Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a droplet comprises a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a conductive elongate element, and a voltage source. The first conductive layer comprises a first hydrophobic surface. The second conductive layer comprises a hydrophilic surface facing the first hydrophobic surface. The second conductive layer is axially spaced from the first conductive layer to define a gap therebetween. The conductive medial element is disposed in the gap between the first and second conductive layers, and comprises a second hydrophobic surface. The voltage source communicates with the second conductive layer and the elongate element. By applying a voltage potential between the elongate element and the second conductive layer, droplets can be electrostatically actuated so as to move from the first conductive layer into contact with the second conductive layer. The apparatus is particularly useful in the synthesis of microarrays of biological, chemical, or biochemical samples.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mobile application part (MAP) screening include a signaling gateway having a MAP screening module. The MAP screening module includes a MAP screening process and a signalling connection control part (SCCP) screening process. The SCCP screening process determines whether the message is a candidate for MAP screening. The MAP screening process determines whether the message is a candidate for SCCP authorization.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing messages between a core network and a radio network controller are provided. A radio access network gateway translates messages from an ATM-based protocol to a non-ATM-based protocol, such as the stream control transmission protocol and vice versa. The radio access network gateway forwards the SCTP messages to the core network. In addition, the radio access network gateway receives messages from the core network formatted according to the core network protocol and translates these messages to an ATM-based protocol for communication to a radio network controller.

Abstract: An electric starter apparatus and method with three-stage gearing and method for starting an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a starter assembly, a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a fourth gear and an engine shaft. The starter assembly includes an electric starter motor and a starter motor shaft communicating with the starter motor. The starter motor shaft is rotatable in response to energizing of the starter motor. The first gear is attached to the starter motor shaft for rotation therewith. The second gear engages the first gear, the third gear engages the second gear, and the fourth gear engages the third gear. The fourth gear is attached to the engine shaft for communicating with an internal combustion engine. The engine is started by energizing the starter motor to rotate the starter motor shaft, the gears, and the engine shaft. The arrangement of gears enables the use of a low-torque/high-rpm electric starter motor in combination with a nickel-cadmium battery.

Abstract: A routing node for receiving, processing, and subsequently transmitting Signaling System 7 (SS7) signaling messages destined for a Media Gateway Controller (MGC) type network element is disclosed. A Circuit Identification Code (CIC) routing node is adapted to receive an ISUP message from an associated SS7 network and determine the routing destination of the message based, at least in part, on a CIC parameter value contained within the message. The ISUP message is subsequently encapsulated in an Internet Protocol (IP) envelope and transmitted to a destination node via an IP communication link. Such a CIC routing node also provides network service providers with a method of generally eliminating the need for the assignment of unique SS7 network point codes to each MGC node in a network. That is, a CIC routing node allows multiple MGC nodes to effectively correspond to a single SS7 network point code.

Abstract: Methods and systems for intelligent signaling-router-based surveillance are disclosed. A surveillance and signaling router receives call signaling messages, identifies call signaling messages associated with users under surveillance and determines a surveillance type for the call signaling messages. If the surveillance type is content-related, the surveillance and signaling router forwards the message to a call server. The call server replaces parameters in the message and in subsequent messages so that the call is transparently set up through a media proxy server. The media proxy server copies the media stream to a delivery function. If the surveillance type is non-content-related, the surveillance and signaling router sends a copy of the message or information extracted from the message to an external device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulations for corrosion-inhibiting, emulsifying, lubricating or as a surfactant in organic hydrocarbon and/or water based system containing an acyl amino acid derivative and a triazole derivative.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fast packet forwarding include traversing a trie data structure stored in on-chip memory based on bits in an input address. The bits in the input address result in a predetermined location in the data structure. The number of bits that have a first value and that are located before the determined location is calculated. The calculated number of bits corresponds to an offset in a second memory device of an address to which the packet having the input address is to be forwarded. The address can be extracted using a single access to an off-chip memory device.

Abstract: A quantizer for a sigma delta modulator comprising at least one preliminary stage V1, V2), the quantizer quantizing an input signal (EQ) present at it in accordance with at least one threshold signal (yth,i) and outputting it as a result value (yQ) at a digital result output (OUT), wherein the quantizer has a number of comparators (5j) corresponding to the number of threshold signals (yth,j), which compare the input signal (EQ) with the respective threshold signal (yth,j), the threshold signal being reduced or increased by a correction voltage (ydac3) or a correction current, the correction voltage or correction current being generated in accordance with the result value (yQ) output at the result output (OUT).

