Abstract: Enclosures are used to attenuate noise produced by a high decibel producing device, such as a gas turbine engine or other rotating machinery. However, enclosures that achieve high Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings are generally expensive and immobile, whereas inexpensive and mobile enclosures are generally incapable of achieving high STC ratings. Accordingly, a composite noise-attenuating panel system is disclosed that can achieve the high STC ratings associated with immobile, site-erected enclosures, using subpanels that are separated by an air gap and an internal filler (e.g., mineral wool), while maintaining the weight, form factor, and ease of use associated with lightweight, modular mobile enclosures.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing timing for drilling and tripping operation. An example method may include receiving a plurality of sensor data characterizing rig equipment and tripping status. The method may include identifying a plurality of multi-thread rig states based on the plurality of sensor data. The method calculates a plurality of optimal rig state characteristics (RSCs), wherein the plurality of optimal RSCs are calculated based on the plurality of sensor data as it relates to the plurality of multi-thread rig states. The method also performs a tripping operation with the rig equipment after applying the plurality of optimal RSCs. The method may also gather a plurality of updated sensor data from the rig equipment during the tripping operation for a recalculation of the plurality of optimal RSCs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing timing for drilling and tripping operation. An example method may include receiving a plurality of sensor data characterizing rig equipment and tripping status. The method may include identifying a plurality of multi-thread rig states based on the plurality of sensor data. The method calculates a plurality of optimal rig state characteristics (RSCs), wherein the plurality of optimal RSCs are calculated based on the plurality of sensor data as it relates to the plurality of multi-thread rig states. The method also performs a tripping operation with the rig equipment after applying the plurality of optimal RSCs. The method may also gather a plurality of updated sensor data from the rig equipment during the tripping operation for a recalculation of the plurality of optimal RSCs.

Abstract: A wheeled mobile work bench which has an adjustable tabletop surface. The tabletop surface removably engages an adjustable rectangular frame which, in turn, is attached atop a pair of upright frame members, each upright frame member being attached to a respective bottom frame component. An electrical box attached to one of the right and left upright frame members is operationally connectable connected to a power cord having a plug. While the mobile work bench is in use, the plug is operationally connectable to a source of standard electrical current to permit use of a power tool plugged into the electrical box.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of mycobacteria species in an organism or biological sample, the method comprising adding to the organism or biological sample a probe molecule comprising a substrate and a label, which probe molecule can be incorporated into mycobacteria, the presence of mycobacteria being determined by a detector responsive to the presence of the label, optionally after applying a stimulus; suitable probe molecules include compounds comprising a label and a substrate, which label is can be detected by a detector responsive to the presence of the label, optionally after applying a stimulus, characterised by compound being able to engage with the active site of Antigen 85B (Ag85B) such that it can form simultaneous hydrogen bonds with two or more amino acids in the active site selected from Arg 43, Trp 264, Ser126, His 262 and Leu 42, or the corresponding amino acids in Antigen 85A (Ag85A) or Antigen 85C (Ag85C), at least one of which is with Ser126.

Abstract: Formulations suitable for treatment of disorders associated with undesirable expression or activity of IL-13 are provided.

