Abstract: Multiple application modules (MAMs) for monitoring of signals in components in wireless distribution systems (WDSs), including but not limited to distributed antenna systems (DASs) are disclosed. The MAMs are wireless telecommunication circuitry associated with wireless distribution components in a WDS, such as communications and power components as examples. By associating MAMs into components of a WDS, live signals in the WDS can be monitored and measured for monitoring the performance of components within the WDS. The MAMs include a multiple application software platform architecture that includes one or more application layer applications configured to receive and monitor signals in the WDS, and to provide application level information about such monitored signals to other systems or technicians. The application level information can be used by a technician or other system to diagnose or calibrate the WDS and/or the communications components provided therein.

Abstract: A laminated glass article having a core layer made from a glass that is not ion-exchangeable, and a clad layer made from a glass that is ion-exchangeable. The laminated glass article has a maximum compressive stress in the clad layer from about 0.05 GPa to about 0.7 GPa, and a compressive stress at an inner surface of the clad layer directly adjacent to the core layer from about 20% to about 45% of a compressive stress at an outer surface of the clad layer. A slope of a stress profile in the clad layer is substantially linear. Methods for manufactured such a laminated glass article also are disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive compressed loosefill insulation material. A lower unit has a shredding chamber configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material from the outlet end of the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material. The shredders include a shredder shaft and a plurality of vane assemblies. The vane assemblies are oriented such that adjacent vane assemblies are offset from each other by an angle in a range of from about 45° to about 75°. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive conditioned loosefill insulation material exiting the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream.

Abstract: This invention disclosure relates to novel maize starch. The starch can be made from the newly developed waxy sugary-2 double-mutant maize that has low activity of Granule Bound Starch Synthase I (GBSSI), which results in low amylose level. The starch from newly developed waxy sugary-2 double-mutant is freeze-thaw stable and has high viscosity. In comparison with the starch of the existing waxy sugary-2 double-mutant maize, the new waxy sugary-2 double-mutant maize starch showed, inter alia, improved pasting profile, starch granule integrity, larger starch granule size, and higher viscosity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a high-directivity directional coupler, and related methods and systems. The high-directivity directional coupler includes a first microstrip and a second microstrip disposed parallel to the first microstrip. The high-directivity directional coupler inherently generates an even mode current and an odd mode current in the second microstrip. The second microstrip provides a linear forward path for conveying the even mode current and a non-linear return path for conveying the odd mode current. The non-linear return path is longer than the linear forward path to compensate for phase velocity difference between the even mode current and the odd mode current. As a result, the odd mode current and the even mode current in the second microstrip can destructively cancel out each other, thus rendering high-directivity without compromising other performance aspects of the high-directivity directional coupler.

Abstract: Provided is a laminate having, on a substrate, a gel layer which is excellent in heat resistance, has low elastic modulus, low stress and is excellent in stress buffering properties and flexibility, is soft and excellent in holding property of electronic components before curing, and after curing, the gel layer is changed to a hard cured layer which is higher in shape retention and excellent in mold releasability than before curing, and a method for manufacturing the same. Also provided is a method for manufacturing an electronic component in which use of the laminate makes it difficult to cause problems such as deposits of silicone gel or a cured product thereof to a substrate or an electronic component, and makes it difficult to cause problems of defects or defective products of the electronic component. The laminate includes a curing reactive silicone gel layer on at least one type of substrate.

Abstract: An assembly tool for terminating an optical fiber with an optical fiber connector comprises a base having a connector cradle to hold said connector, a buffer clamp activation shuttle slideably disposed on the base to push a sleeve over a buffer clamp of the connector, and an activation mechanism pivotally mounted to the base. The activation mechanism includes an actuation lever to press a securing cap over a mechanical element in the connector, and a drive shaft coupled to the actuation lever. Moving the actuation lever from a first position to a second position activates the buffer clamp activation shuttle and presses the securing cap over the mechanical element.

Abstract: An optical-electrical interface device for coupling to an optical distribution network is provided which comprises: a housing, an optical fiber port for coupling to a single optical fiber, an optical network terminal unit connected to the optical fiber port, a power sourcing management unit configured to manage the power supply of the optical network, network terminal unit, a plurality of electrical ports and a plurality of electrical cables each connected to the power sourcing management unit and to one of the electrical ports. The electrical ports are accessible and/or arranged outside the housing, wherein the optical-electrical interface device is configured to reverse-feed electrical power, from external electrical module devices connected to the electrical ports, for operating the optical network terminal unit which is arranged inside the housing.

Abstract: An integrated fiber-ferrule useable as an optical coupling element includes a core directly contacting a cladding layer that has a lower index of refraction than that of the core, without an intervening adhesive. The cladding layer outer diameter is at least 100 times greater than that of the core, and matches an outer diameter of a standard ferrule. The integrated fiber-ferrule may be produced by drawing a glass preform into a cane, cutting the cane into sections, and shaping end faces of the cut sections (e.g., using a laser). To form a fiber optic assembly, a front end of an optical fiber core may be fusion spliced to a rear end of the core of the integrated fiber-ferrule. Use of an integrated fiber-ferrule permits reduction of core to fiber eccentricity, and reduction of connector insertion losses.

Abstract: A laminated glass article includes at least a first layer, a second layer in direct contact with the first layer, and an optical property difference between the first layer and the second layer. The optical property difference includes at least one of: (a) a transmission profile difference between a transmission profile of the first and second layers in a wavelength range from 200 nm to 2500 nm; or (b) a light-polarizing difference, whereby the second layer is light-polarizing with respect to electromagnetic irradiation in the wavelength range from 200 nm to 2500 nm; or (c) a refractive index difference between refractive indices of the first and second layers of at least 0.005, wherein one layer includes a base glass composition and the other layer includes the base glass composition and a dopant in an amount sufficient to cause the refractive index difference.

