Abstract: An optical absorption gas sensor includes a radiation source, detector and a radiation guide. The radiation source and detector are close together and in thermal communication. The radiation guide has a rectangular cross section and curves in a first sense, around an axis parallel to the major dimension of the rectangular cross section, and then in a second opposite sense, and again in the first sense. A relatively long path for radiation is provided in a compact device, without the attenuation of radiation which would occur if the radiation guide did not have a rectangular cross section and curved only around an axis parallel to the major dimension of the rectangular cross section. A reference measurement can be obtained by mounting a reference radiation source behind a translucent measurement radiation source and directing radiation from the reference radiation source through the measurement radiation source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer method and system for identifying significance of patterns across a plurality of data patterns, which involves identifying pattern types of the plurality of data patterns, determining a relative pattern significance factor to compare the pattern types. Determining the relative pattern significance factor further involves calculating a percentage change of an identified outlier from a median for a outlier pattern, calculating a value of a step change as a percentage of a last value of a step preceding the step change for a step change pattern and calculating a percentage change from a start value on the fitted curve to an end value on the fitted curve for a trend pattern. A ranked list of the pattern types are returned based on their corresponding relative pattern significant factors.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus having a wire electrode and a guide system for machining reverse-taper bores in a workpiece, particularly cone-shaped bores. A guide body near the workpiece stabilizes a first portion of an electrode and a second portion of the electrode extends from the guide body terminating in a working tip. As the guide body is wobbled about the longitudinal axis of a desired workpiece bore, the electrode is advanced and the working tip of the electrode erodes progressively larger closed curves in the workpiece, resulting in a reverse taper bore in the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer method and system for identifying significance of patterns across a plurality of data patterns, which involves identifying pattern types of the plurality of data patterns, determining a relative pattern significance factor to compare the pattern types. Determining the relative pattern significance factor further involves calculating a percentage change of an identified outlier from a median for a outlier pattern, calculating a value of a step change as a percentage of a last value of a step preceding the step change for a step change pattern and calculating a percentage change from a start value on the fitted curve to an end value on the fitted curve for a trend pattern. A ranked list of the pattern types are returned based on their corresponding relative pattern significant factors.

Abstract: A lighting device with at least one first-element that emits visible light at a wavelength and irradiance sufficient to inactivate one or more pathogenic bacterial species, and at least one second element that emits light of one or more longer wave-lengths to that of the first-element. The at least one second element has a higher illuminance than that of the at least one inactivating element or component.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for modeling and controlling batch or transitional processes is disclosed including collecting, or initiating the collection of measurements on a plurality of process variables. The method may include creating, or initiating the creation of, a latent variable model predictive controller based on the collected measurements. The method further provides for applying or initiating the application of, the model predictive controller to predict and control at least one of the process variables to track a desired trajectory, by operation of at least one computer including one or more computer processors. A related system for implementing the method is disclosed as is a computer program operable with this method.

Abstract: A method for inactivating medically important Gram-positive bacteria including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (CONS), Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Clostridium species, comprising exposure to visible light, and in particular light within the wavelength range 400-500 nm.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus having a wire electrode and a guide system for machining reverse-taper bores in a workpiece, particularly cone-shaped bores. A guide body near the workpiece stabilizes a first portion of an electrode and a second portion of the electrode extends from the guide body terminating in a working tip. As the guide body is wobbled about the longitudinal axis of a desired workpiece bore, the electrode is advanced and the working tip of the electrode erodes progressively larger closed curves in the workpiece, resulting in a reverse taper bore in the workpiece.

Abstract: The specification discloses a label assembly having a portion that projects from a container. The label assembly includes a base layer and a projecting or billboard layer. The billboard layer is partially adhered to the base layer leaving marginal portions that are not adhered to the base layer. The base layer is adapted to conform to the container. The billboard layer is relatively stiff, enabling the marginal portions to extend away from the container.

Abstract: A new application of machine vision for process industries is proposed. The invention consists of: (1) estimation of visual quality of products, (2) modeling causal relationship between estimated quality and process variables, and (3) optimization of visual quality using the causal model. This invention can handle the stochastic nature in visual appearance of products that process industries provide, which has been a main obstacle for the success of machine vision in process industries. Also, it opens new tasks in machine vision such as modeling and optimization of visual quality of products.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to: generate a data series characterizing data values; identify any unreliable pattern present in the data series; and determine if a forecast should be made for the unreliable pattern.

Abstract: Material is removed from a body of material, e.g. to create a bore hole, by plasma channel drilling. High voltage, high energy, rapid rise time electrical pulses are delivered many times per second to an electrode assembly in contact with the material body to generate therein elongate plasma channels which expand rapidly following electrical breakdown of the material causing the material to fracture and fragment.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to: create a data table characterizing data values; standardize changes between data values to produce standardized values; and apply a weighting factor to the standardized values to produce a data change index.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to construct a control chart containing business data values and control limits that account for the inherent uncertainty associated with defining precise alert thresholds. A forecast is then made for the control chart and the results of the forecast are then specified.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to construct a control chart containing business data values and defined control limits. A forecast is then made for the control chart and the results of the forecast are then specified.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to construct a strategy map characterizing a presumed causal link between a first business metric and a second business metric. A first pattern within data associated with the first business metric is identified; a second pattern within data associated with the second business metric is located. Any relationship between the first pattern and the second pattern is specified.

Abstract: An apparatus to identify patterns in a multi-dimensional database is described. In particular, a computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner is provided. The computer-readable medium comprises instructions to automatically identify a plurality of patterns associated with data comprising the multi-dimensional database and instructions to indicate the plurality of patterns that are identified. Exemplary patterns that can be identified include an outlier pattern, a step pattern, a random pattern, a trend pattern, and a periodic pattern.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining head incorporating piezo-electric motors for controlling motion of a slide assembly. The slide assembly is translatable within a machine base and its motion is controlled by the piezo-electric motors. The slide assembly precisely controls the movement of an EDM electrode through the wire guide.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the purification or decontaminating of contaminated a gased and liquids and for the production of biocidal liquids that have a finite activity period. The method comprising the steps of aerating or sparging a liquid (17) with a gas such as to provide a suspension of bubbles (17A) within the body of the liquid, and then subjecting the aerated or sparged liquid to a pulsed electrical field having a magnitude sufficiently high to create ionisation activity in the gas bubbles (17A).

Abstract: A distinct new cultivar of Anemone plant named ‘MACANE001’, characterized by an exceptionally long flowering season, upright, vigorous, free flowering and perennial plant habit with large white flowers having bluish violet banding on the reverse of the sepals. The new cultivar is an Anemone typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.