Abstract: A smokeless article for oral consumption including a pouch, the pouch including a porous substrate enclosing a content, the content having a nicotinic compound, wherein the porous substrate has a continuous coatl8ing of a non-porous, saliva-stable material, and wherein the coating is frangible, such that in use the coating fractures on chewing. Also described is a method of manufacturing a smokeless articles for oral consumption the method including applying a coating material to a sheet of a porous substrate to provide a coated sheet of porous substrate, the coated sheet of porous substrate having a continuous coating of a non-porous, saliva-stable material; a forming step; and a sealing step, wherein the coating formed by the coating material is frangible.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device and method of making the same. The device comprising: a substrate; an epitaxial crystalline cladding layer, on top of the substrate; and an optically active region, above the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer; wherein the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the optically active region, such that the optical power of the optoelectronic device is confined to the optically active region.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device and method of making the same. The device comprising: a substrate; an epitaxial crystalline cladding layer, on top of the substrate; and an optically active region, above the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer; wherein the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the optically active region, such that the optical power of the optoelectronic device is confined to the optically active region.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device and method of making the same. The device comprising: a substrate; an epitaxial crystalline cladding layer, on top of the substrate; and an optically active region, above the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer; wherein the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the optically active region, such that the optical power of the optoelectronic device is confined to the optically active region.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device and method of making the same. The device comprising: a substrate; an epitaxial crystalline cladding layer, on top of the substrate; and an optically active region, above the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer; wherein the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the optically active region, such that the optical power of the optoelectronic device is confined to the optically active region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folded Mach-Zehnder modulator. The modulator may comprise a beam splitter configured to split an input light beam into a plurality of light beams. The modulator may comprise a plurality of Mach-Zehnder devices configured to receive one or more of the plurality of light beams. The modulator may comprise a U-turn section configured to receive light beams from the Mach-Zehnder devices and to change the direction of the light beams by substantially 180 degrees. The modulator may comprise a polarization management section configured to combine light beams received from the U-turn section and to output a polarization multiplexed phase modulated light beam.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device and method of making the same. The device comprising: a substrate; an epitaxial crystalline cladding layer, on top of the substrate; and an optically active region, above the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer; wherein the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the optically active region, such that the optical power of the optoelectronic device is confined to the optically active region.

Abstract: A media player on a mobile device renders heterogeneous playlists having songs or other entries of different formats, and which correspond to different players. The unified heterogeneous media player identifies playlist entries and invokes a corresponding player through a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI presents a single interface to the user, selects and invokes a player corresponding to the playlist entries, and remains under the control of the common GUI for providing a consistent user experience. A media server coupled to the mobile device transmits an identifier or title and a source of the media. The media server also stores and/or transmits related information for enhancing the user experience with news, lyrics and images based on the rendered entry. The unified media player invokes a messaging interface of the corresponding player for streaming the content based on the source, and also tenders the related information concurrently.

Abstract: A server and website for receiving uploads of music and other media for commercial distribution performs a copyright check for ensuring that an uploaded music track is not in potential conflict with known rights of other entities. A database of audio fingerprints allows comparison of audio data against copyrighted tracks, and a metadata comparison employs fuzzy text matching and metadata comparisons to identify data attributes suggesting a similarity to known copyrighted material. Industry standard metadata, such as ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) identifiers, ID3 tags, and other relevant data such as titles and authorship, considering alternate and similar spellings as well. A comprehensive copyright check and evaluation ensures that possibly infringing media is filtered out and a distribution entity incurs little risk in accepting media uploaded via the media upload website.

Abstract: A collaboration database and server correlates project originators with collaborative responders based on a predetermined criteria of skills and background coupled with a corresponding profile of the responder that indicates possible agreement with the predetermined criteria. Communicative messaging is limited during consideration of the criteria, and full communication is permitted only after both the originator and responder have indicated sufficient skills, performance history and motivation for moving forward.

Abstract: A media content search and retrieval identifies a plurality of available sources for media content such as songs and music videos, and renders the media content in conjunction with supporting and/or related information that complements and enhances the user experience. The media search implements a cross-source search engine and approach which navigates multiple content sources based on the same search label or title, and identifies the most preferable or beneficial source based on an overhead burden imposed by each of the sources. Found content is rendered by both streaming the audio and/or video content from the found source, and integrating with supporting information aggregated on an appurtenant media server. A local device app receives both the content stream and the supporting information cached or stored on the media server for efficient rendering of the enhanced media content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folded Mach-Zehnder modulator. The modulator may comprise a beam splitter configured to split an input light beam into a plurality of light beams. The modulator may comprise a plurality of Mach-Zehnder devices configured to receive one or more of the plurality of light beams. The modulator may comprise a U-turn section configured to receive light beams from the Mach-Zehnder devices and to change the direction of the light beams by substantially 180 degrees. The modulator may comprise a polarisation management section configured to combine light beams received from the U-turn section and to output a polarisation multiplexed phase modulated light beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of general formula (I), in which: R is an amino or guanidino group; R2 is acetyl or trifluoroacetyl; n and q are either the same or different and selected from 0, 1 or 2; and X is an optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl or optionally substituted phenyl-Y-optionally substituted phenyl in which Y is selected from a covalent bond, CH2, CH2CH2, O or SO2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, with the proviso that when X is phenyl or naphthyl, n and q are both 2 and when X is phenyl-Y-phenyl in which Y is a covalent bond, then n and q are not both 0, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations containing them or their use in the prevention or treatment of a viral infection.

Abstract: An integrated optical arrangement for reducing or preventing the transmission of unwanted or stray light within an optical substrate, the device comprising trenches formed in the substrate for deflecting said light from one area of the substrate to one or more selected regions in another area of the substrate, these region(s) comprising a light trap and/or an absorptive region so as to prevent the majority of the light received thereby from escaping therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of general formula (I), in which: R is an amino or guanidino group; R2 is acetyl or trifluoroacetyl; n and q are either the same or different and selected from 0, 1 or 2; and X is an optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl or optionally substituted phenyl-Y-optionally substituted phenyl in which Y is selected from a covalent bond, CH2, CH2CH2, O or SO2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, with the proviso that when X is phenyl or naphthyl, n and q are both 2 and when X is phenyl-Y-phenyl in which Y is a covalent bond, then n and q are not both 0, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations containing them or their use in the prevention or treatment of a viral infection.