Abstract: A system for playing digital video at varying playback speeds can include a fetcher module configured to retrieve encoded pictures from a data store and an allocator module configured to selectively delete encoded pictures from an input cache. The system further can include a decoder module and an output cache module. The decoder module can decode pictures received from the input cache. The output cache module can store a plurality of decoded pictures and provide selected ones of the pictures as output. Pictures are processed within each of the modules according to a priority corresponding to each picture.

Abstract: Method of constructing and installing a direct smelting unit comprising a smelting vessel (11). The vessel is prefabricated off site in three modules (11A, 11B, 11C) which are then transported to the installation site where they are hoisted by a crane and deposited sequentially on top of one another and joined together by welding to form a unitary vessel. The vessel modules are prefabricated so as to be internally lined with water cooling panels connected to water inlet and outlet connectors (62) on the exterior of the circumferential wall sections of those modules. A vessel access tower is formed in modules brought together to envelop the tower and carrying water supply and return piping which is connected to the water inlet and outlet connectors (62) of the cooling panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel material, forming supramolecular structures below its transition temperature, which contains at least one C=O and/or C=S group and at least one N—H, O—H and/or S—H group and wherein the material has the structure A(—X—B)n ??(1) wherein A is a cyclic, aromatic and/or aliphatic group, n being a number of 1 to 4, —X—B is, if n is 2, the same or different, and if n is 3 or 4, the same, partly the same or different and has one of the structures (2) to (4) NH—C(Y)—Y—B ??(2) —NH—C(Y)—NR—B ??(3) —Y—C(Y)—NR—B ??(4) with Y being an Oxygen and/or Sulfur atom, B being an organic group with at least one heteroatom, where the heteroatom is bound to at least two carbon atoms when B is linear or cyclic, and where the heteroatom is bound to at least one carbon atom when B is branched, and R being a Hydrogen atom, a cyclic, aromatic and/or aliphatic group or another B group which is the same or different.

Abstract: An artificial spinal disk comprises a central capsule that is configured to slide laterally within the disk space with one or more of flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the spine so as to shift an instantaneous center of rotation of the artificial disk. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an artificial spinal disk comprising a first plate having an inwardly directed surface, a second plate having an inwardly directed surface facing generally toward the inwardly directed surface of the first plate, and a central capsule with outwardly directed opposed faces that slidably mate with the inwardly directed surfaces of the first and second plates.

Abstract: A foaming composition is provided comprising a particulate ingredient having a plurality of internal voids containing entrapped supercritical fluid having a critical temperature of at least about 10° C. Additionally, a method is provided for preparing such a foaming composition. A supercritical fluid having a critical temperature of at least about 10° C. is contacted with a particulate ingredient having a glass transition temperature above ambient temperature at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the particulate ingredient, wherein the particulate ingredient comprises a plurality of internal voids. The particulate ingredient is held at the temperature above the glass transition temperature of the particulate ingredient for a period of time effective to allow transfer of the supercritical fluid into the plurality of internal voids of the particulate ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a composition for preparing a beverage having improved aroma release characteristics and compositions for use therein.

Abstract: The method provided produces a bio-degradable foamed material with qualities of uniformity of mechanical and physical properties throughout the product including a foam thickness of up to one meter and a finished foam surface suitable for packaging applications. The parameters for producing such a product are selected from a range of variables which includes wall thickness, mold material, use of a susceptor and the type and composition of a susceptor, the number and arrangement of magnetrons and mold shape. Complex shapes produced by the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing multilayered substrates. The system has a support member is adapted to process a film of material comprising a first side and a second side from a first state to a second state. The support member is attached to the first side of the film of material. The second state comprises a stressed state. The system has a handle substrate comprising a face, which is adapted to be attached to the second side of the film of material. The support member is capable of being detached from the first side of the film of material thereby leaving the handle substrate comprising the film of material in the second state being attached to the face of the handle substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a strained layer of semiconductor material, e.g., silicon, germanium, Group III/V, silicon germanium alloy. The method includes providing a non-deformable surface region having a first predetermined radius of curvature, which is defined by R(1) and is defined normal to the surface region. The method includes providing a first substrate (e.g., silicon wafer) having a first thickness. Preferably, the first substrate has a face, a backside, and a cleave plane defined within the first thickness. The method includes a step of overlying the backside of the first substrate on a portion of the surface region having the predetermined radius of curvature to cause a first bend within the thickness of material to form a first strain within a portion of the first thickness. The method provides a second substrate having a second thickness, which has a face and a backside.

Abstract: A method for forming a strained layer of semiconductor material, e.g., silicon, germanium, Group III/V, silicon germanium alloy. The method includes providing a non-deformable surface region having a first predetermined radius of curvature, which is defined by R(1) and is defined normal to the surface region. The method includes providing a first substrate (e.g., silicon wafer) having a first thickness. Preferably, the first substrate has a face, a backside, and a cleave plane defined within the first thickness. The method includes a step of overlying the backside of the first substrate on a portion of the surface region having the predetermined radius of curvature to cause a first bend within the thickness of material to form a first strain within a portion of the first thickness. The method provides a second substrate having a second thickness, which has a face and a backside.

