Abstract: A liquid sealed air displacement apparatus may be used in a fluid transfer device to transfer volumes of fluid. The air displacement apparatus may include a piston and a cylinder defining a displacement chamber for receiving the piston. The air displacement apparatus may be used to displace precise volumes of air into the air displacement chamber. Displacing the air creates a negative pressure in the air displacement chamber (i.e., suction), which may cause a precise volume of fluid to be drawn into the fluid transfer device. The piston and the cylinder may define a diametrical clearance for receiving sealing fluid, which may prevent air leakage and wear.

Abstract: A fuse corner pad is part of an integrated circuit that includes a built-in fuse contact and a plurality of auxiliary pads. The fuse contact is a conductive metallic or metalloid structure that is connected to a fuse element. The fuse contact and fuse element are used inside of the fuse corner pad for programmability (e.g., for security) and/or adjustment (e.g., trimming) of analog and/or digital signals. The fuse contact and fuse element are not required to be bonded to an external electrical connection (such as, a pin or ball). The auxiliary pads provide a variety of functional or non-functional applications, such as testing, probing, programming, and/or circuit adjustment.

Abstract: Loop qualification systems and methods involve evaluating Loop Make-Up (LMU) data to determine whether loops qualify for certain services, such as ADSL service or other digital services. The LMU data includes such information as whether the loop is comprised of copper, fiber, is a DLC, the length, resist zone, carrier zone, loading factor, the existence of a DAML, and taper code information. The loop qualification systems and methods obtain LMU data on existing loops and also information on loops that have not yet been completed. Network service providers (NSPs) interface with the loop qualification systems to determine whether certain lines are qualified for a service. The loop qualification systems also include web-based interfaces to allow both the NSPs and end users to make an inquiry as to the capability of a given loop.

Abstract: A method of compressively modifying, such as by calendering, an uncreped throughdried tissue sheet is disclosed. The dried tissue sheet, initially supported by the throughdrying fabric, is removed from the throughdrying fabric and compressively modified. Thereafter, the compressively modified sheet is recombined with a papermaking fabric and carried to a reel section while supported by the fabric. The sheet is always, or substantially always, supported by a fabric or a roll surface to minimize opportunities for sheet breaks or otherwise adversely affecting sheet properties.

Abstract: A method of compressively modifying, such as by calendering, an uncreped throughdried tissue sheet is disclosed. The dried tissue sheet, initially supported by the throughdrying fabric, is removed from the throughdrying fabric and compressively modified. Thereafter, the compressively modified sheet is recombined with a papermaking fabric and carried to a reel section while supported by the fabric. The sheet is always, or substantially always, supported by a fabric or a roll surface to minimize opportunities for sheet breaks or otherwise adversely affecting sheet properties.

Abstract: A system and method for managing and providing customer account information within a telecommunications system include and involve a data storage system for storing a link record corresponding to a customer account managed by an account management system maintained within the telecommunications system, and a processor that is coupled to the data storage system. The processor is operative to receive a message containing a process request related to the customer account from a requesting system, to convert the message into a process object, to retrieve the link record from the data storage system in accordance with the process object, to generate a response message including the link record, and to submit the response message to the requesting system.