Abstract: A coupling for connection of a tube comprises a coupling housing which includes a first end into which the tube is inserted, a clamping ring which is positioned in the coupling housing against a first conical surface, a sealing ring which is positioned in the coupling housing, and a return ring which is positioned in the coupling housing between the clamping ring and a second end of the housing adjacent a second conical surface that is tapered opposite to the first conical surface. The return ring is expandable and comprises a central aperture which is smaller than the external diameter of the tube. Accordingly, when the tube is pushed into the coupling housing and forced through the return ring, the return ring will expand and move along the second conical surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser transmitter capable of being configured to transmit one of a plurality of wavelengths. Specifically, the laser transmitter may be reconfigured using the resonance passbands of a tunable microresonator coupled with a fixed grating.

Abstract: A method to determine transaction distribution among a plurality of transaction processing systems may include calculating estimated handling resources for each of the plurality of transaction processing systems based upon measured actual handling resources and identified scheduled handling resources. Transaction allocations may be determined for each of the transaction processing systems based upon the estimated handling resources.

Abstract: A data signal is modulated onto an optical carrier, sub-band channels are then removed therefrom by microresonators, and each data sub-band channel is then combined in a detector with a corresponding local oscillator optical signal removed by a microresonator from a frequency comb modulated onto another optical carrier.

Abstract: Display device based on layer break up or layer displacement having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids (5) e.g oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate (3) and in the second state the other fluid (6) at least partly adjoins the first support plate. In one embodiment a picture element corresponds to a substantially closed space and in the first state the other fluid layer substantially completely adjoins both support plates and is divided in two sub-layers. This makes it possible on the one hand to use lower voltages to make displacement occur. On the other hand this opens the opportunity to color displays.

Abstract: An architecture that enables one to realize a FIR transversal filter with apodized, interlaced bipolar tap coefficients (an). The tap coefficients, an, are varied via the control of the optical powers emitted by an array of WDM laser sources. Also, a filter architecture where tap coefficients can be agilely reconfigured in both polarity and magnitude. One chirped fiber-grating may be used to implement a series of wavelength-dependent tap-weights. The filter designs can be utilized to eliminate the low-pass response centered at DC, allowing one to place the center frequency (fc)1 of the first passband at a targeted intermediate frequency (IF).

Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized Fc variants, methods for their generation, and antibodies and Fc fusions comprising optimized Fc variants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing customer service request allocations based upon real-time data and forecast data, calculates estimated handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems based upon actual handling resources and scheduled handling resources. Customer service transaction workloads are forecasted for the handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems. Then, customer service request allocations are determined using estimated handling resources and the forecasted customer service transaction workload.

Abstract: A tool for pulling a valve stem and removing the valve core of a Schrader-type pneumatic valve includes an elongate flexible shaft having opposite end portions and a handle affixed to one end portion and a valve-core engaging member including a threaded rear portion and an unthreaded forked front portion for cooperating with a flat member of a Schrader-type valve core for rotating the core to remove it from the valve. The threaded rear portion is threadable into interior threads of the valve when the core has been removed for allowing a user of the tool to pull the valve through a wheel rim opening. The front forked portion of the valve-core engaging member includes a recess formed therein for accommodating a plunger of a Schrader-type valve therein to allow the forked portion to be positioned over the plunger in the valve to provide for engagement of the cooperating forked portion of the valve core.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article having a photoresponsive surface, said article comprising a substrate having photoionisable moieties capable of undergoing dimerization attached to at least a portion of a surface thereof, the proximity of said moieties to one another being such that irradiation with light of an appropriate wavelength results in dimerization of at least a portion of said moieties thereby altering the wettability of the surface. Methods of preparing a substrate having a photoresistive surface and methods for altering the wettability of a surface of a substrate are also included.

Abstract: A burner assembly for a radiant burner includes a burner tube structure in the form of an elongated burner conduit having spaced inlet and outlet ends. The conduit is adapted and arranged for directing a fuel lean gaseous mixture comprising a portion of the total fluid fuel to be combusted and oxygen therealong from the inlet end to the outlet end. The assembly also includes a main burner nozzle at the outlet end of the conduit, which nozzle has a central axis, a wall extending around a centrally located chamber therein, and a downstream end spaced from the outlet end of the conduit. The main burner nozzle is arranged and adapted for receiving the mixture from the conduit in the chamber and redirecting the same through a plurality of apertures in the wall and into a combustion zone in a direction transverse to the axis and at a velocity which is greater than the flame speed of the gaseous mixture.

