Abstract: The system and method described herein relates to managing multiple network device connections, collecting event source data from one or more network devices with one or more collectors, filtering the event source data, continuously monitoring the network device connections, controlling raw data collection from the one or more network devices, parsing the event source data into normalized data structures, and managing configurations for the collectors, among other things. Event sources may be physical or logical network devices distributed across a network, including but not limited to, firewalls, routers, biometric devices, mainframes, databases, and applications. The network devices may be sources from which the collectors may receive or request the event source data.

Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Model-based production control systems and methods are presented for constructing plans for controlling operation of a production system with a plant having a plurality of resources to achieve one or more production goals, in which a planner constructs plans for execution in the plant based on production goals while balancing both production objectives (e.g., production cost, production time) and diagnostic objectives (e.g., diagnostic cost, information gained, repair cost), and a diagnosis engine determines a current plant condition based on a previously executed plan and corresponding observations from the plant, and provides expected information gain data to the planner, with the planner generating a plan that will achieve a given production goal and is improved for one or more diagnostic objectives and the expected information gain data.

Abstract: A locking automobile mat hanger and display device consists of two hanger housings that cooperate with an interchangeable adapter insert to secure a plurality of automobile floor mats. The device includes housings having a retaining portion and an adapter insert, whereby the adapter insert and the retaining portion of the housing create channels in which automobile floor mats may be inserted and retained. The device also has a cutout section in the housings whereby a user may easily grasp and carry the entire mat hanger assembly. The device further contains a hook section disposed on the housings, which allows for the entire mat hanger assembly to be hung from retail displays, and also allows for efficient storage. The label application section of the hanger aids inventory organization.

Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for solving a target value search problem using a multi-interval heuristic are presented. The methods and system identity a path, or paths, in a graph, whereby a connection graph is created and range sets are generated for each vertex in the connection graph. Range sets include one or more intervals. Thereafter, a best search is performed to identify a path, or paths, from a starting vertex to a goal vertex having a path value closest to a target value.

Abstract: A method for determining a target path for a model-based control system. The model-based control system includes a directed acyclic graph, where the directed acyclic graph includes a plurality of vertices interconnected by a plurality of edges. The method includes the steps of performing a depth-first search of the directed acyclic graph for the target path. The depth-first search is operative to return an explicit solution or an implicit solution, wherein the implicit solution is determined using a heuristic. The method further includes determining if the depth-first search returned an explicit solution or an implicit solution, and if the depth-first search returned an implicit solution, constructing the target path from the implicit solution. The method may further include constructing a pattern database.

Abstract: A rolling pin with an adjustable offset for flattening or rolling out dough at a consistent thickness. The adjustable offset rolling pin includes a rolling pin body; a removable offset system for maintaining the rolling pin body a predetermined distance above a surface; a locking system for temporarily maintaining the offset system adjacent the rolling pin body; and a triggering mechanism for disengaging the locking system during the addition or removal of the offset system. More specifically, the adjustable offset rolling pin includes a rolling pin body; a plurality of end caps partially received by the rolling pin body; a plurality of handles adapted for engagement with the end caps; a plurality of push-buttons partially received within the handles; a plurality of offset discs configured to engage the end caps; and an offset disc holder adapted to store the plurality of offset discs during non-use.

Abstract: An in-vivo dose detector (41) for an HDR brachytherapy system (1; 31), wherein the detector is insertable into and movable through a catheter (15), and comprises a sensor (53) operable to detect radiation from a source (52) used to irradiate a tissue to be treated (9) in the course of an HDR brachytherapy treatment. A brachytherapy system and a method of dose monitoring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system utilizing a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) as a remote controlled protection device includes: a sensor adapted to detect a problem in the load; a switch adapted to generate an electrical signal when the sensor detects the problem; and an electrical interconnection adapted to provide the electrical signal to the ground fault circuit interrupter. In response to the electrical signal, the ground fault circuit interrupter initiates the trip function, thereby protecting the load.

