Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a first flow passage and a second flow passage. The heat exchange system is configured to transfer heat between a first fluid flowing through the first flow passage and a second fluid flowing through the second flow passage. The first flow passage includes an inlet header, a plurality of tubes, and an outlet header. The inlet header includes a plurality of header-tube transition portions configured to allow the first fluid to flow from the inlet header and into the tubes, the plurality of header-tube transition portions each including a smoothly curved inlet portion and a tapered tube connection portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining for determining asphaltene onset pressure of a formation fluid are described herein. The method includes the following processes: (a) transmitting light through a sample of the formation fluid; (b) decreasing pressure of the sample; (c) detecting intensity of the transmitted light during depressurization; (d) identifying a change in intensity of the transmitted light during depressurization; (e) increasing pressure of the sample to a fixed pressure; and (f) detecting intensity of the transmitted light at the fixed pressure and at an equilibrated light intensity. Processes (a) to (f) are repeated for a number of different fixed pressures. The asphaltene onset pressure of the formation fluid sample can be determined using (i) the intensity of the transmitted light during each depressurization and (ii) the intensity of the transmitted light at each of the different fixed pressures.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining asphaltene onset pressure of a formation fluid are disclosed herein. The method includes positioning a wellbore tool within a wellbore and drawing a formation fluid sample into the wellbore tool. The method further includes transmitting light through the sample and detecting light that is transmitted through the sample. The light is transmitted within the sample along a short path length of less than 2 mm. While the light is being transmitted, the pressure of the sample is varied. A wavelength dependent signal is determined using (i) the intensity of the transmitted light at a first wavelength and (ii) the intensity of the transmitted light at a second wavelength. The asphaltene onset pressure of the sample is determined by identifying a change in the wavelength dependent signal at a particular pressure.

Abstract: A system for optical communications may include a multiplicity of optical communications relay platforms that each move above a surface of the earth. Each relay platform may include a relay link for communications between adjacent relay platforms. The system may also include a plurality of ground stations. Each ground station may be configured to communicate with another of the ground stations through at least one of the relay platforms. Each ground station may include an optical communications link for optical communications with successive relay platforms. The optical link of each ground station may be configured for handover connections between the successive relay platforms as the relay platforms move relative to the earth. The system may additionally include a network operations center having a link controller. The link controller may be configured to control switching of the communications links for hitless transmission between the ground stations.

Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a first flow passage and a second flow passage. The heat exchange system is configured to transfer heat between a first fluid flowing through the first flow passage and a second fluid flowing through the second flow passage. The first flow passage includes an inlet header, a plurality of tubes, and an outlet header. The inlet header includes a plurality of header-tube transition portions configured to allow the first fluid to flow from the inlet header and into the tubes, the plurality of header-tube transition portions each including a smoothly curved inlet portion and a tapered tube connection portion.

Abstract: A system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, particularly during those times that the emission of such particulates into the atmosphere would be of greatest danger to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle, includes a valve connected to the vehicle exhaust manifold for normally directing exhaust to the atmosphere, when in the non-activated condition. The valve directs exhaust to a particulate filter, when in the activated condition. Starting of the engine activates the valve for a predetermined period of time. The valve optionally is GPS-controlled and can be disabled manually or automatically by a switch, which detects the backpressure in the exhaust system. An exhaust pressure sensor monitors the exhaust backpressure, and a circuit device responsive to the exhaust pressure maintains the valve continuously in the non-activated condition, when the exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating pressure suitable in magnitude for powering micro-sized devices. The present invention typically comprises a gas generation chamber that is equipped with an activation element and filled with a gas-containing liquid. Powering of the activation element causes gas within the liquid to be released. Upon release a series of pressure distribution channels deliver the gas to a wide variety of peripheral microfluidic devices. A series of one-way valves and multi-chambered configurations allow for a wide variety of pressures to be generated from a single pressure generation device. By manipulating the scale of the pressure generation device, lab-on-chip, hand held, and bench top applications are possible and may readily be interfaced to allow a substantial amount of user control of the system.

Abstract: A system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, particularly during those times that the emission of such particulates into the atmosphere would be of greatest danger to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle, includes a valve connected to the vehicle exhaust manifold for normally directing exhaust to the atmosphere, when in the non-activated condition. The valve directs exhaust to a particulate filter, when in the activated condition. Starting of the engine activates the valve for a predetermined period of time. The valve optionally is GPS-controlled and can be disabled manually or automatically by a switch, which detects the backpressure in the exhaust system. An exhaust pressure sensor monitors the exhaust backpressure, and a circuit device responsive to the exhaust pressure maintains the valve continuously in the non-activated condition, when the exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, particularly during those times that the emission of such particulates into the atmosphere would be of greatest danger to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle, includes a valve connected to the vehicle exhaust manifold for normally directing exhaust to the atmosphere when in the non-activated condition. The valve directs exhaust to a particulate filter when in the activated condition. Starting of the engine activates the valve for a predetermined period of time. The valve can be disabled manually or automatically by a switch, which detects the backpressure in the exhaust system. An exhaust pressure sensor monitors the exhaust backpressure, and a circuit device responsive to the exhaust pressure maintains the valve continuously in the non-activated condition, when the exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A server security schema that can incorporate server security-related expertise into an information model is provided. The novel server security schema component can be applied to an application server, a web server and/or a database server to converge knowledge into securing the server by identifying categories, vulnerabilities, threats, attacks and countermeasures. The novel schema can create a common framework that converges knowledge with respect to any server type. More particularly, the novel server security schema can address server categories including a share, a service, an account, an audit and log, a file and directory, a registry, a protocol, a port, and a patch and update category.

