Abstract: An architecture and techniques for determining operation of energy-producing equipment that can increase profitability are presented. Such can be surfaced in easily understood financial market paradigms that reflect relatively complex physical models associated with the equipment. For example, buy data and sell data can be presented that reflect determined buy opportunities and determined sell opportunities. The buy opportunities can represent conditions in which it is advised to operate the equipment according to a cold part load protocol and the sell opportunities can represent conditions in which it is advised to operate the equipment according to a peak fire protocol.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for managing sensitive data are provided. The management tool may be provided on a user input device, as opposed to being provided in memory or in a peripheral that can be read from a program running on a computing platform. The management tool may be maintained in a read/write isolation mode where no data is transmitted outside of the management tool unless the user input device is disengaged from the computing platform, at which point data may be transmitted from the management tool for ultimate delivery to the computing platform.

Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly is provided comprising a tube casing assembly including a plurality of vertical mount posts. An insulator plate is mounted to the plurality of vertical mount posts such that the insulator plate can translate vertically on the posts. A cathode assembly is mounted to the insulator plate and generates both an eccentric moment and a vertical expansion in response to a cathode power load. A semi-compressible element is positioned between at least one of the vertical mount posts and the insulator plate. The semi-compressible element becomes incompressible at a cathode power threshold such that the vertical expansion is translated into a correction moment countering the eccentric moment.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed that enables one or more telecommunications endpoints to subscribe to a conferencing system and to be notified of one or more conferencing events. As part of the conferencing system of the illustrative embodiment, a conference invitation server maintains information on all of the conferences that are scheduled to occur on the conferencing system, including (i) the addresses of the identified participants for each call and (ii) the conference identifier that the server generates for each call. When a conference call is going to begin, the server sends out notifications to all endpoints that are subscribed to the conference. If there are participants who are not subscribed to the conference, then alternative mechanisms for notifying participants can be used. Each subscribed endpoint then transmits a request to join the conference—either via user interaction or automatically—providing the conference identifier as part of the join request.

Abstract: Called party information is provided during survivable processor mode operation of a branch included in a distributed private branch exchange communication system for support of features that require information identifying the called party. More particularly, a coverage path for use during survivable processor operation is enabled that establishes contact with an extension or coverage point over the public switched telephony network such that operation of system appears normal to a caller. Furthermore, for a given coverage point, the same coverage path can be used for a number of extensions, reducing administrative burden.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining multi-slice images having a total thickness of up to about 160 mm or more in a single gantry rotation in computed tomography or volume computed tomography are described. One embodiment comprises an extended, multi-spot x-ray source for computed tomography or volume computed tomography imaging, comprising: an electron gun capable of producing a plurality of electron beams, each electron beam focused at a predetermined distance and aimed in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of targets positioned to receive the electron beams and generate x-rays in response thereto, each target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon, wherein each electron beam is synchronized to strike, at an appropriate time, a predetermined target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon.