Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating nerves are disclosed. In one embodiment adapted for stimulating excitable tissue, the invention includes drive circuitry, an acoustic transducer and a pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A method of using a sensor array that measures the long-term change in the organic content of the near-surface seawater by simultaneously comparing downwelling sunlight attenuation in the blue and green wavelengths over a significant vertical distance.

Abstract: An infrared convection paint baking oven comprising a tunnel having an entrance and exit, the tunnel having top and side walls equipped with air ducts that communicate with a at least one air pressure blower to form an air plenum in the interior of said tunnel. The oven is equipped with at least one exhaust to re-circulate heated air and vent moisture and volatiles from said tunnel. The exhaust communicates said pressure blower with air make up and an RTO. The re-circulated air flow is divertible from the exhaust to the furnace to control temperature and VOC emissions. Infrared light assemblies are arranged in said tunnel interior on the top and side walls such that air from said plenum is circulated around said light assemblies to form a convection air current. The light assemblies are in close proximity to each other at the entrance and along a distance of said tunnel to form a warm up zone.

Abstract: A combustor includes an end cover having a nozzle. The nozzle has a front end face and a central axis. The nozzle includes a plurality of fuel passages and a plurality of oxidizer passages. The fuel passages are configured for fuel exiting the fuel passage. The fuel passages are positioned to direct fuel in a first direction, where the first direction is angled inwardly towards the center axis. The oxidizer passages are configured for having oxidizer exit the oxidizer passages. The oxidizer passages are positioned to direct oxidizer in a second direction, where the second direction is angled outwardly away from the center axis. The plurality of fuel passages and the plurality of oxidizer passages are positioned in relation to one another such that fuel is in a cross-flow arrangement with oxidizer to create a burning zone in the combustor.

Abstract: The described systems and methods are directed at configuring a server based on a selected role. An installation application is configured to install core components in a server where these core components enable the server to perform the basic functions of a network computing device. A role management application is configured to enable a system administrator to select a role for the server and to automatically determine software components associated with the selected role. The role management application is then configured to build the software components and install the components on the server. The role management application is further configured to configure the components for the selected role. The automated installation process performed by the role management application enables a server to be efficiently configured for a particular role without installing other unnecessary components unrelated to the role.

Abstract: A comparative evaluation of a plurality of alternative candidates is performed by creating a plurality of evaluation criteria for evaluating the alternative candidates, comparing pairs of the evaluation criteria and assigning a relative weight to each compared pair of evaluation criteria, assigning an evaluation value to the evaluation criteria for each of the alternative candidates, and generating a relative ranking of the alternative candidates based at least in part on the assigned relative weights and the assigned evaluation values.

Abstract: Accurate sheet leading edge registration system and method including a first and second nip assembly, a first sheet leading edge sensor and a controller. The first and second nip assemblies being spaced apart from one another. The first sheet leading edge sensor capable of detecting an arrival of a leading edge of a sheet at a point in the process direction. The arrival being associated with engagement of the first and second nip assemblies with the sheet. The controller capable of imparting a rotational skew velocity to the sheet using the first and second nip assemblies. A center of rotation of the skew velocity being offset laterally from a center of the sheet leading edge and being coincident with a lateral position of a virtual point, the virtual point lateral position being offset from a lateral position of the first sheet leading edge sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for monitoring oil condition. In one embodiment, a marine powertrain is provided that includes a marine engine and a gear casing containing an oil and a gas. An engine speed sensor generates an output value, which indicates a speed of the marine engine. An oil sensor generates an output value, which indicates a condition of the oil. The condition of the oil is selectively monitored according to whether the marine engine is operating at a speed that is less than an engine speed threshold value, which denotes a speed of the marine engine at which the oil and the gas form an oil and aerated gas mixture.

Abstract: A server system sends a first credential request to a passive requestor at a client device. After sending the first credential request, the server system receives a credential for a user of the client device. If the credential is valid, the server system can provide the passive requestor with access to a resource provided by the server system. After providing the passive requestor with access to the resource, the server system provides an active requestor at the client device with access to the resource without sending a second credential request to the active requestor. Consequently, it may not be necessary for a user of the client device to provide credentials twice in order for the passive requestor and the active requestor to access the resource.

Abstract: A wine pouring spout that aerates the wine pouring therethrough comprises a generally tubular construction with a flow path extending along the axis of the spout. The flow path is provided with a Venturi constriction, and a Venturi intake port delivers ambient air to the low pressure zone of the constriction, as is generally known in the prior art. A closure member is pivotally joined to the spout, with a distal end that rotates to seal the spout outlet, and rotates open as the spout is tipped to a pouring position. A filter is removably secured in the proximal end of the bore in the spout to remove sediment from the wine.

