Abstract: Laterally strengthening a target utility pole having an exterior surface includes providing a sheet of carbon-fiber having an inner side and an outer side; applying an adhesive to at least one of the exterior surface of the target utility pole, the inner side, and the outer side; placing the sheet against the exterior surface such that the inner side faces the exterior surface; and after the step of placing, allowing the adhesive to cure to form, in conjunction with the sheet, a strengthening layer; where the strengthening layer covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of the target utility pole.

Abstract: A scheduler is adapted to schedule packets or other data blocks for transmission from a plurality of transmission elements in timeslots in a communication system. The scheduler determines scaled capacity measures for respective ones of the transmission elements, with each of the scaled capacity measures being scaled by a combination of a waiting time and an occupancy for a corresponding one of the transmission elements. The scheduler selects one or more of the transmission elements for scheduling in a given one of the timeslots based on the scaled capacity measures. The scheduler in an illustrative embodiment may be implemented in a network processor integrated circuit or other processing device of the communication system.

Abstract: A scheduler is adapted to schedule packets or other data blocks for transmission from a plurality of transmission elements in timeslots of a frame in a communication system. In scheduling for a given frame, the scheduler initially designates each of the transmission elements as eligible to transmit one or more data blocks in the given frame, and selects from among those of the transmission elements designated as eligible at least one of the transmission elements for scheduling in a next available timeslot of the given frame. The scheduler then adjusts the eligibility status of the selected transmission element(s), and repeats the selecting and adjusting operations for one or more remaining timeslots of the given frame. The scheduler in an illustrative embodiment may be implemented in a network processor integrated circuit or other processing device of the communication system.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing streaming multimedia to at least one end client over a network includes memory and at least one processor operatively connected to the memory. The processor is operative: (i) to receive the streaming multimedia from at least one multimedia source via at least one of a plurality of channels in the network; (ii) when a channel change request generated by the end client for changing a channel and corresponding multimedia content from the multimedia source is not detected, to deliver the at least one multimedia stream to the end client at a first data rate; and (iii) when the channel change request has been detected, to deliver the at least one multimedia stream to the end client at a first rate for a prescribed period of time after receiving the channel change request and, after the prescribed period of time, to deliver the at least one multimedia stream to the end client at the first data rate, wherein the second data rate is greater than the first data rate.

Abstract: Voice services are provided in a network node of a digital networking system. A service signal is provided to at least one user device. One or more voice packets are received from the at least one user device. The one or more voice packets are processed, and transmitted to one or more destinations determined in the packet processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for per-service flow protection and restoration of data in one or more packet networks. The disclosed protection and restoration techniques allow traffic to be prioritized and protected from the aggregate level down to a micro-flow level. Thus, protection can be limited to those services that are fault sensitive. Protected data is duplicated over a primary path and one or more backup data paths. Following a link failure, protected data can be quickly and efficiently restored without significant service interruption. A received packet is classified at each end point based on information in a header portion of the packet, using one or more rules that determine whether the received packet should be protected. At an ingress node, if the packet classification determines that the received packet should be protected, then the received packet is transmitted on at least two paths.

Abstract: 4-Trifluoromethyl-2(1H)-pyridinone is prepared by reaction of 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one or 4,4-dialkoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobutan-2-one with a trialkyl phosphonoacetate followed by cyclization.

Abstract: The N-arylsulfilimine-catalyzed coupling of aromatic sulfonyl chlorides with N-([1,2,4]triazolopyrimidin-2-yl)amines to form N-([1,2,4]triazolo-pyrimidin-2-yl)aryl sulfonamides is improved by the selection of 3-picoline or 3,5-lutidine as the base.

Abstract: A network-based data distribution system includes a physical layer device connectable to a network processor operative in a link layer or higher layer. The physical layer device is configurable for interfacing with a plurality of destination devices via corresponding physical layer links. The physical layer device is operative to receive data traffic from the network processor and to replicate at least a portion of the data traffic at a physical layer for distribution to at least two of the plurality of destination devices associated with the physical layer links.