Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for dynamically blocking and unblocking media over packet resources includes, at a first media gateway controller that controls a first media over packet resource, determining whether establishment of calls involving a second media over packet resource managed by second media gateway controller would violate a policy of the first media gateway controller. In response to determining that the establishment of calls involving the second media over packet resource would violate a policy of the first media gateway controller, the first media gateway controller may send a message to the second media gateway controller for limiting the establishment of calls involving the second media over packet resource.

Abstract: A method for reducing barium concentration in waste streams. Hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) is formed in solution/slurry and mixed with water containing barium such that the hydrous manganese oxide exhibits a negative charge at a desired pH. Barium from the water is adsorbed onto the negatively charged HMO surface. The HMO with adsorbed barium is separated from the water, producing treated effluent having a reduced barium concentration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide multiple consecutive purges of an air dryer in a vehicle compressed air system. A dryer throughput sensor has an output indicative of the amount of compressed air that is passed through the dryer. In response, a CPU determines the number of purges needed to purge the dryer; and a valve is operated by the CPU to initiate multiple purges of the dryer when the compressor is unloaded.

Abstract: An optical splitter adjacent a downstream end of a fiber optic cable is operable for supplying an optical signal to at least one optical fiber from the downstream end of the fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable includes a first access location having an optical fiber termination fed from an upstream end of the cable and a second access location having an optical fiber termination fed from a downstream end of the cable, wherein the cable includes an upstream optical splitter for feeding a first set of optical fibers and a downstream optical splitter for back-feeding a second set of optical fibers. A fiber optic cable comprising a first set of optical fibers that are terminated and fed from an upstream end of the fiber optic cable and a second set of optical fibers that are terminated and fed from a downstream end of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports. One of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a network port connected to a packet-switching network. Another of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first instrument port connected to a network instrument. To filter packets, one or more packets or copies of packets received through the first network port are examined prior to the packets or copies of packets being sent out the first instrument port to determine a current state of a state-based protocol, which includes a plurality of potential states. A filter is created or modified for the first network port or the first instrument port based on the determined current state of the state-based protocol.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor. The trapped vortex combustor is configured for receiving a lean premixed gaseous fuel and oxidant stream, where the fuel includes hydrogen gas. The trapped vortex combustor is configured to receive the lean premixed fuel and oxidant stream at a velocity which significantly exceeds combustion flame speed in a selected lean premixed fuel and oxidant mixture. The combustor is configured to operate at relatively high bulk fluid velocities while maintaining stable combustion, and low NOx emissions. The combustor is useful in gas turbines in a process of burning synfuels, as it offers the opportunity to avoid use of diluent gas to reduce combustion temperatures. The combustor also offers the possibility of avoiding the use of selected catalytic reaction units for removal of oxides of nitrogen from combustion gases exiting a gas turbine.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, apparatuses and systems for testing the functionality of the pumping mechanism of a medical device, e.g., an implantable infusion pump, while the medical device is contained within a shipping package. The test apparatus enables such functional verification, without opening the shipping package, when the medical device is still contained within the package that has been appropriately sealed to maintain sterility of the medical device.

Abstract: A test strip for conducting a lateral flow assay for detection of an analyte in a sample that contains cells and fluid is provided, as well as methods for making and using the test strip. This test strip is commercially usable, for example, in a diagnostic device at a point of care for detection of analytes in whole blood.

Abstract: A tube-to-hose coupling includes an elongated hollow insert connected between an end of the tube and defining an insert receiving portion and the end of the hose defining an insert receiving portion. The insert is disposed in the insert receiving portion of the tube end and the insert receiving portion of the hose end in fluid tight sealing relation. Thermoplastic polymeric material is bonded between the insert and the hose during insertion of the insert into the bore of the hose. The tube is connected to the insert and the hose by plastic deformation. In one embodiment the polymeric material is a layer defining the internal bore of the hose. In another, the polymeric material defines an outer layer on the insert.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated display of music data in a music display system. In one embodiment, a method for distinguishing lyrics and notations of a music data file is provided. In one embodiment, the lyrics are automatically shown in a different color or other display appearance relative to the notations. In another embodiment, the key of the notations is automatically determined and stored and/or displayed. In another embodiment, zoom in and zoom out capability is provided by automatically changing the font to appropriate permitted sizes, and/or by automatically determining the relative pixel spacing of the words in the lyric lines and the musical notation lines in the corresponding musical notation lines and selecting a font that maintains adequate spacing. Other inventive music display file presentation, storage, and analysis capabilities and features also are disclosed.

