aid. The walking aid collapses so that it can be stored in a small space and the handle can be removed and reattached to make it even smaller. The walking aid is constructed of a double tube aluminum frame to make it strong without adding excess weight. It is provided with a padded, sure-grip handle and can be provided with braking mechanisms on some or all of the wheels.

Abstract: A coded mass spectrometer incorporates a spatial or temporal code to reduce the resolution/sensitivity dichotomy inherent in mass spectrometry. The code is used to code one or more portions of a mass spectrometer. Coding patterns, such as Hadamard codes, Walsh codes, and perfect code sequences can be used. The coding can be spatial, for example, by using an aperture mask and/or temporal, for example, by coded injection of ions for analysis.

Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.

Abstract: A resin transfer molding (RTM) process is disclosed for rapidly filling a fibrous preform and/or a rigid, porous body with high viscosity resin or pitch. The process is suitable for impregnated multiple porous bodies stacked in a single mold. The process uses a fibrous preform or rigid porous body which is placed into a mold matching the desired part geometry. A resin is injected into the mold at temperature and pressure. After cooling, the infiltrated component is removed from the mold. The mold is constructed from two halves fitted to form at least one mold cavity. A gate fitted with a nozzle is set into one of the mold halves, and a valve admits resin or pitch into the gate area. Venting or vacuum can be applied to the mold. The mold is held in a hydraulic press and an extruder, optionally fitted with an accumulator, supplies molten resin or pitch to the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of grating structures. The invention provides a longitudinal grating having an aperiodic structure, wherein the grating has a selected response characteristic and any repeated unit cell in the structure is significantly longer than a characteristic length associated with the selected response characteristic.