Abstract: An embodiment provides an apparatus, including: a cartridge including a base and a lid; at least one fluid line located between the base and the lid of the cartridge; at least one heating element located either on the base or the lid and aligned in intimate contact with the at least one fluid line; at least one heat sensing element in intimate contact with the at least one fluid line, where the at least one heat sensing element is spaced downstream from the at least one heating element; a supply of power to the cartridge; and a processor in electrical communication with the cartridge that executes a program of instructions to: operate the at least one heating element to produce heating of the at least one fluid line at a first position; and operate the at least one heat sensing element to detect the heat of a fluid within the at least one fluid line at a position downstream of the first position. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by a first hop router (FHR) and from a source device, multicast stream data associated with a multicast stream, sending, from the FHR and to a rendezvous point (RP) using a Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) protocol, one or more null register messages that are each associated with the multicast stream. Each of the one or more null register messages includes a source address and a group address that are collectively associated with the multicast stream, and each of the one or more null register messages further includes an indication to request that the RP refrain from sending any register-stop messages associated with the multicast stream to the FHR. The example method further includes, after sending the one or more null register messages that are each associated with the multicast stream, sending, to the RP, the multicast stream data in a non-encapsulated format.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by a first hop router (FHR) and from a source device, multicast stream data associated with a multicast stream, sending, from the FHR and to a rendezvous point (RP) using a Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) protocol, one or more null register messages that are each associated with the multicast stream. Each of the one or more null register messages includes a source address and a group address that are collectively associated with the multicast stream, and each of the one or more null register messages further includes an indication to request that the RP refrain from sending any register-stop messages associated with the multicast stream to the FHR. The example method further includes, after sending the one or more null register messages that are each associated with the multicast stream, sending, to the RP, the multicast stream data in a non-encapsulated format.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing telephony services via a set-top box. A provider telephony services system executes an authentication procedure to authenticate a set-top box associated with a user account. Subsequently, the set-top box receives a data stream representing a voicemail associated with the user account, wherein the data stream is selectively transcoded in real-time for delivery to the set-top box.

Abstract: A message synchronization demarcation method includes: a backup board receives a message of an opposite terminal from an interface board; the message is copied to a main board; the main board processes the message, copies it to the backup board through the buffer unit and transmits the data. Also a message synchronization demarcation system is provided. The data backup between the main board and the backup board is performed through the buffer area without occupying the transport layer resource, so the data flux of communication channels is reduced, the payload is lowered, and the backup steps of messages between the main board and the backup board is simplified. Using the present disclosure, the received message can be demarcated, and the accuracy of message transmission is further improved.

Abstract: A message synchronization demarcation method includes: a backup board receives a message of an opposite terminal from an interface board; the message is copied to a main board; the main board processes the message, copies it to the backup board through the buffer unit and transmits the data. Also a message synchronization demarcation system is provided. The data backup between the main board and the backup board is performed through the buffer area without occupying the transport layer resource, so the data flux of communication channels is reduced, the payload is lowered, and the backup steps of messages between the main board and the backup board is simplified. Using the present disclosure, the received message can be demarcated, and the accuracy of message transmission is further improved.

Abstract: An implantable fluid shunting apparatus having a tube and a shunt tip attached to the tube end, that tapers towards the end of the shunt tip, a tip lumen extending through the shunt tip in fluid communication with the tube lumen, wherein the tip lumen has a closed end, and has a wall that comprises laser-ablatable material such that an opening can be formed through the wall and into the tip lumen using laser energy on an outer surface of the shunt tip. The shunt tip may consist essentially of the laser-ablatable material; the tube end is attached to an implantable diffusion chamber and the laser-ablatable material may be polypropylene. The tube and the shunt tip may be a one-piece completely integral unit or may be of separate bodies fitted together frictionally adhesively, thermally or chemically welded to the tube.