Abstract: A system and method for load balancing a plurality of servers is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of servers in a video-on-demand or other multi-server system are divided into one or more load-balancing groups. Each server preferably maintains state information concerning other servers in its load-balancing group including information concerning content maintained and served by each server in the group. Changes in a server's content status or other state information are preferably proactively delivered to other servers in the group. When a content request is received by any server in a load-balancing group, it evaluates the request in accordance with a specified algorithm to determine whether it should deliver the requested content itself or redirect the request to another server in its group. In a preferred embodiment, this determination is a function of information in the server's state table.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core, an inner cladding and a low index ring of silica-based glass. The core comprises silica-based glass, an index of refraction n1, and a relative refractive index percent ?1% relative to pure silica glass. The inner cladding surrounds the core and comprises an index of refraction n2 and a relative refractive index percent ?2% relative to pure silica glass, wherein ?1%>?2% and the difference between ?1% and ?2% is greater than about 0.1%. The low index ring surrounds the inner cladding and comprises silica glass co-doped with boron and fluorine, a radial thickness of less than about 20 ?m, an index of refraction n3 and a third relative refractive index percent change ?3% relative to pure silica glass, wherein ?2%>?3% and ?3% is less than about ?1.0%.

Abstract: The image stability of electrophoretic media, comprising a plurality of particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the medium, can be improved by including in the fluid either a polystyrene or an aggregating diblock copolymer which forms micelle-like structures in the fluid, the diblock copolymer having a first block soluble in the fluid and a second block not swellable by the fluid. In variable transmission electrophoretic media, haze can be reduced by using as the fluid a mixture of a partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon and a terpene.

Abstract: A multi-section tubular member including a sleeve surrounding and bridging a joint between a first section and a second section of the tubular member, and a method of forming a multi-section tubular member are disclosed. A polymeric sleeve may extend over a portion of the first section and an adjoining portion of the second section. A length of heat shrink tubing may be placed over the sleeve and heated, thereby compressing the heat shrink tubing around the sleeve. The sleeve may then be thermally bonded to each of the first section and the second section. The heat shrink tubing may then be removed, leaving the sleeve securely joining the first section and the second section to form a multi-section tubular member.

Abstract: A petawatt pulsed-power accelerator can be driven by various types of electrical-pulse generators, including conventional Marx generators and linear-transformer drivers. The pulsed-power accelerator can be configured to drive an electrical load from one- or two-sides. Various types of loads can be driven; for example, the accelerator can be used to drive a high-current z-pinch load. When driven by slow-pulse generators (e.g., conventional Marx generators), the accelerator comprises an oil section comprising at least one pulse-generator level having a plurality of pulse generators; a water section comprising a pulse-forming circuit for each pulse generator and a level of monolithic triplate radial-transmission-line impedance transformers, that have variable impedance profiles, for each pulse-generator level; and a vacuum section comprising triplate magnetically insulated transmission lines that feed an electrical load.

Abstract: A back for a patient chair with which a patient may be moved from a generally upright sitting position to a generally supine position comprises a back shell and a cushion. The back shell has a front surface, a back surface, a top, a bottom, opposed first and second outer sides, a central section extending longitudinally from a region adjacent the top to a region adjacent the bottom and opposed side sections extending laterally outwardly from the central section toward the first and second outer sides. The cushion is attached to the back shell. The central section of the back shell comprises a plurality of stiffening elements that extend longitudinally of the back shell. A patient chair including the back is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of statically sealing a reciprocating-type fuel pump, such as a direct injection high pressure piston-type fuel pump. The first embodiment of the invention is a fuel pump comprising a pump body, a fuel reservoir within the pump body, wherein the fuel reservoir is capable of holding fuel and a bellows attached to the pump body, wherein the bellows is a stretchable membrane acting as a static seal. The second embodiment further comprises a diaphragm seal inside the pump body, and adjacent to the fuel reservoir, and a working fluid reservoir adjacent to the diaphragm seal, wherein the working fluid reservoir is capable of holding fluid. The diaphragm seal is a static seal separating the working fluid reservoir and the fuel reservoir.

Abstract: A method for detecting and correcting misregistration between a plurality of separations printed by a printing apparatus, comprising: producing a calibration print output on a substrate, the calibration print output including at least one calibration pattern, wherein the at least one calibration pattern translates horizontal misregistration into a detectable indicator of misregistration in a process direction; detecting misregistration; and, performing a fine adjustment of the horizontal position of at least one of the separations using the at least one calibration pattern.

Abstract: A power driver may include a motor that rotates upon receiving an input current. A tool chuck may have chuck jaws to hold an accessory. The tool chuck may be coupled to the motor. A power take off mechanism may be connected between the motor and the tool chuck. The power take off mechanism may be adjustable into a CHUCK MODE to one of open and close the chuck jaws while the motor rotates. An electronic clutch may interrupt the input current to the motor if the power take off mechanism is in the CHUCK MODE and if the input current exceeds a trip value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device by applying an electrical signal characterized by having a number of pulses per microburst, an interpulse interval, a microburst duration, and an interburst period to a portion of a cranial nerve of said patient, wherein at least one of the number of pulses per microburst, the interpulse interval, the microburst duration, or the interburst period is selected to enhance cranial nerve evoked potentials.

Abstract: An emulsion aggregation toner formulation for electrophotography and a method for preparation thereof. The emulsion aggregation toner formulation includes a polyester resin emulsion formed using an extruded polyester binder resin having a broad molecular weight distribution. The extruded polyester binder resin is formed using a plurality of polyester binder resins. Further, the emulsion aggregation toner formulation comprises at least one colorant dispersion and a wax dispersion.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generation system is disclosed. The fuel cell power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a stack, which produces electrical energy by reacting hydrogen with oxygen and in which the hydrogen is supplied as fuel and the oxygen is in the air; a hydrogen tank, which supplies fuel comprising hydrogen to the stack; and a heat transfer tape, which transfers heat generated from the stack to the hydrogen tank. The fuel cell power generation system can improve the efficiency of supplying hydrogen by supplying waste heat generated from the stack to the hydrogen tank through the use of the heat transfer tape without a heat supplying device and be applied to a mobile device due to the reduced volume of the fuel cell power generation system.

Abstract: A feed gas conditioner.

Abstract: This document relates to FGF-23 polypeptides, FGF-23 polypeptide fragments, and methods for making and using such polypeptides and polypeptide fragments. For example, FGF-23 polypeptide fragments that can be used to treat disorders associated with hyperphosphatemia such as chronic renal failure and hypoparathyroidism are provided.

Abstract: An exemplary system and method for plasma plating are disclosed. The system may comprise a vacuum chamber, a filament positioned within the vacuum chamber and operable to receive a depositant, and a depositant positioned at the filament. The system may also comprise a platform positioned within the vacuum chamber, a substrate positioned at the platform, a DC power supply generating a DC signal, a radio frequency transmitter generating a radio frequency signal, an electrically conductive path that electrically couples the DC signal and the radio frequency signal to the substrate, and a filament power control electrically coupled to the filament and generating a current through the filament at an amplitude to generate heat in the filament to melt the depositant.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method for mechanical decoupling of front and rear wheels and left and right wheels of a vehicle by mechanically decoupling the left and right wheels, while controlling the braking to maintain proper wheel speed during vehicle maneuvers.

Abstract: A feed gas conditioner.

Abstract: Plants and plant cells having modulated levels of tocopherols and/or tocotrienols are described herein. Materials and methods for making plants and plant cells with modulated levels of tocopherols and/or tocotrienols are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the displacement angles of two hydrostatic units in an infinitely variable hydro-mechanical transmission.