Abstract: A method for determining information about changes along a degree of freedom of an encoder scale includes directing a first beam and a second beam along different paths and combining the first and second beams to form an output beam, where the first and second beams are derived from a common source, the first and second beams have different frequencies, where the first beam contacts the encoder scale at a non-Littrow angle and the first beam diffracts from the encoder scale at least once; detecting an interference signal based on the output beam, the interference signal including a heterodyne phase related to an optical path difference between the first beam and the second beam; and determining information about a degree of freedom of the encoder scale based on the heterodyne phase.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system including an inkjet printer having a printhead and an inkjet ink in an ink tank supplying the inkjet ink to the printhead, wherein the ink tank includes a free ink compartment and a capillary media compartment vented to the atmosphere and in fluid communication with ink in the free ink compartment, and wherein the inkjet ink includes water, a self-dispersing carbon black pigment having greater than 11 weight % volatile surface functional groups, and a surfactant at a concentration of 0.10 weight percent or less, and having a static surface tension of 37.5 dynes/cm or less at 25° C. The system provides high print density and text sharpness when printed onto an ink receiving medium, and provides good performance in a bubbler-type ink tank which reduces the amount of ink trapped in the ink tank.

Abstract: Non-inclusive cache systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment a non-inclusive cache system is provided comprising a non-inclusive cache and a cache agent that receives a request for access to the non-inclusive cache and denies the request for access to the non-inclusive cache if the non-inclusive cache system exceeds a predetermined level of activity.

Abstract: A method for determining information about changes along a degree of freedom of an encoder scale includes directing a first beam and a second beam along different paths and combining the first and second beams to form an output beam, where the first and second beams are derived from a common source, the first and second beams have different frequencies, where the first beam contacts the encoder scale at a non-Littrow angle and the first beam diffracts from the encoder scale at least once; detecting an interference signal based on the output beam, the interference signal including a heterodyne phase related to an optical path difference between the first beam and the second beam; and determining information about a degree of freedom of the encoder scale based on the heterodyne phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for influencing the selection of a type and form of a circuit implementation in at least one layer in a given integration task for at least one integrated circuit in a wafer composite, a module on a 2-dimensional carrier substrate, or a compact module. In one embodiment, a plurality of electric or electronic components are spatially arranged and to be electrically connected. Completed solutions x are stored in a database, and each of the completed solutions includes properties for the given integration task. The completed solutions define a destination space from which a solution is selectable by operating elements and determines a type and form of circuit implementation as a result of the given integration task, and aggregates the plurality of electric and electronic components in one of a plurality of integration technologies.

Abstract: An apparatus for fragmenting nucleic acid. The apparatus includes a sample reservoir that comprises a fluid having nucleic acids. The apparatus can also include a shear wall that is positioned within the sample reservoir. The shear wall includes a porous core medium that has pores that are sized to permit nucleic acids to flow therethrough. The apparatus also includes first and second chambers that are separated by the shear wall. The first and second chambers are in fluid communication with each other through the porous core medium of the shear wall. Also, the apparatus may include first and second electrodes that are located within the first and second chambers, respectively. The first and second electrodes are configured to generate an electric field that induces a flow of the sample fluid. The nucleic acids move through the shear wall thereby fragmenting the nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of a plant at the flowering or fruiting stage to reduce the number of fruits that the plant sets and grows to maturity with an effective amount of abscisic acid or its salts, derivatives or analogs.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating tri-party repurchase (or other) agreement transactions. A dealer or trader sends instructions to an intermediary third party characterizing a previously agreed-upon set of terms for a repurchase agreement between the dealer and an investor. The parties can thereafter approve or reject the deal allegement via an on-line system. In addition to, or instead of, dealer or investor approval, an instruction matching utility is provided to automatically or substantially automatically match instructions received from dealers and investors related to a plurality of deal allegements. In either case the status of the trade will be displayed to all parties.

Abstract: Pigment-based ink composition, and inkjet printing systems and methods employing such ink composition. The ink contains an aqueous polyurethane additive including polyurethane polymer chains including at least first segments having a polysiloxane group of Mw greater than about 10,000 pendant to the polyurethane polymer chain backbone, wherein (i) the polyurethane additive further comprises polyurethane polymer chains including second segments having a polysiloxane group of Mw less than about 6,000 either pendant to the polyurethane polymer backbone or a part of the polyurethane polymer backbone or (ii) the composition further comprises a polysiloxane polymer additive of Mw of less than about 6,000 which is not pendant to a polyurethane polymer backbone or a part of a polyurethane polymer backbone. The polyurethane additive has a Mw of at least 10,000 and a sufficient number of acid groups to provide an acid number greater than 20.

