Abstract: A remotely activated reward dispenser. The remote dispenser delivers consumable rewards in response to a trigger signal from a remote triggering device. The reward dispenser uses a two stage delivery system to prevent unintentional release of the consumable reward. A vibration stage moves a portion of the consumable reward from a reservoir to a staging platform without crushing the consumable reward. The second stage transfers the consumable reward from the staging platform to an area accessible by the animal. A vibration damping system reduces the noise generated by the reward dispenser. An adjustable transition varies the feed rate for the consumable reward.

Abstract: There is provided an isoprenoid according to the general formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from H and alkyl; and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from groups of the general formula (II) and (III) wherein R7 and R8 each represent a group of general formula CO—R9, in which each R9 is independently selected from H, OH, alkyl and alkoxy groups, or R7 and/or R8 present in R3 and R4 and/or in R5 and R6 combine to form a group of the general formula (IV) wherein R10 is selected from OH and alkoxy; or salts thereof. The isoprenoids are of particular use in the preparation of liposomes, for use in the delivery of pharmaceutically active components to a subject human or animal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of resetting a blocking-type photoconductive imaging detector are provided. In one embodiment, after having obtained an image, the imaging detector may be reset by applying a reversed bias potential difference and illuminating the imaging radiation detector with photoexcitation radiation. The photoexcitation radiation has a wavelength selected to excite mobile charges within the photoconductive layer and a spatial intensity profile related to the measured image for neutralizing the trapped charges in a spatially compensated manner. In another embodiment, a photoionizing beam is directed onto an x-ray light valve having a liquid crystal layer in contact with a photoconductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for mounting a graphic holder on a display arm. The device has a body portion substantially formed of a resilient elastic material. The body portion comprises a band for securing around a display arm. As the band is resilient and elastic it can be used to mount the device on a variety of different shaped display arms. The device further comprises a neck portion attached to the body portion at a first end and having attaching means for holding the graphics holder substantially at a second end. The present invention also provides a system for displaying a graphic on a display arm comprising a device and a graphic holder.

Abstract: A photodetector/imaging device comprises a layer of photoconductive material converting incident electromagnetic radiation into electrical charges, the layer of photoconductive material being capable of avalanche multiplication when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied thereacross; a readout layer detecting the electrical charge; and at least one interface layer between the layer of photoconductive material and the readout layer, the interface layer coupling electrical charge to or from the layer of photoconductive material and being configured to inhibit uncontrolled rises in current in the photoconductive material during avalanche multiplication.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing touch-screen surveys. The surveys comprise a plurality of screen displays each including a survey question and one or more screen buttons by means of which the user signifies an answer to the survey question by touching the screen button. A method of quarantining responses to a touch screen survey comprises defining a set of criteria for identifying if a response is likely to be a serious response or a nuisance response. The method includes monitoring the screen touches to determine the number of survey questions answered and the time intervals between screen touches. The monitored screen touches are compared with the defined criteria to categorise the response as a likely nuisance response or a likely serious response. The response is quarantined if it is categorised as a likely nuisance response.

Abstract: An exemplary system according to the present disclosure comprises a server system (comprising one or more computing devices) that is in communication with one or more financial exchange systems and one or more data source computer devices (e.g., news sources). Also in communication with the server system are one or more mobile communication devices. The server system comprises a memory and a processor executing software that enables the server system to receive live market data and information from one or more of the financial exchange systems and the data source computer devices; aggregate and filter the data and information; according to one or more pre-set user preferences and/or one or more user-initiated commands; and transmit the aggregated/filtered data and information to one or more mobile communication devices via one or more live data feeds. The mobile communication device displays aggregated/filtered information in a single, interactive GUI.

Abstract: There is provided an isoprenoid according to the general formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from H and alkyl; and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from groups of the general formula (II) and (III) wherein R7 and R8 each represent a group of general formula CO—R9, in which each R9 is independently selected from H, OH, alkyl and alkoxy groups, or R7 and/or R8 present in R3 and R4 and/or in R5 and R6 combine to form a group of the general formula (IV) wherein R10 is selected from OH and alkoxy; or salts thereof. The isoprenoids are of particular use in the preparation of liposomes, for use in the delivery of pharmaceutically active components to a subject human or animal.

Abstract: A mobile phone device comprises the following: a processor; a first display controller for driving an internal display of the mobile phone device; and a second display controller for driving an external display, wherein the external display is connectable to the second display controller via a connector.

Abstract: A photodetector/imaging device comprises a layer of photoconductive material converting incident electromagnetic radiation into electrical charges, the layer of photoconductive material being capable of avalanche multiplication when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied thereacross; a readout layer detecting the electrical charge; and at least one interface layer between the layer of photoconductive material and the readout layer, the interface layer coupling electrical charge to or from the layer of photoconductive material and being configured to inhibit uncontrolled rises in current in the photoconductive material during avalanche multiplication.

