Abstract: A method for making a layered elastic substrate includes advancing a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer in a machine direction. An elastic material is advanced in the machine direction in a stretched state. The elastic material may be bonded to the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer in a stretched state to form a layered elastic substrate. The layered elastic substrate may advance through a first metering device at speed, V1, and through a second metering device at speed, V2, subsequent to advancing through the first metering device, wherein V1 is greater than V2. As a result, the elastic material, and thus the layered elastic substrate, may be stretched to a first elongation at the first metering device and relaxed to a second elongation at the second device. The layered elastic substrate is cut and bonded to a continuous length of web material.

Abstract: Energy systems and energy storage system charging methods are described. In one aspect, an energy storage system charging method includes applying an excitation signal to a stator of an induction machine, outputting electrical energy from the stator of the induction machine during the applying, and charging an energy storage system using the electrical energy outputted from the stator.

Abstract: Described are an FSK modulator and a method for large-alphabet FSK modulation. The FSK modulator and the method are based on filtering of a multi-tone optical source such as a mode-locked laser which provides a comb distribution of tones. A frequency-selective component selects for transmission a subset of the tones. In various embodiments the frequency-selective component is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer filter or a microring resonator filter. A second frequency-selective component selects a subset of the tones from the comb distribution provided by the first frequency-selective component. Still more frequency-selective components can be used according to the number of tones supplied by the multi-tone optical source to the FSK modulator. The optical signal exiting the last frequency-selective component includes only a single tone which corresponds to the symbol to be transmitted.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and second waist region; a first waist edge and a second waist edge; the disposable absorbent article comprising a first waistband near the first waist edge and a second waistband near the second waist edge, wherein the Front-to-Back Delta Chassis Contraction is greater than about 9.0%.

Abstract: A discharge system for removing a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel is provided. The discharge system includes a fluidized bed pressure vessel, a settling vessel, a transfer vessel, discharge line, primary discharge valve, and primary exit valve. Also in included is a method to operate the discharge system. The method includes transferring a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel to a settling vessel, transferring the solids to a transfer vessel, and then emptying the transfer vessel.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of olefin's, including: introducing an olefin and a polymerization catalyst into a polymerization reactor to form a polyolefin, the polymerization reactor including: a fluidized bed region having a top and a bottom; and a motive bed region; wherein a first end of the motive bed region is fluidly connected to the top of the fluidized bed region; and wherein a second end of the motive bed region is fluidly connected to the bottom of the fluidized bed region; and wherein a diameter of the fluidized bed region is greater than a diameter of the motive bed region; circulating at least a portion of the olefin, the catalyst, and the polyolefin through the fluidized bed region and the motive bed region; maintaining a dense-phase fluidized bed within the fluidized bed region; recovering polyolefin from the fluidized bed region, is provided. A reactor system directed to the process is also provided.

Abstract: A burst-mode differential phase shift keying (DPSK) communications system according to an embodiment of the present invention enables practical, power-efficient, multi-rate communications between an optical transmitter and receiver. An embodiment of the system utilizes a single interferometer in the receiver with a relative path delay that is matched to the DPSK symbol rate of the link. DPSK symbols are transmitted in bursts, and the data rate may be varied by changing the ratio of the burst-on time to the burst-off time. This approach offers a number of advantages over conventional DPSK implementations, including near-optimum photon efficiency over a wide range of data rates, simplified multi-rate transceiver implementation, and relaxed transmit laser line-width requirements at low data rates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of degrading plant biomass, and microorganisms and polypeptides used in such methods, hi certain embodiments, the methods include growing Anaerocellum thermophilum on a substrate that comprises plant biomass under conditions effective for the A. thermophilum to convert at least a portion of the plant biomass to a water soluble product or a water insoluble product, hi some cases, the method can further include one or more steps to further process the water soluble product or a water insoluble product to produce, for example, a biofuel or commodity chemical. In another aspect, microorganisms that include at least one A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotide are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of transferring one or more A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotides to a recipient microorganism. A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which circular DNA molecules are amplified preferentially in a mixture of circular DNA molecules and linear DNA molecules by the inclusion of single strand DNA binding protein.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of olefin's, including: introducing an olefin and a polymerization catalyst into a polymerization reactor to form a polyolefin, the polymerization reactor including: a fluidized bed region having a top and a bottom; and a motive bed region; wherein a first end of the motive bed region is fluidly connected to the top of the fluidized bed region; and wherein a second end of the motive bed region is fluidly connected to the bottom of the fluidized bed region; and wherein a diameter of the fluidized bed region is greater than a diameter of the motive bed region; circulating at least a portion of the olefin, the catalyst, and the polyolefin through the fluidized bed region and the motive bed region; maintaining a dense-phase fluidized bed within the fluidized bed region; recovering polyolefin from the fluidized bed region, is provided. A reactor system directed to the process is also provided.

