Abstract: A system can include one or more sensors, one or more non-light emitting, variable transmission devices, and a processor coupled to the one or more non-light emitting, variable transmission devices and the one or more sensors. The processor can be configured to receive a sensor failure signal from the one or more sensors. The sensor failure signal can indicate that the one or more sensors are not working. The processor can be further configured to adjust one or more control algorithms used to control the one or more non-light emitting, variable transmission devices based on the received sensor failure signal. The processor can be further configured to send a first command to the one or more non-light emitting, variable transmission devices to change a transmission state of all of the one or more non-light emitting, variable transmission devices based on the received sensor failure signal to a sensor failure transmission state.

Abstract: An apparatus can include an apparatus. The apparatus can include two or more electrochromic devices in at least two rows. The two or more electrochromic devices can include a first electrochromic device in a first row with a graded transmission state and a second electrochromic device in a second row with a graded transmission state. The apparatus can further include a control device configured to generate a graded transmission pattern for the two or more electrochromic devices, where the gradient transmission state of the first electrochromic device is a mirror to the gradient transmission state of the second electrochromic device.

Abstract: A gas avalanche neutron detector (GAND) filled with counting gas for detecting thermal neutrons or neutron radiation without the use of a conventional proportional counter is provided. The GAND may include a layer of thermalization material, a cathode having a face with a layer of material, exhibiting neutron capture followed by charged particle emission such as Boron-10, a microstructure amplifier, and an anode. Thermal neutrons may enter the detector and interact with the material on the face of the cathode producing alpha particles. The alpha particles may ionize the counting gas inside the detector and produce ionization electrons. The cathode, microstructure amplifier and anode may have voltages applied that create electric fields that cause the ionization electrons to drift toward the microstructure amplifier. The microstructure then accelerates the electrons causing an avalanche effect within the gas and provides an amplification of the signal dramatically increasing neutron detection sensitivity.

Abstract: A bar code identification system format editor is shown which allows a single format to automatically be created for multiple, incompatible printers. The system includes a number of bar code printers of various types, each bar code printer type having an associated set of printer function options selectable by a user to define a format, i.e., the layout of fields for a tag, label or the like. When a user selects various printer types for which a format is to be generated, the format editor automatically determines the intersection of the sets of printer function options for each of the selected printer types to create a common set of printer function options. Thereafter, the format editor prompts the user to select only those printer function options supported by the selected printer types for the format as indicated in the common printer function option set. The format editor also allows a format to be created designated a nonfixed graphic so that one format can be used with a number of different graphics.

Abstract: A purchase order processing system allows purchase orders issued from a number of consignees each requiring different processing operations to be processed simply and in an error free manner. The system prompts a user for only that information required by a selected consignee to process a purchase order issued thereby. In processing a purchase order, the system verifies packing information against stored purchase order data. The system automatically generates shipping labels and advance shipping notices in compliance with the diverse requirements of the various consignees. In order to process purchase orders from different consignees, the system of the present invention utilizes nonconsignee specific software that operates in accordance with consignee specific data files that define the purchase order processing requirements of a consignee.

Abstract: A spooler is shown for a barcode information system. The spooler allows one printer to be assigned to one queue of the spooler, multiple printers to be assigned to a single queue; and a single printer to be assigned to multiple queues. The spooler is flexible in its configuration so as to allow print jobs to be distributed evenly among the various printers of the system. The printers of the system need not be the same and may be incompatible in that they communicate in different languages and/or they do not have the same format options. To minimize processing time, jobs may be terminated while in the process of printing. The jobs can later be restarted at the point in the job at which termination occurred. Further, format and graphic packets previously transmitted to a printer by the spooler for one job are not retransmitted to the same printer for subsequent jobs utilizing those same format and graphic packets so as to increase the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A barcode identification system format editor is shown which allows a single format to automatically be created for multiple, incompatible printers. The system includes a number of barcode printers of various types, each barcode printer type having an associated set of printer function options selectable by a user to define a format, i.e., the layout of fields for a tag, label or the like. When a user selects various printer types for which a format is to be generated, the format editor automatically determines the intersection of the sets of printer function options for each of the selected printer types to create a common set of printer function options. Thereafter, the format editor prompts the user to select only those printer function options supported by the selected printer types for the format as indicated in the common printer function option set.

Abstract: A method of determining an analyte in an organic or microaqueous solution involves the use of an enzyme electrode at which an enzyme is retained. The enzyme may be immobilised covalently at the electrode but is preferably retained at a hydrophilic support (4) which may be connected to an electrical conductor. Electrochemical detection of analytes in organic or microaqueous solvents using an enzyme electrode has several advantages over existing methods which employ aqueous solutions of analyte. For example compounds with low water solubilities may be detected, detection of a particular analyte may be made more selective by appropriate choice of solvent, the thermal stability of the enzyme may be enhanced and the enzymes may be readily retained at the electrode by virtue of their insolubility in the organic or microaqueous solvent.

Abstract: An aryl acylamidase is produced by a process which comprises culturing in a culture medium an aryl acylamidase-producing bacterial strain selected from Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIB 12273 and aryl acylamidase-producing mutants or variants thereof, and collecting aryl acylamidase-containing material.