Abstract: A system and method for performing compound computational experiments include an experiment having at least one input. The experiment includes a process controllable by a computer and responsive to the input to produce at least one output, the output capable of being stored on a medium readable by the computer. The system includes a generator capable of running on the computer. The generator automates the performance of a plurality of experiments and automatically varies the inputs for the experiments. An outcome store of the system stores the outputs on the computer-readable medium. The system also includes a display capable of running on the computer. The display presents an interpretation of a set of the outputs extracted from the outcome store. The display is responsive to user input to alter the interpretation, to present an interpretation of a different set of outputs, or to cause the generator to perform a plurality of experiments.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of a radio receiver can consume a relatively large amount of power. It is typically desirable to minimize power consumption, particularly with battery-powered devices, such as in wireless receivers. In certain conditions, the effective number of bits (ENOB) required from an ADC of a receiver can vary. The power consumption of certain ADC topologies, such as pipelined converter topologies, can vary with the number of bits. One embodiment dynamically varies the ENOB of an ADC to more optimally consume power. This can extend battery life.

Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for performing switching between 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive modes and locking and unlocking of differential mechanism by an operational shaft can include a driving device comprising a reversible motor, a rotational member rotationally driven by the motor and provided with a contacting member. A spring can be arranged on the rotational member, a connecting member can be arranged to be abutted by one end of the spring so as to be rotated by the rotational member via the coil spring, and a driving shaft can be rotatably arranged relative to the rotational member and engaged by the operational shaft in its rotational direction and adapted to be rotated by the rotational member via the connecting member. A stay can be engaged by the driving shaft in its rotational direction and provided with a contacting member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing wireless waterproof audio to a user in an aquatic environment. The systems may include earphones adapted to be waterproof and coupled to a receiver for receiving a wireless signal. The systems may also include a waterproof housing containing a transmitter and adapted to receive an electronic audio device such that the signal generated by the device may be transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: A suspension packaging assembly includes a packaging member having a base member and at least one lateral support wall. Preferably, the packaging member includes a pair of opposing support walls. The base member is connected to the support walls through one or more compound joints, which are configured to permit displacement of the base member relative to the support walls. The packaging assembly may include a stretchable retention member, which cooperates with the packaging member to suspend at least one article.

Abstract: A user agent residing within a remote client and configured to enforce message protocol policy is disclosed. The user agent includes a communications monitoring element that examines a communications connection between the client and an external message server to determine if the message server matches a restricted server attribute. The user agent also includes a communications controller element that works with the communications monitoring element to block communications between the client and the message server when the message server matches a restricted server attribute unless the communications are monitored by a protocol inspection gateway.

Abstract: Liquid infusion apparatus includes non-magnetic materials in a pumping structure and drive motor therefor, and in a controller that supplies drive signals to the motor to facilitate convenient operation in intense magnet fields without distorting the magnetic fields and without radiating objectionable radio-frequency interference.

Abstract: A compound having a hyperglycemia improving effect and a hemoglobin A1c lowering action such as 4-methylcholest-7-en-3-ol, 4-methylergost-7-en-3-ol and 4-methylstigmast-7-en-3-ol is used as an active ingredient of a drug or food or drink for improving hyperglycemia.

Abstract: A plating apparatus and method for deposition of a conductive material on a semiconductor wafer having surface portions and cavity portions. A differential in an adsorbed concentration of an additive, including accelerators or suppressors, between a surface portion and a cavity portion of a wafer surface is established in a chamber. A mask or sweeper may be used to establish the differential. After establishing the differential in the chamber, the conductive material is electrodeposited to form a conductive layer on the surface in another chamber.

Abstract: A relatively high-speed serial data transmitter incorporates built in self test (BIST). The BIST circuit advantageously provides tests modes to obviate the need to build expensive test equipment for high-speed serial data devices, such as a serializer/deserializer (SerDes) or other transceivers. Multiple data paths in a finite impulse response (FIR) filter of transmitter of the SerDes or a transceiver can be independently tested. The transmitter output can also be selectively degraded to test a receiver of a transceiver. An attenuated output signal can be provided to test receiver sensitivity. A low-pass filter can be invoked to emulate a backplane, while a loopback circuit can provide the emulated backplane attenuation to the receiver to permit testing of the equalization circuitry of a receiver without requiring the presence of an actual backplane for testing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising polymer bound manganese compounds as reducing agents and the use of such manganese compounds in cleaning compositions, particularly to machine dishwashing compositions comprising a protein bound manganese compound as a silver corrosion protection agent and the use of such a manganese compound in dishwashing compositions.

Abstract: A system for performing storage operations using hierarchically configured storage operation cells. The system includes a first storage manager component and a first storage operation cell. The first storage operation cell has a second storage manager component directed to performing storage operations in the first storage operation cell. Moreover, the first storage manager component is programmed to instruct the second storage manager regarding performance of storage operations in the first storage operation cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator/filtration unit to remove approximately 50-75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.

Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system is disclosed in which self-encoding microspheres having distinct characteristic optical response signatures to specific target analytes may be mixed together while the ability is retained to identify the sensor type and location of each sensor in a random dispersion of large numbers of such sensors in a sensor array using an optically interrogatable encoding scheme. An optical fiber bundle sensor is also disclosed in which individual microsphere sensors are disposed in microwells at a distal end of the fiber bundle and are optically coupled to discrete fibers or groups of fibers within the bundle. The identities of the individual sensors in the array are self-encoded by exposing the array to a reference analyte while illuminating the array with excitation light energy.

Abstract: The electrical equipment comprises electrical elements corresponding to at least one phase of the distribution network and housed in a tank. The equipment is insulated with a dielectric liquid wherein the elements are immersed. The equipment comprises an input for each phase in the tank, and also a protection device, associated with at least one failure detector and configured so that, in the event of detecting such a failure, a short circuit will be established in the phases. The protection device is situated so as to establish the short circuit in a position before any protection, control or transformer element of the electrical equipment.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining the relative binding affinities of molecules for their binding partner. One type of molecule is an antibody, which has an antigen binding partner. Antibodies are tested for binding against limited dilutions of antigen. Antibodies that bind to the most dilute antigen concentrations are determined to have a higher relative binding affinity for the antigen than antibodies that only bind to more concentrated antigen preparations.

Abstract: A deposition station allows atomic layer deposition (ALD) of films onto a substrate. The station comprises an upper and a lower substantially flat part between which a substrate is accommodated. The parts are positioned opposite each other and parallel to the substrate during processing. At least one of the parts is provided with a plurality of gas channels that allow at least two mutually reactive reactants to be discharged out of that part to the substrate. The discharge is configured to occur in a sequence of alternating, separated pulses for ALD. In addition, each part is preferably configured to be about 1 mm or less from the substrate to minimize the volume of the reaction chamber to increase the efficiency with which gases are purged from the chamber. Also, for each reactant, the upper and lower parts are preferably kept at a temperature outside of the window in which optimal ALD of that reactant occurs, thereby minimizing deposition of that reactant on deposition station surfaces.