Abstract: A gasoline composition is disclosed comprising: (a) a major amount of gasoline; and (b) from 0.1 to 5 wt %, based on the overall gasoline composition, of a base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of at least 1 cSt which is derived from the product of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.

Abstract: A tether-based system for utilizing the aerostatic lift of a light-than-air balloon for the transport of payload across a wide area without having to translate the balloon along with the payload.

Abstract: The use of from 0.1 to 5 wt %, based on overall gasoline composition, of a base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of at least 1 cSt, in a gasoline composition comprising a major amount of gasoline is disclosed for improving the acceleration response of a four-stroke spark-ignition internal combustion engine fueled by the gasoline composition. A method of operating a four-stroke spark-ignition internal combustion engine is also disclosed which method involves introducing into a combustion chamber of said engine a gasoline composition comprising: (a) a major amount of a gasoline; and (b) from 0.1 wt % to 5 wt %, based on the overall gasoline composition, of a base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of at least 1 cSt.

Abstract: There are provided crystalline particles of unsolvated Form 1 polymorph of the compound of formula (I): characterised in that the particles are in the form of substantially triangular plates.

Abstract: An identification system includes a reader and one or more tags. The reader identifies tags such as radio frequency (RF) tags. The system divides a number space into n bins, wherein each bin is associated with m unique bits of the number space, and the number space contains the identification codes of the tags. A command is issued to test v bits of the number space. A response is received from a tag, wherein the response occurs when a first portion of an identification code of the tag matches the v bits of the number space, a timing of the response corresponds to a particular bin and m unique bits associated with the particular bin correspond to a second portion of the identification code.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for configuring antennae of radio frequency identification reader systems. In one aspect of an embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader system, includes: a receiver: a radio frequency (RF) source for signal transmission; and a switch matrix coupled with the receiver and the radio frequency sources to selectively couple the receiver and the radio frequency source to a plurality of non-collocated antennae. When in a first mode, the switch matrix connects the radio frequency source to a first one of the antennae for signal transmission and the receiver to a second one of the antennae for signal reception; and when in a second mode, the switch matrix connects the first one of the antennae for signal reception and, in one example, the second one or another one of the antennae to the RF source for signal transmission.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for extracting information from a database based on tag data are provided. One method includes interrogating a plurality of RFID tags coupled with objects within in an area to obtain tag data. The contextual environment of the area is determined based on the tag data. A search of a database relating to an item in the area is conducted. Relevance rankings of search results are adjusted based upon the determined contextual environment. Search results can be displayed in order of relevance rankings.

Abstract: Techniques for RFID communication adaptive to an environment are provided. An RFID reader includes a processor and a reconfigurable hardware element. The reconfigurable hardware element is reconfigurable by the processor in response to a predetermined condition. Non-volatile memory stores configuration code for the reconfigurable hardware element. In specific embodiments, the predetermined condition can be the presence of a mixed tag population, proximity to an interferer, historical read rates, RF noise level, and reader location, as well as other factors.

Abstract: An identification system includes a reader and one or more tags. The reader identifies tags such as radio frequency (RF) tags. The system divides a number space into n bins, wherein each bin is associated with m unique bits of the number space, and the number space contains the identification codes of the tags. A command is issued to test v bits of the number space. A response is received from a tag, wherein the response occurs when a first portion of an identification code of the tag matches the v bits of the number space, a timing of the response corresponds to a particular bin and m unique bits associated with the particular bin correspond to a second portion of the identification code.

Abstract: A composition, either as a nutritional supplement or pharmaceutical, for the treatment of oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and related disease states which comprises administration of D-chiroinositol (DCI) congeners, acting as an antioxidant or glucose uptake promoter and metabolic normalizer, is disclosed. A composition of treating oxidative stress comprising administration of DCI is also disclosed. The administration of DCI derivatives comprises administering to the whole animal a dose in an amount sufficient to normalize blood glucose and triglycerides and to ameliorate endothelial dysfunction. The administration can be an oral, injectable, intranasal, or patch dosage forms. DCI is found in the food chain and has been shown to be very safe in large doses and, therefore, the amounts sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic antioxidant effect will be low relative to the amounts reaching toxic levels. Therefore, DCI can be administered orally as a prophylactic nutritional supplement.

Abstract: A system for generating a tunable X-ray pulse comprises a first electron beam source configured to direct a first electron pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards a first interaction zone, a laser beam source configured to direct a first photon pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards the first interaction zone to interact with the first electron pulse. The first interaction produces a substantially monochromatic second photon pulse of higher photon energy directed towards a second interaction zone, and a second electron beam source configured to direct a second electron pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards the second interaction zone so that the second interaction produces an X-ray pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length in a cascaded inverse Compton scattering (ICS) configuration.

