Abstract: A first member of a clamping device is positioned at a first side of a portion of human tissue. The first member has a plurality of electrodes disposed thereupon. A second member of the clamping device is positioned at a second and opposite side of the human tissue. The second member has a plurality of thermocouples disposed thereupon. The first member is aligned with the second member such that each of the thermocouples on the second member is positioned across the tissue from and in the general vicinity of at least one electrode for recording the temperature of the tissue adjacent to the at least one electrode. RF energy is supplied to the plurality of electrodes and a return electrical path is provided from the plurality thermocouples. The path is electrically isolated from the RF energy supplied to the plurality of electrodes and terminates at an ablation monitoring and RF energy delivery system.

Abstract: Efficient processing of time-bound messages is described herein. In an implementation, messages are classified either time-bounded messages or non-time-bounded messages. The time-bounded messages are then processed separately from the non-time-bound messages. Examples of time-bounded messages can include spam e-mails or other types or classes of e-mails subject to a retention policy, such that the are retained only for some set period of time. Metadata relating to the time-bound messages are compiled and stored separately from the messages, thereby enabling optimization of the metadata storage and processing apart from the messages. The time-bounded messages are accumulated before they are processed in bulk, thereby reducing the number if I/O operations consumed by the time-bound messages, and reducing the amount and cost of resources supporting the process of the time-bounded messages.

Abstract: A method and system providing access to electronic content includes receiving a request to access the electronic content from a user device, accessing a unique ID of the user device, and comparing the unique ID to a list of authorized user devices. The unique ID is used to determine if the user device is an authorized user device. If the user device is authorized, access is provided to the electronic content. If the user device is not authorized, determining if a maximum number of authorized user devices is reached. The user device is converted to an authorized user device, if the maximum number is not reached. If the maximum number of authorized user devices is reached, the user can be denied access to the electronic content or the system can request de-authorization of one of the authorized user devices to convert the user device to an authorized user device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for accomplishing in-camera stitching of a high-resolution panoramic photograph from a set of component photographs while providing a satisfactory user experience. A low-resolution panorama is stitched, and a user of the camera performs a review of the low-resolution panorama using a display comprised in the camera. During the review, a high-resolution panoramic photograph is stitched by the camera in a background process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring ozone in the atmosphere. The apparatus utilizes a fiber optic cable connected to a collimating lens located outdoors and a spectrometer that is located indoors. A pan-and-tilt positioning unit having a pan-axis capable of tracking an azimuth angle of the Sun, and a tilt-axis capable of tracking an elevation angle of the Sun, is utilized for automatically pointing the collimating lens directly at the Sun and taking readings for column ozone determination on any given day of the year. The apparatus and method utilizes a computer that is in electrical communication with the spectrometer and the pan-and-tilt unit.

Abstract: In response to execution of program code, a control register within scrubbing logic in a local coherency domain is initialized with at least a target address of a target memory block. In response to the initialization, the scrubbing logic issues to at least one cache hierarchy in a remote coherency domain a domain indication scrubbing request targeting a target memory block that may be cached by the at least one cache hierarchy. In response to receipt of a coherency response indicating that the target memory block is not cached in the remote coherency domain, a domain indication in the local coherency domain is updated to indicate that the target memory block is cached, if at all, only within the local coherency domain.

Abstract: A system and method for registering a sheet includes a lateral motion motor coupled to a nip and idler roller assembly that provides lateral alignment of the sheet. A de-skew assembly pivots the lateral motion motor and the nip and idler roller assembly about a pivot axis that is proximate to the lateral motion motor to de-skew the sheet.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a construction payment process. One method embodying the invention can include establishing communication with a plurality of participants in a construction project, automatically generating a notification of a draw in real-time in response to a participant associated with the construction project electronically initiating the draw, selecting a set of the plurality of participants, and making the notification available to the set of the plurality of participants.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously recording motion and still images, includes the steps of: capturing a motion image sequence and accompanying audio of a scene with a digital video camera adapted to record both motion and higher resolution still images; simultaneously capturing a still image sequence having a higher resolution and lower frame rate than the motion capture sequence; compressing the motion image sequence using interframe compression and the accompanying audio and storing the compressed motion image and audio data; and compressing the still images using intraframe coding and storing the compressed still image data.

Abstract: A power supply unit includes a housing, an input power connection and six male output power connectors. They can have different numbers of pins, for providing power to different types of components. The connector includes four pins. The output power connector also includes a metallic tube, fixed in relation to the housing. The tube has a generally smooth inner surface, and a threaded outer surface. Connected to the tube on the interior surface thereof is a raised ridge, which ends a few millimetres short of the end face of the tube. In this way, a body of a corresponding connector is able to be received with the tube component only up to a few millimetres depth. The ridge cooperates with a channel on the corresponding connector. This prevents the corresponding connector being inserted fully unless correct orientation is present. An internally threaded and freely rotatable metal collar of the corresponding connector engages with the thread on the exterior of the tube to secure the connectors together.

