Abstract: According to one aspect, the disclosed subject matter describes herein a method that includes aggregating, by an egress function, message traffic directed to a target server entity from each of a plurality of ingress functions and procuring, by the egress function, dynamic update data that includes a message processing capacity threshold value associated with the target server entity and an aggregated message traffic rate corresponding to the message traffic received from the plurality of ingress functions. The method further includes sending the dynamic update data to each of the plurality of ingress functions and adjusting, by each of the ingress functions, an outgoing message traffic rate directed to the target server entity in accordance with the dynamic update data.

Abstract: A dental mouthpiece for use in treating snoring or apnea of a user is used with a hook mechanism that engages with a bracket when placed in the mouth. The mouthpiece includes a tray assembly having an upper tray and a lower tray, each of the upper and lower trays having a generally U-shape member extending along any one of the user's pair of dental arches and having a cutout, the upper tray's cutout able to receive the hook mechanism and the lower tray's cutout able to receive the bracket, and an adaptable resin disposed on top surfaces of the upper and lower trays. The tray assembly is oriented to permit the adaptable resin of the upper and lower trays to contact the user's dental arches. The hook mechanism engages with the bracket to enable the dental mouthpiece to maintain an open airway in the user's mouth.

Abstract: A subsea manifold-riser system is redeployed from a first production location to a second production location. A manifold module is lowered to the ocean floor at the first production location using a marine riser as a running tool by adding threaded pipe sections to the upper end of the marine riser. The manifold module is raised from the ocean floor at the first production location for redeployment at the second production location using the marine riser as a retrieval tool by removing threaded pipe sections from the upper end of the marine riser.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a system for estimating fuel consumption of a boiler in a building and to a method of estimating fuel consumption, in particular for estimating gas consumption. A system is disclosed for estimating fuel consumption of a boiler in a building, the system comprising at least boiler operating model configured to perform said estimating on the basis of at least one ON time of the boiler.

Abstract: A subsea manifold-riser system is redeployed from a first production location to a second production location. A manifold module is lowered to the ocean floor at the first production location using a marine riser as a running tool by adding threaded pipe sections to the upper end of the marine riser. The manifold module is raised from the ocean floor at the first production location for redeployment at the second production location using the marine riser as a retrieval tool by removing threaded pipe sections from the upper end of the marine riser.

Abstract: Marine transportation of natural gas is disclosed, including: a) removing a free water stream and a condensate stream from the source of raw natural gas to produce a dew-pointed unsweetened natural gas stream at an offshore supply location; b) subjecting the dew-pointed unsweetened natural gas stream to a selected level of dehydration to produce a partially dehydrated unsweetened natural gas stream at the offshore supply location; and c) transporting at least a portion of the partially dehydrated unsweetened natural gas stream in a gas containment system onboard a gas carrier vessel from the offshore supply location as a feed source of natural gas to an acid gas removal facility or an LNG production facility located at an offloading location.

Abstract: Systems and methods to deliver goods to a buyer that is dynamically located are described. The system communicates a user interface to a device that is identified as being located at a first location and associated with a customer. The user interface includes items that are identified as being located within a predetermined distance from the device. The system receives an order from the device that authorizes the purchase of an item and delivery of the item to the customer. The system automatically selects a courier from a plurality of couriers that are identified as being located at different locations. The system communicates a user interface to a courier mobile device that includes instructions to enable the courier to retrieve the item from a second location and deliver the item to the first location.

Abstract: A system to provide feedback for energy saving to a user of a property comprising a plurality of appliances, the system comprising: at least one sensor monitoring energy consumption of one or more appliances within the property; a user interface to provide feedback to the user; and a processor configured to receive input data from an energy bill for the property covering a predetermined period; receive input regional average statistics regarding energy consumption for a set of pre-determined categories of energy usage; generate a model of energy usage within a plurality of categories over the predetermined period by combining the input data, energy consumption data from the at least one sensor and generic statistics regarding energy consumption and output, via the user interface, feedback to the user based on the generated model.

Abstract: An apparatus for securely displaying an electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a support, a frame coupled to the support, a case, and a securing device removably coupled to the frame. The frame has a frame base and at least one retaining feature coupled to the frame base with at least one of the retaining feature and the frame base defining a frame slot. The case is formed of a polymeric material and has an opening for at least partially encapsulating the electronic device while permitting the face of the electronic device to be exposed through the opening. The securing device has a securing base and a locking feature selectively mounted to the securing base with the locking feature at least partially defining a securing slot. The frame slot and the securing slot cooperate to securely retain the case to the frame for preventing theft of the electronic device.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus, for use in a system that includes a source of a narrow beam of radiation which extends substantially horizontally along or parallel to a line to be marked, includes a wheeled chassis and a line marking head for dispensing line marking material. The marking head is supported on the chassis for lateral movement relative thereto, which movement is controlled by a controller that includes a detector which is movable with the marking head and is positioned and directed to detect such a beam of radiation, the marking head being movable together with the detector in response to a detected beam. Lateral movement of the marking head is thereby controlled such that the head and the detector substantially follow the line to be marked irrespective of whether the chassis deviates from the line direction.

