Abstract: A method for joining a thermoset plastic component and a thermoplastic component by bonding includes interconnecting the two components via a functional layer of the thermoset plastic component. The thermoplastic component is directly applied to the functional layer of the thermoset plastic component, such that a diffusion region is formed between the thermoplastic component and the functional layer of the thermoset plastic component.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: A third party system generates a public-private key pair, the public key of the key pair being an encryption key, and the private key of the key pair being a decryption key. The third party system publishes the encryption key as a DNS record of a third party system. The third party system receives a request to sign a message on behalf of a domain owner, the message to be sent to a recipient, and accesses an encrypted delegated private key published by the domain owner via a DNS record of the domain owner, the encrypted delegated private key encrypted using the encryption key. The third party system decrypts the encrypted delegated private key using the decryption key, and generates a signature for the message using the delegated private key. The third party system sends the signature and the message to the recipient.

Abstract: An inventory system includes a pallet and a base for palletizing or unpalletizing a mobile drive unit. The pallet has a set of openings corresponding with features of the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit features may extend into the pallet openings. The base includes protrusions corresponding to the pallet openings. Engaging the pallet and base can position the base protrusions in the pallet openings. Positioning the base protrusions in the pallet openings can displace the mobile drive unit features from the pallet openings and/or provide a surface upon which the mobile drive unit can navigate.

Abstract: A building panel has an outer skin spaced from an inner skin, sandwiching an insulation material. A first end of the outer skin includes a step portion, an indented fastener receiving portion and a first flange. The first flange extends outwardly toward a surface of the outer skin. A seal is mounted on the first flange. The inner skin includes a first end. The inner skin first end includes a shelf and a second flange extending from the shelf. A second seal is positioned on the second flange. A second end of the outer skin includes a portion to receive an outer skin first end of an adjoining panel. A second end of the inner skin includes a portion to receive an inner skin first end of the adjoining panel.

Abstract: A DNS server receives from a receiving email system, a DNS query for an email domain stored at the DNS server, the DNS query including identifying information of a sender of an email. The DNS server extracts the identifying information of the email sender from the DNS query and identifies one of a plurality of delivering organizations from the information. The DNS server determines whether the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain. In response to determining that the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain, the DNS server generates a target validation record based on the identity of the authorized delivering organization and the email domain, the target validation record including one or more rules indicating to the receiving email system whether the delivering organization is an authorized sender of email for the email domain.

Abstract: Systems and methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are described. A system can include a variable-thickness suspension line for suspending tissue, including a suture having a first thickness dimension; an elastomer surrounding a portion of the suture and defining a central segment of the suspension line having a second thickness dimension greater than the first thickness dimension, and at least one transition zone extending from the central segment of the suspension line to a lateral end of the suspension line, the transition zones having a thickness dimension that tapers from the second thickness dimension to the first thickness dimension.

Abstract: A valve assembly able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing having a passageway that extends through the housing; a breather float valve mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet, forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.

Abstract: An inventory system includes a pallet and a base for palletizing or unpalletizing a mobile drive unit. The pallet has a set of openings corresponding with features of the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit features may extend into the pallet openings. The base includes protrusions corresponding to the pallet openings. Engaging the pallet and base can position the base protrusions in the pallet openings. Positioning the base protrusions in the pallet openings can displace the mobile drive unit features from the pallet openings and/or provide a surface upon which the mobile drive unit can navigate.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of an eye comprises a source of pulsed laser radiation, and a control device for controlling a focus of the laser radiation to generate an incision figure. The incision figure defines a corneal flap, a first auxiliary channel and a second auxiliary channel. The corneal flap is connected to adjoining corneal tissue in a hinge region, and has a flap underside parted-off from adjoining corneal tissue by a bed incision. The first auxiliary channel extends from the hinge region to an outer surface of the eye and is adapted to remove gases that develop during the generation of the bed incision. The second auxiliary channel extends along an edge of the bed incision, is connected to the first auxiliary channel, and extends beyond the hinge region. The control device is configured to generate the second auxiliary channel prior to the bed incision.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for palate or tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the palate or tongue, are also described.

