Abstract: Intelligent storage trays each hold SMT (Surface Mount Technology) reels of varying width without the need for separating dividers between the reels. An arrangement of light pipes within the tray pivot so that either one or multiple light pipes are pushed back to a closed position when an SMT reel is placed in the tray. Sensors detect movement of the light pipes allowing software to automatically assign a single SMT reel storage location to all of the light pipes that were moved by the SMT reel placement. Beacons on the tray indicate actions needed to take place and compression contacts on the tray communicate with the storage system software when the tray is placed and removed from a holder, such as a cart. Spring pins lock the tray into place within the holder allowing for ease of placement and removal.

Abstract: A composition including plant extracts that synergistically treat or inhibit pathological conditions and a method for developing the composition is provided. The composition includes bioactive chemical agents extracted from the Plantago major plant species including, but not limited to, acetonide, catalpol, hispidulin, loliolide, neptin, rhamnose, and scutellarin, and bioactive chemical agents extracted from the Mentha spicata plant species including, but not limited to, cadinol, diosmetin, eugenol, furfural, hesperidin, luteolin, and piperitone. The method includes the steps of washing Plantago major and Mentha spicata plant material, freezing the plant material, cutting the frozen plant material into pieces, heating the plant material in purified water to form a resultant solution containing Plantago major and Mentha spicata plant extracts, cooling the resultant solution, and filtering the Plantago major and Mentha spicata plant material out of the resultant solution to produce the composition.

Abstract: This invention teaches a rope that can be electrified. The rope is comprised of an outer sheath and an inner core. The outer sheath includes non-conductive elements braided with one or more conductive elements. The conductive elements are wound in a parallel helical pattern and do not touch each other. The inner core is a braid comprising non-conductive and conductive elements. In both cores, the conductive elements comprise one or more metal strands and the non-conductive elements comprise one or more monofilaments of synthetic or natural fibers. Should a breakage occur in the conductive elements of the outer sheath, the conductive elements of the inner core provide conductivity across the breakage and throughout the length of the rope by intermittently contacting the conductive elements of the outer sheath. An optional colored tracer can be braided into the outer sheath to provide better visibility since the non-conductive elements are preferably a neutral color, such as white.

Abstract: This invention teaches a rope that can be electrified. The rope is comprised of an outer sheath and an inner core. The outer sheath includes non-conductive elements braided with one or more conductive elements. The conductive elements are wound in a parallel helical pattern and do not touch each other. The inner core is a braid comprising non-conductive and conductive elements. In both cores, the conductive elements comprise one or more metal strands and the non-conductive elements comprise one or more monofilaments of synthetic or natural fibres. Should a breakage occur in the conductive elements of the outer sheath, the conductive elements of the inner core provide conductivity across the breakage and throughout the length of the rope by intermittently contacting the conductive elements of the outer sheath. An optional coloured tracer can be braided into the outer sheath to provide better visibility since the non-conductive elements are preferably a neutral colour, such as white.

Abstract: A method of detecting loopbacks on trunks in digital networks, comprises the steps of detecting an out-of-service trunk, continually placing a predetermined bit pattern on an outgoing channel of a trunk card, continually monitoring a receive channel of the trunk card to detect said bit pattern, and identifying the presence of a loopback when said bit pattern is persistently detected on the receive channel. This method avoids the need to dedicate a trunk channel for signaling purposes. By detecting the presence of loopbacks, intelligent networks can be prevented from unjustifiably clearing an alarm condition and returning traffic to a fault path.

Abstract: A method is described for detecting a loopback condition in a trunk. A predetermined bit pattern is inserted in an outgoing channel, and a corresponding incoming channel is continually monitored to detect the presence of the predetermined bit pattern. In this way, premature restoration of faulty circuits can be prevented.

Abstract: A sailing jacket for use by a sailor in competition sailing includes a plurality of identical vest sections. Each vest section has an inner panel and an outer panel joined together along their margins to form an interior compartment. A mass of water absorbent material is disposed within the compartment such that when the jacket is wetted a predetermined increase in weight becomes available to the sailor for use as trim ballast for improving the operating efficiency of his sailboat.