Abstract: A pneumostoma assessment and treatment system includes methods and devices for aftercare of a pneumostoma. In particular, methods and devices are provided for standardized monitoring and assessment of pneumostoma patency thereby facilitating the establishment of standards-based protocols for pneumostoma management. Methods of standardized pneumostoma patency assessment includes the use of devices for raising alveolar pressure to a controlled repeatable pressure above ambient while analyzing gas flow through the pneumostoma. In response to an assessment the functionality of the pneumostoma, the tissues of the pneumostoma may be treated with a treatment device utilizing one or more different modalities to preserve or enhance the health and function of the pneumostoma.

Abstract: A method for communicating network status information includes receiving, via a first link, a request for status information from a client device, the first link being a link between a router device and a client device. In response to the request, a data exchanger is polled for status information via a second link. The second link is a link between the router device and the data exchanger. The status information identifies a state of a third link between the data exchanger and a wide area network. The status information is received via the second link and communicated to the client device via the first link.

Abstract: Pre-patterned discrete track media for self-servo writing are described. Embodiments include land and groove patterns for two or more Integrated Servo sequence fields for each servo sector in which one of the Integrated Servo sequence fields is aligned with the data track and a second sequence is offset by one-half of a track width. The lands and grooves between the Integrated Servo sequence fields are preferably the same width as those between the data tracks to facilitate planarization. Alternative embodiments include a sync feature for each servo sector formed by a selected groove and/or land pattern as a marker for the start of the servo fields. Alternative embodiments include a bootstrap zone with servo patterns that are readable when DC-magnetized. Described methods of self-servowriting include ways to adapt to eccentricity and non-circularity of pre-patterned discrete tracks with respect to the head paths.

Abstract: A truss assembly station may include a truss assembler. The truss assembler may be configured to enable assembly of a truss from truss members by providing an automatic sequential placement of the truss members based at least in part upon a planned location of pre-plated truss members within an assembled truss. The pre-plated truss members may be truss members including at least one connector plate installed thereon prior to placement at the truss assembly station.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X08B846 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08B846 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08B846 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08B846, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08B846. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08B846.

Abstract: A cargo barrier net for an aircraft includes a net mesh, defined by a plurality of net strands, a securing members coupled to one of the net strands, for securing the cargo barrier net across an internal space of an aircraft; and a tear webbing located between the securing members and the net strand. The tear webbing is configured to tear progressively when a load is applied to it, thereby increasing the effective length of net strand to which it is coupled and redistributing the load to other net strands in the cargo barrier net.

Abstract: An system for and method of repurchasing stock is presented. The system and method improve upon prior art techniques by limiting risk to an investment bank that enables an accelerated stock repurchase. More particularly, such risk is reduced in the event that the repurchasing company announces higher than expected dividends on the stock during the term of the accelerated repurchase transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for expanding the FOV of a truncated computed tomography (CT) scan. An iterative calculation is performed on the original CT image to produce an estimate of the image. The calculated estimate of the reconstructed image includes the original image center and a estimate of the truncated portion outside the image center. The calculation uses an image mask with the image center as one boundary.

Abstract: The subject invention provides systems and methods that facilitate AIDS vaccine cocktail assembly via machine learning algorithms such as a cost function, a greedy algorithm, an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, etc. Such assembly can be utilized to generate vaccine cocktails for species of pathogens that evolve quickly under immune pressure of the host. For example, the systems and methods of the subject invention can be utilized to facilitate design of T cell vaccines for pathogens such HIV. In addition, the systems and methods of the subject invention can be utilized in connection with other applications, such as, for example, sequence alignment, motif discovery, classification, and recombination hot spot detection. The novel techniques described herein can provide for improvements over traditional approaches to designing vaccines by constructing vaccine cocktails with higher epitope coverage, for example, in comparison with cocktails of consensi, tree nodes and random strains from data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including multiple spatial light modulators, each including light modulating elements arranged in two-dimensional array disposed in a homogenous light field, multiple anamorphic optical systems, each disposed downstream from an associated spatial light modulator, a scan structure, and an image stitching controller. The light modulating elements of each spatial light modulator are individually adjustable to either pass received homogenous light portions to the anamorphic optical systems, or to block/redirect the homogenous light portions, thereby generating a two-dimensional modulated light field. Each anamorphic optical system images and focuses received modulated light field onto an associated substantially one-dimensional scan line portion on the scan structure.

