A crankshaft and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The crankshaft may comprise a web and a rod journal disposed adjacent to the web. The rod journal includes a fillet disposed proximal to the web. The fillet includes a tapered undercut having a concave shape with a graduated depth. The undercut is defined by a sweep angle and an offset angle.

A method of operating a coordinate positioning apparatus comprising an articulated head having at least one rotational axis. The method comprises, in any suitable order, loading at least one interchangeable task module onto the articulated head; and loading at least one interchangeable task module counterweight on the articulated head. The at least one interchangeable task module counterweight at least partially counterbalances the weight of the at least one task module on the articulated head about the at least one axis.

An inventive mats system is provided in which a towel can be removed and changed when desired. The mat system can manipulated into a rolled configuration. When rolled, a logo on the bottom of the base mat is visible. At least one elastic strap is used to keep the mat in the rolled configuration for easy toting and storage. The system includes a holding mechanism that allows the towel to be secured to the mat mechanically. The towel has a skidless surface on top to allow a user not to slid off the towel.

A boot assembly and method that simulates, in a static equine animal (stalled or hauled), the natural mechanical action of walking or other gaited exercise. The assembly has a boot, containing a shock absorbing pad that is fitted with a separate pulsing bladder disposed on, under or inside the shock absorbing pad. Pressuring and relaxing the pulsing bladder in the bottom of the boot rhythmically pushes against the sole and frog of the equine hoof in much the same way that the hoof is exercised when the animal is moving. The pulsing action helps stimulate blood flow through the hoof and is beneficial to shod, injured, and transported horses. The assembly may be fitted on one or more hooves, and may be automated to provide timing and sequencing to simulate different gaits of the animal.

A perch-shank device is disclosed as having a perch with an upper, central, and lower portion. The upper portion has an eyelet for attaching a headstall or chinstrap. The lower portion directly connects to a mouthpiece. The invention also includes a shank having an upper and lower portion, wherein the lower portion has an eyelet for attaching a rein and the upper portion of the shank is connected above the lower portion of the perch adjacent to one of the central and upper portion of the perch.

Methods that include depositing a first layer over the entire surface of a structure, the structure having a magnetic reader and a magnetic writer, wherein the magnetic reader and the magnetic writer are positioned adjacent to each other on a substrate and the magnetic writer includes a near field transducer (NFT); depositing a second layer over the entire surface of the first layer; depositing a photoresist material layer over the entire surface of the second layer, the photoresist material layer having a bottom surface in contact with the second layer and an opposing top surface; exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the bottom surface of the photoresist material layer via the NFT to form a first exposed region; and exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the top surface of the photoresist material layer to form a second exposed region.

A magnetic device including a magnetic writer; and an overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic writer, the overcoat including oxides of yttrium, oxides of scandium, oxides of lanthanoids, oxides of actionoids, oxides of zinc, or combinations thereof.

An automatic patio sliding door for residential (home) use is created using an existing motorized automatic system which is now in use in commercial, industrial, and public building entrances. A method incorporating a bracket system is used to apply the commercial (hanging track type) automatic door system to existing residential patio sliding doors or to new patio sliding doors. The purpose is to provide hands free opening and closing of patio glass or screen doors (single or double panels). This allows for ease of use of sliding doors when hands are full, guarantees the closing of screen doors or glass doors behind the person to prevent insects getting into the house or loss of air conditioning in the house, and provides an easy access door system in the home for the physically handicapped.

Presented herein are an interconnect structure and method for forming the same. The interconnect structure includes a contact pad disposed over a substrate and a connector disposed over the substrate and spaced apart from the contact pad. A passivation layer is disposed over the contact pad and over connector, the passivation layer having a contact pad opening, a connector opening, and a mounting pad opening. A post passivation layer including a trace and a mounting pad is disposed over the passivation layer. The trace may be disposed in the contact pad opening and contacting the mounting pad, and further disposed in the connector opening and contacting the connector. The mounting pad may be disposed in the mounting pad opening and contacting the opening. The mounting pad may be separated from the trace by a trace gap, which may optionally be at least 10 μm.

