Abstract: The system allows optimizing the dispensing of aerosol medicaments. In particular the system allows the administration of an exogenous pulmonary surfactant to very young patients (e.g. preterm neonates). A catheter (101) conveys atomized surfactant directly to the retropharyngeal region in order to increase efficiency of the medicament administration without being invasive: this is particularly important for very young patients, such as pre-term born neonates suffering from neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (nRDS). The catheter is made of biocompatible flexible material (e.g. plastic material). It is possible to couple the catheter with a rigid scaffolding (e.g. metallic) to increase stiffness of the device and to improve easiness of positioning operations. The delivery of the atomized medicament is done by means of an air blasting technique.

Abstract: A photometric device for investigating a sample, comprises an array of radiation sources that are spaced apart from one another, and which are operable to generate radiation that differs from that generated by the other radiation sources in the array. The device includes a lens arrangement for focusing the radiation at a region of space where a sample may be located for example by means of a sample holder, and at least one detector for receiving radiation from the region of space. Preferably, a number of detectors are employed that are spaced apart from one another, and especially about an axis of the device, so that one radiation detector can detect radiation transmitted by the sample and the other detectors can detect radiation scattered by it. The radiation sources may be time division multiplexed so that in each time slot the detectors receive radiation originating from each radiation source.

Abstract: A photometric device for investigating a sample, comprises an array of radiation sources that are spaced apart from one another, and which are operable to generate radiation that differs from that generated by the other radiation sources in the array. The device includes a lens arrangement for focusing the radiation at a region of space where a sample may be located for example by means of a sample holder, and at least one detector for receiving radiation from the region of space. Preferably, a number of detectors are employed that are spaced apart from one another, and especially about an axis of the device, so that one radiation detector can detect radiation transmitted by the sample and the other detectors can detect radiation scattered by it. The radiation sources may be time division multiplexed so that in each time slot the detectors receive radiation originating from each radiation source.

Abstract: The invention comprises an encoder for encoding a stegotext and a decoder for decoding the encoded stegotext, the stegotext being generated by modulating the log power spectrogram of a covertext signal with at least one key, the or each key having been added or subtracted in the log domain to the covertext power spectrogram in accordance with the data of the watermark code with which the stegotext was generated, and the modulated power spectrogram having been returned into the original domain of the covertext. The decoder carries out Fast Fourier Transformation and rectangular polar conversion of the stegotext signal so as to transform the stegotext signal into the log power spectrogram domain; subtracts in the log power domain positive and negative multiples of the key or keys from blocks of the log power spectrogram and evaluates the probability of the results of such subtractions representing an unmodified block of covertext in accordance with a predetermined statistical model.

Abstract: The invention comprises an encoder for encoding a stegotext and a decoder for decoding the encoded stegotext, the stegotext being generated by modulating the log power spectrogram of a covertext signal with at least one key, the or each key having been added or subtracted in the log domain to the covertext power spectrogram in accordance with the data of the watermark code with which the stegotext was generated, and the modulated power spectrogram having been returned into the original domain of the covertext. The decoder carries out Fast Fourier Transformation and rectangular polar conversion of the stegotext signal so as to transform the stegotext signal into the log power spectrogram domain; subtracts in the log power domain positive and negative multiples of the key or keys from blocks of the log power spectrogram and evaluates the probability of the results of such subtractions representing an unmodified block of covertext in accordance with a predetermined statistical model.

Abstract: Particle detection and characterising apparatus has an insulating tube (50) along which the particles flow. Five electrodes (51, 52, 55, 56) and (57) spaced along the outside of the tube are connected via amplifiers (61) and (62) to a processor (68) arranged to measure the charge on the particles. The apparatus also includes a laser (11) and photomultiplier tube (23) arranged to measure the size of the particles so that the nature of the particles can be characterised from their electrical charge and size.

Abstract: The invention comprises an encoder for encoding a stegotext and a decoder for decoding the encoded stegotext, the stegotext being generated by modulating the log power spectrogram of a covertext signal with at least one key, the or each key having been added or subtracted in the log domain to the covertext power spectrogram in accordance with the data of the watermark code with which the stegotext was generated, and the modulated power spectrogram having been returned into the original domain of the covertext. The decoder carries out Fast Fourier Transformation and rectangular polar conversion of the stegotext signal so as to transform the stegotext signal into the log power spectrogram domain; subtracts in the log power domain positive and negative multiples of the key or keys from blocks of the log power spectrogram and evaluates the probability of the results of such subtractions representing an unmodified block of covertext in accordance with a predetermined statistical model.