Abstract: A web application security frame (e.g., schema) that can incorporate expertise into an engineering activity, for example, a threat modeling activity, is provided. The novel web application security frame component can be applied to a threat modeling component to converge knowledge into the activity by identifying categories, vulnerabilities, threats, attacks and countermeasures. The novel schema can create a common framework that converges knowledge with respect to any application engineering activity (e.g., threat modeling, performance modeling). Additionally, a context precision mechanism can be employed to automatically and/or dynamically determine a context of a web application environment. This context can be used to automatically generate an appropriate web application security frame component.

Abstract: An threats and countermeasures schema that can incorporate expertise into an application engineering activity is provided. For example, a threats and countermeasures schema can be applied to a threat modeling component to converge knowledge into the activity by identifying categories, vulnerabilities, attacks and countermeasures based upon an application type, user objective, etc. The novel threats and countermeasures schema can create a common framework that converges knowledge with respect to any application engineering activity (e.g. threat modeling). For example, the schema can include lists of threats and attacks that can be acted upon. As well, the framework can include a list of novel countermeasures based upon the attacks. Additionally, a context precision mechanism can be employed to automatically and/or dynamically determine a context of an application environment. This context can be used to automatically generate an appropriate schema based upon the determined application type.

Abstract: A novel approach to security engineering that leverages expertise to enable a user to design, build and deploy secure applications is disclosed. In doing so, the innovation discloses novel techniques and mechanisms that integrate security into the application development lifecycle and to adapt current software engineering practices and methodologies to include specific security related activities. These activities include identifying security objectives, creating threat models, applying secure design guidelines, patterns and principles, conducting security design inspections, performing regular code inspections, testing for security, and conducting deployment inspections to ensure secure configuration.

Abstract: An information model (e.g., schema) that can incorporate expertise into an application engineering activity—for example, a threats and countermeasures schema can be applied to a threat modeling component to converge knowledge into the activity by identifying categories, vulnerabilities, attacks and countermeasures. The novel schema can create a common framework that converges knowledge with respect to any application engineering activity (e.g., threat modeling, performance modeling). For example, the framework can include lists of threats and attacks that can be acted upon. As well, the framework can include a list of countermeasures based upon the attacks. Additionally, a context precision mechanism can be employed to automatically and/or dynamically determine a context of an application environment. This context can be used to automatically generate an appropriate schema or information model.

Abstract: End-to-end guidance for managing performance and scalability throughout the application life cycle to reduce risk and lower total cost of ownership is provided. In one aspect, the novel innovation provides a framework that organizes performance into prioritized categories where choices can impact performance and scalability success. The logical units of the framework can help integrate performance throughout the application life cycle. The information assessed by the innovation can be segmented by roles, including architects, developers, testers, and administrators, to make it more relevant and actionable. The innovation can provide processes and actionable steps for modeling performance, measuring, testing, and tuning of applications.

Abstract: A security engineering system and methodology associated with the application life cycle is provided. The subject innovation provides a threat modeling system can be employed to identify threats and vulnerabilities associated with stages of the application life cycle. In accordance therewith, the novel innovation can facilitate identification of common issues that can arise during a threat modeling activity. The innovation can provide for a systematic mechanism to identify threats and/or vulnerabilities in accordance with the application life cycle.

Abstract: A novel approach to performance engineering that leverages expertise to enable a user to design, build and deploy reliable and efficient applications is disclosed. In doing so, the innovation discloses novel techniques and mechanisms that integrate performance into the application development lifecycle and to adapt current software engineering practices and methodologies to include specific performance related activities. These activities include identifying performance objectives, creating performance models, applying performance-related design guidelines, conducting performance-related design inspections, performing regular code inspections, testing for performance, and conducting performance-related deployment inspections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent scrolling. In a computer system that has a user interface which allows for the movement of items from a first open window to a second open window or to a second region, such as a desktop, the present invention allows a user to select one or more items in the first window, move the selected item(s) to within a predetermined distance from an edge of the first window for a predetermined period of time and cause the viewable portion of the data and/or document within the first window to scroll in a corresponding direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving network centric quality of service using active network technology are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes controlling how a packet is passed over at least one of the interfaces using a differentiated services portion of a network management architecture, monitoring a request for a Quality of Service (QoS) level from at least one QoS-aware application, and adjusting at least one service rate of packet travel controlled by the differentiated services portion based on at least one of the requested QoS level and an available bandwidth. In an alternate embodiment, the controlling of how a packet is passed over at least one of the interfaces includes using at least one of a queuing discipline, a class, and a filter.

Abstract: The present invention comprises, in one aspect, a method for testing a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) server. According to one feature of the invention, a configuration file for testing is automatically formulated. A software application program tests the SOAP server based on the data in the configuration file. The SOAP server is thus tested repeatedly according to an automatic scheduling for the testing. In other aspects, the invention encompasses a computer apparatus, a computer readable medium, and a carrier wave configured to carry out the foregoing steps.