Abstract: The present invention broadly provides methods and systems for detecting, identifying, and characterizing conditions, including diseases and other disorders in human or other animal subjects, by analyzing fluorescence from endogenous flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) fluorophors present in biological materials and samples. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to conditions of the human breast including cancers such as carcinoma. Methods and systems are provided for detecting, locating, and characterizing tumors and precancerous tissue via nonlinear optical imaging techniques capable of accurately characterizing fluorescence intensities and fluorescent lifetime parameters from endogenous FAD fluorophors present in a test tissue sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing information in a network environment is provided that includes a content service gateway operable to communicate with an end user in order to facilitate a communication session. The communication session relates to a request by the end user for content or for a service. A quota server coupled to the content service gateway is operable to receive a service authorization request from the content service gateway relating to the communication session. The service authorization request operates to authorize access to the service or to the content for the end user.

Abstract: A configuration management system and related methods are provided to facilitate intersection-based management of configuration information for network devices. In one example, a method includes polling a plurality of network devices to determine address entries stored by address tables of the network devices. The method also includes applying a hash function to the address entries to determine a plurality of key-value associations. The method further includes maintaining a hash table comprising the key-value associations. Each key of the hash table corresponds to an address entry stored by one or more of the address tables. Each value of the hash table identities which of the address tables are storing the address entry corresponding to the associated key.

Abstract: A method for distributing information in a network environment is provided that includes receiving one or more packets from a communication flow initiated by an end user and selectively communicating information associated with the communication flow to a network element so that the network element may correlate a source with the communication flow.

Abstract: A system includes a network and multiple network devices. The network devices run instances of various services. If a particular network device becomes inaccessible, the system is capable of replacing the services instances running on the inaccessible network device by initiating new service instances on the remaining network devices. If a new network device becomes accessible, the network is capable of redistributing the currently running service instances to balance the workload by initiating service instances on the new network device and terminating service instances on existing network device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring information in a network environment is provided that includes receiving one or more packets from a communication flow initiated by an end user. The information associated with the communication flow is then selectively communicated to a plurality of client-aware network elements.

Abstract: In a distributed network, a data entry is received. The data entry is stored in a first one of a plurality of nodes and replicated in a second one of the plurality of nodes in order to provide data redundancy in the distributed network. In the event of a failure of the second one of the plurality of nodes, the data entry that was replicated therein is re-replicated into a third one of the plurality of nodes in order to maintain data redundancy despite the failure of the second one of the plurality of nodes. Data redundancy can be retained despite the failure of the second one of the plurality of nodes as long as the overall capacity for the distributed network remains above an initial threshold.

Abstract: A configuration management system and related methods are provided to facilitate intersection-based management of configuration information for network devices. In one example, a method includes polling a plurality of network devices to determine address entries stored by address tables of the network devices. The method also includes applying a hash function to the address entries to determine a plurality of key-value associations. The method further includes maintaining a hash table comprising the key-value associations. Each key of the hash table corresponds to an address entry stored by one or more of the address tables. Each value of the hash table identities which of the address tables are storing the address entry corresponding to the associated key.

Abstract: The present invention broadly provides methods and systems for detecting, identifying, and characterizing conditions, including diseases and other disorders in human or other animal subjects, by analyzing fluorescence from endogenous flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) fluorophors present in biological materials and samples. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to conditions of the human breast including cancers such as carcinoma. Methods and systems are provided for detecting, locating, and characterizing tumors and precancerous tissue via nonlinear optical imaging techniques capable of accurately characterizing fluorescence intensities and fluorescent lifetime parameters from endogenous FAD fluorophors present in a test tissue sample.

Abstract: A method for distributing information in a network environment is provided that includes receiving one or more packets from a communication flow initiated by an end user and selectively communicating information associated with the communication flow to a network element so that the network element may correlate a source with the communication flow.

Abstract: A method for monitoring information in a network environment is provided that includes receiving one or more packets from a communication flow initiated by an end user. The information associated with the communication flow is then selectively communicated to a plurality of client-aware network elements.

