Abstract: The present invention provides methods for single-bath biopreparation and dyeing of cellulosic fibers, which are carried out by contacting the fibers simultaneously or sequentially with a bioscouring enzyme, preferably pectinase, protease, and/or lipase, and a dyeing system, under conditions that do not require emptying the bath or rinsing the fabric between biopreparation and dyeing steps.

Abstract: A method of performing set operations on ordered sets includes the steps of receiving a first ordered set and a second ordered set. A set operation request between the first ordered set and the second ordered set is received. A modified binary search is performed between the first ordered set and the second ordered set to find an intersection set.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing a dried soluble culinary foamer powder. The process includes the steps of preparing a concentrated culinary solution to provide a concentrated solution having a solids concentration above about 50% by weight; foaming the concentrated solution to an overrun of at least about 200% for providing a foamed solution; drying the foamed solution, preferably in a convection dryer, at atmospheric pressure and for a time that is sufficiently rapid to provide a dried foamed product, and comminuting the dried foamed product to soluble culinary foamer powder. The soluble culinary foamer powder is particular suitable in preparation of culinary products based on dry base powder such as dry sauce or sauce base which is brought to boiling when being prepared.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for forecasting the sale of goods in a store utilizing a network-based supply chain management framework. Data relating to a supply chain is collected. The selection of one or more of a plurality of points in the supply chain is also allowed so that the data for the selected point in the supply chain may be analyzed. Based on this analysis, a forecast is made of one or more aspects of the supply chain at the selected point in the supply chain.

Abstract: An aircraft ultrasonic fuel-gauging system has a processing unit that energizes probes and receives signals from transducers arising from energy reflected back from the fuel surface. In addition to determining the time between transmission of a signal from the transducer and reception of its reflection from the fuel surface, the processing unit also determines the time of reception of subsequent reflections caused by reflection back from the lower end of the probe. The processing unit determines whether the subsequent reflected signals are within predetermined limits of the time interval between transmission and reception of the first reflected signal in order to confirm the validity of the first signal. The processing unit also counts the number of subsequent reflected signals received within predetermined time intervals to assign a confidence level and this used to select between different incompatible signals, such as signals from that probe at different times or signals from different probes.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and program product for use in passing initiative to a processor for handling an I/O request for an I/O operation for sending data between a main storage and one or more devices. A hierarchy of vectors registers I/O requests by the devices to send or receive data from the main storage. The hierarchy of vectors has one or more lower levels and a highest level. Each device sets a vector in the lowest level of the hierarchy for registering an I/O request, the setting of a vector in the lowest level being reflected up the hierarchy to the highest level, thereby registering I/O requests on any lower level of the hierarchy in the highest level. A dispatcher polls the hierarchy in high to low order with the dispatcher passing initiative to the processor to handle I/O requests registered in said hierarchy responsive to registering of an I/O request on the lowest level as reflected to the highest level of said hierarchy.

Abstract: Biochemical assays that are performed in cuvettes and in the wells of multi-well plates and that utilize excitation and light emission as labels for detection are enhanced by an illumination and detection system that supplies excitation light through an optical fiber that transmits excitation light from an excitation light source to the cuvette or well. Emission light produced by the excitation is then collected by a collimating lens and converted to a signal that is compiled by conventional software for analysis. The optical fiber and collimating lens can either be on the same side of the receptacle (generally the open side) or on opposite sides, i.e., one above and the other below.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for generating revenue utilizing a network-based supply chain management framework. A network is utilized to receive data from a plurality of stores of a supply chain. A user is allowed to access to the data utilizing a network-based interface. Offers are then made to the user to sell products from a third party that are related to the store utilizing the network-based interface. The third party is charged a fee based on a number of the products sold to the user utilizing the network-based interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phenyl boronic acid compound represented by Structural Formula (I): 1

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for managing a department store supply chain utilizing a network. A network is utilized to receive data from a plurality of department store outlets of a department store supply chain in which the data relates to the sale of department store by the department store outlets. An electronic order form is generated based on the data for ordering department store from a department store distributor of the department store supply chain. The data is transmitted via the network to the department store distributor of the department store supply chain. The data is also transmitted to a department store supplier of the department store supply chain utilizing the network. Additionally, activity in the department store supply chain is forecast utilizing the data.

Abstract: Asynchronous requests, such as input/output (I/O) requests, within a coprocessor of a computing environment are managed. The management of the asynchronous requests is based on priorities associated with the asynchronous requests. This management includes, for instance, selecting an asynchronous request to be processed using a priority scheme, and/or affording resources to the asynchronous requests using a priority scheme.

Abstract: The optical system for the Fresnel lens light has an ellipsoidal reflector (1), a light source (2) and a Fresnel lens (3). The distance (a) between the Fresnel lens (3) and the reflector (1) is related to the distance (b) between the light source (2) and the reflector (1) and is determined by the selected aperture angle for the propagated light beam, e.g. to provide spotlight or floodlight. The distance (b) is adjusted by moving the light source (2) from a first focal point (F1) in a direction toward or away from the vertex (V) of the reflector (1). The ellipsoidal reflector (1) is made of a metallic material or a transparent material. At least one of the respective surfaces on opposite sides of the reflector has a number of thin layers. Surfaces of the at least one Fresnel lens and/or the reflector can be structured to provide more uniform illumination of a given area. The optical system is useful for lights for film, stage, studio and photography.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for promotion reporting in a network-based supply chain management framework. Data associated with a promotion is identified. Included in the data is promotion item information, location information, and duration information. A projected daily usage of the promotion item is calculated for a plurality of locations based on the data and the projected daily usage of the promotion item is outputted utilizing a network with TCP/IP protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently providing maintenance activity on a relational database that is utilized within a processing system is disclosed. The relational database includes a pool of threads and a plurality of resources. The pool of threads receive requests from a plurality of clients and control the plurality of resources. The method and system comprise determining that a maintenance activity is required and providing a first command that initiates a first process which terminates all threads in the pool of threads if the maintenance activity is required. The method and system further include providing a second command which initiates a second process after the maintenance activity has completed which causes the threads to be created and initiates the processing of requests.

Abstract: An aerobic treatment system for wastewater is disclosed herein. The aerobic treatment system is comprised of a basin, which receives wastewater through an inlet pipe, the inlet pipe depositing the untreated wastewater to the lower portion of the basin. The wastewater must then flow from the lower portion of the interior of the basin through a fibrous filter and through an outlet filter to the outlet section of the aerobic treatment system. While resident within the lower portion of the basin, the wastewater is treated through aeration by an insertion of air through an air inlet pipe and diffusing the air within the untreated wastewater below the fibrous filter. The entire aerobic treatment system of the present invention is designed such that the filtering mechanisms may be readily removed or cleaned on a routine basis by the user.

Abstract: A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow in a fluid circuit. The microvalve device comprises a body having a cavity formed therein. A pilot valve supported by the body is movably disposed in the cavity for opening and closing pilot ports formed in the body. A pilot operated microvalve is positioned by the pressure of the fluid controlled by the pilot valve.

Abstract: A Internet-enabled method and system for designing and manufacturing bar code scanners of modular design and construction using globally-based information networks, such as the Internet, supporting the World Wide Web (WWW).