Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a free layer, a separating layer, a pinned layer, and a magnetic stabilizer in close proximity to the pinned layer, wherein the magnetic stabilizer may enhance the stability of the magnetization direction of the pinned layer.

Abstract: A lightweight pervious cellular concrete is provided. The concrete has an internal structure comprising interconnected channels, resulting in a permeability K value of less than about 1×10?5, and as low as about 1. The cellular concrete has a density range of between 10 to about 100 pounds per cubic foot, with a compressive strength of between about 10 to about 1000 psi.

Abstract: An exercise handle for use with a cord and a method for the use thereof, the handle having a channel portion having at least two channel ends that are positioned non-diametrically relative to each other on the channel portion, the channel portion being rounded relative to a center point; a channel being fashioned on the channel portion, the channel being adapted to receive the cord; a grip portion being positioned between the at least two channel portion ends in an off-center relationship to the center point of the channel portion.

Abstract: A timing detector adapted for timing recovery on a read-channel is disclosed to improve signal quality of an input signal and maintain a small loop latency. The timing detector selects bits within the input signal that are high quality for timing recovery and discards bits that are low quality. The selected bits are used to synchronize phase and frequency of a bit sampler with a read-back analog signal. High-pass and low-pass analysis filters may split the input signal into high-frequency and low-frequency sub-bands and equalizers may re-shape the sub-bands. High-pass and low-pass synthesis filters may construct an output signal from the high-frequency and low-frequency sub-bands. Scaling factors may correct for signal and disturbance variations in the sub-bands. A comparator may eliminate sampled bits within the detector signal that have a magnitude less than a threshold and assign a common magnitude to sampled bits that meet or exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A pattern recognition system compares a set of unlabeled images (or other patterns) having a variation of state in a set-by-set comparison with individual data sets of multiple labeled images (or other patterns) also having a variation of state. The individual data sets are each mapped to a point on a parameter space (e.g., a Grassmannian manifold, a Stiefel manifold, a flag manifold, etc.), and the set of unlabeled images is mapped to a point in the same parameter space. If the point associated with the set of unlabeled images satisfies a distance criterion on the parameter space with regard to one of the points on the parameter space, the data set of unlabeled images is assigned to the class attributed to that point.

Abstract: A method and system for purifying production water obtained from oil and gas operations so that the purified water need not be disposed of by forced injection back into the geological formation but can be put to a beneficial use such as agriculture, irrigation, industrial or municipal or potable applications. The production water is treated in a ceramic microfilter after it has been pretreated (preferably by aeration and with a walnut shell filter) to remove volatile hydrocarbons and heavier oils, such as paraffins and asphaltenes, that could foul the ceramic filter. The permeate from the ceramic microfiltration can then be treated with activated charcoal or otherwise treated to meet the specific requirements for the intended beneficial use.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductive coil for carrying a current to induce a first field from the write element. A conductor proximate the write element tip carries the current to generate a second field that augments the first field. A driver provides the current to the conductive coil and the conductor, and a circuit phase shifts the current through the conductor relative to the current through the conductive coil.

Abstract: Methods of managing a receive buffer in a receiving communications terminal are disclosed, the receive buffer including a data memory organized into a plurality of individually addressable data words and into a plurality of segments, each of which is larger than one addressable data word but smaller than a maximum frame size. The methods include receiving a frame of data from an originating communications terminal, storing the received frame of data in the receive buffer beginning at a selected segment of a group of reserved segments, and releasing a number of the reserved segments equal to the number of segments in a maximum frame size less an actual number of segments occupied by the received frame.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a sensor stack having a first magnetic portion, a second magnetic portion, and a barrier layer between the first magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion. The first magnetic portion and/or the second magnetic portion comprises a multilayer structure including a first magnetic layer having a positive magnetostriction adjacent to the barrier layer, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The magnetic sensor exhibits a magnetoresistive ratio of at least about 62% with a resistance-area (RA) product of about 0.45 ?·?m2.

Abstract: A write pole structure includes a write pole having a tip region. A shield structure is spaced from the write pole by a gap at the tip region. The shield structure includes a front shield and a spacer layer on the back of the front shield. A yoke is formed on the write pole, and an end of the yoke is aligned with the back end of the spacer layer.

Abstract: A domain classifier develops and maintains relevance data about specific domains based on historical relevance data and source context data. Such data may be used to classify the user's interest in attempting to visit a specific domain and thereby redirect the user to a website expected to be aligned with the user's interest. In various implementations, the historical relevance data is derived from source context data and/or post-visit user behavior collected from previous attempts to visit a specific domain. The source context data collected from the current visit may also be used as source context-factors to influence domain classification. Based on such historical and current source context factors, as well as the domain address provided in the user's navigation request, a domain classifier consults the historical relevance data and provides the user with Web content that is identified as likely to be relevant to the user's interests.