Abstract: A system and method and fastening tool that utilizes ultrasonic or acoustic energy and a horn that focuses the energy into the fastener at a predetermined location in order to facilitate tightening or loosening the fastener.

Abstract: A tablet for insertion into a vagina including 0.01 to 500 mg of a vaginal medication, such as a microbicide, such as cellulose acetate 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate (CAP); 100 to 500 mg of mannitol powder; 50 to 300 mg of inert microcrystalline cellulose; 10 to 80 mg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; 50 to 250 mg of glycerol and optionally 2 to 4 mg of at least one preservative which protects against microbicidal contamination and discourages the growth of yeast in the vagina. The tablet which includes CAP as the vaginal medication is vaginally administered before coitus in methods for preventing the sexual transmission of HIV-1, HIV-2, herpesvirus, or an infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Haemophilus ducreyi or Treponema pallidum. The tablet which includes CAP as the vaginal medication is vaginally administered to prevent or treat bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: A weightlifting belt with hook for a person exercising to be able to hang a weight from a belt around their waist. This invention enables the quick and easy removal (or addition) of the weight by the person exercising or by a third party (‘spotter’) while the person exercising remains in the exercising position on the exercise equipment. The weight hanging from the belt increases their total weight and therefore the difficulty of the exercise and in turn the exercise's effectiveness. The ‘pull-up’, ‘chin-up’ and ‘dip’ exercises are particularly targeted with this invention. The inventive device includes a belt that goes around a person's waist with a hook attached to hang a dumbbell-style weight from. A metal plate formed to create a hook from which to hang a dumbbell-style weight. A belt is passed through a slot-shaped hole in the metal plate so that a person can wear the device around their waist.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for communicating in a wireless network using multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). A network service node is configured to send identical packets substantially simultaneously to each of a serving network access station and one or more target network access stations via two or more respective MPLS tunnels in response to a handoff trigger message. Additional embodiments and variations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data transfer arrangement may be used in a System on a Chip (SoC). The SoC has a processing element fabric and a logic element fabric. The two fabrics are coupled by a fabric exchange element to transfer data efficiently between the processing element fabric and the logic element fabric to facilitate parallel processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for permitting access to the interior of a fluid-carrying pipe, the apparatus comprising a valve assembly adapted to permit a hole to be drilled in the wall of the pipe or an item to be introduced into or removed from the pipe by way of a pre-existing hole in the wall of the pipe without fluid escaping from the assembly and a member which has a first end connected to the valve assembly and a second end for engaging that part of the wall of the pipe lying opposite the valve assembly, the member being adapted to be lowered into the excavation and then engaged with the wall of the pipe in such a manner that the valve assembly can be clamped to the wall of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and system for a network node for attachment to switch fabrics is described. The system includes an access unit to provide access to communications from an external network, a classification element to label received packets with information identifying an associated flow and queue, a mapping element to place the packets into one of a plurality of queues based on the label identifiers, a scheduler to schedule packets in the queues for transmission, and an encapsulation element to encapsulate the scheduled packets into uniform size frames. The uniform size frames may then be transmitted to a next destination through a switch fabric.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling applications of software stacks in different virtualization partitions to communicate using data elements, each data element including a metadata descriptor having one or more property-value pairs, the enabling including identifying a relationship between a first application and a second application based on a data element provided by each of the first application and the second application.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling services in different nodes of a distributed system to communicate using data elements, each data element including a metadata descriptor having one or more property-value pairs, the enabling including identifying a relationship between a first service and a second service based on a data element provided by each of the first service and the second service.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone lines assigned to a VoIP Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). A VoIP call window is displayed on a display device of the VoIP CPE. A different one of a plurality of sub-windows are assigned to each of the different VoIP phone lines. The sub-windows are displayed so that they can be viewed at the same time within the VoIP call window. An indicia is displayed within each of the sub-windows that identifies with which of the VoIP phone lines each sub-window is assigned.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for communicating in a wireless network using multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). A network service node is configured to send identical packets substantially simultaneously to each of a serving network access station and one or more target network access stations via two or more respective MPLS tunnels in response to a handoff trigger message. Additional embodiments and variations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data transfer arrangement may be used in a System on a Chip (SoC). The SoC has a processing element fabric and a logic element fabric. The two fabrics are coupled by a fabric exchange element to transfer data efficiently between the processing element fabric and the logic element fabric to facilitate parallel processing.

Abstract: A method and system for a network node for attachment to switch fabrics is described. The system includes an access unit to provide access to communications from an external network, a classification element to label received packets with information identifying an associated flow and queue, a mapping element to place the packets into one of a plurality of queues based on the label identifiers, a scheduler to schedule packets in the queues for transmission, and an encapsulation element to encapsulate the scheduled packets into uniform size frames. The uniform size frames may then be transmitted to a next destination through a switch fabric.

Abstract: A method and system for open-loop congestion control in a system fabric is described. The method includes determining which traffic class each received network packet belongs, determining a path to be taken by each packet through a switch fabric, classifying each packet into one of a plurality of flow bundles based on the packet's destination and path through the switch fabric, mapping each packet into one of a plurality of queues to await transmission based on the flow bundle to which the packet has been classified, and scheduling the packets in the queues for transmission to a next destination through the switch fabric.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for performing reliability balancing, based on past distributed programming network component history, which balances computing resources and their processing components for the purpose of improving the availability and reliability of these resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator and indicator cartridge that shows the amount of material on a roll. The roll preferably has at least one toothed sprocket, the indicator, and includes a rotatable rod which is rotated through engagement with the rotating roll. At one end of the rod, a pinion gear is fixed to engage the toothed sprocket. An indicator member is slidingly configured to engage the rod such that the rotation is at least partially converted to linear motion of the indicator member. The rod and the indicator member are preferably threaded. A reference point is included for showing the linear displacement of the indicator member relative to the rod.

Abstract: A containerless method of producing a crack free metallic article of near-net shape includes melting a filler material into a metallic substrate or seed under conditions chosen to preclude cracking. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a laser beam is operated at a relatively low power density and at a relatively large beam diameter at the substrate surface for an extended length of time to produce a molten pool with a low aspect ratio. Near-net shape is achieved by applying the process in a closed-loop, multi-axis material deposition system.

Abstract: A filler material is melted into a metallic substrate having a defect under conditions chosen to preclude cracking. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a laser beam is operated at a relatively low power density and at a relatively large diameter for an extended length of time to produce a molten pool with a low aspect ratio.

Abstract: A containerless method of producing a crack free metallic article of near-net shape includes melting a filler material into a metallic substrate or seed under conditions chosen to preclude cracking. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a laser beam is operated at a relatively low power density and at a relatively large beam diameter at the substrate surface for an extended length of time to produce a molten pool with a low aspect ratio. Near-net shape is achieved by applying the process in a closed-loop, multi-axis material deposition system.

Abstract: A plant watering and feeding support system comprises at least three upstanding tubular stakes. Each stake has a lower end thereof planted in a soil. The stakes each have a part located above a ground surface of the soil which is adapted with a connector for receiving ends of tubular cross members which extend therefrom in a horizontal plane and generally join the parts of the stakes located above the ground. Therefore, a horizontal liquid distribution network is defined. A liquid poured in at least a top end of one of the stakes thus distributes to the other stakes through the distribution network and to the soil downwardly by way of the stakes through the lower ends thereof. The plant is basically supported by the cross members. The connectors are adapted to receive at their upper ends the lower ends of vertical tubes which are provided at their upper ends with further connectors.