Abstract: Flexible hang-off arrangement is provided for a catenary riser suspended from an offshore or inshore platform, which includes floating or fixed platforms, vessels or/and buoys. The bending loads in the top segments of the said riser are reduced by incorporating a pivot at the riser hang-off. Pressure containing welded, bolted, rolled or swaged pipe spools transfer fluids, including hydrocarbons between the riser and the platform. Along significant spool lengths the tangents to the center lines of said spools are orthogonal to and offset from the tangent to the center line of the riser at the hang-off. The said pressure containing spools include arbitrary looped, spiral and helicoidal designs that are subject to torsion.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating micro-valves and micro-pumps. The micro-valves and micro-pumps that are fabricated include electrically conductive diaphragms fabricated from electrically conductive nano-fibers. Fluid flow through the micro-valves and pumping action of the micro-pumps is accomplished by applying electrostatic forces to the electrically conductive diaphragms.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor substrate includes epitaxially growing an elemental semiconductor layer on a compound semiconductor substrate. An insulating layer is deposited on top of the elemental semiconductor layer, so as to form a first substrate. The first substrate is wafer bonded onto a monocrystalline Si substrate, such that the insulating layer bonds with the monocrystalline Si substrate. A semiconductor device includes a monocrystalline substrate, and a dielectric layer formed on the monocrystalline substrate. A semiconductor compound is formed on the dielectric layer and an elemental semiconductor material formed in proximity of the semiconductor compound and lattice-matched to the semiconductor compound.

Abstract: An elbow assembly for a mask assembly includes an anti-asphyxia valve (AAV) assembly that may take the form of a box-like frame work, a drop-in arrangement, or a slot-in arrangement. In each case, the AAV assembly may include a flap element which is movable so as to either direct ambient gas/air to the elbow assembly and thus the patient using the mask assembly, or to allow the passage of pressurized gas to the patient.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the application of compatible solutes to immobilized biological materials or to immobilize in order to improve the technical performance using the same, namely nucleic acid and proteins or biosensors micronets. The above mentioned compatible solutes are selected from a group that includes Mannosylglycerate (MG) and its 3 derivatives manno-sylglyceramide (MGA), -mannosylglycerol (MGOH), and mannosyl-lactate (MGLac), 1,1-di-glycerol phosphate (DGP), ectoin, hydroxyectoin, and or derivatives or combinations thereof. The improved performance of the above mentioned techniques might be due to: a better state of preservation of the material to be immobilized, increasing the life expectancy of the material, and/or decreasing the storage and/or transport requirements, a more efficient and uniform deposition of the material on the support, more efficiency and/or specificity of hybridation of the marked material, all this originating an increase of the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: There is described the use of an acetaldehyde decreasing compound in a thermoplastic composition which comprises: (i) a polyester; and (ii) at least one property improving material selected from a compound containing an amino moiety, a nano clay and/or a quaternary ammonium compound; for reducing the degree of discolouration and/or increasing the degree of light transmission of an article formed from the thermoplastic composition. A preferred acetaldehyde decreasing compound is anthranilamide.

Abstract: Methods and materials related to producing 3-HP as well as other organic compounds are disclosed. Specifically, isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, host cells, and methods and materials for producing 3-HP and other organic compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing customized medical monitoring to a patient is disclosed. The method can include steps of selecting a medical monitoring device for a patient, where the medical monitoring device is associated with a biological transducer, determining at least one desired monitoring parameter, and customizing locally the medical monitoring device to monitor the desired monitoring parameter collected by the biological transducer. The method may further include steps of providing the medical monitoring device to the patient, and monitoring at least one health parameter of the patient from a remote location. The medical monitoring device can also be customized remotely.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for viewing data lineage of objects. A data lineage view that includes at least one data lineage path is displayed. The data lineage view is generated by a data lineage tool that tracks an original object through processes that touched that original object. The at least one data lineage path is generated from the original object to a selected object and indicates how the original object was affected by the processes. The data lineage view is displayed as a fish eye view.

