Abstract: A network, and a method of operating a network. The network includes a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. Each station transmits probe signals in broadcast fashion to other stations to gather a list of neighbor stations. The stations transmit position data and/or position determining data in at least some of the probe signals. Each station maintains position data and/or position determining data received from selected probing stations, and utilizes the data to determine the absolute or relative position of itself and/or other stations. The stations can determine the relative or absolute position of other stations in direct communication with themselves, and also of other stations not in direct communication with themselves.

Abstract: A system and method for metered dosage illumination in a bioanalysis or other system. In accordance with an embodiment, an illumination system or subsystem is described that can provide optimized amounts of excitation light within the short exposure times necessary to measure fast biological activity. The amount of light can be precisely measured to provide quantitative results. The light flux can also be precisely controlled to generate only a prescribed minimum amount of light, in order to reduce adverse lighting effects on both fluors and samples. Although the examples herein illustrate the providing of metered dosage illumination in the context of a bioanalysis system, the techniques can be similarly used to provide metered dosage illumination in the context of other types of system. In accordance with various embodiments, the technique is particularly useful in any quality-control, analysis, or assessment-based environment.

Abstract: A system and method for metered dosage illumination in a bioanalysis or other system. In accordance with an embodiment, an illumination system or subsystem is described that can provide optimized amounts of excitation light within the short exposure times necessary to measure fast biological activity. The amount of light can be precisely measured to provide quantitative results. The light flux can also be precisely controlled to generate only a prescribed minimum amount of light, in order to reduce adverse lighting effects on both fluors and samples. Although the examples herein illustrate the providing of metered dosage illumination in the context of a bioanalysis system, the techniques can be similarly used to provide metered dosage illumination in the context of other types of system. In accordance with various embodiments, the technique is particularly useful in any quality-control, analysis, or assessment-based environment.

Abstract: A system and method for controlled illumination in a bioanalysis or other system where excitation of fluorescent molecules is desirable. In an embodiment, an illumination system is described which can provide excitation light at a controlled intensity to provide quantitative results. In an embodiment, a solid state light engine is described which includes a plurality of color channels each providing light output suitable for exciting a fluorescent molecule, a light to frequency converter which receives a portion of the light output, a counter which maintains a count of a signal from the light to frequency converter, and a light intensity circuit, responsive to the counter, which adjusts the color channels to control the intensity of the light output.

Abstract: The disclosed single pass raised bed preparation system makes use of one or more rows of adjustable height compact discs (4), to mulch up stubble and loosen the soil in the depressed furrows prior to the action of a bed-forming implement (6) mounted behind the discs. At the same time the raised beds are cultivated by two rows of compact discs, with the second row (2) opposite handed to the leading row (1). A roller or crumbler (7) levels and conditions the beds, so that both the beds and the furrows are restored in a single pass to a condition ready for sowing.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a type of crochet hook of use in piercing a material for crocheting purposes, where the crochet hook's end may be tapered at a sufficiently acute angle so as to allow the end to pierce the desired material.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a yarn feeding device of use in making textile products by hand.

Abstract: A method for obtaining visual feedback for vowel quality is disclosed. By filtering and decomposing audio signals in formants, one or more software modules and/or applications may determine the type of phoneme in an audio signal that corresponds to a vowel. First and second formants may be measured in their frequencies; subsequently frequencies values of first formant and second formant may be assigned as X and Y coordinates, respectively. These (X,Y) coordinates may be used for graphing points and trajectories of the points in a Cartesian coordinate system while the user is pronouncing a vowel. Thus, graphic feedback for vowel pronunciation may be obtained.

