Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of plants as bioreactors for the production of molecules having useful properties such as inter alia polymers, metabolites, proteins, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. More particularly, the present invention contemplates the use of grasses, and even more particularly C4 grasses, such as sugar-cane, for the production of a range of compounds such as, for example, polyhydroxyalkanoates, pHBA, vanillin, indigo, adipic acid, 2-phenylethanol, 1,3-propane-diol, sorbitol, fructan polymers and lactic acid as well as other products including, inter alia, other plastics, silks, carbohydrates, therapeutic and nutraceutic proteins and antibodies. The present invention further extends to transgenic plants and, in particular, transgenic C4 grass plants, capable of producing the compounds noted above and other products, and to methods for generating such plants.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a multifiber ferrule and at least one force centering element for applying a biasing force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction without introducing a moment about a lateral axis. The connector further includes a coil spring for exerting the biasing force and a spring seat disposed between the coil spring and the ferrule. The rearward portion or the forward portion of the spring seat may be provided with a pair of outwardly extending protrusions that are laterally spaced apart to transfer the biasing force to the ferrule. Alternatively, the forward portion of the spring seat or the rear face of the ferrule may define a convex surface. Alternatively, the ferrule defines a convex surface in the direction of a first lateral axis and the spring seat defines a convex surface in the direction of a second lateral axis perpendicular to the first lateral axis.

Abstract: An overmolded multi-port optical connection terminal for a fiber optic distribution cable includes a tether cable containing a plurality of optical fibers optically connected to a corresponding plurality of optical fibers terminated from the fiber optic distribution cable at a first end of the tether cable, an overmolded housing a the second end of the tether cable, at least one connector port, and plenum means for accommodating excess fiber length (EFL) caused by shrinkage of the tether cable and/or pistoning of the optical fibers of the tether cable during connector mating. In one embodiment, a centralized plenum means is defined by an internal cavity within the overmolded housing sufficient for accommodating the EFL without micro bending. In another embodiment, a distributed plenum means is defined by an oversized tubular portion of the tether cable having an inner diameter sufficient for accommodating the EFL without micro bending.

Abstract: An adjustable tether assembly for a fiber optic distribution cable includes a tether cable and an overmolded housing secured at the end of the tether cable having at least one connector port. The tether assembly is attached to the distribution cable such that the position of the connector port is adjustable along the length of the distribution cable for mitigating differences between the pre-engineered span length distance and the actual span length distance following installation of the distribution cable. A method for mitigating a span length measurement difference in a pre-engineered fiber optic communications network is provided that includes optically connecting an adjustable tether assembly at a mid-span access location of a fiber optic distribution cable and positioning a housing secured at the free end of a tether cable having at least one connector port at a desired location in the network to compensate for the span length measurement difference.

Abstract: A pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable assembly includes a plurality of optical fibers and at least one mid-span access location along the length of the distribution cable. At least one of the optical fibers is accessed, terminated and then connectorized at the mid-span access location to an optical connector disposed within a receptacle. The mid-span access location, the accessed, terminated and connectorized optical fiber, the optical connector and at least a portion of the receptacle are encapsulated with a protective overmolded shell. A tether including at least one optical fiber connectorized at a first end of the tether is optically connected to the optical connector through the receptacle. A second end of the tether opposite the first end terminates in a network optical connection terminal, thereby compensating for a span length measurement difference between the actual location of the mid-span access and the desired location of the optical connection terminal.

Abstract: Flexible closures and other flexible optical assemblies that are installed within a factory, or in the field, and then deployed using cable installation methods, wherein the flexible closures and assemblies have the ability to bend and twist without incurring physical damage to their structure, optical fibers and splices disposed within, and without significant attenuation in the optical fibers when exposed to conventional installation stresses. Flexible closures that replace conventional substantially rigid closures in order to facilitate pre-engineered and assembled distribution cable installation within an optical network, and the physical, bending and material properties of such closures, and methods of manufacturing and installing the same.

Abstract: A factory-manufactured, preterminated fiber optic distribution cable having at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one preterminated optical fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable comprising at least one buffer tube comprising at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber from the at least one buffer tube into at least one protective tube, a C-shaped molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one preterminated optical fiber and a protective means. A method of mid-span accessing at least one optical fiber from a fiber optic distribution cable. A buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning a plurality of preterminated optical fibers from a buffer tube into protective tubing.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring accumulated and instant rate of material loss or material gain of metal elements for the detection of metal deposition and corrosion includes a metal probe that is inserted into a measurement environment, causing the probe to experience metal deposition or corrosion. The probe has a corrosion-resistant first section and a corrodible second section. A temperature-compensated circuit receives an input signal from each of the first and second sections of the probe, whereby the circuit maintains a substantially constant voltage across the first section and generates a reference signal and a measurement signal. The circuit conditions and converts the reference signal and the measurement signal to produce first and second digitized output signals for inputting to a microprocessor.

