Abstract: A portable plasma arc torch system can be used for processing materials. The system includes a replaceable or rechargeable power source and replaceable or rechargeable gas source. A controller communicates with at least one of the power source or the gas source. A plasma delivery device received via the controller current from the power source and gas from the gas source to generate a plasma arc at an output of the plasma delivery device. The plasma arc can be used to process materials such as metallic workpieces. The plasma arc torch can include a wearable portable assembly which includes the replaceable or rechargeable power and gas source. A plasma delivery device receives current from the power source in the assembly and gas from the gas source in the assembly to generate a plasma arc.

Abstract: A laser beam welding head for the welding of metal parts and method of use include at least one beam path for a welding beam and means for the optical acquisition of the position of the welding seam at a first measuring position, wherein the means for the optical acquisition of the position of the welding seam allow arrangement of the first measuring position in the welding direction running ahead of the welding position of the welding beam, and, at least as a function of a lateral deviation of the welding seam from a reference position, generate a correction signal for the correction of the welding position of the welding beam, as well as a corresponding use of the laser beam welding head.

Abstract: Described is a method of providing an interactive application over a network. Executable instructions to display foreground content and background content can be transmitted over a network to a client device. The client device can transmit data identifying a positional location of a user-selected element of the foreground content in the foreground display to a server. The server can determine a next state of the interactive application based on the current state of the interactive application and the positional location of the user-selected element. The server can transmit a next set of executable instructions causing the client device to manipulate one or more of the individual elements in the foreground display according to the next state of the interactive application.

Abstract: A contactless system and method for estimating the volume, mass or weight of a target animal is provided. First, the target animal is imaged, preferably with a stereoscopic camera. A spatial representation of the target animal is derived from the stereoscopic images. Next, a virtual three-dimensional spatial model is provided, preferably having a shape resembling that of a characteristic of the animal to which the target animal belongs. A software module is provided to reshape the virtual spatial model, using a finite set of independently configurable shape variables, to approximately fit the spatial representation of the individual animal. Finally, the volume, mass or weight of the target animal is estimated as a function of shape variables characterizing the reshaped virtual model.

Abstract: A nozzle for a plasma torch can include a body that has an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal end, and an exit orifice at a distal end. The nozzle can also include a liner surrounded by the inner surface of the body. The liner can include a proximal end and an exit orifice at a distal end adjacent the exit orifice of the body. The nozzle can include at least one vent passage formed in the body. The vent passage can have an inlet formed in the inner surface of the body and an outlet formed in the outer surface of the body. The vent passage can be disposed between the proximal end of the body and the proximal end of the liner. The plasma arc torch can include a configuration that allows for increased electrode life and nozzle life for a vented high current plasma process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide measurement of a constituent of a fluid, such as ozone in ozonated water. The apparatus includes a vessel to contain the fluid, a light source configured to direct a first band of light and a second band of light along a substantially shared path though the fluid, and a photosensor that senses the first band of light and the second band of light. The constituent has a greater absorption associated with the first band of light than with the second band of light. The method includes modification of a measured attribute of the component in response to the sensed second band of light to improve the accuracy of the measured attribute.

Abstract: An automated method for cutting a plurality of hole features using a plasma arc torch system can be implemented on a computer numerical controller. The automated method can include the steps of: a) cutting a lead-in for a hole feature using a lead-in command speed based on a diameter of that hole feature and b) cutting a perimeter for the hole feature using a perimeter command speed greater than the corresponding lead-in command speed for the hole feature. The automated method can also include the step c) of repeating steps a) and b) for each additional hole feature having a same diameter or a different diameter.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamic rate adjustment to splice video streams. A splicer receives a first compressed video stream of bits and buffers the first video stream of bits in a first buffer. The splicer receives a second compressed video stream of bits to splice into the first compressed video stream. The splicer buffers the second compressed video stream of bits in a second buffer. The splicer determines a departure time for a splice in-point of the second compressed video stream of bits. The splicer adjusts a rate of the first compressed video stream of bits, a rate of the second compressed video stream of bits, or both to achieve the departure time.

Abstract: An actor is associated with a role, a policy type is associated with the role, and a role scope is associated with the role. One or more values are received for one or more corresponding context parameters associated with the actor. A request for access to a resource is received from the actor. A policy instance is determined based on the policy type and the one or more values for the one or more corresponding context parameters associated with the actor. One or more actor-role scope values are determined based on the role scope and the one or more values for the one or more corresponding context parameters associated with the actor. A response to the request is determined based on the policy instance and the actor-role scope values.

Abstract: A system and methods are described for generating reagent ions and product ions for use in a mass spectrometry system. Applications for the system and method are also disclosed for detecting volatile organic compounds in trace concentrations. A microwave or high-frequency RF energy source ionizes particles of a reagent vapor to form reagent ions. The reagent ions enter a chamber, such as a drift chamber, to interact with a fluid sample. An electric field directs the reagent ions and facilitates an interaction with the fluid sample to form product ions. The reagent ions and product ions then exit the chamber under the influence of an electric field for detection by a mass spectrometer module. The system includes various control modules for setting values of system parameters and analysis modules for detection of mass and peak intensity values for ion species during spectrometry and faults within the system.

Abstract: Non-ablative skin resurfacing can include generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of about 1920 nm to about 1950 nm and a fluence of about 3 J/cm2 to about 6 J/cm2. The electromagnetic radiation is delivered to a target region of skin to cause thermal injury to the epidermis in the target region sufficient to elicit a healing response that produces a substantially improved skin condition without detachment of the epidermis (e.g., within 3 days of treatment).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for optimizing allocation of resources across stories for a release within an Agile development environment. The method includes receiving (i) resource information representing a plurality of resources available for allocation to the stories, (ii) one or more story definitions, each story definition comprising a unique identifier and one or more story-level constraints corresponding to a story, (iii) release information, (iv) iteration information, and (iv) one or more optimization criteria. The method also includes generating a plurality of story-level allocation scenarios and determining one or more optimized story-level allocation scenarios from the plurality of story-level allocation scenarios. Each story-level allocation scenario satisfies the one or more story-level constraints associated with each story definition.

Abstract: A delivery device (20, 22) for and a method of delivering a substance to the nasal airway (1) of a subject, in particular the posterior region of the nasal airway, the delivery device comprising: a closure unit for causing the closure of the oropharyngeal velum of the subject; and a delivery unit for delivering a gas flow entraining a substance to one of the nostrils of the subject at such a driving pressure as to flow around the posterior margin of the nasal septum and out of the other nostril of the subject, wherein the delivery unit comprises a nosepiece (30, 40, 58, 82, 102, 132) which includes an outlet through which the gas flow is in use delivered to the one nostril and a sealing member for sealing the one nostril to the outlet such as in use to prevent the escape of the gas flow through the one nostril.

Abstract: An ionic liquid ion source can include a microfabricated body including a base and a tip. The microfabricated body can be formed of a porous metal compatible (e.g., does not react or result in electrochemical decaying or corrosion) with an ionic liquid or a room-temperature molten salt. The microfabricated body can have a pore size gradient that decreases from the base of the body to the tip of the body, so that the ionic liquid can be transported through capillarity from the base to the tip.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for canonical scheduling for heterogeneous content delivery. A content stream of bits is preprocessed by dividing the content stream of bits into data packets and assigning a timestamp to each data packet. The preprocessed content stream of bits is transmitted upon request from a receiver. A second timestamp based on the assigned timestamp from at least a portion of the respective data packets is established. The data packets are scheduled for transmission based on the second timestamp. The data packets are transmitted based on the schedule.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for authenticating the usage of an application. A request to execute an application is received from a user device. The application is executed based on the request. An application-level usage indicator is received from the user device. The application-level usage indicator corresponds to current operation of the application by a user and comprises at least (i) user input commands and (ii) passive usage metrics. The identity of the user is determined by comparing the application-level usage indicator with a pre-established user profile wherein the user profile is associated with previous operation of the application by the user and comprises at least (i) user input commands and (ii) passive usage metrics. Execution of the application is terminated at the user device if the identified user is not entitled to use the application according to the user profile.

Abstract: A target income mix is expressed as a set of weights in a portfolio of one or more classes of income generating financial products to meet a first income need indicative of essential expenses and a second income need indicative of discretionary expenses for a user. The target income mix is converted to dollar amounts to invest in the classes of income generating products to meet the first and second income needs. Using the target income mix percentage weights, initial purchase amounts are determined from the user's available assets. The initial purchase amounts for each of the classes of income generating products can be adjusted until the overall portfolio is projected to produce enough after-tax income to meet the first income need at a first predetermined confidence level or return assumption and meet the first income need and the second income need at a second predetermined confidence level.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a semifinished product for producing an inlay, in particular for chip cards, stored value cards, identification documents, or the like, having at least two electronic components, all electronic components being arranged in a relative configuration on a carrier substrate to implement a component configuration and the component configuration being arranged in a filler material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a card having a semifinished product and a card produced using the semifinished product.

Abstract: A plasma torch rotation assembly for relieving stress on a lead. The rotation assembly can include an outer housing, which can have a mounting surface adapted to be fixedly coupled to a torch mount. The rotation assembly can include an inner component disposed at least partially within the outer housing, and a bearing structure disposed between the outer housing and the inner component. The bearing structure can facilitate rotational movement of the outer housing relative to the inner component, about a longitudinal axis of the rotation assembly. The rotation assembly can include a torch adapter disposed near a first end of the inner component. The torch adapter can be adapted to mate with a plasma arc torch. The rotation assembly can include a receiving portion disposed at a second end of the inner component, the receiving portion adapted to receive at least a portion a lead.