Abstract: In an example implementation, a global educational hub provides academic users with collaboration tools to exchange and build on the accumulated knowledge of subjects of interest. Users are provided with a central location to collect, categorize, and rank resources, and store notes and comments related to a particular section of an electronic textbook being studied. Users also can refer to online resources, such as web services, multimedia, website pages, newsgroups, search engine results, RSS, any other current and future external resources, and other user's notes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of producing plasma from a polar liquid under relatively benign conditions of temperature and pressure, by providing at least one dielectric medium in contact with the polar liquid, such that an interface forms between the liquid and the medium; and creating an electric potential across the interface to produce plasma from the polar liquid inside the dielectric medium. The plasma may be used to convert hydrocarbons into useful products or intermediates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the aminohydroxylation of alkenes using N-oxycarbamate reagents, e.g. N-acyloxycarbamate, N-alkyloxycarbonyloxycarbamate and N-aralkoxycarbonyloxycarbamate reagents. The invention particularly relates to an intermolecular aminohydroxylation reaction that can be carried out in the absence of added base. The invention also relates to novel N-oxycarbamate reagents that are stable crystalline materials. The process of the invention is useful in the synthesis of compounds having a vicinal amino alcohol moiety, such as biologically active compounds.

Abstract: An air-handling unit includes a primary air plenum and a primary air inlet in fluid communication with the primary air plenum. The primary air inlet is configured to provide a flow of primary air to the primary air plenum. The air-handling unit also includes a chamber in fluid communication with the primary air plenum. The chamber includes an irradiate cavity and a secondary air inlet configured to accept a flow of secondary air into the irradiate cavity, and a sterilization mechanism positioned in the irradiate cavity. The sterilization mechanism is configured to effectively treat and sterilize the secondary air.

Abstract: An imaging system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having a two-dimensional array of photosensing elements, an image processor for processing image data captured by the imaging sensor, and a display for displaying images responsive to the image processor. The array has a plurality of sub-arrays, with each of the sub-arrays having a first pixel sensing primarily a first color, a second pixel sensing primarily a second color, a third pixel sensing primarily a third color and a fourth pixel sensing primarily infrared radiation. The image processor processes the output of the fourth pixel to determine an infrared component of the imaged scene and subtracts the infrared component from the outputs of the first, second and third pixels to obtain a more accurate or true color response for the pixels and to limit or avoid infrared color wash-out.

Abstract: A microphone system is provided. The microphone system comprises at least one hand-held microphone and a base station. Audio signals detected by the hand-held microphone are forwarded to the base station. The hand-held microphone comprises a motion detection unit for detecting a motion or a gesture of a hand-held microphone. A control signal generating unit generates control signals based on the detected motion or gesture of the hand-held microphone. The hand-held microphone is adapted to forward the detected motion or gesture or the control signals to the base station. The output audio signal of the hand-held microphone can be manipulated based on the control signals. The hand-held microphone comprises an activation unit for activating or deactivating the motion detection unit or for activating or deactivating the transmission of the control signals.

Abstract: A ball valve and ball valve actuator including a unique valve stem seal and mounting connection between the ball valve and actuator. The stem seal design reduces leakage issues and significantly lengthens the life span of the ball valve and actuator and the mounting connection between the actuator. The ball valve maintains the centrality of the valve stem in connection with the actuator pinion and minimizes torque and shear forces transferred to the valve stem and hence the stem seal itself.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable motorized scraper sharpener is provided. A housing is formed from a recycled plastic or any other lightweight material, and receives a motor, an on/off switch, and a cutter. The motor and the cutter are encased in the housing. The housing has an angled guideway or slot for insertion of the scraper to be sharpened in the housing, and may include a biasing member for urging the scraper against a support wall. The housing has a cavity for selectively removing the scraper shavings. The assembly can be used in the shop, home, around a ski hill with a portable battery pack, or could alternately be plugged into a car adapter/cigarette lighter.

Abstract: An imaging system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having a two-dimensional array of photosensing elements, an image processor for processing image data captured by the imaging sensor, and a display for displaying images responsive to the image processor. The array has a plurality of sub-arrays, with each of the sub-arrays having a first pixel sensing primarily a first color, a second pixel sensing primarily a second color, a third pixel sensing primarily a third color and a fourth pixel sensing primarily infrared radiation. The image processor processes the output of the fourth pixel to determine an infrared component of the imaged scene and subtracts the infrared component from the outputs of the first, second and third pixels to obtain a more accurate or true color response for the pixels and to limit or avoid infrared color wash-out.

Abstract: A ball valve and ball valve actuator including a unique valve stem seal and mounting connection between the ball valve and actuator. The stem seal design reduces leakage issues and significantly lengthens the life span of the ball valve and actuator and the mounting connection between the actuator. The ball valve maintains the centrality of the valve stem in connection with the actuator pinion and minimizes torque and shear forces transferred to the valve stem and hence the stem seal itself.

Abstract: A chuck adapted to test electrical and/or optical components on a device-under-test (DUT).

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The engine includes an engine casing, a plurality of rotor blades, and at least one turbine shroud assembly. The method includes mounting a plurality of case segments together circumferentially to form the casing around the plurality of rotor blades and the at least one turbine shroud assembly, wherein each of the case segments includes at least two mounting flanges and a channel defined therebetween. The method also includes applying a thermal barrier coating to an inner surface of the channel and at least a portion of each mounting flange to facilitate maintaining axisymmetric running tip clearances between the plurality of rotor blades and the least one turbine shroud assembly during a cruise operation. The thermal barrier coating also facilitates controlling axisymmetric running tip clearances during a take-off operation such that an exhaust gas temperature and a specific fuel consumption is reduced.

Abstract: The monitoring system has particularly utility in monitoring the coolant system of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The system will alert the driver of changes in the coolant system due to leaks or overheating much faster than a conventional temperature gauge. The system includes a low pressure switch connected to the coolant system by a manifold and a high pressure switch connected to the manifold. Each of these pressure switches are connected to alert displays, such as LEDs. If the pressure of the coolant system is below a preset limit, the low pressure display will alert the operator. Similarly, if the pressure of the coolant system exceeds a preset limit, the high pressure system will alert the operator. A pressure gauge can also be incorporated into this system to provide a constant status report of the pressure of the coolant system. This is particularly useful when the LEDs are powered down.

Abstract: A rotary chuck with indexed rotation promotes rapid rotation of a device under test and increases the productivity of a probe station on which the device is being tested. A device mounting member of a rotatable chuck is supported for rotation on a first surface of a base until a vacuum is applied drawing the device mounting member into contact with a second surface of the base and constraining the device mounting member against rotation.

Abstract: A chuck adapted to test electrical and/or optical components on a device-under-test (DUT).

Abstract: A fabric laminate is provided, including first and second facing layers and a foam layer interposed between the facing layers, at least one of the first and second facing layers including a veloured nonwoven material. Blankets are also provided.