Abstract: A burner arrangement includes a venturi cluster including a plurality of venturis arranged for parallel flow. The multi venturi arrangement utilizing pressurized fuel as the inducing fluid to induce a flow of air enables the provision of an ultra fuel lean premix of fuel and air. A central burner tube which extends outwardly beyond the delivery end of a primary burner tip and mounts a relatively small capacity nozzle at a substantial distance from the delivery end of the burner tip enabling the ultra fuel lean mixture to expand and slow down such that its linear speed does not exceed the flame speed of the mixture prior to by the flame of the spaced nozzle. A deflector may be positioned adjacent the nozzle to assist in stabilizing the flame after the expansion and slowing process has been completed.

Abstract: A burner arrangement includes a venturi cluster including a plurality of venturis arranged for parallel flow. The multi venturi arrangement utilizing pressurized fuel as the inducing fluid to induce a flow of air enables the provision of an ultra fuel lean premix of fuel and air. A central burner tube which extends outwardly beyond the delivery end of a primary burner tip and mounts a relatively small capacity nozzle at a substantial distance from the delivery end of the burner tip enabling the ultra fuel lean mixture to expand and slow down such that its linear speed does not exceed the flame speed of the mixture prior to by the flame of the spaced nozzle. A deflector may be positioned adjacent the nozzle to assist in stabilizing the flame after the expansion and slowing process has been completed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus provide an application program user with remote interactive assistance from an application program expert. During running the application program, an information collection routine collects the information needed by the application program expert for the remote interactive assistance. In response to an assistance request, a call routine dials an application program expert based on the name of the application program, an information transfer routine transmits the collected information to the application program expert, and a display routine displays the collected information to the application program expert. The application program expert provides remote interactive assistance to the user based on the collected information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing customer service request allocations based upon real-time data and forecast data, calculates estimated handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems based upon actual handling resources and scheduled handling resources. Customer service transaction workloads are forecasted for the handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems. Then, customer service request allocations are determined using estimated handling resources and the forecasted customer service transaction workload.

Abstract: Low NOx axial premix burner apparatus and methods for burning fuel gas are provided by the present invention. The methods of the invention are basically comprised of the steps of mixing a first portion of the fuel gas and all of the air to form a lean primary fuel gas-air mixture, discharging the lean primary fuel gas-air mixture into the furnace space whereby the mixture is burned in a primary combustion zone therein, discharging a second portion of the fuel gas into the primary combustion zone to stabilize the flame produced therein and discharging the remaining portion of the fuel gas into a secondary combustion zone in the furnace space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing staffing-based percentage-allocation routing using real-time data. According to one aspect of the present invention, transaction allocation is determined using both scheduled and actual handling resources. Actual handling resources associated with each of several transaction processing systems, such as automatic call distributors (ACDs), are measured at times t and t+n. Scheduled handling resources associated with each of the transaction processing systems for times t and t+n are also identified. Then, estimated handling resources are calculated for each of the transaction processing systems for time t+n based upon the actual handling resources and the scheduled handling resources. Finally, based upon the estimated handling resources, transaction allocations for each of the transaction processing systems are determined. According to another aspect of the present invention, a virtual call center is provided.

Abstract: A metering system provides a measuring level with multiple meters and a collection level with multiple collectors. Each meter periodically measures a parameter, such as electricity consumption, and stores measurement information. Each meter periodically transmits its stored measurement information to a collector by a wireless signal. When a collector receives a transmission, it determines which meter sent the transmission, and then extracts unprocessed measurement information. The collector then processes the measurement information to generate a metered function, such as a load profile, a time-of-use profile, or a demand profile. The collector can compensate for missed transmissions and power failures. The metered functions for each meter are transmitted from the collectors to a monitoring station.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of protein design automation (P DA) to generate computationally prescreened secondary libraries of proteins, and to methods and compositions utilizing the libraries.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article having a photoresponsive surface, said article comprising a substrate having photoionisable moieties capable of undergoing dimerization attached to at least a portion of a surface thereof, the proximity of said moieties to one another being such that irradiation with light of an appropriate wavelength results in dimerization of at least a portion of said moieties thereby altering the wettability of the surface. Methods of preparing a substrate having a photoresistive surface and methods for altering the wettability of a surface of a substrate are also included.