Abstract: A sensing device for determining the presence of hydrogen peroxide is disclosed. The sensing device comprises a light guide having a distal portion terminating at a light guide tip and a proximal portion, wherein the light guide tip is proximal to a layer of Prussian blue (PB), which is pure (or essentially free of contaminants). The sensing device produces a fast linear response and is durable, due to the robustness and purity of the PB. The PB is chemically deposited proximal to, or on, the light guide tip using a single-source precursor technique. Methods of making and using the device also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An inventory system includes a pallet and a base for palletizing or unpalletizing a mobile drive unit. The pallet has a set of openings corresponding with features of the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit features may extend into the pallet openings. The base includes protrusions corresponding to the pallet openings. Engaging the pallet and base can position the base protrusions in the pallet openings. Positioning the base protrusions in the pallet openings can displace the mobile drive unit features from the pallet openings and/or provide a surface upon which the mobile drive unit can navigate.

Abstract: In monitoring the machine space of a processing machine during the throughput of workpieces in order to detect workpieces that got stuck, the rear end of a workpiece with reference to the transport direction generates a start signal in the inlet region of the machine space, as well as an end signal in the outlet region thereof by sensors that are connected to a control unit. Beginning with the start signal, the control unit detects a feature that characterizes a theoretical feed travel and generates a release signal if the value of the detected characteristic feature has reached at the time, at which the end signal is generated, a predefined limiting value and not yet exceeded a predefined upper limiting value or if the end signal is generated at a time, at which the value of the detected characteristic feature has reached the predefined limiting value and not yet exceeded the upper limiting value.

Abstract: A valve assembly able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing having a passageway that extends through the housing; a breather float valve mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet, forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A heater cable produces a substantially level voltage across its cross-section, providing a uniform and controllable thermal output along its length. The heater cable includes at least one center bus wire extending axially along a central axis of the heater cable, and at least one radial bus wire extending axially through the heating cable and positioned adjacent to the center bus wire. The heater cable further includes a thermally and electrically conductive interstitial material disposed around the at least one center bus wire and the at least one radial bus wire, and a jacket disposed about the interstitial material, the at least one center bus wire, and the at least one radial bus wire.

Abstract: A method for conducting a blackjack-style card game in which: a) a dealer accepting an ante wager on a round of blackjack at a player position; b) the dealer accepting a second wager on a side bet game based solely on first two cards in a player hand; c) the dealer providing exactly two random playing cards to a player position and exactly two random cards to a dealer position, with one dealer position card positioned with its face up for viewing, and d) the dealer determines if the exactly two first cards at a player position where the second wager on a side bet has been accepted to determine if the exactly two first cards at a player position contain an Ace and a non-10 value playing card and awards a bonus amount according to a paytable when the exactly two first cards at a player position contain an Ace and a non-10 value playing card.

Abstract: A method performs play of a side bet wagering playing card game by: a dealer receiving a side bet wager at a player position; the dealer providing exactly two playing cards to the player position; the side bet wager is resolved by the dealer on the basis of: a) if neither of the exactly two cards at the player position include at least one playing card of a predetermined specific rank, the dealer collects the side bet wager from the player position; b) if either of the exactly two cards at the player position include at least one playing card of a predetermined specific rank, the dealer makes a payout to the player position according to odds provided from a paytable. A preferred method has the side bet wager used on the first two cards at a player position in blackjack, baccarat or 2-card poker.

Abstract: A side bet wager for a blackjack game include an opportunity to not only win the blackjack hand, but also to win additional amounts on the side bets. The blackjack hand may be split into a first hand and a second hand, with bonus wagers available on each or both hands. The player wins if a particular range of cards, such as 2-7 or 9-Ace are dealt to a particular one of the first hand and the second hand.