Abstract: A desktop application and supporting web site for recording voice-over or music sessions is introduced, wherein the production staff and talent may be in separate remote locations. The application includes providing a high quality data format for transferring audiovisual data, recordings and the like, and a lower-quality data format for intercommunicating verbal instructions that relate to, but are not part of, the recording session. The desktop application also provides mechanisms for playing back sound and video for talent's reference during a recording, timing the recording session or individual takes thereof, and calculating payments due based on such timing.

Abstract: Polarization preserving front projection screens and diffusers provide optimum polarization preservation for stereoscopic 3D viewing, as well as improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed screens direct light from a projector toward viewers within a diffusion locus, while maintaining optimum gain characteristics. More specifically, light incident on a region of the front projection screen from a predetermined projection direction is reflected by an engineered surface to a predetermined diffusion locus after undergoing substantially single reflections. The engineered surface, comprised of generating kernels, is used to optimally diffuse illumination light into a range of viewing angles, within the diffusion locus, with suitable gain profile, while optimally preserving polarization for 3D applications.

Abstract: A connector includes a barrel defining a cavity. A front portion is configured to removably mate with the barrel. An electrically conductive elongated pin is positioned in the opening of the front portion and the cavity of the barrel. The pin extends through a distal end of the front portion, and the pin includes a back end for mating with an electrically conductive element. A grasping device defines an aperture therethrough for receiving the electrical element. The grasping device is disposed within the cavity of the barrel. The grasping device is in an engaged position when the barrel and the front portion are coupled for holding the electrically conductive element positioned within the aperture, and the grasping device is in a disengaged position when the barrel and the front portion are uncoupled.

Abstract: Curved polarization filters and methods of manufacturing such filters are described in the present disclosure. An exemplary method includes laminating a planar polarization layer to a planar retarder layer at a predetermined orientation and bending the laminate to create a curved filter. The strain on the retarder layer results in stress-induced birefringence, and the predetermined orientation of the retarder substantially compensates for the stress-induced birefringence. In some embodiments, the predetermination is based on mathematical models. In some other embodiment, the predetermination is based on experimental data.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically formatting removable media. A default media image is generated in computer memory in response to detecting unformatted media in a computer drive. The media image includes default file system structures for the media. In response to receiving a request to read the media, data is returned based on the default file system structures. However, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write information to the media, wherein the default media image in memory is committed to the media.

Abstract: A system and method enable processing and displaying of test results in accordance with information and specifications provided by the client requiring such services. Skills examined by a test are identified, and skill-by-skill analysis of test results is provided. Performance within constituent skill categories are compared to applicable standards, thereby providing criterion-referenced conclusions about a student's performance within each skill category tested. Evaluation and recommendation statements are generated for students or groups of students based on their test performance and procedures for automatically generating such statements are provided. Test results are also used to identify skills in which individual students and groups have the greatest potential for growth. Test reports are produced in print and electronically using the same electronic document structures and data source files to ensure consistency between the two display mechanisms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a carbonaceous paste are provided. The systems and methods may include a paste control system that obtains an image of the carbonaceous paste and determines whether operational parameters associated with paste production require adjustment. One or more operational variables may be adjusted based on the obtained images to facilitate production of the carbonaceous paste.

Abstract: The database is populated with target chemicals, corresponding listings of reagent chemicals, corresponding listings of equipment and corresponding listings of procedures. The database is then searched in response to user identification of a target chemical. In response, a listing is displayed of reagent chemicals that are used to synthesize the target chemical, equipment that is used to synthesize the target chemical, and a procedure that is used to synthesize the target chemical by reacting the reagent chemicals in the equipment according to the procedure. An icon-based reaction editor and/or context-sensitive Boolean query option generators may be provided. A reaction template may be used to perform predictive chemistry. A reaction relay may be used to graphically display related chemicals and procedures using a hub and spoke arrangement.

Abstract: A desktop application and supporting web site for recording voice-over or music sessions is introduced, wherein the production staff and talent may be in separate remote locations. The application includes providing a high quality data format for transferring audiovisual data, recordings and the like, and a lower-quality data format for intercommunicating verbal instructions that relate to, but are not part of, the recording session. The desktop application also provides mechanisms for playing back sound and video for talent's reference during a recording, timing the recording session or individual takes thereof, and calculating payments due based on such-timing.