Abstract: LED lighting systems and methods of manufacture, which include one or more of the following: (1) a solid state active heat sink for cooling one or more LED chips; (2) a front end power supply providing high voltage to the active heat sink component; (3) a front end power supply that provides a relatively low voltage load to a plurality of LED chips; (4) a front end hybrid power supply with both a high and low voltage output, wherein the high voltage is at least 2kV higher than the low voltage output; (5) an over-mold encapsulating the front end components, wherein the over-mold is provided by a reaction injection molding process; (6) a digital micro-minor device (DMD) for providing pixilated light, color mixing, and intensity control; and (7) an optic having quantum dots (QDs), wherein the light output of the DMD activates for the QDs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for providing an agricultural waste product having amorphous silica, carbon, and impurities; extracting from the agricultural waste product an amount of the impurities; changing the ratio of carbon to silica; and reducing the silica to a high purity silicon (e.g., to photovoltaic silicon).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus, such as a processing chamber, suitable for etching high aspect ratio features. Other embodiments include a showerhead assembly for use in the processing chamber. In one embodiment, a processing chamber includes a chamber body having a showerhead assembly and substrate support disposed therein. The showerhead assembly includes at least two fluidly isolated plenums, a region transmissive to an optical metrology signal, and a plurality of gas passages formed through the showerhead assembly fluidly coupling the plenums to the interior volume of the chamber body.

Abstract: A quaternary ammonium salt detergent made from the reaction product of the reaction of: (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and a compound having an oxygen or nitrogen atom capable of condensing with said acylating agent and further having a tertiary amino group; and (b) a quaternizing agent suitable for converting the tertiary amino group to a quaternary nitrogen and the use of such quaternary ammonium salt detergents in a lubricating composition, a fuel composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective wiring device including a fault detection circuit configured to provide a fault detection signal in response to a fault condition or a simulated fault condition. A second circuit is coupled to at least one user-accessible button and is configured to conduct a second signal in response to a user actuation of the at least one user-accessible button if the plurality of line terminals are coupled to a source of AC power, the second signal not simulating the fault condition. An automatic test circuit is configured to periodically determine whether the fault detection circuit is operative and provide an electronics test failure signal if the fault detection circuit fails to provide the fault detection signal in response to the periodically effected simulated fault condition.

Abstract: A gas turbine system comprising, a diffuser operative to diffuse an airstream output from a compressor, a fuel nozzle operative to receive fuel and emit the fuel in a combustor, and at least one bleed duct operative to direct bleed air from down stream of the combustor to the fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a computing device of a first party, a request to purchase a gift for a second party, identifying a location of the second party, determining whether a taxing authority of the second party's location imposes a tax on a purchase associated with redemption of the gift or a tax on the receipt of the gift, determining an amount of the tax imposed, generating a payment request for the gift including adding the amount of the tax to a cost of the gift, and transmitting the payment request to the computing device of the first party in response to the request to purchase the gift so that the first party has an option to pay the tax imposed based on the second party's location.

Abstract: This invention relates to a film or sheet and a process to make a film or sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 35 mils comprising a blend composition comprising: a) 4 to 50 wt % of one or more polypropylene-based TPO(s); and b) 30 to 80 wt % of one or more ethylene plastomer(s); and c) 0.5 to 35 wt % of one or more non-functionalized plasticizer(s) having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 4 to 300 cSt, a pour point of ?20° C. or less, and a flash point of 200° C. or more; and d) 0 to 69.5 wt % of one or more filler(s); and wherein the blend composition is calendered into a film or sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymerization process which is conducted by contacting an olefin monomer and at least one olefin comonomer in the presence of hydrogen and a metallocene-based catalyst composition. Polymers produced from the polymerization process are also provided, and these polymers have a reverse comonomer distribution, low levels of long chain branches, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from about 3 to about 6.