Abstract: This invention provides nucleic acids and proteins involved in oligosaccharide modification in the species Bifidobacteria. The invention provides methods for utilizing the proteins of the invention to generate human milk oligosaccharides or oligosaccharide mimics. The invention also provides compositions containing the human milk oligosaccharides or oligosaccharide mimics and methods for use.

Abstract: A refractory nozzle assembly comprising a vessel operable to contain a molten metal and having at least one outlet. The assembly includes an inner assembly having an aperture extending therethrough and an outer assembly having an aperture extending therethrough. The inner and outer assemblies are arranged in the outlet of the vessel and are arranged for relative lateral movement such that inner and outer assemblies are operable to move between an open configuration, where the apertures therethrough are generally overlapping, and a closed configuration, where the apertures are not overlapping. The junction between the inner and outer assemblies is located within a periphery of the vessel.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe for guidance procedures is provided. The ultrasound probe includes a linear transducer array and a micro-motor configured to mechanically move the linear transducer array to provide ultrasound guidance of procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples and variations of solar energy collector systems comprising an elevated linear receiver extending generally in an east-west direction, a polar reflector field located on the polar side of the receiver, and an equatorial reflector field located on the equatorial side of the receiver. Each reflector field comprises reflectors positioned in parallel rows which extend generally in the east-west direction. The reflectors in each field are arranged and positioned to reflect incident solar radiation to the receiver during diurnal east-west processing of the sun and pivotally driven to maintain reflection of the incident solar radiation to the receiver during cyclic diurnal north-south processing of the sun. Inter-row spacings of the reflectors on opposite sides of the receiver may be asymmetrical.

Abstract: Architecture for efficiently ensuring that data is stored to the desired destination datastore such as for replication processes. A copy of data (e.g., messages) sent to a datastore for storage is stored at an alternate location until a received signal indicates that the storage and replication was successful. As soon as the feedback signal is received, the copy is removed from the alternate location, and hence, improves input/output (I/O) and storage patterns. The feedback mechanism can also be used for monitoring the status of data transport associated with log shipping, for example, and taking the appropriate actions when storage (e.g., replication) is not being performed properly.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system in which at least one vertically extending cavity is formed within ground constituted by geologically stable consolidated rock, and at least one cylindrical steel vessel having a diametral dimension smaller than its longitudinal dimension is positioned within the cavity and surrounded peripherally by a containment material. Conduits are provided for directing pressurised water in vapour and/or liquid phase into the vessel and for conveying steam from an upper region of the vessel. The vessel has a peripheral wall acting as a liner for the containment material and internal pressure-induced forces are transferred from the vessel to the containment material via the peripheral wall. The containment material in one embodiment of the invention includes the surrounding rock. In a further embodiment the containment material includes a filler material and the internal pressure induced forces are transferred from the vessel to the surrounding rock via the filler material.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the use of six-membered cyclic phosphates as plant growth regulators and methods for regulating the growth of plants using such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar absorptive material for a solar selective surface of an absorber of solar radiation. The solar absorptive material comprises a dispersed metallic material and a receiving the top surface boundary through which the solar radiation is received. Further, the solar absorptive material comprises a first region and a second region. The first region being located at a position closer to the receiving boundary than the second region and the first region has an average volume fraction of the dispersed metallic material that is larger than that of the second region.

Abstract: The present invention provides prebiotic and probiotic compositions containing human milk oligosaccharides and methods of use that selectively promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of orienting perforating gun strings conveyed on a tool string. One embodiment of the present invention provides an orienting weight provided in a portion of the perforating device, such as the shaped charge, the loading tube or the gun housing. An adapter is provided intermediate the tool string that facilitates conveyance of the gun string downhole. Additionally, the adapter enables the gun string to rotate independent of the tool string.

Abstract: A pulse width modulated solenoid control valve is described, wherein the valve includes a polymer fluid control body. The body includes a segmented fluid flow path for providing strength to the fluid control body assembly. Stand off ribs are provided to improve assembly into a control manifold. A casing forms an integral flux tube. A tapered push rod is used to reduce flux shorting.

Abstract: A solenoid control valve is described wherein the valve employs a precision molded plastic valve seat member, a corresponding control valve body which includes flying buttresses for supporting and distributing loads on the control valve body, and armature vent features.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for addressing compatibility in a session protocol environment is provided that includes a communications platform operable to communicate with a first endpoint and a second endpoint and to recognize signaling capabilities of the first and second endpoints. The apparatus also includes a media termination point (MTP) operable to communicate with the endpoints and the communications platform, the media termination point being provisioned by the communications platform in a stream that involves the first and second endpoints if a signaling compatibility issue is present amongst the endpoints. If an out-of-band digit from the first endpoint is received by the communications platform, the out-of-band digit is sent to the MTP, which is operable to inject a digit associated with the second protocol into the communication session such that a mapping occurs between the digits for the first and second protocols.

Abstract: A system and method providing for interoperability of SIP and H.323 for SRTP session establishment includes providing for interoperability of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and H.323 for Secure Realtime Transport Protocol session establishment include receiving a transmit key in a first protocol from a first endpoint. The transmit key is mapped from the first protocol to a second protocol and sent in the second protocol to a second endpoint to establish a secure communication session between the first endpoint and the second endpoint.

Abstract: A method for providing communication protocol interoperability may include receiving a request from a first endpoint to establish a communication session with a second endpoint, the request uses a first communication protocol. The method also includes receiving a first response from the second endpoint, the first response uses a second communication protocol different than the first communication protocol. The method may also include initiating a timer for receiving a set of capabilities from the second endpoint and establishing the communication session between the first endpoint and the second endpoint.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for addressing compatibility in a session protocol environment is provided that includes a communications platform operable to communicate with a first endpoint and a second endpoint and to recognize signaling capabilities of the first and second endpoints. The apparatus also includes a media termination point (MTP) operable to communicate with the endpoints and the communications platform, the media termination point being provisioned by the communications platform in a stream that involves the first and second endpoints if a signaling compatibility issue is present amongst the endpoints. If an out-of-band digit from the first endpoint is received by the communications platform, the out-of-band digit is sent to the MTP, which is operable to inject a digit associated with the second protocol into the communication session such that a mapping occurs between the digits for the first and second protocols.

Abstract: A method of making a capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer cell is provided. The method includes providing a carrier substrate, where the carrier substrate comprises glass. The step of providing the glass substrate may include forming vias in the glass substrate. Further, the method includes providing a membrane such that at least one of the carrier substrate, or the membrane comprises support posts, where the support posts are configured to define a cavity depth. The method further includes bonding the membrane to the carrier substrate by using the support posts, where the carrier substrate, the membrane and the support posts define an acoustic cavity.

Abstract: A pulse width modulated solenoid control valve is described, wherein the valve includes a polymer fluid control body. The body includes a segmented fluid flow path for providing strength to the fluid control body assembly. Stand off ribs are provided to improve assembly into a control manifold. A casing forms an integral flux tube. A tapered push rod is used to reduce flux shorting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beam splitter that comprising a body having at least one substantially flat surface. The surface has surface regions arranged to receive radiation at respective incidence angle ranges. At least some of the incidence angle ranges of the radiation received by the respective surface regions differ from one another and each surface region has a respective optical property such that the influence of the respective incident angle range on the wavelength range of reflected and/or transmitted radiation is reduced.