Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing user entered input and providing a response in a system for autonomously processing requests includes rules. For each rule, whether the input is recognized is determined. If it is, a response is sent to the user. To determine recognized input, the method attempts to match the rule to a pattern. If a match is not found, the input is not recognized. If a match is found, the input is recognized and the response is sent. Alternatively, the input is conditionally recognized and a statement validator is executed which queries structured data to determine if a logic statement evaluates to true. Depending on how the statement evaluates: i) the input is recognized and the response is sent, ii) the structured data is queried again for the next statement validator, or iii) the input is not recognized and the method continues to the next rule.

Abstract: A coating material for a component intended for use in a hostile thermal environment. The coating material has a cubic microstructure and consists essentially of either zirconia stabilized by dysprosia, erbia, gadolinium oxide, neodymia, samarium oxide or ytterbia, or hafnia stabilized by dysprosia, gadolinium oxide, samarium oxide, yttria or ytterbia. Up to five weight percent yttria may be added to the coating material.

Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing a web having a first embossing roll having embossing elements and a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein at least a portion of the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. The embossing roll may be crowned, may have alignment means, and may be provided with precision gearing.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coatings for the underlying substrate of articles that operate at, or are exposed to, high temperatures. The thermal barrier coating includes a zirconia-containing upper layer wherein the zirconia is stabilized in the cubic crystalline phase to reduce the thermal conductivity of the coating. The thermal barrier coating further includes a zirconia-containing lower layer stabilized in the tetragonal crystalline phase that increases the adherence of the upper layer to the bond coat layer that overlies the substrate of the article to improve the resistance of the coating to spallation.

Abstract: Disclosed are topical compositions, including methods of applying those compositions to absorb sweat and sebum from the skin, wherein the compositions comprise (A) fluid-absorbent solids having a Water Absorption Value of at least about 0.5 grams/gram; (B) an adhesive fluid; and (C) a liquid carrier; herein the composition has an Average Wear Index Value of at least about 60%. The topical compositions provide effective delivery and deposition of the fluid-absorbent solid onto the skin from an extended wear composition.

Abstract: Methods of performing threat assessment of objects for a vehicle include detecting an object. Kinematics of the vehicle and of the object are determined. A brake threat number and a steering threat number are determined in response to the kinematics of the vehicle and the object. The threat posed by the object is determined in response to the brake threat number and the steering threat number.

Abstract: Value tracking of automated clearing house (“ACH”) payments processed by an ACH operator includes receiving an ACH file for ACH processing. The ACH file comprises ACH payments originated by a remote sending point on behalf of a sending customer. A sum value of the ACH payments is added to a value of prior payments processed for the sending customer during a specified time period to obtain an accumulated payment value. The accumulated payment value is compared to a pre-established payment cap to determine whether the accumulated payment value exceeds the payment cap. The ACH payments are processed in response to a determination that the accumulated payment value does not exceed the payment cap. Whether to override the payment cap can be determined in response to a determination that the accumulated payment value exceeds the payment cap.

Abstract: An inline stacker receives a shingled stream of printed sheet products from a printing press, or finishing equipment, at line speed. A sheet counter at an infeed conveyor section controls the operation of the inline stacker. The infeed conveyor can pivot to a divert position where it feeds the stream to a bi-directional conveyor. A following gap generator section of the stacker has two conveyors with opposed movable ends that are physically separated in the conveying direction by a small gap. The infeed conveyor and gap generator conveyor sections carry the stream at a substantially constant speed, which can be the line speed. To produce a gap in the shingled stream that defines a bundle size, the movable conveyor ends defining the gap between the conveyor gap generator sections move downstream in unison at the speed of the upstream conveyor. At the same time, the speed of the downstream conveyor is briefly increased. The movable ends and the increased conveyor speed then return to their initial status.

Abstract: A method for achieving a multiple colored two-tone finish on a variety of substrates, by (1) applying a holdout capable chip resistant primer coating composition to an accent area of a substrate, typically previously painted with an electrodeposition primer composition, (2) applying a primer surfacer coating composition to an adjacent non-accent area of the substrate, (3) applying an accent color basecoating composition wet-on-wet to the chip resistant primer coating composition in the accent area, (4) curing the composite coated substrate in a first bake, (5) covering the accent area with a protective membrane, (6) applying a main color basecoating composition over the unmasked area, (7) removing the protective membrane from the accent area, (8) applying a clear coating composition wet-on-wet to all faces of the substrate, and then (9) curing the composite two-toned coated substrate in a second bake, is claimed.

Abstract: In a data storage device, a system of method of optimizing cache management. A method includes selecting a set of cache management algorithms associated with a predetermined pattern in a sequence of commands. Statistics based on a sequence of commands are gathered and a pattern is detected from the statistics. The pattern is associated with predetermined known patterns to identify a set of cache management algorithms that are optimized for the known pattern. A system includes usage statistics that are correlated among a set of known usage patterns. A switch chooses the set of cache management algorithms associated with the known pattern that most closely matches the usage statistics.

