Various aspects of a method and system for low-latency networking are provided. Latency requirements of traffic to be communicated along a network path comprising one or more Ethernet links may be determined. A maximum size of Ethernet frames utilized for communicating the traffic may be determined based on the latency requirements. The maximum size of the Ethernet frames may be determined based on a data rate of one or more Ethernet links along the network path. A single device may utilize different maximum packet sizes for different ports/links on which it communicates. One or more messages indicating the determined maximum size may be communicated among devices along the network path to coordinate maximum packet sizes.

The present invention relates to an Osteospermum and Dimorphoteca plant, seed, variety, and hybrid. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an Osteospermum and Dimorphoteca plant having a mutant allele designated KLEDF which results in an altered flower phenotype. The invention also relates to crossing Osteospermum and Dimorphoteca plants containing the KLEDF mutant allele with other Osteospermum and Dimorphoteca plants lacking the KLEDF mutant allele to produce intergeneric and interspecific hybrids. This invention further relates to specific lines of Osteospermum varieties exhibiting the altered-flowering phenotype. Furthermore, the invention relates to pollen, seed, and sexual, as well as asexual progeny of such plants with altered flowers. In addition, the invention relates to methods for propagating said plants and to uses of said plants.

A flow mixer and conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide mixing and conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters downstream and upstream to mix and condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in industrial plants.

A method and devices comprise a low frequency high energy ultrasound system having at least one sonotrode projecting into a reactor vessel through which the liquid passes via at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. To avoid cavitation at the sonotrode, in a close region of the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface a pressure/amplitude combination close to or above the pressure-amplitude characteristic line is generated at which considerably reduced or no cavitation occurs and in the adjacent region in the vessel at least in a region and at least at times a pressure/amplitude combination is maintained below the pressure-amplitude characteristic line at which cavitation is generated. A device has an inlet orifice arranged such that the liquid impacts directly onto the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface, and is shaped that in the close region of the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface a pressure close to or above the pressure-amplitude characteristic line prevails.

An eddy-current-minimizing flow plug has an outer radial wall with open flow channels formed between the plug's inlet and outlet. The plug has a central region coupled to the inner surface of the outer radial wall. Each open flow channel includes (i) a first portion originating at the inlet and converging to a location in the plug where convergence is contributed to by changes in thickness of the outer radial wall and divergence of the central region, and (ii) a second portion originating in the plug and diverging to the outlet where divergence is contributed to by changes in thickness of the outer radial wall and convergence of the central region. For at least a portion of the open flow channels, a central axis passing through the first and second portions is non-parallel with respect to the given direction of the flow.

A process for producing hollow bolts including a longitudinal bore with the hollow bolts being provided with circumferential notches. The hollow bolts are provided with longitudinal grooves extending between elevations determining the bolt diameter, wherein circumferential notches are rolled onto the hollow bolts provided with the longitudinal grooves and the elevations, the longitudinal grooves being of such cross-section that some of the material displaced during rolling-on of the notches flows into the longitudinal grooves.

The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).

A carboxylate detergent prepared by the process comprising (a) alkylating a hydroxyaromatic compound with at least one normal alpha olefin having from about 12 to about 30 carbon atoms per molecule that has been isomerized to obtain an isomerized alpha olefin having 15-98 wt % branching and a residual alpha olefin content of between from about 0.1 to about 30 wt %, thereby producing an alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound; (b) neutralizing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound with an alkali metal base; (c) carbonating the alkali metal salt from step (b) with carbon dioxide; (d) acidifying the salt produced in step (c); and (e) overbasing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid.

The invention relates to a lubricant in the form of grease or thick lubricating gel or transmission oil, as well as motor or universal oils with a myriad of applications. As a result of its contents presented in the patent application is characteristic of low coefficient of friction ranging from 0.055 to 0.062. As the main component, the contents of the discussed lubricant includes three or four stearates of metals or hydroxistearates of metals, which interact and cause a noticeable reduction of friction drag on the lubricated surfaces. Additionally, these substances may include a number of other solid or liquid elements, which maintain low friction drags and, furthermore, improve the lubricant through increasing its load capacity, antirust characteristics, shear strength, etc. The lubricant made according to the invention underwent comparative tests against other greases and greasing oils, the accounts of which are included in the application as diagrams, descriptions of research tests and examples of the contents of the lubricant products.

