Abstract: A system and method are described for using a Component Business Model (CBM) to transform a business. A CBM map is used to identify components that collaborate to provide a specified capability, and a repository supporting the CBM map is filtered to provide a view of the identified components that highlights how they collaborate. The view is used to identify component features contributing to the specified capability. The specified capability is then enhanced by a transformation strategy that includes re-engineering particular components, identifying a pattern characterizing the collaboration between components and adding a component to perform the collaborative pattern, and/or adding an additional feature to the collaboration and adding component to perform the additional feature. The CBM repository provides exemplar best practices that can be adapted for use in a re-engineered component.

Abstract: The invention provides a stable concentrated dairy liquid, such as concentrated milk, with improved flavor, color, and mouthfeel, and a method of production thereof. The method utilizes specific thermal treatments to produce the stable concentrated dairy liquid to which a stabilizer and mouthfeel enhancer are added. The resulting products have a sterilization value Fo of at least 5 that is also resistant to gelling and browning during high temperature sterilization and is also resistant to gelling and browning during storage for greater than six months. The method balances such thermal treatments with addition of stabilizer and enhancer to achieve the desired flavor/mouthfeel and sterilization and to achieve reduced level of soluble protein in the concentrated milk prior to concentration to resist gelation and minimize browning. Moreover, such processing may be utilized in a milk that is concentrated to a factor of 2.7 fold or higher and contains at least 8.5 percent protein.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides image guides having a plurality of spaced-apart optical fibers. The fibers are spaced apart sufficiently to allow parallel pixel acquisition from at least a portion of the plurality of fibers. In some examples, the fibers are encased in a rigid matrix. The image guides are, in some examples, enclosed in a rigid material. In specific examples, the rigid material is flexible, allowing the image guide to bend or flex. Further provided are methods for fabricating such image guides. According to a particular method, fibers in an image guide are individually mobilized. A portion of the image guide is heated until the mobilized fibers obtain a plastic state. The image guide is then drawn, cooled, and axially cut. The fiber ends may be ground or polished to obtain fibers of a particular diameter or desired surface characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to thiazole compounds of Formula I and Formula II and compositions thereof useful for treating diseases mediated by protein kinase B (PKB) where the variables have the definitions provided herein. The invention also relates to the therapeutic use of such thiazole compounds and compositions thereof in treating disease states associated with abnormal cell growth, cancer, inflammation, and metabolic disorders.

Abstract: An energetic thin film initiator and a method of making same comprising providing a plurality of thin film layers of fuel, providing a plurality of thin film layers of oxidizer, at least one interposed between two of the thin layers of fuel, and providing an electrical input to the thin film layers that upon receipt of an electrical pulse causes ignition of layers of fuel and oxidizer.

Abstract: A linear compressor includes a cylinder part and a piston part. A spring connects the cylinder part and the piston part and operates in the direction of reciprocation of the piston part relative to the cylinder part. The piston part includes a radially compliant but axially stiff linkage and piston. The cylinder part includes a cylinder and a cylinder liner therewithin. A bore runs through the cylinder liner and the piston reciprocates in the bore. Gas bearing passages are formed between the cylinder and the cylinder liner leading to opening through the wall of the cylinder liner to the bore. A gas bearing manifold receives compressed gases and supplies the compressed gases to the gas bearing passages. The gas bearing passages follow a tortuous path to the openings.

Abstract: An improved edgewise orthodontic bracket is disclosed. In one embodiment, a bracket comprises a single pair of opposing T-shaped tie wings which define an archwire slot therebetween. Notches are provided on each of the mesial and distal sides of the center leg of each T-shaped tie wing for selectively receiving a ligating device. The notches are defined in the gingival/occlusal edges of the tie wings and comprise sloped portions that extend labially towards the archwire slot. Convex sidewall portions and convex floor portions are provided in the archwire slot adjacent to the notches. The body of the bracket is interconnected to a base that includes a continuous series of characters that serve as texturing to facilitate bonding of the bracket with a tooth. A discontinuous perimeter rail may be used at the edge of the base. A method for forming a bracket is also provided.

Abstract: Hardware-enforced zoning is provided in Fibre Channel switches to protect against breaching of assigned zones in a switch network which can occur with software-based zoning techniques. The invention provides logic for performing a hardware-based validation of the Source ID S_ID of frames both at the point where the frame enters the Fibre Channel fabric, and at the point where the frame leaves the fabric. The S_ID is verified against an inclusion list or table of allowable S_IDs, which can be unique for each fabric port. The invention provides a way to increase the range of sources an inclusion table can express, by implementing wild cards, on an entry-by entry basis. If the S_ID is valid, it will enter the fabric and route normally. If invalid, the frame will not be routed but will be disposed of by the fabric according to FC rules.

Abstract: An imager captures successive images of an object. One image is then subtracted from another image to generate difference images. Each difference image is then correlated with itself or with one of the images used to generate the difference image to determine the relative motion between the imager an the object.