Abstract: Techniques for providing power to components of a computer system are described. An example of a computer system includes a plurality of server nodes and a power distribution system that provides power to the plurality of server nodes. The computer system also includes a hardware-based alert signal line that couples the power distribution system to the plurality of server nodes. If a power failure occurs, the power distribution system is to send an alert signal to all of the server nodes through the alert signal line. The alert signal triggers each server node to activate a low power state.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed driving one or more P-Intrinsic-N (PIN) diodes by receiving an input and generating a plurality of pulses based on the input, a first pulse of the plurality of pulses controls a rise time of an RF envelope generated by an RF interface and a second pulse of the plurality of pulses controls a fall time of the RF envelope generated by the RF interface. The methods and devices may further be disclosed combining the plurality of pulses to generate a drive signal, delivering the drive signal to the RF interface including one or more PIN diodes, and generating the RF envelope by driving the one or more PIN diodes with the drive signal, and the amplitude or a pulse width of the first pulse is independently adjustable from the amplitude or the pulse width of the second pulse.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a network which comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data directly, or indirectly via one or more intermediate stations, between a requesting station and potential resource providing stations. The method comprises monitoring, at each station, the activity and/or resources of other stations on the network to establish the availability of resources at the other stations, and transmitting, from a requesting station requiring a specified resource, resource request probe signals identifying the specified resource. The resource may be data, connectivity, memory/storage, or another resource. At each station receiving the resource request probe signals, the availability of the specified resource or a portion thereof is determined, and hence whether said station is a potential resource providing station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network and to a method of operating a network. The network comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. The network further comprises a plurality of levels of stations including a first level comprising user and/or seed stations, a second level comprising auxiliary stations providing access to auxiliary networks, a third level comprising at least one location management station, and a fourth level comprising at least one authentication station. The method comprises transmitting, from or on behalf of a station on the first level requiring authentication, to an authentication station via one or more stations, an authentication request message. In response, the authentication station transmits authentication data to authenticate the station on the first level.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically maintaining the water level of a body of water, such as a pool, is described herein. The present invention comprises a float body contained within a float housing chamber and selectively coupled to a float valve, a ball check valve employed as a means for isolating the pressurized water in the circulation system of a body of water from the water in the float chamber and, after pump operation has ceased, allowing the passage of supply water from the float chamber of the apparatus of the circulation system of a body of water. Flexible conduits or tubing may be provided for ease of installation. Furthermore, the present invention is intended to be conveniently located near the equipment of the circulation system for the body of water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network, and a method of operating a network. The network includes a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. Each station transmits probe signals in broadcast fashion to other stations to gather a list of neighbor stations. The stations transmit position data and/or position determining data in at least some of the probe signals. The position data includes data indicative of the absolute or relative position of a station transmitting a probe signal, and the position determining data includes data usable by a station receiving a probe signal to determine the absolute or relative position of the station and/or other stations. Each station maintains position data and/or position determining data received from selected probing stations, and utilizes the data to determine the absolute or relative position of itself and/or other stations.

Abstract: Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially A? amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, IAPP amyloidosis, such as observed in type 2 diabetes, and synucleinopathies, such as observed in Parkinson's disease, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for controlled illumination in a bioanalysis or other system where excitation of fluorescent molecules is desirable. In an embodiment, an illumination system is described which can provide excitation light at a controlled intensity to provide quantitative results. In an embodiment, a solid state light engine is described which includes a plurality of color channels each providing light output suitable for exciting a fluorescent molecule, a light to frequency converter which receives a portion of the light output, a counter which maintains a count of a signal from the light to frequency converter, and a light intensity circuit, responsive to the counter, which adjusts the color channels to control the intensity of the light output.

Abstract: A system and method for metered dosage illumination in a bioanalysis or other system includes an illumination system or subsystem that can provide optimized amounts of excitation light within the short exposure times necessary to measure fast biological activity. The amount of light can be precisely measured to provide quantitative results. The light flux can be precisely controlled to generate a prescribed minimum amount of light, in order to reduce adverse lighting effects on both fluors and samples. The system and method is particularly useful in any quality-control, analysis, or assessment-based environment. Typical research and development applications can include quality control, instrument calibration, and light output standardization; while clinical and diagnostics applications can include clinical monitoring, bioassay calibration and control for diagnostics, treatment and or therapeutic evaluation.

Abstract: A seed and plant growth medium module includes a seed embedded in plant growth medium which is encapsulated in a biodegradable moisture retaining shell. The shell has a bottom with an upper covering. A root opening is provided in the bottom to allow egress of roots as the seed germinates. A plant egress opening is provided in the upper covering to allow upward growth of a plant resulting when the seed germinates. At least one water entry opening is provided in the shell to allow entry of moisture into the shell to wet the plant growth medium.

Abstract: A system and method for metered dosage illumination in a bioanalysis or other system. In accordance with an embodiment, an illumination system or subsystem is described that can provide optimized amounts of excitation light within the short exposure times necessary to measure fast biological activity. The amount of light can be precisely measured to provide quantitative results. The light flux can also be precisely controlled to generate only a prescribed minimum amount of light, in order to reduce adverse lighting effects on both fluors and samples. Although the examples herein illustrate the providing of metered dosage illumination in the context of a bioanalysis system, the techniques can be similarly used to provide metered dosage illumination in the context of other types of system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a communication network and a network itself. The network comprises a plurality of wireless stations, each station being able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit a message comprising a plurality of data packets from an originating station to a destination station via at least one intermediate station. At least some of the stations have a controllable antenna system operable to direct a null selectively. The method includes selecting, at each station, one or more probing channels for the transmission of probe signals to other stations. At stations having a controllable antenna system, the presence of interference on said one or more probing channels is detected, and one or more nulls are selectively directed towards the source or sources of the interference. Typically, a null is directed towards a source of interference where the level of the interference exceeds a predetermined level.