Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical pencil with integrated ligasure tweezers. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure the electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing having an open distal end and including an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. At least one of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. At least one switch is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.

Abstract: A body control module (BCM) of a vehicle has an output bus which provides addressed control signals to a plurality of electrical control units (ECUs) coupled to the bus. The ECUs include a power control relay and an addressable control circuit which responds to an address uniquely identifying a particular ECU for actuating the associated relay to provide power to an electrical device in the vehicle. The control signals from the BCM can be any one of several data processing protocols, including local interconnect network (LIN), and controller area network (CAN) to provide the address and data for controlling each of the relays.

Abstract: A combustor fuel nozzle includes a center body and an inner shroud that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the center body. The inner shroud has a downstream surface. The fuel nozzle includes an inner passage between the center body and the inner shroud, an outer passage that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the inner shroud and a first plurality of fuel ports extending substantially radially outward through the center body. The first plurality of fuel ports is upstream from the downstream surface of the inner shroud. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor fuel nozzle includes flowing a working fluid through an inner passage between a center body and an inner shroud, injecting a fuel from the center body against the inner shroud, and flowing a portion of the working fluid through an outer passage that surrounds at least a portion of the inner shroud.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the invention provide a guided approach to pyrosequencing (i.e., hybrid pyrosequencing). A de novo nucleic acid sequence may compared to a library of possible results and the next nucleotide to be dispensed is selected based on the comparison of the de novo sequence and the library of possible results. In another example, at least the first nucleotide to be dispensed is selected based on a query of a database(s) of non-sequence parameters (e.g., incidence of infection, diagnostic symptoms, sample source) and subsequent dispensations determined based on a comparison of the de novo sequence and the library of possible results (e.g., candidate sequences). The systems and methods of the invention may be performed using a droplet actuator.

Abstract: A combustor includes a plurality of tubes arranged in a tube bundle and supported by at least one plate that extends radially within the combustor, wherein each tube includes an upstream end axially separated from a downstream end and provides fluid communication through the tube bundle. A flow conditioner extends upstream from the upstream end of one or more of the plurality of tubes, and a radial passage extends through the flow conditioner. A method for distributing fuel in a combustor including flowing a working fluid through a flow conditioner that extends from a tube that is configured in a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes and that is supported by at least one plate. The flow conditioner includes at least one radial passage to impart radial swirl to the working fluid. Flowing a fuel through an annular insert that is at least partially surrounded by the flow conditioner.

Abstract: A method for determining a cooling flow parameter of a cooling medium supplied through a gas turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving a signal associated with a first value of a combustion product parameter at a location within a combustion zone of the gas turbine, receiving a signal associated with a second value of a combustion product parameter at a location downstream of the combustion zone, comparing the first and second values of the combustion product parameter and determining a cooling flow parameter of the cooling medium based on the comparison of the first and second values.

Abstract: A leash includes two selectively lockable loops at opposed ends. One loop is adjustable in size to fit about an animal's neck and includes a sheath for purposes of comfort and for defining the size of the first loop. A second loop is adjustable in size for the hand of a user or for attaching the leash to an anchor point. A sheath extends along the second loop for comfort and for defining the size of the second loop.

Abstract: A system and method for performing database synchronization between a first database of a first device and a second database of a second device is disclosed. The first database stores medical records having non-time based counter values associated thereto. The second database stores medical records having timestamps associated thereto. The first device includes a first database synchronization module that maintains a last timestamp indicating a last medical record that was received from the second device. The first database synchronization module transmits, to the second device, a request for synchronization and the last timestamp. The second device includes a second database synchronization module that maintains a last counter value indicative of a last medical record that was received from the first device, and that transmits, to the first device, a second request for synchronization and the last counter value.

Abstract: A method and system for processing image data in an image processing device for a plurality of pixel positions within a plurality of scanlines. The method and system includes storing a starting stamp value and a plurality of delta stamp values for the scanline. The stored values being used to generate a pixel stamp value for an input pixel in the scanline, by adding a starting value or previous pixel stamp value and the stored delta stamp value for the input pixel. Further includes receiving an input pixel intensity value for the input pixel and determining an output pixel intensity value. Subsequently, if the output pixel intensity value for the input pixel is equal to a value for a dot or hole the delta stamp values for at least one pixel having a location previous or subsequent to the input pixel can be updated.