Abstract: The invention comprises an encoder for encoding a stegotext and a decoder for decoding the encoded stegotext, the stegotext being generated by modulating the log power spectrogram of a covertext signal with at least one key, the or each key having been added or subtracted in the log domain to the covertext power spectrogram in accordance with the data of the watermark code with which the stegotext was generated, and the modulated power spectrogram having been returned into the original domain of the covertext. The decoder carries out Fast Fourier Transformation and rectangular polar conversion of the stegotext signal so as to transform the stegotext signal into the log power spectrogram domain; subtracts in the log power domain positive and negative multiples of the key or keys from blocks of the log power spectrogram and evaluates the probability of the results of such subtractions representing an unmodified block of covertext in accordance with a predetermined statistical model.

Abstract: Particle detection and characterizing apparatus has an insulating tube along which the particles flow. Five electrodes spaced along the outside of the tube are connected via amplifiers to a processor arranged to measure the charge on the particles. The apparatus also includes a laser and photomultiplier tube arranged to measure the size of the particles so that the nature of the particles can be characterized from their electrical charge and size.

Abstract: The invention comprises an encoder for encoding a stegotext and a decoder for decoding the encoded stegotext, the stegotext being generated by modulating the log power spectrogram of a covertext signal with at least one key, the or each key having been added or subtracted in the log domain to the covertext power spectrogram in accordance with the data of the watermark code with which the stegotext was generated, and the modulated power spectrogram having been returned into the original domain of the covertext. The decoder carries out Fast Fourier Transformation and rectangular polar conversion of the stegotext signal so as to transform the stegotext signal into the log power spectrogram domain; subtracts in the log power domain positive and negative multiples of the key or keys from blocks of the log power spectrogram and evaluates the probability of the results of such subtractions representing an unmodified block of covertext in accordance with a predetermined statistical model.

Abstract: A barcode reader and processing circuitry are disclosed for identifying a position of a cylinder rod, for example, along a path of movement. The barcode is marked on a surface of the rod and constitutes a series of markings extending along a portion of the length of the rod. The markings represent encoded information based on numbers calculated with a random number generator, and are grouped into subsets, each of which corresponds to a particular rod position. A portion of the rod including a subset of barcode markings is exposed to light emitted from the reader. Light reflected off the barcode is sensed with an array of photosensors provided in the reader. The photosensors generate electrical signals, and using Bayesian probability, a likely subset of markings is determined corresponding to the received electrical signals. Once identified, the markings subset is associated with a location corresponding to the position of the rod.

Abstract: A barcode reader and processing circuitry are disclosed for identifying a position of a cylinder rod, for example, along a path of movement. The barcode is marked on a surface of the rod and constitutes a series of markings extending along a portion of the length of the rod. The markings represent encoded information based on numbers calculated with a random number generator, and are grouped into subsets, each of which corresponds to a particular rod position. A portion of the rod including a subset of barcode markings is exposed to light emitted from the reader. Light reflected off the barcode is sensed with an array of photosensors provided in the reader. The photosensors generate electrical signals, and using Bayesian probability, a likely subset of markings is determined corresponding to the received electrical signals. Once identified, the markings subset is associated with a location corresponding to the position of the rod.

Abstract: The invention comprises an encoder for encoding a stegotext and a decoder for decoding the encoded stegotext, the stegotext being generated by modulating the log power spectrogram of a covertext signal with at least one key, the or each key having been added or subtracted in the log domain to the covertext power spectrogram in accordance with the data of the watermark code with which the stegotext was generated, and the modulated power spectrogram having been returned into the original domain of the covertext. The decoder carries out Fast Fourier Transformation and rectangular polar conversion of the stegotext signal so as to transform the stegotext signal into the log power spectrogram domain; subtracts in the log power domain positive and negative multiples of the key or keys from blocks of the log power spectrogram and evaluates the probability of the results of such substractions representing an unmodified block of covertext in accordance with a predetermined statistical model.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a linear position of a moveable member having a code disposed thereupon. The code includes a succession of data fields having at least n characters and including a frame-synch symbol at predetermined intervals in the code. A sensor reads the code on a predetermined portion of the moveable member. The predetermined portion of the member includes code having at least one frame-synch symbol and n characters. The sensor transmits a data signal as a function of the read code. A processing device is coupled with the sensor to receive the data signal. The processing device transmits a position signal as a function of the data signal, with the position signal being indicative of the linear position of the moveable member.

Abstract: The invention concerns measurement apparatus for obtaining measurements relating to an attributes or attributes &thgr; of a succession of events in which an event generates a measurable physical reaction, the apparatus comprising generating device for generating a value D representing the physical reaction caused by an event, and inferential processing device for deriving the marginal distributions of a probability distribution for the attribute or attributes &thgr; of the events by carrying out a Bayesian inferential process utilizing the value D, the marginal values of a prior probability distribution and a stored set of values representing a range of probability distributions for the occurrence of each of the events being measured, the inferential process being an iterative process in which the marginals posterior to one event are generated by updating the marginals prior to that event.