Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for rendering a piece-wise smooth image are disclosed. The image is specified by image values along opposite sides of paths. The paths are converted to chains of straight line segments, and image values are set for each side of each segment. Coefficients are determined for each line segment. A first coefficient for each segment is based on a difference between specified image values on opposite sides of the segment. A second coefficient for each segment is obtained using an average of image values on opposite sides of the segment and a system of linear equations. Each image value is calculated as the addition of a sum over all segments of the product of first coefficient for a segment with a dipole field value for the segment and a sum over all segments of the product of second coefficient for a segment with a logarithmic field value for the segment.

Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing upstream of a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that is subsequent to the first stage to a step area upstream of the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.

Abstract: The instant invention is a polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, articles made therefrom, and method of making the same. The polyethylene composition according to the instant invention comprises (1) less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (2) less than 15 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers. The polyethylene composition according the instant invention has a density of equal to D g/cm3, wherein D=[(0.0034(Ln(I2))+0.9553], wherein I2 is melt index expressed in g/10 min, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.62, a melt index (I2) in the range of 2 to 1000 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, and a vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.06 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the composition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to monitoring resources of a network processor to detect a condition of exhaustion in one or more of the resources over a predetermined time interval and to provide an indication of the condition. Some embodiments periodically sample various resources of a network processor and from the samples calculate utilization of the network processor's memory bus and core processor, and determine if an interworking FIFO packet queue error has occurred. Such information may help network operators and/or support engineers to quickly zero in on the root cause and take corrective actions for network failures which previously could have been attributed to many different causes and that would have required significant time and effort to troubleshoot.

Abstract: An invention is afforded for a dampening apparatus for a musical instrument. The dampening apparatus includes a plurality of dampening pads disposed on a base element. The dampening pads are spaced to allow a string of a stringed musical instrument to fit between two dampening pads. In addition, at least one dampening pad is configured to fit between two strings of the stringed musical instrument to allow for free string vibration. The base element and the plurality of dampening pads are configured to fit between the strings and a fretboard of the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: Components for the manufacture of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are provided, as well as apparatus and automatable methods for their manufacture by rotary die cutting and by lamination of various layers to form membrane electrode assemblies. A method and apparatus for performing the method are provided comprising die-cutting webs of catalyst decal materials or electrode materials to make first and second workpieces at first and second rotary die stations; holding the die-cut workpieces by action of sub-ambient air pressure to an endless perforated belt of first and second vacuum conveyors, typically before they are fully cut from the first and second webs; transporting first and second workpieces to opposing sides of a membrane in a laminating station; concurrently feeding the first and second workpieces into the laminating nip adjacent to the membrane, and laminating the first and second workpieces to the membrane.

Abstract: A system for disabling the operation of a vehicle when a driver of a vehicle is seated in a vehicle seat. The system includes an alcohol detection sensor configured to be contacted by the driver and to generate a detection signal based on contact between the driver and the detection sensor. The system also includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and a sensing circuit configured to provide a sensing signal to the sensing electrode. A controller is provided to detect a change in the detection signal resulting from contact between the driver and the detection sensor. The controller is configured to disable the vehicle when either the blood alcohol concentration of the driver of the vehicle exceeds a threshold or the controller does not detect a change in the detection signal resulting from contact of the driver with the detection sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing recording as a network service are provided. A representative method incorporates: communicating instructions to a network, the instructions indicating that IP packets associated with a communication that is to be recorded are to be directed to long term storage such that the network: receives the instructions; determines whether Internet Protocol (IP) packets, which are being communicated by the network, are associated with a communication that is to be recorded; and directs information corresponding to the IP packets associated with the communication to a long term storage device.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies that bind and inhibit activation of epidermal growth factor receptor related member ErbB3/HER3 are disclosed. The antibodies can be used to treat cell proliferative diseases and disorders, including certain forms of cancer, associated with activation of ErbB3/HER3.

Abstract: Techniques are described to provide event queuing and consumption. In an implementation, events received at an event router are queued after determining that a switch is to be performed from a first event consumer to a second event consumer. Events previously queued at the first event consumer are communicated to the second event consumer, and when completed, the events queued at the event router are communicated to the second event consumer.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH12FT and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH12FT with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH12FT through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH12FT or a locus conversion of PH12FT with another maize variety.