Abstract: An optical code symbol reading system including a housing having a light transmission aperture, and at least one sound port formed in the housing. The system includes an optical code symbol reading subsystem for optically reading a code symbol in the field external to the light transmission aperture, and generating symbol character data representative of the read code symbol. An electro-acoustic transducer is disposed in the housing for producing sonic energy. Also, an acoustic-waveguide structure is disposed in the housing, for coupling the sonic energy produced from the electro-acoustic transducer, to the at least sound wave port formed the housing, to audibly signal the reading of a code symbol to the operator of the optical code symbol reading system.

Abstract: A combiner/divider circuit may include first, second, third, fourth and fifth transmission lines each including a signal conductor and a signal-return conductor. The signal conductors at a first end of the first transmission line may form a first unbalanced sum signal terminal and the signal conductors at first ends of the second, third, fourth, and fifth transmission lines may form pairs of balanced signal terminals. The signal conductor at a second end of the first transmission line may be connected to the signal conductors at second ends of the fourth and fifth transmission lines. The signal conductors at second ends of the second and third transmission lines may be connected to the signal-return conductors at second ends of the fourth and fifth transmission lines, respectively. The second ends of the transmission lines may extend into the connection region along a common line.

Abstract: Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.

Abstract: A hosted web service is provided to enable the legitimate sharing and reselling digital music among subscribers to the web service by leveraging the teachings of the first sale doctrine of copyright law. By maintaining a single copy of properly purchased song within the system that can be only accessed by one subscriber at a time, the web service preserves the rights of the copyright holder of the digital music while encouraging a community sharing.

Abstract: A non-contact biometric sensing device is described. The device includes a processing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the processing device, a display communicatively coupled to the processing device, a laser doppler vibrometer sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device, and an infrared camera communicatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to utilize mechanical motion data received from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and thermal distributions data from the infrared camera to calculate biometric data, when signals originating from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and the infrared camera are reflected back towards the device from a target.

Abstract: A system for determining whether a motor in an electrical submersible pump is backspinning is described herein. The system comprises a sensor mounted in a well bore proximate to a ground surface, the sensor outputting a backspin signal; a communication link connected to the sensor, the communications link communicating the backspin signal; and a controller receiving the backspin signal from the communications link and processing the backspin signal to determine whether the motor is backspinning.

Abstract: A computer system and method for evaluating underwriting requirements, and for evaluating expected changes in mortality of an insurable class in response to changes in such requirements. In certain embodiments, the method and system involves storing data relating to the requirements, determining expected mortality using a first set of requirements, changing one or more of the requirements and predetermining expected mortality using the changed set of requirements and the stored data. In addition to evaluating proposed changes in underwriting requirements, the system and method may be used in the design and pricing of insurance products.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for determining formation density. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a bottomhole assembly having a drill bit attached to end thereof for drilling through a formation, a first sensor in the drill bit configured to provide first signals for determining a first density of the formation proximate to the drill, a second sensor distal from the first sensor configured to provide signals for determining density of a second density of the formation, and a processor configured to determine the formation density from the first density and the second density.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for film grain cache splitting for film grain simulation. In one embodiment of the present invention a method for storing film grain patterns includes storing at least a first portion of film grain patterns in an internal memory and storing at least a second portion of the film grain patterns in an external memory. That is, in the present invention a method for film grain cache splitting for film grain simulation includes splitting the storage of film grain patterns between an internal cache and an external memory. In one embodiment of the present invention, the internal cache is integrated into an integrated circuit chip of a decoder.

Abstract: A low-cost contour cuff for surgical tourniquet systems comprises: a sheath containing an inflatable bladder, the sheath having an arcuate shape, an outer surface and a centerline equidistant between first and second side edges; a securing strap non-releasably attached to the outer surface and formed of substantially inextensible material having a shape that is predetermined and substantially flat, wherein the strap includes a bending portion near a first strap end and a fastening portion near a second strap end, and wherein the bending portion is adapted to allow twisting of the bending portion out of the substantially flat shape to facilitate positioning of the fastening portion into any of a plurality of positions in the substantially flat shape; and fastening means for releasably attaching the fastening portion of the securing strap to the outer surface whenever the sheath is curved into a position for surrounding a limb.