Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for kinetic energy harvesting are disclosed. An example kinetic energy harvesting apparatus includes first and second magnet housings configured to each have a tubular shape. Each of the first and second magnet housing contains a central magnet and a ferrous shield connected to the respective magnet housings. One of the ferrous shields is located on a first side of the first magnet housing that is opposite of a second side facing the second magnet housing. The other of the ferrous shields is located on a first side of the second magnet housing that is opposite of a second side facing the first magnet housing.

Abstract: A method and system for computer-assisted collaboration, self-correction and peer assessment in education is provided. The method provides students with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes through inductive self-correction, such as would be provided by one-on-one teaching, without requiring a large investment of time from a teacher by using a computer algorithm to provide self-correction hints. Both human teachers and computer algorithms mark sections of the student's response to an educational activity as requiring improvement, and set constraints that the improved work should satisfy. Another algorithm then provides hints which lead the student through a process of improving their response until it meets the given constraints. Practical measures allowing for students to act as teachers for each other through peer assessment are also provided.

Abstract: For recognizing shadowing events affecting a photovoltaic module, electric power produced by the module is recorded. For each position of the sun on a present day an expected value of the electric power is defined. Further, an ideal power course of the electric power over the present day is determined by fitting a curve that corresponds to cloudless sun without shadow casting obstacles to peak values of the electric power recorded for same positions of the sun during a plurality of previous days. For all positions of the sun at which the electric power produced on the present day falls short of the ideal power course a shadowing probability of not less than zero is defined whose magnitude depends on the level of accord of the electric power produced on the present day with the expected value at the position of the sun.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for kinetic energy harvesting are disclosed. An example kinetic energy harvesting apparatus includes a tubular-shaped magnet housing, a first end-cap magnet configured to connect to a first end of the magnet housing and a second end-cap magnet configured to connect to a second end of the magnet housing. The apparatus also includes a first wire coil configured to be connected to the magnet housing between the first end and a center of the magnet housing and a second wire coil configured to be connected to the magnet housing between the second end and the center of the magnet housing. The apparatus further includes a central magnet configured to be located within the magnet housing between the first end and the second end such that the central magnet is suspended within the magnet housing.

Abstract: A compressor having a purge circuit. In one embodiment, the compressor includes: a rotor having a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a set of radially extending rotor wheels; a working fluid supply path for providing working fluid to each of the plurality of stages for compression by each set of radially extending rotor wheels; a purge circuit for diverting a first portion of the working fluid from an upstream portion of the working fluid supply path to at least one downstream stage of the plurality of stages; and a substantially axial bypass path bypassing the at least one downstream stage, the substantially axial bypass path for diverting a second portion of the working fluid around the at least one downstream stage.

Abstract: An attenuation bracket is provided and includes an annular body having an annular attenuation arm defining first through-holes and an annular base defining second through-holes. A cross-section of the attenuation arm includes a flange, a connector opposite the flange and a curvilinear section extending between the flange and the connector. A cross-section of the base includes a first side corresponding with the flange and a second side opposite the first side and corresponding with the connector. The second side is connectable with the connector such that each of the first through-holes is defined in positional alignment with a corresponding one of the second through-holes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds effective for activation of Tie-2 and inhibition of HPTP-beta. The compounds can provide effective therapy for conditions associated with angiogenesis, for example, ocular conditions. Formulations for increased solubility are disclosed. Combination therapy with antibodies and PK/PD data are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for making latency measurements and using these measurements in routing in optical networks. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is defined whereby two nodes sharing a line automatically determine whether both nodes are capable of making a latency measurement and then which node will initiate and which node participates in making the latency measurement. In another exemplary embodiment, an on-demand latency measurement may be made between any two arbitrary nodes within a domain. Routing messages may be used to disseminate the latency of links via a signaling and routing protocol. Advantageously, the present invention provides measurement of latency and latency variation of customer circuits (i.e., SNCs) using an in-band, non-intrusive calculation with a high-degree of accuracy. Furthermore, the present invention may consider these calculations for circuit routing based on the latency and circuit acceptance based on maximum latency restrictions.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a bis(phthalimide) composition includes reacting, in the presence of a solvent and a catalytically active amount of an imidization catalyst selected from quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof, a substituted phthalic anhydride with an organic diamine, wherein conversion to the bis(phthalimide) is 99% complete in less than 6 hours.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides line flapping detection systems and methods for optical networks using, for example, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Optical Transport Network (OTN), and the like. Line flapping includes conditions, failures, etc. on a particular line going in and out of failure without raising an alarm or the like. The line flapping detection systems and methods provide configurable settings to set an alarm when it has been determined that a line is indeed flapping. First, there is a two level hierarchical control mechanism used to determine whether to report the alarm. Additionally, the line flapping detection systems and methods are configured to correlate events to count as single line failures instead of a plurality of distinct events.

