Abstract: A stackable collapsible container for flowable materials. The container has a flexible outer skin and rigid support, having a top frame and bottom frame connected by poles. The top frame and bottom frame are designed for mating engagement when the containers are stacked, as well as for mating engagement when the containers are broken down for transport. The top frame and bottom frame are provided with similar perimeters to prevent undesired movement and contact between adjacent top frame when the containers are filled and transported.

Abstract: A negative birefringence film prepared from a poly(aryletherimide) which is the reaction product of a dianhydride and a diamine, where the dianhydride is 4,4?-[4,4?-(p-phenyleneoxy)isopropylidene]bis(phthalic anhydride) (BisADA), bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)ether dianhydride (ODPA), 4,4?-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)biphenyl dianhydride (BPEDA), 1,4-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyloxy)phenyl dianhydride (BPQDA), 3,3?,4,4?-tetracarboxylicbiphenyl dianhydride (BPDA), or 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA), alone or a mixture with one or more of: 3,3?,4,4?-tetracarboxylicbiphenyl dianhydride (BPDA), 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA); and where the diamine is 1,4-bis(2-trifluoromethyl-4-aminophenoxy)-2,5-di(t-butyl)benzene (BTBDA), 3,3?-dimethyl-4,4?-diamino biphenyl (OTOL), or mixtures thereof and wherein when a mixture of dianhydrides is present, they are present in a molar amount of between 99 to 1 (99:1) and 1 to 99 (1:99), and the film has

Abstract: Member nodes of a wireless point-to-multipoint (PMP) network may participate in mobile ad hoc (MANET) or mesh communications with other nodes on the same channels used by the network for PMP communications. A PMP network base station node transmits a downlink signal defining a downlink map for scheduling first time periods for transmitting messages to subscriber station nodes, and an uplink map for scheduling second time periods allowing a subscriber station node to transmit messages to the base station node in a scheduled second time period. A MANET/mesh zone is allocated in either or both the downlink and the uplink maps, each zone operating to reserve one or more time slots and channels in which the base station and other nodes may communicate using a MANET/mesh protocol, thus avoiding interference with communications that are being conducted between the base and the subscriber station nodes under the PMP protocol.

Abstract: A connector system is provided. The system includes a substantially circular interconnecting hub, and a plurality of circuit board bays configured substantially radially around the substantially circular interconnecting hub. Each circuit board bay has a plurality of aligned connectors configured to receive a circuit board. The interconnecting circuit hub has, for each individual circuit board bay, a direct data pathway connecting the individual circuit board bay to all remaining circuit board bays of the plurality of circuit board bays. Each of the plurality of circuit board bays can directly communicate through the interconnecting hub with each of the remaining circuit boards bays.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A power converter directly converting an AC voltage into an AC voltage of any desired magnitude and frequency by turning bidirectional switches ON and OFF without employing any energy buffer, where the peak values of output phase voltage command values are limited, to bring the amplitude of an output line voltage to, at most, 0.866 times the amplitude of the supply line voltages. By way of example, the peak-value limit of the output phase voltage command values is set so that the maximum value of the output phase voltage command values becomes, at most, 0.75 times the maximum value of supply phase voltages, while the minimum value thereof becomes, at least, 0.75 times the minimum value of the supply phase voltages. This control method for the direct power converter dispenses with an expensive dedicated motor, and permits a reduction in cost of the control apparatus as a whole.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and system for processing the tasks performed by an EDA tool in parallel. The IC layout is divided into a plurality of layout windows and one or more of the layout windows are processed in parallel. Sampling of one or more windows may be performed to provide dynamic performance estimation.

Abstract: An automated accounting system for an entity, such as an individual or business is provided in which at least one file is established for the entity and a plurality of data inputs are provided to the file. The data inputs include electronically recorded transactions made between the entity and other entities. Access is provided to the file for agents of the entity so that one of the agents can perform one or more activities related to the data inputs such as entering, deleting, reviewing, adjusting and processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for reducing low frequency loss in a magnetic storage device. For example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes a digital filter that receives a series of digital samples and provides a filtered output. The filtered output is provided to a data detector that performs a data detection on the filtered output to create a detected output. A first summation element subtracts the filtered output from the detected output to create an error signal, and a second summation element subtracts the error signal from the filtered output to create a wander basis signal. A baseline correction feedback circuit receives the wander basis signal and provides a wander compensation signal. A derivative of the wander compensation signal is provided as feedback to the digital filter.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.