Abstract: A high-current electrical coil includes a plurality of flat, electrically-conductive strips bent to define together a coil in which the electrically-conductive strips are disposed coaxially and extend longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the coil. Each of the electrically-conductive strips is bent to define at least a part of a turn of the coil. One electrically-conductive strip has an outer end carrying a first connector terminal for the coil and projecting outwardly of the coil; and another electrically-conductive strip has an outer end carrying a second connector terminal for the coil and projecting outwardly of the coil. Each of the electrically-conductive strips includes inner ends in electrical continuity with each other, and intermediate portions electrically-insulated from each other such that the plurality of electrically-conductive strips together define a coil exceeding one turn between the first and second connector terminals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kind of HBV-antigen bound to heat shock proteins (hsps) which comprises core antigen, surface antigen and polymerase antigen. The present invention also provides a complex of HBV antigen bound to heat shock protein gp96 and hsp78, as well as a method for preparing the complex. The complex includes a complex of gp96 and hsp78 non-covalently bound to antigenic polypeptide, as well as a fusion protein of both which results from covalent binding. Such complex can be used to prepare therapeutic vaccine for treating hepatitis B and primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a FLADE counter-rotating fan aircraft gas turbine engine includes at least one row of FLADE fan blades disposed radially outwardly of and drivingly connected to one of axially spaced-apart first and second counter-rotatable fans. A core engine located downstream and axially aft of the first and second counter-rotatable fans is circumscribed by a fan bypass duct downstream and axially aft of the first and second counter-rotatable fans. The row of FLADE fan blades radially extend across a FLADE duct circumscribed about the first and second counter-rotatable fans and the fan bypass duct. A second low pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the first counter-rotatable fan and a first low pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the second counter-rotatable fan.

Abstract: A translucent polycrystalline material suitable for use in ceramic discharge vessels for metal halide lamps is produced by sintering an alumina powder doped with a MgO sintering aid in a nitrogen atmosphere containing a partial pressure of a vapor phase carbon-containing species. The sintered polycrystalline alumina has a grain boundary phase containing aluminum, oxygen and nitrogen. The formation of the AL—O—N grain boundary phase is believed to facilitate the transport of nitrogen from entrapped pores during sintering. Preferably, the PCA is sintered in a carbon-element furnace under flowing ultra-high-purity nitrogen.

Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus includes a headgear, a chin strap and a magnetic fastener including a slide socket and a stud. The slide socket is attached to the chin strap and the stud is attached to the headgear. The slide socket is configured to be magnetically attracted to the stud to secure the chin strap to the headgear.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for observing a chemical substance. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a vessel having a base portion and an at least partially transparent wall portion depending from and extending away from the base portion. The base portion and the wall portion define an interface region at an interface between the base portion and the wall portion. The vessel can further include a background material fixedly attached to the base portion and/or the interface region, with the background material having a surface visible through the wall portion from a region exterior to the vessel. The background material can be attached to an inner surface or an outer surface of the vessel, or the background material can be integrated with a medium that forms the base portion and the wall portion of the vessel. The background material can have a single color, such as white or black, or the background material can have a plurality of hues to make the contents of the vessel more clearly visible.

Abstract: Techniques for training a call center operator trainee are described. A database contains queries including caller speech providing information to be used in routing a call. Each query is associated with an operator response as well as numerical values produced by analyzing the query and the operator response. A training module presents a query to a trainee and receives the trainee response. The training module compares the trainee response to one or more of the numerical values in the database to determine if the trainee response is consistent with the correct destination for the call. If the trainee response is not consistent with the correct destination, the training module provides guidance to assist the trainee in associating the query with the correct destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing compressive connection with electrostatic discharge dissipative properties is disclosed. A compression connector is formed having an elastomeric material modified to provide a dissipative member, an electrostatically dissipative base member, and a connection to a ground to dissipate the charge generated when tension is applied to or released from the elastomer.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds of Formula 1, N-oxides and suitable salts thereof wherein R1 is Me, Cl, Br or F; R2 is F, Cl, Br, C1-C4 haloalkyl or C1-C4 haloalkoxy; R3 is F, Cl or Br; R4 is H; C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C4 alkenyl, C3-C4 alkynyl, C3-C5 cycloalkyl, or C4-C6 cycloalkylalkyl, each optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, CN, SMe S(O)Me, S(O)2Me, and OMe; R5 is H or Me; R6 is H, F or Cl; and R7 is H, F or Cl. Also disclosed are methods for controlling an invertebrate pest comprising contacting the invertebrate pest or its environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula 1, an N-oxide thereof or a suitable salt of the compound (e.g., as a composition described herein).

Abstract: A process is provided for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, optionally further heating the mixture, flashing the mixture within a flash/separation vessel to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, partially condensing the vapor phase by contacting with a condenser within the vessel, to condense at least some coke precursors within the vapor while providing condensates which add to the liquid phase, removing the vapor phase of reduced coke precursors content as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms, heating the vapor phase, cracking the vapor phase in a radiant section of a pyrolysis furnace to produce an effluent comprising olefins, and quenching the effluent and recovering cracked product therefrom. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.