Abstract: An LCoS projection system provides a form birefringent polarization beam splitter (PBS) having an output modulator port, a light modulating panel, and a biaxial compensation element between the output modulator port and the light modulating panel. In one embodiment, the biaxial compensation element is a biaxial quarter wave plate. In another embodiment, the biaxial compensation element includes a uniaxial quarter wave plate and a biaxial trim retarder. The biaxial compensation element provides improved contrast performance.

Abstract: Automated or autonomic techniques for managing deployment of one or more resources in a computing environment based on varying workload levels. The automated techniques may comprise predicting a future workload level based on data associated with the computing environment. Then, an estimation is performed to determine whether a current resource deployment is insufficient, sufficient, or overly sufficient to satisfy the future workload level. Then, one or more actions are caused to be taken when the current resource deployment is estimated to be insufficient or overly sufficient to satisfy the future workload level. Actions may comprise resource provisioning, resource tuning and/or admission control.

Abstract: The invention provides a water feature comprising a vessel containing a volume of water and means for imparting rotational motion thereto, wherein means are also provided for varying the height of the volume of water in the vessel. The invention also provides a method of operating a water feature comprising at least one vessel containing a volume of water, comprising the steps of causing the or a volume of water to rotate about an axis thereof so as to form a vortex therein and causing the rotating volume of water to vary in height over time.

Abstract: A system for providing access to a data stream by a plurality of users at a same time. A data stream splitter manager listens for new client device connections. When a new client device connection is identified, the data stream splitter manager generates a pseudo-terminal for the client device and adds the client device and pseudo-terminal information to a data stream splitter table. In addition, a data stream splitter is generated to handle the data transfer. The data stream splitter searches the data stream splitter table for client devices participating in a system resource sharing session. The data stream splitter sends a data stream associated with the shared system resource to the associated client device pseudo-terminals. Also, the data stream splitter sends data from the client devices to the pseudo-terminals and then to the data stream. Consequently, client devices involved in the session has shared system resource access.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically preparing removable media for content, such as by automatically formatting media such as CDs and DVDs. A drive type is determined for a drive present on a computer system. The drive type defines characteristics of the drive. In addition, a media type is detected for removable media, such as a compact disc or floppy disk, present in the drive. Similar to the drive type, the media type defines characteristics of the removable media. Based on the drive type and media type, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write to the removable media.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (20) includes the capability of controlling when a media recording device such as a camera (32) associated with a mobile station (30) may be used. In a disclosed example, if the mobile station (30) is in a restricted area where audio recordings, photographs or video are not permitted, a controller (34) automatically disables the media recording device (32) responsive to an appropriate signal from a wireless network (22) or base station (24). In one example, a controller (34) automatically marks a file containing media data if that data was acquired in a restricted area. In a disclosed example, the wireless communication network (22) prevents forwarding any media files corresponding to media acquired in a restricted area.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically preparing removable media for content, such as by automatically formatting media such as CDs and DVDs. A drive type is determined for a drive present on a computer system. The drive type defines characteristics of the drive. In addition, a media type is detected for removable media, such as a compact disc or floppy disk, present in the drive. Similar to the drive type, the media type defines characteristics of the removable media. Based on the drive type and media type, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write to the removable media.

Abstract: Stat3 inhibitor compounds are disclosed, wherein the compounds are structural analogs of Ac-pTyr-Leu-Pro-Gln-Thr-NH2 and bind to the SH2 domain of Stat3 under physiological conditions to inhibit a cellular signaling activity of Stat3.

Abstract: An invention is provided for automatically formatting removable media at the application level. The method includes intercepting a write request to write to removable media, and determining if the removable media is unformatted. When the removable media is unformatted, the removable media is automatically prepared for content. The write request is then provided to an operating system, which performs a write operation on the removable media. In one aspect, the method can determine whether the write request is directed to a supported drive, which is a drive within a predetermined set of supported drives. In this aspect, if the write request is not directed to a supported drive, the write request can be provided to the operating system without formatting the removable media.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically formatting removable media. A default media image is generated in computer memory in response to detecting unformatted media in a computer drive. The media image includes default file system structures for the media. In response to receiving a request to read the media, data is returned based on the default file system structures. However, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write information to the media, wherein the default media image in memory is committed to the media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or preventing hydrocarbon emissions from an air induction system of an automotive vehicle during diurnal periods opens the fuel line to ambient fuel tank pressure when fuel pressure in the fuel line decreases due to cooling of the fuel.