Abstract: A method of preparing a N-acyl-N,N?,N?-alkylenediamine trialkanoic acid ester comprising contacting a cyclic amidine with an ester of a haloalkanoic acid is provided. In some embodiments, the method involves preparing a N-acyl-N,N?,N?-ethylenediamine trialkanoic acid ester by contacting a 2-alkyl imidazoline with the ester of haloalkanoic acid. In some embodiments, the N-acyl-N,N?,N?-alkylenediamine trialkanoic acid ester is a synthetic intermediate in the preparation of a N-acyl-N,N?,N?-alkylenediamine trialkanoic acid or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, the method provides novel N-acyl-N,N?,N?-alkylenediamine trialkanoic acids and/or esters, which can be used, for example, as chelating agents.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first endpoint, session data associated with a first Internet Protocol (IP) packet. The IP packet is associated with a session within a Session over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network and the session is associated with a call. An instruction, based on the session data, is sent from the first endpoint to a second endpoint. The instruction is configured to trigger the second endpoint to modify a priority indicator associated with at least one of the first IP packet or a second IP packet associated with the call.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes a distributed hybrid renewable energy power plant. One exemplary hybrid renewable energy power plant includes a plurality of renewable energy power generation sources that are distributed over a geographic area. A plurality of grid interface boxes connect each of the renewable energy power generation sources to a power distribution grid, measure power output by each of the renewable energy power generation sources, and regulate power delivered to the grid by each of the renewable energy power generation sources.

Abstract: Solid state lighting devices and illumination methods involve use of multiple solid state emitters of different colored outputs (optionally including at least one white or near-white emitter). Operation of the solid state emitters is controlled with at least one circuit element to emphasize and/or deemphasize perception of at least one color of a target surface based upon a reflectance spectral distribution of the target surface. At least one emitter may have an associated passive or active filter; the filterable emitter and/or active filter may be operated to deemphasize perception of at least one color of a target surface. Activation and/or alteration of emphasis or deemphasis of perception of color of a target surface may be selected by a user or automatically controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes W interfaces to a circuit-switched network, where W is an integer number that equals the product of smaller integer numbers X and N. The apparatus also includes X discrete switching apparatus each having N ones of the W network interfaces, as well as a plurality of switching-expansion interconnects each interconnecting ones of the X switching apparatus, such that the W network interfaces are collectively interconnected in a non-blocking manner.

Abstract: A media gateway includes a non-packet switching matrix operable to switch non-packetized data, a packet switching matrix operable to switch packetized data, a plurality of processing resources coupled to the non-packet and packet switching matrices, each processing resource processing a substantially equal load of multimedia sessions processed by the media gateway without inactive protecting resources.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for number portability with local directory number support are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter herein includes a system for providing number translation with local directory number support. The system includes a communications node for receiving, from a message source, a first message that includes information identifying a subscriber. The system also includes a number translation module, operatively associated with the communications node, for determining a network address and a local directory number associated with the identified a subscriber, and for at least one of: including the network address and local directory number in the first message and forwarding the first message to a destination of the first message; and including the network address and local directory number in a second message and sending the second message to the source of the first message.

Abstract: Surgical release apparatuses, systems and methods are provided. The apparatuses, systems and methods can include one or more cannulas having a base and an insertion body extending from the base with a chamber passing through the base and the insertion body. The cannula can have a movable retractor attached thereto. The retractor configured to facilitate creation of space between the insertion body of the cannula and the retractor. An obturator can be used and can provide a support body configured for insertion into the chamber of the cannula to facilitate the guidance of the cannula. A blade can be provided with a handle, a blade body, and a cutting edge. The blade configured for engaging and being guided by the cannula for the cutting edge to make an incision. One or more spatulas can also be provided. The spatulas can be configured to provide guidance to the blade.

Abstract: A session controller configured to receive a data packet from a packet-switched network having multiple communication links is disclosed. The disclosed session controller is further configured to define a call-routing policy based on layer-five information, layer-two information, layer-three information and layer-seven information from the data packet. The call-routing policy is configured to define a least-cost routing (LCR) call route for an ingress call over at least one of the plurality of communication links. The LCR call route is associated with an operational cost that is lower than an operational cost associated with at least one other call route over at least one communication link from the plurality of communication links. The session controller is also configured to associate the ingress call to an egress-call peer based on the call routing policy.

Abstract: Surface structured decorative boards (1) having a first and a second opposite edge (1I and 1II respectively). The board (1) include an upper side decorative surface (2) an upper side surface structure and a base layer. The structure is comprised by at least two surface grades (10) forming a decorative surface pattern on said upper side, said pattern being applied in predetermined fixed positions (P) on the first and the second edges (1I and 1II respectively). The first edge pattern positions (PL) and the second edge pattern positions (PR) are matched so that the pattern continues over the first and second edges (1I and 1II respectively) of adjacent boards (1).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a quality of service (QoS) using E.164 number mapping (ENUM) data in a communications network. According to one method, a query message including an E.164 number can be received. Next, at least one uniform resource identifier (URI) associated with the E.164 number can be located. Afterwards, QoS data corresponding to the at least one URI is subsequently obtained. Further, the query message can be responded to with the URI and the corresponding QoS data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fractional bit encoder (1) and a method for encoding a data stream into code word identifiers for a physical line encoder (13), wherein said fractional bit encoder (1) comprises a (1:K) demultiplexer (3) for a de-multiplexing a received data stream into a predetermined number (K) of bit streams, a first (K1:n) multiplexer (4) for re-multiplexing a first number (K1) of said K bit streams onto n parallel lines transporting n re-multiplexed bit streams and a second multiplexer (5) re-multiplexing a second number (K2) of said K bit streams (K2:1) onto a single line transporting one further re-multiplexed bit stream, wherein n=[ld(M)] and M being a configurable number of different code word identifiers, a class detector (7) which evaluates the first n re-multiplexed bit streams to determine a class of the respective bit combination and a word encoder (10) which encodes the respective bit combination depending on the determined class of the bit combination.

