Abstract: A method for authenticating an identity involves a computing device receiving a first credential over a first communications channel, and determining a second communications channel from a comparison between the first received credential and a first reference credential provisionally associated with the first credential. The computing device opens the second communications channel and receives second credential over the second communications channel, and the identity is authenticated based on a verification of the second credential. The computing device authenticates the identity by generating a first identity proof score from a correlation between the first received credential and the first reference credential, generating a second identity proof score from a correlation between the second received credential and a second reference credential, and generating an ultimate identity proof score from the first identity proof score and the second identity proof score.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid, which may contain a physiologically active material, and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing. A means for fluid cleansing may also be provided to recirculate fluid back to the dressing. The cleansing means removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The apparatus may also provide means for distributing such materials in a precise and time-controlled manner over the wound bed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for assessment of a generator rotor are provided. A method includes receiving crack data for the generator rotor from at least one inspection; computing a crack propagation rate based on the crack data and at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter comprises an operating condition of the generator rotor or a design parameter of the generator rotor; and providing at least one recommendation associated with the generator rotor based on the computed crack propagation rate.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (300) for media hold down transport air flow in an image production device is disclosed. The apparatus can include a media transport belt (110) configured to transport media sheets (105) in a process direction (116). The media transport belt can include a plurality of belt apertures (115) arranged along a cross-process direction (118), where the cross-process direction is perpendicular to the process direction. The plurality of belt apertures can be configured to conduct air to secure the media sheets on the media transport belt. The apparatus can include a vacuum plenum assembly (120). The vacuum plenum assembly can include a plurality of plenum apertures (125) arranged along the cross-process direction. The plurality of plenum apertures can be configured to conduct air through at least some of the plurality of belt apertures.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods relating generally to filtration. Even more particularly, embodiments described herein relate to optimizing operating routines of a pump based on filter information and process fluid information. The filter information can be stored on an electronically readable tag on the filter.

Abstract: A method of making personal hygiene articles of high absorbency from cellulosic fiber pulp without chemical cross-linking of the cellulosic fibers is disclosed. The method comprises interposing a sublayer of mechanically fluffed alkali extracted cellulosic fiber pulp between a fluid permeable layer and a fluid impermeable layer.

Abstract: A script including a plurality of actions to process in a session associated with a system is generated via a user interface, where the script includes both actions and metaactions. The actions correspond to commands associated with the session to be executed on the system, and the metaactions correspond to a selected plurality of the commands. The script is generated by receiving the actions and the metaactions to process on the system via the user interface associated with the session for interfacing with the system, capturing the actions and the metaactions, and saving the captured actions and metaactions to generate the script.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is provided which comprises (a) providing a semiconductor structure equipped with a gate (209) and a channel region, said channel region being associated with the gate; (b) depositing a first sub-layer (231) of a first stressor material over the semiconductor structure, said first stressor material containing silicon- nitrogen bonds and imparting tensile stress to the semiconductor structure; (c) curing the first stressor material through exposure to a radiation source; (d) depositing a second sub-layer (233) of a second stressor material over the first sub-layer, said second stressor material containing silicon-nitrogen bonds and imparting tensile stress to the semiconductor structure; and (e) curing the second sub-layer of stressor material through exposure to a radiation source.

Abstract: A transducer seal designed to seal an open aperture of a transducer housing for a therapeutic ultrasound procedure. The seal has a membrane, a retainer and a mating device for locking in place with the transducer housing. The membrane is essentially transparent to ultrasound energy while being stretched taut about the retainer. The transducer seal may be made in a disposable or re-usable form.

