Abstract: The present invention provides a central core element for separator assemblies useful in the purification of fluids, for example separator assemblies useful for the desalination of seawater. The central core element provided by the present invention comprises at least two porous exhaust conduits wherein each porous exhaust conduit comprises an exhaust channel and one or more openings which allow fluid communication between an exterior surface of the porous exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel. The central core element defines a cavity into which may be disposed a first portion of a membrane stack assembly. In the preparation of a separator assembly comprising the central core element provided by the present invention, a second portion of the membrane stack assembly forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element. Also provided are central core elements for salt separator assemblies and spiral flow reverse osmosis devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separator assembly comprising a central core element comprising at least two permeate exhaust conduits and not comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit; and a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least two permeate carrier layers, and at least two membrane layers, the membrane layers being disposed between the feed carrier layer and the permeate carrier layers; wherein the permeate exhaust conduits are separated by a first portion of the membrane stack assembly, and wherein a second portion of the membrane stack assembly forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element, and wherein the feed carrier layer is not in contact with a permeate exhaust conduit, and wherein the permeate carrier layers are in contact with at least one permeate exhaust conduit. Also provided are salt separator assemblies and spiral flow reverse osmosis devices.

Abstract: A separator assembly is provided comprising a membrane stack assembly comprising a feed carrier layer, a permeate carrier layer, and a membrane layer, and a central core element comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit and a permeate exhaust conduit; wherein the concentrate exhaust conduit and the permeate exhaust conduit are separated by a first portion of the membrane stack assembly; and wherein a second portion of the membrane stack assembly forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element; and wherein the feed carrier layer is in contact with the concentrate exhaust conduit and not in contact with the permeate exhaust conduit; and wherein the permeate carrier layer is in contact with the permeate exhaust conduit and not in contact with the concentrate exhaust conduit; and wherein the permeate carrier layer does not form an outer surface of the separator assembly.

Abstract: This application describes method of treating dementia and cognitive deficits associated with dementia that involve administration of dihydrotetrabenazine, and isomers and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a receiver for receiving a multi-band DMT signal. The receiver includes a plurality of demodulators, each demodulator having a discrete Fourier transform and being provided to demodulate a respective one of a plurality of bands in the multi-band signal, the multi-band signal being modulated in an inverse discrete Fourier transform. A method of demodulating a multi-band signal is also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a receiver for receiving a multi-band DMT signal. The receiver includes a plurality of demodulators, each demodulator having a discrete Fourier transform and being provided to demodulate a respective one of a plurality of bands in the multi-band signal, the multi-band signal being modulated in an inverse discrete Fourier transform. A method of demodulating a multi-band signal is also provided.

Abstract: An activatable pump is provided. The pump includes a piston in slideable communication with an inner surface of a cylinder, which has a first end and a second end. A first control valve and a second control valve are in physical communication with the first end of the cylinder. The first control valve and the second control valve are in fluid communication with the piston. Either the first control valve or the second control valve is not a check valve. A first check valve and a second check valve are in physical communication with the second end of the cylinder. The first check valve and the second check valve are in fluid communication with the piston. A pressure controller communicates with the piston to control an amount of force by or on the piston. A method and an energy recovery apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a receiver for receiving a multi-band DMT signal. The receiver includes a plurality of demodulators, each demodulator having a discrete Fourier transform and being provided to demodulate a respective one of a plurality of bands in the multi-band signal, the multi-band signal being modulated in an inverse discrete Fourier transform. A method of demodulating a multi-band signal is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing instructions relating respectively to different forms of financial instruments. In one example, a system comprises an interface configured to receive instructions relating to at least two different forms of financial instruments. The system also comprises a plurality of processors each configured to apply a respective set of pre-settlement rules to instructions relating to financial instruments of a respective form.

Abstract: A device (100) that includes a communications port (130), a first processor (135), at least a second processor (140), and a multiplexer (105). The multiplexer can selectively communicatively link the communications port to the first processor or the second processor. The multiplexer can include at least one switch (110, 115) and a switch controller (120) that controls operation of the switch. The switch controller can be responsive to at least one control signal (125) generated by the first processor. The first processor can generate the control signal in response to a command received from an external device (155) connected to the communications port. The command can be an attention command or a test software command. The switch controller also can be responsive to at least one control signal generated by the second processor.

