Abstract: A method for and the results of implementing a tree of multiplexing are disclosed. At each level of the tree, a sum-of-products or a product-of-sums representation is chosen to maximize inter-level optimizations.

Abstract: A method of inspecting canopy structures is provided to determine the structural integrity of the roof support system. The method includes steps designed to uncover hidden deficiencies in the roof support system through nondestructive testing and discovery. Timely use of the method of inspection not only minimizes the risk of canopy collapse but also produces information needed for making repair or replacement of the roof support system.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of cells, includes a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and by-passes battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining related queries for a given search query based on the linking structure of electronic documents within a document set. Document titles are used to represent potential search queries and links between the electronic documents are used to determine relationships between the potential search queries. As such, the document set may be represented as a directed graph in which document titles (which represent potential search queries) are nodes and links are edges between the nodes. When a particular search query is received, a corresponding node is identified and related queries are determined by identifying other nodes having connections with that node.

Abstract: A method of producing botulinum toxin C-terminal receptor binding domain (HCR) is disclosed. The one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) preparing E. coli transformed with an expression vector comprising DNA encoding HCR protein, (b) inducing expression of the HCR protein at a reduced temperature in a culture media, and (c) purifying the HCR protein via extraction, wherein the extraction comprises a clarification by centrifugation and a filtration, wherein the purified HCR protein is at least 10 mg/L of culture medium.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.

Abstract: Thermally curable encapsulant compositions, micro-fluid ejection devices, and methods for protecting micro-fluid ejection heads. One such encapsulant composition may include one having from about 50.0 to about 95.0 percent by weight of at least one cross-linkable resin having a flexible backbone; from about 0.1 to about 20.0 percent by weight of at least one thermal curative agent; and from about 0.0 to about 50.0 percent by weight filler, and exhibits a relatively low shear modulus upon curing (e.g., less than about 10.0 MPa at 25° C.).

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber extending between the inlet and the outlet and an actuation sub-assembly. Positioned in the chamber is a flow restrictor, which is positionable between a valve open position wherein the fluid communication between the inlet and outlet is open and a valve closed position wherein the fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet is closed. The actuation sub-assembly includes a stem for engaging the flow restrictor. When the actuation sub-assembly is mounted to the valve body, the stem extends through the valve body wall for engagement with an engagement surface of the flow restrictor but is removable from engagement with the engagement surface of the flow restrictor without requiring disassembly of the valve body.

Abstract: A mixture for application on an animal to provide barrier protection against insects, parasites, arachnids and/or other arthropods, and ectoparasites, and in general viruses, bacteria and/or other microorganisms is provided. The mixture includes a carrier or combination of carriers, especially mineral oil, that at least after application has an absolute or resultant viscosity of from 100 to 1200, and especially greater than 120, and especially 300 to 650 S.U.S. The mixture also includes an insecticide, ectoparasitide, insect or other arthropod growth regulator (IGR), viricide, bacteriacide and/or bacteriostatic compound that is blended with the carrier and that acts non-systemically. The mixture contains essentially no surfactant, emulsifier, or emulsifying agent, either in solution or suspension.

Abstract: Schemes for processing a voice command from a caller are disclosed herein. The schemes may allow a caller to manipulate data using a voice command and designate a device to which to provide the manipulated data. The schemes may be accessed over telecommunication networks. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method of processing a voice command from a caller may include receiving from the caller a voice command to manipulate a set of data. The voice command may be processed using a voice-recognition application. The set of data may be manipulated to obtain a different modified set of data, and the modified set of data may be provided to a device designated by the caller.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides otoprotectant compositions useful for ameliorating hearing loss. In some embodiments, the otoprotective compositions comprise at least one glutathione peroxidase mimic. In some embodiments, the otoprotective compositions comprise at least one glutathione peroxidase mimic and at least one otoprotectant selected from the group consisting of a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and a glutathione or glutathione precursor. In some embodiments, the otoprotective compositions comprise at least one glutathione peroxidase mimic, at least one xanthine oxidase inhibitor, at least one glutathione or glutathione precursor. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for ameliorating hearing loss by administering to a subject an amount of an otoprotective composition that is effective to ameliorate hearing loss.

Abstract: A device for securing a spinal rod to a spine includes a head adapted to secure the spinal rod, and a locking cap adapted to engage the head and the spinal rod, the locking cap having an unlocked position, an intermediate position, and a locked position. A method of securing the spinal rod to the device includes aligning the spinal rod to a desired position relative to the spine with the locking cap in the unlocked position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that enable a first telecommunications endpoint to ensure that a second endpoint is receiving the first endpoint's packet stream transmissions with a satisfactory waveform quality. When the second endpoint receives the packet stream, it decodes the media waveform from the stream, encodes the waveform back into a second packet stream, and transmits some or all of the packets in the second stream back to the first endpoint. The first endpoint then decodes the received waveform in the second stream and compares it to the original waveform transmitted to the second endpoint. Based on the comparison, the first endpoint adjusts the value of a quality indication, and provides the quality indication to its user and to the second endpoint. Advantageously, the user at the second endpoint is able to determine whether the received waveform is, in fact, close enough to the waveform that the first endpoint's user intended to be received and understood.

Abstract: A solar receiver can have a base plate having a first surface and a second surface, a plurality of solar cells positioned over and supported by the first surface of the base plate, each solar cell having a cell face suitable for receiving solar radiation that faces away from the base plate, the plurality of solar cells being arranged in at least one string having a string axis, and a plurality of fins attached directly to the second surface of the base plate, wherein the fins extend outwardly from the second surface of the base plate in a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the string axis and the solar cell faces.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the spread of malware in communication between an instant message (IM) client and an IM server are described. A malware trapping system (MTS) creates and registers a set of virtual IM users with an IM server. The virtual IM users include account names by which other users of the IM server can communicate with the virtual IM users. The MTS publicizes the account names of the virtual IM users, which causes sources of malware to illicitly acquire the account names of the virtual IM users. The MTS identifies any IM user sending a message to one of the virtual users as a source of malware. The MTS also identifies such a message as a malware message and collects information about the sources of malware and malware messages and stores the information in a database. An IM filter module, accessing the information stored in the database, identifies and blocks malware messages based on the information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-storing medical electrode (10) that does not require packaging, enclosures, or other means to house and to protect various electrode components. According to one aspect, the invention provides an electrode comprising an electrode body having first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises a barrier layer (15) comprising a heat-sealable material and the second side comprises a conductive layer (16). The electrode further comprises an electrically conductive gel layer (18) disposed on the electrode body and which is further in electrical communication with the conductive layer (16).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for CPU signaturing to aide in performance analysis. Exemplary embodiments include a performance analysis method including identifying a workload having one or more testcases, assigning a CPU signature to each of the one or more testcases, calling a CPU signature application programming interface that toggles the CPU to generate the CPU signature, passing four parameters to the CPU signature application programming interface, prior to running each of the one or more testcases of the workload, generating the CPU signature, dynamically determining a run order of the one or more testcases at a run time of the workload and reviewing performance data during the running of each of the one or more testcases, each of the one or more testcases being identifiable by its respective CPU signature.