Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystals and other biophotonically based assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal or other biophotonically based assay formats.

Abstract: A bat that possesses remarkable durability and hitting strength comprising a new type of handle construction that creates a helical groove pattern in the surface of the bat in the handle area to provide protection from breaking and shattering bats, and also to provide improved hitting energy.

Abstract: This invention is generally concerned with methods, apparatus and computer program code for securely caching\data, in particular for caching data stored on smart card systems such as those used in ICAO-compliant EU electronic passports. A caching system for providing a secure data cache for data stored in an electronic document, the comprising: an input to receive data to be cached; a processor configured to use all or part of said received data to calculate a unique cryptographic key for said data; encrypt all or part of said data with said unique cryptographic key; and discard said unique cryptographic key after encryption and an output to send said encrypted data to a data cache, with decryption of encrypted data requiring said unique cryptographic key to be recalculated from said electronic document whereby said data cache is secure. Use of such a cache dramatically speeds up the inspection process, by bypassing the need to read data entirely, except for during the first inspection.

Abstract: Novel sports articles are manufactured from acetylated wood. There is a process for manufacturing such articles from acetylated wood involving treating wood billets with the acetylation process and then shaping them into the desired sport article and then finishing the article with some durable finish such as varnish or shellac.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystals and other biophotonically based assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal or other biophotonically based assay formats.

Abstract: A method for controlling exhaust emissions is disclosed. The method includes producing exhaust having hydrocarbons and directing the exhaust through a converter. The method also includes directing the exhaust from the converter to an environment and determining a first rate indicative of a rate of hydrocarbons directed to the environment. The method further includes comparing the first rate with a predetermined rate and adjusting the production of exhaust, if the first rate is greater than the predetermined rate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an object oriented programming language can pre-fetch objects and fields within those objects to a cache memory. A hardware performance monitor can be used to identify loads that read from an address that is frequently absent from a memory. Instrumentation can be used to mark the objects that include the frequently missed address. A compiler can identify chains of objects that are frequently absent from memory. The chains of objects can be pre-fetched without regard to the types of object. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A control system for an engine having a combustion chamber is disclosed. The control system has a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor. The first sensor generates a signal indicative of ambient air pressure. The second sensor generates a signal indicative of the pressure of air entering the combustion chamber. The third sensor generates a signal indicative of a speed of the engine. The control system also has a controller configured to reference a first map to determine a first fuel limit value based on the pressure of air entering the combustion chamber and the speed of the engine, reference a second map to determine a second fuel limit value based on the pressure of air entering the combustion chamber and the speed of the engine, and determine a third fuel limit value based on the first and second fuel limit values and the ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A new wheel lighting device which operates in either an “ON” mode or a “RECHARGE” mode. In the “ON” mode rechargeable batteries mounted on a vehicles wheel supply power to LED's which illuminate a vehicles wheel, and the device is independent of the vehicles electrical system. In the “RECHARGE” mode the device is electrically connected, by means of a retractable connector and insulated conductive ring, to the vehicles fully charged battery, (when the vehicle engine is no longer in motion), and uses that battery to recharge the rechargeable batteries on the wheel. While this is happening the LED's are reverse biased to the current and are off, and a now forward biased diode allows the recharging. A voltage regulator is used to convert the voltage of the vehicles battery to a suitable voltage of the rechargeable batteries. Once the rechargeable batteries are disconnected from the vehicles electrical system, as when the vehicle is started, the device returns to the “ON” mode.