Abstract: Improvements to chemical reaction systems provide for the production of commercial quantities of chemical products, such as chemical powders. The improved chemical reaction systems can accommodate a large reactant flux for the production of significant amounts of product. Preferred reaction systems are based on laser pyrolysis. Features of the system provide for the production of highly uniform product particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wide frequency offset synchronization are provided. A synchronization data sequence is encoded onto a series of OFDM frequency domain bursts as interburst phase differences between training symbols included within the successive bursts. The interburst phase differences may also encode system configuration information. This technique may be used in conjunction with other synchronization techniques to greatly extend the frequency acquisition range achievable with low cost analog components.

Abstract: A floor finish is provided including a film former, a lightness inducing agent, and a diluent. The floor finish composition includes a film former, a lightness inducing agent, and a diluent, with the lightness inducing agent being included in an amount sufficient for the composition to provide, when evaluated using a hardened finish having a thickness of about 0.005 mm on a LENETA Form 5C Opacity chart and a MINISCAN XE Plus color spectrophotometer having 45° illumination and a 0° viewing geometry (a) an increased lightness value L* on the black portion of the chart and (b) a contrast ratio (CR0.80) less than about 0.7 when evaluated on the black and white portions of the chart. Laminates, methods for treating a floor, and kits are also provided.

Abstract: Combinatorial synthesis methods obtain a plurality of compositions having materially different characteristics using an apparatus having a plurality of collectors. A first quantity of fluid reactants are reacted to form a first quantity of product composition. Following completion of the collection of the first quantity of product composition, a second quantity of fluid reactants are reacted to form a second quantity of product composition, the second quantity of product composition being material different from the first quantity of product composition. An apparatus includes a nozzle connected to a reactant source and a plurality of collectors. The nozzle and plurality of collectors move relative to each other such that a collector can be selectively placed to receive a fluid stream emanating from the nozzle. The plurality of product compositions can be evaluated to determine their suitability for various applications.

Abstract: A jobsite-renewable floor finish comprising a film former and an appropriate amount of a lightness-inducing pigment provides a translucent hardened finish layer having an increased lightness value (as evaluated in relation to an appropriate color space) and a cleaner appearance than a finish made without such pigment.

Abstract: A jobsite-renewable floor finish comprising a film former and an appropriate amount of a lightness-inducing pigment provides a translucent hardened finish layer having an increased lightness value (as evaluated in relation to an appropriate color space) and a cleaner appearance than a finish made without such pigment.

Abstract: A jobsite-renewable floor finish comprising a film former and an appropriate amount of a lightness-inducing agent comprising a core-shell polymer system or sheathed polymer system provides a translucent hardened finish layer having an increased lightness value (as evaluated in relation to an appropriate color space) and a cleaner appearance than a finish made without such pigment.

Abstract: A packet detector joint detects 802.11a packets, 802.11b packets and interference that is within a monitored frequency range but is not formatted as 802.11a packets or 802.11b packets. The packet detector can use signals from one or more antennas. Detection of signals is done using differentially detected correlations. In addition to packet detection, the packet detector can identify signal levels, noise levels and locations of narrowband interference. The process of packet detection and identifying other indicators can be done simultaneously and as the signal is being received.

Abstract: A jobsite-renewable floor finish comprising a film former and an appropriate amount of a lightness-inducing agent provides a translucent hardened finish layer having an increased lightness value (as evaluated in relation to an appropriate color space) and a cleaner appearance than a finish made without such pigment.

Abstract: Nanoscale particles, particle coatings/particle arrays and corresponding consolidated materials are described based on an ability to vary the composition involving a wide range of metal and/or metalloid elements and corresponding compositions. In particular, metalloid oxides and metal-metalloid compositions are described in the form of improved nanoscale particles and coatings formed from the nanoscale particles. Compositions comprising rare earth metals and dopants/additives with rare earth metals are described. Complex compositions with a range of host compositions and dopants/additives can be formed using the approaches described herein. The particle coating can take the form of particle arrays that range from collections of disbursable primary particles to fused networks of primary particles forming channels that reflect the nanoscale of the primary particles. Suitable materials for optical applications are described along with some optical devices of interest.