Abstract: A fiber optic distribution cable assembly includes a distribution cable having at least one predetermined mid-span access location and a tether for mitigating cable length errors at the mid-span access location in a pre-engineered fiber optic communications network. At least one optical fiber of the distribution cable is accessed at the mid-span access location and optically connected to an optical fiber disposed within the tether. Preferably, the first end of the tether is attached to the distribution cable by overmolding the mid-span access location with a flexible encapsulant material. The end of the optical fiber of the tether may be splice-ready or connectorized at the second end of the tether and protected within a crush resistant tube. Alternatively, the second end of the tether may terminate in an optical connection terminal defining at least one optical connection node, or may terminate in a linear chain of articulated optical connection nodes.

Abstract: A method of laying an at least partially buried fiber optic cable includes placing a fiber optic cable with at least one associated alternating electromagnetic field emitting locating transponder (AEFELT) underground such that at least one AEFELT is buried underground.

Abstract: A fiber optic distribution cable assembly having at least one factory-prepared mid-span access location for accessing and terminating optical fibers of the distribution cable includes a tether containing at least one optical fiber optically connected to an optical fiber terminated from the distribution cable and an overmolded body encapsulating the distribution cable and a portion of the tether to form the mid-span access location. The mid-span access location is provided with a preferential bend along an axis that is common to the distribution cable and the tether by a strength member positioned within the overmolded body and/or the overmolded body having a geometrical configuration that promotes bending along the common axis. The preferential bend reduces any path length differences between terminated optical fibers routed substantially on the common axis and optical fibers remaining within the distribution cable induced by bending, thereby preventing breakage of the terminated optical fibers.

Abstract: A blast-and projectile-impact resistant structure comprising a freight container which is at least partially clad internally and/or externally with a barrier structure comprising a single panel or a plurality of panels of matrix material incorporating reinforcement elements, the structure having means for human entry into and exit from the interior of the container located in a wall and, if necessary also in the barrier structure.

Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

Abstract: A factory-prepared preterminated and pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable having at least one mid-span access location for providing access to a plurality of preterminated optical fibers pre-connectorized with a multi-fiber connector is provided. Also provided is a method of forming a pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable by terminating and pre-connectorizing a predetermined number of the plurality of optical fibers of the cable to create a pre-connectorized mid-span access location. The fiber optic distribution cable provides a low profile mid-span access location that is sufficiently flexible to be installed through relatively small-diameter buried conduits and over aerial installation sheave wheels and pulleys without violating the minimum bend radius of the cable or the optical fibers.

Abstract: A factory-manufactured, preterminated fiber optic distribution cable having at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one preterminated optical fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable comprising at least one buffer tube comprising at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber from the at least one buffer tube into at least one protective tube, a C-shaped molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one preterminated optical fiber and a protective means. A method of mid-span accessing at least one optical fiber from a fiber optic distribution cable. A buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning a plurality of preterminated optical fibers from a buffer tube into protective tubing.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a multifiber ferrule and at least one force centering element for applying a biasing force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction without introducing a moment about a lateral axis. The connector further includes a coil spring for exerting the biasing force and a spring seat disposed between the coil spring and the ferrule. The rearward portion or the forward portion of the spring seat may be provided with a pair of outwardly extending protrusions that are laterally spaced apart to transfer the biasing force to the ferrule. Alternatively, the forward portion of the spring seat or the rear face of the ferrule may define a convex surface. Alternatively, the ferrule defines a convex surface in the direction of a first lateral axis and the spring seat defines a convex surface in the direction of a second lateral axis perpendicular to the first lateral axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an optical waveguide panel assembly having at least one slot for slidably receiving an optical waveguide module attachment, the slot including at least one optical waveguide module attachment with an outer surface having channels for receiving the side edges of the slot. In one embodiment, the slot includes a plurality of optical waveguide module attachments such that successive optical waveguide module attachments are stacked over a preceding optical waveguide module attachment. The optical waveguide module attachments may be separated by one or more spacers. Also provided for is an optical waveguide panel assembly having a plurality of slots, each slot containing a plurality of optical waveguide module attachments, thus forming a dense optical fiber output array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a module and an algorithm for allocating radio resources to a plurality of radio bearers in a wireless communications network. In order to improve the allocation of resources, it is proposed that first the current activity status (21,22) is determined for each radio bearer and/or for each set of radio bearers of at least a selected group of said radio bearers and/or of sets of said radio bearers. Then, based on the probability (p, q) with which each radio bearer and/or set of said selected group will change its current activity status (21,22), a value is determined which is indicative of the probability of outage. Finally, it is decided based on a comparison of said determined value indicative of the probability of outage with a predetermined threshold value whether the current allocation of radio resources will be changed. The invention equally relates to a wireless access network comprising a corresponding module.