Abstract: A tubing assembly is mounted in series between two piping sections for conveying fluid between the piping sections while isolating vibrations between the two piping sections. The tubing assembly includes an inner tubing member formed of resilient material which is mechanically joined to mounting collars at opposing ends thereof for connection to the adjacent piping sections. Rigid connecting portions are supported on each of the mounting collars at the opposing ends of the assembly which define load bearing surfaces which cooperate with load bearing surfaces of the other connecting portions with vibration damping material undergoing compression between different load bearing surfaces depending upon the direction load is applied across the tubing assembly.

Abstract: A tubing assembly is mounted in series between two piping sections for conveying fluid between the piping sections while isolating vibrations between the two piping sections. The tubing assembly includes an inner tubing member formed of resilient material which is mechanically joined to mounting collars at opposing ends thereof for connection to the adjacent piping sections. Rigid connecting portions are supported on each of the mounting collars at the opposing ends of the assembly which define load bearing surfaces which cooperate with load bearing surfaces of the other connecting portions with vibration damping material undergoing compression between different load bearing surfaces depending upon the direction load is applied across the tubing assembly.

Abstract: A submersible optical module and system to contain and protect fiber optic cables within a splice tray. Access holes on the module allow for an entry point and exit point of the optical fibers. Once set up with the module cavity containing the desired fiber optic cables, the remaining void space of the module cavity is filled with an epoxy creating a protective seal and barrier to provide superior protection to fiber optic cables from moisture.

Abstract: A multi-use resupply system for a space-based platform may include a multi-use tug to swap old and new cargo containers on a launch vehicle upper stage. The system can rely on the launch vehicle upper stage to provide the function of cargo de-orbit and disposal. The launch vehicle upper stage may be provided with sufficient propellant and propulsion functionality to operate for a long enough period in space to maneuver a new cargo container to a rendezvous trajectory, support the swapping of cargo containers, and then perform a de-orbit burn with the old cargo container.

Abstract: A design of heel of footwear which reproduces the ground contacting portion, or minimally the key elements of the ground contacting portion of the heel of the wearer in shape and placement in relation to the foot and function. That is a shape of heel in the footwear which does not imbalance the natural functions and leverage of the foot in bipedal locomotion through addition of material outside the confines of the shape and measurements of the wearer's own heel in the sagittal plane. This design of heel will afford the wearer the grace, smoothness and ease of stride enjoyed while barefoot. The wearer of a shoe with such a shape of heel will not suffer from shocks and strains to the foot and supporting members caused by the shape of the shoeheel. These being the types of shocks and strains contributing largely to shin splints and plantar fasciitis and attendant pathologies.

Abstract: A system and method for specifying and requesting, the computation of, the constant growth rate of a cash flow annuity stream, as an aid in financial computations. The central focus of the invention is a g-button which is used to either impart or request the growth rate of a specific annuity stream.

Abstract: A method of and system for adjusting audio volume in a conference call environment are disclosed. The method comprises associating respective gain factors with each source of a plurality of incoming audio streams. The method further comprises automatically adjusting the volume of each incoming audio stream in accordance with the associated gain factor. In accordance with example embodiments, the method may be performed either at a telephony endpoint such as a VoIP telephone or at a conference bridge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, techniques for optimizing voice quality for a media stream provided to participants in a conference are provided. A first path is provided that provides an unmixed path of media from a first user to participants in the conference. A second path includes a mixed path of media from multiple users. The mixed path may include media from a first user and a second user that is mixed. The mixed path may include a transcoding from a first compression to a second compression, and back to the first compression (or another compression). A floor control module may switch between the first path and the second path to optimize voice quality.

Abstract: Provided herein is method of modulating, and in particular decreasing dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) activity, as well as a method of treating a DHODH related disease or disorder.

Abstract: A downhole flow pulsing device comprises a housing connected in series with a drill string and a valve with a rotating portion in the housing arranged to vary an area of a flow passage through the housing. A fluid actuated positive displacement motor drives rotation of the valve. A drive link permits the rotating portion of the valve to be optionally coupled directly to the motor of the drill string. The valve includes radially oriented rotating ports intermittently communicating with surrounding fixed ports and a bypass channel. Axial displacement of the rotating ports relative to the fixed ports and bypass channel permits amplitude of the downstream fluid pulses to be adjusted. The valve includes a number of circumferentially spaced ports which differs from a prescribed number of pressure fluctuations in the fluid for each full rotation of the rotor of the drill motor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of buffering a media stream is provided. The method may comprise receiving a plurality of IP packets of the media stream, each packet providing a fragment of a portion of the media stream. Thereafter, the portion of media stream may be buffered in a jitter buffer using the fragments provided by the received packets. Further, the portion of the media stream may be buffered in a replay buffer using the fragments provided by the received packets. The replay buffer may be larger than the jitter buffer and a first received fragment and a second received fragment may be combined. The second received fragment may have been discarded by the jitter buffer. A media stream may then be played back using media from the replay and/or jitter buffer.