Abstract: A reach back secure communications terminal includes a modem to satellite interconnect board that captures DTMF tones, demodulates encrypted modem information, and converts both into an ASCII string for presentation to a data port of a satellite phone, allowing out-of-band control of a non-secure satellite system (e.g., AT command control of a data port) by a user on a secure side of an encryption device, by including the ability to interpret control signals and control the satellite system appropriately. A false dial tone is presented to the encryption device, and the data stream coming from the encryption device is monitored for the presence of dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) tones representing control signals, the DTMF tones are converted to ASCII characters, which are in turn received as control signals by the satellite phone, allowing control of the functions of the satellite system directly from the secure side of the encryption device.

Abstract: A coated abrasive article having a reinforced vulcanized fiber backing with an abrasive layer affixed thereto and methods of making and using the same. The reinforced vulcanized fiber backing contains a reinforcing material that comprises a reaction product of a curable material.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a calibration system adapted to perform a calibration scan of a charged luminescent calibration strip disposed in a scan window of an automatic document feeder. The calibration system is adapted to determine whether an opaque object is disposed within a visible area defined by the scan window from the calibration scan.

Abstract: To reduce the amount of air input to a patient warming blanket, when the blanket is of a size that does not require the full amount of air output from a convective warmer for optimal pressurization, a regulator is provided to the inlet of the blanket to restrict the amount of air input to the blanket, thereby reducing the airflow rate to one that is appropriate for the optimal inflation or pressurization of the warming blanket. Respective regulators that allow different amounts of air under pressure to pass therethrough may be correspondingly fitted to blankets of different sizes and/or dimensions. Each regulator fitted to the inlet of the blanket may be configured in the form of an adapter with multiple orifices for passage of air, or a filter made of an air permeable material having a preselected porosity.

Abstract: A programmable, customizable system, method, and apparatus for attracting and stimulating aquatic animals are disclosed. The present invention provides for the underwater playback of digitally prerecorded “signature” sounds of prey, and of prey being attacked and eaten, in order to attract fish and other species and stimulate them to strike and feed more aggressively. Playback is achieved by selecting any of a plurality of signature sound recordings stored on a memory device which is located and controlled above water. One sound, all sounds, or a selected sequence of sounds may be selected from the memory device to be played underwater. Underwater playback is achieved by use of a submersible transducer device which may function as both a speaker and a hydrophone. Underwater playback may be customized and controlled above water by providing a number of customized operational modes.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for materials having a non-leaching coating that has antimicrobial properties. The coating is applied to substrates such as silicates, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, pigments, powders and other substrates. Covalent bonds are formed between the substrate and the polymer molecules that form the coating.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to provide increasingly fine gradient density depth filtration of a fluid. The apparatus may include a melt-blown filtration assembly having varying densities of melt-blown microfilaments fabricated from acetal or other substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic. The apparatus thus facilitates efficient filtration by providing a gradient density depth filtration system compatible with various fuels, coolants, and other forms of a fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for amplification of DNA are provided that use sonic energy in place of conventional thermocyclers. In one embodiment, sonic energy is applied to a PCR cocktail to effect dissociation of double stranded DNA into single strands of DNA. A quiescence stage, where no sonic energy is applied, results in amplification of DNA. Repetition of the cycles of application of sonic energy and cessation of application of sonic energy results in DNA amplification.

Abstract: Improved methods for computer-aided analysis of identifying features of skin lesions from digital images of the lesions are provided. Improved preprocessing of the image that 1) eliminates artifacts that occlude or distort skin lesion features and 2) identifies groups of pixels within the skin lesion that represent features and/or facilitate the quantification of features are provided including improved digital hair removal algorithms. Improved methods for analyzing lesion features are also provided.

Abstract: A drawn glass-coated metallic member has a thermal contraction coefficient differential such that the thermal contraction coefficient of the glass is less than that of the metallic member. The thermal contraction coefficient differential is maintained within a predetermined range during drawing. Drawn glass is placed under residual compression, interfacial bonding between said glass and said wire is substantially uniform, and surface cracking and bond breaks between metal and glass are substantially prevented. Optical properties of the glass coated microwire provide a basis for enabling multi-bit encoding capability. Advantageously data encoding is achieved optically, magneto-optically or using a combined magnetic and optical encoding mechanism. The duplex material constitution of the glass coated microwire permits imparting of data thereon by selection and processing of the glass. Data implantation is readily achieved in-line, during an initial drawing operation, or as a separate post-draw process.