Abstract: Disclosed is a power assembly for supplying electrical power to 4-20 mA 2-wire field devices, including HART-enabled, short run Profibus PA, and Foundation Fieldbus protocols. A preferred embodiment of the power assembly is designed to simplify the testing, troubleshooting, and configuration of HART 2-wire field devices. The disclosed device is compatible with hand-held or PC-based configuration software, and utilizes the available power from the USB port of a laptop, or any other compatible source of low-voltage DC. An internal circuit converts the low voltage DC to 24-volt DC to provide 2-wire power for the field devices. The power supply includes the necessary network communication load and/or resistance and may provide a quick modem/network interface and/or milliamp meter connection. All the necessary connections to the 2-wire field device are made with a single pair of quick-disconnect fittings.

Abstract: A dual mode floor scrubber with a square cleaning pad that can rotate in a first mode to achieve a scrubbing operation away from the walls, and reciprocate longitudinally in a second mode adjacent to a wall to remove the sediment next to the wall and corners.

Abstract: Scalable silicon (Si) interposer configurations that support low voltage, low power operations are provided. In one aspect, a Si interposer is provided which includes a plurality of through-silicon vias (TSVs) within a first plane thereof adapted to serve as power, ground and signal interconnections throughout the first plane such that the TSVs that serve as the power and ground interconnections are greater in number and/or size than the TSVs that serve as the signal interconnections; and a plurality of lines within a second plane of the interposer in contact with one or more of the TSVs in the first plane, the second plane being adjacent to the first plane, adapted to serve as power, ground and signal interconnections throughout the second plane such that the lines that serve as the power and the ground interconnections are greater in number and/or size than the lines that serve as the signal interconnections.

Abstract: The invention relates to baked potatoes and, particularly, to convenient forms of baked potatoes having an optimally-baked flavor and texture which can be simply prepared for serving in any size portion with a minimum of effort. In one preferred form, the product will be in the form of baked potato pieces with the skin attached, preferably having a moisture content of from about 70 to about 75% and flavor and texture profiles characteristic of optimally baked potatoes. A process and an apparatus for preparing the potatoes and a packaged form are also provided. The process calls for freezing a baked potato and subdividing the potato into discrete pieces of a size of from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches, preferably by means comprising at least one roller pair comprising a plurality of rotatably mounted blades with cutting edges angularly offset (FIG. 7) or diagonally-opposed, spaced cutting blades (FIG. 7).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for patterning a material layer. The method comprises steps of providing a material layer. The material layer has a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer successively formed thereon. Then, the second hard mask layer is patterned to form a plurality of openings therein. A patterned photoresist layer is formed to cover the second hard mask layer and the patterned photoresist layer exposes a portion of the openings. The first hard mask layer with the patterned photoresist layer and the patterned second hard mask layer together as a mask. Then, the patterned photoresist layer and the patterned second hard mask layer are removed. The material layer is patterned with the patterned first hard mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method of automatic defect recognition includes receiving a initial set of inspection image data of a scanned object from a scanning machine; applying a first image analysis algorithm to this set of inspection image data; then removing from the set of inspection image data any defect-free image regions, so as to retain a set of analyzed inspection image data; applying an additional image analysis algorithm(s) to the set of analyzed inspection image data, wherein the additional algorithm(s) has a higher computational cost than the first image analysis algorithm; and based on the applying of the additional image analysis algorithm(s), removing from the first set of inspection image data a second set of defect-free image regions, thereby retaining a set of twice-analyzed inspection image data.

Abstract: A reduced size multiplexer and, in particular, a reduced size optical signal multiplexer module is provided for use in a reduced size enclosure. The optical signal multiplexer module has electrical and optical connectors on its faceplate to provide ease in access without having to remove the optical signal multiplexer from the enclosure. The optical signal multiplexer circuit is configured in a standard Type 400 mechanics circuit board arrangement. The optical signal multiplexer module therefore can be inserted into an enclosure in a direction opposite to that in which the DS1 or DS3 connector projects from the face plate, so that the DS1 or DS3 connector remains freely accessible outside of the enclosure when the optical signal multiplexer module is fully loaded into the enclosure. DS1 and DS3 cables and optical fibers can thus be easily coupled to the DS1 and DS3 and optical connectors, respectively, when the SONET multiplexer circuit is fully loaded into the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heterocyclic derivatives useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

