Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for analyzing nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and sequence changes. The methods of the present invention permit the detection and/or identification of genetic polymorphism such as those associated with human disease and permit the identification of pathogens (e.g., viral and bacterial strain identification).

Abstract: Network bundles may be processed in a distributed network having a decentralized serving structure. The message bundles may be modified to include a client address. Additionally, each message bundle comprises a plurality of sub-messages, and each sub-message may contain either a link to the output of another sub-message, or a network address. A network device may be implemented to gather responses to the sub-messages from various servers and to organize the responses into a final response to send to the client.

Abstract: A bath brush comprises a handle attached to a bristle block that contains bristles. A tank mounted inside the handle can be filled with liquid soap, liquid detergent, or other liquids to be used in washing the body. A pushbutton connected to a pump allows a user to select a measured amount of liquid while keeping the liquid from spilling, as it may when poured from a bottle. A check valve keeps liquid from running back into the tank and another check valve passes liquid from the pump to the bristle block but prevents anything from running back into the pump. While the bath brush is useful for anyone who is showering, bathing in a tub, or taking a sponge bath, it is especially useful for someone whose balance is compromised enough that he or she needs to hold on to something in the shower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for analyzing nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and sequence changes. The methods of the present invention permit the detection and/or identification of genetic polymorphism such as those associated with human disease and permit the identification of pathogens (e.g., viral and bacterial strain identification).

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting network packets between network processing elements through links are disclosed. One or more configuration entities may allocate one or more fixed length slots to be appended to network packets forwarded on a link between network processing elements in-band of the link.

Abstract: A wireless, non-powered fatigue monitoring sensor uses a piezoelectric element that is attached to the surface of or embedded within a structure to be monitored. When subjected to stress over time, the material properties of the element change reliably and permanently. These properties are used to determine the fatigue history of the structure. The monitoring device requires no power for monitoring and is nondestructively queried to determine the stress history using wireless means such as radio frequency technology.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for maximizing transmission throughput or capacity in a heterogeneous communications network. The systems and methods may include any one, or combinations, of: a route tracing module for identifying an optimization endpoint or destination; a testing module for sending representative test data to the endpoint/destination and measuring the data throughput/capacity for a given set of transmission variable values; and an optimization module for analyzing the set of transmission variable values and the associated data throughput/capacity, and determining an optimized set of transmission variables/values. Thus, the optimization module changes the transmission variable values of an associated network device operating within the heterogeneous communications network to achieve maximum data throughput/capacity.

Abstract: Network bundles may be processed in a distributed network having a decentralized serving structure. The message bundles may be modified to include a client address. Additionally, each message bundle comprises a plurality of sub-messages, and each sub-message may contain either a link to the output of another sub-message, or a network address. A network device may be implemented to gather responses to the sub-messages from various servers and to organize the responses into a final response to send to the client.

Abstract: An apparatus for using liquids in bathing, to be used as a cleanser in bathing, comprises a pouf attached by a support to a squeezable container that contains a bathing liquid such as a liquid bathing detergent, a liquid soap, or either or both of these, combined with lotions or the like. When the squeezable container is squeezed, it delivers liquid from the squeezable container to the pouf to apply the liquid to the skin of the bather. A check valve admits replacement air to the squeezable container but keeps the liquid in when the squeezable container is not squeezed.

Abstract: Variable write back delay apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed. The disclosed variable write back delay apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture identify a probability associated with a loss of a file and determine the write back delay based on the probability associated with the loss of the file. The disclosed apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture associate a write back delay with each file that results in a minimal expected total time cost of recreating and storing that file.

Abstract: In a distributed system, a server may distribute a primary object copy having one or more chunks of data associated with a primary per-chunk metadata copy to a client over a network. The client may selectively fetch and update the one or more chunks of data of the primary object copy based on the primary per-chunk metadata copy. For example, by determining at a client whether a portion of the data in a cached data object, such as a file, is changed relative to a copy of a data object for the cached data object at a server, less than all of the data of the cached data object may be replaced with a corresponding data in the copy of the data object.

