Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that includes a front-end interface device having a first front-end interface port, a second front-end interface port and a third front-end interface port. The front-end interface device is configured to split a first signal directed into the first front-end interface port into a second signal provided at the second front-end interface port and a third signal provided at the third front-end interface port. An N-way high-band device includes a first high-band device port coupled to the second front-end interface port and N second high band ports. An N-way low-band device includes a first low-band device port coupled to the third front-end interface port and N-second low band ports. N back-end interface devices are coupled to the N-way high-band device and the N-way low-band device.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating blood-neural barrier permeability. Phospholipid liposomes are labeled with a fluorescent phospholipase A2 substrate and exposed to cerebrospinal fluid. The change in fluorescence is monitored to determine PLA2 activity. The PLA2 activity is used to evaluate the permeability and function of the blood-neural barrier.

Abstract: A method of, and a system for, optimizing the distribution of a plurality of source servers amongst a plurality of target servers each having a resource, wherein each of the source servers has a functional characteristic and two or more of the source servers belong to a cluster.

Abstract: Provided is a high-voltage solid electrolytic capacitor having a rated voltage of several hundreds of volts. After an anodic oxide film layer is formed on a roughened surface of an aluminum foil by way of a first conversion treatment, a hydrated film is formed by way of boiling water immersion; the hydrated film is provided with a second conversion treatment at a formation voltage lower than that of the first conversion treatment such that an anodic foil is formed; and a conductive polymeric layer is formed on a surface of the anodic foil.

Abstract: A light source adapter to mechanically interconnect a light box and a fiber optic cable. The adapter engages the light box and defines an interior cavity to receive a ferruled fiber optic cable. The exterior surface of the ferrule comprises a circumferential ridge and groove that reversibly interacts with a spring inside the adapter cavity. The spring is biased to require sufficient force to insert or remove the ferrule. The geometry of the circumferential ridge or groove can optionally be modified to increase or decrease the amount of force required to effect insertion or removal of the ferrule inside the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a neurotrophic peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of VGDGGLFEKKL (SEQ ID NO: 1), EDQQVHFTPTEG (SEQ ID NO: 2) and IPENEADGMPATV (SEQ ID NO: 3).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical device configured to be disposed in an electrical distribution system between a source of electrical power and an electrical load. The electrical distribution system includes at least one line hot conductor, a line neutral conductor, and a line ground conductor. The line neutral conductor and the line ground conductor are connected to earth ground at a termination point in the electrical distribution system. The electrical load includes at least one load hot conductor, a load neutral conductor, and a load ground conductor. The device comprises a power supply coupled to the power input mechanism. The power supply comprises at least one DC voltage output terminal and a reference terminal coupled to the line ground termination element.

Abstract: A hoist system with an overspeed detection sub-system for detecting overspeed by comparing an actual drum assembly speed with a target value. For example, the rotation of a motor may be determined by a first rotary encoder and the rotation of a drum may be determined by a second rotary encoder. The output of the first rotary encoder (the basis of a target value) is compared with the output of the second rotary encoder (corresponding to actual motion of the drum). If the difference between the target value and the actual motion is too large, then a problem, such as a broken hoist hardware component may exist, and appropriate remedial action is taken, such as braking the motor and/or the drum.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfeatures interconnected to provide a configurable fluid transport system for processing at least one reagent. Inserts are provided to removably interfit into one or more of the microfeatures of the chip, wherein the inserts include sites for interactions with the reagent. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic chip and the inserts provide an efficient and accurate approach for conducting parallel assays.

Abstract: A light collection and concentration system includes a primary light concentrator, a light transport structure, and a light directing structure optically associated with the primary light concentrator. The system may include an optional secondary light concentrator. Each unit-system includes a plurality of the primary light concentrators and a respective plurality of the light directing structures, and only a single light transport structure. A photo-voltaic (PV) cell may advantageously be associated with each unit-system. Solar radiation is focused by the primary concentrators onto respective light directing structures incorporated in a low aspect ratio, sheet-type waveguide light transport structure. Each respective light directing structure intercepts the focused light and deflects it transversely to travel along the length of the light transport structure primarily via total internal reflection (TIR) towards an exit-end of the light transport structure, where it can be input to the PV cell.

Abstract: An imaging unit programmed to reduce specular reflection in a captured image and improve the interpretation of decodable information within the image. The imaging unit is programmed to scan a predetermined region within the image that is susceptible to specular reflection, evaluate the pixel values within the region against a threshold value that is representative of specular reflection, and then replace the pixel value found to represent specular reflection with replacement pixel values that do not corrupt interpretation of the decodable information in the predetermined region. The threshold value and replacement values may be determined on an ad hoc basis and stored in local memory, or calculated for each captured image.

Abstract: A system for capturing images of a target, such as a test tube, that is presented in front of an optical imager and rotated 360 degrees. The imager of the system captures a series of images which are then stitched together to form a panoramic image of the target. The panoramic image may then be processed to decode any barcode code information placed on the target, capture other information placed on the target, or obtain information about the target or the contents thereof.

Abstract: A machine vision system for controlling the alignment of an arm in a robotic handling system. The machine vision system includes an optical imager aligned to simultaneously capture an image that contains a view of the side of an object, such as a test tube, along with a view of the top of the object provided by a mirror appropriately positioned on the robotic arm. The machine vision system further includes a microcontroller or similar device for interpreting both portions of the image. For example, the microcontroller may be programmed to determine the location of the object in the reflected portion of the image and transpose that information into the location of the object relative to the robotic arm. The microcontroller may also be programmed to decode information positioned on the object by interpreting visual information contained in the other portion of the captured image.

Abstract: A shutter panel having multiple louvers that may be opened or closed in unison and which provide a flat, non-overlapping surface when placed in the closed position. Each louver is provided with a pivot post and a drive post, and the drive posts of each louver are interconnected to one or more control rods hidden within the stiles of the shutter panel. Each louver is beveled to encourage movement between the open and closed positions, and to assist with the formation of a substantially flat surface when the louvers are placed in the closed positions. The substantially flat surface formed when the louvers are closed may include an aesthetic design applied thereon or engraved therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the refurbishing of compaction tooling components, particularly the tips and heads of compaction punches.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing false positives in the classification of data is provided, wherein the data can be categorized into fields, including creating an assertion table or assessing an existing assertion table for the data whereby the data is placed into categories and each category is assigned one or more classifications, setting a positive and/or negative assertion ratio for each category, determining the accuracy of each classification by assessing a percentage of the data in each category to see if the data is correctly identified by the classification, if the positive assertion ratio is reached, maintaining the classification for each category of data, if the negative assertion ratio is reached, de-asserting the classification.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems and/or methods relating to a software platform that provides for authentication of a requestor. Preferably, this authentication happens before there is an opportunity for any resource intensive request to harm operation of the system. Preferably, a reliability level is based on authentication so that the amount and/or type of resource access is controlled based, at least in part, on the authentication information. Preferably, heap usage is controlled by this reliability level. Preferably, the software platform is a virtual machine, preferably the Java Virtual Machine.