Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording material comprising: a polymeric matrix; a dewarbenzene derivative reactant capable of undergoing isomerization to a benzene product upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a change in optical properties; and a sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause triplet energy transfer to said reactant, wherein the algebraic sum of the excitation energy of said sensitizer and its reduction potential is at least 0.05 eV less than the oxidation potential of said reactant, thereby precluding one-electron oxidation of said reactant. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising regional variations in concentrations of reactants and products produced by triplet chain isomerization, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence.

Abstract: Ion sources and methods for generating molecular ions in a cold operating mode and for generating atomic ions in a hot operating mode are provided. In some embodiments, first and second electron sources are located at opposite ends of an arc chamber. The first electron source is energized in the cold operating mode, and the second electron source is energized in the hot operating mode. In other embodiments, electrons are directed through a hole in a cathode in the cold operating mode and are directed at the cathode in the hot operating mode. In further embodiments, an ion beam generator includes a molecular ion source, an atomic ion source and a switching element to select the output of one of the ion sources.

Abstract: An aqueous hair conditioner composition comprising: a) a cationic conditioning surfactant, b) discrete, dispersed droplets comprising a water-insoluble conditioning oil and c) a block copolymer with a mean molecular weight of 1000 unified atomic mass units or more, comprising polyethyleneoxide and polypropyleneoxide blocks selected from the group consisting of (i) poloxamers according to formula (I), wherein the mean value of (y) is from 18 to 60 and the mean value (x) is from 7 to 140 such that the mean value of the ratio (x/y) is from 0.4 to 3.0 and (ii) poloxamines according to formula (II), wherein the mean value of (a) is 2 or more and the mean value of (b) is 2 or more.

Abstract: A particle sampling device is disclosed for separating and collecting particles of at least first and second mass/size ranges from an ambient fluid (e.g. gaseous) medium in which they are present, particles of the first range being of generally larger size/mass than particles of the second range. The separator is especially designed for use in an air sampling device which is designed for rapid detection of micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, pathogens and the like, and is designed to be portable so that it can be readily and rapidly deployed in both civilian and military environments and can be used indoors and outdoors; it can also be designed for personal use.

Abstract: A lottery game card including a plurality of squares distributed in a matrix format, and a plurality of game indicia initially covered by a removable material. Each squares of the matrix are populated with a game symbol and some of the squares of the matrix are covered by the removable material, forming a Sudoku puzzle. A player may play the Sudoku puzzle using the matrix. The player may remove the removable material from the game indicia and covered squares. If the squares identified by the game indicia form a predefined pattern, a prize is awarded to the player.

Abstract: An enterprise system includes multiple disparate information systems, such as voice and data systems. An integration server provides for the interaction of information between these systems through the use of enterprise messages and processing rules. Enterprise messages allow for the association of information from disparate information systems, while the processing rules allow for automated interaction between users and information in the disparate information systems.

Abstract: A method for hydraulic fracture imaging consistently integrates ground deformation data and microseismic data. A time sequence of hydraulic fracture images is computed from the combined data by first computing an orientation and location of the fracture. A size of the fracture (e.g., length, width, and opening) and detailed shape is then computed consistent with the computed orientation using a stochastic optimization procedure. This procedure may be performed by selecting a candidate model of the fracture consistent with the computed orientation, computing a predicted surface deformation from the candidate model (e.g., using elastic crack theory), computing a predicted seismic activity from the candidate model (e.g., using Dieterich seismicity rate theory), and comparing the predicted surface deformation and predicted seismic activity with the collected ground deformation data and earthquake locations derived from the collected seismic activity data.

Abstract: A circuit for accessing an associative cache is provided. The circuit includes data selection circuitry and an outcome parallel processing circuit both in communication with the associative cache. The outcome parallel processing circuit is configured to determine whether an accessing of data from the associative cache is one of a cache hit, a cache miss, or a cache mispredict. The circuit further includes a memory in communication with the data selection circuitry and the outcome parallel processing circuit. The memory is configured to store a bank select table, whereby the bank select table is configured to include entries that define a selection of one of a plurality of banks of the associative cache from which to output data. Methods for accessing the associative cache are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost inoculation regimen.

Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for implementing a power source including a power amplifier that generates a radio-frequency power signal with an adjustable operating frequency. The power amplifier also generates a reference phase signal that is derived from the radio-frequency power signal. An impedance match provides the radio-frequency power signal to a plasma coil that has a variable resonance condition. A phase probe is positioned adjacent to the plasma coil to generate a coil phase signal corresponding to the adjustable operating frequency. A phase-locked loop then generates an RF drive signal that is based upon a phase relationship between the reference phase signal and the coil phase signal. The phase-locked loop provides the RF drive signal to the power amplifier to control the adjustable operating frequency, so that the adjustable operating frequency then tracks the variable resonance condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of erythropoietin for the treatment of disturbances of iron distribution in chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.

Abstract: An apparatus (10a) for scanning a light beam (16) through a crystal arrangement (22) that has a first frame member (28), a first support member (24) to support a first optical element (18) in the first frame member (28) and a drive mechanism (32) to rotate the first support member (24). The first support member (24) is rotatably mounted in the first frame member (28). The first optical element (18) is arranged to receive the light beam (16). The first optical element (18) is supported by the first support member (24) so that the first optical element (18) is rotatable with the first support member (24). The first optical element (24) is tiltable about a diametral line of the first optical element (18), relative to the axis of the light beam (16) to be scanned through the crystal arrangement (22). A frequency conversion apparatus (50) provides a first crystal set (52) and a second crystal set (54). Each of the first and second crystal sets (52, 54) has at least one non-linear optical crystal.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of halftoning an image which involves determining a quantization error for a selected target pixel of an image, selecting a diffusion mask, the mask relating to the target pixel and pixels neighboring thereto, receiving a first pair of neighboring pixel values for a first pixel pair including a first neighboring pixel and a second neighboring pixel, and receiving a second pair of neighboring pixel values for a second pixel pair including a third neighboring pixel and a fourth neighboring pixel. The method further involves determining a ranking order of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels by comparing pixel values of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels, and diffusing error to at least one of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels based on the determined ranking order of the first, second, third and fourth neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber. A drawer for holding containers of biological fluid introduces the containers into the chamber. Containers for holding the biological fluid are marked by the apparatus to indicate the status of the treatment.

Abstract: A substantially tubular member comprises a body. The body is constructed from a first material and has an external surface. At least a portion of the external surface has a predetermined pattern of a second material deposited thereon. The predetermined pattern of the second material is deposited on the at least a portion of the external surface by one or more printing processes such as solution coating, spray coating, thermal printing, piezo jet printing, contact printing and any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate composition comprising from about 20 wt % to about 60 wt % of a water-soluble and/or water-dispersible polymer and from about 20 wt % to about 80 wt % of a water-soluble inorganic salt. The substrate composition of the present invention has a median particle size of from about 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers and comprises less than about 10 wt % of water-insoluble material.