Abstract: A decoiling device for decoiling a coil of sheet material includes first and second support rollers on which to support a coil of sheet material. The first and second support rollers are oriented such that their rotation axes are parallel to a first direction. The decoiling device also includes a frame supports the first and second support rollers, a rotatable mandrel, and first and second guide members. The first and second guide members are positionable at first and second sides of the frame, respectively, so as to limit movement of the coil of sheet material in the first direction. Multiple such decoiling devices can be configured together with a support member that supports the multiple decoiling devices to provide a mobile multi-coil decoiling system that is transportable from one location to another.

Abstract: A rail break or vehicle detection system includes a plurality of voltage sources, each coupled to one of the plurality of zones. A plurality of resistors are provided, each coupled in series with one of the plurality of voltage sources. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to one of the plurality of resistors and adapted to measure a first set of values and second set of values indicative of current flowing through the resistor. At least one control unit is adapted to receive input from the plurality of current sensors and to compare a difference between the second set of values and the first set of values to a predetermined threshold limit to detect presence of a rail vehicle on the block. The control unit is further adapted to switch a polarity of each voltage source.

Abstract: A power system includes an energy harvesting device, a battery coupled to the energy harvesting device, and a circuit coupled to the energy harvesting device and the battery. The circuit is adapted to deliver power to a load by providing power generated by the energy harvesting device to the load without delivering excess power to the battery and to supplement the power generated by the energy harvesting device with power from the battery if the power generated by the energy harvesting device is insufficient to fully power the load. A method of operating the power system is also provided.

Abstract: A system for detecting a rail break or train occupancy includes a current source adapted to deliver a current to an isolated block of a rail track. A voltage sensor is coupled to the isolated block and configured to detect voltage across the isolated block. A shunt device is coupled to the isolated block and configured to receive a shunt current from the current delivered by the current source. A shunt current sensor is coupled to the shunt device and adapted to detect the shunt current flowing through the shunt device. A control unit is adapted to receive input from the voltage sensor and the shunt current sensor and to monitor a variation of the shunt current with respect to the voltage to detect the rail break or train occupancy.

Abstract: A wireless, non-powered fatigue monitoring sensor uses a piezoelectric element that is attached to the surface of or embedded within a structure to be monitored. When subjected to stress over time, the material properties of the element change reliably and permanently. These properties are used to determine the fatigue history of the structure. The monitoring device requires no power for monitoring and is nondestructively queried to determine the stress history using wireless means such as radio frequency technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for analyzing nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and sequence changes. The methods of the present invention permit the detection and/or identification of genetic polymorphism such as those associated with human disease and permit the identification of pathogens (e.g., viral and bacterial strain identification).

Abstract: A clearance measurement system is provided. The clearance measurement system includes a reference geometry disposed on a first object having an otherwise continuous surface geometry and a sensor disposed on a second object, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter from the first object and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter from the reference geometry. The clearance measurement system also includes a processing unit configured to process the first and second signals to estimate a clearance between the first and second objects based upon a measurement difference between the first and second sensed parameters.

Abstract: Network bundles may be processed in a distributed network having a decentralized serving structure. The message bundles may be modified to include a client address. Additionally, each message bundle comprises a plurality of sub-messages, and each sub-message may contain either a link to the output of another sub-message, or a network address. A network device may be implemented to gather responses to the sub-messages from various servers and to organize the responses into a final response to send to the client.

Abstract: A clearance sensing system for a rotating machine includes a plurality of sensor probes disposed within a stationary shroud of the rotating machine. Each of the plurality of sensor probes is adapted to measure a parameter indicative of an axial and a radial displacement of a rotating component within the shroud and to produce a signal that corresponds to the parameter. In certain embodiments, this parameter may include a capacitance between the rotating component and the sensor probe. The clearance sensing system further includes a circuit that receives the signal from each of the plurality of sensor probes and determines (a) the axial displacement of the rotating component within the shroud and (b) a radial displacement of the rotating component relative to the shroud.