Abstract: Optimizing an I2C bus frequency, the bus including signal lines coupling a master and slave nodes, a signal line coupled to a rise time detection circuit monitoring a voltage of the signal line, the voltage alternating between a logic low and logic high, where optimizing the frequency includes: detecting, during a rise in the signal line, a first voltage, the first voltage being greater than the logic low voltage; starting a counter to increment once for each clock period of the circuit; detecting a second voltage on the signal line, the second voltage greater than the first and less than the logic high; stopping the counter; calculating, in dependence upon the clock period and the counter value, a rise time; determining whether the rise time is greater than a maximum threshold; and increasing the I2C bus frequency if the calculated rise time is greater than the maximum threshold.

Abstract: High throughput system for in vivo screens on vertebrate larvae. The system includes a source of vertebrate larvae in a liquid medium and loading tube means for aspirating a larva. A detector assembly is provided to differentiate passage of a larva from bubbles and/or debris. An imaging means is provided for both confocal imaging and wide-field fluorescence imaging of the larva. A laser is provided for optical manipulation of the larva.

Abstract: Materials, compounds, systems, and methods of dosing fluorescent lamps to reduce run-up time by improving mercury release rates. A pellet comprises a core and a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the core, the coating being formed from a powder of one or more intermetallic compounds comprising mercury. A method comprises providing a core and forming a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the core with a material comprising one or more intermetallic compounds comprising mercury and a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, tin, zinc, bismuth, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, manganese, and titanium.

Abstract: An OFDM receiver receives OFDM symbols in the frequency domain and comb filters and then punctures the OFDM symbols to leave symbols with actual pilot information and with null values at the data symbols. The receiver provides the punctured OFDM symbols to an OFDM symbol queue. A virtual pilot interpolator is coupled to the punctured OFDM symbol storage to generate virtual pilot information introduced to OFDM symbols. The interpolator may be a two dimensional Wiener filter. The receiver also includes a time domain channel estimator that processes a first OFDM symbol including virtual pilot information to generate a channel impulse response for the first OFDM symbol. A frequency equalizer equalizes the OFDM symbol in response to the channel impulse response for the first OFDM symbol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.

Abstract: Operating a demultiplexer on an I2C bus, the demultiplexer including a set of input signal lines from an I2C master and a plurality of sets of output signal lines, the demultiplexer configured to couple the inputs among the output in dependence upon a demultiplexer select signal line that couples the demultiplexer to a rise time detection circuit, where the rise time detection circuit is also coupled to the input signal lines and the rise time detection circuit: monitors a voltage of at least one of the input signal lines, including: receiving, from the I2C master, a signal on one of the lines; and detecting rise time of the signal; and if the rise time of the signal is less than a predefined threshold, configuring the demultiplexer to vary the coupling of the input signal lines from a first set of outputs to a second set.

Abstract: A simple method of making robust radiation sensor cables using a special fiber cap that holds a scintillating fiber therein directly abutting an end of a fiber optic cable, thus providing a clean and protected connection therebetween.

Abstract: Slip-on handgun grips which contribute to accuracy and speed of target acquisition and make shooting a handgun a more pleasant experience by providing a comfortable, secure grip; and by isolating a shooter's thumb from impact and reducing shock, muzzle jump, twist, and recoil when the handgun is fired. The grip is fabricated from a stretchable elastomeric material. This material plus breakaway technology, external grooving, and a thumb-isolating tab maximize the enumerated benefits.

Abstract: An enhanced computer rack having sides is provided. The rack is used for housing electronic components and comprises in one embodiment of a lift rail having a plurality of multipurpose frame members capable of being engageably connected to at least one of the rack sides such that the frame members can be retracted into or extended out from the rack. In an alternate embodiment, a lift tool is provided for hoisting object into the rack. The lift tool is connected to at least one side of the rack and is capable of being retracted inside or being extended out from the rack. The two embodiments can also be combined to provide an enhanced rack with an integrated lift rails and lift tool design.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a connector body including a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end forming a plug end of the connector body and an optical fiber routed through the connector body. The optical fiber having an end face accessible at the plug end of the connector body and a strain relief boot that mounts at the proximal end of the connector body. The strain relief boot defines a longitudinal axis that extends through the strain relief boot between distal and proximal ends of the strain relief boot. The strain relief boot includes an interior surface that defines a fiber passage through which the optical fiber is routed; the fiber passage extends along the longitudinal axis of the boot. The strain relief boot includes an exterior surface that defines a tapered exterior shape that tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis as the tapered exterior shape extends in a proximal direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods to receive a transmission that is associated with an identification number and includes a number associated with a land line, determine a physical address based on the number associated with the land line, confirm the physical address that was determined, and associate the physical address with a user account, the user account being identified by the identification number.

