Abstract: The present invention provides a method for isolating and/or identifying an immunogenic protein from a protein complex comprising an immunoglobulin or a mixture thereof or an immunoglobulin-containing fraction.

Abstract: A motion compensator is used on a floating vessel servicing a subsea well. The motion compensator includes a first frame assembly adapted to be connected to a cable extending from a lifting structure. When connected to the cable, the first frame assembly extends longitudinally along an axis substantially parallel with that of the cable. The motion compensator also includes a second frame assembly connected to the first frame assembly. The second frame assembly overlaps a longitudinal portion of the first frame assembly. The first and second frame assemblies are moveable relative to each other and define an expanded position and a contracted position. The motion compensator further includes a piston assembly positioned between the first and second frame assemblies. The piston assembly has a piston chamber and a piston that slidingly engages the piston chamber when the first and second rod assemblies move relative to each other.

Abstract: This invention provides an absorbent article having an absorbent layer including elongated longitudinal portions which thereby define an elongated gap. The elongated gap is defined by lateral spacing of the elongated longitudinal portions of the absorbent layer from one another. The invention is also directed to the method of manufacturing the absorbent article and the method of forming the elongated gap within the absorbent layer.

Abstract: Optical integrated circuits are disclosed having a gap traversing the lens or the waveguide grating and an actuator that controllably positions the optical integrated circuit on each side of the gap. As a result, the thermal sensitivity of the optical integrated circuits, for example, arrayed waveguide gratings, is mitigated. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits employing the gap and actuator.

Abstract: A core is provided for an absorbent article comprising an absorbent layer having first and second sides, the absorbent layer having a central portion and a perimeter portion. The core also comprises an acquisition layer disposed adjacent to the absorbent layer, with the acquisition layer having a central portion and a perimeter portion. The central portion of the acquisition layer is disposed adjacent the first side of the central portion of the absorbent layer and the perimeter portion of the acquisition layer is disposed adjacent the second side of the perimeter portion of the absorbent layer.

Abstract: A refrigeration capillary tube inside suction tube heat exchanger assembly, including a suction tube whose ends each have a slot with a shaped inner end portion; two braze connectors, each including a sleeve portion with the free end having a shaped recess; a capillary tube adapted to be inserted into one of the suction tube ends and therethrough until each capillary tube ends extends from a suction tube end, each capillary tube end being deformed so as to emerge from the suction tube at locations abutting the shaped inner end portions thereof; and each of the braze connectors sleeve portions engaging one of the suction tube ends, with each suction tube slot cooperating with an adjacent one of the sleeve portion shaped recesses to contact, locate and subsequently fixedly secure the deformed capillary tube portions to the suction tube. Two methods of manufacturing the assembly are also set forth.

Abstract: A motion compensator is used on a floating vessel servicing a subsea well. The motion compensator includes a first frame assembly adapted to be connected to a cable extending from a lifting structure. When connected to the cable, the first frame assembly extends longitudinally along an axis substantially parallel with that of the cable. The motion compensator also includes a second frame assembly connected to the first frame assembly. The second frame assembly overlaps a longitudinal portion of the first frame assembly. The first and second frame assemblies are moveable relative to each other and define an expanded position and a contracted position. The motion compensator further includes a piston assembly positioned between the first and second frame assemblies. The piston assembly has a piston chamber and a piston that slidingly engages the piston chamber when the first and second rod assemblies move relative to each other.

Abstract: Actuators facilitating mechanical beam steering for optical integrated circuits are disclosed. The mechanical beam steering can mitigate thermal sensitivity of optical circuits, for example, arrayed waveguides. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits employing actuators.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for acquiring and assembling customer facility location data from multiple sources. The customer facility location data is subsequently used for the automated dispatching of service technicians in a resource-efficient fashion.

Abstract: Actuators facilitating mechanical beam steering for optical integrated circuits are disclosed. The mechanical beam steering can mitigate thermal sensitivity of optical circuits, for example, arrayed waveguides. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits employing actuators.