Abstract: A wind turbine testing system is disclosed for testing at least a part of the nacelle components of a wind turbine system when mounted on a load carrying structure of a nacelle, said wind turbine testing system comprising a test bench being arranged to hold said load carrying structure including said nacelle components, a grid simulation system comprising a power converter system and a simulation controller being arranged to be electrically coupled to at least one of said nacelle components and being adapted for providing a simulated utility grid on the basis of a power supply and at least one control signal established by said simulation controller, and a wind simulation system comprising a wind turbine shaft rotating means arranged to be coupled to a rotating part of said generator system or a generator-related system of a nacelle or a part of a nacelle located in said test bench.

Abstract: A plug and play solar panel assembly is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular sheet having a first area configured to fit between a first layer and a second layer of a weatherproof surface. The sheet has a second area configured to protrude from the first layer and the second layer of the weatherproof surface. The second area includes a mounting area to attach one or more solar panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic label (1) for a display system, in particular for displaying prices in a store, the label comprising a housing (5) presenting at least one wall (2), and transmitter means including an antenna (100) suitable for transmitting a signal from the label to a receive antenna of the display system, the antenna (100) extending generally in a plane adjacent to at least one face of the wall (2) in such a manner as to form a stack with a wall.

Abstract: A transmissive or reflective diffractive optical element, comprising: a substrate having a top surface, the top surface being etched into a pattern, the pattern including a periodic surface pattern of grooves formed such that when an incoming light beam is shone onto the top surface, the incoming light beam will be split into a plurality of diffracted light beams, the plurality of diffracted light beams including a plurality of primary diffracted order beams and a plurality of secondary diffracted order beams, wherein the primary diffracted order beams have a primary aggregate efficiency above ninety percent, wherein the plurality of secondary diffracted order beams have a secondary aggregate efficiency of lower than ten percent, and wherein a maximum power of the primary diffracted order beams and a minimum power of the primary diffracted order beams differ by at least ten percent of an average power of the primary diffracted order beams.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing plants in a rotatable, horizontal, drum-like configuration, wherein plants grow inwards towards a centrally located light source, includes plant receiving hollow members each having a recessed slot facing the light source with a plurality of apertures at the base thereof for receiving plant holders and defining, with the outer walls of the hollow member, reservoirs on each side thereof for holding water when the plants are generally inverted.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide a method for the configuration of peripheral devices. In some methods for configuring peripheral devices, configuration options available for a peripheral device are enumerated and listed as files associated with a virtual drive representing the peripheral device. In some embodiments the files may be given descriptive names related to the configuration options they represent. In some embodiments, icons in a user window may denote the virtual drive, and its associated files and folders. In some methods for configuring peripheral devices, when the icon for a file associated with the virtual drive is dragged onto the icon for the virtual drive, the configuration of the scanning device associated with the virtual drive is automatically changed to match the configuration associated with the file.

Abstract: A reflective decoding device is provided for use in decoding an encoded image comprising a latent image encoded using at least one encoding parameter. The device comprises a substrate with a reflective surface portion having a surface topography comprising a predetermined pattern of topographical features. The predetermined pattern is configured with at least one geometric characteristic corresponding to the at least one encoding parameter so that placement of a light-transmissive sheet having the encoded image formed thereon over the predetermined pattern of topographical features allows the latent image to be viewed.

Abstract: A rotary piston pump includes a stator defining a cylindrical cavity, a rotor or barrel housed in said cylindrical cavity, able to be driven in rotation by a motor. The rotor includes an array of bores spaced circumferentially wherein pistons are mounted. The pump has a mechanical cam cooperating with the pistons in order to provoke movement of said pistons between a low position and a high position, a lid closing the cylindrical cavity, a feeding orifice coming into communication with at least one cylindrical chamber, a hopper, a discharging orifice simultaneously in communication with at least two consecutive chambers, and vacuuming means for vacuuming cylindrical chambers for filling. The vacuuming means includes at least one vacuuming channel connecting to the lower part of each cylindrical chamber able to vacuum by the bottom each chamber by the vacuuming channel therewith when the piston associated therewith is in lower position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods are provided for nonlinear journaling. In one embodiment, groups of data designated for storage in a data storage unit are journaled into persistent storage. In one embodiment, the journal data is recorded nonlinearly. In one embodiment, a linked data structure records data and data descriptors in persistent storage.

Abstract: A JAVA Database Connectivity (JDBC) subsystem includes a connection pool and prepared statement cache, which allows application to interact with a database. The JDBC subsystem can include a profiling component and a statistics monitoring component that maintain profile and statistics information concerning components of JDBC subsystem, such as the connection pool and prepared statement cache. A client application can register a diagnostic callback with the JDBC subsystem, for use with requests from that client application to methods of the JDBC driver being executed.