Abstract: Pigment-based ink composition, and inkjet printing systems and methods employing such ink composition. The ink contains an aqueous polyurethane additive including polyurethane polymer chains including at least first segments having a polysiloxane group of Mw greater than about 10,000 pendant to the polyurethane polymer chain backbone, wherein (i) the polyurethane additive further comprises polyurethane polymer chains including second segments having a polysiloxane group of Mw less than about 6,000 either pendant to the polyurethane polymer backbone or a part of the polyurethane polymer backbone or (ii) the composition further comprises a polysiloxane polymer additive of Mw of less than about 6,000 which is not pendant to a polyurethane polymer backbone or a part of a polyurethane polymer backbone. The polyurethane additive has a Mw of at least 10,000 and a sufficient number of acid groups to provide an acid number greater than 20.

Abstract: A top for a convertible motor vehicle includes a top linkage operable to move the top between a closed position and an open position. The top linkage includes at least one functional component having a first position and a second position. The functional component is generally in the first position at a start of the opening movement and at the start of the closing movement, and also at an end of an opening movement and at the end of the closing movement. The functional component is moved from the first position to the second position for at least a portion of the opening movement and of the closing movement when the top linkage is between the open and closed positions. The movement of the functional component from the first position to the second position provides clearance for at least one element that moves during movement of the top linkage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of a plant at the flowering or fruiting stage with an effective amount of abscisic acid, its analogs or derivatives and salts thereof to reduce the number of fruits that the plant sets and grows to maturity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agricultural methods and compositions of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) alone or in combination with 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) to reduce crop load of fruit trees.

Abstract: A solar collector has a polygonal top panel forming a top face and having at least three edges, a similarly polygonal bottom panel forming a bottom face directed away from the top face and fitted congruently to the top panel to form a flow passage extending between the faces, and at least four connectors projecting from at least three of the edges.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for associating network devices with users are described, which can facilitate establishing a secure user to network device association. In various embodiments, the disclosed subject matter facilitates devices providing indication of location and device identity to a user and recognizing the user is in the proximity of the device. The disclosed subject matter provides efficient and secure device to user association and can facilitate performing customized actions based on the nature of the association.

Abstract: A method for determining information about changes along a degree of freedom of an encoder scale includes directing a first beam and a second beam along different paths and combining the first and second beams to form an output beam, where the first and second beams are derived from a common source, the first and second beams have different frequencies, where the first beam contacts the encoder scale at a non-Littrow angle and the first beam diffracts from the encoder scale at least once; detecting an interference signal based on the output beam, the interference signal including a heterodyne phase related to an optical path difference between the first beam and the second beam; and determining information about a degree of freedom of the encoder scale based on the heterodyne phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of a plant at the flowering or fruiting stage with an effective amount of abscisic acid, its analogs or derivatives and salts thereof to reduce the number of fruits that the plant sets and grows to maturity.

Abstract: An encoder interferometry system includes an interferometer positioned to receive first and second beams having different frequencies, in which the interferometer has at least one polarizing beam splitting element for directing the first beam along a measurement path to define a measurement beam and the second beam along a reference path to define a reference beam. The encoder interferometry system further includes a encoder scale positioned to diffract the measurement beam at least once, a detector positioned to receive the measurement and reference beams after the measurement beam diffracts from the encoder scale, and an output component positioned to receive the measurement and reference beams before they reach the detector and deflect spurious portions of the first and second beam away from the detector.

Abstract: A method for determining information about changes along a degree of freedom of an encoder scale includes directing a first beam and a second beam along different paths and combining the first and second beams to form an output beam, where the first and second beams are derived from a common source, the first and second beams have different frequencies, where the first beam contacts the encoder scale at a non-Littrow angle and the first beam diffracts from the encoder scale at least once; detecting an interference signal based on the output beam, the interference signal including a heterodyne phase related to an optical path difference between the first beam and the second beam; and determining information about a degree of freedom of the encoder scale based on the heterodyne phase.

Abstract: An inkjet ink composition comprising water, self-dispersing carbon black pigment particles, and a copolymer jetting aid; wherein the copolymer jetting aid comprises a copolymer obtained from polymerizing at least 5 weight percent of one or more monomers comprising a long hydrocarbon chain having greater than or equal to 12 carbons and from 5 to 30 weight percent of one or more acidic monomers. The inks of the present invention have improved stable drop velocities over extended droplet ejection events.