Abstract: A fiber sensor includes an optical fiber configured for operation at a wavelength from about 800 nm to about 1600 nm. The optical fiber includes a cladding that is defined by a fiber outer diameter and a core that is surrounded by the cladding. The core of the optical fiber has a Rayleigh scattering coefficient, ?s, that is controlled by controlling a concentration of one or more dopants in the core. The Rayleigh scattering coefficient is tuned to be within a predetermined range of an optimum Rayleigh scattering coefficient for a given total length, L, of the optical fiber. The predetermined range is from about 70% of the optimum ?s to about 130% of the optimum ?s.

Abstract: Safety power disconnection for remote power distribution in power distribution systems is disclosed. The power distribution system includes one or more power distribution circuits each configured to remotely distribute power from a power source over current carrying power conductors to remote units to provide power for remote unit operations. A remote unit is configured to decouple power from the power conductors thereby disconnecting the load of the remote unit from the power distribution system. A current measurement circuit in the power distribution system measures current flowing on the power conductors and provides a current measurement to the controller circuit. The controller circuit is configured to disconnect the power source from the power conductors for safety reasons in response to detecting a current from the power source in excess of a threshold current level indicating a load.

Abstract: An exemplary foam insulation board includes a plurality of insulation panels hingeably connected by hinged portions. The foam insulation board has a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The hinged portions allow the insulation panels to fold flat against each other in the folded configuration. The plurality of insulation panels includes a first insulation panel and a plurality of additional insulation panels, one of which is adjacent to the first insulation panel. The first insulation panel also includes a starter portion that extends beyond at least the adjacent insulation panel of the additional panels.

Abstract: A molten material apparatus can include a container including a wall at least partially defining a containment area and an opening extending through the wall. The molten material apparatus can include a protective sleeve mounted at least partially within the opening of the wall of the container. A thermocouple can be positioned within an internal bore of the protective sleeve. A method of processing molten material can include inserting a thermocouple into a protective sleeve fabricated from a refractory ceramic material, and measuring a temperature of material within a containment area of a container with the thermocouple.

Abstract: Provided are a method capable of evaluating adherent cells under an environment similar to an in vivo environment by a culture method similar to a two-dimensional culture, and applications thereof. An adherent cell culture method uses, as a culture chamber (10), a chamber in which two or more culture spaces each having an equivalent diameter (D) that is 1 to 5 times the diameter of a desired spheroid and each having a height (H) that is 0.3 to 5 times the equivalent diameter are arranged and a surface of each of the culture spaces has a water contact angle of 45 degrees or less. Spheroids of adherent cells are cultured in the respective culture spaces (11) arranged in the culture chamber (10).

Abstract: Supporting analog remote antenna units (RAUs) in digital distributed antenna systems (DASs) using analog RAU digital adaptors. In the digital DAS disclosed herein, a head-end equipment (HEE) is configured to exchange digital communications signals with a plurality of digital RAUs. The digital DAS is also configured to distribute digital communications signals to an analog RAU(s), which is not inherently capable of processing the digital communications signals. In this regard, an analog RAU digital adaptor(s) is provided in an analog remote unit to serve as a digital interface for the analog RAU(s). The analog RAU digital adaptor(s) is configured to provide conversions between the digital communications signals and analog RF communications signals. By providing the analog RAU digital adaptor as the digital interface for the analog RAU(s), the digital DAS can be configured to compatibly communicate with the analog RAU(s) and the digital RAU(s).

Abstract: An optical communications system includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver optically coupled to an optical combiner/splitter, the combiner/splitter coupled to optical media; and, another optical transmitter and another optical receiver optically coupled to another optical combiner/splitter, the another combiner/splitter remotely coupled to the optical media; wherein the optical transmitter and the another optical transmitter are configured to transmit optical signals at substantially the same wavelength.

Abstract: A computer system for providing software over a network includes: a computer system for providing software over a network is provided. The system includes: a control unit configured to reside at a site, the control unit including a control unit identification (ID) that uniquely identifies the control unit to the network; a copy of the software, the software including sets of features; a license generator configured to create a features activation file containing the control unit ID and identifying at least one set of features to be activated by the control unit; a computer configured to download the features activation file to the control unit; and, the control unit configured for activating one of the sets of features according to the features activation file. A method and a computer program product are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to piezoelectric film structures and sensors, and display assemblies using same. The piezoelectric film structure is transparent and includes: a substrate; a bottom optical layer disposed on or above the substrate; a bottom conducting layer disposed on or above the bottom optical layer; at least one piezoelectric layer disposed on or above the bottom conducting layer; a top conducting layer disposed on or above the at least one piezoelectric layer; and a top optical layer disposed on or above the top conducting layer. The sensor includes the piezoelectric film structure electrically connected to a signal processing system. The display assembly includes the sensor operably arranged relative to a display device. The piezoelectric film structures and sensors can be configured to determine one or more touch-sensing features associated with a touch event.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include combining power from isolated power paths for powering remote units in distributed antenna systems (DASs). In one example, a remote unit(s) is configured to include multiple input power ports for receiving power from multiple power paths. The received power from each input power port is combined to provide a combined output power for powering the remote unit. Thus, a remote unit can be powered by the combined output power. To avoid differences in received power on the multiple input power ports causing a power supply to supply higher power than designed or regulated, the input power ports in the remote unit are electrically isolated from each other. Further, the received power on the multiple power inputs ports can be controlled to be proportionally provided to the combined output power according to the maximum power supplying capabilities of the respective power supplies.