Abstract: Fibrous structures that exhibit a pore volume distribution such that greater than about 50% of the total pore volume present in the fibrous structure exists in pores of radii of from about 101 ?m to about 200 ?m, and methods for making such fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: A micron gap thermo-photo-voltaic device including a photovoltaic substrate, a heat source substrate, and a plurality of spacers separating the photovoltaic substrate from the heat source substrate by a submicron gap. Each spacer includes an elongated thin-walled structure disposed in a well formed in the heat source substrate and having a top surface less than a micron above the heat source substrate. Also disclosed are methods of making the spacers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to color matching and, more specifically, an apparatus and method for preparing a stain to match a target color of a selected substrate (e.g., wood species). In one embodiment a system is provided that comprises (i) a computer (e.g., a stand-alone PC or a networked computer), (ii) hardware and/or software to store a database of stain records, (iii) hardware and/or software to create or load spectral data (e.g., a digital image) of a target sample, and (iv) hardware and/or software to display images and/or process spectral data. The system preferably facilitates the selection of a desired stain, and in preferred embodiments may also include hardware and/or software to dispense colorant agents and/or vehicles to create the desired stain.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration, the coating applied within at least one fold. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.

Abstract: A method for operating a blast furnace and a corresponding blast furnace, the method including recovering top gas from the blast furnace, submitting at least a portion of the top gas to a recycling process, and feeding the recycled top gas back into the blast furnace, where the recycling process includes feeding the recovered top gas to a reformer unit, feeding volatile carbon containing material to the reformer unit, proceeding to flash gasification of the volatile carbon containing material in the reformer unit, at a temperature between 1100 and 1300° C., and thereby producing devolatised carbonaceous material and synthesis, and allowing the devolatised carbonaceous material and synthesis gas to react with the recovered top gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for determining the electrical connections of a plurality of nodes. The nodes may include an electrical power distribution system including a plurality of nodes, connected to the power distribution system. At least two of the nodes include node electronics, at least one of the nodes is configured to be operatively coupled to an external power drawing load, and at least one of the nodes upstream from the node configured to be operatively coupled to the external power drawing load is configured to detect power drawn by the external power drawing load. The at least one upstream node is configured to send a node electrical signals using the node electronics indicating that the drawn power was detected. The system is configured to identify the wiring configuration of the plurality of nodes relative to each other based on the node electrical signal.

Abstract: An electronically actuatable valve assembly including a valve member comprising a ferromagnetic member, and a magnetic circuit adapted to direct magnetic flux through the ferromagnetic member when the valve member is spaced apart from its valve seat, to hold the primary valve open.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined radiation therapy and magnetic resonance unit. For this purpose, in accordance with the invention a combined radiation therapy and magnetic resonance unit is provided comprising a magnetic resonance diagnosis part with an interior, which is limited in radial direction by a main magnet, and a radiation therapy part for the irradiation of an irradiation area within the interior, wherein at least parts of the radiation therapy part, which comprise a beam deflection arrangement, are arranged within the interior.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sharing information for detecting an idle TCP connection. In one aspect, a second node receives a packet in a TCP connection. A header in the packet is detected identifying metadata for a period, detectable by a first node, during which no packet including data is received in the connection by the first node. The second node modifies a timeout associated with the connection based on the metadata. In another aspect, a first node receives information for detecting a period during which no packet including data sent in the TCP connection by a second node is received by the first node. A packet is generated including a header identifying metadata for the period based on the information, and sent to the second node. The period is detected based on the information. The connection is deactivated in response to detecting the period.

Abstract: Methods for introgressing an allele of interest of a locus associated with a yield trait into Zea mays germplasm are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a Zea mays plant that contains an allele of interest of a locus associated with a yield trait, wherein the locus associated with the yield trait is identifiable by PCR amplification of a Zea mays nucleic acid with a pair of oligonucleotides primers as disclosed herein, and introgressing the allele of interest into Zea mays germplasm that lacks the allele. Also provided are methods for identifying Zea mays plants that contain at least one allele associated with improved yield, improved maize plants, elite Zea mays plants, biomass produced from improved Zea mays plants, isolated and purified genetic markers, and compositions that include an amplification primer pair capable of amplifying a Zea mays nucleic acid to generate a Zea mays marker amplicon.