Abstract: A syringe inspection device and method for determining the position of a cannula in a cannula shield attached to a syringe. An electromagnetic radiation emitter is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a propagation axis. An electromagnetic radiation detector has an inspection window defined by a beam restrictor. A mount is configured to releasably retain the syringe between the emitter and the detector such that a longitudinal axis of the syringe is substantially coincident with the propagation axis. An image analyzer is operatively coupled to the detector. The image analyzer is configured to produce a syringe rejection signal when the cannula is irradiated and an electromagnetic image in the inspection window has two or less distinctly separate objects based on a contiguity of pixels having substantially like-valued intensity.

Abstract: A flow classification process is used at the edge of the shortest path bridging network to determine a flow label for attachment to a client frame entering the network. Any of several flow labels can be assigned to a client frame traversing the network to a particular egress node, and the flow labels are used by forwarding nodes to select among multiple equal-cost paths. In several embodiments, the flow label is calculated as a function of the client frame contents, which provide an entropy source for randomizing the selection of the flow label. This entropy source comprises the Internet Protocol (IP) header in the client frame, in some embodiments, but may comprise other client frame content in other cases.

Abstract: A pipe tee that has been modified to permit a second standard pipe tee to fit within it is described. The resultant 4-way combination fitting permits the angle of the respective annular appendages of the tees to be adjusted relative to each other.

Abstract: An L2 Ethernet end-station and MTU size discovery method are described herein that are capable of discovering a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size for each Data Link Layer (DLL) connection to other similarly capable L2 Ethernet end-stations.

Abstract: An adaptor for coupling pipes together that has a pair of spaced apart pipe members disposed parallel to each other, with each of pair of pipe members including an opening at a top and at a bottom for receiving an additional pipe, and a bridging member connecting the pair of pipe members and defining a passage between the pipe members. A kit including an adaptor and one or more additional pipe members also is provided.

Abstract: An adaptor for coupling pipes together that has a pair of spaced apart pipe members disposed parallel to each other, with each of pair of pipe members including an opening at a top and at a bottom for receiving an additional pipe, and a bridging member connecting the pair of pipe members and defining a passage between the pipe members. A kit including an adaptor and one or more additional pipe members also is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for improved client and server communications, more particularly, an improved protocol that may be used for communication between a client and a server, such as in an email environment. Many features are provided for improved communications. An email server may provide the best message body available for an email message, may transfer an entire data object if requested property or properties are not well defined within the data object, may provide progress data for use in tracking download progress, and may send error information for a data object having an error. Email changes may be optimized at an email server component, even if the email changes occurred at another email server component. An email server may maintain a table of changes that occur to folders at an associated data store, and may notify a subscribed email client component of changes that occur in the table.

Abstract: Methods and systems allow an application capable of online communication to monitor the availability of different electronic communications sources and provide transition between online and offline operation and between different electronic communications sources. When a change occurs in connectivity source status, such as when the user disconnects from a wireline connection or goes offline or when a connection is otherwise lost due to mechanical failure or loss of wireline or wireless signal or when a reduction in bandwidth or connection speed is detected, the application is automatically transitioned between online and offline status and between different types of connectivity source without user action and without interruption of use of the application. If an online connection may not be obtained via TCP/IP connection, a determination is made as to whether the application and computer operating system are configured for RPC/HTTP connectivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for synchronizing records stored at a first computer with records stored at a second computer. If properties of the first record have been modified, a determination is made as to whether all of the modified properties may be ignored. If all of the properties are not ignorable, a determination is made as to whether the values of all non-ignorable properties are identical between the first and second records. If the values are identical, the modifications to the properties of the first record are discarded. If the values are not identical, a determination is made as to whether the modified properties are decidable. If the properties are decidable, a value is selected from either the value stored in the first record or the second record, and utilized as the selected value of the modified property for the first and second records.