Abstract: The invention provides flat-packed bundles of wooden boards in which at least some of the internal boards that contain acetylated wood possess certain moisture levels. The invention further provides flat-packed bundles of wooden boards in which at least some of the internal boards that contain acetylated wood have certain degrees of widthwise swelling. Although swelling can occur in several board dimensions, widthwise swelling provides a convenient measure. The invention also provides methods for moisturizing acetylated wood boards prior to assembling them into flat-packed bundles.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for routing Diameter messages. The method includes steps occurring at a Diameter signaling router (DSR) comprising a plurality of Diameter message processors. The method includes receiving a Diameter request message. The method further includes generating a hop-by-hop identifier for identifying a first Diameter message processor of the plurality of Diameter message processors. The method further includes incorporating the hop-by-hop identifier into the Diameter request message. The method further includes routing the Diameter request message to a first Diameter node.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which is intended to prevent small objects (such as toys or gaming balls) from entering the narrow space between furniture (such as armchairs or sofas) and the floor. The important features of the invention are its ease of manufacturability and its easy adaptation to furniture of different shapes and sizes.

Abstract: An elastomeric film includes a first layer co-extruded with a second layer. The first layer includes a single-site catalyzed ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer having a density of about 0.860 to about 0.900 grams per centimeter. The second layer includes a styrene copolymer selected from styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, or styrene-(ethylene/propylene)-styrene-(ethylene/propylene). The first layer may optionally include filler particles. An extensible laminate including the elastomeric film is also disclosed.

Abstract: Breathable laminates of a film and nonwoven with increased toughness and the ability to undergo strain without splitting for applications as components of personal care products and other uses. The film is formed using a carrier/letdown resin approach where the filled carrier resin is an ethylene polymer or copolymer having a density at least 0.003 g/cc higher than the letdown resin which is also an ethylene copolymer but has a density in the range of less than about 0.915 g/cc and a melt index less than about 6. The resin phases may be dry blended, formed into a film, stretched and bonded to a nonwoven support layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting a discontinuity or irregularity in a supply line of an electrical power distribution network including a neutral return line and an earth return line. The method includes measuring a property associated with the supply line wherein the property is different when the network includes the neutral return line compared to when the network does not include the neutral return line. The method also includes comparing a result of the measuring with a reference to provide an indication of the discontinuity or irregularity. The property may include a complex impedance associated with the neutral return line or earth return line and/or ambient electrical noise present on the supply line. An apparatus for detecting a discontinuity or irregularity in a supply line of an electrical power distribution network is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for controlling the bandwidth allocated to a network connection between two nodes. The system receives a bandwidth change request, and generates and sends control commands to network switches of the connection in order to satisfy the change request. A bandwidth control interface, available over the Internet, has code for generating a display of bandwidths available for selection; code for receiving a bandwidth selection chosen from the bandwidths; and code for sending the change request to the network to adjust the bandwidth on the basis of the selection. The interface provides a bandwidth dial representation of the bandwidths that can be selected.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for reducing the likelihood of signaling link congestion on a failing or recovering signaling linkset are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for reducing or eliminating congestion on a recovered link in a previously failed linkset due to the routing of post-global title (GT) translated signaling message traffic is disclosed. When the first link in a previously failed linkset becomes available, routes associated with the recovering linkset are marked as restricted. GT translated messages are directed to the lowest cost route that is marked as allowed. If no routes are marked as allowed, messages are directed to the lowest cost route that is marked as restricted. When a predetermined number or percentage of the links in a linkset become available, routes associated with the recovering linkset are marked as allowed.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus includes a chassis (2) provided with wheels (4) and with means (6) for propelling the apparatus. A line marking head (12) is adapted to dispense line marking material so as to mark a line upon a surface over which the apparatus is moved. A support (14) is provided for the line marking head such that the line marking head is movable laterally relative to the chassis. Lateral movement of the line marking head is controlled by a controller which includes a detector (32) for detecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation indicative of the line to be marked and which also includes control means for moving the line marking head in response to detection of the beam by the detector, whereby lateral movement of the line marking head relative to the chassis is controlled such that the line marking head substantially follows the line to be marked irrespective of whether the chassis deviates from the direction of such line.