Abstract: Electronic information is made more readily available to one or more access requestors based on an anticipated demand for the electronic information using a process, system or computer software. For instance, electronic information stored on a first storage medium is identified for transport (e.g., in response to a request of at least one of the access requestors), and the electronic information is transported accordingly. Afterwards, a determination is made to store the electronic information on a second storage medium that is more accessible to the access requestors than the first storage medium. The determination is based on an anticipated demand of the access requestors for the electronic information. The anticipated demand is determined based at least on information that is not particular to any single access requestor. The electronic information then is stored on the second storage medium and the access requestors are provided access to the electronic information from the second storage medium.

Abstract: Electronic information is made more readily available to one or more access requesters based on an anticipated demand for the electronic information using a process, system or computer software. For instance, electronic information stored on a first storage medium is identified for transport (e.g., in response to a request of at least one of the access requesters), and the electronic information is transported accordingly. Afterwards, a determination is made to store the electronic information on a second storage medium that is more accessible to the access requesters than the first storage medium. The determination is based on an anticipated demand of the access requestors for the electronic information. The anticipated demand is determined based at least on information that is not particular to any single access requestor. The electronic information then is stored on the second storage medium and the access requesters are provided access to the electronic information from the second storage medium.

Abstract: A micronode includes an electrical port connectable to a downstream device, an optical port connectable to a head end having an upstream controller and an electro-optical converter connected to the electrical port and to the optical port and configured to convert electrical signals received from the downstream device at the electrical port to optical signals and to convert optical signals received from the head end via the optical port to electrical signals. The micronode also includes an addressable controller configured to receive a micronode polling request from the upstream controller and to determine when the downstream device is sending signals to the head end and begin a response to the micronode polling request in response to a determination that the downstream device is transmitting information to the head end. Also, an associated method of controlling the micronode.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method of preparing an antimicrobial agent comprising heating a dialdehyde polysaccharide. The method comprises subjecting a dialdehyde polysaccharide, such as a dialdehyde starch or a dialdehyde cellulose, to heating and/or sonication for a period of time. Also provided herein is an antimicrobial composition comprising the prepared dialdehyde polysaccharide. The antimicrobial composition is effective at killing microbial agents such as viruses and bacteria within a short period of time.

Abstract: A battery backup unit (BBU) includes a housing, at least one battery compartment in the housing with an output terminal, a DC input, a DC output, a path from the DC input to the DC output, circuitry for selectively connecting the output terminal to the path, which circuitry includes a switch, and a controller configured to detect a condition of the path and selectively control the switch to connect the output terminal to the path when the condition is detected, the BBU being incapable of charging batteries in the at least one battery compartment. The path from the DC input to the DC output may include a DC/DC step up converter to help maintain a constant output voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of applications for an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent comprises a silanol containing molecule, the silanol containing molecule comprising silanols (R1R2R3SiOH), siloxanediols HO(R1R2SiO)nH, siloxanols HO(R1R2SiO)nSiR1R2R3 or combinations thereof, where R1, R2 and R3 are selected from alkyl or fluoroalkyl moieties having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, vinyl or aryl groups and n is less than about 6.

Abstract: A method of homogeneously forming functionalized biocompatible oligomers includes the steps of dissolving a biocompatible oligomer in a solvent to form a solution, and admixing at least one ? complex forming group to the solution, wherein the ? complex forming group grafts to at least one location on the backbone of the oligomer to form a grafted oligomer. The oligomer is preferably oligochitosan and the solvent is preferably dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The degree of graft substitution can be at least 50%. The functionalized biocompatible oligomer can be used for drug detoxification through binding to a variety of target drugs.

Abstract: An article has a surface topography for resisting bioadhesion of organisms and includes a base article having a surface. A composition of the surface includes a polymer. The surface has a topography comprising a pattern defined by a plurality of spaced apart features attached to or projected into the base article. The plurality of features each have at least one microscale dimension and at least one neighboring feature having a substantially different geometry. An average feature spacing between adjacent ones of the features is between 10 ?m and 100 ?m in at least a portion of the surface. The surface topography can be numerically represented using at least one sinusoidal function. In one embodiment, the surface can comprise a coating layer disposed on the base article.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing fiber optic splices between a fiber optic distribution cable and fiber optic customer drop cables includes a first door providing access to a first area of the enclosure housing couplers for receiving terminals of customer drop cables. The enclosure also includes a second door providing access to a second area of the enclosure for accommodating slices in one or more distribution cables. The second area is not accessible via the first area.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing fiber optic splices between a fiber optic distribution cable and fiber optic customer drop cables includes a first door providing access to a first area of the enclosure housing couplers for receiving terminals of customer drop cables. The enclosure also includes a second door providing access to a second area of the enclosure for accommodating slices in one or more distribution cables. The second area is not accessible via the first area.

