Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting, managing, distributing and updating geophysical data primarily for E&P companies include in one embodiment the sale of subscriptions entitling paid subscribers access to all subscribed data including both preview and full data. Initial and subsequent data providers are preferably compensated from subscriber fees and may be compensated based on relative subscriber use of data. Data subscriptions can include for subscribers the right to vote or otherwise provide input relating to desired data updates. Data updates are preferably purchased based on competitive bids. The inventive systems and methods diminish much of the risk and uncertainty associated with the collection, management, distribution and updating of geophysical data under current methodologies, making the process more efficient and cost-effective for participating parties.

Abstract: A lace-trapping device is provided that comprises a strip of material that has a closure means. It is either attachable to the laces of a piece of footwear or built into the footwear at a point well below the top of the laces where they are tied so the device does not interfere with tying the laces. It is capable of closing over the lace ends after the laces are tied. Laces are threaded through a hole in the flexible material and then through the footwear eyelets at the low point of the laces. Hook and loop fasteners on overlapping strips, or flexible interlocking tensioned arms, two overlapping parts of a tension ring with mating teeth, or a pronged snap fastener secure the device to lock in the tied ends of the lacing.

Abstract: Methods including orally administering retinoid components to a human or animal having nodulocystic acne to provide substantial reduction in nodulocystic acne in the human or animal and relatively little or substantially no reduction in sebum secretion in the human or animal relative to employing a reference retinoid agent, for example, a pan active retinoid agent, in an orally administering step using an amount of the reference retinoid agent to provide the same reduction in nodulocystic acne.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods and compositions related to the use of a retinoid for the treatment of nodulocystic acne.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning a beam of light over a specimen are provided. A system may include a pre-scan acousto-optical deflector (AOD) configured to deflect a beam of light, a second AOD configured as a traveling lens to focus the scanning beam, a relay lens, and an objective lens. The relay lens may be centered on the scan line produced by the second AOD, while the objective lens may be substantially de-centered with respect to the relay lens to produce a telecentric scanning spot with no field tilt. The system may modulate the amplitude of the sound wave in the first AOD to compensate for attenuation in the second AOD. The system may pre-fill one chirp packet in the second AOD while another chirp packet is scanning to substantially reduce a delay between consecutive scans.

Abstract: A method that enables multiple viewers to view one of several video streams simultaneously displayed on a single video display (or movie projection screen). Viewers can only view with shutter viewing glasses synchronized to the video stream they are viewing. This method also permits 3D viewing without modification of the video broadcast, video receiver technologies and minimal adaptation of existing 2D camera equipment. This method can also limit viewing access to permitted granted viewers only in the presence of non-granted viewers for security or privacy by encrypting the frame rate and generating masking video.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning a beam of light over a specimen are provided. A system may include a pre-scan acousto-optical deflector (AOD) configured to deflect a beam of light, a second AOD configured as a traveling lens to focus the scanning beam, a relay lens, and an objective lens. The relay lens may be centered on the scan line produced by the second AOD, while the objective lens may be substantially de-centered with respect to the relay lens to produce a telecentric scanning spot with no field tilt. The system may modulate the amplitude of the sound wave in the first AOD to compensate for attenuation in the second AOD. The system may pre-fill one chirp packet in the second AOD while another chirp packet is scanning to substantially reduce a delay between consecutive scans.

Abstract: A portable basketball retrieval and return device includes a movable support platform having casters for allowing the positioning of the device on a playing surface adjacent a basketball backboard and rim, a slidable upright frame mounted to the platform and to which a plurality of telescoping arms are attached whereby both the frame and arms are selectively extensible and retractable for disposing netting material which collects shot basketballs from the basketball backboard and rim.

Abstract: A cask for storing alcoholic beverage is made of a pre-treated wooden material, such as oak wood, wherein the method of pre-treatment includes soaking the wood in a salt solution and heating or toasting the wood thereafter to produce a color change in the wood. Is has been found that impregnating the wood with salt extracts is beneficial in respect of flavoring and coloring the alcoholic beverage.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and compensating for focus errors in a photolithography tool which holds a reticle and a substrate substantially parallel is described. The apparatus includes at least one proximity gauge for determining a first distance between the reticle and the substrate, thereby determining if a focus error condition exists. The apparatus also includes an actuator for adjusting the position of the reticle with respect to the substrate, thereby compensating for the focus error condition. According to another embodiment, a lens system actuator is employed for adjusting a lens system parameter, thereby compensating for the focus error condition detected by the at least one proximity gauge.

