Abstract: A vent having a continuous, elongate mat having an upper face and a lower face, and having a first portion and a second portion. The mat includes a plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures of a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments having a first density, at least one of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the first portion, and at least one other of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the second portion. The mat includes a throat portion between the first portion and the second portion, the throat portion having a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments of a second density different than the first density, a first cover layer covering an outer edge of the first portion, and a second cover layer covering an outer edge of the second portion.

Abstract: A flooring mat that includes a first layer that includes a vapor barrier, a second layer that includes a textile pad, and a third layer having an entangled filament structure. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. The flooring mat may be provided between a subfloor and a surface layer of a flooring structure.

Abstract: A flooring mat that includes a first layer that includes a vapor barrier, a second layer that includes a textile pad, and a third layer having an entangled filament structure. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. The flooring mat may be provided between a subfloor and a surface layer of a flooring structure.

Abstract: A vent having a continuous, elongate mat having an upper face and a lower face, and having a first portion and a second portion. The mat includes a plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures of a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments having a first density, at least one of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the first portion, and at least one other of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the second portion. The mat includes a throat portion between the first portion and the second portion, the throat portion having a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments of a second density different than the first density, a first cover layer covering an outer edge of the first portion, and a second cover layer covering an outer edge of the second portion.

Abstract: A fire-extinguishing composition has a water-thickening agent and a foaming agent. The fire-extinguishing composition contains less than 10 vol % water. The ratio of water-thickening agent to foaming agent is from 99:1 to 1:99 volume ratio. The composition is in the form of a powder or flake. A method of extinguishing a fire is by applying a mixture of a fire-extinguishing composition and water to a fire, the fire-extinguishing composition having a water-thickening agent and a foaming agent.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for limiting the probability of failure on demand of a subsea test tree (“SSTT”) includes the steps of providing a safety shut-in system for actuating a safety valve of the SSTT, the safety shut-in system including a surface control station positioned above a water surface connected via an umbilical to a subsea control system positioned below the water surface to actuate the safety valve; and diagnostically testing the safety shut-in system without actuating the safety valve.

Abstract: A fire-extinguishing composition has a water-thickening agent and a foaming agent. The fire-extinguishing composition contains less than 10 vol % water. The ratio of water-thickening agent to foaming agent is from 99:1 to 1:99 volume ratio. The composition is in the form of a powder or flake. A method of extinguishing a fire is by applying a mixture of a fire-extinguishing composition and water to a fire, the fire-extinguishing composition having a water-thickening agent and a foaming agent.

Abstract: The present invention is a substance displacement device. The device includes a sensing unit which is positioned in a drill hole or otherwise within the substance, such as soil or rock. A measurement device is connected to the sensing unit to measure changes in resistance caused by deformation of the sensing device. A control device connected to the measuring device determines whether the change in resistance exceeds a threshold, and thus activates an alarm. The sensing device preferably includes a fixed resistance device across its terminations to enable the establishing of a baseline resistance. The sensing device may include an electrical element or an optical element. The alarm can be any suitable type of alarm.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of managing user authorization levels for access to a plurality of applications. The method includes receiving a request from a user to establish a user profile and establishing an employment indicator for the user. A user authorization level template is obtained in response to the employment indicator. The user authorization level template identifies a plurality of applications and a user authorization level for each application. The user authorization levels are then associated with the user.

Abstract: An easy-to-install and remove flooring system comprises three components: 1) a plurality of rolled-out liners, 2) a plurality of tiles, particularly resilient tiles, and 3) an adhesive adhering the tile to the liner. A grid pattern matching the size of the tiles is printed on the liner to enable easy centering and balancing of the tile in the room. The edge portions of adjacent liners are adjacent or overlapped. At least some of the tiles are adhered to two of the liners.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for translation of a viral vector both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the present invention pertains to a translational control element placed in a vector to cause a selective translation of a viral vector.

Abstract: A method for providing a mobile device in a packet data network access to a channelized network is disclosed. At a gateway between the two networks, a first channelized network message that is encapsulated in a first IP data packet from the packet data network is received. The first channelized network message is retrieved and reformatted for sending over the channelized network. The gateway then receives a second channelized network message from the channelized network. An identifier of a mobile device associated with the second channelized network message is retrieved and an IP address for the identified mobile device is determined. Then, the gateway encapsulates the second channelized network message into a second IP data packet and sends the encapsulated second channelized network message to the identified mobile device in the packet data network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating an expected level of quality in a private Push To Talk (PTT) network are disclosed. The method and apparatus receive at least one of an affiliation message and a talkgroup call request for a first subscriber unit of the private PTT network wherein a talkgroup is associated with at least one of the private PTT network, another PTT network, and a public network. The method and system determine an expected level of quality for the talkgroup and send the determined expected level of quality to the subscriber unit.

Abstract: Methods for informing a mobile device of adjacent sites in a RF communication system wherein the RF communication system comprises a first network and a second network are disclosed. A mobile device in the first network of the RF communication system updates a signaling gateway with position information of the mobile device wherein the signaling gateway interfaces between the first network and the second network and receives a list of adjacent sites in the second network from the signaling gateway.

Abstract: A decorative structure is provided that is suspended within a space and includes a flexible panel maintained in a flexed configuration. The decorative structure includes a cable that supports the flexible panel and that is connected to a biasing member. The biasing member cooperates with a portion of the flexible panel to maintain the panel in a flexed configuration. A method of configuring a decorative structure with a flexed panel is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for synchronization in a RF communication system are disclosed. At a mobile device, frames are received from a circuit switched network wherein at least one frame has a first timestamp wherein the first timestamp is related to a time base for a source of communications. Packets are also received from a packet data network wherein each packet comprises a second timestamp from the time base. Frames and packets are sequenced based upon the first timestamp and the second timestamp.

Abstract: Molding and trim, which is placed at the intersection of the wall and floor or wall and ceiling, or as a transition between two floors, or as decorative pieces on a wall, has a digitally printed print layer. The printed pattern may be a wood grain pattern or other fanciful design. The pattern may be a looped pattern having no abrupt change in the printed pattern or a continuous pattern having no repeats. The molding or trim substrate may be a MDF laminate, a HDF laminate, solid wood or other material including plastic.

Abstract: A method for data transfer includes: detecting the initiation of a primary service function being performed on an entity in a known location; responsive to the detection, establishing a communications link (150) with the entity; managing a transfer of data via the communications link (150); and terminating the data transfer when at least one condition has been met. A device for enabling a communications link to be established with an entity while it is being refueled includes: a first communications element (414) coupled to a fueling system; and a second communications element (434) coupled to the entity, wherein a communications link (150) is established with the entity when the first and second communications elements (414,434) are operatively aligned.

Abstract: A method and system for optimal radio channel management in a distributed connection and transport network. The method includes the steps of determining the quality of service required by a communication session, determining whether transport resources are available for immediate use by the communication session, and queuing the communication session for assignment to transport resources in accordance with the quality of service required and the availability of transport resources for immediate use.

Abstract: An afocal lens system consists of a first convex/concave lens bonded to a second convex/concave lens, forming a doublet. An incident collimated beam of light will be reduced by a magnification factor upon exiting the afocal lens system as a collimated beam of light. Applications for the present invention include, but are not limited to, serving as an interface between a ferrule array with 1.015-mm center-to-center spacing and a MEMS device with 0.9-mm center-to-center spacing assuming a magnification factor of 1.128 of the afocal lens system.