Abstract: An adjustable measuring device for measuring contents, such as liquids and granulated solids, having a usable volume for measuring. The adjustable measuring device includes a housing, a platform having a lower position and an upper position, and an adjusting system for moving the platform between the lower position and the upper position. When the platform is in the lower position, the usable volume is maximized. When the platform is in the upper position, the usable volume is minimized. The adjusting system comprises a restraint system adapted to maintain the platform between the lower position and the upper position. Also, the adjusting system comprises a discrete locking system adapted to temporarily lock the platform into a plurality of predetermined positions, which represent discrete usable volumes. By applying a first adjusting force, the platform moves toward the upper position. By applying a second adjusting force, the platform moves toward the lower position.

Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for making a composition comprising active particles comprising an active substance comprises the steps of a) providing an emulsion having a dispersed phase comprising a solution of the active substance in a solvent and b) inducing the formation, in the emulsion, of solid particles comprising the active substance. The particles may be isolated from the emulsion. Active particles having a normalized kurtosis of at least 5 and a mean diameter of less than 100 ?m are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for constructing production plans to achieve one or more production goals, in which a diagnosis engine determines the production plant condition based on a previously executed plan, observations from the plant, and a plant model, and formulates a heuristic based on a diagnostic objective, and with a planner to performing a partial-plan search using the heuristic to construct the plans that will concurrently achieve at least one production goal and facilitate the diagnostic objective.

Abstract: Model-based production control systems and methods are presented for constructing plans for controlling operation of a production system with a plant having a plurality of resources to achieve one or more production goals, in which a planner constructs plans for execution in the plant based on production goals while balancing both production objectives (e.g., production cost, production time) and diagnostic objectives (e.g., diagnostic cost, information gained, repair cost), and a diagnosis engine determines a current plant condition based on a previously executed plan and corresponding observations from the plant, and provides expected information gain data to the planner, with the planner generating a plan that will achieve a given production goal and is improved for one or more diagnostic objectives and the expected information gain data.

Abstract: Production control systems and methods are presented for estimation of production resource failure probabilities in which a set of four count values are maintained and updated for each resource including a first count value m11 indicating a number of plans where the resource m was used and failed, a second count value m10 indicating a number of plans where the resource m was used and succeeded, a third count value m01 indicating a number of plans where the resource m was not used and failed, and a fourth count value m00 indicating a number of plans where the resource m was not used and succeeded, and the current fault probability for each resource is estimated and stored for single or multiple, persistent or intermittent faults based on the corresponding count values.

Abstract: Target value search methods and systems are presented for solving a target value path problem to identify a path or paths in a graph in which a connection graph is created and upper and lower bound values are determined for each node in the connection graph, and a first best search is performed to identify a path or paths from a starting node to a goal node having a path value closest to the target value.

Abstract: A paving system includes a machine having a plurality of ground-engaging elements and a frame. The machine may be a paving machine having a receiver configured to receive electronic data indicative of a non-uniformity in a substrate within a region to be paved with a mat of paving material. The paving system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control compactor interaction with the mat of material according to a mat smoothness criterion, including controlling compactor interaction with the mat of material in response to data, such as screed control data, indicative of the non-uniformity in the substrate.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical formulation for delivery in aerosol or spray form, comprising a liquefied propellant gas, a solid particulate pharmaceutically active agent and a dispersing agent, wherein the dispersing agent is fused to the surface of particles of the pharmaceutically active agent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a donation computing device is configured to receive donations from donors and to allot to the donor a quantity of donation indications that may be included in electronic communications transmitted by the donor. The allotted number of donation indications may be based at least partly on a donation amount received from the donor and/or a denomination amount associated with the donation indications. The donation indications may comprise graphical images and/or text, for example, such as representations of postage stamps that may be inserted into emails. The recipients of the electronic communications may then make additional donations to the donee in response to viewing the donation indication in the received electronic communication. In one embodiment, the donees may access information about the donors, such as contact information, so that the donees may transmit thank you communications to the donors and encourage that further donations are made.