Provided are superconducting circuits and, more specifically, methods of forming such circuits. A method may involve forming a silicon-containing low loss dielectric (LLD) layer over a metal electrode such that metal carbides at the interface of the LLD layer and electrode. The LLD layer may be formed using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at a temperature of less than about 500° C. At such a low temperature, metal silicides may not form even though silicon containing precursors may come in contact with metal of the electrode. Silicon containing precursors having silane molecules in which two silicon atoms bonded to each other (e.g., di-silane and tri-silane) may be used at these low temperatures. The LLD layer may include amorphous silicon, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride, and this layer may directly interface one or more metal electrodes. The thickness of LLD layer may be between about 1,000 Angstroms and 10,000 Angstroms.

Flexible retaining structures for body jewelry and method for their use.

A watch comprising a watch case with opposite arranged connecting parts in form of two parallel branches for the mounting of a watch strap or cord between said branches, where said watch further comprises at least one generally T-shaped strap or cord connector comprising a spring loaded sliding bar suited for engaging in holes provided in a surface of each branch facing each other, said T-shaped strap or cord connector further comprises a cord receiving opening being arranged opposite to the spring loaded sliding bar and being an opening adapted to receive a cord having generally round or polygonal cross section, said cord at a first end and a second end being provided with interacting locking parts.

Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are reduced by scrubbing the natural gas in an absorber with an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble sulfur compound. The water-soluble sulfur compound reacts with a least a portion of the mercury in the natural gas to produce a treated natural gas with a reduced concentration of mercury, and a mercury containing sulfur-depleted solution which can be disposed by injection into a (depleted) underground formation. The produced water extracted with the natural gas from the underground formation can be recycled for use as the scrubbing solution. In one embodiment, a fresh source of water-soluble sulfur compound as feed to the absorber can be generated on-site by reacting an elemental sulfur source with a sulfur reagent in produced water.

A planter for holding a plant includes a container having an open upper end. The container has side walls extending downward from the upper end and tapering inward to a lower end. A base at the lower end of the container has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the upper end. A circumferential ring surrounds the lower end of the container. The circumferential ring has an upper edge that extends outward from the container by a distance such that removal of the container and ring from a mold as a single unit would be inhibited. Accordingly, the container and the circumferential ring are molded from a thermoplastic material as separate components. The circumferential ring fits around the lower end of the container and is held in place by a mechanical interlock between the container and the ring.

A compact, folding tool permitting the exchange of implement sets, including one or more quick release mechanisms that are easily removed from a handle to release interchangeable implements; the tool further accommodating implement sets including different types and quantities of implements which are inhibited from rotating by an adjustable clamping force produced by the quick release mechanisms and optionally including over travel stops to obstruct implement rotation, or may rely solely on the clamping force provided by the quick release mechanisms to stabilize implements for use.

An inflatable dummy target comprising a chassis of inflatable ducts wrapped with a sheet. The chassis of inflatable ducts can include one or more ring shaped ducts and one or more elongate ducts. The chassis can include at least two ring shaped ducts interconnected by one or more elongate ducts. The dummy target can include several attached axi-symmetrical sections, each section have a chassis of inflatable ducts. Each section can be conical, frustoconical or cylindrical, thereby achieving a concave or convex dummy target geometry.

A multi-level DAC includes first and second level resistor ladders, and a dual-switch ladder interconnect reduces DNL at tap-point transitions between first-level ladder resistors. For each first level resistor N, the switch-interconnect network includes dual (first/second) switches connectable to a resistor-top node NT, and dual (third/fourth) switches selectively connectable to a resistor-bottom node NB. The first switch is operable to connect NT to a top tap switch operable to select NT as a top tap point, and the fourth interconnect switch is operable to connect NB to a bottom tap switch operable to select NB as a bottom tap point. The first and fourth switches are connected, forming an outer loop that includes top and bottom tap points. The second switch connects to a top second-level resistor RT, and the third switch connects to a bottom second-level resistor RB, forming an inner loop that includes the series-connected second-level resistors.

