Abstract: A semiconductor laser comprising a single mode laser cavity having a stack of semiconducting layers defining a transversal p-n junction is provided. A plurality of electrodes are coupled to corresponding sections of the laser cavity along the longitudinal light propagation direction, each corresponding section defining one of an amplification section or a modulation section. One or more DC sources are coupled to the electrodes associated with the amplification sections to forward-bias the p-n junction above transparency, so as to provide gain in the associated amplification sections. One or more modulation signal sources are coupled to the electrodes associated with the modulation sections, and apply a modulation signal across the p-n junction below transparency, the modulation signal providing a modulation of an output optical frequency of the semiconductor laser. Each modulation section is operated in photovoltaic mode.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser comprising a single mode laser cavity having a stack of semiconducting layers defining a transversal p-n junction is provided. A plurality of electrodes are coupled to corresponding sections of the laser cavity along the longitudinal light propagation direction, each corresponding section defining one of an amplification section or a modulation section. One or more DC sources are coupled to the electrodes associated with the amplification sections to forward-bias the p-n junction above transparency, so as to provide gain in the associated amplification sections. One or more modulation signal sources are coupled to the electrodes associated with the modulation sections, and apply a modulation signal across the p-n junction below transparency, the modulation signal providing a modulation of an output optical frequency of the semiconductor laser. Each modulation section is operated in photovoltaic mode.

Abstract: A process for the linear synthesis of a gram-positive class II bacteriocin or a variant thereof is disclosed herein. The process comprises the stepwise addition of selected amino acids to a solid support; pseudoproline positioning and reopening; and cleavage of the gram-positive class II bacteriocin or the variant thereof from the solid support to provide a linear gram-positive class II bacteriocin or variant thereof; and in situ disulfide bond formation. Various applications and uses of the synthetic bacteriocins are also disclosed. The synthetic process can also be used to synthesize variants of bacteriocins by the selective substitution of one or more amino acids and/or additions and/or deletions of selected amino acids.

Abstract: A rod holder is mounted on an upright or a horizontal structure to hold a rod, such as a fishing rod. A latch is pivotally mounted on a base with a pivot pin. The rod is received in a latch aperture to pivot the latch closed. The rod is removed from the latch aperture to pivot the latch open. An arcuate slot in the base or the latch is centered about the pivot axis. A limit pin is received in the arcuate slot to stop the latch in the open and closed positions. A base magnet and a latch magnet follow arcuate paths of the same radius. The latch magnet will pass over the base magnet as the latch pivots. Like poles of the base magnet and the latch magnet repel one another to hold the latch open or closed.

Abstract: A rod holder is mounted on an upright or a horizontal structure to hold a rod, such as a fishing rod. A latch is pivotally mounted on a base with a pivot pin. The rod is received in a latch aperture to pivot the latch closed. The rod is removed from the latch aperture to pivot the latch open. An arcuate slot in the base or the latch is centered about the pivot axis. A limit pin is received in the arcuate slot to stop the latch in the open and closed positions. A base magnet and a latch magnet follow arcuate paths of the same radius. The latch magnet will pass over the base magnet as the latch pivots. Like poles of the base magnet and the latch magnet repel one another to hold the latch open or closed.

Abstract: A process for the linear synthesis of a gram-positive class II bacteriocin or a variant thereof is disclosed herein. The process comprises the stepwise addition of selected amino acids to a solid support; pseudoproline positioning and reopening; and cleavage of the gram-positive class II bacteriocin or the variant thereof from the solid support to provide a linear gram-positive class II bacteriocin or variant thereof; and in situ disulfide bond formation. Various applications and uses of the synthetic bacteriocins are also disclosed. The synthetic process can also be used to synthesize variants of bacteriocins by the selective substitution of one or more amino acids and/or additions and/or deletions of selected amino acids.

