Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.

Abstract: A dual-level control system for operating a wastewater treatment apparatus may include at least a primary level of control including a measurement of a process control variable to arrive at a dissolved oxygen (DO) set point and a primary mode of operating parameters including primary aeration chain timer and primary aeration chain grouping designed to achieve the DO set point when the DO set point falls within a predetermined range of values; and at least a secondary level of control to arrive at a secondary mode of operating parameters including secondary aeration chain timer and secondary aeration chain grouping designed to achieve a desired concentration of effluent total nitrogen when the DO set point either falls to or below a minimum value or rises to or above a maximum value. The process control variable may be, for example, an effluent concentration of NH3, NO3, alkalinity, ORP, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Task scheduling in cooperative multi-tasking environments is accomplished by a task scheduler that evaluates the relative priority of an executing task and tasks in a queue waiting to be executed. The task scheduler may issue a suspend request to lower priority tasks so that high priority tasks can be executed. Tasks are written or compiled with checks located at opportune locations for suspending and resuming the given task. The tasks under a suspend request continue operation until they reach a check, at which point the task will suspend operation depending on specific criteria. By allowing both the task and the task scheduler to assist in determining the precise timing of the suspension, the multi-tasking environment becomes highly efficient and responsive.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus operate to receiving a markup processing program containing a set of markup processing instructions. Each markup processing instruction includes an operation defining a processing operation to be matched to a markup language representation and a corresponding action to be performed upon matching the operation to the markup language representation. The system receives the markup language representation containing encoded items representative of markup language constructs and executes the markup processing program in conjunction with the markup language representation to dynamically control generation of an output control signal indicating how the markup language representation is to be processed for generation of output based on the markup language representation.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus provide a character process for processing markup language data, such as XML data, by receiving a character stream of markup language data and applying sequences of characters of the character stream to a set of state machines. The set of state machines includes a plurality of construct state machines responsible for processing respective markup language constructs identified by the sequences of characters. The character processor produces, from application of the sequences of characters to the set of state machines, an intermediate representation of the markup language constructs identified by the sequence of characters of the character stream of markup language data. The intermediate representation contains encoded items containing type, length, value representations representative of constructs within the character stream of markup language data.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus operate to receiving a markup processing program containing a set of markup processing instructions. Each markup processing instruction includes an operation defining a processing operation to be matched to a markup language representation and a corresponding action to be performed upon matching the operation to the markup language representation. The system receives the markup language representation containing encoded items representative of markup language constructs and executes the markup processing program in conjunction with the markup language representation to dynamically control generation of an output control signal indicating how the markup language representation is to be processed for generation of output based on the markup language representation.

Abstract: Task scheduling in cooperative multi-tasking environments is accomplished by a task scheduler that evaluates the relative priority of an executing task and tasks in a queue waiting to be executed. The task scheduler may issue a suspend request to lower priority tasks so that high priority tasks can be executed. Tasks are written or compiled with checks located at opportune locations for suspending and resuming the given task. The tasks under a suspend request continue operation until they reach a check, at which point the task will suspend operation depending on specific criteria. By allowing both the task and the task scheduler to assist in determining the precise timing of the suspension, the multi-tasking environment becomes highly efficient and responsive.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus operate to receiving a markup processing program containing a set of markup processing instructions. Each markup processing instruction includes an operation defining a processing operation to be matched to a markup language representation and a corresponding action to be performed upon matching the operation to the markup language representation. The system receives the markup language representation containing encoded items representative of markup language constructs and executes the markup processing program in conjunction with the markup language representation to dynamically control generation of an output control signal indicating how the markup language representation is to be processed for generation of output based on the markup language representation.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus operate to receiving a markup processing program containing a set of markup processing instructions. Each markup processing instruction includes an operation defining a processing operation to be matched to a markup language representation and a corresponding action to be performed upon matching the operation to the markup language representation. The system receives the markup language representation containing encoded items representative of markup language constructs and executes the markup processing program in conjunction with the markup language representation to dynamically control generation of an output control signal indicating how the markup language representation is to be processed for generation of output based on the markup language representation.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus operate to receiving a markup processing program containing a set of markup processing instructions. Each markup processing instruction includes an operation defining a processing operation to be matched to a markup language representation and a corresponding action to be performed upon matching the operation to the markup language representation. The system receives the markup language representation containing encoded items representative of markup language constructs and executes the markup processing program in conjunction with the markup language representation to dynamically control generation of an output control signal indicating how the markup language representation is to be processed for generation of output based on the markup language representation.

