Abstract: A location-based transportation network for a transportation process is disclosed. The transportation process may be divided into the following stages: identification, communication, agreement, shipment, and payment. With identification, one party to the transport of the good is identified to the other party (e.g., potential carriers to a shipper, or potential shippers to a carrier). In the second stage, the shipper(s) and carrier(s) communicate with one another in order to discuss terms of the shipment. In a third stage, the shipper and carrier come to an agreement (e.g., price, timing, etc.). In a fourth stage, the carrier picks up and ships the goods. Finally, payment may be arranged between the shipper and the carrier. An index pricing model is configured to facilitate the identification stage.

Abstract: A location-based transportation network for a transportation process is disclosed. The transportation process may be divided into the following stages: identification, communication, agreement, shipment, and payment. With identification, one party to the transport of the good is identified to the other party (e.g., potential carriers to a shipper, or potential shippers to a carrier). In the second stage, the shipper(s) and carrier(s) communicate with one another in order to discuss terms of the shipment. In a third stage, the shipper and carrier come to an agreement (e.g., price, timing, etc.). In a fourth stage, the carrier picks up and ships the goods. Finally, payment may be arranged between the shipper and the carrier. An index pricing model is configured to facilitate the identification stage.

Abstract: A location-based transportation network for a transportation process is disclosed. The transportation process may be divided into the following stages: identification, communication, agreement, shipment, and payment. With identification, one party to the transport of the good is identified to the other party (e.g., potential carriers to a shipper, or potential shippers to a carrier). In the second stage, the shipper(s) and carrier(s) communicate with one another in order to discuss terms of the shipment. In a third stage, the shipper and carrier come to an agreement. In a fourth stage, the carrier picks up and ships the goods. Finally, payment may be arranged between the shipper and the carrier. An index pricing model is configured to facilitate the identification stage. Further, a graphical user interface can convey information, output search results, plan a route, facilitate communication between the shipper and carrier, and/or enable agreement between the shipper and carrier.

Abstract: A host material may be used for the separation of elements or compounds, wherein the host material is an organic molecular solid with suitable cavities for accommodating a guest material to be separated, and with interconnections between the cavities to allow the guest material to diffuse through the host material, and wherein said interconnections are closed for a proportion of the time or have a static pore limiting diameter which is smaller than the static dimension of the guest material. Applications include separations of rare gases, chiral molecules, and alkanes. One class of suitable host materials may be made by imine condensation.

Abstract: A system and method of providing an affordable navigation, guidance and control system for arbitrary nano/micro launch vehicles by integrating commercial grade sensors with advanced estimation algorithms in a manner that provides sufficient accuracy of the resulting vehicle state estimates to inject nano/micro satellites into low earth orbits. The system and method uses commercial grade sensors and an advanced sensor-fusion estimator software that estimates and removes the estimated measurement errors and filters noise produced by the commercial grade sensors, resulting in estimated states with suitable accuracy. The filtered data are sent to a guidance and control system where actuator commands are formulated based on the filtered data. A simulated launch and flight of the launch vehicle is performed using the filtered data to validate that the GNC system and launch vehicle are ready for launch.

Abstract: Pressure testing systems comprise a clamp assembly for clamping a device for testing with a test fluid, and a control assembly for controlling application of a clamp pressure to the device. The control assembly comprises a clamp control structure with an activated configuration and an inactivated configuration. In the activated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be applied to the device. In the inactivated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be released from the device. The control assembly also comprises a safety structure that is actuated by the test fluid between an interlocked configuration and a disengaged configuration. In the interlocked configuration, the safety structure physically prevents the clamp control structure from reconfiguring from the activated configuration to the inactivated configuration.

Abstract: A location-based transportation network for a transportation process is disclosed. The transportation process may be divided into the following stages: identification, communication, agreement, shipment, and payment. With identification, one party to the transport of the good is identified to the other party (e.g., potential carriers to a shipper, or potential shippers to a carrier). In the second stage, the shipper(s) and carrier(s) communicate with one another in order to discuss terms of the shipment. In a third stage, the shipper and carrier come to an agreement (e.g., price, timing, etc.). In a fourth stage, the carrier picks up and ships the goods. Finally, payment may be arranged between the shipper and the carrier. An index pricing model is configured to facilitate the identification stage.

Abstract: Pressure testing systems comprise a clamp assembly for clamping a device for testing with a test fluid, and a control assembly for controlling application of a clamp pressure to the device. The control assembly comprises a clamp control structure with an activated configuration and an inactivated configuration. In the activated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be applied to the device. In the inactivated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be released from the device. The control assembly also comprises a safety structure that is actuated by the test fluid between an interlocked configuration and a disengaged configuration. In the interlocked configuration, the safety structure physically prevents the clamp control structure from reconfiguring from the activated configuration to the inactivated configuration.

Abstract: Test flange assemblies comprise a flange body and a piston. The piston is configured to translate relative to the flange body and has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body. The outer surface defines a circular seal channel for receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of a flanged component. The outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface. Methods of testing pressure containing structures comprise operatively positioning the test flange assembly, positioning a seal structure within the circular seal channel of the piston, coupling the flange body to a flanged component, and pressurizing a volume between the piston and the flange body so that the piston compresses the seal structure between the piston and the flanged component.

Abstract: Test flange assemblies comprise a flange body and a piston. The piston is configured to translate relative to the flange body and has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body. The outer surface defines a circular seal channel for receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of a flanged component. The outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface. Methods of testing pressure containing structures comprise operatively positioning the test flange assembly, positioning a seal structure within the circular seal channel of the piston, coupling the flange body to a flanged component, and pressurizing a volume between the piston and the flange body so that the piston compresses the seal structure between the piston and the flanged component.

Abstract: A host material may be used for the separation of elements or compounds, wherein the host material is an organic molecular solid with suitable cavities for accommodating a guest material to be separated, and with interconnections between the cavities to allow the guest material to diffuse through the host material, and wherein said interconnections are closed for a proportion of the time or have a static pore limiting diameter which is smaller than the static dimension of the guest material. Applications include separations of rare gases, chiral molecules, and alkanes. One class of suitable host materials may be made by imine condensation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing dough for baking, the process comprising: a) reducing a unit dough piece in thickness, b) coiling the reduced dough piece, and c) repeating steps a) and b) at least once; dough so produced; a process for preparing a baked product using said dough; and apparatus for preparing dough for baking.

Abstract: A connector assembly for fitment to a vehicle. The connector assembly includes a base unit for mounting to a vehicle and an expander unit. The expander unit is configured to attach to and detach from the base unit. The base unit includes a base connector face having at least two opposite edges and having therein a base connector and the expander unit includes an expander connector face having an expander connector. The expander connector is configured to connect with the base connector for communicating a signal therebetween when the expander unit is attached to the base unit. Two pins protrude from the base connector face. Two latch plates are mounted to the expander connector face. The pins and connector have relative positions matching the relative positions of the latch plates and connector so that, with the expander connector connected with the base connector, the pins pass through respective latch plates.

Abstract: Machine tools and methods for machining turbine rotor assemblies are disclosed. Some machine tools include a drill arm that pushes off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some machine tools include a clamping arm that secures the machine tool to a turbine stage to be machined and an adjacent turbine stage. Some methods include pushing-off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include securing a machine tool to a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include monitoring at least one of a current delivered to a first motor and a voltage applied to the first motor and controlling a second motor in response to the monitoring. Some methods include sequentially machining a turbine stage with cutting tools having increasing lengths and/or diameters.

Abstract: Machine tools and methods for machining turbine rotor assemblies are disclosed. Some machine tools include a drill arm that pushes off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some machine tools include a clamping arm that secures the machine tool to a turbine stage to be machined and an adjacent turbine stage. Some methods include pushing-off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include securing a machine tool to a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include monitoring at least one of a current delivered to a first motor and a voltage applied to the first motor and controlling a second motor in response to the monitoring. Some methods include sequentially machining a turbine stage with cutting tools having increasing lengths and/or diameters.

Abstract: A hand-held, fleet deployable infrared camera with integrated hardware and software providing real time processing of infrared images. The camera senses variable temperature images over a selected object of interest and senses variable emissivities over the object. The camera also measures and corrects for reflected environmental radiation as well as corrections for the atmospheric path through which the object is viewed. A calibrated reference patch having known emissivity and reflectance is attached to an object of interest and viewed through the camera. The calibrated patch is used to provide correction for the environmental radiation reflected off the object. Once the environmental radiation correction is known, it can be used to correct measurements taken from the rest of the object of interest.

Abstract: An exemplary subterranean hub for an outdoor system for distributing electrical power to a plurality of fixtures is provided, the hub having a body, a plurality of electrical connectors disposed on the body and adapted to accept mating connectors from a corresponding fixtures, means for electrically coupling an external power source to the electrical connectors, and a depth reference marker, connected to the body and adapted to provide a visual verification that the hub is buried at a sufficient depth during installation of the hub.

Abstract: A hand-held, fleet deployable infrared camera with integrated hardware and software providing real time processing of infrared images. The camera senses variable temperature images over a selected object of interest and senses variable emissivities over the object. The camera also measures and corrects for reflected environmental radiation as well as corrections for the atmospheric path through which the object is viewed. A calibrated reference patch having known emissivity and reflectance is attached to an object of interest and viewed through the camera. The calibrated patch is used to provide correction for the environmental radiation reflected off the object. Once the environmental radiation correction is known, it can be used to correct measurements taken from the rest of the object of interest.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation and cloning of the promoter and other control regions of human PPAR? gene. It provides methods for identifying and screening for agents useful for the treatment of diseases and pathological conditions affected by the level of expression of the PPAR? gene. These agents interact directly or indirectly with the promoter or other control regions of the PPAR? gene.

Abstract: In an aircraft windshield defogging/deicing system, a pair of transparent sheets maintained in spaced facing relation by a transparent interlayer have a resistive coating positioned between the transparent sheets. An inverter is provided for applying to the resistive coating a square wave or quasi-square wave AC signal. In response to receiving this AC signal, the resistive coating generates heat, which reduces or avoids the accumulation of moisture or ice on the aircraft windshield.