Abstract: An apparatus is provided and may include a control valve that moves a pressure-responsive unloader valve between a first position permitting flow through a valve plate and into a compression mechanism and a second position restricting flow through the valve plate and into the compression mechanism. The control valve may include at least one pressure-responsive valve member movable between a first state supplying discharge-pressure gas to the unloader valve to urge the unloader valve into one of the first position and the second position and a second state venting the discharge-pressure gas from the unloader valve to move the unloader valve into the other of the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to retrofitting existing electronic devices for wireless power transfer and near-field communication. Retrofitting circuitry includes an antenna for receiving a signal from an external source, and conversion circuitry for converting the signal to be used by an electronic device. The antenna and conversion circuitry are configured to retrofit to the electronic device, where the electronic device did not originally include the antenna or conversion circuitry. The antenna and conversion circuitry may be configured to receive and convert the signal to generate wireless power for the electronic device. The antenna and the conversion circuitry may also be configured to enable the electronic device to send and receive near-field communication data.

Abstract: Method for producing a substrate with Au (gold) nanoclusters affixed to the surface thereof and substrate and catalyst obtained by means of said method. The method consists in preparing a solution containing, in disperse form, Au nanoclusters and, also in disperse form, a substrate with a surface functionalised with a polyelectrolyte that confers a net electric charge thereon, and in intensely agitating said solution to affix Au nanoclusters to the substrate surface. This results in a substrate that has a surface with Au nanoclusters affixed in disperse form, significantly without clusters. The invention also relates to a catalyst that comprises said substrate with Au nanoclusters affixed to the surface thereof. Said catalyst is particularly suitable for use in oxidation reactions.

Abstract: Potable drinking water is a scarce resource in many parts of developing countries, especially rural areas. Due to limited financial means of these countries, low cost point-of-use systems are thought to be appropriate technology to treat water. Systems using solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation could be successful since many vulnerable countries are located where solar radiation is intense and abundant throughout the year. The goal of this disclosure is to develop a simple and low cost point-of-use solar UV reactor to disinfect water. In this disclosure wavelength-dependent microbial dose-response behavior was investigated using surrogates to pathogenic microbes. A solar radiation prediction method based on the SMARTS model was used to predict solar UV intensity as function of geographic location and time. A numerical modeling procedure using the discrete ordinate (DO) model and CFD software (FLUENT) was used to simulate UV dose (distribution) delivery to microorganisms.

Abstract: PVD and HPHT methods and apparatus for producing materials, for example nitrides, are disclosed.

Abstract: A buoyancy module assembly reduces the effective weight of a sub-sea conduit used in a deep-water wellbore drilling installation. The assembly includes a buoyant sleeve positioned around the conduit between upper and lower stop collar assemblies. The sleeve contains buoyant material forming most of its cross-section, with cross sectional segments thereof each encapsulated in a non-porous resinous material that forms an outer jacket around each segment. In one embodiment, a non-rotating generally circular inside diameter of the sleeve is formed by the thin layer of jacket material bonded directly to an interior reinforcing cage. A narrow gap is formed between the ID of the non-rotating sleeve and the OD of the conduit. The collar assemblies comprise an inner collar rigidly affixed to the conduit and contained within a larger diameter outer shell adapted for rotation relative to the fixed inner collar.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at least one of temperature information and humidity information about an environment in which a tape drive resides, performing an analysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidity information, making a determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on the analysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidity information, and making a selection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operation of the tape drive based on the determination.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that provides a virtual disk in a computer system. During operation, the system stores data for the virtual disk in a virtual disk file on the computer system. Next, the system loads a differential location data structure corresponding to a snapshot of the virtual disk into memory on the computer system and processes input/output (I/O) operations to the virtual disk using the differential location data structure and the virtual disk file. Finally, the system periodically generates a new snapshot of the virtual disk by transactionally committing changes made to the differential location data structure by the I/O operations to the virtual disk file.

Abstract: A method for modeling FinFET width quantization is described. The method includes fitting a FinFET model of a FinFET device to single fin current/voltage characteristics. The FinFET device comprises a plurality of fins. The method includes obtaining statistical data of at least one sample FinFET device. The statistical data includes DIBL data and SS data. The method also includes fitting the FinFET model to a variation in a current to turn off the finFETs device (IOFF) in the statistical data using the DIBL data and the SS data and determining a model for a voltage to turn off the finFETs device (VOFF). The method also includes fitting the FinFET model to the VOFF.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for feeder link configurations to layered modulation. One feeder link system employs feeder link spot beam to antennas in distinct coverage areas to enable frequency reuse. Another system employs narrow beam width feeder link antenna to illuminate individual satellites also enabling frequency reuse. Yet another system uses layered modulation in the feeder link. Another feeder link system employs a higher order synchronous modulation for the satellite feeder link than is used in the layered modulation downlink signals.