Abstract: An inner ring for a bearing assembly with an inner surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial slots defined therein each having a flat axially extending bottom wall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced partial circumferential slots defined therein each intersecting one of the axial slots and extending circumferentially therefrom around a respective portion of a circumference of the inner surface, shoulder radial holes extending therethrough each from a respective one of the circumferential slots to a corresponding one of the shoulders, and race radial holes extending therethrough each from a respective one of the circumferential slots to a corresponding corner of the inner race. The radial holes are circumferentially offset from the axial slots. A bearing assembly and a method of lubricating such an assembly are also discussed.

Abstract: A polyetherimide having an OH content that is greater than 0 and equal or less than 100 ppm; and a chlorine content that is greater than 0 ppm is disclosed herein. A method for preparing the polyetherimide is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for merging multiple domains into a merged domain and splitting a single domain into multiple domains in an Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON) are disclosed. For merging, a node in a first domain can be identified to be a new Routing Controller (RC) for the merged domain. A second domain can be identified to be merged with the first domain. Nodes, including old RCs, in the first domain and the second domain are notified of the identity of the new RC in the merged domain. The topology of the old RC's domain is sent to the new RC. The new topology is computed by the new RC from the topology information given by the old RCs. The updated topology is distributed to nodes in the merged domain via the new RC.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a spanning tree topology used as a spanning tree flooding topology for messages on a link state routed network. Specifically, messages are only broadcast on the links in the spanning tree flooding topology thereby significantly reducing message flooding. The present disclosure also provides systems and methods for automatically, correctly, and efficiently creating, reconfiguring, and fixing the spanning tree topology in the event of any spanning tree link failures.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting the rotor blade tips of rotary machines, particularly the compressors of gas turbine engines, comprising a rotor assembly having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart rotor blades, with each blade extending radially outwardly from an inner wheel disk; a stator assembly comprising one or more rows of spaced-apart vanes extending between adjacent rows of the rotor blades; a casing extending circumferentially around the rotor and stator assemblies; and an abradable ceramic coating applied to selected areas of the interior cylindrical surface of the rotor casing to thereby provide a minimum clearance between the casing and rotor blades during start up and to thereafter ensure an effective compressor seal for compressed gas flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is an installation (1) for sterilizing objects (8) by means of a radiation source (50). The installation (1) comprises an irradiation zone (5) in which the radiation source (50) is arranged. An entry zone (3), which is preceded by a feed zone (2), is mounted in front of the irradiation zone (5) while an exit zone (4), which is followed by a subsequent processing zone (9), is mounted behind the irradiation zone (5). A transportation line (6) that is used for conveying the objects (8) extends through the installation (1). One respective shield (7) is associated with the entry zone (3) and the exit zone (4). The entry zone (3) encompasses a first inlet opening (31) that has a passage to the feed zone (2) as well as a second inlet opening (32) which has a passage to the irradiation zone (5). The exit zone (4) has a first outlet (41) that has a passage to the irradiation zone (5) as well as a second outlet opening (42) which has a passage to the subsequent processing zone (9).

Abstract: An attenuation bracket is provided and includes an annular body having an annular attenuation arm defining first through-holes and an annular base defining second through-holes. A cross-section of the attenuation arm includes a flange, a connector opposite the flange and a curvilinear section extending between the flange and the connector. A cross-section of the base includes a first side corresponding with the flange and a second side opposite the first side and corresponding with the connector. The second side is connectable with the connector such that each of the first through-holes is defined in positional alignment with a corresponding one of the second through-holes.

Abstract: A compressor having a purge circuit. In one embodiment, the compressor includes: a rotor having a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a set of radially extending rotor wheels; a working fluid supply path for providing working fluid to each of the plurality of stages for compression by each set of radially extending rotor wheels; a purge circuit for diverting a first portion of the working fluid from an upstream portion of the working fluid supply path to at least one downstream stage of the plurality of stages; and a substantially axial bypass path bypassing the at least one downstream stage, the substantially axial bypass path for diverting a second portion of the working fluid around the at least one downstream stage.

Abstract: A pet leash which allows the user to remain connected to the pet such that the user can alternatively move between a hands-free connection and a hand-held connection. The hands-free connection can consist of an arm band fixture that can be connected to the user's arm and allows the pet owner to operate the leash hands free so that the user's hands are available for other tasks. The hand-held connection can consist of a grip handle that allows for a shorter hold on the leash and gives more control in situations in need of more restraint. The leash can be adjusted for different user arm lengths and for different dog heights. A pocket on the armband and a pouch on the grip handle can be provided for additional storage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improvements with respect to in-band control plane signaling, virtualized channels, and tandem connection monitoring in optical networks utilizing Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Optical Transport Network (OTN), and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure includes an optical network operating a control plane with in-band signaling utilizing SONET/SDH path level overhead. In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure includes an optical network operating virtualized SONET/SDH or OTN channels with manually cross-connections at intermediate line terminating elements. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure includes a tandem connection monitoring selection method across multiple operator domains.