Methods and apparatus related to the detection of low-rate visible light communication (VLC) signals and the recovery of information communicated by the VLC signals are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited for embodiments in which a device, e.g., a smartphone, including a camera which uses a rolling shutter. The rolling shutter facilitates the collection of different time snapshots of a received low rate time varying VLC signal with different pixel rows in the image sensor of a frame corresponding to different time snapshots. In some embodiments, demodulation is used to recover and identify a single tone being communicated in a frame from among a plurality of possible alternative tones that may be communicated, each different tone corresponding to a different set of information bits.

A low-carbon, material consumption-free air cleaner includes a rectangular box body, a fan, a negative ion generator unit and a dielectric barrier discharge actuator respectively arranged at upper part, middle part and lower part of the rectangular box body, an air input port disposed at the bottom side of the dielectric barrier discharge actuator, and air output port disposed at the top side of the rectangular box body.

An adaptive optics scanning system using a beam projection module with four or more axes of motion that can project and control the position and angle of a beam of light to or from an adaptive optics element. The adaptive optics scanning system is compact in size, overcoming the challenges of a traditional lens and mirror based pupil relay design. The adaptive optics scanning system has little to no dispersion, chromatic aberration, and off-axis aberration for improved optical performance. The system and methods for calibrating and optimizing the system are described. A modular adaptive optics unit that scans and interfaces an adaptive optics element is described.

A Low Forward Voltage Rectifier (LFVR) circuit includes a bipolar transistor, a parallel diode, and a capacitive current splitting network. The LFVR circuit, when it is performing a rectifying function, conducts the forward current from a first node to a second node provided that the voltage from the first node to the second node is adequately positive. The capacitive current splitting network causes a portion of the forward current to be a base current of the bipolar transistor, thereby biasing the transistor so that the forward current experiences a low forward voltage drop across the transistor. The LFVR circuit sees use in as a rectifier in many different types of switching power converters, including in flyback, Cuk, SEPIC, boost, buck-boost, PFC, half-bridge resonant, and full-bridge resonant converters. Due to the low forward voltage drop across the LFVR, converter efficiency is improved.

A high voltage full wave rectifier and doubler circuit having complementary serially connected low voltage MOSFET stacks to provide high voltage capability. The state of the MOSFETs in the MOSFET stacks is controlled by means of resistors coupled between the circuit's outputs and a time varying input signal. The resistance values of the resistors are selected to maintain operation of the stacked MOSFETs below their breakdown voltages.

This invention is provides a means of playing LP records with minimal distortion. Low distortion is achieved by eliminating tracking error normally associated with pickup cartridges mounted to pivoting tone arms. This invention discloses a tone arm that constrains the motion of the stylus to straight radial path, mimicking the cutting path of the record lathe, supported on parallel rails by free rolling spherical bearings. Unlike many previous linear tracking tone arms, this invention does not rely on air pressure or servo motor mechanisms. The use of free rolling bearings or axles between parallel tracks fashioned from rails, rods or tubes, eliminates all sources of lateral friction other than pure static and rolling friction of the balls on the rails, rods or tubes. In the preferred embodiment, the fixed rods or tubes are driven synchronously, thereby eliminating static friction of the supporting rolling balls. Friction is further reduced using magnetic or buoyant support of the tone arm to reduce bearing load to that amount minimally sufficient to maintain full contact between the rolling balls and the upper and lower rods.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving outcomes in vascular interventional procedures. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving outcomes in vascular interventional procedures using an anti-no-reflow guide wire that attenuates the “no-reflow” phenomenon that is associated with negative outcomes.

A method for preparing a composition that includes selecting a pH of the composition; selecting a first buffer with a negative temperature coefficient; selecting a second buffer with a positive temperature coefficient; and forming the composition comprising the first buffer and the second buffer. The composition has an average temperature coefficient, ΔpH/ΔT(Ta,Tb)≦1×10−3 pH-unit/K and a ΔpH(Ta,Tb)≦0.31 pH-unit for Ta=4 K and Tb=313 K.

