Abstract: The present invention defines a method for assembling software components using an application controller. The application controller provides a conduit through which calling client modules can access functionality provided by various handlers in a manner that results in greater flexibility when additional functionality is required. Additional functionality can be provided to the clients by adding additional handlers to the application controller without the need to modify any of the individual clients. The client will continue invoking the application controller in the same manner as it did previously, whilst the application controller provides additional functionality by accessing the additional handlers. Indeed, the only changes that are required are to an agent, which in preferred embodiments includes a relatively straightforward to modify XML configuration file.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to combine pad functionality in an integrated circuit. A power, ground, or signal pad is connected to a power, ground, or signal source, respectively. The power, ground, or signal pad is additionally connected to an additional signal source, such as automatic test equipment in a testing environment. By temporarily disconnecting either the power, ground, or signal source, from the functional block within the integrated circuit to which the source is delivered, the same pad may pass in another signal to other portions of the integrated circuit. In the alternative, the same pad may pass in another signal to other portions of the integrated circuit without disconnecting the original signal by coupling the additional signal over the original signal. Further, combining pad functionality enables reuse of an input pad as an output pad for signals originating from within the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A communications device is disclosed that implements a phase-locked-loop to multiply a clock signal provided to a power management unit (PMU) by a variable integer value. Multiplying the PMU clock signal provides a second clock signal where the second clock signal is characterized by a fundamental component with one or more harmonics of the fundamental component that differ from the fundamental component and the one or more harmonics of the PMU clock signal. The fundamental component with one or more harmonics of the second clock signal does not occupy the same communication channel as the transmission communication signal of the communications device. Thus, minimizing the degradation of the transmission communication signal.

Abstract: An avionics data storage device and data transfer system are provided. The data storage device, has a slanted, “shark-like” door, which provides an environmental seal when not installed in the data transfer system. The storage device and data transfer system maintain environmental seals at all times other than installation. The storage device and transfer system can implement a variety of identification and authentication methods, including electrical, physical, and optical authentication or identification.

Abstract: Provided are robust, passive, membrane-based debubblers that are readily incorporated into microfluidic devices for rapid degassing. Also provided are methods of degassing fluid disposed within fluidic systems.

Abstract: A deployable panel structure for an array antenna comprising a first and a second set of panels hinged together for deployment between a folded configuration for stowage and an elongate unfolded configuration; wherein the panels of said first set are hinged together about a plurality of spaced-apart axes which are transverse to an elongate axis of the unfolded structure and the panels of said second set are hinged to panels of the first set about lengthwise axes parallel to said elongate axis of the unfolded structure; and wherein the number and arrangement of the panels is such that a width of the unfolded structure, measured transversely of its elongate extent, is less at one or both of its ends than the width of its middle portion.

Abstract: An assay method and device can perform at least one (e.g., at least two) assays on a single aliquot of a sample liquid. The device can mix a sample liquid with assay reagents including magnetically susceptible particles. The device is configured to create a sample liquid-air interface with the sample liquid. The magnetically susceptible particles can be located (via an applied magnetic field) at the liquid-air interface when a second liquid contacts the interface to form a liquid-liquid interface. The magnetic particles travel across the liquid:liquid interface to the second liquid. The magnetically susceptible particles are configured to transport an analyte across the interface into the second liquid. An assay for the analyte is performed in the second liquid. An assay for another analyte can also be performed in the sample liquid.

Abstract: A deployable panel structure for an array antenna comprising a first and a second set of panels hinged together for deployment between a folded configuration for stowage and an elongate unfolded configuration; wherein the panels of said first set are hinged together about a plurality of spaced-apart axes which are transverse to an elongate axis of the unfolded structure and the panels of said second set are hinged to panels of the first set about lengthwise axes parallel to said elongate axis of the unfolded structure; and wherein the number and arrangement of the panels is such that a width of the unfolded structure, measured transversely of its elongate extent, is less at one or both of its ends than the width of its middle portion

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: A flood defence assembly comprises a support member (2) formed from steel or other rigid material and having a sleeve portion (4) that is adapted to be slidably mounted on a bollard (6). Bollard (6) is set into the ground (8) to an appropriate depth adjacent a body of water that is susceptible to flooding. The support member (2) comprises first and second support panels, which form a slot (14) into which a panel member (16) is slidably mountable. Support member (2) is also provided with a plurality of brackets (19) for supporting restraint members (20) in the form of metal tubes or other members of similar strength. Buttress members (22) are disposed between the sleeve portion (4) and the back panel of support members (2). A rubber sheet (24) can be removably placed along the ground (8) at the point where the panel member (16) contacts the ground (8).