The present invention provides a kiln for the combustion of agricultural waste. The kiln includes a central cylindrical combustion chamber. The central cylindrical combustion chamber includes a system for the control of combustion air to the combustion chamber. The kiln includes a second concentric cylinder surrounding the central cylindrical combustion chamber. The second concentric cylinder includes a system for the flow of cooling water through the first annulus between the central cylindrical combustion chamber and the second concentric cylinder. The kiln includes a system for the feeding of the agricultural waste into the central combustion chamber. The kiln includes a temperature sensing device to measure and display the temperature within the central combustion chamber during the combustion of the agricultural waste. The kiln includes a system for the recovery of ash from the kiln. In operation, the temperature of combustion is controlled to between 550° C. and 650° C. by a combination of increasing the supply of combustion air when the temperature in the central combustion chamber falls to near 550° C. and the introduction of cooling flowing water when the temperature in the central combustion chamber approaches 600° C.

The invention is a sound modification device used for a percussion instrument. It is comprised of a rigid clip that is spring-based to a closed position and an integrated dampening material, leather or plastic etc., that comes in contact with the vibrating surface. Once the clip is pulled apart it can be released to firmly attach over the hoop of any drum. The musician can choose the size or material of the dampening component to eliminate unwanted ring and or change the resonant note of the drum. The thickness of the dampening component can also be chosen by the drummer to increase or decrease the dampening characteristics.

A percussion device includes (1) a platform portion composed of a first material having an exposed striking portion composed of a second material different from the first material; (2) a base portion separated from, and substantially parallel to, the platform portion by a predetermined distance; (3) at least one unitary sidewall portion positioned between the platform portion and the base portion at respective opposing edges of the platform portion and the base portion; and (4) a non-flexible surface below, and in contact with, at least a portion of the exposed striking portion.

An optical system (110) includes a lens unit (112) with a plurality of lenses. An out-of-focus point spread function of the lens unit (112) includes an annular intensity distribution with at least one ring-shaped side peak at a radial distance to a center point. A birefringent device (115) in an optical path of the optical system (110) is adapted to selectively attenuate the ring-shaped side peak in the out-of-focus point spread function of the lens unit (112).

A superconducting magnet coil system with high resistance to quench events includes a first coil portion (1) with a first superconducting material and a second coil portion (2) with a second superconducting material. The first superconducting material has a higher critical temperature than the second superconducting material. The first and the second coil portions are bridged by a common quench protection element (6) and together with the quench protection element form a first loop. The magnet coil system also includes a third coil portion (3) which is part of a second electrical loop with a second quench protection element (8, 8', 8″)as well as a heating element (9) which is supplied with a heating voltage in response to a quench of the third coil portion. Among the series connected coil portions (1, 2) only the second coil portion is in thermal contact with the first heating element (9).

Superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors (SNAPs) have using meandering nanowires to detect incident photons. When a superconducting nanowire absorbs a photon, it switches from a superconducting state to a resistive state, producing a change in voltage that can be measured across the nanowire. A SNAP may include multiple nanowires in order to increase the fill factor of the SNAP's active area and the SNAP's detection efficiency. But using multiple meandering nanowires to achieve high fill-factor in SNAPs can lead to current crowding at bends in the nanowires. This current crowding degrades SNAP performance by decreasing the switching current, which the current at which the nanowire transitions from a superconducting state to a resistive state. Fortunately, staggering the bends in the nanowires reduces current crowding, increasing the nanowire switching current, which in turn increases the SNAP dynamic range.

In an example arrangement an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side surface including circuitry and a backside surface opposing the front side surface; a plurality of metal conductors formed over a front side surface of the semiconductor substrate; at least one cavity opening etched in a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a radiator formed in a portion of the metal conductors and configured to radiate signals through the cavity opening in the backside surface. Methods and additional apparatus arrangements are also disclosed.