Abstract: A data processing system is used to manage and track use of chemical product in a washing machine. A detergent dispenser distributes the chemical products (e.g., detergent, rinse agent, and bleach) to the washing machine. The dispenser includes a monitor that detects dispenser data based on distribution of the chemical product by the dispenser. A database is coupled to the dispenser and stores an account identifier and an alignment identifier in association with the dispenser data of the dispenser. The database further stores corporate data in association with the dispenser data, the account identifier, and the alignment identifier. An analysis application analyzes the dispenser data in relation with the corporate data to characterize use of the chemical product in the chemical application system and provide a feedback loop. The analysis application can limit its analysis to data associated with a given account identifier or a given alignment identifier.

Abstract: A data processing system is used to manage and track use of chemical product in a washing machine. A detergent dispenser distributes the chemical products (e.g., detergent, rinse agent, and bleach) to the washing machine. The dispenser includes a monitor that detects dispenser data based on distribution of the chemical product by the dispenser. A database is coupled to the dispenser and stores an account identifier and an alignment identifier in association with the dispenser data of the dispenser. The database further stores corporate data in association with the dispenser data, the account identifier, and the alignment identifier. An analysis application analyzes the dispenser data in relation with the corporate data to characterize use of the chemical product in the chemical application system and provide a feedback loop. The analysis application can limit its analysis to data associated with a given account identifier or a given alignment identifier.

Abstract: Improved reaction chamber designs are described that provide for improved control over the flow within the reaction chamber. The reaction chambers contain reactions for particle production from a flowing reactant stream. Improved reactant delivery nozzles are described that are useful for the delivery of gas/vapor reactants and/or aerosol reactants. Improved nozzle designs can result in more uniform reactant flow. Suitable reactors can comprise an electromagnetic radiation source that projects through the reactor to drive the reaction at an electromagnetic radiation reaction zone. The improved nozzle features are suitable for reactors for particle collection and/or for coating of substrates within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Improved receiver automatic gain control for OFDM-based communication systems is provided, thus realizing the full potential of OFDM systems to handle rapid variation in channel characteristics. The improved automatic gain control technique can also accommodate reception of multiple OFDM signals having disparate power levels via the same analog receiver chain and analog to digital converter while minimizing the arithmetic precision necessary for optimal digital processing. By reducing the necessary arithmetic precision, the cost of implementing the receiver with integrated circuit technology is greatly reduced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for luring a member of an animal species to an area in an environment. In one aspect, a pre-recorded sound that simulates an environmental contact sound made by the animal species in the environment is played back to lure the member of the animal species to the area. In another aspect, first and second pre-recorded sounds that simulate first and second sounds made by the animal species in the environment are played back contemporaneously.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for luring a member of an animal species to an area in an environment. In one aspect, a pre-recorded sound that simulates an environmental contact sound made by the animal species in the environment is played back to lure the member of the animal species to the area. In another aspect, first and second pre-recorded sounds that simulate first and second sounds made by the animal species in the environment are played back contemporaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the amount of vitamin D metabolite in a sample of plasma or serum, comprising the step of (a) adding to a serum or plasma sample a non-competitive displacement agent to effect separation of any vitamin D metabolite in the sample form protein to which it is bound, such that any vitamin D metabolite may be detected and/or measured; and (b) detecting or measuring the amount of vitamin D metabolite in the sample of (a). Such methods are useful in determining the vitamin D status of the subject, for example in the diagnosis of disease. Also provide are agents and kits for use in performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A wiring structure with crossover capability is disclosed. The wiring utilizes a connection stud in a contact layer, beneath the plane of the otherwise-intersecting lines as a crossover. Thus, a first wire in a first metallization layer passes below a second wire in a second metallization layer by overlapping contact with the connection stud in the contact layer. In manufacturing the wiring structure of the present invention, no intervening insulative or via layers are used between the contact layer, the first metallization layer and the second metallization layer. However, care must be taken in device layout on the substrate to ensure that the connection stud is located above isolation areas rather than active device areas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for luring a member of an animal species to an area in an environment. In one aspect, a pre-recorded sound that simulates an environmental contact sound made by the animal species in the environment is played back to lure the member of the animal species to the area. In another aspect, first and second pre-recorded sounds that simulate first and second sounds made by the animal species in the environment are played back contemporaneously.