Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a framer/mapper/multiplexor (FMM) device that can simultaneously (i) send protection copies of both its working incoming high-speed (e.g., STS-12) signal and incoming low-speed signals to a protection FMM device, and (ii) receive corresponding protection signals from the protection FMM device. Furthermore, the FMM device can select between working and protection signals at a switching level (e.g., STS-1) lower than the high-speed level, allowing for 1+1 APS/MSP protection and equipment protection at the board level, the device level, and at the STS-1 level. Yet further, four or more FMM devices can be configured so that all FMM devices can communicate with their corresponding protection FMM devices using a single, shared, 4-pin link (e.g., quad-OC-3 mode), and still select between working and protection signals at the switching level (e.g., STS-1).

Abstract: A brake hose support comprises: a bracket fixedly attached to the yoke of the coupling apparatus of a rail car and a swivel fitting attached to the bracket which is rotatable around a pivot center. The swivel fitting can be rotated so that the angle of the end hose opening with respect to the angle cock is adjustable.

Abstract: A trolley hanger for supporting brake hose connections between rail cars which hangs securely on a trolley rod, and preferably is directly connected to an intermediate hose flange, a train line support casting flange, or trolley pipe flange, prevents lateral and rotational movement of a brake hose connection, thereby reducing unwanted brake hose uncoupling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for extracting connection information from a traffic header in a communications network. The apparatus includes a first storage element containing a first look-up table for determining a first data packet header offset and data size for extracting a communications protocol type from the header and a second storage element containing a second look-up table for determining from the communications protocol type a second data packet header offset and second data size for extracting a connection address from the header. The storage elements may be in the form of content-addressable memories. Exception handling and hardware initialization can be controlled by a system processor.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for in-band communication of alarm status information or other information between physical layer devices comprising a working device and a protection device in a network-based communication system. In one aspect, a protection receive signal is monitored in the protection device for the presence of alarm status information. The protection device encodes alarm status information extracted from the protection receive signal, and inserts the encoded alarm status information into one or more designated portions of a protection loop-back signal supplied from the protection device to the working device. The protection loop-back signal is monitored in the working device and the encoded alarm status information therein is decoded and utilized by the working device to initiate a protection switching operation.

Abstract: In a communication system comprising a mapper or other type of physical layer device coupled to a link layer device, the physical layer device comprises payload extraction circuitry and payload insertion circuitry. The payload extraction circuitry is configured to extract a payload from an ingress synchronous transport signal received over an ingress link, and the payload insertion circuitry is configured to insert a payload received from the link layer device into an egress synchronous transport signal for transmission over an egress link. The payload extracted from the ingress synchronous transport signal is transmitted by the physical layer device to the link layer device over an output serial data line of a serial interface, and the payload inserted into the egress synchronous transport signal is received by the physical layer device from the link layer device over an input serial data line of the serial interface.

Abstract: A polypropylene derivative is provided. The polypropylene derivative includes a reactive monomer grafted on polypropylene, with a grafting yield exceeding 5%. A method for preparing the polypropylene derivative is also disclosed. The method includes mixing a reactive monomer, polypropylene and a compatibilizer to prepare a polypropylene derivative grafted with the reactive monomer, with a grafting yield exceeding 5%.

Abstract: A trolley hanger for supporting brake hose connections between rail cars which hangs securely on a trolley rod, and preferably is directly connected to an intermediate hose flange, a train line support casting flange, or trolley pipe flange, prevents lateral and rotational movement of a brake hose connection, thereby reducing unwanted brake hose uncoupling.

Abstract: A brake hose support according to the invention comprises: a bracket fixedly attached to the yoke of the coupling apparatus of a rail car and a swivel fitting attached to the bracket which is rotatable around a pivot center. The swivel fitting can be rotated so that the angle of the end hose opening with respect to the angle cock is adjustable.

Abstract: A polypropylene derivative is provided. The polypropylene derivative includes a reactive monomer grafted on polypropylene, with a grafting yield exceeding 5%. A method of preparing the polypropylene derivative is also disclosed. The method includes mixing a reactive monomer, polypropylene, and a compatibilizer in a twin screw extruder to prepare a polypropylene derivative with reactive monomers grafted thereon, with a grafting ratio exceeding 5%.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for receiving data packets from a plurality of physical networks are disclosed. For example, in given embodiment, an example apparatus can include a plurality of data pipelines each adapted to receive data packets from a respective physical network and a single analysis device adapted to receive packet header data and characteristic information from each of the plurality of data pipelines to perform packet identification for each received data packet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for extracting connection information from a traffic header in a communications network. The apparatus includes a first storage element containing a first look-up table for determining a first data packet header offset and data size for extracting a communications protocol type from the header and a second storage element containing a second look-up table for determining from the communications protocol type a second data packet header offset and second data size for extracting a connection address from the header. The storage elements may be in the form of content-addressable memories. Exception handling and hardware initialization can be controlled by a system processor.

Abstract: A buffer circuit for use in a node in a network-based data transport system is configurable for providing channel status information of all channels associated with a given signal in the network-based data transport system. The buffer circuit includes a memory and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller is the operative: (i) to receive channel status information from a plurality of different channel status sources; (ii) to select one of the channel status sources for supplying the channel status information at a given point in time; and (iii) to store the channel status information corresponding to the selected channel status source in the memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite matrix material for Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation (MALDI), a process for preparing the same, and a method of its use in MALDI. The invention also relates to a kit for carrying out MALDI. The matrix material comprises at least one MALDI matrix forming compound and a polymer. The polymer serves as supporting material for the at least one MALDI matrix forming compound to which it is covalently linked.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes and novel intermediate compounds for preparing aryl-and heteroaryl-substituted urea compounds of the formula(I) wherein Ar1, Ar2, L, Q and X are described herein. The product compounds are useful in pharmaceutic compositions for treating diseases or pathological conditions involving inflammation such as chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes and novel intermediate compounds for preparing aryl-and heteroaryl-substituted urea compounds of the formula(I) wherein Ar1, Ar2, L, Q and X are described herein. The product compounds are useful in pharmaceutic compositions for treating diseases or pathological conditions involving inflammation such as chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes and novel intermediate compounds for preparing aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted urea compounds of the formula(I) wherein Ar1, Ar2, L, Q and X are described herein. The product compounds are useful in pharmaceutic compositions for treating diseases or pathological conditions involving inflammation such as chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes, polymorph and intermediate compounds for preparing aryl-and heteroaryl-substituted urea compounds of the formula(I) wherein Ar1, Ar2, L, Q and X are described herein. The product compounds are useful in pharmaceutic compositions for treating diseases or pathological conditions involving inflammation such as chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes and novel intermediate compounds for preparing aryl-and heteroaryl-substituted urea compounds of the formula(I) wherein Ar1, Ar2, L, Q and X are described herein. The product compounds are useful in pharmaceutic compositions for treating diseases or pathological conditions involving inflammation such as chronic inflammatory diseases.