Abstract: A strain-responsive visual indicator comprises a pair of overlapping shutter strips (1, 2) adapted to be mounted to a substrate such that strain in the substrate causes relative movement M between them. Each shutter strip comprises an alternating set of windows (5) or (6) and bars (7) or (8) and the distal strip (2) is backed by a strip (3) of a different color exposed through its windows (6), or the distal strip can instead be printed with a set of alternating colors in place of its windows and bars. The effect is that under different strain conditions different color indications from the distal strip (2) will be visible through the windows (5) of the proximal strip (1), in accordance with the relative positions of the two strips. The indicator can be incorporated e.g. in the shaft of a toothbrush to give a visual warning in response to flexure of the shaft if excessive brushing pressure is applied. Numerous other applications and the use of different types of indicia are indicated in the specification.

Abstract: A novel tool and process, primarily useful for assisting ice climbers in creating a “V-thread” anchor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to asymmetric containers for fabric care products where a single container type may be used for two or more different fabric care products.

Abstract: A doping process, including applying pressure to at least one first phase of a semiconductor containing an electrically inactive dopant and removing the pressure to cause at least one phase transformation of the semiconductor to at least one second phase, wherein the at least one phase transformation activates the dopant so that the at least one second phase includes at least one doped phase of the semiconductor in which the dopant is electrically active.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for an Intellectual Property (IP) Generator for estimating timing, area, and power characteristics of an electronic system design. The IP Generator receives a user-supplied file having data describing a configuration of an IP design having multiple levels of hierarchy. The IP Generator also receives user-supplied technology parameters and data-flow information. The IP generator correlates estimated timing, area, and power characteristics for each IP sub component based on the user supplied technology parameters, data-flow information and configuration parameters. The IP generator reports the timing, area, and power estimates to a user via a graphic user interface prior to a transformation of a Register Transfer Level (RTL) design into the gate-level circuit design.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for extruding fibre cement. The extruder comprises a casing (30) with a pair of inter-meshing self-wiping screws (40) rotatably mounted therein. The screws continuously mix and or knead the components of the fibre cement provided through various feed means (61, 62) to form a substantially homogeneous paste and force the paste through a die (50) to form a green cementitious extrudate suitable for curing.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance of a graphics processing unit (GPU) for processing and execution of general matrix operations such that the operations are accelerated and optimized. The system and method describes the layouts of operands and results in graphics memory, as well as partitioning the processes into a sequence of passes through a macro step. Specifically, operands are placed in memory in a pattern, results are written into memory in a pattern appropriate for use as operands in a later pass, data sets are partitioned to insure that each pass fits into fixed sized memory, and the execution model incorporates generally reusable macro steps for use in multiple passes. These features enable greater efficiency and speed in processing and executing general matrix operations.

Abstract: A system and method for processing machine learning techniques (such as neural networks) and other non-graphics applications using a graphics processing unit (GPU) to accelerate and optimize the processing. The system and method transfers an architecture that can be used for a wide variety of machine learning techniques from the CPU to the GPU. The transfer of processing to the GPU is accomplished using several novel techniques that overcome the limitations and work well within the framework of the GPU architecture. With these limitations overcome, machine learning techniques are particularly well suited for processing on the GPU because the GPU is typically much more powerful than the typical CPU. Moreover, similar to graphics processing, processing of machine learning techniques involves problems with solving non-trivial solutions and large amounts of data.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a novel, simpler dry-milling method for comminuting crude pigments (especially crude phthalocyanines) for use in publication gravure and packaging inks, wherein the crude pigment is dry-milled at relatively low temperature in combination with a resin and a pigment derivative, preferably further together with an extender and optionally an antioxidant. The invention also pertains to the thus obtained, new compositions, which are extraordinarily easily dispersible in aromatic solvents, and their use for the preparation of publication gravure or packaging inks or ink concentrates. Pigment dispersions obtained from the preferred compositions are also claimed.

Abstract: Der-f and/or Der-p dust mite allergens are deactivated by a liquid composition comprising one or more of the following deactivants: i) cedarwood oil, ii) hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, iii) aluminium chlorohydrate, iv) 1-propoxy-propanol-2, v) polyquaternium-10 vi) silica gel, vii) propylene glycol alginate, viii) ammonium sulphate, ix) hinokitiol, x) L-ascorbic acid, xi) immobilised tannic acid, xii) chlorohexidine, xiii) maleic anhydride, xiv) hinoki oil, xv) a composite of AgCl and TiO2, xvi) diazolidinyl urea, xviii) a compound of formula I xix) the compound of formula II xx) a polymeric dialdehyde containing two or more of a recurring unit of the formula III where n=2 to 200, xxi) urea, xxii) cyclodextrin, xxiii) hydrogenated hop oil, xxiv) polyvinylpyrrolidone, xxv) N-methylpyrrolidone, xxvi) the sodium salt of anthraquinone, xxvii) potassium thioglycolate, and xxviii) glutaraldehyde. Deactivants (i) to (xx) are effective against allergens derived from both species.

Abstract: A patterning process, including applying pressure to and removing pressure from one or more regions of a substance to transform a phase of one or more regions of the substance, the transformed one or more regions having respective predetermined shapes representing a predetermined pattern. The patterning process can be used to form nanoscale patterns in substances without requiring the use of photoresist or conventional optical or electron-beam lithography, thus avoiding the limitations of those techniques.