Abstract: The disclosed system and apparatus can be used to improve the operation of a membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment system. The system may include one or more membrane filtration modules having a proximal end and a distal end in which each module houses one or more membrane filters. The system and method can be configured to include the steps of interrupting the introduction or flow of feed liquid, allowing at least a portion of the feed liquid present in the one or more membrane filtration modules to drain therefrom, and to resume the introduction or feed of the feed liquid. Optionally, the system and method can include the step of allowing at least a portion of the recovered permeate to backflush the one or more membrane filters.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus operate to receiving a markup processing program containing a set of markup processing instructions. Each markup processing instruction includes an operation defining a processing operation to be matched to a markup language representation and a corresponding action to be performed upon matching the operation to the markup language representation. The system receives the markup language representation containing encoded items representative of markup language constructs and executes the markup processing program in conjunction with the markup language representation to dynamically control generation of an output control signal indicating how the markup language representation is to be processed for generation of output based on the markup language representation.

Abstract: In the embodiments of the invention described in the specification, an arrangement for biological treatment of wastewater includes a basin with an aeration region and a clarification region separated by a movable wall having a passage between the bottom of the wall and the bottom of the basin. The aeration region includes a plurality of diffuser arrangements for aerating the wastewater and the clarification region includes a sludge removal duct and at least one turbulence generator for periodically stirring up sludge particles which have been deposited on surfaces of the clarification region remote from the sludge removal duct and recirculating sludge through the wall passage to the aeration region and permitting sludge to resettle on surfaces closer to the sludge removal duct. The movable wall may be positioned to include one or more diffuser arrangements from the aeration region within the clarification region.

Abstract: An article useful for packaging oxygen-sensitive products is disclosed. The article is a single or multi-layer article capable of enveloping the oxygen sensitive product. The article has at least one layer which contains a composition composed of an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer and a transition metal salt. The layer is capable of scavenging oxygen at a rate of at least 1 cc oxygen per square meter per day and has a capacity of at least 250 cc oxygen per square meter per mil thickness of the layer.

Abstract: Products and film structures using the oxygen scavengers, are disclosed. Such products demonstrate enhanced shelf stability of foodstuffs and reduced sensitivity to humidity and temperature changes.

Abstract: A method of initiating oxygen scavenging by rigid or semi-rigid articles which comprise oxidizable organic compounds and transition metal catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises initiating scavenging by exposing the composition, etc., to radiation. The radiation exposure is preferably electron beam or ultraviolet light and is preferably used on oxygen scavenging compositions which comprise a substituted or unsubstituted ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon and a transition metal catalyst. Inclusion of a photoinitiator or antioxidant in the scavenging composition is also preferred to facilitate and/or control the composition's scavenging properties. The method can be used for initiating scavenging in packaging layers or articles for oxygen sensitive products such as food and beverage.

Abstract: A method of initiating oxygen scavenging by compositions which comprise oxidizable organic compounds and transition metal catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises initiating scavenging by exposing the composition, etc., to radiation. The radiation exposure is preferably electron beam or ultraviolet light and is preferably used on oxygen scavenging compositions which comprise a substituted or unsubstituted ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon and a transition metal catalyst. Inclusion of a photoinitiator or antioxidant in the scavenging composition is also preferred to facilitate and/or control the composition's scavenging properties. The method can be used for initiating scavenging in packaging layers or articles for oxygen sensitive products such as food and beverage.

Abstract: A composition for scavenging oxygen is disclosed. The composition comprises an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer which has 0.01-1.0 equivalents of carbon-carbon double bonds per 100 g of polymer and a transition metal catalyst and can be incorporated into various types of layers. The composition has an elongation-at-break of at least 20% and retains at least 50% of its original tensile strength after oxygen scavenging has occurred.

Abstract: Products and film structures using the oxygen scavengers, are disclosed. Such products demonstrate enhanced shelf stability of foodstuffs and reduced sensitivity to humidity and temperature changes.