Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing software-based network probes for monitoring network devices for fault management. In various embodiments, a computing system may receive, from at least one software-based network probe, a first alert associated with a first device among layer 4 devices disposed in a plurality of networks; may parse and store first alert data from the received first alert in a database, in a standardized format; may perform, using an enrichment system, enrichment of the first alert data, by retrieving first enrichment data from one or more second databases and adding the first enrichment data to the parsed and formatted first alert data in the first database to form first consolidated alert data; and may send the first consolidated alert data to a fault management system for display to a user to facilitate addressing of the first alert by the user.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing software-based network probes for monitoring network devices for fault management. In various embodiments, a computing system may receive, from at least one software-based network probe, a first alert associated with a first device among layer 4 devices disposed in a plurality of networks; may parse and store first alert data from the received first alert in a database, in a standardized format; may perform, using an enrichment system, enrichment of the first alert data, by retrieving first enrichment data from one or more second databases and adding the first enrichment data to the parsed and formatted first alert data in the first database to form first consolidated alert data; and may send the first consolidated alert data to a fault management system for display to a user to facilitate addressing of the first alert by the user.

Abstract: A food storage and serving assembly includes a bowl, a cover, and a utensil. The bowl defines a cavity therein and includes a latch saddle radially extending outwardly from a remainder of the bowl. The cover extends over the bowl to enclose the cavity. The cover includes a latch hook selectively secured within the latch saddle to maintain the cover over the bowl. The utensil is selectively coupled with the bowl and extends about the latch hook and the latch saddle. The utensil defines a handle portion extending above the bowl and the cover to facilitate user transport of the food storage and serving assembly at least partially via the handle portion of the utensil.

Abstract: A food storage and serving assembly includes a bowl, a cover, and a utensil. The bowl defines a cavity therein and includes a latch saddle radially extending outwardly from a remainder of the bowl. The cover extends over the bowl to enclose the cavity. The cover includes a latch hook selectively secured within the latch saddle to maintain the cover over the bowl. The utensil is selectively coupled with the bowl and extends about the latch hook and the latch saddle. The utensil defines a handle portion extending above the bowl and the cover to facilitate user transport of the food storage and serving assembly at least partially via the handle portion of the utensil.

Abstract: An activity center toy comprises a base, a housing structure, and a ball track. The housing structure extends above the base and includes a first sidewall extending upwardly from the base and defining an entry opening extending through the first sidewall, and a second sidewall extending upwardly from the base in a different plane than the first sidewall. The second sidewall defines an exit opening extending through the second sidewall. The exit opening is positioned closer to the base than the entrance opening is positioned relative to the base. The ball track downwardly extends from the entry opening to the exit opening and includes a first rail and a second rail being spaced from one another and extending substantially in parallel with one another.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite is made of a substantially two-dimensional polymer matrix and a monolayer of sintered piezoelectric ceramic granules dispersed throughout the matrix so that each granule has an upper portion protruding from one side of the matrix and a lower portion protruding from the opposite side of the matrix. The composite is formed by partially embedding a monolayer of sintered piezoelectric ceramic granules in a pliable material, then partially covering the granules with a polymer resin, curing the resin to form a matrix and removing the pliable material. A transducer is formed by flattening the upper and lower portions of the granules to form coplanar top and bottom surfaces parallel to, but not coplanar with the surface of the matrix, then electroding the granule surfaces, attaching top and bottom cover plates, and sealing the transducer around the edges.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite is made of a substantially two-dimensional polymer matrix and a monolayer of sintered piezoelectric ceramic granules dispersed throughout the matrix so that each granule has an upper portion protruding from one side of the matrix and a lower portion protruding from the opposite side of the matrix. The composite is formed by partially embedding a monolayer of sintered piezoelectric ceramic granules in a pliable material, then partially covering the granules with a polymer resin, curing the resin to form a matrix and removing the pliable material. A transducer is formed by flattening the upper and lower portions of the granules to form coplanar top and bottom surfaces parallel to, but not coplanar with the surface of the matrix, then electroding the granule surfaces, attaching top and bottom cover plates, and sealing the transducer around the edges.

Abstract: The process for making a porous mass containing dense aggregates or granu includes the steps of mixing powder with more than 10% by weight of a binder to form agglomerated powder, heating the agglomerated powder to remove the binder and to grow crystallites in the powder to an average diameter exceeding 5 microns to form a porous mass containing the dense aggregates, and cooling the porous mass. The porous mass is broken up, if it is cohesive, into the aggregates containing the crystallites and the aggregates can be used to make an article, such as a transducer. The transducer is essentially a thick film and its thickness is that of the ceramic aggregates of granules. The electrodes connect to the top and to the bottom of the aggragates. As a result, the transducer material operates in the 1-3 mode.

Abstract: The process for making a porous mass containing dense aggregates or granu includes the steps of mixing powder with more than 10% by weight of a binder to form agglomerated powder, heating the agglomerated powder to remove the binder and to grow crystallites in the powder to an average diameter exceeding 5 microns to form a porous mass containing the dense aggregates, and cooling the porous mass. The porous mass is broken up, if it is cohesive, into the aggregates containing the crystallites and the aggregates can be used to make an article, such as a transducer. The transducer is essentially a thick film and its thickness is that of the ceramic aggregates of granules. The electrodes connect to the top and to the bottom of the aggragates. As a result, the transducer material operates in the 1-3 mode.

Abstract: A cell library (21) is optimized for specific operating characteristics. A stimulus file (23) is divided into a number of simulation run files. The simulation run files (27) are distributed to more than one computer work station so that the simulation of the cell occurs in parallel. The netlist (24) of each cell is parameterized to allow the cell to be changed and resimulated to better meet the specific operating characteristics. A cost function (32) is provided which uses the results of a transistor level simulation to calculate the quality of the cell design relative to the specific operating characteristics. Simulated annealing (34) is used to generate new simulation parameter values from a cost generated from the cost function (32). The cell is resimulated a number of times to optimize for the specific operating characteristics and the best design is retained for a new cell library (39). The process is repeated for each cell of the cell library (21).