Abstract: In one embodiment a communication method comprises the steps of receiving a query at Layer 2 from an entry node by way of a coordinated network, the query requesting data rates of network resources of the coordinated network; transmitting a Layer 2 request for an available data rate to each of a plurality of nodes connected to the coordinated network in response to the query; receiving a first Layer 2 response to said request from one or more of the plurality of nodes, wherein the first response includes a data rate with which each of the one or more nodes is capable of transmitting or receiving data; and transmitting a list of the received data rates to at least the entry node on the coordinated network.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a semiconductor substrate and a color image sensor array on the substrate. The color image sensor array has a first configuration of color pixels for collecting color image data, and at least one crosstalk test pattern on the substrate proximate the color image sensor array. The crosstalk test pattern includes a plurality of color sensing pixels arranged for making color crosstalk measurements. The test pattern configuration is different from the first configuration.

Abstract: A method of imparting a shape memory effect to hair may include administrating an effective amount of a hair-conditioning agent to hair. The hair-conditioning agent may include a shape memory polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, an acrylic acid copolymer, a pyridine-based copolymer, and a pyrrolidone copolymer.

Abstract: A motor is provided that includes magnetic poles, an armature core, armature coils, a commutator, and power supply brushes. The armature core includes teeth arranged in the circumferential direction to extend in a radial pattern. The armature coils include inner layer coils and outer layer coils. Each of the inner layer coils is wound around radially proximal end portions of two circumferentially adjacent teeth or a radially proximal end portion of one of the teeth. The inner layer coils are arranged in the circumferential direction without overlapping each other in the radial direction. Each of the outer layer coils is wound around radially distal end portions of two circumferentially adjacent teeth by distributed winding. The outer layer coils are arranged radially outward of the inner layer coils and are arranged in the circumferential direction without overlapping each other in the radial direction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a static random access memory (SRAM) array coupled to a first voltage supply node and a second voltage supply node. The first and second voltage supply nodes provide a retention voltage across the SRAM array. A current limiter is disposed between the SRAM array and the first voltage supply node, and a voltage regulator is coupled in parallel with the current limiter between the SRAM array and the first voltage supply node. The voltage regulator is configured to maintain the retention voltage across the SRAM array above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

Abstract: A video-processing device is provided for processing a main video data flow and a secondary video data flow. The secondary video data flow constitutes a scaled version of the main video data flow. The video-processing device comprises a tap-off unit (T, T2) having an input for receiving the main video data flow. The tap-off unit (T, T2) comprises at least a first and second output, wherein each of the outputs corresponds to the input of the tap-off unit. A first H- and V-scaling unit (HVS1) is coupled to the first output of the tap-off unit (T, T2) for performing a first H- and V-scaling on the main video flow. A second H- and V-scaling unit (HVS2) is coupled to the second output of the tap-off unit for performing a second H- and V-scaling on the secondary video flow to provide a scaled secondary video flow. By tapping-off the main video flow there is no need for the device to access a memory to extract the video data from the main video flow to provide a secondary video flow.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a first circulation module and a second circulation module. Two circulation modules are joined by a heat exchanger. The first circulation is a modular refrigeration system includes a compressor, expansion device, and heat exchangers. The second circulation module includes a main liquid refrigerant tank, a number of distributed liquid refrigerant tanks, liquid pumps and a plurality of indoor units which includes a heat exchange device and a vapor propelling device. The heat exchange device is connected to the main liquid tank. The vapor propelling device propels the working fluid in a saturated vapor state to the first heat exchanger, thus forming a working fluid loop. It can be switched between the heating and cooling modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of finding suitable parameters for the chromatographic purification of biomolecules. The method consists of equilibration, charging, washing and eluting steps, this sequence of steps being carried out by the partial batch method. The parameters determined in small, preferably numerous parallel test batches provide conclusions as to the chromatography conditions under which a given biomolecule can be purified optimally by column chromatography, optionally even on a larger scale.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for studying the dissolution of particles in the air/blood barrier of the respiratory tract. A device for simulating the interaction of particles (203) delivered to the air/blood barrier of the respiratory tract comprises: a perfusion chamber (101) adapted to receive and deliver a flow of perfusion fluid; a semi permeable membrane (205) coated on one side with a barrier layer (204) adapted to interact with the particles; and a first sheet formed organ (202) having a surface distributed with the particles. The membrane (205) is arranged to be a fluid contact with the perfusion fluid, while the first sheet formed organ (202) is arranged to contact the barrier layer (204) of the membrane (205), in order to simulate the dissolution of the particles (203) in the air/blood barrier when perfusion fluid flows through the perfusion chamber (101), along the membrane (205).

