Abstract: A breath actuated metered dose inhaler may comprise a canister fire system configured to fire a medicament containing canister in response to patient inhalation. The canister fire system may comprise a pneumatic force holding unit and having a rest configuration in which a metering valve of the canister is in a refill configuration; a prepared configuration in which a canister actuation force is retained by the pneumatic force holding unit and the canister fire system is actuatable by patient inhalation induced airflow; and a fire configuration in which the metering valve is in a dose delivery position. When in the prepared configuration, the force retained by the pneumatic force holding unit may be reduced by less than about 6% over a period of 5 minutes, preferably less than about 3% over a period of 5 minutes.

Abstract: One aspect provides a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include a plurality of layers and a plurality of plated through-hole (PTH) vias extending through the plurality of layers. The plurality of layers can include at least a top layer for mounting components, a second surface layer, and a first power layer positioned between the top layer and the second surface layer. The plurality of PTH vias can include at least one power via coupled to the first power layer to provide power to components mounted on the top layer. A stub length of the power via can be less than a distance between the power layer and the second surface layer.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid.

Abstract: A computing device includes a first display-supporting frame rotatably coupled to a second display-supporting frame along a hinge axis via a hinge assembly comprising a central spine extending parallel to the hinge axis. A flexible display is supported by the first display-supporting frame and the second display-supporting frame. A spine cover plate extends over the central spine and is moveably coupled to the hinge assembly for translation relative to the central spine as the first display-supporting frame is rotated relative to the second display-supporting frame.

Abstract: One or more propulsion arrangements for water vessels, and in particular propulsion arrangements that include flanking rudders with bidirectional high-lift sections to improve performance, particularly in the reverse direction. The flanking rudders are positioned adjacent a propulsor for directing a slipstream flow when the vessel is travelling in the reverse direction. Each flanking rudder has an elongated profile extending from a first edge to a second edge, and in which each elongated profile has a first bulb portion, a convex middle portion, and a second bulb portion.

Abstract: A computer-program causing a computing device to transmit, from a data transfer thread of a multitude of data transfer threads executed within a data storage cluster and to a distribution thread at a network address on a network, a request for an assignment of an exchange of data with at least one computation thread of a multitude of computation threads executed within a data processing cluster; exchange a block of data with a single computation thread of the multitude of computation threads in response to receipt of an assignment to exchange the block of data with the single computation thread; and exchange multiple blocks of data with multiple computation threads of the multitude of computation threads in a round robin manner among the multiple computation threads in response to receipt of an assignment to exchange the multiple blocks of data with the multiple computation threads.

Abstract: A plank (10) used to construct a platform such as a catwalk (C3, C4) extending about the exterior or interior of a building (B) includes first and second generally horizontal sections (12, 22). The second generally horizontal section of the plank extends from one side of the first section. During construction of the platform, the first section of one plank overlaps the second section of an adjacent plank. A third generally vertical section (52) of the plank extends generally perpendicularly from one side of the second section and includes lips (58, 60) at its inner and outer ends for attaching the plank to toe boards (40, 44) to secure the plank to the frames. When installed, the planks extend from a side of the building. The resulting catwalk extends either in a straight line, or is curved, depending upon the amount of overlap the first and second sections of the respective planks.

Abstract: An emergency notification system is provided. The emergency notification system may include an emergency server configured to receive emergency information including address information corresponding to a reported emergency, and an emergency database that stores registered user information. Upon receipt of emergency information including address information corresponding to a reported emergency, the emergency server queries the emergency database to determine whether any registered user information contains an address that matches the address information contained in the received emergency information. If the emergency server determines that an address contained in the registered user information matches the address information contained in the received emergency information, the emergency server provides an emergency notification to a user associated with the address.

Abstract: A computer-program causing a computing device to transmit a command to a data storage cluster for multiple data transfer threads thereof to request assignment of a data transfer from a distribution thread; await receipt of a request for assignment from a data transfer thread; compare the quantity data transfer threads to the quantity of computation threads of a data processing cluster; assign to the data transfer thread an exchange of a block of data with a single computation thread in response to receipt of the request and to the multitude of data transfer threads comprising a greater quantity of threads than the multitude of computation threads; and assign to the data transfer thread exchanges of multiple blocks of data with multiple computation threads in response to receipt of the request and to the multitude of data transfer threads comprising a lesser quantity of threads than the multitude of computation threads.

Abstract: A computer-program causing a computing device to transmit a command to a data storage cluster for multiple data transfer threads thereof to request assignment of a data transfer from a distribution thread; await receipt of a request for assignment from a data transfer thread; compare the quantity data transfer threads to the quantity of computation threads of a data processing cluster; assign to the data transfer thread an exchange of a block of data with a single computation thread in response to receipt of the request and to the multitude of data transfer threads comprising a greater quantity of threads than the multitude of computation threads; and assign to the data transfer thread exchanges of multiple blocks of data with multiple computation threads in response to receipt of the request and to the multitude of data transfer threads comprising a lesser quantity of threads than the multitude of computation threads.