A low temperature melting furnace using an external cooling passage includes a wall including a plurality of metal sectors, each metal sector including a cooling passage formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, and an extension tube provided outwardly from the wall and connected to the cooling passage.

Provided is a device for wirelessly controlling robots suitable for competition or educational purposes, the device including: an input module configured to receive commands from a human user interface, the human user interface sending signals indicative of inputs by a user to control a robot; a protocol translator configured to translate the received commands into a protocol to which the robot is responsive; a wireless output module configured to wirelessly transmit the translated commands to the robot such that the robot executes the commands.

Materials and methods of making low-sintering-temperature glass waste forms that sequester radioactive iodine in a strong and durable structure. First, the iodine is captured by an adsorbant, which forms an iodine-loaded material, e.g., AgI, AgI-zeolite, AgI-mordenite, Ag-silica aerogel, ZnI2, CuI, or Bi5O7I. Next, particles of the iodine-loaded material are mixed with powdered frits of low-sintering-temperature glasses (comprising various oxides of Si, B, Bi, Pb, and Zn), and then sintered at a relatively low temperature, ranging from 425° C. to 550° C. The sintering converts the mixed powders into a solid block of a glassy waste form, having low iodine leaching rates. The vitrified glassy waste form can contain as much as 60 wt % AgI. A preferred glass, having a sintering temperature of 500° C. (below the silver iodide sublimation temperature of 500° C.) was identified that contains oxides of boron, bismuth, and zinc, while containing essentially no lead or silicon.

Provided herein are pharmaceutical formulations containing exendins, exendin agonists, or exendin analog agonists that are administered at therapeutic plasma concentration levels over a sustained period of time to lower total cholesterol levels; to lower LDL-cholesterol levels; to lower triglyceride levels; to treat dyslipidemia; to treat and slow the progression of atherosclerosis; and to treat, prevent, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients. In the pharmaceutical formulations and methods of the invention, the exendin may be exendin-4, an exendin-4 agonist, or an exendin-4 analog agonist. The pharmaceutical formulations may be polymer-based pharmaceutical formulations that may be administered once weekly. An exemplary pharmaceutical formulation comprises 5% (w/w) of exenatide, about 2% (w/w) of sucrose, and about 93% (w/w) of a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer, wherein the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer is in the form of microspheres encapsulating the exenatide.

In one aspect, hollow nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a hollow nanoparticle comprises a metal shell and a cavity substantially defined by the shell, wherein the shell has a thickness greater than or equal to about 5 nm and the cavity has a curved surface. In another aspect, methods of making hollow nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of making hollow nanoparticles comprises forming a plurality of gas bubbles and forming a shell on the surface of at least one of the plurality of gas bubbles, wherein at least one of the gas bubbles is electrochemically generated. In another aspect, composite particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a composite particle comprises at least one nanoparticle and a polycrystalline metal shell substantially encapsulating at least one nanoparticle, wherein at least one surface of at least one nanoparticle is not in contact with the shell.

A low profile, wrappable spacer and method for maintaining a pair of elongate members in fixed, spaced relation to one another is provided. The wrappable spacer includes a flexible elongate body having oppositely facing inner and outer faces extending along laterally spaced, lengthwise extending edges between opposite ends. The inner face has an adhesive surface. At least one member extends between the edges transversely to the lengthwise extending edges. The member extends outwardly from the adhesive surface, wherein the adhesive surface is configured for adhesion to at least one of the member, the elongate members or the outer face.

A rotary element assembly structure in which a rotary element 53 is assembled to a tip side of a hollow shaft B1 provided upright on a pedestal 60. A cylindrical portion 53c for fitting with the hollow shaft is provided to a rotation center portion of the rotary element. In the cylindrical portion, a hook strut portion 53s that has a hook portion 53f overhanging in the radial direction at its tip side and that extends substantially in the fitting direction is arranged. A base end portion of the hook strut portion and a base end portion of the cylindrical portion are coupled with each other by a resin-made thin plate portion 53p. A small diameter portion B1s which is smaller in diameter than a hollow portion B1d of the hollow shaft is provided on the tip side of the hollow shaft. The radius of the overhang tip portion of the hook portion is set to be greater than the radius of the small diameter portion of the hollow shaft, and to be smaller than the radius of the hollow portion. By fitting the hollow shaft with the cylindrical portion of the rotary element, the hook portion on the tip side of the hook strut portion is pushed into the hollow portion via the small diameter portion on the tip side of the hollow shaft. Thereby, the hook portion engages with a stepped portion formed by the hollow portion and the small diameter portion.

