Abstract: A method of washing eggs in a manner which allows controlling the level of pollutants of the washing fluid. At least two sprayer units are located over a conveyor in which eggs to be washed travel in a conveying direction. The eggs are engaged by a brush at each sprayer station. At least two sprayer units located over the conveyor receive washing fluid, spray the washing fluid over the eggs and collect the washing fluid in a collector. The intake of washing fluid, the spraying of the washing fluid and the collecting of the washing fluid at each of the sprayer units is confined to that sprayer unit. Each sprayer unit except the farthest downstream sprayer unit receives washing fluid from the collector of the next downstream sprayer unit.

Abstract: A dual mode dielectric resonator (DR) filter has a first DR, and is configured to operate at a HE12? mode within a first frequency band while exhibiting a Q factor of no less than 5000. A first characteristic size of the first DR may be substantially similar to a size of a second DR, where the second DR is configured to operate in a conventional DR filter at a HE11? mode within a second frequency band, the second frequency band being substantially lower than the first frequency band.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for constraining solution space in image processing techniques may use the metadata for a set of images to constrain an image processing solution to a smaller solution space. In one embodiment, a process may require N parameters for processing an image. A determination may be made from metadata that multiple images were captured with the same camera/lens and with the same settings. A set of values may be estimated for the N parameters from data in one or more of the images. The process may then be applied to each of images using the set of values. In one embodiment, a value for a parameter of a process may be estimated for an image. If the estimated value deviates substantially from a value for the parameter in the metadata, the metadata value is used in the process instead of the estimated value.

Abstract: A digital predistortion linearization method is provided for increasing the instantaneous or operational bandwidth for RF power amplifiers employed in wideband communication systems. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of increasing DPD linearization bandwidth using a feedback filter integrated into existing digital platforms for multi-channel wideband wireless transmitters. An embodiment of the present invention utilizes a DPD feedback signal in conjunction with a low power band-pass filter in the DPD feedback path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure constructed of carbon fiber that is compatible with Magnetic Resonance imaging and other radiofrequency technologies. The structure is comprised of carbon fiber elements as well as insulating elements that are substantially x-ray translucent (radiolucent). These elements are arranged in such a way that the structure can be used in modalities such as Magnetic Resonance imaging where carbon fibers typically cannot be used due to image distortion and localized heating. At the same time, the structures are designed to maintain radiolucency that is significantly homogeneous.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-pressure interaction on touch-sensitive surfaces are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of a system includes a display; a memory configured to store images; a camera in communication with the memory, the camera configured to capture images; and a processor in communication with the memory and the display. In this embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a first image; receive a selection of a portion of the first image, wherein the portion is less than all of the first image; receive a second image, the second image comprising a different image than the first image; determine a portion of the second image corresponding to the portion of the first image; and replace the portion of the first image with the portion of the second image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system and an associated method for controlling an amount of reactive power delivered from a wind power plant to an associated power supply grid, the control system comprising a wind power plant controller and a number of wind turbine controllers each being in communication with said wind power plant controller, wherein the wind power plant controller is adapted to provide a grid voltage reference in response to a required total amount of reactive power to at least one wind turbine controller and operating a Switched Capacitor bank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing periodic noise (Pnoise) simulation with full spectrum accuracy is disclosed herein. Noise contributions of a circuit under consideration are identified and separated for different computation treatment. The different computation treatment results in computational efficiency without sacrificing accuracy of simulation results.

Abstract: A peripheral device includes a slide mechanism, and a first and second extension portions having a number of function modules. The first and second extension portions are fixed to the slide mechanism and slide relative to each other in an opened position or closed position driven by the slide mechanism.

Abstract: A method for medical device sterilization comprises staggering a stack of packages so that a back surface of each package partially overlaps a front surface of another of the packages. Each package contains a medical device. The stack of packages are positioned so that the front surfaces of the packages face toward a radiation source. The packages are then exposed to radiation.