Abstract: The present invention provides to image processing methods that include a method of selecting an optimal threshold value (to) for an image comprising the steps of: obtaining an image; selecting a test segment of the said image; determining the mean feature size (S) of features appearing in the test segment at each of a plurality of threshold values (t), so as to produce mean feature size data (S(t)); selecting a relevant subset of the mean feature size data (S(t)); and determining an optimal threshold value (to) as a function of said subset of the mean feature size data. The present invention additionally provides methods of thresholding an image to produce a binary image by application of the optimal threshold value (to) determined according to the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method make quality measurements in a network to determine if a Service Level Agreement is breached. The system includes a plurality of routers for routing traffic through the network, means for taking measurements on a path between a first router and a second router, and means for charging at least one of the plurality of routers when data related to the measurements falls below a target value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a flow through assay process is disclosed. The method is characterised by a “pre-incubation step” in which the sample which is to be analysed (typically for the presence of a particular protein), and a detection analyte (typically one or more antibodies bound to colloidal gold or a fluorescent tag) which is known to bind to the particular protein may bind together for a desired period of time. This pre-incubation step occurs before the mixture of sample and detection analyte come into contact with a capture analyte bound to a membrane. The provision of the pre-incubation step has the effect of both improving the sensitivity of the assay and reducing the volume of sample required for an assay. An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed defining a pre-incubation chamber for receiving the sample and detection analyte having a base defined by a membrane and a second membrane to which a capture analyte is bound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a flow through assay process is disclosed. The method is characterised by a “pre-incubation step” in which the sample which is to be analysed, (typically for the presence of a particular protein), and a detection analyte (typically an antibody bound to colloidal gold or a fluorescent tag) which is known to bind to the particular protein may bind together for a desired period of time. This pre incubation step occurs before the mixture of sample and detection analyte come into contact with a capture analyte bound to a membrane. The provision of the pre-incubation step has the effect of both improving the sensitivity of the assay and reducing the volume of sample required for an assay. An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed defining a pre-incubation chamber for receiving the sample and detection analyte having a base defined by a membrane and a second membrane to which a capture analyte is bound.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of dicing a substrate containing a plurality of non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuits, involving forming stop cracks in the wafer, each stop crack adjacent and substantially parallel one of the non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuits, and cutting the substrate in a curvilinear manner substantially parallel to a stop crack. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an optical structure containing a substrate; a plurality of non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuits on the substrate, each non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuit having an active region; and at least one stop crack positioned adjacent each non-rectangular shaped optical integrated circuit.

Abstract: A product line that is tailored to the fit and absorbency needs of users, and a visual identification device that identifies absorbent products predicted to satisfy users' fit and absorbency requirements. The identification device has product designations that identify absorbent products, size designations that relate to the sizes of the absorbent articles, and absorbency designations that relate to the absorbent properties of the absorbent articles. Each product designation is associated with a combination of one size designation and one absorbency designation so that the size and absorbency of each product is clearly identified. At least two product designations are associated with one of the size designations.

Abstract: An interactive, handheld apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a display screen on the housing, an electronic position location system, a stylus for selecting images on the display screen, a directional control pad on the housing and a memory device. The electronic position location system includes a processor that is capable of determining a location of a selected region of the display screen. The memory device includes computer code for an educational game and is operatively coupled to the processor. A light is associated with the stylus. The light is illuminated to indicate that the stylus is available for use during operation of the educational game.

Abstract: A vehicle dynamics prediction system for providing prediction of vehicle velocity for a predetermined future time period. The predictions utilize future vehicle control setting anticipated for the time period. An artificial intelligence database coupled to a processor that utilizes weighted values for neural network models representing dynamic performance of the vehicle forms part of the vehicle dynamics prediction system.

Abstract: Optical integrated circuits are disclosed having a gap traversing the lens or the waveguide grating and an actuator that controllably positions the optical integrated circuit on each side of the gap. As a result, the thermal sensitivity of the optical integrated circuits, for example, arrayed waveguide gratings, is mitigated. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating optical integrated circuits employing the gap and actuator.

Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing libido and/or treating erectile dysfunction in a man. The methods include the administration of a formulation testosterone alone, another fast-acting drug to treat erectile dysfunction or a combination of the testosterone and the other drug where at least one is delivered by aersolization. The formulation is preferably aerosolized and inhaled into a patient's lungs where particles of testosterone and/or the fast-acting erectile dysfunction drug deposits on lung tissue and then enter the patient's circulatory system.