Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing data in a mass storage system implementing striped RAID technology by topological categorization and ordering of the data according to the topology of the storage areas. A mass storage system includes a mass storage space for storing data items of a plurality of data types. Each data item contains data of a corresponding data type and each data type is defined by the characteristics of the information represented by the data. The storage space is topologically organized as a plurality of basic units of storage space containing a predetermined number of data blocks of predetermined sizes. A data classifier categorizes each data item as a member of a data type and, for each data type, orders the data of the data items into one or more data block groups in a corresponding write buffer wherein each data block group corresponds to a basic unit of storage, and writes each data item into a corresponding data type area of the storage space.

Abstract: A clean burning premeasured compressed charge for use in black powder firearms as well as cartridges. The premeasured compressed charge is manufactured to have a substantially desired shape which facilitates improved flame propagation by the leading end wall and along the exposed sidewall surfaces of the compressed charge to result in a more complete and rapid burning of the compressed charge both from the leading end wall toward the trailing end wall and also radially inwardly from each one of the four sidewalls toward a center of the premeasured compressed charge. The premeasured compressed charge has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion and the leading end portion is either the same size or a smaller dimension than the trailing end portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of compounds represented by the Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods of treating conditions mediated by the &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin.

Abstract: A method of preparing an ion-conducting material, for example membrane, having reduced sensitivity to water includes a step of treating an ion-conducting polymeric material (especially a sulphonated polyaryletherketone and/or sulphone) which has at least some crystallinity or which is crystallisable with a means to increase its crystallinity. The ion-conducting material prepared may be used in a Membrane Electrode Assembly of a fuel cell.

Abstract: The confocal microscope has two matched light sources: a first light source (1) and a second light source (8). The light sources (1,8) are arranged to illuminate opposite sides of a modulating mask (6). The light either reflecting from or passing through the modulating mask (6) is then used to illuminate an object O supported on a mount (5). The microscope is arranged so that the object O is mounted on the opposite side of the mask (6) to a camera (7) such that light reflected from the object O passes through the modulating mask (6) before being captured by the camera (7). Subtraction of the image produced using the second light source (8) from the image produced using the first light source (1) generates a confocal image that contains substantially less noise than is possible with available confocal microscopy apparatus.

Abstract: A paintball marker comprises a main body 110 and a barrel 112 defining a firing axis X-X, a trigger 122, and a grip 120 arranged to be held in a hand of a user which operates the trigger. The grip 120 has a rear edge 134 arranged to engage the palm of the hand of a user, the rear edge 134 being substantially vertical so as to enable the marker to be held in a comfortable and controlled manner during use.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: A single-pass color electrophotographic printer includes four imaging stations, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, on a generally linear path. A toned image in each toner color is developed on an image bearing member or photoconductive drum. A plurality of electrically biased first transfer rollers associated with each imaging station is operative to transfer the developed images from the photoconductive drum to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) belt that travels sequentially past the imaging stations along the generally linear path in a first transfer operation. The image on the ITM belt is transferred to media at a second transfer operation at which the ITM belt passes through a nip between a backup roller and a further electrically biased transfer roller. A servo operation is used to set the voltages on the transfer rollers. Rollers at the second transfer are positioned to direct media downwardly out of the nip to a media transport belt and to a fuser assembly.

Abstract: The storage space of a RAID striped mass storage system is topologically organized as a plurality of basic units of storage space for storing data items in data blocks. A topological data formatter includes a write data buffer for each data type and an initial data classifier initially categorizes each data item as a structured data type having defined data characteristics or a general data type having variable data characteristics and writes each structured data type data item into a corresponding type buffer. A topological data classifier topologically categorizes each general data type data item as a full-basic unit data type forming data blocks or as a partial-basic unit data type forming partial data blocks and writes each data item into corresponding full-basic type buffer or partial-basic type buffer.

Abstract: A displayable digital document such as a .PDF document is indexed by displaying it on a viewer. A database field is provided in a relational database. A user selects a field in the digital document for indexing using a pointing device and defines a bounding rectangle for this field. Offsets are recorded and compared to other bounding rectangles. Comparisons are recorded in a parameter file for each document. An indexer is run to insert the offsets and other data into the relational database and also store the digital image in the relational database. A query is made of the database and part or all of the digital document is displayed based on the results of the query.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear plant (8) having a reactor (10) containing a core comprising a plurality of moderator elements in a central region and a plurality of spherical fuel elements located in an annular region around the central region. The plant (8) further includes a fuel and moderator handling system (40) for circulating fuel and moderator elements around the plant (8). It further relates to a method of loading the core with moderator and fuel elements.