Abstract: A reduced thermal conductivity thermal barrier coating having improved impact and erosion resistance for an underlying metal substrate of articles that operate at, or are exposed to, high temperatures. This coating comprises an inner layer nearest to the underlying metal substrate comprising a ceramic thermal barrier coating material, as well as a protective outer layer adjacent to and overlaying the inner layer and having an exposed surface. The outer layer has a thickness up to about 5 mils (127 microns) sufficient to impart impact and erosion resistance to the thermal barrier coating, and comprises a zirconia-containing ceramic composition having a c/a ratio of the zirconia lattice in the range of from about 1.011 to about 1.016 and stabilized in the tetragonal phase by a stabilizing amount of a stabilizing metal oxide selected from the group consisting of yttria, calcia, ceria, scandia, magnesia, india, ytterbia and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An electrical one-piece double-ended receptacle contact includes a first and a second socket contact portion at opposed axial ends of the receptacle contact for receiving a first and a second respective mating pin contact. A compliant middle portion interconnects the two socket contact portions. The tube wall has an axial slot extending over its length. A first and a second circumferential slot divide the tube length. The circumferential slots are axially spaced from each other by a middle section of the tube. Each of the circumferential slots has a first circumferential end between the middle section and the associated one of the socket contact portions, and a closed second circumferential end which has a predetermined circumferential distance from the axial slot so that the remaining wall portion between the axial slot and the closed second circumferential end of the respective circumferential slot forms a web connecting the middle section to the associated one of the socket contact portions.

Abstract: A plain bearing is described, the bearing being fitted, in use, in an associated bearing housing, the bearing back in contact with said housing is substantially coextensive with the housing in the axial direction wherein the running surface of the bearing is relieved in both the axial and radial directions so as to reduce the contact bearing surface area with an associated shaft journal, in use.

Abstract: A method for determining a thickness of a shim for setting up a predetermined preload of a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a shaft within a housing. The bearing assembly includes front and rear tapered roller bearings. The shim is disposed between a bearing supporting shoulder of the shaft and an inner cone of the rear bearing. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a distance X from an end face of the shaft to the bearing supporting shoulder thereof; measuring a height B of the inner cone; mounting the shaft within the housing; applying a load to the inner cone of the rear bearing corresponding to a predetermined preload; measuring a distance XL from the end face of the shaft to the inner cone of the rear bearing; and determining the thickness W of the shim in accordance with the following equation: W=X?XL?B.

Abstract: A roller peg includes a housing, a roller, a pin, and a keeper. The pin affixes the roller inside the housing such that a surface of the roller protrudes from a hole in the side of the housing. The keeper holds the pin and roller in place within the housing. The roller spins within the housing when a surface of the roller contacts an exterior surface.

Abstract: An electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) apparatus and a method for using the apparatus to produce a coating material (e.g., a ceramic thermal barrier coating) on an article. The EBPVD apparatus generally includes a coating chamber that is operable at elevated temperatures and subatmospheric pressures. An electron beam gun projects an electron beam into the coating chamber and onto a coating material within the chamber, causing the coating material to melt and evaporate. An article is supported within the coating chamber so that vapors of the coating material deposit on the article. The operation of the EBPVD apparatus is enhanced by the inclusion or adaptation of one or more mechanical and/or process modifications, including those necessary or beneficial when operating the apparatus at coating pressures above 0.010 mbar.

Abstract: A method of discovering information about a network in which a plurality of network elements on the network are each configured to use a different communication method to permit access to information stored in said network element. The method comprises the steps of attempting to communicate with each network element using one or more different communication methods, monitoring the responses, if any, from said network elements, and determining the communication method used by each network element based on the responses.

Abstract: Zirconia-containing ceramic compositions having a c/a ratio of the zirconia lattice in the range of from about 1.005 to about 1.016. These compositions comprise a stabilizing amount up to about 10 mole % of the composition of a stabilizer component which comprises: (1) a first metal oxide selected from the group consisting of yttria, calcia, ceria, scandia, magnesia, india and mixtures thereof in an amount of from about 1.5 to about 6 mole % of the composition of; (2) a second metal oxide selected from the group consisting of lanthana, neodymia and mixtures thereof in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 4 mole % of the composition; and (3) optionally ytterbia in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 4 mole % of the composition. These compositions further comprise hafnia in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 15 mole % of the composition; and optionally tantala in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 1.5 mole % of the composition.

Abstract: A network interface configures a plurality of physical layer devices and a corresponding plurality of network interface devices to allow for the communication of network data between the physical layer devices and corresponding link partners. At least one of the network interface devices is configured as a master device that communicates management information and autonegotiation results with the physical layer devices, while the other network interface devices do not. A configuration source, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or electronic erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), receives the autonegotiation results from the physical layer devices, through the master device, and configures the media access controllers (MACs) of each of the network interface devices in accordance with the autonegotiation results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, method, system and kit for receiving effluent from an individual. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device, method, system and kit for collecting effluent from an individual during a medical or diagnostic procedure including but not limited to, imaging or viewing one or more sections of an individual's gastrointestinal tract. In another alternative embodiment, the effluent is collected in a hollow area in order to prevent the effluent form contaminating a component, device or apparatus used in connection with the medical or diagnostic procedure.