Abstract: Polymeric nanofibers have been developed which are useful in a variety of medical and other applications, such as filtration devices, medical prostheses, scaffolds for tissue engineering, wound dressings, controlled drug delivery systems, cosmetic skin masks, and protective clothing. These can be formed of any of a variety of different polymers, both non-biodegradable or biodegradable, and derived from synthetic or natural sources. The present invention discloses 1) the composition of fibrous articles and 2) methods for using these articles in medical applications. The biodegradable fibrous articles, which are preferably formed by electrospinning polymer solution of biodegradable fiberizable material with or in conjunction with medicinal agents and bioactive materials, comprise a composite (or asymmetric composite) of nanofibers with actives.

Abstract: A downhole flow pulsing device comprises a housing connected in series with a drill string and a valve with a rotating portion in the housing arranged to vary an area of a flow passage through the housing. A fluid actuated positive displacement motor drives rotation of the valve. A drive link permits the rotating portion of the valve to be optionally coupled directly to the motor of the drill string. The valve includes radially oriented rotating ports intermittently communicating with surrounding fixed ports and a bypass channel. Axial displacement of the rotating ports relative to the fixed ports and bypass channel permits amplitude of the downstream fluid pulses to be adjusted. The valve includes a number of circumferentially spaced ports which differs from a prescribed number of pressure fluctuations in the fluid for each full rotation of the rotor of the drill motor.

Abstract: Building materials based on polyisocyanate-impregnated lignocellulosic substrates provide increased strength and water, fire, insect, and fungi resistance compared to prior art building materials. At the same time, such building materials exhibit an aesthetically pleasing surface and can, therefore, be used in consumer visible applications (such as furniture) as well as in consumer invisible (such as door frames and stiles) applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of buffering a media stream is provided. The method may comprise receiving a plurality of IP packets of the media stream, each packet providing a fragment of a portion of the media stream. Thereafter, the portion of media stream may be buffered in a jitter buffer using the fragments provided by the received packets. Further, the portion of the media stream may be buffered in a replay buffer using the fragments provided by the received packets. The replay buffer may be larger than the jitter buffer and a first received fragment and a second received fragment may be combined. The second received fragment may have been discarded by the jitter buffer. A media stream may then be played back using media from the replay and/or jitter buffer.

Abstract: A method of and system for adjusting audio volume in a conference call environment are disclosed. The method comprises associating respective gain factors with each source of a plurality of incoming audio streams. The method further comprises automatically adjusting the volume of each incoming audio stream in accordance with the associated gain factor. In accordance with example embodiments, the method may be performed either at a telephony endpoint such as a VoIP telephone or at a conference bridge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, techniques for optimizing voice quality for a media stream provided to participants in a conference are provided. A first path is provided that provides an unmixed path of media from a first user to participants in the conference. A second path includes a mixed path of media from multiple users. The mixed path may include media from a first user and a second user that is mixed. The mixed path may include a transcoding from a first compression to a second compression, and back to the first compression (or another compression). A floor control module may switch between the first path and the second path to optimize voice quality.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer endpoint devices discover a localized IP address realm that minimizes the traversal of the Network Address Translators. Each endpoint device sends a query from its corresponding local address realm to its corresponding destination endpoint device using the corresponding available address for the destination endpoint device. The available address has a value outside the address realm of the endpoint device sending the query. The query also specifies a unique identifier that is identifiable solely by the endpoint device. The destination endpoint device receives the query, having traversed one or more NATs and at least two address realms, and sends a response that specifies the unique identifier for the query source, a unique identifier for the destination endpoint device, and multiple alias addresses for reaching the destination endpoint device. The query source selects one of the alias addresses that is determined reachable by the query source.

Abstract: Methods for securitizing and facilitating the securitization of the pawned assets of a pawnshop to enable the pawnshop to obtain a greater amount of funding at reduced rates and to tap into sources of financing in addition to traditional markets. The pawnshop can sell the pawned assets to a first entity to obtain immediate funding, which the first entity can obtain directly or indirectly from other entities in transactions involving a secured financial instrument. Depending on the transactions used, either on-balance sheet or off-balance sheet treatment for the pawnshop of the pawned assets and related liabilities is possible.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can be attached to a parked vehicle along its sides and protect the vehicle from dings or dents that might be caused by activity adjacent to the vehicle such as the opening and closing of the doors of an adjacent vehicle. The device has telescoping sections that allow it to be extended when it is attached to a vehicle. The device detachably connects to the vehicle and when not needed can be removed from the side of the vehicle and compacted for storage. In a preferred embodiment magnets are embedded in the device to allow it to detachably connect to the vehicle. Progressively smaller hollow telescoping sections of the device retract into the next larger section to achieve a compacted and easily stored device. An interlocking mechanism is incorporated into each section to prevent the sections of the device from becoming disjointed.