Abstract: An improvement for a wave energy converter comprises a substantially rigid skirt adapted to be suspended from a wave energy converter below the surface of the water. The skirt includes an elongate substantially cylindrical structure extending vertically so as to form a flow path for water particles over a surface of the structure. The cylindrical structure has a series of rings of substantially equal diameter arranged concentrically at spaced vertical intervals. The curved surfaces formed by the circular cross-section of the rings, form an undulating flow path for water particles travelling in a vertical direction. In this way the vertical component of the wave energy extracted from the wave's circular water particle motion can be maximized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a propeller of a contra-rotation open fan (CROF) engine of an aircraft. A diameter of the propeller is set to be at a first diameter during at least a portion of a first flight condition of the aircraft. The diameter of the propeller is set to be at a second diameter, different from the first diameter, during at least a portion of a second flight condition of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method and system generate a workflow for the production of a three-dimensional document. A knowledge base contains production rules for several dimensional documents. The production rules relate to a plurality of jobs, i.e., units of work involved in the production of a dimensional document. The rules also identify human and/or mechanical resources required to complete each job. The system receives, from multiple service providers, capability information corresponding to each service provider's available resources. The capability information is associated with the production rules and stored in the knowledge base. When a user selects a dimensional document to be produced, the system selects appropriate production rules for the document, accesses the associated capability information, and automatically generates a workflow for the document. The system distributes various jobs in the workflow among at least two different service providers.

Abstract: Modulators of CRTH2, particularly antagonists of CRTH2, that are useful for treating various disorders, including asthma and respiratory disorders are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a dynamic tasking-masking server comprising a circuit to receive a package of metrics recorded at an adaptive server, coupled to a circuit to search an event register for package elements, coupled to a circuit to generate a replacement profile for transmission to the agent, wherein a circuit is comprises a processor adapted by a program product and storage for data and for instructions to adapt the processor accordingly. An apparatus which either masks or unmasks operations defined in a profile on an adaptive agent or provides a replacement profile to the adaptive agent based on configuration-state recorded and transmitted by a package defined in the last profile and comparison with persistent queries stored in an event register data structure.

Abstract: A detachably mountable ink tank for an inkjet printhead, the ink tank includes a housing for enclosing a reservoir for liquid ink; a rim extending outwardly from the housing; an ink supply port enclosed within the rim; and an ink fill port enclosed within the rim, wherein the ink fill port is configured to receive an ink fill tube to provide liquid ink to the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of filling an ink tank with ink for use with a printer, the method includes the steps of providing or obtaining an ink tank which ink tank includes both an ink supply port and an ink fill port that are enclosed within a rim that extends outwardly from the ink tank; providing an ink fill tube connected to a source of ink; connecting the ink fill tube to the ink fill port; flowing ink from the source of ink through the ink fill tube to the ink tank; removing excess air from the ink tank; and withdrawing the ink fill tube from the ink fill port.

Abstract: Interface systems for interfacing between at least one endoscopic surgical instrument and a cable-controlled guide tube system. Various embodiments include at least one surgical tool docking assembly that is supportable relative to the cable-controlled guide tube system. The surgical tool docking assembly may comprise a cable drive assembly that is operably couplable to the cable-controlled guide system for applying control motions thereto. The surgical tool docking assembly may further comprise at least one tool docking station that is configured to support an endoscopic surgical instrument therein for selective pivotal travel about a first axis and a second axis. The tool docking stations cooperate with corresponding drive shafts for imparting rotary drive motions to the cable drive assembly. Various docking arrangements are disclosed for coupling the cable drive assembly to the cable-controlled guide tube assembly.

Abstract: A system to automatically attach subject descriptions to a digital image containing one or more subjects is described. The system comprises a camera a set of remotely readable badges attached to the subjects, where each badge has a readable identification, a receiver to read the badges where the receiver can determine both the identification of each badge and the location of each badge, and a processor to combine the digital image and the identification and location information is described. By accessing a database containing the subject identification associated with each badge identification the processor can attach subject identification information to each subject in the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating an x-ray tube include a computer programmed to acquire a starter voltage/current value corresponding to a width, a length, or a position of a target focal spot capable of being generated by the x-ray tube. The computer is programmed to generate an electron beam and to steer the electron beam based on the starter voltage/current value. The computer is also programmed to steer the electron beam based on a value adjusted from the starter voltage/current value. The computer is programmed to calculate a final voltage/current value that is configured to generate the width, length, or position of the target focal spot based on the starter voltage/current value and the adjusted starter voltage/current value.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous webs include a multiplicity of continuous fibers formed from one or more thermoplastic polyesters and polypropylene in an amount greater than 0% and no more than 10% by weight of the web. The webs have at least one dimension which decreases by no greater than 10% in the plane of the web when heated to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the fibers. A spunbond process may be used to produce substantially continuous fibers that exhibit molecular orientation. A meltblown process may be used to produce discontinuous fibers that do not exhibit molecular orientation. In some embodiments, the fibers comprise a viscosity modifier and/or an anionic surfactant. The webs may be used as articles for filtration, sound absorption, thermal insulation, surface cleaning, cellular growth support, drug delivery, personal hygiene, medical apparel, or wound dressing.