A cob conveying and cleaning system for use with a corn harvester, incorporating air induction in cooperation with an air flow from the harvester, for cleaning and separating lighter crop residue to be returned to the field from a mixed flow of the residue and cobs, such that the cleaned cobs can be collected, and the lighter residue optionally spread on the field. The air flow and induction are combined to cooperatively lift or draw the lighter residue from the mixed flow, and to optionally spread the removed lighter residue over a field. The induction apparatus can be located on the harvester, and used as a residue spreader when cobs are not collected.

A flow distribution system for use with a combine spreader having an inlet opening at the top thereof for receiving crop residue, a pair of counter-rotating spreader paddles disposed generally side by side and forward of a back plate of the spreader, and a discharge opening below the spreader paddles. A flow guide element has an apex portion and a pair of opposed arm portions pivotally connected to the apex portion, the arm portions laterally extending to free end portions. An adjusting mechanism is operably connected to the arm portions to effect rotational movement of the arm portions about the apex portion, ends of spreader paddle members defining the outer swept diameters of the pair of spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of at least the arm portions defining clearance regions therebetween to controllably distribute crop residue in a desired pattern over a field.

The invention concerns a harvested crop residue chopper and distribution arrangement for a combine (10) with a straw chopper (60) with a rotor (74) that can be brought into rotation about a horizontal axis (98) with chopper blades (76) fastened thereto that define an outer envelope (96), and with at least one impeller blower (82) arranged downstream of the straw chopper (60) with impeller blades (84) that can rotate about an axis of rotation (88) that extends vertically, in which the impeller blades (84) are provided with outer edges (94) that conform to the envelope (96) of the chopper knives (76) and follow it very closely and are not in contact with it.

An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board.

In one embodiment, a method allows an application running in a first process to communicate with a second process. A file system filter driver receives a command from the application for a file. The file system filter driver is configured to process file system commands. The file system filter driver determines that the command is for an inter-process communication with a service running in the second process based on the command being for the file. Then, the file system filter driver sends the command to the service running in the second process where the command is processed by the service. A response from the service is received based on the command being processed by the service and the file system filter driver sends the response to the application.

Process for the preparation of etherified melamine/formaldehyde condensates, in which first a methylolation of melamine with a formaldehyde component in the molar ratio of from 1:6 to 1:15, preferably at a pH of >7, is carried out. This is followed by an etherification of the resulting hydroxymethylation intermediate in the presence of a C1-C20-alkyl, preferably of a C1-C6-alcohol, particularly preferably of a C1-C4-alcohol, at a pH of 9.5 being established before, during and/or after the distillation. According to the invention, a plurality of hydroxymethylation, etherification and distillation steps follow in order to achieve an etherified melamine/formaldehyde condensate which is distinguished by a high degree of hydroxymethylation, a high solids content and a low viscosity.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to low-voltage radio transmitters with high spectral purity. One such apparatus includes a baseband path with a predistortion stage, a programmable filter, and an upconverter core. In an embodiment, the programmable filter is placed between the predistortion stage and the upconverter core. In an embodiment, the programmable filter is configured by a controller to reject out-of-band noise introduced at the predistortion stage or earlier.

A cabinet structure for a switchgear assembly. The cabinet structure includes a cabinet having upper and lower vents and a breaker cradle for holding a circuit breaker having primary disconnects for connecting the circuit breaker to bus bars. The cabinet further includes an air passageway located between the upper and lower vents, wherein the air passageway extends vertically through the primary disconnects and the cabinet. Further, the cabinet includes a fan module having at least one fan for drawing outside air through the lower vent, the air passageway and the primary disconnects for cooling the primary disconnects.