Abstract: A resilient hand guard for protecting the hand of a hacksaw user including a flat shield formed of resilient non-metallic or elastomeric material having a height equal to that of the frame and a width at least as great as a projected frontal width of a user's hand when grasped around the handle. The shield has an elongated notch extending downwardly from an upper margin having a width and length sufficient to be fitted around and receive support from an upper portion of the frame just forwardly of the handle. The shield also has a mounting aperture positioned directly below the notch sized to fit over and receive support from a threaded end of an elongated rear blade tensioning support of the frame. The shield has sufficient resiliency for a side portion thereof to be protectively deflected around the hand upon inadvertent impact against an object during use of the hacksaw.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method of doing business over the public Internet, particularly, a method which enables access to legacy management tools used by a telecommunications enterprise in the management of the enterprise business to the enterprise customer, to enable the customer to more effectively manage the business conducted by the customer through the enterprise, this access being provided over the public Internet. This method of doing business is accomplished with one or more secure web servers which manage one or more secure client sessions over the Internet, each web server supporting secure communications with the client workstation; a web page backplane application capable of launching one or more management tool applications used by the enterprise.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator device is used by fiber optic systems operating at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical isolator module can isolate a first wavelength without significantly affecting the second wavelength. This device is useful isolating a communications signal at 1.55 &mgr;m while avoiding significant losses for an optical time domain reflectometry signal, for example at 1.3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator device is used by fiber optic systems operating at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical isolator module can isolate a first wavelength without significantly affecting the second wavelength. This device is useful isolating a communications signal at 1.55 &mgr;m while avoiding significant losses for an optical time domain reflectometry signal, for example at 1.3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A fiber optic device is used by fiber optic systems that operate with light at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical device can operate on that separated wavelength without operating on the other wavelength or wavelengths. The different wavelengths may then be recombined. In another embodiment, different wavelengths may be combined into a single fiber, with an optical device being disposed to operate on one of the wavelengths.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator device is used by fiber optic systems operating at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical isolator module can isolate a first wavelength without significantly affecting the second wavelength. This device is useful isolating a communications signal at 1.55 &mgr;m while avoiding significant losses for an optical time domain reflectometry signal, for example at 1.3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Optical circulators can be formed with one or more adjustable components to facilitate the optimization of light coupling into the ports of the circulator. In particular, an optical circulator includes one or more adjustable mirrors positioned in the propagation path of a light beam travelling from a first port to a third port, typically via a second port, through the circulator. The one or more adjustable mirrors permit the deviation of the propagation path of the light beam to achieve better input precision into the circulator. One example of a method of circulating light from a first port to a third port includes propagating light from a first port through a reflective polarizer to a second port. The light then propagates from the second port into the reflective polarizer and is reflected from the reflective polarizer to a first mirror.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of high performance conduits. The invention includes the high performance conduits, the polyethylene resin used to make them, and the process for producing the resin which produces a resin with properties which are required, in accordance with the invention to yield the performance characteristics of the resin in conduits. The resin used in accordance with the invention exhibits a bimodal molecular weight distribution or broad molecular weight distribution and is of high molecular weight.

Abstract: A coupling device has a first focusing element positioned on a first optical axis. The first focusing element is couplable to receive output light beams from a plurality of optical fibers, and has a first focusing power selected to direct the light beams to intersect the first optical axis at a first intersection position. A second focusing element is spaced apart from the first focusing element by a first separation distance along the first optical axis and is positioned to receive the light beams from the first focusing element. The second focusing element has a second focusing power and the first separation distance is selected to parallelize the light beams received from the first focusing element. A system for providing access to light beams propagating through a plurality of fibers uses two of the coupling devices.

Abstract: An optical circulator has a single focusing element to couple light between the circulator components and two optical fibers. The optical elements The input face of the first birefringent element of the circulator is adapted for the non-parallel light paths resulting from the single focusing element, while maintaining an essentially in-line geometry.

Abstract: A multiport isolator provides optical isolation between pairs of optical fibers so that light may pass from a first fiber to a second fiber of the pair, but not from the second fiber to the first fiber. The multiport isolator has first and second coupling modules to couple light from different fibers, and an isolator module between the coupling modules to prevent light from passing from the second fiber to the first fiber of a fiber pair.

Abstract: A reflective circulator includes a birefringent splitting and combining element, a non-reciprocal polarization rotator, and birefringent translating element. Some embodiments of the circulator include an inverting reflector. The circulator can be scaled to have a large number of ports arranged in a one dimensional array or in a two dimensional pattern, such as an array.

Abstract: A stabilizer composition useful as an additive for polyether polyols, particularly those employed in the manufacture of polyurethane foams, is provided which comprises a diphenylamine:isobutylene:diisobutylene reaction product, a sterically hindered phenol and a trihydrocarbyl phosphite.