Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite vessel encompassing rapid manufacturing. The process includes using a liner, of metal or plastic materials, over which a braided or developed preform is wrapped. The dry fiber wrapped liner is placed in a mold and resin injected into the cavity formed between the liner and the mold outer walls. The liner is flooded with heated and/or cooled pressurized fluid thus enabling complete and independent process control from within the liner for both the resin injection and the cure phases. Fiber placement control is determined through combined biaxial and triaxial braid/preform design, and by wrapping at controlled tension onto the supporting liner. Fiber tension control is further enhanced by the methodology of mold loading whereby tensioning forces are enacted during actual load and close. The process may use thermoset or thermoplastic resins and any of a variety fibrous reinforcements.

Abstract: A combined collector and distributor for a distillation column that includes a collector portion connected to a distributor portion. The distributor portion includes a channel-like distributor to distribute liquid into an underlying packing The collector portion has spaced rows of collection elements that cover the open spaces and distribution elements of the distributor portion and one or more rectangular sumps into which descending liquid drains from the collection elements. The liquid in turn drains from the rectangular sump or sumps into a pre-distribution box located within a header of the distributor portion. The collection elements that cover the open spaces are set at higher positions than the collection elements covering the distribution elements to form chimneys to allow the ascending vapor to escape from the collector portion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to biological engineering of microorganisms and production of chemical compounds therefrom. More particularly, the invention relates to novel genetically engineered microorganisms for the fermentative production of p-aminobenzoic acid and related compounds from fermentable carbon substrates. The biologically derived PABA and related compounds from fermentable carbon substrates can be used in a number of applications including as a food supplement or raw materials for the syntheses of other industrial chemicals or polymers.

Abstract: A bleached softwood kraft pulp fiber with high alpha cellulose content and improved anti-yellowing is provided. Methods for making the kraft pulp fiber and products from it are also described.

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: A system and method can be used to denervate at least a portion of a bronchial tree. An energy emitter of an instrument is percutaneously delivered to a treatment site and outputs energy to damage nerve tissue of the bronchial tree. The denervation procedure can be performed without damaging non-targeted tissue. Minimally invasive methods can be used to open airways to improve lung function in subjects with COPD, asthma, or the like. Different sections of the bronchial tree can be denervated while leaving airways intact to reduce recovery times.

Abstract: A system for diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body is provided. The system includes an ablation catheter having a deformable, elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends. The catheter further includes an ablation delivery member disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft and configured to deliver ablation energy to ablate the tissue. In one embodiment, the ablation delivery member comprises an ablation electrode and may also be configured to generate a signal indicative of electrical activity in the tissue. The catheter further includes one or more sensing electrodes disposed proximate the ablation delivery member. The sensing electrodes are configured to generate signals indicative of electrical activity in the tissue. The system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control delivery of ablation energy from the ablation delivery member responsive to one or more of the generated signals indicative of electrical activity in the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining accessories to a vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally processing material on a low-temperature substrate using pulsed light from a flash lamp is disclosed. Material is conveyed past the flash lamp. The pulses of light are formed by Pulse Width Modulation to tailor the shape of the pulses to generate a thermal gradient in the substrate that enables the material to be heated beyond the maximum working temperature of the substrate without damage. Its shaped pulse rate is synchronized to the conveyance speed of a conveyance system. By using the information from a feedback sensor, the thermal gradient is recalculated to alter the shape of the pulses in real time for optimizing subsequent curings in real time without powering down the curing apparatus. The combined pulse shaping and synchronization allow a temperature profile to be tailored in the sample that is uniformly cured in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and including first and second read sensors and a shield. The shield is in a down track direction from the first read sensor and between the first and second read sensors. The shield includes a first shield layer, a second shield layer and an insulating layer between the first and second shield layers. The first shield layer is between the first read sensor and the second shield layer. The second shield layer is between the first shield layer and the second read sensor. The first shield layer has a first footprint. The second shield layer has a second footprint. The second shield layer overlaps the first shield layer in the down track direction. The overlap is not more than fifty percent of the first footprint and not more than fifty percent of the second footprint.

Abstract: Various cryptographic locks for securing assets, secure containers and methods of operating a cryptographic lock. One embodiment of a cryptographic lock includes: (1) a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a first and second phase, wherein the first phase inhibits access to an asset and the second phase allows access to the asset and (2) an RFID transponder, coupled to the SMA, configured to receive an authentication signal from an RFID transceiver and, based thereon, energize the SMA to temporarily change the SMA from the first phase to the second phase.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for broadcast area identification and content distribution. In one embodiment, a broadcast area associated with an electronic device can be identified. Then, content for the broadcast area can be distributed to the electronic device in accordance with distribution parameters.

Abstract: Many different factors may affect a user's perceived thermal comfort level within a building. Controlling a room temperature according to what the temperature may feel like to a user (i.e. the “feels-like” temperature) may increase a user's comfort level in the building. An HVAC controller may be programmed to determine a temperature offset based on one or more environmental conditions in and/or around the building, and to apply the temperature offset to the indoor temperature, resulting in a feels-like temperature. The HVAC controller may be further programmed to control an HVAC system in accordance with the feels-like temperature.

Abstract: A computer processor retention device comprises a load frame, a load plate, and a pair of retractable cover members. The load frame may be secured to a circuit board around a processor mounting site. The load plate is pivotally coupled to the load frame and is pivotable between being open for receiving a processor at the processor mounting site and closed in engagement with a periphery of the received processor. The load plate has a window that is open to the processor mounting site when the load plate is closed. The retractable cover members span the window and are alternately movable along a track toward one another to cover the processor mounting site and away from one another to expose the processor mounting site.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for profiling a subject's search engine keywords and results based on relevancy feedback. Because the system is based on the search behavior of the user, the profiling is language independent and balances the specificity of search terms against the profiled interests of the user. The system can also synthesize new keyword combinations to assist the user in refining the search or acquiring related content. The system has application in text mining, personalization, behavioral search, search engine optimization, and content acquisition, to name but a few applications.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector and cable assembly is disclosed herein. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly includes a cable having at least one optical fiber, a jacket surrounding the optical fiber and at least one strength member for reinforcing the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly also includes a fiber optic connector having a main connector body having a distal end and a proximal end. The fiber optic connector also includes a ferrule supporting an end portion of the optical fiber. The ferrule is mounted at the distal end of the main connector body. The fiber optic connector further includes a spring for biasing the ferrule in a distal direction and a spring push for retaining the spring within the main connector body. The spring push is mounted at the proximal end of the main connector body. The spring push includes a main body and a stub that projects proximally outwardly from the main body.

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: A method auto-switches interfaces between a client computer and subsystems in a device under management. A first output bus from a first subsystem is coupled to a client computer via a multiplexer, wherein the first subsystem is a subsystem from multiple system subsystems in the device under management. A hardware subsystem bus monitor monitors all output busses from the multiple system subsystems for a predetermined event on a bus. In response to the predetermined event being detected on a second output bus from a second subsystem in the device under management, the multiplexor decouples the first output bus from the client computer and couples the second output bus to the client computer.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for improving food safety. One or more lactic acid producing microorganisms are shown to inhibit pathogenic contaminations on food materials. The lactic acid producing microorganisms are capable of adhering to various surfaces and may serve as a bio-sanitizing agent (or bio-sanitizer). Lactic acid producing microorganisms or cell free extract of these microorganisms may be used in an effective and natural method to prevent L. monocytogenes infection in food products, as well as in food processing facilities and equipments.