Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a turbine engine component that includes a first material having a surface exposed to a fluid flow path and a sacrificial anode layer disposed on the surface. The sacrificial anode layer includes a second material that is electrochemically more active than the first material and the second material is configured to preferentially corrode to protect the first material from corrosion.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: The operating system manages software entities by creating a construct called a context that organizes and manages software-related state and configuration settings of applications. A context may comprise an installation service, a configuration service and an activation service. Contexts can be linked or arranged hierarchically to form parent-child relationships. Hierarchies may be used to affect accessibility of software items, to satisfy dependencies, to control the visibility/invisibility of software items, to provide access to configuration settings and to override software availability, dependencies and configuration settings. An override may be applied to set policy when more than one context has a configuration setting, dependency or access to a software entity.

Abstract: A flexible, extensible, and dynamically configurable Advanced IP Messaging Server (AIMS) facility that among other things may leverage various pools of data—including for example routing data, location and presence data, Mobile Subscriber profile data, etc.—to expeditiously process and route, through the use of among other things Feature Tags, a wide range of information including among other things conventional Short Message Service, Multimedia Message Service, IP Multimedia Subsystem, etc. messaging; E-Mail messaging; Instant Messaging communications; Voice Over IP and other (e.g., video conference, etc.) data streams; Session Initiation Protocol-addressed artifacts; etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating the usage of an online workforce to remotely monitor security-sensitive sites and report potential security breaches. In some embodiments, cameras are configured to monitor critical civilian infrastructure, such as water supplies and nuclear reactors. The cameras are operatively connected to a central computer or series of computers, and images captured by the cameras are transmitted to the central computer. After initially registering with the central computer, Guardians “log on” to a central website hosted by the central computer and monitor the images, thereby earning compensation. In one embodiment, images of “no-man” zones—areas where no humans or vehicles should be present or monitored—are sent to Guardians for a simple determination of whether or not a human exists in the picture.

Abstract: A lock ring for use as a one way movement restrictor between two telescopingly arranged tubulars to permit movement in one direction and prevent movement in the other direction of one tubular relative to the other tubular is described. The lock ring comprised: a profile having one or more formations formed on the outer circumference for engagement with a suitable formation profile formed on the inner circumference of the outer telescopic tubular; and one or more teeth formed on its inner circumference, the teeth being adapted to dig into the outer surface of the inner telescopic member. An apparatus and a method for setting a downhole anchor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing non-beef livestock subjects in order to maximize their individual potential performance and the value of a product from the non-beef livestock subjects, and to maximize profits obtained in marketing the non-beef livestock subjects. The methods and systems draw an inference of a trait of a non-beef livestock subject by determining the nucleotide occurrence of at least one non-beef livestock SNP that is determined to be associated with the trait.

Abstract: We describe a strategy for designing and implementing protein-fragment complementation assays (PCAs) to detect biomolecular interactions in vivo and in vitro. The design, implementation and broad applications of this strategy are illustrated with a large number of enzymes with particular detail provided for the example of murine dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Fusion peptides consisting of N- and C-terminal fragments of murine DHFR fused to GCN4 leucine zipper sequences were coexpressed in Escherichia coli grown in minimal medium, where the endogenous DHFR activity was inhibited with trimethoprim. Coexpression of the complementary fusion products restored colony formation. Survival only occurred when both DHFR fragments were present and contained leucine-zipper forming sequences, demonstrating that reconstitution of enzyme activity requires assistance of leucine zipper formation. DHFR fragment-interface point mutants of increasing severity (Ile to Val, Ala and Gly) resulted in a sequential increase in E.

Abstract: Methods and systems for real-time monitoring of optical signals from arrays of signal sources, and particularly optical signal sources that have spectrally different signal components. Systems include signal source arrays in optical communication with optical trains that direct excitation radiation to and emitted signals from such arrays and image the signals onto detector arrays, from which such signals may be subjected to additional processing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program are disclosed for refusing to process messages from a sender at a queue manager associated with a receiver when the receiver is inactive. It is identified whether a first destination has been selected. This first destination provides an indication of whether the receiver is active. If a first destination has been selected, it is determined using this first destination whether the receiver is active. If the receiver is inactive, the queue manager refuses to process messages intended for the receipt by the receiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the traffic volume associated with home location register queries used to determine a subscriber's location in a wireless telecommunications network or in an IP multimedia subsystem network. A query reduction mechanism (QRM) is in communication with a short message service center (SMSC) and with a home location register (HLR) to provide a destination location to send an incoming message. The SMSC sends a lookup query to the QRM and the QRM sends a location response back to the SMSC. The destination location and the message are then sent to the mobile switching center for transmission of the message to the destination mobile device. The QRM includes a route cache with location information, route caching logic, and a passive monitor to receive subscriber location updates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attachment to a tow hitch comprising a step including a platform and at least one step connecting portion, a base including at least one base connecting portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion which may be removably secured to the tow hitch, wherein the step connecting portion is removably attached to the base connecting portion.

Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for optimized channel selection are disclosed. In one example, a channel quality is measured of each channel of an available number of channels on which a mobile communication device can transmit and receive. A subset of the available number of channels is allocated to a long range channel class responsive to the channel quality. An RSSI of the mobile communication device is monitored and correlated to a mobile communication device proximity to a base station. A channel is selected from the long range channel class if the mobile communication device proximity is greater than a predetermined proximity.

Abstract: An asymmetric silicon-on-insulator (SOI) junction field effect transistor (JFET) and a method. The JFET includes a bottom gate on an insulator layer, a channel region on the bottom gate and, on the channel region, source/drain regions and a top gate between the source/drain regions. STIs isolate the source/drain regions from the top gate and a DTI laterally surrounds the JFET to isolate it from other devices. Non-annular well(s) are positioned adjacent to the channel region and bottom gate (e.g., a well having the same conductivity type as the top and bottom gates can be connected to the top gate and can extend down to the insulator layer, forming a gate contact on only a portion of the channel region, and/or another well having the same conductivity type as the channel and source/drain regions can extend from the source region to the insulator layer, forming a source-to-channel strap).

Abstract: A turkey decoy comprises a mass-producable synthetic resinous body adapted to be deployed in either a sentry or feeding position, with a telescopable assembly of rigid, that is, essentially inflexible, upper and lower struts, the upper necessarily being tubular, and the lower being either tubular or solid. The upper strut is removably securely fixed in an aperture in the upper surface of the decoy's body. Typically, the strut assembly is pre-assembled in the decoy so that neither strut in the assembly is detachable relative to the other. The strut assembly of non-detachably assembled struts, which assembly is secured in the decoy long before the decoy is to be deployed, allows a hunter to transport the pre-assembled decoy to the desired site in the poor light of the pre-dawn hours, unfold the decoy, pull the inner strut out until it locks in the outer strut, and thrust the pointed end into the ground. There is no assembly of the strut on site, no searching for the desired aperture in the dark.

Abstract: A vehicle tire includes tread blocks positioned on the tire. One or more rotating sipes are formed in each of the tread blocks. Each rotating sipe comprises first and second walls that are substantially parallel wherein the first wall includes three points that lie in an imaginary plane and a fourth point that lies outside of the imaginary plane.

Abstract: Provided are medical devices for implantation in patients having suffered the loss of or damage to at least part of their esophagus. The medical device connects the esophagus or remaining part thereof with the stomach to form a gastro-esophageal junction that promotes healing and encourages new host tissue growth while distributing the load and decreasing tension at the anastomotic site. The medical device comprises extracellular matrix shaped into a conformation that more closely approximates the geometry of the native gastro-esophageal junction than does direct attachment of the stomach to the shortened esophagus. Molds useful in manufacturing the medical device and methods of use of the device are also described herein.

Abstract: A videoconferencing apparatus automatically tracks speakers in a room and dynamically switches between a controlled, people-view camera and a fixed, room-view camera. When no one is speaking, the apparatus shows the room view to the far-end. When there is a dominant speaker in the room, the apparatus directs the people-view camera at the dominant speaker and switches from the room-view camera to the people-view camera. When there is a new speaker in the room, the apparatus switches to the room-view camera first, directs the people-view camera at the new speaker, and then switches to the people-view camera directed at the new speaker. When there are two near-end speakers engaged in a conversation, the apparatus tracks and zooms-in the people-view camera so that both speakers are in view.

Abstract: An assembly system for use in assembling a lattice tower section is provided. The system comprises a platform, a first mounting assembly coupled to the platform, and, a second mounting assembly coupled to the platform, the first and second mounting assemblies are configured to secure opposite ends of a plurality of leg members used in assembling the lattice tower section such that each of the plurality of leg members is suspended a distance from the platform, at least one of the first and second mounting assemblies is configured to selectively rotate a leg member of the plurality of leg members suspended therefrom.