A system for board-to-board interconnect is described herein. The system includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) having a first recess along a first edge of the first PCB that exposes a first solder pad on a layer of the first PCB. The system also includes a second PCB having a second recess along a second edge of the second PCB that exposes a second solder pad on a layer of the second PCB. The second recess is complementary to the first recess to allow the first PCB to mate with the second PCB. The first solder pad is aligned with the second solder pad when the first PCB is mated with the second PCB. The system additionally includes an assembly configured to electronically couple the first solder pad with the second solder pad.

The present invention is to provide a chassis switch, which comprises a chassis for accommodating a designated number of line cards therein; a backplane installed on the back side of the chassis and having a plurality of connectors disposed thereon; at least one line card plugged into one of the connectors corresponding thereto via a front side of the chassis and each having an access switch chip adapted to switch local network signals and an interconnect switch chip adapted to switch the signals between ports of the at least one line card; and a loop adapted to connect the corresponding ports of the access switch chip and the interconnect switch chip respectively through the connectors, so as to enable each line card plugged into the chassis switch to perform a local network switching function and a switching function between the at least one line card.

A garment worn on the upper body is disclosed having a right and left body portions that are joined at the front and rear by a corresponding fastening mechanism. This allows the right body portion and left body portion to separated from one another and interchanged with other body portions to vary the visual characteristics of the garment. The right and left body portions can have different visual characteristics.

The present invention relates to an interchangeable footwear device. The device may include a flip-flop sandal design wherein the device may include interchangeable structural features to allow a user to change features as associated with a particular terrain. The interchangeable footwear device includes a gripping system to traverse a number of different terrains. The footwear may include a sole member having a thong member attached to a top of the sole and a heel strap selectively attached to the sole. The heel strap may be selectively attached to the sole with a fastener that may be manually adjusted in a secured or unsecured position to remove the heel strap from the sole. In particular, the interchangeable footwear device may include a gripping unit selectively attached to the sole member of the footwear. The gripping unit may include a toe grip pad and a heel grip pad.

A major co-production between five leading regional theatres of The Merchant of Venice will open in Southampton this autumn.

So now it’s officially confirmed by the man himself! After various celebrity sightings in the New Forest, Mayflower Park and Overdraft Craft Ale Bar Shirley, soul man of the moment Michael Kiwanuka dedicated a heartfelt rendition of Home Again to a sold out audience at the O2 Guildhall last night.

AHEAD of the annual Watercress Festival in Alresford later this month, new research has found that antioxidant-rich watercress, often labelled a super-food, can alleviate the natural stress put on our body by a workout.

MASTERCHEF winner Shelina Permalloo has launched a crowdfunding appeal to ensure her Southampton restaurant can reopen following its coronavirus closure.

A Stony Brook University scientist who discovered a penguin supercolony in Antarctica has won a national science prize of $250,000.

Through his tell-all memoir, the former frontman of Screaming Trees brands the 'Wall of Glass' singer 'an obvious poser' for bailing on the 1996 tour after he stood up to the latter's bullying.

Disney is developing a new big-screen adaptation of the Roman hero classic tale with 'The Lion King' director Jon Favreau enlisted to sit at the helm for the project.

The 'Pitch Perfect' actor covers classic song 'Go the Distance' in hopes to land a role in the upcoming Disney big-screen remake of the classic Roman hero tale.

This episode, we talk the best of old-school NYC life and hip-hop with two folks who know it better than almost anybody. MC Serch is best known for his work with 3rd Bass, but has also executive produced classic albums (including a little one called Illmatic), hosted TV shows, and more.

Blake “KEO” Lethem is a true hip-hop Renaissance man. From being an influential graffiti artist to arguably the first white rapper to designing album covers for the likes of MF DOOM, Blake has seen and done it all, and shares much of it with us here. We talk nightlife, stardom, graffiti’s TRUE relationship to hip-hop, and that time Hammer put out a hit on 3rd Bass.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/55/ for full show notes and comments.

