Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.

Abstract: Provided is a process for creating a 3D metabolically active microtissue perfused with living microvessels which have a direct fluidic connection with neighboring microfluidic channels. The process comprises preparing a template comprising a plurality of channels, and creating a network within said channels, said network comprising microfluidic channels, metabolically active living microvessels, and microtissues. The microvessels can sprout from said microvessels and/or form within the microtissue in response to a stimulus applied from said microfluidic channels or stimulus derived from the said tissues. In another embodiment, a device is provided comprising a supportive structure, one or more microfluidic channels, one or more microtissue compartments, and one or more microvessels, whereby the microvessels connect said microfludic channels and microtissue and perfuse the microtissue to deliver fluid from the microfluidic channels to the microtissues.

Abstract: A multiple channel data transfer system (10) includes a source (12) that generates data packets with sequence numbers for transfer over multiple request channels (14). Data packets are transferred over the multiple request channels (14) through a network (16) to a destination (18). The destination (18) re-orders the data packets received over the multiple request channels (14) into a proper sequence in response to the sequence numbers to facilitate data processing. The destination (18) provides appropriate reply packets to the source (12) over multiple response channels (20) to control the flow of data packets from the source (12).

Abstract: A passivated iron disulfide (FeS2) surface encapsulated by an epitaxial zinc sulfide (ZnS) capping layer or matrix is provided. Also disclosed are methods for passivating the surface of crystalline iron disulfide by encapsulating it with an epitaxial zinc sulfide capping layer or matrix. Additionally disclosed is a photovoltaic (PV) device incorporating FeS2 encapsulated by ZnS.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a vehicle-to-vehicle traffic alert. Various aspects may include detecting that an abnormal traffic condition exists in an operating environment of a vehicle and generating a related electronic message. The electronic message may be transmitted via the vehicle's transceiver using a wireless communication to a nearby vehicle to alert the nearby vehicle of the abnormal traffic condition and to allow the nearby vehicle to avoid the abnormal traffic condition.

Abstract: A method for passivating the surface of crystalline iron disulfide (FeS2) by encapsulating it within an epitaxial zinc sulfide (ZnS) matrix. Also disclosed is the related product comprising FeS2 encapsulated by a ZnS matrix in which the sulfur atoms at the FeS2 surfaces are passivated. Additionally disclosed is a photovoltaic (PV) device incorporating FeS2 encapsulated by a ZnS matrix.

Abstract: A method and system provide a storage device. A plurality of read sensor stacks for each reader of the storage device are provided. The read sensor stacks are distributed along a down track direction and offset in a cross-track direction. A plurality of electronic lapping guides (ELGs) are provided for the read sensor stacks. The read sensor stacks are lapped. Lapping is terminated based on signal(s) from the ELG(s).

Abstract: A content alignment service may generate content synchronization information to facilitate the synchronous presentation of audio content and textual content. In some embodiments, a region of the textual content whose correspondence to the audio content is uncertain may be analyzed to determine whether the region of textual content corresponds to one or more words that are audibly presented in the audio content, or whether the region of textual content is a mismatch with respect to the audio content. In some embodiments, words in the textual content that correspond to words in the audio content are synchronously presented, while mismatched words in the textual content may be skipped to maintain synchronous presentation. Accordingly, in one example application, an audiobook is synchronized with an electronic book, so that as the electronic book is displayed, corresponding words of the audiobook are audibly presented.

Abstract: A system for delivering multiple passive optical network services is disclosed. The system includes a first optical transmission service comprising a common wavelength pair routed from a source to each of a plurality of subscribers. The system further includes a second optical transmission service comprising a plurality of unique wavelength pairs, where each of the unique wavelength pairs is routed from the source to a subscriber among the plurality of subscribers. The system delivers the first optical transmission service and the second optical transmission service to the subscriber on a single optical fiber.

Abstract: A composite film is disclosed. The composite film includes a substrate, a thermal barrier layer located on top of the substrate, wherein the thermal barrier layer has a higher decomposition temperature than the substrate, and a thin film located on top of the thermal barrier layer, wherein the thin film is to be thermally processed by a pulsed light from a flashlamp.

Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical device and related methods and devices are disclosed. The controller has a processing component to: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the electrosurgical device; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the electrosurgical device. IF (PF?0) and ((Vrms/Irms)?T), THEN the circuit status is “open”. IF (PF?0) and ((Vrms/Irms)<T), THEN the circuit status is “short”. PF is the power factor. Vrms is the root mean square of a voltage associated with the power applied to the at electrosurgical device. Irms is the root mean square of a current associated with the power applied to the electrosurgical device. T is a threshold value.

Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time.

Abstract: Ablation electrode assemblies include an inner core member and an outer shell surrounding the inner core member. The inner core member and the outer shell define a space or separation region therebetween. The inner core member is constructed from a thermally insulative material having a reduced thermal conductivity. In an embodiment, the space is a sealed or evacuated region. In other embodiments, irrigation fluid flows within the space. The ablation electrode assembly further includes at least one thermal sensor in some embodiments. Methods for providing irrigation fluid during cardiac ablation of targeted tissue are disclosed that include calculating the energy delivered to irrigation fluid as it flows within the ablation electrode assembly through temperature measurement of the irrigation fluid. Pulsatile flow of irrigation fluid can be utilized in some embodiments of the disclosure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time.

Abstract: Maximum likelihood bit-stream generation and detection techniques are provided using the M-algorithm and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtering. The M-Algorithm is applied to a target input signal X to perform Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation on the target input signal X to produce a digital bit stream B, such that after filtering by an IIR filter, the produced digital stream Y produces an error signal satisfying one or more predefined requirements. The predefined requirements comprise, for example, a substantially minimum error. In an exemplary bit detection implementation, the target input signal X comprises an observed analog signal and the produced digital stream Y comprises a digitized output of a receive channel corresponding to a transmitted bit stream. In an exemplary bit stream generation implementation, the target input signal X comprises a desired transmit signal and the produced digital stream Y comprises an estimate of the desired transmit signal.

Abstract: A single global traffic optimizer can be configured to perform the functionality of a global and local traffic manager. For example, the global traffic optimizer can receive a client request from a client device and route the client request to an appropriate service provider from a set of geographically dispersed service providers to service the client request. In addition to the geographic location data of the client device and service providers, the global traffic optimizer can also analyze health metrics describing service quality of the various service providers, such as Central Processing Unit (CPU) usage, bandwidth, memory usage, connectivity, service provider's network status, network latency, user capacity saturation, etc. Based on an analysis of this data, the global traffic optimizer can determine the service provider that is best suited to service the client request and route the client request accordingly without need for a local traffic manager.