Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for customizing consumer products. A display device may present a rendering of a customizable product to a user. The display device may also present a set of customizations on a scrollable axis. An input interface such as a touch interface may receive a selection of at least one customization from the user, and the rendering of the product may be updated to display the customizations selected by the user. An electronic file may be generated that includes product manufacturing details, which indicate the customizations selected by the user. The product may be an article of footwear, and a printer may print the selected customizations on the article of footwear.

Abstract: A support apparatus for support of an underwater power generator is described. The underwater power generator has a power generating portion and the support apparatus includes: a stand adapted for supporting the power generating portion, and comprises a stabiliser including one or more stabilising footing elements adapted to mount one or more monolithic ballast masses; wherein the one or more stabilising footing elements includes a locating region adapted to cooperate with a locating region of the monolithic ballast mass so that the support apparatus in use is weighted down in a selected position on a sea bed. Ballast masses are also described, as are methods for installing the support apparatus and methods for installing power generators on the support apparatus.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention contemplates a mutant E-WE thrombin precursor that contains the SEQ ID NO:1 amino acid residue sequence. Another aspect contemplates a thrombin precursor that contains the amino acid residue sequence Asp/Glu-Gly-Arg at positions 325, 326 and 327 based on the preprothrombin sequence. A third aspect contemplates a thrombin precursor that contains the SEQ ID NO:1 amino acid residue sequence as well as the amino acid residue sequence Asp/Glu Gly Arg at positions 325, 326 and 327 based on the preprothrombin sequence. Also contemplated is a composition that contains an effective amount of mutant thrombin dissolved or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method is also disclosed for enhancing treating and preventing thrombosis in a mammal in need using that composition.

Abstract: A burner having a fuel tube, a heat recuperator disposed at least partially around the fuel tube, a cover disposed at least partially around the heat recuperator, and a housing coupled to the fuel tube. The housing has an air inlet, an exhaust outlet, and an eductor body. The eductor body has a first pathway for directing inlet air toward the heat recuperator and a second pathway directing inlet air into the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A burner and an improved heat recuperator for a burner. The heat recuperator has a tubular body including a plurality of fins extending radially outward from the tubular body. The plurality of fins are disposed in a plurality of segments arranged longitudinally along the tubular body with the plurality of fins in each segment being disposed about a circumference of the tubular body. Adjacent segments of fins being circumferentially offset with one another.

Abstract: A web-enabled automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU) and a web and file transfer system electrically connected to the ACM CPU, and embedded within the ACM. The system is configured to process hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests from a network.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A saw for cutting a rectangular hole for electrical or data outlets in gypsum board. The saw includes a handle, and rectangular frame cutting element that cuts all four sides of a rectangular hole in a single operation. Each cutting surface on the frame typically has several sets of stepped teeth so that the highest tooth in the step engages the board first; then the second highest tooth engages the board after the first tooth has partially cut into the board. This stepped tooth approach provides an effect similar to have started several separate saws independently along each of the four sides of the hole. The handle provides leverage to effectively engage each of these sets of teeth at the same time. The tool is typically worked by moving the handle side to side or up and down in short strokes to move the teeth through the board.

Abstract: An e-mail-enabled automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM and an e-mail subsystem electrically connected to the ACM. The e-mail subsystem is configured to perform at least one of sending e-mail messages from the ACM through a network and receiving e-mail messages from the network.

Abstract: The invention presents a system and a method for assisting automation control module (ACM) customers to retrieve information relevant to their specific ACM(s). A service-portal ACM combines a conventional ACM with a service portal and/or a general-purpose computer to facilitate locating relevant information by the customers. The service-portal ACM comprises a first central processing unit (CPU), and a first memory operably connected to the first CPU. A second CPU is operably connected to the first CPU, and a second memory is operably connected to the second CPU for storing a service-portal database containing a first set of service-portal data and one or more links to a second set of service-portal data stored in a remote network server. A first network interface is operably connected to the second CPU and to a gateway configured for enabling the second CPU to communicate with the remote network server.

Abstract: An apparatus containing a maintenance interface unit is described. In one exemplary implementation, the apparatus includes a multiprocessor system and the maintenance interface unit. The multiprocessor system uses cache coherency for accessing memory. The maintenance interface unit is integrated within the multiprocessor system and is configured to provide a backdoor accessibility to the multiprocessor system on-behalf of a peripheral maintenance system. The maintenance interface unit is also configured to perform operations within the multiprocessor system while maintaining the cache coherency.

Abstract: A radiant tube burner system comprises a novel flue gas recirculating assembly for reducing nitrous oxides emissions. In the burner system, the combustion air conduit running to the radiant tube burner intersects the exhaust conduit at a location between the radiant tube and the eventual exhaust outlet. A venturi is formed at this intersection. The venturi is configured to suction a portion of the flue gas from the exhaust conduit into the combustion air flow. The assembly includes a may be interposed along the exhaust conduit mounted directly between the radiant tube and a downstream section of the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A radiant tube burner system comprises a novel flue gas recirculating assembly for reducing nitrous oxides emissions. In the burner system, the combustion air conduit running to the radiant tube burner intersects the exhaust conduit at a location between the radiant tube and the eventual exhaust outlet. A venturi is formed at this intersection. The venturi is configured to suction a portion of the flue gas from the exhaust conduit into the combustion air flow. The assembly includes a may be interposed along the exhaust conduit mounted directly between the radiant tube and a downstream section of the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A method of screening for compounds that inhibit the virulence of Pseudomonas bacteria comprises the steps of: providing a culture medium comprising Pseudomonas bacteria; administering a test compound to said bacteria; and then detecting the presence or absence of inhibition of the catabolite repression control (Crc) protein in said bacteria, the inhibition of the Crc protein indicating said compound has antivirulence activity against Pseudomonas bacteria. Antivirulence compounds and the use thereof in treating Pseudomonas infections are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and circuit for prefetching direct memory access descriptors from memory of a computer system, and storing the prefetched direct memory access descriptors within a unified descriptor memory for subsequent access by direct memory access controllers. The descriptors are generated by a central processing unit of the computer system while executing software applications. The descriptors define data transfer operations between memory of the computer system and input/output devices via direct memory access controllers. The direct memory access controllers generate requests for descriptors. Upon generation of a request, the unified descriptor memory is checked to determine whether the requested descriptor is contained therein. If the requested descriptor is contained within the unified descriptor memory, the request descriptor is provided to the requesting direct memory access controller.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing generational copy control of a video signal. A digital video signal contains content information, first supplemental information and second supplemental information. The first supplemental information is represented by a watermark pattern, the second by a control pattern. Copying of the content information is only permitted if a predetermined combination of the first and second supplemental information is present. Pseudo-sync pulses are added to a blanking interval of an analog video signal converted from a digital video signal, the pulses representing the second supplemental information.

Abstract: A web-enabled automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU) and a web and file transfer system electrically connected to the ACM CPU, and embedded within the ACM. The system is configured to process hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests from a network.