Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luminescent immunoassay method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample with high sensitivity. The invention provides a unique combination of (i) using a probe having a small sensing surface area for binding analyte molecules, (ii) using a high molecular weight branched polymer conjugated with multiple binding molecules and multiple luminescent labels, and (iii) cycling the probe having immunocomplex formed back to the reagent vessel and amplification vessel 1-10 times and repeating the reaction with the reagent and the amplification polymer, to improve the sensitivity of detection level. For each cycling, the luminescent signal is increased significantly over the noise.

Abstract: Apparatus to control a temperature of a device includes: a fluid path adapted to be in thermal contact with the device and to receive thermal transfer fluid from a combined path and to output it fluidly to a pump assembly disposed to output the thermal transfer fluid fluidly to a first path thermally connected to a heating assembly and fluidly connected to the combined path, a second path thermally connected to a cooling assembly and fluidly connected to the combined path, and a third path fluidly connected to the combined path; a temperature sensor in communication with a controller to sense a temperature in response to the fluid path; and first, second and third valves operable in response to the controller in the respective paths.

Abstract: Certain aspects are directed to a configuration sub-system for telecommunication systems. The configuration sub-system can include a test signal generator, a power measurement device, at least one additional power measurement device, and a controller. The test signal generator can be integrated into components of a telecommunication system. The test signal generator can provide a test signal to a signal path of the telecommunication system. The power measurement device and the additional power measurement device can respectively be integrated into different components of the telecommunication system. The power measurement device and the additional power measurement device can respectively measure the power of the test signal at different measurement points in the signal path. The controller can normalize signals transmitted via the telecommunication system by adjusting a path gain for the signal path based on measurements from the power measurement device and the additional power measurement device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulated wire having a conductor and at least two insulating coating layers formed surrounding the conductor, wherein the insulating coating layers comprises the outermost layer thereof, which has a thickness in the range of 20 to 50% based on the total thickness of the insulating coating layers and comprises a polyimide resin; and a base insulating coating layer in contact with the conductor, which has a thickness in a range of 50 to 80% based on the total thickness of the insulating coating layers and comprises a polyamide-imide resin having an adhesion-improving agent. The insulated wire of the present invention has insulating coating layers having superior coating adhesion as well as good heat-resistance.

Abstract: A rotary valve assembly is provided for an injection unit, comprising a valve body defining a melt channel for a working fluid. The valve body and at least one end cap define a valve seat having a wider diameter portion and at least one thinner diameter portion. A spool assembly is rotatably mounted within the valve seat and movable between an open position where an orifice is aligned with the melt channel and a closed position where the orifice is misaligned with the melt channel. The spool assembly includes a center spool portion defining the orifice, and at least one arm spool portion connected on a side of the center spool portion, the at least one arm spool portion being translatable relative to the center spool portion by the working fluid entering the gap located therebetween.

Abstract: Techniques for organizing and grouping memory contents related to multicast routing so as to enable more efficient multicast operations. For PIM multicast routing, techniques are provided for organizing and grouping multicast routing information into data structures according to a plurality of dimensions such that multicast routing cache entries are accessible when performing a multicast routing operation by traversing the one or more data structures according to at least two of the dimensions.

Abstract: A method of treating tinnitus comprising measuring a patient's hearing, determining the patient's hearing loss and the patient's tinnitus frequency using the measurements of the patient's hearing, programming a clinical controller with the measurements of the patient's hearing, selecting a plurality of therapeutic tones, where the therapeutic tones are selected to be at least a half-octave above or below of the patient's tinnitus frequency, setting an appropriate volume for each of the plurality of tones, repetitively playing each of the plurality of therapeutic tones, and pairing a vagus nerve stimulation pulse train with each playing of a therapeutic tone, thereby reducing the patient's perception of tinnitus.

Abstract: Embodiments of a closed-contact electroplating cup assembly that may be rapidly cleaned while an electroplating system is on-line are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises a cup assembly and a cone assembly, wherein the cup assembly comprises a cup bottom comprising an opening, a seal surrounding the opening, an electrical contact structure comprising a plurality of electrical contacts disposed around the opening, and an interior cup side that is tapered inwardly in along an axial direction of the cup from a cup top toward the cup bottom.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fall protection system having first and second truss members, at a first distance from each other; first and second slotted housings at a second distance from each other, each housing defining a first track therein; a first plurality of connecting members connecting the first truss member to the first housing; a second plurality of connecting members connecting the second truss member to the second housing; and a first plurality of cross members connecting the first housing to the second housing. Some fall protection systems include at least two spaced apart support members and may have a length ranging from about 10 feet to about 2,000 feet in length.