Abstract: A fuse structure and a method for operating the same. The fuse structure operating method includes providing a structure. The structure includes (a) an electrically conductive layer and (b) N electrically conductive regions hanging over without touching the electrically conductive layer. N is a positive integer and N is greater than 1. The N electrically conductive regions are electrically connected together. The structure operating method further includes causing a first electrically conductive region of the N electrically conductive regions to touch the electrically conductive layer without causing the remaining N?1 electrically conductive regions to touch the electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A structure and a method for forming the same. The method includes providing a structure which includes (a) a to-be-patterned layer, (b) a photoresist layer on top of the to-be-patterned layer wherein the photoresist layer includes a first opening, and (c) a cap region on side walls of the first opening. A first top surface of the to-be-patterned layer is exposed to a surrounding ambient through the first opening. The method further includes performing a first lithography process resulting in a second opening in the photoresist layer. The second opening is different from the first opening. A second top surface of the to-be-patterned layer is exposed to a surrounding ambient through the second opening.

Abstract: A mask for delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient may include one or more of the following improvements: rigidizer provided to headgear strap, locking clip/clip receptacle headgear connection, keyed headgear buckles, lotion dispenser on frame, rotatable prongs to adjust orientation, alignment indicators provided to prong, cushion and/or frame, chin flap with bellows arrangement, vent holes positioned away from gas entry port, and vent holes to direct washout gas at an angle.

Abstract: Alanine 2,3-aminomutase sequences are disclosed, as are cells having alanine 2,3-aminomutase activity and methods of selecting for such cells. Methods for producing beta-alanine, pantothenate, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, as well as other organic compounds, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of and system for managing storage resources in a distributed file system is described. A lock for a storage resource is maintained on a lock-holding node. A master node that controls the lock-holding node receives a lock request from a requesting node. The lock request includes a request to obtain a lock for the storage resource, and a request to perform an action by the lock-holding node on the storage resource if the request to obtain the lock is not granted immediately.

Abstract: A vibratory countermine system and method associated with a propulsion means. The system is comprised of a ground-contacting percussion system assembly that is mounted to the front of the propulsion means. Also, a vibratory subassembly is mounted inside the ground-contacting percussion assembly for inducing vibrations in the ground. The ground-contacting percussion system is in contact with the ground ahead of the propulsion means. It transmits the vibrations, associated forces, and pressure waves below or ahead of the countermine system through the ground, thereby inducing the detonation of land mines.

Abstract: Structures for memory devices. The structure includes (a) a substrate; (b) a first and second electrode regions on the substrate; and (c) a third electrode region disposed between the first and second electrode regions. In response to a first write voltage potential applied between the first and third electrode regions, the third electrode region changes its own shape, such that in response to a pre-specified read voltage potential subsequently applied between the first and third electrode regions, a sensing current flows between the first and third electrode regions. In addition, in response to a second write voltage potential being applied between the second and third electrode regions, the third electrode region changes its own shape such that in response to the pre-specified read voltage potential applied between the first and third electrode regions, said sensing current does not flow between the first and third electrode regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for correctly installing a flexible liner in a tank for water storage. The present invention in the preferred form relates to the use of a substantially rigid outlet (20) in the flexible liner (12) that is received in a tank aperture (22) when the liner (12) is correctly installed in the tank (14).

Abstract: A refrigerator, including a cabinet having top, bottom, rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment, employs a cooling system and an air plenum to deliver a cooling air flow into the freezer and fresh food compartments. The air plenum includes a variable position air damper having a first, substantially straight portion and a second arcuate portion that forms an air scoop. The air damper is slidably mounted within the air plenum between first and second positions. The variable position air damper is selectively arranged in the first position to efficiently deliver a volume of the cooling air flow into the freezer compartment, the second position to deliver the cooling airflow into the fresh food compartment or in an infinite number of intermediate positions to deliver the cooling airflow into both compartments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loading dock fender unit (12) which is adapted for attachment adjacent a dock leveller (11) of a loading dock (10), the fender unit comprising a mounting plate (13), an elongate track (19) fixed to and projecting from the front face of the mounting plate (13) centrally thereof, a solid rubber or rubber like fender (15) guided for vertical sliding movement along the track (19), and a spring loaded fender restraining mechanism (16) which supports the fender in a normal at rest position and is arranged to resist movement of the fender (15) when displaced downwards from the normal at rest position by an externally applied force. In use, when a vehicle trailer is backed up against the dock with its rear end making contact with the fender (15), any up or down movement of the trailer rear end will cause simultaneous up or down movement of the fender (15).