Abstract: Various systems and methods may guide, support, and/or house instruments. One exemplary system includes a guide tube having a manipulation section and mated with rails carrying instrument control members. Moving the rails with respect to the guide tube, or another point of reference, can control movement of the manipulation section.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process, system and apparatus for multi-material additive manufacturing process comprising: extruding an extrudable material through a nozzle capable of moving along one or more axis and concurrently extruding one or more filaments, wherein the filament is embedded in, on or about the extrudable material from the nozzle.

Abstract: A walkway and safety rail apparatus is disclosed for permitting access to a container closure of a tanker truck. The apparatus includes a first walkway disposed in a vicinity of the container closure for permitting access to the container closure and a first safety rail pivotally secured to the first walkway about a horizontal axis such that when the first safety rail is disposed in a first location thereof, access to the container closure is permitted and when the first safety rail is pivoted towards the container closure to a second location thereof, access to the container closure is inhibited.

Abstract: A method of managing an agent by an administrative server is described. The method includes receiving an enrollment request from the agent. The agent is disconnected from a core server, and the core server is periodically connected to the administrative server. The method also includes performing a provisional enrollment procedure with the agent. The method further includes performing an enrollment procedure between the agent and the core server. The method additionally includes performing a configuration procedure between the agent and the core server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for multi-material extrusion-based additive manufacturing is described in which material composition and/or color can be varied locally to create abrupt transitions or controlled gradients, and in which objects may be fabricated from thermoset materials.

Abstract: A pacifier comprising an endotracheal tube holding means for intubated infants. The pacifier further comprises a nipple member attached to a flange member, wherein a channel is disposed longitudinally along the nipple and flange to accommodate an endotracheal tube. A slot, smaller in circumference than the tube, is disposed along the channel and allows the tube to be inserted and removed from the pacifier. The channel is larger in circumference than the tube, so that once the tube is inserted into the pacifier, it is supported in the channel, but can move longitudinally through the channel relative to the pacifier.

Abstract: A system and method of building a routing table for use in a multiprocessor computer system having a plurality of processing nodes and physical communication links interconnecting the processing nodes in a predefined topology. The system determines all single hops for each processing node, queries each adjacent node for its single hop routes, determines if all nodes can be reached and if all nodes cannot be reached, sets x=2. The system then queries each adjacent node for its “x” hop routes, eliminates all routes to a particular node that are longer than existing routes from the node where the routing table will reside to that particular node, eliminates all routes that introduce a cyclic dependency and chooses a best route for the node. The process is repeated as needed until all nodes can be reach all other nodes.

Abstract: Provided is an acoustic loudspeaker comprising an enclosure and at least first and second loudspeaker drivers. The enclosure comprises at least one tubular sound channel of a substantially constant inside dimension acoustically coupled to the at least first and second loudspeaker drivers. The at least one tubular sound channel comprises a first opening disposed at a first end of the at least one tubular sound channel, a second opening disposed at a second end of the at least one tubular sound channel and a third opening disposed on the at least one tubular sound channel between the first and second ends. The second opening comprises a sound outlet for outputting sound conducted through the enclosure. The enclosure further comprises at least one tuning section disposed within the at least one tubular sound channel between the second and third openings.

Abstract: Revision of a part specification document, such as a drawing, a part specification, or a bill or materials, prompts execution of an automated notification process. A unique part number associated with the revised part specification document is employed in searching open purchasing documents for purchase orders or request for quotes containing the part number. Electronic mail addresses for outside supplier contacts are kept in the database and linked to the supplier master of the open purchasing documents containing the part number. An electronic mail notification of the part specification document revision is generated and transmitted to each electronic mail address identified as being associated with an open purchasing document containing the subject part number. The revision notification includes a link to the revised part specification document to enable the outside supplier to access the document and review the revisions.