Abstract: A tool joint part has a PIC incorporated therein for storing data which can be used to identify the tool to which the joint part is interconnected. PICs are incorporated into tool conditioning circuits. An intermediate circuit operates to match the identity stored digitally in a first PIC with the identity stored digitally in another PIC and thereby connect the tool to the appropriate tool conditioning circuit.

Abstract: A write head drive circuit for a magnetic data storage device is configured to drive a write head with a write head degaussing current that is applied at the end of a write cycle. The write head degaussing current is an alternating current waveform with a programmable number of current pulses with decreasing amplitude and a frequency controlled by a CMOS ring oscillator. The CMOS ring oscillator includes switchable feedback paths to control its frequency. A programmable timer terminates the write head degaussing current after an interval of time dependent on signals that indicate the programmable number of current pulses and the frequency of the CMOS oscillator.

Abstract: A metal sheet punch device for metal sheets which includes a longitudinally extended frame having forward and rearward ends and alignment devices for aligning the frame on a metal sheet. At least two metal punch devices are mounted on the frame, each including a metal punch support structure movably mounted on the frame and a metal punch having a pointed lower end, the metal punch mounted on the underside of the metal punch support arm structure. A support structure drive device such as a coiled spring is operatively connected to the metal punch support structure to rapidly move the metal punch support structure between a retracted position and an extended position and a trigger device is operatively connected to the metal punch devices to trigger each of them to drive the metal punch into the metal sheet to form at least two securement screw indentations therein.

Abstract: An imaging tube (12) includes a cathode (30) that emits an electron beam (32) and an anode (38). The anode (38) includes multiple target surfaces (36). Each of the target surfaces (36) has a focal spot that receives the electron beam (32). The target surfaces (36) generate multiple x-ray beams (42) in response to the electron beam (32). Each x-ray beam (42) is associated with one of the target surfaces (36). An x-ray imaging system (10) includes the cathode (30) and the anode (38). A controller (28) is electrically coupled to the cathode (30) and adjusts emission of the electron beam (32) on the anode (38).

Abstract: An electron emitter assembly and a method for adjusting a size of electron beams are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a laser configured to emit a first light beam. The electron emitter assembly further includes a lens assembly configured to receive the first light beam. The lens assembly is configured to adjust a size of the first light beam between a first predetermined size and a second predetermined size larger than the first predetermined size. The lens assembly emits the first light beam toward a photo-cathode. The photo-cathode is configured to emit a first electron beam having a third predetermined size when the first light beam having the first predetermined size contacts the photo-cathode. The photo-cathode is further configured to emit a second electron beam having a fourth predetermined size when the first light beam having the second predetermined size contacts the photo-cathode.

Abstract: An electron emitter assembly and a method for adjusting a power level of an electron beam are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a laser configured to emit a first light beam. The electron emitter assembly further includes a light-attenuating device configured to receive the first light beam and to attenuate the first light beam between a first light intensity and a second light intensity greater than the first light intensity. The electron emitter assembly further includes a photo-cathode configured to receive the first light beam from the light-attenuating device. The photo-cathode is further configured to emit a first electron beam having a first power level in response to receiving the first light beam having the first light intensity. The photo-cathode is further configured to emit a second electron beam having a second power level greater than the first power level in response to receiving the first light beam having the second light intensity.

Abstract: An electron emitter assembly and a method for generating an electron beam are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a laser configured to emit a first light beam and a second light beam. The electron emitter assembly further includes a mirror configured to move to a first operational position to reflect the first light beam toward a first region of a photo-cathode. The mirror is further configured to move to a second operational position to reflect the second light beam toward a second region of the photo-cathode. The photo-cathode is configured to emit a first electron beam when the first light beam contacts the first region and to emit a second electron beam when the second light beam contacts the second region. The electron emitter assembly further includes an anode configured to receive the first and second electron beams from the photo-cathode.

Abstract: An improved interconnection protocol that is well suited for use in an inspection system or similar modular electronic system. Communication is provided over a network where the electronic modules are nodes, including a root node and multiple remote nodes. The root node and remote nodes are connected through multiple point-to-point synchronous links. The root node and remote nodes are configured to send and receive packets in either a short form or a normal form. Timing between the root node and remote nodes is provided by an external clock distributed by the root node. Each remote node responds to commands with low latency. This protocol allows normal packets to be configured to provide variable payload length, with a maximum payload size that yields a low protocol overhead.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for various non-invasive medical and non-medical imaging. The imaging system includes a tunable X-ray source for emitting X-rays having a substantially monoenergetic spectrum and an energy discriminating detector for generating a detector output signal in response to the X-rays incident on the energy discriminating detector. The imaging system also includes a system controller comprising an X-ray controller for operating the tunable X-ray source and data acquisition circuitry for acquiring the detector output signal from the energy discriminating detector.