Abstract: A toilet seat lifting device for selectively raising and lowering the seat of a toilet includes a base disposed on a floor surface, a stanchion secured to the front of the base, and a foot pedal pivotably mounted to the stanchion. A plurality of link arms are pivotably mounted to the stanchion and are linked to the foot pedal so that movement of the foot pedal pivots the link arms. Mounted to the distal ends of the link arms is a lifting arm retaining member which carries an elongated lifting arm capable of vertical repositioning on the lifting arm retaining member to accommodate variously-sized toilet bowls and seats. The upper end of the lifting arm is attached to the under-side of the toilet seat.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a reticle (201) pattern to a substrate image (203) by scanning. The reticle is placed between an illumination system (118) and the projection lens (117). The substrate is located below the projection lens. A loading system, wafer adjustment system, and focusing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical device for throwing projectiles is disclosed which is disposed on a ground surface to throw variously-sized balls to a practicing basketball shooter or a practicing baseball hitter. The device includes an elongated base disposed on the ground surface, a pivoting arm which is attached to the base and which throws the ball, and an electromechanical solenoid whose actuation causes the arm to pivot and throw the ball. When the device is used for basketball practice shooting, a frame is disposed on the ground and around the device, and the frame includes a pole, a backboard secured to the pole, and a rim extending perpendicular from the backboard. A plurality of support arms are attached to the frame, and the arms include an integrally attached net which is disposed around the backboard for collecting thrown basketballs and directing them to the device.

Abstract: A device for connecting in series between a source of alternating current power and a direct current load which decouples the power flow from the source to the load and thereby enables efficient modification of the current waveform supplied by the source to reduce current harmonics, improve the current form factor and improve the power factor. Particular uses for the device include battery chargers, off-line switching power supplies as used by computers, electronic ballasts for fluorescent tubes and variable speed electric motor controls.

Abstract: An improved sheet metal punch including a second class lever system compounded with a hybrid first-third class lever system. A nutcracker-like tool employs two lever arms that are linked at the ends thereof by a fulcrum link and opposing fulcrum points, one on each of the lever arms, to actuate a hybrid first-third class lever system to drive a floating punch into a guide-stripper plate and die matrix assembly that are rigidly fixed to one of the levers. The punch assembly consists in a plate having a plurality of easily removable/replacable cylindrical tools projecting therefrom and which are used in combination with the die matrix to perforate sheet materials such as sheet metal, fiberglass and other relatively thin, planar substances.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a reticle (201) pattern to a substrate image (203) by scanning. The reticle is placed between an illumination system (118) and the projection lens (117). The substrate is located below the projection lens. A loading system, wafer adjustment system, and focusing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The certain imidazoles have been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory as well as antifungal activity.

Abstract: A deep ultraviolet (UV) lens for use in a photolithography system provides enhanced resolution by using shorter wavelengths of light exposure (in the ultraviolet wavelength). The improved lens includes a meniscus and a first mirror for imaging light in the deep ultraviolet range to the meniscus. The meniscus images the light to a plano-convex lens which is located proximately to the concave surface of the meniscus. The lens further includes a pair of optical elements (prisms) proximately located to the plano surface of the plano-convex lens. The present invention provides for operation in the deep ultraviolet range with a aperture in one embodiment of 0.350.

Abstract: The invention provides a debris diverting boom for use in diverting debris floating on the surface of a body of water toward a side skimmer opening thereof to facilitate its removal before it becomes waterlogged and sinks to the bottom. The body of the boom takes the form of a hollow cylindrical elongated body portion and an integral downwardly-extending skirt portion preferably produced by roll-forming from a narrow elongated strip of metal. The interior of the hollow body portion is filled with a tubular piece of closed-cell foam to provide the necessary buoyancy. The lower edge of the skirt is folded over to hide the raw metal edge and crimped to a regular pattern to increase its rigidity and to hide the random wrinkling of the material created by the folding process. The tube and skirt ends are covered with plastic caps for the same purpose. Alternatively, the boom is formed from plastic material by extrusion or foaming.

Abstract: An increased bearing surface is provided on spring holders for coil springs used in a platform rocking chair between the wooden chair rocker and the platform. The increased bearing surface protects the chair structure against damage to the wood and loosening of the attachment of the spring holders to the chair structure heretofore caused by the reciprocating lateral forces generated by the rocking motion of the chair.