An air guiding element (10) for an aircraft air conditioning system comprises a housing base body (12), in which an air inlet opening (14) and an air outlet opening (16) are constructed. A first flow control element (28) is arranged in the housing base body (12), relative to the direction of the air flow through the air guiding element (10), upstream of the air outlet opening (16). The first flow control element (28) comprises a plurality of air guiding channels (30) which are surrounded by a noise-absorbing material (32).

A medical device for blood flow restoration and/or for use as an implantable member in a human vessel includes a self-expanding member, a guidewire, and a connection mechanism. The self-expanding member includes a plurality of cells and filaments having specific ranges of thicknesses, widths, and heights. The self-expanding member can take on a volume-reduced coiled form with overlapped edges, and can generate optimal radial forces against a vessel wall and/or thrombus when deployed and expanded.

A method of processing content according to a workflow, where a digital content is processed on one of a plurality of processing devices according to process definition associated to the content, includes the steps, iterated at the processing device, of: a) receiving from a server a signed workflow information, a workflow information comprising a status of the content processing, a signature of the process definition and a hash of the content;b) verifying the workflow information;c) when the workflow information is verified, processing the content according to the process definition and according to status of the content processing;d) updating and signing the workflow information;e) sending to the server the signed workflow information;and the steps iterated at the server of:f) receiving from a processing device a signed workflow information;g) publishing the signed workflow information received from the processing device. A system for performing the method is also provided.

The invention relates to a method for producing a plastics material article, said method including the extruding of a tube-shaped parison and the re-forming of the parison into a hollow body within a blow mold by applying differential pressure. The method includes initially a first expanding and partial shaping of the parison with the blow mold not completely closed. Then at least one opening is provided on the circumference of the pre-expanded parison. In a further step at least one part to be built-in is introduced through the opening into the interior of the partially shaped plastics material article. In a final step the blow mold is closed completely and the blow molding of the plastics material article is completed.

A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

Low profile reamers and methods of use are provided which can, in general, allow a hole to be drilled in bone. In one embodiment, a low profile retractable bone reamer is provided having an elongate shaft with a cutting element disposed on a distal end of the elongate shaft that can be configured to drill a hole in bone. The elongate shaft and cutting element can have first and second longitudinally separated portions that are movably coupled to each other. The reamer can be configured to move between a retracted configuration, in which a the reamer has a reduced, low profile configuration, and a non-retracted configuration, in which both longitudinally separated portions of the cutting element can be positioned adjacent to one another to form a single cutting element.

A fluidic structure has a first chamber having a connection to a fluid reservoir and a connection to an array of apertures, the chamber forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and the array of apertures, a second chamber having a connection to at least one vent connected to an atmosphere external to the fluidic structure, and at least one path between the first chamber and the second chamber.

A hinge assembly having a hollow and partially annular clutch is arranged to pivotally couple a portable computer base portion to a portable computer lid portion. The hinge assembly includes at least an elongated, hollow and partially open cylindrical portion that includes a partially annular outer region and a central bore region, the central bore region suitably arranged to provide support for electrical conductors between the base and lid portions. The hinge assembly also includes a plurality of fastening components that couple the hollow clutch to the base portion and the lid portion of the portable computer, with at least one of the fastening regions being integrally formed with the hollow and partially open cylindrical portion such that space, size and part count are minimized.

A control circuit for a blender provides low-cost power conditioning through the use of a high resistance which provides temporary power for operation of low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches for a time sufficient to switch the motor on, and a lower resistance which provides sufficient power for maintaining the motor on state indefinitely as instructed by the low-voltage logic circuitry. Low average power dissipation is provided by powering the low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches using the high resistance in a standby mode and switching in the lower resistance only when the motor is activated.

The present invention provides methods, devices, compositions (e.g., capture complexes), and kits useful for enhancing the detection of antibodies in a test sample. The methods, devices, and compositions utilize detectable Fc-binding molecules such as Protein A, Protein G, and/or an Fc-specific antibody to amplify the signal of a detected antibody in immunoassays, such as lateral flow assays.