Abstract: A brake cylinder for pneumatically actuated vehicle brakes, especially for commercial vehicles, includes a housing. The housing is divided into two chambers by a piston, one of the chambers being used as a pressure chamber for actuating an operating brake section, and a cylinder spring of a spring-loaded brake section being arranged in the other chamber on the opposite side of the piston. The cylinder spring acts on another spring-loaded piston in the chamber, which can be blocked in relation to the first piston by a pneumatically actuated locking mechanism. The other spring-loaded piston is released from the first piston by a releasing action of the blocking mechanism, and is connected to a piston rod for actuating the vehicle brake. Following release of the blocking mechanism, the cylinder spring acts between the two pistons and moves them in relation to each other during a parking braking operation.

Abstract: A composite focal plane assembly with an expandable architecture has a multi-layer, double-sided aluminum nitride (AlN) substrate and vertical architecture to achieve the dual function of focal plane and electronics backplane. Imaging dice and other electrical components are mounted and wire bonded to one surface and then direct backplane connectivity is provided on the opposing surface through a matrix of electrical contacts. In one embodiment, a flexible connector is sandwiched between the AlN focal plane and a FR-4 backplane is used to compensate for differences in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the AlN and commercially available high density circuit card connectors that are commonly manufactured from materials with CTE properties more closely approximating FR-4. In an alternate embodiment, the FR-4 and flexible connectors are eliminated by using high density circuit card connectors that are fabricated out of materials more closely matching the CTE of AlN.

Abstract: A connector having a plurality of terminals that are integrally incorporated in a connector housing, in a given arrangement, with a high degree of accuracy. The connector includes a prealigner having a plurality of terminal holding recesses, a plurality of terminals fitted into and held in the terminal holding recesses in a given alignment, and a housing main body molded so that the prealigner is interposed in the housing main body as an insert element.

Abstract: E-mail system which organizes e-mails into queues based on their locations and characterizes the e-mails. Metadata, indicative of the e-mail, is appended to the e-mail. The queues are organized based on the metadata, and processed. The metadata is always stored in local storage; and the message body may be stored in local storage, or in remote storage, depending on how long it will be until the message is sent. A special server manages whether the information is stored in local or remote storage.

Abstract: A fuel pressure damper (10) includes a housing (14) defining an inlet (40) for receiving fuel from a fuel rail. A cover (12) is coupled to the housing to define an interior space (15). A flexible diaphragm (30) has a periphery (32) secured to at least the housing or the cover and has a freely movable central portion (28) that divides the interior space into first and second isolated chambers (42, 44). The diaphragm has a shaped feature (48) such that the central portion can be displaced over a distance. The inlet communicates with the second chamber (44). A spring cup (26) is in the first chamber (42) and is engaged with the central portion of the diaphragm. A variable rate compression spring (18) is in the first chamber and is disposed between the spring cup and the cover. The central portion of the diaphragm and spring are constructed and arranged to dampen low to high magnitude fuel pressure pulsations in the second chamber.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for pooling storage devices in a virtual library for performing a storage operation. A storage management device determines a storage characteristic of a plurality of storage devices with respect to performing a storage operation. Based on a storage characteristic relating to performing the storage operation, the storage management device associates at least two storage devices in a virtual library. The storage management device may continuously monitor the virtual library and detect a change in storage characteristics of the storage devices. When changes in storage characteristics are detected, the storage management device may change associations of the storage device in the virtual library.

Abstract: A method of deforming an outer wall of polymer pipe is provided. The method includes: forming dual-wall pipe having a smooth wall and a corrugated wall; extruding an outer wall of pipe onto the corrugated wall of the dual-wall pipe; penetrating the outer wall of pipe with a vacuum punch; and drawing a vacuum between the corrugated wall and the outer wall via the vacuum punch; wherein the vacuum drawn between the corrugated wall and the outer wall causes the outer wall to deform in a direction towards the corrugated wall. An apparatus for forming an outer wall of pipe and a mold configured to form a coupling preform in a segment of continuously-extruded and molded polymer pipe are also provided.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising: a track section comprising a control system; a drive system that is controlled by the control system; a plurality of moving elements that are driven by the drive system; a pallet support apparatus; a plurality of pallets that are configured to engage with the moving elements and move on the pallet support apparatus; and a plurality of workstations provided along the track section, each workstation at a predetermined pitch from each other workstation, wherein at least some of the pitches are different among workstations, wherein the control system, drive system and moving elements are configured such that each pallet of the plurality of pallets is independently advanced through the workstations based on the pitches of the workstations.

Abstract: A system for performing storage operations using hierarchically configured storage operation cells. The system includes a first storage manager component and a first storage operation cell. The first storage operation cell has a second storage manager component directed to performing storage operations in the first storage operation cell. Moreover, the first storage manager component is programmed to instruct the second storage manager regarding performance of storage operations in the first storage operation cell.