Abstract: There is provided a new and improved synthetic route for the synthesis of the compound 1-{2-[(1R)-1-aminoethyl]-4-chlorobenzyl}-2-thioxo-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one (Formula (I)) that is readily scalable for commercial production. Also provided are important intermediate compounds that are formed in the new and improved synthetic route for the synthesis of the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing inspection high-speed optical inspection of parts using intelligent image analysis to determine optimal focus using high numerical aperture (NA) optics, achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and inspection speed performance with very limited depth of field lenses.

Abstract: A new apparatus & method of use thereof for providing a selectable e-liquid juice solution from a dispenser are provided. In one embodiment a method for (a) providing a user determined combination of various liquids in a predetermined mixture that results in customized e-liquid juice having user specified quantities of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and flavoring is disclosed; (b) separately storing at least four liquids to be mixed after user determined selections are input; (c) facilitating the storage in memory of recipes for e-liquid juice or combinations thereof; (d) receiving a selection or user input for a specific combination of liquids; (e) dispensing automatically in response to the selection or user input the resulting volume of liquid combination.

Abstract: A lighting system comprises a plurality of lights, a sensor for measuring a light level associated with each light, and at least one controller for generating a light output from at least one light of the plurality of lights. The controller is adapted for adjusting the light output from the at least one light by an incremental amount to bring the measured light level closer to a target light level, which may correspond to an overall brightness for the space including the lights. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell anode comprises a porous ceramic molten metal composite of a metal or metal alloy, for example, tin or a tin alloy, infused in a ceramic where the metal is liquid at the temperatures of an operational solid oxide fuel cell, exhibiting high oxygen ion mobility. The anode can be employed in a SOFC with a thin electrolyte that can be a ceramic of the same or similar composition to that infused with the liquid metal of the porous ceramic molten metal composite anode. The thicknesses of the electrolyte can be reduced to a minimum that allows greater efficiencies of the SOFC thereby constructed.

Abstract: A dilation system for accessing a surgical target site to perform surgical procedures. In one version, the dilation system includes a plurality of open sided dilators having non-circular cross sections and configured to slidably and non-rotationally engage with one another in a sequential manner. In another version, the dilation system includes an expandable dilator movable from a closed condition to an expanded condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing inspection high-speed optical inspection of parts using intelligent image analysis to determine optimal focus using high numerical aperture (NA) optics, achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and inspection speed performance with very limited depth of field lenses.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising high speed ports connected via an integrated high speed serial switch fabric and serializer/deserializer circuits to an internal processing logic, wherein the high speed serial switch fabric is adapted to switch a serial reception signal received by a high speed port to at least one of at least one other high speed port of the apparatus and to the serializer/deserializer circuit of the receiving high speed port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing inspection high-speed optical inspection of parts using intelligent image analysis to determine optimal focus using high numerical aperture (NA) optics, achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and inspection speed performance with very limited depth of field lenses.

Abstract: A fuel cell anode comprises a porous ceramic molten metal composite of a metal or metal alloy, for example, tin or a tin alloy, infused in a ceramic where the metal is liquid at the temperatures of an operational solid oxide fuel cell, exhibiting high oxygen ion mobility. The anode can be employed in a SOFC with a thin electrolyte that can be a ceramic of the same or similar composition to that infused with the liquid metal of the porous ceramic molten metal composite anode. The thicknesses of the electrolyte can be reduced to a minimum that allows greater efficiencies of the SOFC thereby constructed.

Abstract: A new apparatus & method of use thereof for providing a selectable e-liquid juice solution from a dispenser are provided. In one embodiment a method for (a) providing a user determined combination of various liquids in a predetermined mixture that results in customized e-liquid juice having user specified quantities of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and flavoring is disclosed; (b) separately storing at least four liquids to be mixed after user determined selections are input; (c) facilitating the storage in memory of recipes for e-liquid juice or combinations thereof; (d) receiving a selection or user input for a specific combination of liquids; (e) dispensing automatically in response to the selection or user input the resulting volume of liquid combination.

Abstract: A system for processing a payment transaction, comprises a first entity configured to initiate a payment transaction with a merchant, a second entity configured to issue an account number in respect of the payment transaction, and a transaction processor configured to route the payment transaction between the merchant and the second entity in order to obtain authorization for the payment transaction from the second entity. The system is provided with an escrow account facility configured to hold an advanced fund associated with the payment transaction, the escrow facility being controlled by the transaction processor. The invention is also expressed in a method for processing a payment transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising high speed ports connected via an integrated high speed serial switch fabric and serializer/deserializer circuits to an internal processing logic, wherein said high speed serial switch fabric is adapted to switch a serial reception signal received by a high speed port to at least one other high speed port of said apparatus and/or to the serializer/deserializer circuit of the receiving high speed port.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to miniature timers, which may be used to measure a fixed or variable period of time using a combination of multiple physical effects. These effects generally include, for example, (1) the charge generated by a matrix of piezoelectric crystals by the application of kinetic force, the motion of a permanent magnet through an inductive coil, a photovoltaic element, or by the harvesting of local energies such as heat, radio frequency waves or sonic energy; (2) the effect of storing a charge in a capacitor; and (3) the effect of certain materials to indicate the presence of an electrical charge, such as liquid crystal matrix, organic LED matrix, electroluminescent material or other material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing high-speed optical inspection of parts using intelligent image analysis to determine optimal focus using high numerical aperture (NA) optics, achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and inspection speed performance with very limited depth of field lenses.

Abstract: An improved shower soap dispenser for use with liquid soap, gels and body washes. It consists of a soap storage reservoir, main body containing control valves that intersects and connects directly to a conventional shower pipe and shower head. It mixes an adjustable amount of liquid soap with air into the flowing water. Its improved main valve, through incorporation of a truncated cone, provides greater vacuum and water flow to make it compatible with a wider range of water pressure and soap density and viscosity. The improved main valve also provides the capability for the user to clean out water passages of the dispenser without disassembly or removing any parts.

Abstract: To obtain greater transcoding efficiency, a node administrator (160) distributes digital files among transcoding nodes (120, 140 and 190) based on a comparison of a transcoding profile for each digital file and the transcoding histories of the transcoding nodes. In this way, the node administrator (160) will select the transcoding node best able to undertake transcoding, taking into account the characteristics of the file to be transcoded.