Abstract: A vendor provides, and an operator obtains a method dedicated printer bundle. The printer bundle includes a printer having a key interface, an ink supply, and a key for association with the printer through the key interface. The key is provided with key data pertaining to an authorized page count. The printer operator is allowed to acquire additional authorized pages as needed. When the printer ink supply becomes depleted, the printer operator is provided with additional ink at no or insignificant cost.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to chokes for suppressing undesired signals such as such as common mode electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI). The chokes can include an electro-conductive sleeve disposed over an electrical cable and the sleeve can be configured to suppress an undesired signal. In some embodiments, the electro-conductive sleeve and have a half-wave sleeve, which can be electrically open at both ends. Additional insulating material can be included between the electrical cable and the sleeve. Multiple electro-conductive sleeves and be disposed substantially concentrically over the cable. The chokes can be configured to reduce passive intermodulation (PIM). The sleeve can have a longitudinal slot that extends the length of the sleeve. The sleeve can include multiple slots that separate the sleeve into multiple panels, which can be configured to suppress different signals.

Abstract: A safety clamping device for clamping onto a first rope portion and retaining a second rope portion. The clamping device comprises a clamping portion and a retaining portion. The clamping portion clamps onto the first rope portion, and comprises first and second clamping members in use hingedly coupled to one another such that the clamping portion is movable between an open configuration suitable for receiving the first rope portion and a clamping configuration suitable for clamping onto the first rope portion. The retaining portion retains the second rope portion relative to the position of the first rope portion, and is coupled to the clamping portion.

Abstract: One embodiment of a golf practice device comprising an upright support (12); a shaft (38) affixed to the upright support in a substantial horizontal orientation in predetermined height above a ground; a ball body (16) rotatably mounted to an outer end of the shaft; and a stopping member (14) attached to the upright support in a substantial horizontal orientation in position above the shaft. When a gold ball is struck by a golf club, it rotates about a horizontal axis and is stopped by the stopping member. The ball body is further slowed down by the unraveled cord (56) scratching the floor. After being hit with the full speed swing, the golf ball comes back into its initial quiet position in less than 5 seconds. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a cyclone chamber in the air flow path. The cyclone chamber may be comprise a cyclone chamber first end and a cyclone chamber second opposed end, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone chamber wall. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber first end, a dirt collection chamber second opposed end and an outer longitudinally extending sidewall. The outer longitudinally extending sidewall may have at least one recess provided therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating glaucoma, using descendents of marrow adherent stem cells that have been engineered to express an exogenous Notch intracellular domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capsule containing an inhalable powder composition wherein the composition comprises about 75% by weight or more levodopa, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and a salt characterized by a working density of less than about 100 g/L. The invention further provides a capsule containing an inhalable powder composition wherein the composition comprises about 75% by weight or more levodopa, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and a salt characterized by a working density of less than about 100 g/L wherein the capsule material comprises hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A cleaning head for a surface cleaning apparatus has a plurality of struts extending from a front chamber having a dirty air inlet to a rear chamber having a transition duct that is in communication with a filtration apparatus of a surface cleaning apparatus by a dirty fluid outlet. One or more of the struts comprises an airflow passage. In one embodiment, no outer casing is provided surrounding the struts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a tiger nut beverage are described. The systems and methods may include mixing a tiger nut extract in powder form with one or more additives; combining the mixed tiger nut extract in powder form and the one or more additives with water to create a tiger nut syrup; flash pasteurizing the tiger nut syrup; and mixing the tiger nut syrup with water to create a finished tiger nut beverage. A composition including tiger nut liquid subject to flash pasteurization is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the neurologic state of a patient undergoing general anesthesia is provided. Previous automated systems to monitor the neurologic state of a patient undergoing general anesthesia involve a significant time delay between the patient's true hypnotic state and the computed indices. The present invention reduces this time delay by using a different analysis technique applied to spontaneous EEG. A wavelet decomposition and statistical analysis of the observed EEG is conducted and compared to reference data to provide a numerical indicator. In addition, this indicator is more consistent with the patient's loss of consciousness indicated by the loss of count event than previous systems.