Abstract: The invention provides a hair treatment composition such as a shampoo or conditioner suitable for topical application to hair for the repair and prevention of damage comprising a hydroxy compound having the following parameters: i) electrotopological state indice of OH S_sOH<9.26 (ii) multigraph information content indice BIC>0.8 (iii) electrotopological state indice of CH3 S_sCH3<6.26 and (iv) a molecular weight greater than 90 wherein the composition does not dye the hair. Preferred hydroxy compounds are 2-methyl-2-hexanol, 2-methyl-2-heptanol, 2-methyl-3-heptanol, 2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2-methyl-3-hexanol, 3-methyl-2-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-pentanol.

Abstract: A storage compartment comprises a container defining an access aperture closable by a closure that can be sealed to the container around the aperture and that can be opened by relative movement between the container and the closure in a lateral direction with respect to the aperture, the container having a first sealing loop around the aperture and the closure having a second sealing loop co-operable by alignment with the first sealing loop to maintain a seal when the closure closes the aperture. The sealing loops are moved into and out of mutual alignment by said relative movement between the container and the closure and at least one of the sealing loops includes magnetic means for attracting the other of the sealing loops to maintain a seal when the sealing loops are mutually aligned.

Abstract: An optical device, including a monolithically integrated diode laser and semiconductor optical amplifier, that has reduced linewidth and improved side mode suppression for a given output power target. In a preferred embodiment, the diode laser is detuned from a gain peak wavelength to an emission wavelength. The semiconductor optical amplifier has an active region that is bandgap shifted to move its gain peak towards the emission wavelength of the laser diode, thus reducing its linewidth enhancement factor. The diode laser is preferably either a gain-coupled or index-coupled distributed feedback laser. The bandgap shift can be effected by known bandgap shifting methods, such as ion implantation, dielectric cap disordering, and laser induced disordering.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed where a multi level pixel image (200) is converted into a half tone image (300) utilising a set of bit mask arrays (350-0 to 350-255) stored within a memory (310). The value of a multi level pixel is used to select one of the stored bit mask arrays. The co-ordinates of the multi level pixel in an image are then used to identify an entry from within the selected bit mask array. The identified entry is then used to set the value of the corresponding pixel in the half tone image. In order to reduce the appearance of contouring at the boundaries of adjacent portions of an image having similar grey levels, the stored bit mask arrays (350-0 to 350-255) are such that the majority of entries in the bit mask arrays for successive grey levels are identical. In addition to reducing contouring problems, the similarity of significant portions of bit mask arrays for successive grey levels make the bit mask arrays suitable for compression.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser is provided having a plurality of layers. The semiconductor laser includes an active region, a P-type semiconductor body adjacent the active region including a P-type semiconductor confinement layer, and an N-type semiconductor body adjacent the active region opposite to the P-type semiconductor body. The N-type semiconductor body includes an N-type semiconductor confinement layer, an N-type semiconductor optical trap layer, and a semiconductor grating.

Abstract: To make a grating substructure in semiconductor material for use in a DFB laser, a first layer of semiconductor material is doped at a first doping concentration. A second layer of the semiconductor material is formed over the first layer. The second layer is doped higher concentration than the first layer and sufficiently different to change the refractive index of the semiconductor material. A third layer doped at a concentration comparable with the first layer is formed over the second layer. An etch is performed through a mask to form spaced etched regions extending at least through the second and third layers. Then a further layer of the semiconductor material doped at a doping concentration comparable the first and third layers is overgrown on the wafer.

Abstract: A system and method for routing at least one message to a component connected to a telecommunications network. The message is received from the telecommunications network over a telecommunications communication protocol link. Interaction with the message occurs at the MAP layer, or at another equivalent high level protocol layer, to determine at least one piece of information, including information indicative of the destination, from the message A route is then selected to deliver the message to its destination, which is connected to the telecommunications network. The route being selected from at least a first route via the telecommunications network and a second route via a network separate to the telecommunications network and the route further being selected based on the information determined from the message.

Abstract: A method and system for routing a message to an application via a mobile telecommunications network in which mobile devices are assigned globally unique identifiers. At least one globally unique virtual mobile identifier is assigned to the application. A request for location information for the virtual mobile identifier is received from a component in the mobile telecommunications network. Routing information corresponding to a predefined static connection point to the application is supplied in response to the request to allow the message to be delivered to the application.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed where a multi level pixel image (200) is converted into a half tone image (300) utilising a set of bit mask arrays (350-0 to 350-255) stored within a memory (310). The value of a multi level pixel is used to select one of the stored bit mask arrays. The co-ordinates of the multi level pixel in an image are then used to identify an entry from within the selected bit mask array. The identified entry is then used to set the value of the corresponding pixel in the half tone image. In order to reduce the appearance of contouring at the boundaries of adjacent portions of an image having similar grey levels, the stored bit mask arrays (350-0 to 350-255) are such that the majority of entries in the bit mask arrays for successive grey levels are identical. In addition to reducing contouring problems, the similarity of significant portions of bit mask arrays for successive grey levels make the bit mask arrays suitable for compression.

Abstract: An optical device, including a monolithically integrated diode laser and semiconductor optical amplifier, that has reduced linewidth and improved side mode suppression for a given output power target. In a preferred embodiment, the diode laser is detuned from a gain peak wavelength to an emission wavelength. The semiconductor optical amplifier has an active region that is bandgap shifted to move its gain peak towards the emission wavelength of the laser diode, thus reducing its linewidth enhancement factor. The diode laser is preferably either a gain-coupled or index-coupled distributed feedback laser. The bandgap shift can be effected by known bandgap shifting methods, such as ion implantation, dielectric cap disordering, and laser induced disordering.

Abstract: A spacer device for use with a basket forming apparatus, the spacer device comprises a plurality of angularly spaced, radially extending arms (3, 4, 5, 6) corresponding in number to the number of metal bars forming the basket, each of which arms is adapted in use to engage with a respective one of the metal bars forming the basket-shaped article as the said article is twisted into its finished shape.

Abstract: A protective material from which a protective garment such as is used by motorcyclists is made, and has an outer layer of fibres having a high softening temperature 400.degree. C. and a mass (580 g.m.sup.-2 to 620 g.m.sup.-2) to provide high quality abrasion resistance. The outer layer is preferably two separate sheets one preferably being of Terry Loop knitted fabric, and the other of high tenacity Polyester having a 300 g.m.sup.-2 upwards warp knit permitting high air flow therethrough. An inner layer conveniently of a Polyamide Rachel knit supports an impact attenuating layer preferably made from one of Polyurethane, Polynorbornene, Nitrile/PVC or synthetic rubber. The impact attenuating layer is preferably solid and flexible, is attached to the inner layer between the outer and inner layers.

Abstract: A double lid arrangement, suitable for use in sealing irradiated fuel transport flasks, has inner and outer lids held together by securing members. If the securing members fail, the inner and outer lids operate individually, ensuring that the flask remains sealed.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Notwoodtwo’, characterized by its upright plant habit; very freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; and attractive and numerous pure white-colored flowers that are large and semi-double with numerous stamenoid petaloids.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Notwoodone’, characterized by its upright plant habit; very freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; and attractive and numerous lavender-colored flowers that are large and semi-double with numerous stamenoid petaloids.