Abstract: A connector includes a barrel defining a cavity. A front portion is configured to removably mate with the barrel. An electrically conductive elongated pin is positioned in the opening of the front portion and the cavity of the barrel. The pin extends through a distal end of the front portion, and the pin includes a back end for mating with an electrically conductive element. A grasping device defines an aperture therethrough for receiving the electrical element. The grasping device is disposed within the cavity of the barrel. The grasping device is in an engaged position when the barrel and the front portion are coupled for holding the electrically conductive element positioned within the aperture, and the grasping device is in a disengaged position when the barrel and the front portion are uncoupled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for synchronizing switching regulators in an electronic system so that switching interference from the regulators may be kept from a given spectral region of interest. The system does this by selecting a fundamental frequency such that each of the switching frequencies corresponding to each of the switching regulators is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency. Further, the fundamental frequency is selected so that none of the switching regulators, each of which are driven by an harmonic of the fundamental frequency, generates switching interference in the spectral region of interest. Each of the switching regulators has a synchronization clock, which multiplies or divides the master clock frequency by an allocated harmonic factor. Each harmonic factor is selected to that the switching frequency is within the operating range of the particular switching regulator.

Abstract: A novel inbred maize variety designated PHH9H and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize variety PHH9H with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHH9H through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred variety PHH9H or a trait conversion of PHH9H with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHH9H, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHH9H and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.

Abstract: Methods for establishing or configuring imaging device settings use the luminance and chrominance values of an original document. The document is identified as either a text document or a photograph based at least in part on the luminance values of the document's pixels, and identified as black and white or color document based at least in part on the chrominance values of the document's pixels. The settings of the imaging device may then be based at least in part on whether the document is a text or photograph, or black and white or color.

Abstract: A multiple gas burner assembly has two burners spaced apart by a bridge burner. An axis extending through the first and third burner intersects the perimeter of the bridging second burner. The second burner provides a means for providing a substantially continuous flame perimeter and continuous heating intermediate the first burner and third burner when the three burners are lit.

Abstract: By providing a certain oxidative primary and a certain oxidative coupler as an integral ingredients in hair coloring formulations, substantially improved and enhanced hair conditioning benefits are attained, providing a highly effective, hair coloring composition.

Abstract: A pressure relief check valve system includes a valve body, a flapper, a magnet, an electromagnet, and a pressure sensor circuit. The flapper is rotationally mounted on the valve body and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The magnet is coupled to the flapper, and the electromagnet is coupled to the valve body. The pressure sensor circuit is adapted to sense one or more fluid pressures and is operable, based on the one or more sensed fluid pressures, to selectively supply or interrupt the electrical current to the electromagnet. The electromagnet is coupled to receive the electrical current and, upon receipt of the electrical current, either magnetically attracts or does not magnetically attract the magnet, to thereby hold the flapper in the closed position or allow flapper rotation to the open position, respectively.

Abstract: System, method and material for making pneumatically filled packing cushions in which a plastic film material having two superposed layers joined together along first and second longitudinal edges is prefabricated at a first location by forming longitudinally spaced, transversely extending rows of perforations across it and sealing it together along seal lines which extend from the first edge of the material in a direction generally parallel to the rows of perforations other and terminate a short distance from the second edge to form chambers with open mouths facing the second edge between the rows of perforations. The material is then fan-folded or formed into rolls for storage and shipment. At a second location, gas is introduced into the chambers by passing the material along a tube positioned between the ends of the seals and the second edge of the material and injecting the gas into the open mouths of the chambers through openings in a side wall of the tube.

Abstract: An optical scanner for use in conjunction with an infrared spectrometer is disclosed. The optical scanner translates a beam of radiation to a stationary spot on a traveling sheet of material so that ample integration time within the spectrometer is achieved. The beam path impinges on the traveling web and the radiation is reflected off the traveling web back through the optical scanner and recombined at an interferometer. The beam of radiation is kept stationary with respect to both the traveling sheet and the carriage which houses the spectrometer.

Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for fast setup of group Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications. The method and system provide a lower VoIP signaling overhead and a faster setup-time of group calls such as N-way audio and/or audio-video conference calls. Multi-party VoIP connections are quickly set-up over one or more virtual communications channels established between plural network devices using a session layer application, one or more group transport layer ports and a broadcast destination network address.

Abstract: A method and system for characterization of fault conditions within a subterranean volume. In one embodiment, the system comprises means for mathematically modeling stress conditions, to predict breakout conditions along a borehole trajectory. The system further comprises means for sensing actual breakout conditions along the borehole . Predictive breakout data is compared with sensed breakout conditions to assess correlation between predictive data and actual data, verifying the accuracy of the stress model. The mathematical model may be revised to reflect the presence of an active fault plane in the volume, the presumed fault plane not being intersected by the borehole. The revised model is used to generate new predictive data. Revising the stress model and assessing correlation between predictive and actual breakout conditions is repeatable to achieve an optimally accurate stress model reflecting fault conditions proximal to but not necessarily penetrated by the borehole.

Abstract: Vehicle including sensors one of which is a motion-detecting crash sensor, a processing module for processing data generated by the sensors, the module being separate from most if not all of the sensors, and a data bus coupling the sensors and the module together and enabling transfer of data from the sensors to the module. Each sensor may be mounted at a different location on the vehicle and arranged to provide a measurement related to a time-varying state of the sensor or a measurement related to a time-varying state of the mounting location. A deployable occupant restraint may be arranged to deploy to protect an occupant of the vehicle during a crash involving the vehicle. The module determines deployment of the occupant restraint based on the diagnosed state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dead-reckoning sensory system includes a receiver unit and a transmitter unit in wireless communication with the receiver unit. The transmitter unit is operable to be mounted to a wheel of a vehicle, determine information characterizing the heading and distance traveled by the vehicle, and transmit the information to the receiver unit.

Abstract: Turbine engine components are provided for use with a plurality of blades, where each blade has an attachment portion defined by a wall and a surface. The components include a disk having a first side, a second side, and an outer radial section with a rim and an overhang. Disk slots extend radially inwardly from the disk rim, and each is configured to receive the attachment portion of a corresponding blade such that when the blade is disposed therein, the wall of the blade attachment portion is substantially flush with an adjacent portion of the first side of the disk and each disk slot defines a cooling air passage with the surface of the blade attachment portion, where the cooling air passage extends axially from the disk first side to the disk second side. A cooling air slot is formed in the disk first side and extends radially outward from the overhang of the disk to the cooling air passage.

Abstract: Computing systems including first and second processors configured to control first and second buses, respectively, and a terminator-monitor-bridge (TMB) device coupled between the first and second buses are provided. The TMB device is configured to selectively enable the first processor and the second processor to control at least a portion of the second bus and the first bus, respectively. TMB devices and methods for operating the TMB devices in accordance with the above configuration are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: At least one statistical output associated with a process model and a rate of change associated with each statistical output is identified, such as by using historical data associated with the process model. The statistical outputs and the rates of change are used to generate a graphical display, such as a phase plane plot. Each point in the display is based on one of the statistical outputs and its associated rate of change. The graphical display could include multiple portions, such as quadrants, and one of the portions can be selected and highlighted. The different portions of the graphical display may represent whether the process model is a poor fit to current conditions and approaching a better fit, a poor fit and approaching a poorer fit, a good fit and approaching a poorer fit, and a good fit and approaching a better fit.