Abstract: Improved methods of introducing promoters to catalysts are described. The present invention provides a convenient method of uniformly distributing a catalyst promoter, to provide for intimate contact between the promoter and the active catalyst sites. This intimate contact can enhance the activity and/or product selectivity of the promoted catalyst. In some embodiments, the method includes reacting an alkali metal with an alcohol in a non-aqueous medium, contacting the resulting solution with a starting catalyst, and depositing the alkali metal onto the starting catalyst to form an alkali-promoted catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the position of a point detector bar having an outer surface and linked to a moveable point associated with a fixed rail utilizing a probe. The probe is moveable to contact and ride on the outer surface of the point detector bar. A housing is connected to the probe and is moveable toward point detector bar also. A leg is positioned relative to the housing to form a unit. The leg is moveable within and relative to the housing when the probe contacts a certain portion of the outer surface of the point detector bar. A driver is linked to the leg and the housing unit and moves the housing and connected probe toward the point detector bar. A signal generator alerts the relative movement between the housing and leg within the housing and the probe contacts a certain portion of the outer surface of the point detector bar which may take the form of an enlarged diameter area.

Abstract: Mechanisms for ensuring data consistency in a data store are provided. The mechanisms access a parity scrub factor f and perform a check on a data group of the data store. The check on the data group includes performing a parity check on a portion of the data group, the portion being equal to 1/f of the data group, and performing a data verify on the remainder of the data group. The performing of the check is repeated for the entire data store. An offset factor is used to select the portion of the data group for the parity check. In this case, the offset factor may be incremented when the performance of the check on the data group of the data store has been repeated for the entire data store.

Abstract: Citric acid and conjugate bases thereof are useful for stabilizing stabilized chlorine dioxide in the presence of therapeutically active agents and excipients in a composition. Ophthalmic compositions and methods related thereto are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A product including a stack of a: plurality of interfolded sheets assembled from a folded sheet material. The stack having a first side, a second side, a plurality of first side folded sheets and a plurality of second side folded sheets. A majority of the first side folded sheets folded into a first fold configuration and a majority of the second side folded sheets folded into a second fold configuration. Within the stack, the first fold configuration is different than the second fold configuration. In one embodiment, the first side folded sheets were V-folded and the second side folded sheets were Z-folded. In another embodiment, the first side folded sheets were V-folded and the second side folded sheets were C-folded.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal medium are described. The liquid crystal compound is stable to heat and light and has a large dielectric anisotropy and a large optical anisotropy. The liquid crystal medium has a wide temperature range of liquid crystal phase, a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, and exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal compound has 4 or 5 benzene rings, one of which is a chlorofluorobenzene ring. The liquid crystal medium is characterized in containing the liquid crystal compound and a chiral dopant and exhibiting an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase.

Abstract: A multichip module comprises a flexible circuit having conductive patterns on its surface(s) to which microelectronic device(s) are attached. The flexible circuit is enclosed and supported by two rigid frames, which may further be provided with protective heat spreading covers. Contact pads on the rigid frame(s) may be configured to engage a mating socket or they may be solderable to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A sleeved composite pipe or piling structure formed of an elongated polyethylene pipe or tube of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or another polyethylene material installed over a substantially rigid and incompressible hollow metal pipe or solid wood core having an outer diameter that is the same or slightly larger than a normal inside diameter of the polyethylene pipe or tube when measured in a relaxed state at ambient temperature. The polyethylene pipe or tube is, for example, a HDPE 3408 material formed of virgin PE 3408 resin as specified in ASTM D3350 with UV protection, and the pipe is produced to ASTM A-3408. The metal pipe core can be ferrous or nonferrous pipe.

Abstract: An example of a method comprises the steps of generating at a local node where a congestion emerges a first congestion information; sending the first congestion information to at least one upstream node; responsive to one received first congestion information comparing the content of the received first congestion information with a present local status based on a set of predefined rules in order to identify at least one packet stream causing the congestion, and generating a second congestion information comprising the identified at least one packet stream causing the congestion; and sending the second congestion information to at least one further upstream node from where the identified at least one packet stream was received.

Abstract: An optical component bowing device includes a bending moment generating structure. In a particular embodiment, the bending moment generating structure can have extension members that extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of an optical component. The extension members can be positioned adjacent longitudinal end portions of the optical component. The bending moment generating structure can also have loading members that load the extension members in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the optical component, whereby displacement of the extension members can generate a bending moment in a supported portion of the optical component that reflects or shapes a light beam. The bending moment generating structure can also include a reflective surface. Extension members on at least one end of the optical component can be T-shaped when seen in plan view in a direction orthogonal to the reflective surface.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Sedum plant, ‘Nonot’, characterized by its evergreen foliage that emerges chartreuse-yellow and stays this color throughout summer. During fall and winter the chartreuse-yellow coloration becomes variably suffused with red-purple. Its flowers of early to mid summer are bright lemon-yellow upon erect flat-topped inflorescences, atop stout, leafy, upright floral stems that emerge from a low-growing procumbent plant habit.