Abstract: An optical article comprising a first file encoded on the optical article comprising data structure information; a second file encoded on the optical article comprising a backup of the first file; wherein at least one of the first file or the second file must be fully readable for the player to read the data on the optical article; and a mark disposed on at least a portion of the optical article where the first file is encoded and at least a portion of the optical article where the second file is encoded; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activ

Abstract: An optical article comprising a mark disposed on the optical article; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activated state when an authorized activation method is used; and wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an incorrectly activated state when an unauthorized activation method is used. A method and a system for changing the functionality of the optical article are also provided.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a plurality of optically detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; and wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically detectable marks and their associated first control logic. A method of making the optical article, a method of customizing the optical article, a method and a system for the playback of the optical article are also included.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a permanent player-readable code comprising a first set of a plurality of optically-detectable marks disposed on the optical article; a second set of plurality of optically-detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically-detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically-detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically-detectable marks and their associated first control logic; and wherein the optical article is activated when the customized player-readable code is in a pre-determined relationship with the permanent code.

Abstract: A transaction processing system comprising a transaction log, a log management policy, a profile and a log manager, and method for managing the transaction log are provided. The method comprises maintaining a transaction log of recoverable changes made by transaction processing tasks, each task having an associated transaction type; storing a log management policy including at least one log threshold and a plurality of possible actions associated therewith; and storing a profile of log resource usage characteristics of tasks for different types of transactions. Usage of the log by transaction processing tasks is monitored to determine when a log threshold is reached. The profile indicates the normal logging behaviour of particular types of transaction by identifying ranges of acceptable values for a plurality of log resource usage characteristics. Such characteristics may include time taken for a task to complete, CPU resource consumed, number of log records made, etc.

Abstract: A career analysis method and system. The system comprises a computing apparatus comprising data. The data comprises a specified job title and a first list comprising a first plurality of required skills for the specified job title. Candidate data is received by the computing apparatus. Candidate data comprises a job candidate and a second list comprising plurality of skills related to a job held by the candidate. The first plurality of required skills is compared with the plurality of skills related to the job held by the candidate to determine a set of common skills. A common skills score is calculated. A first set of market valued skills from the first plurality of required skills is determined. A score is calculated based on a function of the first set of market valued skills and the first plurality of required skills.

Abstract: In one implementation, processes for designing mass separators from a series of mass separator electric field data and processes for designing an ion trap from a range of data pairs and a mass analyzer scale are provided. Methods for producing mass separators including ion traps having Z0/r0 ratios from about 0.84 to about 1.2 are also provided. Mass spectrometers are also provided that can include mass separators in tandem with one being an ion trap having a Z0/r0 ratio between 0.84 and 1.2. The present invention also provides methods for analyzing samples using mass separators having first and second sets of components defining a volume with a ratio of a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the first component to a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the second component being between 0.84 and 1.2.

Abstract: An optical article comprising a primary mark disposed on the optical article and a secondary mark disposed on the optical article in close proximity to the primary mark. The primary mark comprises a first optical-state change material and the secondary mark comprises a second optical-state change material. The optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activated state when a localized authorized activation method is used that selectively activates the primary mark. The optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an deactivated state when a non-localized unauthorized activation method is used that activates the secondary mark along with the primary mark resulting in the second optical-state change material undergoing a reverse color change when compared to the first optical-state change material. An optical article with a single mark including multiple color change optical-state change material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for feeding or cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstock containing non-volatile hydrocarbons comprising: heating the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, mixing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and varying the amount of the fluid and/or the primary dilution steam stream mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in accordance with at least one selected operating parameter of the process, such as the temperature of the flash stream before entering the flash drum.

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase which collect as bottoms and removing the liquid phase, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and cooling the product effluent.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment comprises reading servo information from a tape; and positioning a head relative to the tape so that readers in an array are about aligned with selected data tracks on the tape, wherein the track width of an inner reader of the array is greater than a track width of at least some outer readers positioned on two opposite sides thereof and aligned therewith. A method according to another embodiment comprises forming an array of readers, wherein the track width of an inner reader of the array is greater than a track width of at least some outer readers positioned on two opposite sides thereof and aligned therewith.

Abstract: A display image for use in an aircraft is produced in response to receiving aircraft location, heading, altitude, and pitch data. The location and heading data are employed to access a topographical database and obtain terrain information for a region on the earth's surface ahead of the aircraft. A terrain image is produced from the terrain information and a non-linear pitch scale is superimposed over the terrain image. The non-linear pitch scale corresponds to the relationship of the aircraft pitch and the terrain image. Additional data designating other aircraft operational parameters, such as speed and altitude, are depicted by graphical objects. The terrain image, the non-linear pitch scale, and the graphical objects are combined into the display image. The terrain image and the non-linear pitch scale move in the display image in response to changes in the pitch of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions having miscible and compatible immiscible polymer blends are disclosed. The miscible polymer blends have a single glass transition temperature. The compatible polymer blends have two glass transition temperatures. The polymer blends may optionally include one or more fillers.

Abstract: Methods of making miscible and compatible immiscible polymer blends are disclosed. The polymer blends have a polyimide as a component. The miscible polymer blends have a single glass transition temperature. The compatible polymer blends have two glass transition temperatures. The polymer blends may optionally include one or more fillers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a log-full condition of a transaction log in a transaction processing system are provided. The transaction log has a plurality of log records each associated with a particular transaction. When a log-full condition is detected, the active transaction having the oldest log entry of all active transactions is identified and logging for all transactions except for the identified transaction is temporarily suspended. A dynamic transaction backout of the identified transaction is initiated, with the writing of a backout record for the identified transaction to the log being delayed. The method waits for confirmation that the backout has completed before trimming the log. Then the delayed backout record for the identified transaction is written to the log and normal logging is resumed.

Abstract: A method of printing comprising, placing a plurality of optically detectable marks on an optical article using a ink-jet printing method, wherein a mark of the plurality of marks has a thickness of less than or equal to about 1 micrometer, and wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks have uniform thickness.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a first file comprising a first control logic; and a second file comprising a second control logic. The first file is configured to direct the player to play a first content data stored on the optical article, when the first control logic is read by the player. The player is directed to read the second file if the player cannot read the first file. The second file is configured to direct the player to play a second content data stored on the article when the second control logic is read by the player. The optical article includes a mark containing an optical state change material disposed on at least a portion of the first file, wherein the mark is in one of a first optical state or a second optical state, and wherein the first control logic can be read only when the mark is in the second optical state.

Abstract: An optical article with a plurality of optically detectable marks on a first surface of the optical article, wherein a mark of the plurality of marks has a thickness of less than or equal to about 1 micrometer, and wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks have uniform thickness.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes at least one sector comprising a first control logic configured to set the value of a first register, the first register having a default value before it is set, and a non-default value after it is set, and a first command to be read sequentially after the sector. The first command is configured to direct the player to play a first content on the article if the first register is set to the default value and to direct the player to play a second content on the article if the first register is set to the non-default value. The optical article includes a mark containing an optical state change material disposed on the sector, wherein the mark is in one of a first optical state or a second optical state, and wherein the first control logic can be read only when the mark is in the second optical state.