Abstract: A host for a telecommunications system includes a container. The host includes an IPv4 stack disposed in the container. The host includes an IPv6 stack disposed in the container. The host includes a mapping layer disposed in the container in communication with the IPv4 stack and the IPv6 stack to map IPv4 addresses to IPv6 addresses. A telecommunications system includes an IPv6 transport network. The system includes an IPv4 transport network having IPv4 hosts. The system includes an host, in communication with the IPv6 transport network and the IPv4 transport network, having an IPv4 functionality layer for supporting IPv4 applications, and an IPv6 functionality layer for supporting IPv6 applications, and a mapping layer in communication with the IPv4 functionality layer in the IPv6 functionality layer for mapping IPv6 addresses and IPv4 addresses between the IPv4 hosts and IPv4 applications and the IPv6 transport network. A method for communicating.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a recipient to receive rights management (RM) protected content. The protected content is encrypted and decryptable according to a content key (KD), where (KD) is found in a corresponding license. In the method, the protected content is received while connectively coupled to a network through which the protected content may be obtained, and it is recognized that the received protected content is in fact protected content. In response to receiving the protected content and recognizing same, the license for the protected content is obtained from an RM server while still connectively coupled to the network and in an automatic manner. Thus, the license is available to the recipient even when such recipient is not connectively coupled to the RM server by way of the network at a later time. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the protected content is received within an email.

Abstract: An adaptor for coupling pipes together that has a pair of spaced apart pipe members disposed parallel to each other, with each of pair of pipe members including an opening at a top and at a bottom for receiving an additional pipe, and a bridging member connecting the pair of pipe members and defining a passage between the pipe members. A kit including an adaptor and one or more additional pipe members also is provided.

Abstract: A fixation device and method stabilizers at least one bone of a patient. The device includes a connector with one end defining a screw fixator configured to receive an anchoring screw and a securing cap configured to maintain the screw in the screw fixator.

Abstract: A rotor blade having a wing and beam construction for a tip shroud is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing a transition zone that extends from the suction side and pressure side of the airfoil to provide a flow path surface of the shroud. In one detailed embodiment, the transition zone is contoured under the beam differently than a portion under the rear portions of the wings.

Abstract: A rotor blade having a wing and beam construction for a tip shroud is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing a transition zone that extends from the suction side and pressure side of the airfoil to provide a flow path surface of the shroud. In one detailed embodiment, the transition zone over substantially all of its extent between the leading edge region and the trailing edge region is contoured to extend to the sides of the wings to provide a spanwise taper that extends to the side of the wing.

Abstract: A rotor blade having a wing and beam construction for a tip shroud is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing the shroud with depression in the shroud and a transition zone that extends from the suction side and pressure side of the airfoil to provide a flow path surface of the shroud. In one detailed embodiment, the tip shroud has a depression generally outwardly of the airfoil and generally following the curve of the pressure and suction sides of the airfoil from the leading edge region to the trailing edge region.

Abstract: Temporary spinal fixation apparatuses and methods are disclosed for temporarily fixing the relative position of spinal implant assemblies until a permanent fixation position is determined. The disclosed apparatuses and methods enhance the ease of placement of spinal implant assemblies and facilitates the accuracy of positioning of the spinal vertebrae. The invention can reduce the number of steps needed to perform spinal surgery and can decrease the likelihood of post-operative complications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for simulating network performance. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes inferring one or more services on the network; collecting network information based on actual traffic on the network; determining a traffic generator, such that the traffic generator represents the actual traffic on the network from a perspective of at least one of the inferred services; and simulating performance of the network using the determined traffic generator and at least one of the inferred services.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for testing a processor having at least a first interface. In one embodiment, the method includes configuring, at the processor, a second interface, such that the configured second interface has one or more quality of service parameters representative of the first interface; sending one or more packets through the configured second interface, the one or more packets being representative of another packet received at the first interface; and determining, based on the one or more packets, one or more performance parameters corresponding to the first interface under test.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing services on a network. In one. exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving topologically relevant network information concerning nodes, interfaces, connections and/or protocols; resolving conflicts in the received information; determining and storing a network topology from the received and resolved information; and inferring one or more services based on the stored topology.