Abstract: The glass-based ferrules include a glass substrate and two spaced-apart guide tubes, which can also be made of glass. The guide tubes include bores sized to receive guide pins from another ferrule. The ferrule can be used to form an optical interconnection device in the form of a waveguide connector that includes a planar lightwave circuit that supports multiple waveguides. The ferrule can also be used to form an optical interconnection device in the form of a fiber connector that includes a support substrate and an array of optical fibers supported thereby. The waveguide connector and fiber connector when mated form an integrated photonic device. Methods of forming the ferrule components, the ferrules and the optical interconnection devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for generating path length information for two (usually redundant) receive paths in a receiving device such as a server blade so that the proper amount of equalization and/or pre-emphasis may be applied to receiver and driver circuits in the server blade. In one embodiment, the path length information comprises a longer or shorter path determination, and may also include a estimation of the slot location. In another embodiment, the path length information comprises a representation of the length of two receive paths. The path length information generating circuit is connected to the two receive inputs of the receiving device though high impedance elements, and the path length information may be utilized by hardware or a processor to set the equalization or pre-emphasis in the receiver and/or driver.

Abstract: A strip of pliable or flexible material that is sized to circumferentially extend about a digit of a person from whom a blood sample is to be taken. The strip of pliable material has upper and lower generally parallel and planar surfaces. Also, the flexible film or strip defines a throughhole between opposite ends of the film. The lower or bottom surface of the strip has a skin contacting adhesive thereon allowing the film to be tautly applied about the person's digit, with the throughhole circumscribing an underlying surface skin area that is to be punctured to create blood flow. The taut application of the strip about the digit inhibits venus blood return thus enhancing blood flow from the puncture and thereby providing an adequate blood specimen even in person's that have a difficultly bleeding. A method of obtaining a blood specimen is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention pertains to a process for melting glass in which scrap glass fibers containing carbonaceous material to provide a carbon content of 0.4%-0.04% in a batch is combined with batch materials in which the scrap amounts to 5%-25% by the weight of the batch. The batch is melted under oxidizing conditions and the resultant melt is used to form glass fibers.