Abstract: The present invention is an indirect AMFPI wherein a phosphor such as a structured cesium iodide (CsI) is used to convert x-ray energy to optical photons or a charge, which is then detected by a two-dimensional array of either thin-film transistors (TFTs) such as an amorphous a-Se TFTs or a photodiode array. A scanning control circuit generates pulses to turn on the TFTs one row at a time, and thus the charge in the individual arrays is transferred from the TFT to one or more external charge-sensitive amplifiers. The charge-sensitive amplifiers are shared by all the pixels in the same column. The two-dimensional array can be read in real time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical design of a megavoltage x-ray detector with both high quantum efficiency (QE) and high resolution. The x-ray detector includes an optical-fiber taper (OFT) made from a large number of optical fibers, each of which is aligned with the incident x-rays from an x-ray source hitting a top surface of the optical fiber taper. The optical-fiber taper is a matrix of optical fibers with the core material made of, e.g., silica and coated with a cladding glass or polymer such that light created within the core of each optical fiber will be guided to the bottom ends of the fiber with the ends of the fibers at the bottom being optically coupled to and optical image read-out device. Each optical fiber in the optical fiber taper is fully aligned with the incident x-ray source so that x-rays entering the top of the fiber travel directly towards the bottom of the same fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital x-ray radiographic imaging system. The system is based on a photoconductive detector and an electro-optic light modulator, where the photoconductive detector layer absorbs x-rays that have passed through an object to form an exposure of the object. The absorbed x-rays create a static optical image, which is stored in the electro-optic light modulator, allowing the capture of the optical image to continue over longer time. The optical image is digitized using a scanning system and an external light source. The image is then processed and stored by a computer. After the optical image is recorded, an erasing mechanism is used to reset the system before a new exposure is made.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical design of a megavoltage x-ray detector with both high quantum efficiency (QE) and high resolution. The x-ray detector includes an optical-fiber taper (OFT) made from a large number of optical fibers, each of which is aligned with the incident x-rays from an x-ray source hitting a top surface of the optical fiber taper. The optical-fiber taper is a matrix of optical fibers with the core material made of, e.g., silica and coated with a cladding glass or polymer such that light created within the core of each optical fiber will be guided to the bottom ends of the fiber with the ends of the fibers at the bottom being optically coupled to and optical image read-out device. Each optical fiber in the optical fiber taper is fully aligned with the incident x-ray source so that x-rays entering the top of the fiber travel directly towards the bottom of the same fiber.

Abstract: A 4-dimensional digital tomosynthesis system includes an x-ray source, an x-ray detector and a processor. The x-ray source is suitable for emitting x-ray beams to an object with a periodic motion. The periodic motion is divided into (n+1) time intervals, n being a positive integer. Each of the (n+1) time intervals is associated with a time instance ti, i=0, 1, 2, . . . , n. The x-ray detector is coupled to the x-ray source for acquiring projection radiographs of the object at each time instance ti for each scan angle based on the x-ray beams. The processor is communicatively coupled to the x-ray source and the x-ray detector for controlling the x-ray source and processing data received from the x-ray detector such that all projection radiographs acquired from all scan angles for each time instance ti are reconstructed and (n+1) sets of cross sections of the object are obtained. The cross section is either a coronal cross section or a sagittal cross section.

Abstract: A first failure data capture mechanism receives threshold violation events. The end user may configure which threshold violations would trigger first failure data capture. A correlator may be used to select only the related log and trade data to fit the specific application. When a predetermined threshold violation event is received, the first failure data capture mechanism gathers the appropriate log information. The first failure data capture mechanism may also query for other information related to the transaction that caused the threshold violation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer instructions are provided for additional logging capabilities in response to a threshold being violated. Parent and current correlators are utilized as fields in all log files. The correlator field logging service/format advantageously uses the exact log statements to link to a node in the TMTP transaction decomposition topology. The TMTP violation flag is used to dynamically increase the log levels. The TMTP violation flag is initiated in response to an ARM threshold violation.

Abstract: A plug-in program for monitoring an application having a set of threads. A parameter is associated with each thread. The plug-in program causes an individual thread associated with the application to be terminated if a corresponding parameter violates a threshold. The thread is terminated without interfering with the execution of the other threads within the set of threads.

Abstract: A thread monitor identifies and interrupts locked threads. A byte code insertion tool inserts timers around classes that are bound to threads. Timers may also be inserted around particular portions of code. When a portion of code, such as a thread, a loop, or a condition block, for example, to be monitored begins, a call is made to a thread monitor to start a timer. If the portion of code ends normally, the timer is removed. If the timer expires, then the thread monitor may interrupt the thread or send a notification to a user so that appropriate action may be taken.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical design of a megavoltage x-ray detector with both high quantum efficiency (QE) and high resolution. The x-ray detector disclosed herein has a QE that can be an order of magnitude higher than that of current flat panel systems and yet has a spatial resolution equivalent to that of current flat panel systems used for portal imaging. The x-ray detector includes a large number of micro-structured electrically conducting plates, packed together with thin spacers placed between neighboring plates with the micro-structured plates oriented to be parallel to the incident x-rays in operation. Each plate includes an electrically conductive substrate with a first planar surface, elongate electrically conductive strip electrodes separated from each other with strip spacers placed in between and sitting on an insulating layer interposed between the first planar surface of the electrically conductive substrate and the strip electrodes.