Abstract: An adaptive load limiting seat belt retractor particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The retractor provides multiple levels of load limiting through the use of a pair of internal torsion bar elements. The torsion bar elements control the tension force on the seat belt webbing during an impact in a manner which provides desirable crash management characteristics. The retractor can be switched between high and low load limiting modes through activation of a pyrotechnic pretensioner. When the pyrotechnic pretensioner is not activated, the retractor provides a low load level characteristic. Pretensioner activation switches the retractor into a high load level operating condition. A high load limiting level is provided when the pretensioner is not activated if the spindle rotation exceeds a limited level in the low load limiting condition.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing requests for reviewing and approving business development materials, such as marketing flipbooks and request for proposals, etc., for compliance and performance approval employs an application server that presents a web-based request form. A requestor uses the request form to enter information regarding the approval request and to select reviewer. The application server then generates a request document and sends it with the business development materials to the selected reviewer(s). The request form and marketing presentation materials are archived in a database to allow real-time monitoring and future auditing.

Abstract: The invention provides novel in vitro diagnostic methods for identifying subjects or patients who may have an increased likelihood of responding to DPP-IV inhibitor therapy. The invention also provides novel polynucleotides associated with increased responsiveness of a patient to DPP-IV inhibition. Polynucleotide fragments which comprise at least one polymorphic locus, are also provided. Allele-specific primers and probes which hybridize to these polymorphic regions, and/or which comprise at least one polymorphic locus are also provided. The polynucleotides, primers, and probes of the invention are useful in phenotype correlations, medicine, and genetic analysis.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device includes a carrier body. The carrier body is integrally molded. The carrier body has at least one assembling portion disposed thereon for assembling purpose. The carrier body has at least one connecting portion respectively extending from the at least one assembling portion. At least one hydraulic brake assembly movably is mounted on the at least one connecting portion of the carrier body. The carrier body with the at least one brake assembly are adapted to assemble with a bicycle for providing a stable assembling effect, a high structural strength, and lightweight effect.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, from an egress switch in a first wireless network, a request for instructions for routing a call from a calling party to a called party in a wireline network. In addition, the method may include performing a lookup to identify a service provider of the called party in a database. Still, in addition, the method may include generating an instruction indicating that the egress switch is to route the call to a core network connected to the egress switch via a direct access line when the same service provider operates the core network and the wireline network, the core network integrated with the wireline network. Furthermore, the method may include sending, by a service control point device, the instruction to the egress switch.

Abstract: Data received over a shared network interface is directly placed by the shared network interface in a designated memory area of a host. In providing this direct memory access, the incoming data packets are split, such that the headers are separated from the data. The headers are placed in a designated area of a memory buffer of the host. Additionally, the data is stored in contiguous locations within the buffer. This receive and store is performed without interruption to the host. Then, at a defined time, the host is interrupted to indicate the receipt and direct storage of the data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for management of storage devices protected by encryption, user authentication, and password protection and auditing schemes in virtualized and non-virtualized environments.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous webs include a multiplicity of continuous fibers formed from one or more thermoplastic polyesters and polypropylene in an amount greater than 0% and no more than 10% by weight of the web. The webs have at least one dimension which decreases by no greater than 10% in the plane of the web when heated to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the fibers. A spunbond process may be used to produce substantially continuous fibers that exhibit molecular orientation. A meltblown process may be used to produce discontinuous fibers that do not exhibit molecular orientation. The webs may be used as articles for filtration, sound absorption, thermal insulation, surface cleaning, cellular growth support, drug delivery, personal hygiene, medical apparel, or wound dressing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to implantable medical devices coated with a taxane therapeutic agent, such as paclitaxel, in one or more solid form(s) having varying dissolution rates. Particularly preferred coatings comprise amorphous and/or solvated solid forms of taxane therapeutic agents that provide durable coatings that release the taxane over a desired period of time, which can be varied in the absence of a polymer by selecting the type and amount of solid forms of the taxane therapeutic agent in the coating. Other preferred embodiments relate to methods of coating medical devices and methods of treatment. The coatings can provide a sustained release of the taxane therapeutic agent within a body vessel without containing a polymer to achieve the desired rate of paclitaxel elution.