Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are described for displaying multiple attributes relative to objects in a network management program. In one embodiment, multiple attributes from a plurality of different standards are coalesced together and the coalesced attributes are displayed by a user interface. These coalesced attributes may be shown in such a manner so that inconsistencies between attributes of objects from different standards are reduced or obviated.

Abstract: Optical autodiscovery is provide between two optical modules to insure that when an optical signal is coupled between the two optical module, the optical signal from a first module does not interfere with operation of a second module. The autodiscovery is implemented by sending an optical identification signal from the first optical module via the coupling to the second optical module from which signal, the second optical module can verify and determined acceptance of the coupled first optical module. During this autodiscovery process, the optical identification signal from the first optical module may be attenuated or shifted in optical spectrum so as not to interfere with the operation of the second optical module. Autodiscovery may also be employed in cases where a first optical module is to receive an optical signal from a second module.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and a method are described that synchronizes multiple element management systems with a network element. The synchronization between the management entities within the element is maintained by employing special attributes, such as sentry identification for managed objects and guard attributes for managed object tables. Using these attributes, resynchronization between the management systems is improved by reducing the amount of data retrieved by the systems and reducing the processing load caused by the resynchronization process.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of configuring a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network is presented. The WDM network includes circuits that carry optical signals, with each signal corresponding to a wavelength. The WDM network includes nodes, with links connecting the nodes to one another. Each circuit includes at least one link and at least one node. The method comprises assigning each of the circuits to an optical signal, based on first and second criteria, and configuring the nodes based on the assignment.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, a bolt connectable to the hinge post for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the bolt being configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, and a nut threadable onto the bolt to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the nut having a first segment threadable onto the bolt, a second segment and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments, the shear segment having a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, and a bolt embedded in the hinge post and configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, the bolt having thereon a plurality of projections extending into the hinge post to distribute to the hinge post forces applied to the bolt.

Abstract: A toilet assembly comprising: a toilet bowl; a toilet seat; and a hinge pivotally connecting the toilet seat to the toilet bowl, the hinge including a base portion connected to the toilet bowl, the base portion being made of a relatively rigid material; a leaf portion connected to the toilet seat, the leaf portion being made of a relatively rigid material; and a living hinge portion pivotally connecting the base portion to the leaf portion, the living hinge portion being made of a relatively flexible material.

Abstract: A receptacle for holding a meltable sharps container during a sterilization process in which the meltable sharps container and any contained sharps are heated. The receptacle includes a side wall and a bottom wall having respective interior surfaces defining a space for receiving the meltable sharps container. The receptacle also includes a plurality of recessed areas in the interior surface of the bottom wall, and a plurality of elevated areas on the interior surface of the bottom wall, whereby as the sharps container melts, material from the sharps container flows into the recessed areas and the elevated areas hold the contained sharps above the recessed areas, so as to inhibit the contained sharps from protruding through the melted sharps container.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, devices and methods for improving the efficient deployment and configuration of networking equipment within a network build-out. In certain embodiments of the invention, an iterative analysis of inter-node equipment placement and connectivity, and inter- and intra-node traffic flow is performed to identify a preferred deployment solution. This analysis of deployment optimization takes into account both configurations from a network node perspective as well as from a network system perspective. Deployment solutions are iteratively progressed and analyzed to determine a preferred solution based on both the cost of deployment and satisfaction of the network demands. In various embodiments of the invention, a baseline marker is generated from which the accuracy of the solution may be approximated that suggests to an engineer whether the deployment is approaching an optimal solution.

Abstract: A toilet assembly (10) comprising a bowl (14), a toilet seat, a hinge (16, 18) that is mounted on the bowl and that pivotally supports the toilet seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge (18) having therein a bore, a tank (24) mounted on the rear of the bowl, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, a latch bolt (32) extending through the hinge bore, the latch bolt including a member engageable with the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position, the latch bolt further including a catch lever and a spring biasing the catch lever upwardly, a release lever mounted on the latch bolt for movement between a catch position and a release position, the release lever moving from its catch position to its release position in response to flushing of the toilet, and a nut threaded onto the latch bolt (32) to secure the hinge (18) to the bowl (14).

Abstract: A suction canister including a rigid walled fluid container having an interior, a cover secured to the container, the cover having therein a port, a first port wall extending into the interior, and a second port wall extending in a direction opposite the interior, and a conduit coupled to the first port wall and extending into the interior.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.