Abstract: A process for the linear synthesis of a gram-positive class II bacteriocin or a variant thereof is disclosed herein. The process comprises the stepwise addition of selected amino acids to a solid support; pseudoproline positioning and reopening; and cleavage of the gram-positive class II bacteriocin or the variant thereof from the solid support to provide a linear gram-positive class II bacteriocin or variant thereof; and in situ disulfide bond formation. Various applications and uses of the synthetic bacteriocins are also disclosed. The synthetic process can also be used to synthesize variants of bacteriocins by the selective substitution of one or more amino acids and/or additions and/or deletions of selected amino acids.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a shelled crustacean body part for meat extraction are provided. The method involves capturing an image of said body part, evaluating the thickness of the shell from the image, determining from the thickness evaluation at least one laser parameter for forming a line of weakness within the shell, the line of weakness being dimensioned to facilitate meat extraction, while preserving the sensory characteristics of the meat, and sweeping a laser beam on the body part in accordance with the laser parameter to form the line of weakness within the shell. The method and system provide the advantage of facilitating meat extraction without compromising the quality or commercial value of the meat all while increasing productivity and performance in comparison with completely manual extraction techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a shelled crustacean body part for meat extraction are provided. The method involves capturing an image of said body part, evaluating the thickness of the shell from the image, determining from the thickness evaluation at least one laser parameter for forming a line of weakness within the shell, the line of weakness being dimensioned to facilitate meat extraction, while preserving the sensory characteristics of the meat, and sweeping a laser beam on the body part in accordance with the laser parameter to form the line of weakness within the shell. The method and system provide the advantage of facilitating meat extraction without compromising the quality or commercial value of the meat all while increasing productivity and performance in comparison with completely manual extraction techniques.

Abstract: There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising a rubber chosen from natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber and mixtures thereof; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, said nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions can be cured or uncured and can be effective for preparing various articles such as tracks, pneumatics, strips, sheets, bands, belts, hoses, linings, gaskets, guides, drive lugs, guide lugs, transmission belts etc.

Abstract: There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising a rubber chosen from acrylonitrile-butadiene, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene, carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene and mixtures thereof; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, the nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions can be cured or uncured and they can be used for preparing various articles. Methods for preparing such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising polychloroprene; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, said nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions, when cured, comprises at least one set of characteristics chosen from those described in the application.

Abstract: There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising polychloroprene; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, said nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions, when cured, comprises at least one set of characteristics chosen from those described in the application.

Abstract: There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising a rubber chosen from acrylonitrile-butadiene, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene, carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene and mixtures thereof; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, the nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions can be cured or uncured and they can be used for preparing various articles. Methods for preparing such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising a rubber chosen from natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber and mixtures thereof; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, said nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions can be cured or uncured and can be effective for preparing various articles such as tracks, pneumatics, strips, sheets, bands, belts, hoses, linings, gaskets, guides, drive lugs, guide lugs, transmission belts etc.

Abstract: A dynamically controlled routing (DCR) telecommunications network is formed by a plurality of network switching elements, each connected to at least one other by at least one circuit group for carrying calls therebetween, and a network processor connected to the network elements by data links. Each network switching element determines, for each call, a neighboring network element to which it should be routed. It does so by accessing a routing table which contains alternate routes to be attempted if a direct route either does not exist or cannot be used. The routing tables are updated periodically by the network controller. The DCR network functions as a group of nodes interconnected by links and routing takes place on a node-to-node basis.

Abstract: A tool to assist a single worker of a car body reblocking workshop in installing a door or the like vehicle body part on a vehicle. The tool includes a wheeled base frame supporting three upright posts. Each vertical post carries a transverse horizontal arm. The two opposite end arms form support arms to support the bottom edge of the car door in upright position. The intermediate or body part stabilizing arm endwisely carries a discoid plate applied against the car body part, and from which project two opposite belts hooked at their outer ends to the opposite lateral side edges of the body part. Each support arm is controlled in elevation by an independent motor, while the stabilizing arm can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. Horizontal positioning is controlled along an azimuthal axis and can also pivot vertically.