Abstract: A stain removal formula includes a combination of a bromide donor, a salt of sulfamic acid; and a salt of phosphoric acid. Preferred formulas include effective amounts of sodium bromide, sodium sulfamic acid, sodium hexametaphosphate, disodium phosphate, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate. In a swimming pool, preferred formulas are effective in resolving algae stain within a 2 hour period, which represents at least an order of magnitude greater efficacy than prior art formulations. In addition, preferred formulas provide ongoing effectiveness in suppressing bacterial, fungal and/or algae growth.

Abstract: A secure system for online media content distribution is described, which system utilizes a proprietary, controlled environment media player. This player is specifically registered to a particular machine, directly downloads encrypted files from a media distributing server via a secure nugget browser, and retrieves secure decryption keys from a key distributing server via the registered player or the secure nugget browser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for providing purified thermostable enzymes, particularly thermostable DNA polymerases, that are free of exogenous detergents. The present invention also provides methods for providing such purified thermostable DNA polymerases to assays in an active form by adding one or more detergents. The present invention further provides compositions and kits comprising purified thermostable DNA polymerases for use in a variety of applications, including amplification and sequencing of nucleic acids.

Abstract: A discharge system for removing a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel is provided. The system includes a fluidized bed pressure vessel, settling vessels, discharge lines, primary discharge valves, vent lines, primary vent valves, crosstie lines, crosstie valves, and primary exit valves wherein the system is absent a transfer tank, and absent a filter element. The method provides for transferring a solid/gas mixture via a discharge line from the pressure vessel to a settling vessel, wherein gas is separated from the mixture, and the gas is transferred to at least one other settling vessel via a crosstie line. After the solids are transferred out of the settling vessel, the empty vessel then receives gas from other settling vessels in the system.

Abstract: A pivot assembly includes a support defining a hole, a pivot insert disposed in the hole and a retainer securing the pivot insert in the hole. The pivot insert defines a circumferential groove, and the retainer is a ring having inwardly directed fingers for engagement in the groove.

Abstract: Described are an FSK modulator and a method for large-alphabet FSK modulation. The FSK modulator and the method are based on filtering of a multi-tone optical source such as a mode-locked laser which provides a comb distribution of tones. A frequency-selective component selects for transmission a subset of the tones. In various embodiments the frequency-selective component is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer filter or a microring resonator filter. A second frequency-selective component selects a subset of the tones from the comb distribution provided by the first frequency-selective component. Still more frequency-selective components can be used according to the number of tones supplied by the multi-tone optical source to the FSK modulator. The optical signal exiting the last frequency-selective component includes only a single tone which corresponds to the symbol to be transmitted.

Abstract: A discharge system for removing a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel is provided. The discharge system includes a fluidized bed pressure vessel, a settling vessel, a transfer vessel, discharge line, primary discharge valve, and primary exit valve. Also in included is a method to operate the discharge system. The method includes transferring a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel to a settling vessel, transferring the solids to a transfer vessel, and then emptying the transfer vessel.

Abstract: A detoxification method includes immersing at least a portion of a patient's body within a reservoir filled with water; generating ions within the water; and simultaneously with the generating ions, irradiating a predetermined area of the therapy subject with light generated by a cold laser. The generated light may be irradiated to the patient as either a continuous beam or a pulsed beam. The ions generated within the water may be positive, negative, or combinations thereof. Further, the light may be irradiated as long as the ions are being generated.

Abstract: A formula and method for reducing water hardness includes the combination of a sulfate donor, salt of phosphoric acid, and salt of sulfamic acid. Preferred formulas include effective amounts of sodium bisulfate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and sulfamic acid. In a swimming pool, preferred formulas are effective in reducing calcium to under 200 ppm within a two day period. In addition, preferred formulas provide ongoing effectiveness in suppressing scaling, staining and cloudy water.

Abstract: A stain removal formula includes a combination of a bromide donor, a salt of sulfamic acid; and a salt of phosphoric acid. Preferred formulas include effective amounts of sodium bromide, sodium sulfamic acid, sodium hexametaphosphate, disodium phosphate, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate. In a swimming pool, preferred formulas are effective in resolving algae stain within a 2 hour period, which represents at least an order of magnitude greater efficacy than prior art formulations. In addition, preferred formulas provide ongoing effectiveness in suppressing bacterial, fungal and/or algae growth.