Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solar cell that includes a first layer that includes a semiconductor and a second layer that includes at least one of an oxide, a carbide, a nitride, a fluoride, and/or a sulfide, where the second layer covers a surface of the first layer, the second layer has a thickness between about 400 nm and about 10 ?m, and the solar cell retains at least 95% of a starting power-conversion-efficiency (PCE) after exposure to a proton fluence of about 1E15 cm?2 for protons having an energy between greater than zero KeV per proton and less than or equal to 0.05 KeV per proton.

Abstract: A smart hose system includes a hose and a clamp monitor secured to the hose and in proximity to a portion of the hose at which a clamp is to be secured. The clamp monitor is configured to responsively interact with the clamp and includes a signal generator configured to provide a first response to an inquiry signal with the clamp being in a first state and provide a second response with the clamp being in a second state.

Abstract: A smart hose system includes a hose and a clamp monitor secured to the hose and in proximity to a portion of the hose at which a clamp is to be secured. The clamp monitor is configured to responsively interact with the clamp and includes a signal generator configured to provide a first response to an inquiry signal with the clamp being in a first state and provide a second response with the clamp being in a second state.

Abstract: A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) assembly includes, among other things, a tube extending from a filtration unit to a headpiece system. The tube is biased toward a looped position where the tube includes a loop. A PAPR manufacturing method includes, among other things, reorienting a tube to have a loop by placing the tube about a mandrel, heat-treating the tube, and removing the mandrel from the tube. The tube is biased toward a looped position after the removing due to the heat-treating while the tube is reoriented to have the loop.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for recommending a structure for an online auction. One method prompts a user to input details of the auction and suggests a reverse auction for sourcing goods and services in a telecommunications environment. If the market price for the auctioned goods/services is stable, then the method establishes a reserve price less than or equal to a contract price. A rank-only Vickery structure may be suggested in which each bidder is only informed of the ranking of the bidder's bid. Each bidder is not informed of a monetary value of the winning bid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a radiation-cured protective coated label of the type used in direct thermal printing. The radiation-cured protective coated label comprises a face stock selected from thermal papers and a radiation-cured top coat which is applied to the top-side surface of the thermal paper using letter press printing technology. The radiation-cured protective top coat protects the imprinted text which is applied to the label from fading, smearing or darkening. The radiation-cured protective coated label can be affixed to a variety of containers.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing a substrate for the transglycosylase enzymes of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. The chemical synthesis makes available a sustainable and substantially pure source of supply of lipid II, including analogs thereof, that may be used in the identification of new therapeutic agents capable of disrupting steps in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis.

Abstract: A system and method for user-defined control of the operation and appearance of a computerized instant messaging service and associated user interface is disclosed, providing ease of use, control over presentation and access to instant messaging services, particularly for unsighted and other users requiring assistive technologies. A system and method for user-defined control of operation and appearance of a computerized instant messaging service and associated user interface. A instant messaging (IM) application includes an active sessions list (ASL) comprised of algorithmically ordered identifiers of all communicants in current active chat sessions with the user. The list is presented on the desktop and focused by a predefined first hot-key. In one embodiment, the list is ordered with the identifier appearing at the top of the ASL being associated with the communicant of the most recent incoming unresponded-to IM chat message.

Abstract: The present invention is a user interface for varying accessibility parameters to match comprehension needs. The present invention consists of a uniform, easy to use, interface to applications. Rather than dealing directly with the user interface parameters of a particular application, the user interacts with this uniform interface, or UI aggregator. The UI aggregator can then transform the information presented by the particular application or combination of applications as desired by the user. The UI aggregator can be accessed through a variety of modes—keyboard, speech, touch, and gestures. Through interaction with the UI aggregator, the user can create and select user profiles that control multiple software applications.

Abstract: A system to compensate for luminance degradation of an emissive display is provided. As its primary components, the system includes a controller and a temperature sensor. The controller is coupled to the emissive display to provide a driving signal thereby controlling the display luminance. The temperature sensor is located proximate the emissive display and is in electrical communication with the controller. The controller receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and varies the luminance based on the temperature signal. As the temperature of the emissive display increases, the controller reduces the display luminance according to a transfer function. The transfer function may have a linear term and/or a non-linear term relating the operating luminance to the display temperature.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing a substrate for the transglycosylase enzymes of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. The chemical synthesis makes available a sustainable and substantially pure source of supply of lipid II, including analogs thereof, that may be used in the identification of new therapeutic agents capable of disrupting steps in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding a multiple drug resistance protein of Aspergillus nidulans. Vectors and transformed host cells comprising the multiple drug resistance-encoding DNA of Aspergillus nidulans atrD are also provided. The invention further provides assays which utilize these transformed host cells.

Abstract: An accumulator for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle includes a housing having an interior chamber and an inlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to enter the interior chamber of the housing. The accumulator also includes an outlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to exit the interior chamber of the housing and a single insert disposed in the interior chamber of the housing to allow refrigerant liquid/vapor separation, insulation, and oil return.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding FtsZ of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed host cells for expressing the encoded protein, and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit said protein.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding HI1648 of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed host cells for expressing the encoded protein, and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit said protein.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding the 454 gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed host cells for expressing the encoded protein, and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit said protein.