Abstract: An upright column is packed with particles of a first material so the particles touch one another and a network of voids is defined between the particles. The network will be substantially continuous. A second material is then introduced into the column so the second material penetrates the network and fills the voids. The mixture of first and second materials is then consolidated using heat to melt the first or second material, whilst the other one of the first or second material remains in a solid state and acts as a space holder. Thereafter, the material which acts as the space holder may be removed thereby to leave a substantially continuous porous network defined by the material which was melted. It is found that, by use of the method, a substantially continuous network of the material which is melted can be formed and that the other material can readily be removed and/or is more easily removed compared to if a mixture of first and second materials was formed prior to packing in a column or mould.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for purging various hearing aid devices. An enclosure may be used to encapsulate and/or affix a hearing aid device to the enclosure. Content from a purging source may be flushed throughout the enclosure to rid the enclosure and/or the hearing aid device of any debris. Similarly, modifications of hearing aid devices may facilitate the purging of various hearing aid devices by flushing content through the hearing aid device via one or more portals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and agents that are useful in the prevention and amelioration of signs and symptoms associated with neuropathic conditions. More particularly, the present invention discloses the use of angiotensin II receptor 2 (AT2 receptor) antagonists for the treatment, prophylaxis, reversal and/or symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain, including mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal or mechanical allodynia, diabetic pain and entrapment pain, in vertebrate animals and particularly in human subjects. The AT2 receptor antagonists may be provided alone or in combination with other compounds such as those that are useful in the control of neuropathic conditions.

Abstract: An activity monitoring apparatus is provided. The activity monitoring apparatus includes a retention feature configured to removably secure the monitoring apparatus to a participant performing a physical activity. The activity monitoring apparatus further includes a clasping mechanism configured to receive a mobile electronic device and removably secure the mobile electronic device to the monitoring apparatus. The activity monitoring apparatus further includes a physiological data collector and electronic circuitry. The physiological data collector is configured to collect physiological data associated with the participant performing the physical activity. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the physiological data associated with the participant from the physiological data collector, process the physiological data, and wirelessly transmit the processed physiological data to the mobile electronic device for display on the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A user viewing an online content item using an online content client application can, from within that application, launch an operating application to operate on the content item. The operating application can interact with the online content management provider to obtain a current copy of the content item and to save a modified content item back to the online content management service, e.g., if the user instructs the operating application to save the item. Interactions between the client application, the operating application and the online content management service can occur without requiring the user to manually initiate upload or download of any content items. Operations on an online content item can also be initiated from within an operating application.

Abstract: Improved soles for shoes, in particular for sports shoes, are described. A sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided, said sole having a cushioning element that includes randomly arranged particles of an expanded material and a control element. The control element is free from expanded material and reduces the shearing motions in a first region of the cushioning element compared to shearing motions in a second region of the cushioning element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): as further described herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomers, rotamers, tautomers, or racemates thereof. Also provided are methods of treating a disease or condition mediated by PIM kinase using the compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.

Abstract: Multiple packets are received that were transmitted by multiple mobile electronic device sensors located in a predefined area. The packets each include data detected by the sensors of multiple mobile electronic devices. At least a portion of the collected data is stored including multiple unique device identifiers that belong to multiple mobile electronic devices. Responsive to determining that at least two of the unique device identifiers are sequential, a set of values based on the at least two unique devices identifiers are associated as belonging to a same one of the mobile electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces strains, preferably gougerotin-producing Streptomyces strains such as Streptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550 and/or a mutant thereof having all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens and at least one fungicide (I) in a synergistically effective amount, with the proviso that the biological control agent and fungicide (I) are not identical. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

Abstract: In described embodiments, a VCO based CDR for a SerDes device includes a phase detector, a VCO responsive to a first control signal and a second control signal and generating an output signal, a frequency calibration module configured to calibrate the frequency of the output signal by performing a coarse calibration and a subsequent fine calibration, a gear shifting control module controlling a gain change of the first and second control signals in time, and a look-up table created by fine calibration values generated from the frequency calibration module, wherein the programmed variable gain of the gear shifting control module is calculated by a calculation circuit employing the fine calibration values stored in the look-up table, the calculation of the calculation circuit adjusts gear shifting down, and adjusts a gear shifting gain, and adjusting an overall CDR gain over a VCO control curve.

