Abstract: A message transport system may use a publication subscription mechanism to connect nodes and transport messages through the nodes. Each node may establish connections to other nodes, and subscription requests and publication notifications may be passed across the nodes to establish paths for messages. When a message is published, the message may be passed over those connections for which a subscription is active. A path identifier may be added to the message as it is passed between nodes, and the path identifier may be used by a subscribing node for identification of the information being received. When a subscriber notification is removed, the path may be deconstructed across multiple nodes. The nodes may be arranged such that each node is agnostic to any connections past the nodes to which it is connected, and may allow any node to subscribe to any information published within the network.

Abstract: A call center mapping system and method. Subscriber phone number data and general phone number data are acquired for a geographic area. The subscriber phone number data includes a location code. The general phone number data includes information that associates the number with a carrier type. The subscriber phone number data and the general phone number data are matched to filter and to carrier types that are identified as unreliable predictors of the location of a call center. The filtered data are compared to subscriber address data. The subscriber address data include an address of a subscriber and the location code. The subscriber address data are related to the filtered data 115 using the location code. The resulting data are related to map data to produce geo-encoded map data. The geo-encoded map data relates a physical location to a telephone number and a rate center.

Abstract: A distributed system manager may identify updates to perform, identify devices to update, and perform the updates while maintaining service availability. The manager may consist of an orchestrator that uses a plug in architecture to interface with different update systems. The plugins may interface with an update system and respond to scan, download, and install commands from the orchestrator. The orchestrator may prepare each device within the distributed system for updating, then cause the updates to be performed via the plugins. In some embodiments, the logic for selecting devices to update and managing the workloads on the devices may be contained in a second type of plugin.

Abstract: A modular floating support structure for a solar panel array, each array module including floatation elements, a framework comprising E-W frame members connected to and aligning the floatation elements as well as N-S frame members providing a base on which panel supports are installed, and coupling hardware for connecting array modules to adjoining modules in both the E-W direction and N-S direction. A wireway/walkway may be disposed between and connect two large array fields. A mooring and anchoring system secures the array to shore, distributes loads along large portions of the array, and prevents loads from being concentrated in small regions of the array, thereby preventing damage from environmental forces typically encountered in outdoor marine environments.

Abstract: A call center mapping system and method. Subscriber phone number data and general phone number data are acquired for a geographic area. The subscriber phone number data includes a location code. The general phone number data includes information that associates the number with a carrier type. The subscriber phone number data and the general phone number data are matched to filter and to carrier types that are identified as unreliable predictors of the location of a call center. The filtered data are compared to subscriber address data. The subscriber address data include an address of a subscriber and the location code. The subscriber address data are related to the filtered data 115 using the location code. The resulting data are related to map data to produce geo-encoded map data. The geo-encoded map data relates a physical location to a telephone number and a rate center.

Abstract: A library of routines may serve as a connection point between multiple services. Each service may be a consumer or provider of data, and may be connected through the library using a registry service. The library may include a provider access mechanism through which provider services may transmit availability of an interface, as well as a consumer access mechanism through which an interface to be consumed may be transmitted. A registry service may match providers with consumers and facilitate communication between the two. The library may be configured to allow providers and consumers to be added or removed at any time.

Abstract: A social network and method of using the same is presented. The social network comprises a server comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor, where encoded on the computer readable medium is a plurality of subscriber profiles and a plurality of referral networks, where each of the subscriber profiles and referral networks is associated with one of the subscribers of the social network, and where each of the referral networks comprises a total number of referred subscribers referred by the associated subscriber. For each subscriber of the social network, the processor, using the computer readable program code, is configured to calculate a total compensation for the subscriber based upon the associated referral network.

Abstract: A message transport system may use a publication subscription mechanism to connect nodes and transport messages through the nodes. Each node may establish connections to other nodes, and subscription requests and publication notifications may be passed across the nodes to establish paths for messages. When a message is published, the message may be passed over those connections for which a subscription is active. A path identifier may be added to the message as it is passed between nodes, and the path identifier may be used by a subscribing node for identification of the information being received. When a subscriber notification is removed, the path may be deconstructed across multiple nodes. The nodes may be arranged such that each node is agnostic to any connections past the nodes to which it is connected, and may allow any node to subscribe to any information published within the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide intuitive, easily used, and efficient visual representation of positions of interest to a user within a sequentially ordered information encoding. In particular, various embodiments of the present invention provide a heat-map-like representation of the relatedness, at each location or position within a sequentially ordered information encoding, of the contents of the information encoding at or near the position to a specified search criterion. The heat-map visual representation allows a user to identify positions of particular interest, with respect to the specified search criterion, and to directly access the information at those positions, allowing the user to avoid time-consuming and inefficient hit-or-miss searching techniques.

Abstract: A floating support structure for a solar panel array having flotation elements and a support structure disposed above the flotation elements for adjustably and removably mounting at least one solar collector panel. Connectors joining floatation elements form a platform for gangways and catwalks providing access for installation, repair, and maintenance, even when the solar panel array is installed on a body of water.