Abstract: A system for integrating radiolucent tracking sensors in a medical table, table mat, or surgical drape of a surgical navigation system, allowing the surgical navigation system to be less obtrusive in a surgery environment. A plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors are integrated into a table, table mat, or surgical draping of a surgical navigation system for improving surgical navigation workflow and eliminating image artifacts from intraoperative images. The plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors may be located within a table or adjacent to a table surface.

Abstract: A data processing system enables global shared memory (GSM) operations across multiple nodes with a distributed EA-to-RA mapping of physical memory. Each node has a host fabric interface (HFI), which includes HFI windows that are assigned to at most one locally-executing task of a parallel job. The tasks perform parallel job execution, but map only a portion of the effective addresses (EAs) of the global address space to the local, real memory of the task's respective node. The HFI window tags all outgoing GSM operations (of the local task) with the job ID, and embeds the target node and HFI window IDs of the node at which the EA is memory mapped. The HFI window also enables processing of received GSM operations with valid EAs that are homed to the local real memory of the receiving node, while preventing processing of other received operations without a valid EA-to-RA local mapping.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading terminal comprising an image sensor pixel array having a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including a first set of pixels and a second set of pixels, the first set of pixels having wavelength selective filters transmitting light of a first wavelength, the second set of pixels having wavelength selective filters transmitting light of a second wavelength. The indicia reading terminal can include an optical imaging assembly for focusing imaging light rays onto the image sensor pixel array, the optical imaging assembly being adapted so that for light rays of the first wavelength the optical imaging assembly has a first focus range and for light rays of the second wavelength the optical imaging assembly has a second focus range.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, and a plurality of heads actuated over the respective disk surfaces. In one embodiment, control circuitry generates a pulse duty cycle signal for one of the heads. In another embodiment, the control circuitry generates a first pulse width modulated signal for a first head, and a second pulse width modulated signal for a second head, wherein the second pulse width modulated signal comprises a phase offset from the first pulse width modulated signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pyrazine derivatives of Formula I: Formula I; wherein each of X1 and X2 is independently —CONR7R9; and each of Y1 and Y2 is independently —NR48R49; and methods of using the same. The disclosed pyrazine derivatives include those having urea, amide, sulfonamide, thiourea, and/or carbamate substituents. Among the various aspects of the present invention are pyrazine derivatives that may be detected in vivo and used in a number of medical procedures (e.g., renal function monitoring). Without being bound by a particular theory, the pyrazine derivatives described herein may be designed to be hydrophilic, thus allowing for rapid renal clearance for continuous monitoring of renal function.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a second surface having an extension with a concave contact surface, the concave contact surface being spaced apart from the second surface. The implant further includes a second endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a second surface comprising a convex contact surface, and the second endplate having first and second side rails positioned along and above the second surface defining a first and second arcuate slots on opposing sides of the second surface. A plate connecting the first and second endplates is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for estimating consumer demand at remotely located equipment and establishing dispatch schedules for servicing the remotely located equipment. Data from the remotely located equipment may be classified into a hierarchy or various levels of reliability for use in calculating a consumer demand estimate for each product and/or each service available at the remotely located equipment. A full set of sales data for each product or service over multiple time intervals with no equipment problems, no out of stock conditions and no other operating problems may be classified as the highest level of reliability and predictability possible for calculating a consumer demand estimate. The lowest level of data used to calculate a consumer demand estimate may be a historical average of daily sales for all products or services sold over a long period of time at the remotely located equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a diffusion tip for use with a fuel nozzle is described. The diffusion tip has a substantially circular body including an outer surface and an opposite inner surface. The diffusion tip body extends from a discharge end to an inlet end. The diffusion tip includes an inlet surface adjacent to the discharge end and defined within the body. A discharge surface is defined opposite the inlet surface. A plurality of diffusion apertures each extend between the discharge surface and the inlet surface, each aperture is oriented relative to the body to discharge a diffusion flow outward therefrom at an angle ? (gamma) measured in an X-Z plane between a centerline of the aperture and an X-axis extending tangentially to the outer surface, and at an angle ? (theta) measured in a Y-Z plane between the centerline of the aperture and a Y-axis extending radially outward from the centerline.