Abstract: A chip layout isolates Rx terminals and Rx ports from Tx terminals and Tx ports. Tx terminals are grouped contiguously to each other, and are segregated as a group to a given edge of the package, Rx terminals are similarly grouped and segregated to a different edge of the package. Tx and Rx data channels are disposed in a respective single layer of the package, or both are disposed in a same single layer of the package. Rx ports and Tx ports are located at an approximate center of the package, with Tx and Rx ports disposed on respective opposite sides of an axis bisecting the package. Data signals received by, and transmitted from, the chip flow in a same direction, from a first edge of the package to the center of the package and from the center of the package to a second edge of the package, respectively.

Abstract: Biometric authentication and verification are described. A method in biometric identification includes establishing a foundational biometric measurement based on a first user input. The method also includes providing a second user input at a biometric terminal, the second user input used by the biometric terminal to determine whether to acknowledge a verifying biometric measurement, in response to receipt of the established foundational biometric measurement and the second user input. The method may also include establishing the foundational biometric measurement, by the user, utilizing biometric equipment. Alternatively, the establishing of the foundational biometric measurement based on first user input is performed by providing the first user input to a biometric kiosk, the biometric kiosk using the first user input to establish the foundational biometric measurement. Advantages of the present invention include the ability to perform more secure biometric transactions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compounds that inhibit the expression of VEGF post-transcriptionally have been identified, and methods for their use provided. In one aspect of the invention, compounds useful in the inhibition of VEGF production, in the inhibition of angiogenesis, and/or in the treatment of cancer, diabetic retinopathy or exudative macular degeneration are provided. In another aspect of the invention, methods are provided for the inhibition of VEGF production, the inhibition of angiogenesis, and/or the treatment of cancer, diabetic retinopathy or exudative macular degeneration using the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for multi-resolution x-ray image capture. In one embodiment, a method includes repositioning an image capture assembly of an x-ray image capture apparatus from a first position to a second position, the first position corresponding to a first pixel density resolution and the second position corresponding to a second pixel density resolution; activating an x-ray source; and obtaining a digital x-ray image of a subject from an imaging sensor of the image capture assembly, the digital x-ray image having the second pixel density resolution.

Abstract: The invention provides computer-implemented methods and apparatus implementing a hierarchical protocol using multiscale molecular dynamics and molecular modeling methods to predict the presence of transmembrane regions in proteins, such as G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR), and protein structural models generated according to the protocol. The protocol features a coarse grain sampling method, such as hydrophobicity analysis, to provide a fast and accurate procedure for predicting transmembrane regions. Methods and apparatus of the invention are useful to screen protein or polynucleotide databases for encoded proteins with transmembrane regions, such as GPCRs.

Abstract: A brake booster wherein second and third pistons are separated within a bore of a master cylinder to define second and third chambers. Compensation valves control the flow fluid from a reservoir to the bore while a passage in the second piston connects the second chamber with the third chamber that is connected to the reservoir through an tilt valve that is held opened by pressurized fluid acting on a fourth piston. A control valve responds to a resiliently applied force from an input rod carried by the third piston to supply pressurized fluid to the brake system. In an event pressurized fluid is unavailable, a spring moves the fourth piston and a sixth spring to moves the tilt valve against a seat to seal the third chamber and create a hydraulic lock. Further movement of the third piston correspondingly moves the second piston to effect a manual brake application.

Abstract: A method for operating a communications system is disclosed. At a first point in time, the communications system is operated using a first TDM switch/MUX controlling a first set of TDM streams operating at a first frequency. At a second point in time, a second TDM switch/MUX is installed in the communications system which controls the first set of TDM streams operating at the first frequency and also controls a second set of TDM streams operating at a second frequency that is different as compared to the first frequency. The second TDM switch/MUX couples TDM streams to and from the communications system at the first frequency, while concurrently coupling TDM streams to and from the communications system at the second frequency, and an upgradable switch/MUX capability is provided in the communications system.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the activity of receptors are provided. In particular compounds and compositions are provided for modulating the activity of receptors and for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of disease or disorder directly or indirectly related to the activity of the receptors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing received signals in a multi-carrier system are disclosed. An exemplary method includes estimating one or more first propagation channel coefficients based on a training sequence in each of one or more first slots received over a first radio channel, equalizing signal samples from one or more second slots received over a second radio channel immediately frequency-adjacent to the first radio channel, using the first propagation channel coefficients, and demodulating user data bits from the equalized signal samples. In some embodiments, the training sequence is located at a fixed position in each of the one or more first slots and user data bits are demodulated from a directly corresponding position in each of the second slots. Improved data rates are thus achieved by constraining radio carriers in a multi-carrier system to frequency-adjacent channels and eliminating training symbols from one of the signals.