Abstract: Heat is generated in corneal fibrils in a cornea of an eye according to a selected pattern. The heat causes the corneal fibrils corresponding to the selected pattern to transition from a first structure to a second structure. The second structure provides a desired reshaping of the cornea. A cross-linking agent is then activated in the region of corneal fibrils according to the selected pattern. The cross-linking agent prevents the corneal fibrils from changing from the second structure. Thus, embodiments stabilize corneal tissue and improve its biomechanical strength after desired structural changes have been achieved in the corneal tissue. Accordingly, the embodiments help to preserve the desired reshaping of the cornea.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for taking an input signal, replicating it a number of times and modifying each of the replicas before routing them to respective output transducers such that a desired sound field is created. This sound field may comprise a directed beam, focussed beam or a simulated origin. In a first aspect, delays are added to sound channels to remove the effects of different travelling distances. In a second aspect, a delay is added to a video signal to account for the delays added to the sound channels. In a third aspect, different window functions are applied to each channel to give improved flexibility of use. In a fourth aspect, a smaller extent of transducers is used top output high frequencies than are used to output low frequencies. An array having a larger density of transducers near the centre is also provided. In a fifth aspect, a line of elongate transducers is provided to give good directivity in a plane.

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.

Abstract: A low eddy current cryogen circuit for superconducting magnets including at least a first cooling coil made of an electrically conducting material and having at least one electrical isolator incorporated in the first cooling coil. The electrical isolator is located to inhibit induced eddy current loops due to inductive coupling of the first cooling coil with eddy current inducing field sources.

Abstract: An assay device in which to carry out a fluid-phase chemical assay, comprising means for supporting a test substrate, a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample and at least one fluid control device for controlling the movement of fluid into and/or out of the sample chamber, wherein the fluid control device comprises a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a displaceable flexible diaphragm the displacement of which alters the volume of the outlet chamber so as to allow and/or restrict fluid flow between the outlet and sample chambers. The invention also provides assay apparatus incorporating such a device, an assay station for use as part of such apparatus, a fluid control unit for use as part of the assay device and a method of conducting an assay which may involve the use of such apparatus and devices.

Abstract: A low eddy current cryogen circuit for superconducting magnets including at least a first cooling coil made of an electrically conducting material and having at least one electrical isolator incorporated in the first cooling coil. The electrical isolator is located to inhibit induced eddy current loops due to inductive coupling of the first cooling coil with eddy current inducing field sources.

Abstract: An item-providing system supplies items to a user device for consumption at the user device via communication infrastructure. In one illustrative implementation, the communication infrastructure may rely, in part, on wireless communication. The device may correspond to a book reader device or other type of device.

Abstract: Electronic items may be searched using search indices. Search indices may be generated for electronic items at a user device. In that case, a list of one or more electronic items stored in memory of the user device may be displayed, and a status of index generation for the electronic items stored in memory of the device may be presented.

Abstract: An assay device in which to carry out a fluid-phase chemical assay, comprising means for supporting a test substrate, a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample and at least one fluid control device for controlling the movement of fluid into and/or out of the sample chamber, wherein the fluid control device comprises a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a displaceable flexible diaphragm the displacement of which alters the volume of the outlet chamber so as to allow and/or restrict fluid flow between the outlet and sample chambers. The invention also provides assay apparatus incorporating such a device, an assay station for use as part of such apparatus, a fluid control unit for use as part of the assay device and a method of conducting an assay which may involve the use of such apparatus and devices.

Abstract: A technique in which content is supplied to an electronic reader device from a server is described. The reader device establishes a connection with the server and then automatically transmits its identification information to the server. In response, the server provides the electronic reader device with a representation corresponding to electronic content available from the server for purchase and/or display. The electronic reader device displays the representation wherein a user of the client electronic device purchases content by selecting the representation on the display. The server acknowledges the selection and/or purchase and automatically provides the electronic reader device with the corresponding electronic content for display.

Abstract: Search may be performed on a user device, such as a handheld electronic reader device. In that case, when a search query is received, a determination can be made to search one or more available sources of content for the query term. Available sources of content may include at least one local source of content and at least one remote source of content.

Abstract: A data warehouse system and application which analyzes historical sales and product data contained within a data warehouse to determine the best product prices across a set of products for a retailer. The application analyzes historical sales and product data contained in a database to determine an opportunity score for multiple products sold by a retailer, the opportunity score indicating potential benefit to said business from changing the pricing of a product; and analyzes historical sales data contained in the database to determine an ability to change score for each product, the ability to change score indicating potential risk of lost sales for the retailer from changing the pricing of a product. Results of the analyses are displayed in a scatter plot graph with the graph axes being the opportunity scores and ability to change scores, respectively.

Abstract: Tools and techniques are described herein for personalizing handheld electronic book readers. The tools provide methods that include receiving an indication of a customer transaction involving an electronic book reader device. The methods may also receive an identifier associated with the customer, obtain personalization information associated with the identifier, and load the personalization information into the electronic book reader device. The tools also provide methods that include receiving a command that is input to the electronic book reader device, where the device has been personalized for the particular customer; and responding to the command using the personalization information. A server includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium that includes a device personalization component for personalizing the electronic book reader device.

Abstract: A digital work may be annotated using an eBook reader device. Upon receiving an annotation relating to a specific portion of the digital work, an invariant location reference identifier corresponding to the specified portion of the digital work may be appended to the annotation. The annotation may then be stored in association with the digital work for later reference. In some instances, an annotation may be presented on an eBook reader device upon receipt of a valid authorization credential granting access to the annotation.

Abstract: A method of presenting a digital work includes displaying a portion of the digital work on a display screen under a set of display conditions, and providing one or more invariant location reference identifiers corresponding to the portion of the digital work on the display screen. The invariant location reference identifiers are separate from the digital work, and each invariant location reference identifier is provided along with the corresponding portion of the digital work, regardless of the display conditions under which the portion of the digital work is displayed.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring middleware performance is described herein. A route time for a sample message transmitted along a predetermined network route is determined and at least one queue residency time is determined. The at least one queue residency time reflects an amount of time an actual application message is stored in at least one respective local production queue located along the network route. Middleware response time is calculated according to the route time and the at least one queue residency time.

Abstract: A system for automated excision of one or more samples from a sample media, including by using a device for electronically capturing one or more traits of samples in the media, using a microprocessor linked to the device to analyze the captured traits by comparison to reference databases, identifying samples of interest at location coordinates in the sample media, and automatically excising and processing the samples through the use of a novel robotic excision tool.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a superconductor from a quench condition. A quench protection system is provided to protect the superconductor from damage due to a quench condition. The quench protection system comprises a voltage detector operable to detect voltage across the superconductor. The system also comprises a frequency filter coupled to the voltage detector. The frequency filter is operable to couple voltage signals to a control circuit that are representative of a rise in superconductor voltage caused by a quench condition and to block voltage signals that are not. The system is operable to detect whether a quench condition exists in the superconductor based on the voltage signal received via the frequency filter and to initiate a protective action in response.

Abstract: A data warehouse system and application which analyzes historical sales and product data contained within a data warehouse to determine the best product prices across a set of products for a retailer. Historical demand data for products is grouped and mined using data mining techniques to identify products having opposing sales relationships, and determine how a reduction in the price or increase in sales for a specific product will impact the demand for other products sold by a retailer.