Abstract: A traction force is applied at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the patient's spine and progressively increased over a period of time. A fulcrum member is applied against the posterior portion of the cervical region of a person's spine while the traction force pulls the cervical region and bends it rearwardly about the fulcrum member to stretch the soft tissues of the spine. In preferred embodiments the fulcrum member applies a progressively increasing fulcrum force, and the traction force likewise progressively increases during the treatment period. An electronic control system may be used to automatically control application of the fulcrum and traction forces.

Abstract: Drivetrains and frames for vehicles, equipment, machines, etc. Some embodiments of the drivetrains and frames are particularly suited for human powered machines, such as bicycles and exercise equipment. In some embodiments, a drivetrain includes a reciprocating crank coupled to a crank pivot. A lever couples to the crank via a lever pivot positioned on the crank. A lever stop cooperates with a lever guide surface to guide a motion of the lever as the lever pivots about the lever pivot. The lever and/or the crank are operably coupled to a drive pulley, idler pulley, and/or compound pulley. In some embodiments, a drive cable operably couples the lever and/or the crank to the drive pulley, idler pulley, and/or the compound pulley. In one embodiment, one or more pulleys couple to the lever's distal ends. In some embodiments, the drivetrain includes a wheel hub adapted to receive torque from the crank via a drive pulley.

Abstract: A method and system facilitates management of sales activities of sales associates. Sales information from a remote computer is received by a server computer. The server computer processes the sales information, and the system identifies weaknesses of the sales associates based on the sales information. Once a weakness is identified, the system further identifies advice content based on the identified weaknesses of the sales associates. In one component, the system utilizes an activity curve, which tracks aggregate sales information through the sales cycle. The advice content may be determined based on a shape of the activity curve.

Abstract: There are presented various approaches to monitor performance of RF systems and circuitry such as those used in aircraft transponders. Such monitoring may be designed to verify operational performance of transponders as set forth by FAA regulations, or may be used to periodically or continually monitor integrity of transponder performance. Data may be collected by such periodic or continual monitoring, and may be analyzed to identify potentially troublesome trends in transponder performance, allowing early intervention or repair, if warranted.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles (typically small, human-powered bicycles) that affords the rider no restriction on the full range of movements (banks, leans, etc.) common to bicycles, but that provides greater stability during turns and other maneuvers so that an unintentional bank or tilt (potentially causing a fall) is less likely, even at relatively slow speeds and startup. A rotating mass of predetermined mass-value and radial mass-distribution is provided coaxially with the front axle. The mass is supported on bearings so as to freewheel with respect to the rotation of the front wheel. As such it can be induced to spin significantly faster than the front wheel thereby generating a gyroscopic effect at the front wheel about the axle. This gyroscopic effect influences the steering of the wheel by the rider. Due to precession, the wheel tends to follow any excessive bank by the bicycle, ensuring that the rider can “steer-out-of” an unintended tilt or bank.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for simulating an actual explosion of an explosive device includes one or more firing devices and a control module. A firing device comprises a pyrotechnic device operable to direct a pyrotechnic explosion in a predetermined direction to simulate the actual explosion of the explosive device. The control module receives a trigger signal from a trigger device, which is operable to send the trigger signal in response to a trigger event. The control module detonates the firing devices in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A method of opening an ampoule and an ampoule opening device are disclosed.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for batches of elongate flimsy members includes batch handling portion and a coating portion. The batch handling portion having an array support portion and an array alignment portion. The array support portion secures and vertically moves an array of elongate flimsy members to be lowered into an array of inlets of the coating portion, the inlets aligned in an array. The array alignment portion provides removable discrete position locating of the individual flimsy members by a guide portion that moves from an upwardly position downwardly to position each member of the array in alignment with the array of inlets. The support portion then lowers the flimsy members into the coating portion through the array.