Abstract: A Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect (CPCI) system is provided that can map PCI Industrial Computer Manufactures Group (PICMG) states describing the state of a hot-swap CPCI card into Telecommunication Management Network (TMN) plug-in unit states. Specifically, the hardware/Operating System (OS) states for the CPCI card are specified in PICMG states in accordance with the PICMG hot-swap specification. The present system identifies or defines the meaning (e.g., the definition, identification, function, and/or status) of the states on the CPCI card. The system then maps these states into intermediate states. The intermediate states are then mapped into TMN plug-in unit states (e.g., OperationalState and/or AvailiableStatus). The TMN plug-in unit states corresponding to the CPCI card will then comprise the proper identification information for the CPCI card.

Abstract: A dynamic reflective spatial attenuator for use in an optical inspection apparatus. The attenuator takes the form of a two-dimensional micro-mechanical reflective array that, in the first operative position of a mirror element, reflects the desired scattered light toward a detector and, in the second operative position of a mirror element, reflects undesired scattered light into a light dump. The mirror array's fast response and flexibility allows for changes during mid-scan to increase the defect's or contaminant's signal relative to the substrate surface's signal.

Abstract: A cushioning device that imparts both stability and cushioning to the midsole of an athletic shoe. The cushioning device includes a bladder that has a plurality of separate fluid chambers positioned around a perimeter. The chambers define an open central portion of the bladder arrangement. Each of the chambers has an inner side, an outer side and a height that increases from a minimum adjacent the inner side to a maximum toward the outer side thereof.

Abstract: A protector panel for telecommunication wires has a plurality of rows of sockets. Each of the sockets has two pairs of receptacles for receiving pins of a plug-in excess voltage protector module. Rows of pins protrude from the back of the panel, each of the pins registering with one of the receptacles so as to provide two pairs of pins for each socket pattern. A pair of outside-plant wires extends from one of the pairs of pins of each socket pattern. Similarly, a pair of customer premises wires extends from the other of the pairs of each socket pattern. The pairs of wires are twisted substantially along their entire length. The amount of twist of at least some of the pairs of the outside-plant wires within each row differs from the amount of twist of at least some of the other pairs of outside-plant wires. Similarly, the amount of twist of the customer premises wires also differs from others in the same row.

Abstract: A composite collection device suitable for the collection of body fluid samples is disclosed, The device is particularly suitable for the collection of whole blood for the determination of analytes therein. The composite body fluid collection device comprises a liquid absorbent web and a liquid distributing overlayer contiguous with said absorbent web, the liquid distributing overlayer being liquid permeable and providing flux through the overlayer of no more than about 4 microliters/square millimeter/second.

Abstract: A quick coupler formed of two identical sectors that snap lock together in a radially inward direction relative to a central axis of an annular hole passing through the coupler. The coupler is in the form of a nut or housing for surrounding the ends of two conduits that are to be coupled. The annular hole extends between opposite end faces and has structure near each end face. The structure at one end of the annular hole comprises a flange for retaining a first conduit when the sectors are snapped surroundingly snapped together on the end of the first conduit. The structure at the other end of the annular hole has circumferentially spaced lugs for cooperation with bosses on the second conduit in a bayonet quick coupling fashion. The combination of the coupler with first and second conduits having cooperating structure enabling the coupler to join the conduits in sealed fluid communication.

Abstract: A cushioning device that imparts both stability and cushioning to the midsole of an athletic shoe. The cushioning device includes a bladder that has a plurality of separate fluid chambers positioned around a perimeter. The chambers define an open central portion of the bladder arrangement. Each of the chambers has an inner side, an outer side and a height that increases from a minimum adjacent the inner side to a maximum toward the outer side thereof.

Abstract: A dynamic reflective spatial attenuator for use in an optical inspection apparatus. The attenuator takes the form of a two-dimensional micro-mechanical reflective array that, in the first operative position of a mirror element, reflects the desired scattered light toward a detector and, in the second operative position of a mirror element, reflects undesired scattered light into a light dump. The mirror array's fast response and flexibility allows for changes during mid-scan to increase the defect's or contaminant's signal relative to the substrate surface's signal.

Abstract: A shoe and an improved method of shoe construction comprising an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, that are coupled together to form a housing for receiving a foot, and wherein the midsole is enveloped by the bottom ends of the upper, the insole, and the outsole to provide a more secure and stable fit of the shoe to the foot. The shoe is constructed to have the midsole of the shoe enveloped by the combination of the upper, insole, and outsole. This method of shoe construction results in a shoe having an improved fit because the midsole is pulled from the top and the bottom to provide improved fit, support, stability, and cushioning characteristics.

Abstract: A shoe and an improved method of shoe construction comprising an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, that are coupled together to form a housing for receiving a foot, and wherein the midsole is enveloped by the bottom ends of the upper, the insole, and the outsole to provide a more secure and stable fit of the shoe to the foot. The shoe is constructed to have the midsole of the shoe enveloped by the combination of the upper, insole, and outsole. This method of shoe construction results in a shoe having an improved fit because the midsole is pulled from the top and the bottom to provide improved fit, support, stability, and cushioning characteristics.

Abstract: A footwear sole construction has a cavity. The footwear sole construction includes pods disposed on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the sole. The pods may be formed independent from the sole or integral with the sole. In addition, the pods may be disposed on the forefoot region of the sole, as well as, around the entire periphery. The placement of the cavities directly control the degree of shock absorption. The pods may be disposed such that at least one of the cavities may be disposed to have an open end on one of the medial and lateral sides of the sole and another open end on the lower surface of the sole. The cavities also may be formed directly in the sole material. In such case, a support piece can be disposed in the cavities or a reinforcement piece can be disposed on the bottom of the sole. The cavities also may be formed in a support element disposed in the sole.

Abstract: A fault tolerant controller arrangement for electric motor driven apparatus is implemented by a plurality of control channels, each of which includes a motor and associated drive circuitry. The implementation is such that the rating of each of the plurality of channels is reduced and all channels are operated such that the load is shared between all operating channels. The arrangement is such that all channels share the load dynamically and statically and that each channel in a system of n channels supplies .sup.1 n of the required load driving force in the same direction.

Abstract: The footwear sole construction has a sole element disposed in the heel region of the sole. The sole element includes a first pod disposed on the medial side of the sole and a second pod disposed on the lateral side of the sole. The first pod is connected to the second pod by a web. A lower side of the sole element defines a concavity such that a lower surface of the first and second pods are disposed for contacting a ground surface. The first and second pods each include cavities extending therethrough such that a first open end of a cavity is disposed on one of the medial and lateral sides of the pod and a second open end of that cavity is disposed on the lower surface of such pod. The placement of the cavities and the orientation of the pods allow for tailoring and control of shock absorption.

Abstract: A footwear sole construction has a cavity. The footwear sole construction includes pods disposed on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the sole. The pods may be formed independent from the sole or integral with the sole. In addition, the pods may be disposed on the forefoot region of the sole, as well as, around the entire periphery. The placement of the cavities directly control the degree of shock absorption. The pods may be disposed such that at least one of the cavities may be disposed to have an open end on one of the medial and lateral sides of the sole and another open end on the lower surface of the sole. The cavities also may be formed directly in the sole material. In such case, a support piece can be disposed in the cavities or a reinforcement piece can be disposed on the bottom of the sole. The cavities also may be formed in a support element disposed in the sole.