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing SIP trunk groups are disclosed. A SIP call processor identifies an incoming SIP trunk group based on one or more parameters associated with an incoming SIP message. The SIP call processor selects per-trunk-group call processing data based on the incoming SIP trunk group. The SIP call processor selectively processes the call based on the per-trunk-group call processing data selected for the incoming SIP trunk group.

Abstract: The invention relates to an LVDS driver for small supply voltages, particularly of less than 2.0 V, for producing a differential output signal (Pout, Nout), having a pull-up transistor (P3, P4) and a pull-down transistor (P1, P2), respectively, for switching the output voltages which are output at the outputs (Pout, Nout). An optimum switching response and hence an undistorted differential signal can be produced by virtue of the pull-up and pull-down transistors (P1–P4) being in the form of PMOS transistors.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers (FIG. 1) with integrated active energy patient assist dispersal systems are configured with control systems which provide adjustable energy output responsive to the user's inspiratory capabilities and/or the flowability of the dry powder being administered. The multi-dose dry drug package (FIG. 2) a piezoelectric polymer substrate which flexes to deform and provide mechanical oscillation in a selected region of the package corresponding to the dry powder drug which is dispersed during inhalation by a user. Control system (FIG. 12) employs fuzzy logic to relate in response to a user's inspiratory effort.

Abstract: Imaging agents for magnetic resonance imaging are disclosed. Methods of monitoring angiogenesis and the growth and remission of tumor tissue are also disclosed. Methods of monitoring blood clot formation and dissolution are additionally disclosed. Methods of monitoring wound healing are further disclosed. A kit for obtaining an image of a biological structure is further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses gradients and methods of forming gradients. The gradients can form a component of a molecular machine, such as those disclosed herein. The molecular machines of the present invention can perform a range of tasks including nanoparticle heterostructure assembly, derivatization of a nanoparticle and synthesis of biomolecules, to name just a few applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying calls connected without answer supervision and for automatically generating billing information for these calls are disclosed. A monitoring device copies signaling messages associated with calls. The signaling messages are correlated into call detail records. The call detail records are analyzed to identify calls connected without answer supervision. In one implementation, calls that exceed a predetermined duration and for which no answer message was returned from the terminating end office are identified as calls without answer supervision. For these calls, billing records may be generated and forwarded to a network billing center.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of simultaneously identifying and determining the levels of expression of cysteine-containing proteins in normal and perturbed cells, a method for proteomic analysis, a process for preparing fusion proteins, and compounds of Formula II and III: (II) Acyl-NH—X-[Epitope Tag Site]A-Y-[Protease Cleavage Site]-Z-Link (III) Acyl-NH—X-alk-O-Ph-CH2—Z-Link and reagents related thereto.

Abstract: Device and method for noise suppression in telephone equipment, in particular with hands-free equipment, having a level discriminator, an additional filter with a group propagation time of less than 2 ms being inserted into the transmission and receiving paths of the telephone equipment.

Abstract: A power tool (1) has a percussive driving implement for driving an impact tool (8). The driving implement, which may be hydraulic or pneumatic, retracts the impact tool (8) on its return stroke, against the force developed by heavy-duty elastic ropes (24). During the impact stroke the impact tool (8) is urged downwardly by the elastic ropes and, if the tool is upright, by gravity. At the start of the impact stroke the ram (10) is uncoupled by a ball clutch. At the beginning of the return stroke the ball clutch acts to couple the ram once again to the weight (20) and impact tool (8), in order to lift these to the retracted position. The uncoupling of the ram for the impact stroke reduces the loss arising from the resistance of the ram.

Abstract: A network element that is capable facilitating the routing and accounting of messages between a plurality of network elements that do not share a common signaling application protocol nor a common transport protocol suite. In one embodiment of the present invention, a Multi-Protocol Gateway (MPG) is adapted to receive a signaling message and subsequently translate both the signaling and transport protocol suite prior to message routing. The MPG node is also configured to create and maintain usage and measurements data that may subsequently be used to produce billing records.