Abstract: Communication apparatus having interfaces for exchanging data with first and second neighbors, a memory for storing codec information regarding the communication apparatus and a control entity operative to detect a message from the first neighbor, the first message being indicative of codec information regarding an originating entity. In response, the control entity assesses compatibility between the codec information regarding the originating entity and the codec information regarding the communication apparatus. If the assessment is positive, the control entity self-identifies the communication apparatus as a candidate for terminally supporting a subsequent codec-bypass negotiation with the originating entity. If the assessment is negative, the control entity self-identifies the communication apparatus as a candidate for non-terminally supporting such negotiation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for designing electromagnetic wave filters and electromagnetic wave filters designed using the methods and systems are disclosed. In one method, functions are selected whose linear combination define the surface of a filter for producing a desired phase-encoded image. Free parameter values are selected for the function and are varied. The values of the free parameters are observed with regard to an optimization function. Final values of the free parameters are selected based on the optimization function having a specific value or range of values.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing cell cultures. The apparatus comprises a micro-chamber comprising no more than one absorption layer and at least one gel layer, in this order, laminated on a transparent base plate having no conspicuous absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and at least one light source, the absorption layer having absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and the gel-like material being a substance which has a gel dissolution temperature of 100 degree C. or less, solates when heated and is in a gel state at room temperature and has absorbency for a specific wave length of visible and infrared regions, and the light source having a monochromatic light in the specific wave length, wherein the light source is disposed such that it irradiates on the absorption layer and/or the gel layer, with the exception that when no absorption layer is provided, at least two layers each composed of a gel-like material are laminated on the transparent base plate.

Abstract: The present invention presents a thermosensitive recording medium having excellent color development, image quality and preservation properties as well as excellent stamp receptivity, anti-scratching ability, printability and water blocking resistance. The present invention is a thermosensitive recording medium having a thermosensitive recording layer comprising at least a colorless or pale colored basic leuco dye and an electron accepting developing agent as a coating layer on a substrate, wherein at least an outermost layer among the thermosensitive recording layer and other optionally prepared coated layers contains rice starch particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle window consisting of a transparent composite material, wherein the composite material comprises fibers and a matrix material such that the vehicle window is capable of withstanding structural loads occurring in the window region and can substantially provide the window function even in spite of damage to the vehicle window (damage-tolerant), the fibers and the matrix material being transparent and substantially having the same refractive index. The invention proposes vehicle windows which are damage-tolerant, load bearing, cost-saving, easy to handle and require less installation space than conventional vehicle windows.

Abstract: Techniques for negotiation techniques for mobile personal trusted device financial transactions are provided. A user of a mobile personal trusted device sets user preferences that define the user's preferred parameters for conducting financial transactions. A merchant sets merchant preferences that define the merchant's preferred parameters for conducting financial transactions. When a financial transaction is initiated, a user preference and a merchant preferences are accessed. A negotiated preference is generated that accommodates both the user preference and the merchant preference. If the user preference and the merchant preference are not mutually exclusive, the negotiated preference attempts to satisfy both preferences. If the user preference and the merchant preference are mutually exclusive, the negotiated preference satisfies at least one of the two preferences based on which of the two preferences has a higher priority. The financial transaction is conducted based on the negotiated preference.

Abstract: A method of providing access to telecommunication services involves receiving a routing information request for terminating a communication with a mobile station located within a visited geographic region, the routing information request including a directory number local to the visited geographic region. A subscriber identity associated with the received directory number is then dynamically selecting from an evaluation of a decision tree, the decision tree associating a reference directory number with a plurality of reference subscriber identities. Each reference subscriber identity is associated with a telecommunications service user, each user being registered to receive telecommunication services within a respective home geographic region, the home geographic region being different from the visited geographic region. The mobile station receives access to the telecommunication services within the visited geographic region via the selected subscriber identity.

Abstract: A saline solution for a clinical or cosmetic use which consists essentially of a solution in water of sodium ions in major amount and potassium ions in minor amount, together with physiologically acceptable counter ions, being isotonic or optionally slightly hypertonic or hypotonic with respect to blood plasma or tears or an otherwise relevant biological fluid, and being substantially free of calcium ions, magnesium ions, phosphate ions, bicarbonate ions and also glucose, sucrose, food starch or other glucose-releasing saccharides, for use as a more cell-friendly alternative to normal saline.