Abstract: This invention is directed generally to modified-release pharmaceutical compositions, and, more particularly, to modified-release anesthetic- or analgesic-comprising pharmaceutical compositions that are bioadherent to a vaginal cavity surface, vulva surface, or skin. This invention also is directed generally to methods for preparing such compositions, methods of treatment using such compositions, uses of such compositions to prepare medicaments, and kits comprising such compositions.

Abstract: A component (10) for a gas turbine engine formed of a stacked plurality of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) lamellae (12) supported by a metal support structure (20). Individual lamellae are supported directly by the support structure via cooperating interlock features (30, 32) formed on the lamella and on the support structure respectively. Mating load-transferring surfaces (34, 36) of the interlock features are disposed in a plane (44) oblique to local axes of thermal growth (38, 40) in order to accommodate differential thermal expansion there between with delta alpha zero expansion (DAZE). Reinforcing fibers (62) within the CMC material may be oriented in a direction optimized to resist forces being transferred through the interlock features. Individual lamellae may all have the same structure or different interlock feature shapes and/or locations may be used in different groups of the lamellae. Applications for this invention include an airfoil assembly (10) and a ring segment assembly (82).

Abstract: An (Al, Ga, In)N and ZnO direct wafer bonded light emitting diode (LED), wherein light passes through electrically conductive ZnO. Flat and clean surfaces are prepared for both the (Al, Ga, In)N and ZnO wafers. A wafer bonding process is then performed between the (Al, Ga, In)N and ZnO wafers, wherein the (Al, Ga, In)N and ZnO wafers are joined together and then wafer bonded in a nitrogen ambient under uniaxial pressure at a set temperature for a set duration. After the wafer bonding process, ZnO is shaped for increasing light extraction from inside of LED.

Abstract: A captive screw for use in electronic assemblies includes a screw with a shaft having a pair of spaced grooves and a cover captivating the screw and for attaching the captive screw. A knob for rotating the screw can be moved along the shaft between an extended position and a lowered position corresponding to the grooves on the shaft, and releasably locked to the shaft in either position. A lock wafer is used to secure the knob to the shaft. A release button with a large head actuates the lock wafer.

Abstract: A pre-paid purchasing system comprises a pre-paid purchasing card and a plurality of single use access codes on the card. Each access code is usable to authorize one payment of an amount which is subtracted from the pre-paid amount of the card. After use, an access code becomes null and void. Moreover, a method for managing purchases of goods and services from the Internet, mail-order catalogs, any merchant, etc. is proposed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented graphical user interface for displaying a plurality of selection areas. A first selection are is displayed on a monitor attached to the computer, and then a second selection area is displayed on the monitor attached to the computer without erasing the first selection area. The first and/or second selection areas are modified to visually distinguish between the first and second selection areas, wherein the first and/or second selection areas are modified to have different colors, fills, patterns or lines. Finally, either the first or second selection area may be selected as an active selection area.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an article to a roof includes a base plate, threaded stud, lag bolts, spacer, and flashing. The base plate includes bolt holes to accommodate the lag bolts to secure the base plate to the roof. The threaded stud is secured to and extends vertically from the base plate. The spacer is inserted over the stud so that the stud passes through an aperture in the spacer, and is secured by a nut. The spacer acts as a lift for mounting an article up off the roof, thereby permitting drainage. The spacer includes a recess to accommodate the head of a lag bolt. The wrap-around flashing is captured between the base plate and spacer, creating a water free environment underneath the assembled unit. The flashing slides up underneath the roofing shingles to prevent water from penetrating the structure, and includes a lip to accommodate the base plate, and a detent to accommodate the bolt heads beneath it.

Abstract: A stacked ceramic matrix composite lamellate assembly (10) including shear force bearing structures (48) for resisting relative sliding movement between adjacent lamellae. The shear force bearing structures may take the form of a cross-lamellar stitch (50), a shear pin (62), a warp (90) in the lamellae, a tongue (104) and groove (98) structure, or an inter-lamellar sealing member (112), in various embodiments. Each shear force bearing structure secures a subset of the lamellae, with at least one lamella being common between adjacent subsets in order to secure the entire assembly.

Abstract: A thermal barrier layer (20) is formed by exposing an oxide ceramic material to a thermal regiment to create a surface heat affected zone effective to protect an underlying structural layer (18) of the material. The heat affected surface layer exhibits a lower strength and higher thermal conductivity than the underlying load-carrying material; however, it retains a sufficiently low thermal conductivity to function as an effective thermal barrier coating. Importantly, because the degraded material retains the same composition and thermal expansion characteristics as the underlying material, the thermal barrier layer remains integrally connected in graded fashion with the underlying material without an interface boundary there between.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a turbine vane having a fail safe cooling system. According to embodiments of the invention, the vane can have multiple concentric layers of radial cooling holes extending about the vane; each layer being fluidly connected to the adjacent layer or layers. Such fluid communication can occur through one or more plenums in the vane or in the shrouds bounding the radial ends of the vane. Coolant can initially be supplied to the innermost layer of cooling holes. From there, the coolant can sequentially progress through successive outer layers. Between two adjacent layers, the coolant can flow in opposite directions. Not only does such a system provide needed cooling to the vane, but the multilayer redundant cooling system can avoid or delay catastrophic failures that can occur if the vane surface is damaged, such as by impact.