Abstract: A computer-program causing a computing device to transmit, from a data transfer thread of a multitude of data transfer threads executed within a data storage cluster and to a distribution thread at a network address on a network, a request for an assignment of an exchange of data with at least one computation thread of a multitude of computation threads executed within a data processing cluster; exchange a block of data with a single computation thread of the multitude of computation threads in response to receipt of an assignment to exchange the block of data with the single computation thread; and exchange multiple blocks of data with multiple computation threads of the multitude of computation threads in a round robin manner among the multiple computation threads in response to receipt of an assignment to exchange the multiple blocks of data with the multiple computation threads.

Abstract: Described herein is a mounting plate having a plurality of exterior edges. Each edge of the mounting plate has a mounting interface. Between each of the exterior edges is a flattened corner. Each of the planar corners has a pole mount disposed therein. The mounting plate also has a plurality of interior projections, each of the plurality of interior projections being disposed on an inner side of each of the planar corners. At least one of the plurality of interior projections has a stand mount disposed therein and at least a second one of the plurality of interior projections has an umbrella mount disposed therein.

Abstract: Described herein is a mounting plate having a plurality of exterior edges. Each edge of the mounting plate has a mounting interface. Between each of the exterior edges is a flattened corner. Each of the planar corners has a pole mount disposed therein. The mounting plate also has a plurality of interior projections, each of the plurality of interior projections being disposed on an inner side of each of the planar corners. At least one of the plurality of interior projections has a stand mount disposed therein and at least a second one of the plurality of interior projections has an umbrella mount disposed therein.

Abstract: A single chip network controller for interfacing between a physical network and a processing system on the media side of the network controller. The network controller includes a physical layer for receiving data for transmission to the network and encoding the received data for transmission thereto and for receiving data from the network, and for receiving data from the network and decoding the received data. A media layer is provided for interfacing with the processing system for receiving data from the processing system for interface with the physical layer for encoding and transmission thereof and for receiving decoded data from the physical layer and providing access thereto by the processing system. An on-chip non-volatile memory is provided having a first portion associated with configuration information for configuring the operation of the physical layer and the media layer, and a second portion thereof that is accessible by the processing system on the media side of the network controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include flexible and dynamic manufacturing and retailing systems that employ instantiated quoter objects for communicating with remote vendor interfaces to obtain information from vendors related to quote solicitations and to receive and process orders received from remote customers. The quoter objects may also access one or more database systems associated with the retailing system for locally storing and retrieving vendor and product information within the retailing system. The quoter objects may be implemented by vendors, transmitted by vendors to a retailing system, and automatically, manually, or semi-automatically incorporated within the retailing system. In certain embodiments of the retailing system, quoter objects are instantiated by decision support systems that conduct interactive dialogs with clients through one or more customer interfaces via one or more different types of communications media.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for printing individual customer rolls of photographic film in a batch that differs from the film batch during development. Individual film rolls are collected during printing in batches that are based in major part on optimizing the use of photographic paper. The film is scanned after development to determine information available only then, such as the image format, and the film is batched during printing based on efficient paper use. Each film roll is provided with a unique identification number that is used for tracking the film rolls throughout processing and printing. Information required for printing is entered into the system in association with the unique number and is used in combination with information determined after film development for optimizing the printing operation based on the paper required.

Abstract: The two ends of an elongated, flexible, elasticized cord are side by side aligned and then passed through a manually opened barrel-shaped fastener having a spring biased plunger. The spring biased plunger is then released. This operating forms a loop from the elasticized cord. The two aligned ends of the cord are then bound together to form an enlarged end portion that will not pass back through the barrel fastener even when the fastener has been manually opened.

Abstract: The arm splint of an orthosis is attached to the forearm of a cervical 6 - cervical 7 motor lesion quadraplegic. The arm splint includes a thumb flange for holding the thumb of the patient, and a pivoting finger trough for holding the first and middle fingers of the patient. A Bowden cable is connected to the pivoting finger trough and is operated by a motor to cause the pivoting finger trough to pivot to close towards the thumb flange to provide finger prehension so that the patient can grasp objects. The motor is controlled by control circuitry that is operated by the patient touching a touch sensitive contact that is typically mounted on the arm rest of a wheelchair. The control means and the motor are powered by a twelve-volt car battery carried on the wheelchair. The control means also includes a time delay so that the patient can operate the control means by touching the touch sensitive contact and then move the arm and hand to a position ready for grasping.