Abstract: A power control apparatus in the form of a standard, toggle, wall-mounted light switch for remote actuation of an electrical load or local manual override. A switch housing supports and retains a latching relay that includes power terminals, a switching terminal for remote actuation by a control signal, and a manual override. A switch lever extends from the body of the switch housing for manual actuation to override the state of the relay. The switch lever engages the manual override of the latching relay upon manual actuation by a person. A centering structure maintains the switch lever in a centered position to allow unimpeded movement of the manual override. The latching relay can be remotely actuated by a signal at its switching terminal to switch a power load connected to the power terminals on or off, or the relay can be manually overridden by actuation of the switch lever.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector in accordance with the present invention prevents its components from being assembled incorrectly and comprises a distal housing, a core tube, an extension tube, a spring, a proximal housing and an end tube. The distal housing has a slot. The core tube is mounted longitudinally in the distal housing and has a distal tube and a proximal tube. The extension tube is mounted around and connected to the proximal tube. The spring is mounted around the proximal tube of the core tube and the extension tube. The proximal housing is connected to the distal housing and mounted around the core tube, the extension tube and the spring and has an assembly protrusion that is mounted slidably in the slot to prevent the proximal housing from being connected to the distal housing incorrectly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray drying system and a method for its operation that provides a composition of dry. or essentially solvent free, particles from a solution of an agent. The system comprises a generally vertical tube reactor arranged for counter-current removal of solvent from a process flow fed with aerosol droplets of solution descending from the top said reactor with an ascending gas flow. The reactor includes a perforated process tube for transportation of the process flow from the outlet of an aerosol generating device to a dry particle collecting device. A membrane sleeve essentially surrounds the peripheral area of said process tube and separates the descending process stream from the ascending gas stream. Vaporized solvent is transported from the process stream to the ascending gas stream. A reactor housing is sealingly covering said process tube and membrane sleeve and is provided with means for introducing and/or removing the process fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric vehicle motor automatic transmission driving system. The motor automatic transmission driving system includes a motor, a gear transmission, one or more battery groups and a control system. The control system includes a motor controller, a system controller, a battery voltage sensor, a battery current sensor, a first rotation speed encoder, a second rotation speed encoder, a fork position sensor group, a transmission oil (fluid) temperature sensor and a pressure source sensor. The power input of the motor controller is connected with the outputs of one or more battery groups respectively via a first power leads, the power output of the motor controller is connected with the power input of the motor via a second power lead. According to the invention, the motor shaft also act as the first shaft of the gear transmission and the said motor is an AC induction motor or an AC permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electricity by exploiting changes in spontaneous polarization that occur in electrically polarizable materials is described. The method uses an internally generated field to achieve poling during cycling. The internal poling field is produced by retaining residual free charges on the electrodes at the appropriate point of each cycle. The method obviates the need for applying a DC voltage during cycling and permits the use of the electrical energy that occurs during poling rather than an external poling voltage which detracts from the net energy produced per cycle. The method is not limited to a specific thermodynamic cycle and can be used with any thermodynamic cycle for converting heat to electricity by thermally cycling electrically polarizable materials. The electrical energy generated can be used in various applications or stored for later use. An apparatus for converting heat to electricity is also described.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical imaging lens system in order from an object side to an image side including: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, a third lens element with positive refractive power, and a fourth lens element having a concave image-side surface, and at least one of the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric; wherein the optical imaging lens system further comprises an aperture stop and an electronic sensor on which an object is imaged, and the aperture stop is positioned between an object and the first lens element; wherein there are four lens elements with refractive power. By such arrangement, total track length and photosensitivity of the optical imaging lens system can be effectively reduced while retaining high image quality.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an LCD includes a front frame having a flange and a rear cover having a flange defining a housing therebetween, a liquid crystal (LC) panel placed in the housing, a backlight positioned between the LC panel and the rear cover, and a backlight frame having a first engaging structure configured to receive the flanges of the front frame and the rear cover, and a second engaging structure configured to retain the backlight and the LC panel in the housing.

Abstract: An instrument assembly for placing a guide pin in a femoral neck of a patient with reference to a medullary guide wire for use in resurfacing a femoral head. The assembly comprises a femoral neck clamp configured to define a femoral neck center. A pin guide attaches to the femoral neck clamp. A pin guide portion of the pin guide is configured to define a pin guide path passing through the neck center. The pin guide portion is linked to pin guide engagement portion of an adjustable goniometer. The goniometer maintains a specific angle between the pin guide engagement portion and the medullary guide wire, and in turn maintains the pin guide path at the specific angle.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, X and Y are as defined herein, are useful as inhibitors of HIV replication.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. Compounds according to the invention bind to and are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists of the CB2 receptor, and are useful for treating inflammation. Those compounds which are agonists are additionally useful for treating pain.