Percee P is a rapper whose reputation and influence far outpaces his relatively small recorded output. The Bronx-born artist grew up right alongside hip-hop - he started rapping as a young kid right as the first rap records were coming out, and was in the mix as hip-hop was being created in his neighborhood. Whether it was watching DJ’s at park jams, being around noted graffiti writers, or watching up-and-coming groups rehearse their routines, Percee was right there.

His first record was 1988’s “Let the Homocides Begin,” which was featured on an EP put out by Gotham City Records. That track, along with others like “Now They Wanna See Me” and some guest verses on tracks by Lord Finesse, Kool Keith, and others built up Percee’s reputation as a pioneer of fast-rapping virtuosity.

In later years, Percee took to selling music - both his own and from his voluminous collection of early hip-hop tapes -all around New York City, particularly in front of the influential Fat Beats record store. Contacts he made there ended up getting him signed to Stones Throw, and he released his long-awaited debut album Perseverance in 2005, along with an album of remixes. At around that same time, video was unearthed of a 1989 battle between Percee and Lord Finesse, giving new shine to his early career.

And make sure to stay tuned after the Percee interview for a very special bonus. If you miss it, it’ll be the greatest mistake of your life.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/227/ for full show notes and comments.

Leaders from some of Europe’s largest companies will be gathering in Birmingham to discuss the role that open innovation and collaboration can play in boosting the economy

Dominick Polifrone, an undercover agent who worked at both the local and federal levels (for agencies such as the Attorney General's office and the ATF), calls in to talk with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt about how Polifrone gained the trust of and eventually took down "The Iceman," one of the most notorious and feared serial killers and hitmen in history.

At-risk groups offered chance of testing for potentially fatal illness.

Funding will aid community work during pandemic.

Companies need to come up with strategies to keep the lights on, both by keeping control on the cash burn as well as generating revenue in these difficult times.

Recruitment experts at Manpower, KellyOCG, PeopleStrong, and Xpheno predict that even as many sectors see widespread layoffs, there will be a silver lining in sectors like edtech, ecommerce/internet, transport and logistics, as well as pharma that continue to hire.

Demand for razors, epilators, trimmers and hair colour soars on ecomm platforms during the lockdown

Recruitment experts at Manpower, KellyOCG, PeopleStrong, and Xpheno predict that even as many sectors see widespread layoffs, there will be a silver lining in sectors like edtech, ecommerce/internet, transport and logistics, as well as pharma that continue to hire.

Spitfire Audio has announced availability of Cinematic Percussion, a new Originals series instrument for the Spitfire Audio App. Epic swells and hits, performed by London’s best percussion players and recorded at AIR Studios — home of blockbuster film scores. Cinematic Percussion features London’s best percussion players. Recorded at London’s AIR Studios, home of blockbuster film […]

The post Spitfire Audio releases Cinematic Percussion instrument library appeared first on rekkerd.org.

Sonixinema has announced a sale on the Abstract steel percussion library for Kontakt, offering 30% off during the month of May. Abstract is a steel percussion library like no other. Recorded in exceptional detail and performed with a range of sticks, mallets, bows, this wonderful library features a range of energetic hits and abstract effects. […]

The post Sonixinema offers 30% OFF Abstract Unique Metallic Percussion for Kontakt appeared first on rekkerd.org.

Plugin Boutique has announced an exclusive sale on the Loc-Ness drum and percussion processor designed to give your drum sound the classic crunch of analog. Drums…, the most crucial part of your mix that can make or break a track. For decades pro engineers have used various combinations of compressors, pre-amps ,eq’s and saturation to […]

The post Tone Empire’s Loc-Ness drum & percussion processor on sale for $29 USD appeared first on rekkerd.org.

"There are two big trends emerging. One is the relevance of the humble grocer and people have realised that they are so close to you… proximity, and (that’s) such a big benefit. The second would be on ecommerce. With people becoming more averse to stepping out, they would like to place the order from home and receive it at home. "