A two step lateral flow assay method for identifying IgE antibodies in a sample comprises applying a sample to a sample port of a device, wherein the device is adapted to deliver the sample to a lateral flow matrix having a plurality of IgE antigen species immobilized at respective positions at a first location; allowing the sample to travel along the lateral flow matrix through the immobilized plurality of IgE antigen species to a second location downstream of the first location; and, after a predetermined period of time, applying liquid buffer to the lateral flow matrix to mobilize labeled reagent which is adapted to bind anti-IgE antibody and which is dried on the lateral flow matrix at a location upstream of the sample port delivery of the sample to the lateral flow matrix, and allowing labeled reagent mobilized by the liquid buffer to travel along the lateral flow matrix through the immobilized plurality of IgE antigen species and bind with any IgE antibody bound to the immobilized IgE antigen species, and to travel to a second location downstream of the first location where the mobilized labeled reagent causes a visible change to occur at the second location.

A centrifugal blower in a cooling system of an electronic device having asymmetrical blade spacing with acceptable balance. The asymmetrical blade spacing is determined according to a set of desired acoustic artifacts that are favorable and balance that is similar to that found with equal fan blade spacing. In one embodiment, the fan impeller can include thirty one fan blades. The perceived sound quality from the fan is improved with essentially no effect on the thermal performance of the fan.

The game device for a user including a flexible closure for receiving impacts from the user, one or more filler placed inside the flexible closure for reducing recoiling of the flexible closure from the surface on receiving impacts, a mechanical unit attached to the inner walls of the flexible closure and a gravity slowing unit attached to the mechanical unit for reducing the gravitational pull acting on the flexible closure. The mechanical unit includes an electric motor for providing torque, an impact sensor for sensing the impacts received from the user, and a power source for energizing the electric motor and the impact sensor. The gravity slowing unit includes a spring-loaded hinge for stabilizing the flexible closure from impacts projected by the user, a spring-loaded shaft connected to the electric motor through the spring-loaded hinge for rotating to rotate on receiving torque from the electric motor and at least one set of propellers connected to the spring-loaded shaft for the receiving torque and providing thrust against gravitational pull acting on the flexible closure.

The present invention provides a system, or kit, of blow molded panels having integrally formed connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The corner sections, roof, wall and floor panels are formed of blow molded plastic with integrally formed connectors to interlock with one another. In one embodiment, the ends of the wall panels have locking plugs that are constructed and arranged to fit into corresponding sockets and slide to an engaged position for interlocking cooperative engagement rigidly connecting the components together.

A microlaser system includes an optical source, a microlaser, an actuator switch, and a photovoltaic power source. The microlaser, which includes a control element, is optically pumped by at least a portion of light emitted by the optical source. The actuator switch is configured to be activated by a triggering event. Furthermore, the photovoltaic power source is coupled in a series connection with the actuator switch and the control element, the series connection configured to connect the photovoltaic power source to the control element of the microlaser when the actuator switch is activated by the triggering event.

The laser mount arrangement can have a laser bar and a driver positioned adjacent to one another and secured against a connection face of a heat sink base. The heat sink base is connected to and forms a first electrical connection between the laser bar and the driver. A second electrical connection is also provided between the laser bar and the driver opposite the heat sink base, which can be in the form of a flexible metal sheet with a narrow upward fold. This arrangement can provide a low inductance path for the current.

A GRINSCH laser having an asymmetric configuration wherein the optical confinement is weighted more to the n-doped multilayer section than to the p-doped multilayer section. The GRINSCH laser can emit laser light at a wavelength λ=976 nm over a broad area with a beam power of 11.4 W at a 12 A bias current at a temperature of 20° C. Fabry-Perot and distributed Bragg reflector GRINSCH laser configurations are disclosed.

A system and method are disclosed for level shifting a DDC bus with a low voltage loss. A pull up circuit includes an NMOS transistor, a PMOS transistor and resistor. An NMOS pull up gate is also included in line with the DDC bus. When powered, the level shifter adjusts the voltage of transmitted signals to match the voltage of a receiving device. The resulting adjusted is slightly lower due to a threshold voltage lost across one or more transistors. Additionally, when unpowered, the level shifter releases the signal transmission line. Unadjusted signals can then be transmitted without consumption of power by the level shifter.