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound closure device, such as a suture, including a substantially flexible tensile member, the tensile member having an external surface, the external surface including a biocidal material such as a coating of substantially pure silver. A method of applying the suture includes piercing a patient's skin adjacent to a wound using, for example, a needle and drawing a substantially flexible tensile member through a resulting aperture in the skin. By virtue of the biocidal material, pathogens and other bioactive materials drawn through the aperture are rendered less active and/or incapable of causing infection.

Abstract: A hemostatic biocidal dressing includes pro-coagulant and biocidal agents providing a physical barrier to bleeding as well as chemical action to promote blood coagulation and thereby arrest coverage. At the same time, biocidal properties of the dressing prevent the introduction of infected agents and the establishment of infection within wounded tissue. A silverized textile provides biocidal action while a granulated hemostatic agent disposed within interstitial regions between polymer fibers provides coagulating action.

Abstract: Blocks 20 interlock at cutouts 24 to form a row of blocks. Waves with wave crests 44 propagate in the direction of arrow A towards the blocks. When the waves impact the row of blocks 20,the alternating peaks and troughs formed by the edges 22, facets and steps of blocks 20 cause reflection of the waves from a plurality of point sources such that the reflected waves have circular wave fronts 46. The wave interference of the circular wave fronts 46 in the regions shown by reference numeral 48 results in a phenomenon known as near field diffraction. Circular wave fronts 46 also interfere with waves 44. This reduces the wave intensity impacting the blocks.

Abstract: Blocks 20 interlock at cutouts 24 to form a row of blocks. Waves with wave crests 44 propagate in the direction of arrow A towards the blocks. When the waves impact the row of blocks 20, the alternating peaks and troughs formed by the edges 22, facets and steps of blocks 20 cause reflection of the waves from a plurality of point sources such that the reflected waves have circular wave fronts 46. The wave interference of the circular wave fronts 46 in the regions shown by reference numeral 48 results in a phenomenon known as near field diffraction. Circular wave fronts 46 also interfere with waves 44. This reduces the wave intensity impacting the blocks.

Abstract: A fender includes an inflatable body that is partially filled with water, a port sized to receive the water into the body and a plug adapted to seal the port. The partially filed fender floats in the water with a lower portion extending and remaining below the water even during wave action, leaving the bottom portion of the fender to protect a portion of a floating object that extends below the waterline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for depositing a metal on a material. The process comprises the steps of: immersing the material in deposition solution comprising the metal; inducing a material vibration in the deposition solution having a frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of the material; including a solution vibration in the deposition solution in a direction non-parallel to the material vibration, said solution vibration having a frequency corresponding to the a resonance frequency of the deposition solution, whereby said metal is deposited onto the material. This process results in deposition of metal from the plating bath on the material in a controlled and substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: The backside navigation method of the present invention includes milling a fiducial opening through the substrate of an integrated circuit. The milling process is stopped when the fiducial opening reaches the bottom of a trench isolation structure. The trench isolation structure delineated by the fiducial opening may be imaged and registered to a computer aided design layout image to achieve sub-micron navigation resolution.

Abstract: A fender includes an inflatable body that is partially filled with water, a port sized to receive the water into the body and a plug adapted to seal the port. The partially filed fender floats in the water with a lower portion extending and remaining below the water even during wave action, leaving the bottom portion of the fender to protect a portion of a floating object that extends below the waterline.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment pre-register buffers remotely and create tokens locally that represent the buffers prior to a data transfer operation that uses the tokens to access the buffers. In an embodiment, the buffers are pre-registered via a translation table, and the tokens are used as an offset into the translation table. In an embodiment, the pre-registration verifies that the buffer is within memory allocated to a logical partition, which protects against the risk of address corruption.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for biomedical imaging includes directing time-varying excitation light at a surface area of a light scattering material, the material comprising a fluorescent target. Time-varying emission light from the fluorescent target is detected, substantially at a two-dimensional sensor surface, in response to the time-varying excitation light stimulating the fluorescent target. The time-varying emission light is filtered to reject excitation light re-emitted from the material. A three-dimensional image of the fluorescent target is generated based on the detection substantially at the sensor surface.