Abstract: A system uses reduced pressure to provide a therapeutic force to a person's breast area. The system includes a dressing assembly shaped and configured to be placed on the breast area, a releaseable circumferential connector for holding the dressing assembly against at least a portion of the breast area, and a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the dressing assembly against a person's epidermis. The system may further include a reduced-pressure subsystem for providing reduced pressure to the dressing assembly. When reduced pressure is supplied, the system generates a force against at least a portion of the breast area of the person. The dressing assembly may be formed as a brassiere having a first cup and a second cup formed from a bolster material.

Abstract: In a method of treating a gas exhausted from a process chamber, the exhaust gas is conveyed to a vacuum pump (20) and a nitrogen purge gas is added to the exhaust gas for pumping with the exhaust gas. Gas exhaust from the pump is conveyed to an abatement device (28) for abating the exhaust gas. The amount of purge gas added to the exhaust gas is adjusted in response to a variation of the composition of the exhaust gas, or the composition of the gas supplied to the process chamber, to optimise the abatement of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An oil pre-heating apparatus for an aircraft gas turbine has a suction line 2 connectable to an oil tank 1 of an aircraft gas turbine, with a heat source 3 connected to the suction line 2 and operated independently of the aircraft and with a return line 4 connected to the heat source 3 and connectable to the oil tank 1.

Abstract: A magnetic sifter is adapted for manipulation of biological cells by providing a greater pore density at the edge of the sifter than at the center. Application of an external magnetic field to the sifter causes high magnetic fields and field gradients at the sifter pores. These conditions are suitable for capturing magnetically tagged or labeled cells at the sifter pores. Altering the external magnetic field can provide controlled capture and/or release of magnetically labeled cells from the sifter pores. The purpose of having a greater pore density at the periphery of the sifter than at the center is to provide improved flow rate uniformity through the sifter. Such flow rate uniformity is advantageous for cell quantification.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating task times for a project. A project estimating system is disclosed that allocates time to a list of tasks, comprising: a system for determining a total project time to complete a project; and a time allocation system that generates a task time for each task based on the total project time and an estimating factor associated with each task, wherein the time allocation system includes an iterative algorithm that iteratively calculates an adjustment factor to be applied to each task. Finally, the calculated adjustment factor can be compared against preset levels and provide an indication of project risk and the likelihood that the project will complete on time.

Abstract: A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing interference between wireless terminals communicating in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). Interference is reduced by dividing the MANET into a number of geographical areas having a specific size and shape. Each geographical area is assigned a time slot during which wireless terminals located in the respective geographical area may transmit to other wireless terminals. The time slots are assigned such that geographical areas having the same time slot are far enough away from each other that wireless terminals located in such same time slot geographical areas are outside the interference range of each other.

Abstract: A cavity drill is provided, which is configured for use with a bone drill. The cavity drill includes a body. The bone drill has a first portion movably connected to a second portion. A third portion is movably connected to the second portion. The body is mounted with the third portion of the bone drill. A sheath extends from the third portion to a distal end. A curette is connected with the distal end of the bone drill. The curette is composed of retractable cutting tines/blades which are turned/powered by the bone drill motor. The curette tines can be used in a partially or fully deployed state and at low or high speed. The curette is designed to create cavities of varying size in a bone. The cavity drill and the bone drill may include a radiation protection guard and radiolucent portions. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction system and method for reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions comprising a boiler producing flue gas emissions, a particulate control device receiving flue gas emissions from the boiler, a selective catalytic reduction unit (SCR) receiving flue gas emissions from the particulate control device and reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and a heat exchanger located downstream of the selective catalytic reduction unit (SCR) for removing heat from the flue gas for preheating at least one of boiler feed water and combustion air for the boiler.

Abstract: A molded lamp socket. The molded lamp socket includes a lamp base body defining a socket cavity with an opening for receiving a lamp bulb. The molded lamp socket also includes a lead extending from a first contact portion disposed in the socket cavity to a second contact portion spaced from the socket cavity. The molded lamp socket also includes a mounting body defining a plug cavity encircling the second contact portion. The mounting body is overmolded with respect to the lamp base body and less than all of the lead, the second contact portion being exposed. The lamp base body is formed from a first plastic with a first level of resistance to out-gassing and the mounting body is formed from a second plastic with a second level of resistance to out-gassing less than the first level of out-gassing.

Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.

Abstract: A non-contact biometric sensing device is described. The device includes a processing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the processing device, a display communicatively coupled to the processing device, a laser doppler vibrometer sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device, and an infrared camera communicatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to utilize mechanical motion data received from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and thermal distributions data from the infrared camera to calculate biometric data, when signals originating from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and the infrared camera are reflected back towards the device from a target.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for replacing segments or portions of a media file that was received via adaptive streaming or other transfer mechanism, to obtain a media file for local storage and further playback as if it came from a download. This maximizes the experience of both instant viewing and delayed viewing, and additionally provides a capability to extend the viewing experience to in-home streaming and copying to other devices. Accordingly, there is provided herein a capability to take advantage of adaptive streaming to provide a highly reliable mechanism for consumers to view media in real-time transmission, and also to obtain a resultant, locally stored media file of high quality. There is further provided herein a capability to obtain complete copies of media at different quality levels. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention facilitate adaptive streaming and copying within the home environment.

Abstract: A reverse current comparator for use in switching regulators includes a differential stage configured to encode the difference in voltage between an N and a P input. The differential stage feeds one or more gain stages. At least one of the gain stages includes one or more hysteresis devices. When the voltage of the N input exceeds the voltage of the P input by a predetermined margin, the hysteresis device causes the regulator to enter a triggered state in which it outputs a non-zero output voltage. Subsequent changes to the N and P inputs do not change the regulator output until a RESET input is asserted and which point the regulator enters a reset state and is ready to be triggered.

Abstract: A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.

Abstract: A folded, substantially wedge shaped pack useful for holding thin, elongate products such as tobacco sticks includes a back panel, inner front panel, top panel and front closure panel, the front closure panel including a tab at a free end thereof engageable with a closure slot in the inner front panel. The closure tab slides into the closure slot by sliding along a bearing surface and the top panel establishes a raised fulcrum effect which tends to maintain the closure tab in the closure slot when the pack is in a closed condition.

Abstract: A device for emitting volatile compositions comprising a capillary element, a channel in fluid communication with the capillary element, an emitting orifice having a forward tilt from about +5 degrees to less than about +90 degrees, and a decoupled piezoelectric actuator for emitting the volatile composition through the emitting orifice. In some embodiments, the device is a plug-in air freshener and reduces surface deposition and improves scent noticeability through improved containment of perfumes during the rest period.

Abstract: A spur gear differential (1) having a first sun (3) and a second sun (5), wherein the first sun (3) is associated with a first set of planetary gears (7) and the second sun (5) is associated with a second set of planetary gears (9), and the first set of planetary gears (7) engages with the second set of planetary gears (9). The number of teeth (11) of the first sun (3) are equal to the number of teeth (12) of the second sun (5), and the teeth (11) of the first sun (3) are disposed by a profile shift on a crown circle (2) having a crown circle diameter (DK1) that differs from the crown circle diameter (DK2) of a crown circle on which the teeth (12) of the second sun (5) are disposed. The first set of planetary gears (7) engages only with the first sun (3) and the second set of planetary gears (9) engages only with the second sun (5).