Abstract: An integral self-leveling gas shock strut with dual spring rates as a structural load support between a vehicle chassis and wheel. When the vehicle is driving at an inclined longitudinal pitch a gravity sensitive device within the strut governs a pilot valve which opens to allow a pressure input signal from strut piston compression deflection to close a high flow volume slave valve located between primary and secondary volumetric chambers, trapping gases within the primary chamber to provide a hard spring rate for the strut mounted on the vehicle's downhill side. Contrarily, a similar valve sequence in a companion strut mounted on the vehicle's uphill side opens gas flow communication to combine its primary and secondary chamber volumes, thus providing a soft spring rate and consequent leveling effect of the vehicle using only the pumping action of the strut pistons as a power source, requiring neither external power nor inputs.

Abstract: An organic polymeric optical waveguide and methods of making same are described herein. The waveguide can be used in an integrated optical waveguide device. The organic polymeric material contains styrenic monomers and can incorporate styrenic or epoxy crosslinking groups.

Abstract: A compound of formula I wherein X represents an optionally halo-substituted (C2-4)alkynylene group bonded via vicinal unsaturated carbon atoms.

Abstract: A mechanical water still (10) includes an impervious dome-like upper surface (12) and a membrane base (14) that is coupled (26) to the impervious dome-like structure (12) to form, when inflated, a chamber (20). The membrane base (14) supports a water pervaporation process therethrough. A water collection well (16) has an opening into which water droplets condensed from the water pervaporation process collect. The water collection well (16) is sited within the membrane base (14) and generally extends outwardly and downwardly from the membrane base (14), as shown in FIG. 1. In use, a contaminated water source (24) is brought into, ideally, complete contact with the membrane base (14), with the water collection well (16) arranged both to act as a heat sink into the water source (24) and to provide stability to the water still (10) when floating and immersed in the water source (24).

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) wherein p is zero or 1; q and r, independently of each other, are an integer from 1 to 6; and s is a number ranging from 1 to 8; X is —O— or, when p is 1, X is also a group Rw, Rx, Ry and Rz are, independently of each other, C1-C18alkyl, C5-C12cycloalkyl or C1-C5hydroxyalkyl, especially methyl; R1 is hydrogen; C1-C18alkyl; oxyl; OH; CH2CN; C1-C18alkoxy; C5-C12cycloalkoxy; C3-C8alkenyl; C3-C8alkynyl; C7-C12phenylalkyl; C7-C15phenylalkyl, which is substituted on the phenyl ring by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from C1-C4alkyl and C1-C4alkoxy; C7-C15phenylalkoxy; C7-C15phenylalkoxy, which is substituted on the phenyl ring by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from C1-C4alkyl and C1-C4alkoxy; or R1 is C1-C8alkanoyl; C3-C5alkenoyl; C1-C18alkanoyloxy; glycidyl; or a group —CH2CH(OH)—G, in which G is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C8alkyl, C5-C12cycloalkyl or C1-C4hydroxyalkyl; R3, R4, R5 independently of each other

Abstract: The present invention provides a small umbrella (“Beerbrella”) which may be removably attached to a beverage container in order to shade the beverage container from the direct rays of the sun. The apparatus comprises a small umbrella approximately five to seven inches in diameter, although other appropriate sizes may be used within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Suitable advertising and/or logos may be applied to the umbrella surface for promotional purposes. The umbrella may be attached to the beverage container by any one of a number of means, including clip, strap, cup, foam insulator, or as a coaster or the like. The umbrella shaft may be provided with a pivot to allow the umbrella to be suitably angled to shield the sun or for aesthetic purposes. In one embodiment, a pivot joint and counterweight may be provided to allow the umbrella to pivot out of the way when the user drinks from the container.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: There is provided according to the invention a metered dose inhaler for dispensing a medicament, comprising an interfacial surface having a fluorocarbon polymeric compound dispensed thereon, such that deposition of the medicament on the metered dose inhaler is reduced by between 30% and 80%. There are also provided for its preparation and its use in therapy.