Abstract: A precooler apparatus and method for using the same, used in combination with a downstream heat exchange system for increasing the speed of cooling beerwort and enabling a lower final temperature of the cooled beerwort. The precooler is a closable portable unit equipped with various potential configurations involving inlets, outlets, conduit, connections and valves. The precooler exhibits a chamber for holding cooling media, which may be readily recharged. The inlet to the precooler apparatus accepts a cooling water solution, which may be either passed through the interior chamber and through the cooling media or configured to bypass the cooling media within the interior chamber, before being routed to the outlet of the precooler apparatus and subsequently to a heat exchange system.

Abstract: Methods for classifying and for evaluating the prognosis of a subject having breast cancer are provided. The methods include prediction of breast cancer subtype using a supervised algorithm trained to stratify subjects on the basis of breast cancer intrinsic subtype. The prediction model is based on the gene expression profile of the intrinsic genes listed in Table 1. This prediction model can be used to accurately predict the intrinsic subtype of a subject diagnosed with or suspected of having breast cancer. Further provided are compositions and methods for predicting outcome or response to therapy of a subject diagnosed with or suspected of having breast cancer. These methods are useful for guiding or determining treatment options for a subject afflicted with breast cancer.

Abstract: An aircraft landing weight determination system and method are configured to determine an accurate gross weight of an aircraft. The aircraft landing weight determination system and method include a gross weight determination control unit that is configured to determine an accurate gross weight of an aircraft based on a first source of gross weight data of the aircraft and a second source of gross weight data of the aircraft.

Abstract: A device to facilitate thawing frozen food items includes a housing adapted for immersion in a container having a fixed amount of water therein along with full immersion of the one or more frozen food items to be thawed. The housing including a plurality of slits that serve as inlets for the water to be drawn into the housing, a securing structure attached to the housing for securing the device fixedly in place to a surface of the container, and a sealed, waterproof submersible pump provided in the housing, the pump adapted to agitate water from the container that is drawn in by the pump through the slits, The housing further includes an agitator outlet attached to the housing for exhausting the water agitated by the pump into the container so as to be circulated over the one or more frozen food items.

Abstract: Secure access in a computing environment is provided. One implementation involves a client generating a sequence for tapping server ports, and the client identifying itself to the server by tapping the server ports based on the sequence. The server verifies if the tapping sequence is correct. If the tapping sequence is correct, access is provided from the client to the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.

Abstract: Secure access in a computing environment is provided. One implementation involves a client generating a sequence for tapping server ports, and the client identifying itself to the server by tapping the server ports based on the sequence. The server verifies if the tapping sequence is correct. If the tapping sequence is correct, access is provided from the client to the server.

Abstract: An air-transporter conditioner device includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. An electro-kinetic system is disposed in the housing to create an airflow moving from the inlet to the outlet. A timer measures a time period corresponding to the electro-kinetic system and causes an indicator light to illuminate when the measured period reaches a threshold. An arc sensing circuit detects arcing between the first and second electrode arrays of the electro-kinetic system. The electro-kinetic system is turned off in response to arcing being detected by the arc sensing circuit. An indicator light can also specify that arcing has been detected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.

Abstract: A germicidal lamp can selectively direct germicidal light emitted within an air transporting and/or conditioning system. The system can include a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, and a collector electrode configured within the housing and located downstream from the emitter electrode. The system can further include a driver electrode that can be removed from the housing through a side portion of the housing. The driver electrode can be insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. A removable trailing electrode can be configured within the housing and located downstream from the collector electrode. A first voltage source can be electrically coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source can be electrically coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source can be independently and selectively controllable from the first voltage source.

Abstract: A robot cleaner is described that cleans a room using a serpentine room clean and a serpentine localized clean. Sensors can include an object following sensor, a stairway detector and bumper sensors.

Abstract: A robot uses an infrared sensor including an infrared light source which produces pulses of infrared light. Optics focus reflections of the infrared light pulses from different portions of the environment of the robot to different detectors in a 2D array of detectors. The detectors produce an indication of the distance to the closest object in an associated portion of the environment. The robot can use the indications to determine features in the environment. The robot can be controlled to avoid these features.

Abstract: An air conditioning device comprises a substantially thin collector electrode capable of forming ions at a front and/or rear edge when charged. The thin collector electrode preferably having an insulating material disposed on the front and/or rear edge to prevent ions from being emitted therefrom. The collector electrode capable of being in the form of a thin elongated blade whereby an emitter electrode is upstream of the front edge or alternatively downstream of the front edge. The collector electrode alternatively in the form of a cylindrical structure or a porous grid having a plurality of air passageway cells therethrough.

Abstract: Systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include an air transporter-conditioner having a housing with an inlet and an outlet. An ion generator is disposed within the housing, the ion generator being adapted to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet. The ion generator can comprise a emitter electrode array and a collector electrode array, with a voltage generator electrically connecting the arrays. A grid having a photocatalytic coating can further be disposed within the housing such that the grid is upstream of the arrays, and within an airflow generated by the ion generator. An activator, for example a UV lamp, can still further be disposed within the housing and upstream of the arrays, and positioned such that the grid is irradiated by UV light from the UV lamp, activating the photocatalyst and causing VOCs to breakdown in the presence of the photocatalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to air conditioner systems and methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode that is downstream from the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode has a plurality of pins axially arranged about a center. Preferably, the pins are arranged in a circle about the center. A driver electrode is located within the interior of the collector electrode. Preferably, although not necessarily, the driver electrode is insulated. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The embodiments as described herein have some or all of the advantages of increasing the particle collection efficiency, increasing the rate and/or volume of airflow, reducing arcing, and/or reducing the amount of ozone generated.

Abstract: Conditioning matrices for removing pollutants from air streams of electro-static and electromechanical devices are disclosed. The conditioning matrices can be coated with a reactive material that interacts with the airflow. The conditioning matrices can be positioned in the air stream and catalyze reactions of pollutants into nonpolluting compounds.

Abstract: Electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner systems and methods are provided. A system includes a pin emitter electrode and a ring collector electrode located downstream from the emitter electrode. A driver electrode, which is preferably insulated, is located at least partially within an interior of said ring collector electrode. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of said emitter electrode and said collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The driver electrode may or may not be at a same voltage potential as the emitter electrode, but should be at a different voltage potential than the collector electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: Electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner systems and methods are provided. A system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least a one collector (and likely, at least a pair of collector electrodes) that are downstream from the emitter electrode. An insulated driver electrode is located adjacent a collector electrode, and where there is at least a pair of collector electrodes, between each pair of collector electrodes. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to the at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode(s), to thereby provide a potential different therebetween. The insulated driver electrode(s) may or may not be at a same voltage potential as the emitter electrode, but should be at a different voltage potential than the collector electrode(s).