Abstract: A memory system includes a client device and multiple memory devices. The client device communicates an operation request pertaining to a particular data object to one memory device. Referencing a host table, the memory device identifies multiple memory devices associated with an object key of the data object. The memory device communicates the operation request to the identified memory devices to be completed. If one of the memory devices in the memory system becomes inaccessible, the memory system is capable of replacing the inaccessible memory device in the host table. Furthermore, if a new memory device is added to the memory system, the memory system is capable of modifying the host table to associate some of the possible object keys with the new memory device.

Abstract: A photon sorting spectroscopic microscope system focuses light from an excitation source onto a specimen through a microscope objective lens to excite fluorescence in the specimen. The fluorescent light is passed back through the objective on a beam path and is directed by a dichroic mirror on a second beam path to a spectral dispersive element which spreads the light according to its spectral content. A multi-channel detector with multiple detector elements receives the light spread by the spectral dispersive element and provides output signals indicative of photon events. The photon events in each channel may be counted to provide the spectral content of the fluorescent signal as the excitation beam is scanned in a raster fashion over the sample.

Abstract: A method for monitoring information in a network environment is provided that includes receiving one or more packets from a communication flow initiated by an end user. The information associated with the communication flow is then selectively communicated to a plurality of client-aware network elements.

Abstract: Dispensing system for automotive fuel including a casing mounted within the ground and containing a fuel flow meter and an associated valve. The meter is linked by a fuel line to a fuel tank. An above-ground structure is provided for supporting a dispensing hose to which the meter and associated valve within the casing are linked by a delivery line passing externally of the casing. The casing is adjacent to but separate from the above-ground structure whereby the aboveground structure is mounted independently of the casing.

Abstract: Dispensing system for automotive fuel including a casing mounted within the ground and containing a fuel flow meter and an associated valve. The meter is linked by a fuel line to a fuel tank. An above-ground structure is provided for supporting a dispensing hose to which the meter and associated valve within the casing are linked by a delivery line passing externally of the casing. The casing is adjacent to but separate from the above-ground structure whereby the aboveground structure is mounted independently of the casing.

Abstract: Multi-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy is carried out by focusing an excitation beam by an objective lens onto a specimen and collecting the multi-photon fluorescence light emitted from the specimen to the objective lens and directing the fluorescent light on an optical path to a detector. Fluorescent light emissions from the specimen collected by a condenser lens on the opposite side of the specimen from the objective lens are directed to a dichoic mirror, which reflects the light photons back into the condenser lens and thence into and through the objective lens where they are directed on an optical path to the detector. Significantly increased fluorescent photon collection efficiency is obtained as well as improved image intensity of the detected fluorescent light.

Abstract: A road transportable concrete railroad long-line tie molding system is described in which a rigid horizontal metal stressing frame is assembled from transportable sub-frame segments. The sub-frame segments are releasably connected in axially aligned end-to-end relation, and include parallel longitudinal reaction members. In a preferred form, the sub-frame segments are convertible from inoperative transport conditions to extended operative conditions. Footings are provided along the stressing frame length to engage the sub-frame segments to releasably mount the sub-frame segments in axial alignment and stabilize the reaction members against lateral deflection during compressive loading. A plurality of conventional gang tie molds having upwardly open elongated mold cavities are releasably received in end-to-end alignment along the framework. A reinforcing wire anchor is provided on the sub-frame at the dead end of the framework and a tensioner is located at the live end of the framework.

Abstract: A road transportable concrete railroad long-line tie molding system is described in which a rigid horizontal metal stressing frame is assembled from transportable sub-frame segments. The sub-frame segments are releasably connected in axially aligned end-to-end relation, and include parallel longitudinal reaction members. In a preferred form, the sub-frame segments are convertible from inoperative transport conditions to extended operative conditions. Footings are provided along the stressing frame length to engage the sub-frame segments to releasably mount the sub-frame segments in axial alignment and stabilize the reaction members against lateral deflection during compressive loading. A plurality of conventional gang tie molds having upwardly open elongated mold cavities are releasably received in end-to-end alignment along the framework. A reinforcing wire anchor is provided on the sub-frame at the dead end of the framework and a tensioner is located at the live end of the framework.

Abstract: A confocal imaging system for use in conjunction with an optical microscope, in which a slit-shaped or bar-shaped beam of light is scanned over the specimen, descanned with a fixed mask and rescanned for viewing or recording, the focusing and scanning system being constituted by wholly reflective optical systems.