Abstract: Design and use of photo-switching, fullerene-based dyads of the design x-D-y-A or D-y-A-x as interfacial layers (IFL) for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices are described herein. The fullerene-based dyads and triads of the present invention contain electron-donating substituents such as porphyrins or phthalocyanines that exhibit charge separation states with long lifetimes upon irradiation, resulting in rejection of electrons reaching the electrode and concurrently promoting the conduction of holes. This phenomenon has a strong rectifying effect on the whole device, not just the interfaces, resulting in improved charge extraction from the interior of the photo-active layer. The invention further describes anchoring an IFL to the ITO surface as a monolayer, bilayer, or greater multilayers. One OPV design embodiment of the present invention embodiment involves the formation of covalent bonds via silane groups (—SiR3) as the anchor (x), to form siloxane bonds.

Abstract: Provided are intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus stem cells or progenitor cells that may be used for treatment of intervertebral disk disorders. An intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus cell is characterized by being isolated from the intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus of a vertebrate and is positive for at least one surface marker from among Tie2 and GD2. That is, the intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus stem cell is characterized by being at least Tie2-positive for the surface marker and) possesses a self-renewal ability as well as multipotency capable of differentiating into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neurons. Also provided is an intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus progenitor cell characterized by being at least Tie2-negative and GD2-positive for the surface marker and capable of differentiating into any of adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neurons.

Abstract: In one embodiment, downloading one or more content items; determining which ones of the one or more content items are popular among a plurality of users; categorizing the one or more content items into one or more groups, wherein each group comprises one or more related content items; associating one or more keywords with each group, wherein the one or more keywords describe content of the one or more related content items in the corresponding group; and caching the one or more content items categorized into the one or more groups and the one or more keywords associated with each group.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide firewalls for process control systems are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing a network communication to identify a first service, an address associated with the first service within a secured portion of a network, and a subset of ports used by the first service, the network communication originating from within the secured portion of the network and to be transmitted to a destination outside of the secured portion of the network, and storing an identifier of the first service, the address, and the subset of the ports when the network communication includes the identifier, the address, and the subset of the ports.

Abstract: There is provided a drive lever incorrect assembly detection portion (9d) and (14) which causes another end portion (9a) of a drive lever (9) to protrude to a position, of a case (4), to which a cover (5) is attached such that the cover (5) cannot be attached to the case (4) in a state where the drive lever (9) is assembled in an incorrect direction.

Abstract: A building security system including a security sensor configured to sense a security breach associated with a building. An off-the-shelf portable personal electronic computing device is communicatively coupled to the security sensor and to a central monitoring station. The computing device is programmable within the building to transmit an alarm signal to the central monitoring station in response to the security sensor sensing a security breach associated with the building.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for determining how mature an estimate is by assessing the basis of an estimate against a scale of criteria or categories of plural relative values of maturity of estimate. Confidence levels derived for two different estimating processes for a same estimate, can be reconciled; and an estimating process can be controlled by systematically reviewing the readiness of a planned estimating process by reviewing the basis of the estimate by assessment of determined maturity level values in a document register. An estimating process can also be controlled by controlling the iterative performance of different estimate assessment and/or preparation processes dependent upon a maturity of a basis of the estimate.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling pulse width for electronic devices in real time is disclosed. The system includes a Digital Pulse Width Modulator (DPWM), a real time calibration circuit and a delay line circuit. The real time calibration circuit is configured to ensure proper fractional delay is applied to yield correct duty cycle of the DPWM. The delay line circuit comprising a multiplexer delay line with built in decoders, modulates the pulse width for fractional clock cycle delay.

Abstract: A speech enhancement system enhances transitions between speech and non-speech segments. The system includes a background noise estimator that approximates the magnitude of a background noise of an input signal that includes a speech and a non-speech segment. A slave processor is programmed to perform the specialized task of modifying a spectral tilt of the input signal to match a plurality of expected spectral shapes selected by a Codec.

Abstract: A device and method for indicating if a fastening element upon fastening to a piece has reached a tensile yield limit load. The fastening element includes a threaded shaft having a magnetostrictive material. The device includes a mechanism for generating an alternating magnetic field that penetrates the shaft, a mechanism for measuring a physical quantity that depends on the momentary magnetic susceptibility of the shaft and a control unit adapted to detect a significant change of the physical quantity and determine and indicate if the shaft of the fastening element has reached the tensile yield limit load.