Abstract: A system is provided which is capable of controlling one or more parameters of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed or engine RPM. The system involves communication between a transmitter and a controller. The transmitter has memory containing information that corresponds to a vehicle parameter setting. The information is operatively transmitted from the transmitter to the controller. Once the controller receives the information, the vehicle parameter setting is identified by the controller. When the setting is identified, the controller may adjust at least one mechanism on the vehicle so as modify the vehicle parameter accordingly. One scenario in which the parameter modification is generally provided is if the controller determines that the vehicle parameter is exceeding the identified setting, which corresponds to the vehicle being operated at a level higher than that intended for the vehicle operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a preform may include a mandrel to receive a preform. The mandrel may have a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform may have a first preform end and a second preform end. The apparatus may include an anchoring groove disposed at the first mandrel end, and an anchoring device being configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The apparatus may include a tensioning groove disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end, and a tensioning device being configured and located to urge at least a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: A relay includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, separable contacts electrically connected between the first and second terminals, an actuator coil comprising a first winding and a second winding, the first winding electrically connected between the third and fourth terminals, the second winding electrically connected between the third and fourth terminals, a processor, an output, a first voltage sensing circuit cooperating with the processor to determine a first voltage between the first and second terminals, and a second voltage sensing circuit cooperating with the processor to determine a second voltage between the third and fourth terminals. The processor determines that the separable contacts are closed when the first voltage does not exceed a first predetermined value and the second voltage exceeds a second predetermined value and responsively outputs a corresponding status to the output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to methods of adjusting transistor flat band voltage, and transistor gates formed using the same. In one embodiment, a method sequentially includes cleaning a substrate, annealing the substrate in a nitrogen-containing environment to form silicon-nitrogen bonds, hydroxylating the substrate surface, and depositing a hafnium oxide layer over the substrate. In another embodiment, the method further includes depositing an aluminum oxide layer over the substrate prior to depositing the hafnium oxide layer, and then annealing the substrate.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held glucose testing device includes a housing configured to accommodate a plurality of test sensors in a stacked arrangement and having a wall with an opening defined therein. A plurality of packaged test sensors is stacked in alignment with one another within the housing. Each of the test sensors is packaged within a blister package. The blister package includes a blister package housing and a cover foil overlying a surface of the blister package housing and the test sensor. A drive slide is configured to displace one of the plurality of packaged test sensors out of alignment with other packaged test sensors. A knife mechanism is configured to pierce through the cover foil, and to engage and urge the test sensor to extend through the opening for receiving a sample. A meter contact is configured to engage the test sensor when the test sensor extends through the opening.

Abstract: B/D archery bow accessories which have an elastomeric vibration dampening component mounted on an elongated, rigid support. The elastomeric component has a set of integral vibration dampening elements such as ribs. The vibration dampening elements have irregular profile configurations which make these elements capable of dampening with high efficiency the sets of vibrational frequencies generated: (a) when an arrow is shot, and (b) during and after the ensuing lock-up. Vibration dampening efficiency may be promoted by making the elastomeric component from a material of the most optimal hardness that is practical and by employing end pieces at opposite ends of the elastomeric component.

Abstract: A stable pharmaceutical mercury-free aqueous solution of cyanocobalamin comprised of cyanocobalamin and water wherein said solution of cyanocobalamin is suitable for intranasal administration, has a viscosity less than about 1000 cPs, and wherein said solution of cyanocobalamin has a bioavailability of cyanocobalamin when administered intranasally of at least about 7% relative to an intramuscular injection of cyanocobalamin with the proviso that the solution is essentially free of mercury and mercury-containing compounds. The present invention is also directed towards a method for elevating the vitamin B12 levels in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) comprising administering intranasally a sufficient amount of a mercury-free cyanocobalamin solution so as to increase the average ratio of vitamin B12 in the CSF to that in the blood serum (B12 CSF/B12 Serum×100) to at least about 1.

Abstract: An optic light guide test sensor comprises a light guide, a reagent-coated membrane, and a mesh layer. The reagent-coated membrane and the mesh layer are attached to the light guide at an output end of the light guide. The light guide test sensor is adapted to be used to test the level of an analyte in a biological fluid sample when used with a readhead. A method of manufacturing the light guide test sensor involves providing a plurality of light guides, providing a strip of reagent-coated membrane, and providing a strip of mesh layer. The reagent-coated membrane and mesh layer are attached to the light guides by ultrasonic welding. The reagent-coated membrane and mesh layer may also be attached to the light guides by adhesive.

Abstract: There is provided a process of growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone. The reaction zone includes an operative reaction mixture. The operative reaction mixture includes the phototrophic biomass disposed in an aqueous medium. Gaseous exhaust material is produced with a gaseous exhaust material producing process, wherein the gaseous exhaust material includes carbon dioxide. When an indication of a change in the molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide, from the gaseous exhaust material producing process, to reaction zone is sensed, at least one input to the reaction zone is modulated.