Abstract: A connector for a bracket including a male adapter and a female adapter is provided. The male adapter includes a first base structure and a neck structure protruding out of the base structure and is disposed on a surface to be clamped. The neck structure includes multiple first lobes extending radially outward from the neck structure. The first lobes include a first mating surface contour on a bottom surface. The female adapter includes a second base structure. The second base structure includes multiple second lobes made of a flexible material. The second base structure also includes a second mating surface contour on a top surface and is configured to fit into said first mating surface contour thereby deforming said multiple second lobes to induce a clamping force between a shoulder of said female adapter and a surface of a bracket.

Abstract: Nozzles having variable geometry are disclosed that are comprised of a plurality of vanes that contact one another and can slide with respect to one another. A control element forces the vanes to slide, with contacting sides of the vanes defining an inner flow path through which a fluid may pass. The vanes may be self-similar or different from one another to define the desired geometries of the opening in the nozzles. The vanes may be configured to provide convergent, divergent and convergent-divergent nozzles for a range of applications.

Abstract: A hierarchical structure is provided. The hierarchical structure includes object items (301-306) for objects (101-106) located in the hierarchical structure, each object item (301-306) having a name and a link (321-326). The hierarchical structure also includes node items (311-314) each having a name of a hierarchical path name. A node item (311-314) is provided for each unique path name in the hierarchical structure and the link (321-326) of an object item (301-306) links to a single node item (311-314) having the hierarchical path name of the object (101-106).

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique in which any peaks above a threshold level are reduced, but not clipped, such that the effects of such peaks is reduced. Although the implementation of the technique preferably includes a clipping step, it is performed on the front-end rather than as the last step in the technique, such that the output signal is not a clipped signal. Any noise introduced by the clipping step, so-called clipping noise, is preferably filtered out of the useful frequency band of the signal.

Abstract: A transient suppression device for limiting to desirable levels current and energy entering a fuel tank of an aircraft over interface wiring that penetrates a wall of the fuel tank comprises: an elongated, hollow, conductive housing capped at one end and open at another end, the housing being disposed external and in proximity to the fuel tank, and supported physically from a structure of the aircraft; a transient suppression circuit disposed within the housing and connected in series with the interface wiring; and a shield braid of conductive material disposed over the open end of the housing and covering the interface wiring over the distance between the housing and tank wall, the shield braid electrically coupling the housing to the tank wall. A method of packaging the transient suppression device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Liquid flow devices, particularly microfluidic devices, containing solid porous materials. Flow in the devices can be pressure-driven flow and/or electroosmotic flow. The porous materials are preferably pre-shaped, for example divided from a sheet of porous material, so that they can be assembled with liquid-impermeable barrier materials around them. The devices can for example be prepared by lamination. A wide variety of devices, including mixing devices, is disclosed. A mixing device is illustrated in FIG. 23.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique in which any peaks above a threshold level are reduced, but not clipped, such that the effects of such peaks is reduced. Although the implementation of the technique preferably includes a clipping step, it is performed on the front-end rather than as the last step in the technique, such that the output signal is not a clipped signal. Any noise introduced by the clipping step, so-called clipping noise, is preferably filtered out of the useful frequency band of the signal.

Abstract: A method for making an HDI circuit including backside connections uses parylene as a protective coating. The method includes the steps of: procuring an insulating substrate including an active chip which has exposed electrical or thermal connection(s) on the rear surface thereof, applying a parylene coating to the exposed connections to protect the connections; performing additional HDI interconnect processing steps as desired on the front surface of the substrate; selectively removing a portion of the parylene coating to expose at least a portion of a connection; and making electrical connection to the exposed backside connections by application of a conductive material in its liquid state to the removed regions. The parylene coating is removed by an excimer laser. The step of making electrical connection to the backside electrical connections may be performed by application of solder, or conductive epoxy in its liquid state.

Abstract: A method for designing, and optionally making, an article of manufacture. Customer requirement parameters are defined and related engineering parameters are chosen. A parametric geometrical representation (i.e., a master model) of the article is created in terms of geometric parameters using a computer program. A design analysis methodology is crated and programmed into a computer code and stored on a computer medium such that the engineering parameters and the customer requirement parameters are program inputs and the geometric parameters of the master model are program outputs. Specific values of the inputs are inputted into the computer code. The computer code is run on a digital computer and specific values of the geometric parameters of the master model are outputted.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft includes a cylindrical housing, and a plurality of elastomeric bearing sections disposed within the housing. The bearing sections are bonded to the housing by first applying a pattern of alternating parallel lines of adhesive to the inner diameter of the housing, installing the bearing sections, and inflating an airbag within the housing to thereby apply a uniform radial pressure to the inside of the housing while the adhesive cures.