Abstract: A new variety of edible hibiscus designated ‘Yao green’ characterized by green calyces which is insect resistant and particularly suited for productive grown in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Abstract: The shower apparel is a garment. The shower apparel is configured for use by a client. The shower apparel is configured for use with a community shower. The shower apparel is worn by the client when the client uses a community shower for cleaning. The shower apparel shields the sensitive parts of the client's body from the view of others in the community shower. The shower apparel incorporates a loin wear and a navel cover. The loin wear shields the loin of the client's body from the view of others in the community shower. The navel cover shields the navel of the client's body from the view of others in the community shower.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing layered protective packaging materials and a protective packaging product is described. In an embodiment the method comprises the steps of: selecting one or more layers of a substrate; treating at least one surface of at least one of said layers with a coating composition; drying the layers to substantially remove the water content from the coating composition; and applying heat and/or radiation to the coating composition to volumetrically expand the coating composition to transform the treated layer into a protective layer. The step of treating the layer with the coating composition uses a flexographic coating technique.

Abstract: A system and method consistent with the present disclosure provides for automated line monitoring system (LMS) baselining that enables capturing and updating of operational parameters specific to each repeater and associated undersea elements based on high loss loopback (HLLB) data. The captured operational parameters may then be utilized to satisfy queries targeting specific undersea elements in a Command-Response (CR) fashion. Therefore, command-response functionality may be achieved without the added cost, complexity and lifespan issues related to deploying undersea elements with on-board CR circuitry. As generally referred to herein, operational parameters include any parameter that may be derived directly or indirectly from HLLB data. Some example non-limiting examples of operational parameters include span gain loss, input power, output power, gain, and gain tilt.

Abstract: A system and method consistent with the present disclosure provides for automated line monitoring system (LMS) baselining that enables capturing and updating of operational parameters specific to each repeater and associated undersea elements based on high loss loopback (HLLB) data. The captured operational parameters may then be utilized to satisfy queries targeting specific undersea elements in a Command-Response (CR) fashion. Therefore, command-response functionality may be achieved without the added cost, complexity and lifespan issues related to deploying undersea elements with on-board CR circuitry. As generally referred to herein, operational parameters include any parameter that may be derived directly or indirectly from HLLB data. Some example non-limiting examples of operational parameters include span gain loss, input power, output power, gain, and gain tilt.

Abstract: A system and method consistent with the present disclosure provides for automated line monitoring system (LMS) baselining that enables capturing and updating of operational parameters specific to each repeater and associated undersea elements based on high loss loopback (HLLB) data. The captured operational parameters may then be utilized to satisfy queries targeting specific undersea elements in a Command-Response (CR) fashion. Therefore, command-response functionality may be achieved without the added cost, complexity and lifespan issues related to deploying undersea elements with on-board CR circuitry. As generally referred to herein, operational parameters include any parameter that may be derived directly or indirectly from HLLB data. Some example non-limiting examples of operational parameters include span gain loss, input power, output power, gain, and gain tilt.

Abstract: A system and method consistent with the present disclosure provides for automated line monitoring system (LMS) baselining that enables capturing and updating of operational parameters specific to each repeater and associated undersea elements based on high loss loopback (HLLB) data. The captured operational parameters may then be utilized to satisfy queries targeting specific undersea elements in a Command-Response (CR) fashion. Therefore, command-response functionality may be achieved without the added cost, complexity and lifespan issues related to deploying undersea elements with on-board CR circuitry. As generally referred to herein, operational parameters include any parameter that may be derived directly or indirectly from HLLB data. Some example non-limiting examples of operational parameters include span gain loss, input power, output power, gain, and gain tilt.

Abstract: A carrier for processing a container in a thermal processing system includes a carrier body having an exterior configured to roll in the thermal processing system. The container includes a container body extending between first and second container ends. The carrier body has a first end portion configured to receive the first container end and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A retention system is disposed within the second end portion of the carrier body that is configured to engage the second container end and retain the container within the body.

Abstract: A vapor deposition device and a method for depositing a coating on a substrate are disclosed. The device includes a heating chamber for containing plasma and an evaporant chamber for containing an evaporant source. Evaporant is generated by heating of the evaporant source by the plasma. The heating chamber is both separated from the evaporant chamber and in thermally conductive connectivity with the evaporant chamber. The method includes supplying plasma to a heating chamber; heating an evaporant source by transfer of heat from the plasma to in an amount sufficient to generate evaporant from the evaporant source; and condensing the evaporant or a reaction product thereof on a surface of the substrate to form a coating thereon. The plasma is maintained in isolation from the evaporant source and the evaporant.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a band of signal carriers is divided into a first band of carriers and a second band of carriers. The carriers in the first band comprise shorter wavelength carriers, and carriers in the second band comprise longer wavelength carriers. Each of the optical sources in the first and second bands of carriers are modulated with an input signal and coupled together via a polarization maintaining coupler. These signals are then combined via a polarization beam combiner wherein the first band has a polarization state that is orthogonal, or nearly orthogonal, to a polarization of the second state.

