Abstract: An apparatus for securing a display object to a post, having an inner member having a body, the body defining an opening sized and shaped to receive the post therein, the body having an outer portion, an adjustable securing mechanism provided in the opening for securing the inner member to the post, an outer member having an inner portion sized and shaped to engage with the outer portion of the inner member such that the outer member can rotate about the post, and at least one display support member on the outer member for securing the display object to the outer member.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine is based on Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) that occurs in a deformable, resonant combustion chamber and that is coupled mechanically to efficient, resonant, electro-mechanical transducers acting as motors and generators. The mechanical coupling also implements fuel/air intake valves and exhaust valves. Embedded sensors allow an electronic control system to start the engine and thereafter to maintain operational configuration of the moving components in response to the effects of imperfect mechanical fabrication and/or assembly and dynamic changes in mechanical properties of the materials with run-time temperature and engine life.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a family of networks ranging from 2 nodes to 16 nodes that can be partitioned in an unconstrained manner. That is, where the number of nodes in one of these networks is N, subnetwork can contain any number of nodes from 1 to N−1 as long as the total number of nodes in both subnetworks equals N. Furthermore, each subnetwork can be partitioned repeatedly until reaching the atomic level (i.e., when the subnetwork contains a single node). In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, when a network is partitioned, each subnetwork has various desirable properties. For example, the maximum path length between any two nodes in each subnetwork nodes is 3, and each to subnetwork has a set of deadlock-free routings.

Abstract: In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, an improved technique for reconfiguring networks is provided. By using this technique, a network administrator can reconfigure their network while it remains operational. As a result, users can continue to utilize the network during reconfiguration. Additionally, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, a number of network topologies are provided that are designed to facilitate reconfiguration. When using one of these topologies, the network can be reconfigured with a minimal amount of recabling, thus reducing the amount of time required for reconfiguration.

Abstract: In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, a number of improved network topologies are provided that have been selected to improve network performance based on various performance characteristics. The topologies are also selected to facilitate network reconfiguration, including adding nodes and removing, nodes. As a result, the network topologies in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention do not follow a rigid, predefined pattern; rather, these topologies have been selected for network performance purposes as well as reconfiguration purposes.

Abstract: A method of recycling medical instruments, especially surgical instruments. The decontaminated medical instruments are received and identified for processing. The analysis and construction of each type of instrument to identify the components and material compositions thereof are determined. A given type of instrument is then dismantled into pieces, which are then sorted by the material compositions thereof as ascertained in the previous determination of the analysis and construction of the instruments.