Abstract: The embodiment pertains to an improvement upon staples, (FIGS. 1A and 2) of the type used for fastening papers together (FIG. 5; 32) or other material(s) (FIGS. 6; 32), whereby the crown of a conventional staple is impressed with one or more breaking point(s) (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 2; 18, 24), allowing the staple crown to be manually extricated (FIGS. 7 and 8; 28) from the staple prong(s) (FIGS. 7 and 8; 26, 30) and paper or material (FIGS. 7 and 8; 32) with the lift, pull, or push of the staple crown.

Abstract: A sprayer, which in one embodiment, is a hand held ergonomic sprayer is disclosed herein. The sprayer may include: a housing through which water flows; a handle for gripping by a user, which is joined to the housing; at least one spray nozzle operatively connected to the housing; and, a connection for a hose, the connection being joined to the housing. In one non-limiting embodiment, when the sprayer has one end of a water-filled hose connected thereto, the combination of the sprayer and suspended portion of the hose has a combined center of gravity that passes through the axis of the sprayer handle. The sprayers described herein may also have other features, and provide other benefits that do not require the sprayers to have an ergonomic design.

Abstract: An optical network terminal includes a sleep logic circuit that assumes responsibility for monitoring off-hook transitions after the AC main power supply has failed for a predetermined period of time. The sleep logic circuit is very low power and, as a result, allows the optical network terminal to remain active and provide lifeline support for a much greater period of time.

Abstract: Electronic information is made more readily available to one or more access requesters based on an anticipated demand for the electronic information using a process, system or computer software. For instance, electronic information stored on a first storage medium is identified for transport (e.g., in response to a request of at least one of the access requesters), and the electronic information is transported accordingly. Afterwards, a determination is made to store the electronic information on a second storage medium that is more accessible to the access requesters than the first storage medium. The determination is based on an anticipated demand of the access requestors for the electronic information. The anticipated demand is determined based at least on information that is not particular to any single access requestor. The electronic information then is stored on the second storage medium and the access requesters are provided access to the electronic information from the second storage medium.

Abstract: Electronic information is made more readily available to one or more access requestors based on an anticipated demand for the electronic information using a process, system or computer software. For instance, electronic information stored on a first storage medium is identified for transport (e.g., in response to a request of at least one of the access requestors), and the electronic information is transported accordingly. Afterwards, a determination is made to store the electronic information on a second storage medium that is more accessible to the access requestors than the first storage medium. The determination is based on a size of the electronic information and an anticipated demand of the access requestors for the electronic information. The anticipated demand is determined based at least on information that is not particular to any single access requestor.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention optically transmits redundant packets of data using infrared signals at pseudo-random intervals to allow a receiver to distinguish between multiple simultaneous sources. The emitters repeatedly transmit a short packet at randomized intervals much shorter than the frame rate. Statistical analysis shows that the probability of collision of the desired packet with a packet from some other source is sufficiently low such that timely reception of at least one uncorrupted packet in the required time frame is assured.

Abstract: An improved portable, electric, hand drill and screw runner with gear mechanism, that when used with an extendable rod and attachments enables the user to drill holes and run screws into various surfaces and from many different angles. When manual force is applied to the lever attached to the gear mechanism, the drill motor is advanced towards the direction of the drilling surface.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for selecting one or more characters of an ideographic language including: data processing means operatively associated with data storage means, display means, and a plurality of selection means; the data storage means being operable for storing image data representing a plurality of images corresponding to the characters and selection data corresponding to a sequence of indicia belonging to a predetermined set of indicia for identifying each character, the selection means being operatively arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with one another and each being operable for selecting one of the indicia or one of the characters, the display means being operable for displaying symbols corresponding to the indicia and a predetemined number of the characters corresponding to the image data in a format which mimics the fixed spatial relationship of the selection means; the data processing means being operable to select a set of indicia and the characters for display on the display means, t