Abstract: A system and method for fault identification in optical communication networks. One or more repeaters in the system includes a loop back path that couples an output a first amplifier for amplifying signals carried in a first direction through a repeater to an input of a second amplifier for amplifying signals carried in a second direction through said repeater. Fault analysis is conducted using loop gain data associated with test signals transmitted on the first or second paths and returned on the opposite path through the loop back paths.

Abstract: A device for the capture and pay out of an in-sink water spray hose, the spray hose having a first end connected to a water service line and a second end connected to an in-sink spray nozzle. The device is positioned between first and second ends of the spray hose and includes a clamp for releasably attaching the device to the spray hose proximate its first end. A housing is provided having a length and width and an open top. The housing includes a weighted pulley wheel rotatable within the housing and moveable along the length of the housing, the weighted pulley being characterized as being freewheeling as to not be appended to side walls of the housing. The pulley has a diameter greater than the width of the container as well as a track diameter smaller than the pulley diameter to prevent the sprayer hose from dislodging from the weighted pulley once seated thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for fault identification in optical communication networks. One or more repeaters in the system includes a loop back path that couples an output a first amplifier for amplifying signals carried in a first direction through a repeater to an input of a second amplifier for amplifying signals carried in a second direction through said repeater. Fault analysis is conducted using loop gain data associated with test signals transmitted on the first or second paths and returned on the opposite path through the loop back paths.

Abstract: A system and method for quality-driven channel selection in a communication network that measures interference on idle and active voice channels in a first quality-driven channel selection (QCS) cell is disclosed. A voice channel queue is automatically ordered based on a clearest voice channel which is determined by a reverse bit error rate (RBER) measurement and a forward bit error rate (FBER) measurement on the active voice channels and by an idle noise measurement on the idle voice channels. Further, dynamic channel sets (DCS) are created from the voice channel queue based on the RBER, FBER, and idle noise received, where the DCS are queues that include low interference channels and moderate interference channels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ultrasonically inspecting the welds which attach the differential pressure and liquid poison nozzles to the bottom head of the reactor pressure vessel in a boiling water reactor. The scanning apparatus is seated on the upper taper of the nozzle outer tube and incorporates a stationary frame having a cutaway section which allows installation from the side. The apparatus has vertical and circumferential positioning mechanisms which are operated remotely to scan an ultrasonic transducer package over the circumferential welds and heat-affected zones thereof. The rotating frame has a transducer carriage mounted thereon which is vertically displaceable relative to the rotating frame. The vertical and angular motion motors can be controlled together to provide the desired path for the ultrasonic transducer around the stub tube. The tool also includes a vessel contour follower which follows the contour of the inclined surfaces of the reactor pressure vessel bottom head.

Abstract: A therapeutic pillow is fabricated in one or more separate sections that may be attached to each other, may be filled to suit the user, and may incorporate the use of heating and message devices as well as a plurality of small magnets.

Abstract: An apparatus that dispenses disposable sanitary keyboard covers of a flexible transparent plastic film that is drawn across a key array and provides a sanitary cover that allows full use of the keyboard. When a subsequent user uses the keyboard, a new length of plastic film is drawn, and the old length of film is discarded. The apparatus includes a frame having a first tray holding a dispensing reel of plastic film at one end, and at the other end a second tray holding a take-up reel in a first embodiment, or rollers that direct the film to a slot in the outer wall of the tray with a cutting blade adjacent to the slot in a second embodiment.

Abstract: A data processing system executes a plurality of processes in parallel. The processes access shared user records stored in memory serially. One or more data structures are used to track access by processes to the data structures and to the user records. Responsive to a fault occurring in a first parallel process, a signal is given the remaining parallel processes indicating the failure. Responsive to the failure, it is determined if the faulting parallel process had access to one of the data structures. Depending upon the circumstances of access, integrity of the user records may be assumed and the record validated. The data structures themselves can be examined to determine if the contents of memory is reliable. Typically the data structures support use of the memory as a cache.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for inspecting the arms of jet pump beams using eddy current technology, while also scanning the borehole region using ultrasound technology. In order to inspect the jet pump beam arms, a special scanner is required to properly move an eddy current coil in two dimensions over the complex machined surface on top of the arms. The scanner has two axes of motion and can perform a raster scan in either direction. The inspection payload, an eddy current probe, moves the length of the scanning axis and then the payload is indexed (i.e., moved a small distance) along the indexing axis. The payload is then moved smoothly back along the length of the scanning axis. Data is collected only during motion along the scanning axis. The scanner has a unique curved track design for maintaining the orientation of the eddy current probe perpendicular to the inspection surface. It allows inspecting the top flat surface and the curved edges of the jet pump beams.

Abstract: A carrying case is disclosed which has the general outward appearance of a pea pod but with the provision of a hinge, a handle and an interior chamber designed to store a plurality of toys which resemble peas. A corresponding plurality of openings in one wall of the carrying case allow one to view the toys from outside the carrying case.