Abstract: The description relates to a control strategy for assisting regeneration of a particulate filter for a turbocharged diesel V-engine. The engine has a common-rail fuel injection system 6, 7 and two cylinder banks 1,2, each cylinder bank 1, 2 having a respective exhaust pipe, designated the low pressure (LP) exhaust pipe 3 and the high pressure (HP) exhaust pipe 4. The two exhaust pipes 3, 4 are in communication with one another by a connecting pipe 5 and have two exhaust gas turbochargers 30, 40 each connected in a respective one of the exhaust pipes. The LP exhaust pipe 3 being provided with an exhaust shut-off valve 80 in order to operate the engine either with a single turbocharger 40 when the valve 80 is in its closed position or with the two turbochargers 30, 40 when the valve 80 is in its open position. The LP exhaust pipe 3 is connected to a diesel particulate filter (DPF) 100 and the HP exhaust pipe 4 is connected to a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) 90 and to the DPF 100.

Abstract: In a shared hosting environment, a message sender is identified based on a system identification of the sender. The system identification is controllable and accessible in the shared hosting environment. Properties of the message are evaluated based on a predetermined rule. The message is distributed upon compliance of the message with the rule.

Abstract: A portable cradle for carrying a PAP device includes a base and a handle that is provided on the base. The base is structured to receive the PAP device and attachments to the PAP device. The base is oriented in a substantially horizontal position when the handle is lifted. A trolley may be provided to easily wheel the PAP device and store multiple accessories. Detachable battery packs may also be provided for attachment to a cradle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for parallel imaging that performs auto-calibrating reconstructions with a 2D (for 2D imaging) or 3D kernel (for 3D imaging) that exploits the computational efficiencies available when operating in certain data “domains” or “spaces”. The reconstruction process of multi-coil data is separated into a “training phase” and an “application phase” in which reconstruction weights are applied to acquired data to synthesize (replace) missing data. The choice of data space, i.e., k-space, hybrid space, or image space, in which each step occurs is independently optimized to reduce total reconstruction time for a given imaging application. As such, the invention retains the image quality benefits of using a 2D k-space kernel without the computational burden of applying a 2D k-space convolution kernel.

Abstract: A direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material is disclosed. The plant includes a fixed smelting vessel to hold a molten bath of metal and slag and a gas space above the bath. The plant also includes means for supplying solids and gas feed materials to the vessel and for tapping molten material from the vessel. The plant also includes at least two platforms for supporting plant operators at different heights of the vessel. The metal tapping means and the slag tapping means are located so as to be accessible by plant operators on a cast house platform and the end metal tapping means and the end slag tapping means are located to be accessible by plant operators on an end tap platform that is at a lower height than the cast house platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for predetermining the withdrawal force required to disconnect an appliance coupler such as a plug and socket. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for preventing disconnection of an appliance coupler such as a plug from a socket. Furthermore, the invention relates to method and apparatus for preventing inadvertent or unintentional disconnection of a plug from a socket for the supply of electrical power to a medical apparatus.

Abstract: A sensor for chemical species or biological species or radiation presenting to test fluid a polymer composition comprises polymer and conductive filler metal, alloy or reduced metal oxide and having a first level of electrical conductance when quiescent and being convertible to a second level of conductance by change of stress applied by stretching or compression or electric field, in which the polymer composition is characterized by at least one of the features in the form of particles at least 90% w/w held on a 100 mesh sieve; and/or comprising a permeable body extending across a channel of fluid flow; and/or affording in-and-out diffusion of test fluid and/or mechanically coupled to a workpiece of polymer swellable by a constituent of test fluid.

Abstract: Cementitious slurries capable of controlling and/or preventing strength retrogression during the cementing of a formation contain a bismuth salt or derivative thereof. Bismuth trioxide is preferred. The cementitious slurry may further contain a density modifying agent and/or strength enhancer. The cementitious slurries of the invention are suitable for use over a broad temperature range of from about 45° F. to about 500° F.

Abstract: A method and system for a plurality of reporters to collectively self-organize, for the purpose of identifying, measuring and recording team-member activity that is causal to team achievement. The method includes steps of role selection, information discovery, information reporting and information aggregation of team-member activity that is causal to team achievement. It includes means for creating a common perspective among reporters, a common means to judge the value of team-members' contributions, means for collective self-organizing and self-training by reporters, and means for valuing reporters' contributions to the reporting process. One preferred embodiment is a game that enables a large group of humans to determine the critical few actions and collaborations that lead to winning a basketball game viewed live, via TV or internet broadcast. Another preferred embodiment is a game for maximizing the selling activity of a commercial sales group.