Abstract: A constant-flow control valve and BTU meter assembly that has a pressure independent, constant-flow control valve assembly connectable to the fluid-based heating or cooling system. A valve stem is connected to a valve member and is rotatable as a unit relative to a valve body to change the position of valve member to change a fluid flow rate through the valve. The valve member's position relative to the fluid path is directly related to the fluid flow rate. A BTU meter assembly is connected to the valve stem, which is rotatable relative to the BTU meter assembly. A position sensor of the BTU meter assembly detects a rotational position of the valve stem relative to the BTU body. A controller of the BTU meter assembly determines the fluid flow rate based upon the pressure drop across the valve assembly and the rotational position of the valve stem.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to chokes for suppressing undesired signals such as such as common mode electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI). The chokes can include an electro-conductive sleeve disposed over an electrical cable and the sleeve can be configured to suppress an undesired signal. In some embodiments, the electro-conductive sleeve and have a half-wave sleeve, which can be electrically open at both ends. Additional insulating material can be included between the electrical cable and the sleeve. Multiple electro-conductive sleeves and be disposed substantially concentrically over the cable. The chokes can be configured to reduce passive intermodulation (PIM). The sleeve can have a longitudinal slot that extends the length of the sleeve. The sleeve can include multiple slots that separate the sleeve into multiple panels, which can be configured to suppress different signals.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 is C1-6alkylamino, or C1-6alkoxy; R2 is a group having the structure: n is an integer having a value of 1 to 6; Het is a 6-membered saturated heterocycle containing one nitrogen atom wherein Het is attached to the —(CH2)n— moiety at any carbon atom of the heterocycle; R3 is hydrogen, C1-8alkyl, or C3-7cycloalkylC0-6alkyl; and salts thereof are inducers of human interferon. Compounds which induce human interferon may be useful in the treatment of various disorders, for example the treatment of allergic diseases and other inflammatory conditions for example allergic rhinitis and asthma, the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer, and may also be useful as vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: An automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. The method includes the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, performing an image segregation operation on the image file to generate a set of intrinsic images corresponding to the image, modifying a preselected one of the set of intrinsic images according to a set of preselected operations and merging the modified one of the set of intrinsic images relative to the set of intrinsic images to provide a modified output image.

Abstract: A method for scanning and securing a container including a plurality of at least partially composite panels defining an interior volume is disclosed. The method includes: storing unique identification information in an identification element within container; sealing the container; monitoring the container for intrusion; without breaching the seal of the container, remotely identifying the container based on the unique identity information without breaching the seal of the container; without breaching the seal of the container; scanning the identified container to determine the presence or absence of a nuclear weapon in the interior volume; and if the scan determines no nuclear weapon is present remotely storing certificate information associated with the identity of the container in a remote monitor unit.

Abstract: A machine-implementable method for uniquely watermarking a content object according to end user identity includes transcoding an original content object to a format that is compatible with end user systems, and storing the transcoded content object where it is accessible by one or more points of presence (POPs) of a content delivery network. One of the POPs receives identifying information associated with a specific one of the end user systems. A digital watermark engine adds uncorrected digital watermark information correlating to the end user system, to the content object, to form a uniquely watermarked content object. The uncorrected digital watermark information is correctable by error correction capability of the specific end user system to deliver a version of the content object that is indistinguishable by a human from the original content object. The method further includes transmitting the uniquely watermarked content object to the specific end user system.

Abstract: A motion command is constructed based on an optimized acceleration pulse designed to control the spectral content of the commanded acceleration. By way of judicious design of the pulse shape, the majority of the energy in the command is contained in a narrow baseband and rolls off rapidly in frequencies outside that band. Additionally, the command can be constructed to suppress selected frequency content in one or more attenuation bands outside the baseband. The resulting motion command permits rapid motion control, while avoiding the excitation of unwanted resonant response in the system while remaining tolerant of system uncertainty.

Abstract: A cam cover for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine has an aperture in the cam cover adapted to permit spark plug installation into the cylinder head and two tabs protruding vertically from the cam cover adapted to retain a boss extending from an ignition coil. The ignition coil has a portion adapted to fit over the spark plug and an orifice through the boss. The cam cover also has a recess between the tabs with the recess extending into the cam cover which is adapted to accept a self-tapping screw in the event of a tab failure. The tabs have a varying cross-section along their length such that they allow the orifice to slide over the tabs squeezing the tabs together and then snapping into place when the orifice clears the ramps on the side of the tabs.

Abstract: A phaser with a cam torque actuated vane defining cam torque actuated advance and retard chambers and an oil pressure actuated vane defining oil pressure actuated advance and retard chambers. The phaser is moved to an advance position and a retard position through both cam torque energy and oil pressure energy. The holding position of the phaser is maintained through oil pressure energy.

Abstract: Embodiments for predicting catalyst function are disclosed. One example embodiment includes applying a set of parameter readings for a given sample to a support vector machine to generate a classification output, recording a plurality of classification outputs for a plurality of successive samples over a first duration, and indicating catalyst degradation if a threshold percentage of the classification outputs indicates degraded catalyst performance. In this way, catalyst degradation may be indicated using a simplified model that does not require extensive calibration.