Abstract: A pouch-type secondary battery including: an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator; a negative electrode tab electrically connected to the negative electrode plate and having a first tab tape; and a positive electrode tab electrically connected to the positive electrode plate and having a second tab tape wherein one or two of end portions which the positive electrode tab crosses are located inside a sealing portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad by which optical materials such as lenses, reflecting mirrors etc., or materials requiring a high degree of surface planarity, as in the polishing of silicone wafers, glass substrates or aluminum substrates for hard disks, or general metal polishing, can be flattened with stability and high polishing efficiency. The invention also provides a polishing pad for semiconductor wafers, which is superior in planarizing characteristic, is free from scratches and can be produced at low cost. There is provided a polishing pad which is free from dechucking error so that neither damage to wafers nor decrease in operating efficiency occurs. There is provided a polishing pad which is satisfactory in planarity, within wafer uniformity, and polishing rate and produces less change in polishing rate. There is provided a polishing pad which can make planarity improvement and scratch decrease compatible.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling transmissions and associated vehicles, machines, equipment, etc., are disclosed. In one case, a transmission control system includes a control unit configured to use a sensed vehicle speed and a commanded, target constant input speed to maintain an input speed substantially constant. The system includes one or more maps that associate a speed ratio of a transmission with a vehicle speed. In one embodiment, one such map associates an encoder position with a vehicle speed. Regarding a specific application, an automatic bicycle transmission shifting system is contemplated. An exemplary automatic bicycle includes a control unit, a shift actuator, various sensors, and a user interface. The control unit is configured to cooperate with a logic module and an actuator controller to control the cadence of a rider.

Abstract: An anti-chop system for a pneumatic paintball marker that is automatically cleaned. The anti-chop eye system includes a transmitter and receiver arranged so as to sense the presence of a paintball within a breech using a beam of light. A moving member of the paintball marker automatically wipes at least one surface of the transmitter and/or receiver to remove contaminants such as paint, grease, dirt and the like. By automatically cleaning the anti-chop eye system, the reliability of the system is improved.

Abstract: The present application provides methods for identifying compounds for inhibiting DNA damage-induced Htt proteolysis, and methods and compositions for protecting cells from DNA damage-induced cleavage of Htt.

Abstract: A plasma display device, which gradually increases the current to the panel capacitors is disclosed. The display uses an inductor to reduce the current spike which would otherwise occur and create large electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that simulate a credit score. The system enables a user to modify a credit data element in order to determine its effect on a credit score. The user can modify the element directly or simulate an action that, if performed, would modify the element. Since the number of possible modifications and actions can be overwhelming, in one embodiment, the system suggests modifications and actions to be simulated. These suggestions can be tailored to a user's goal, such as increasing a credit score by a particular number of points or allocating a particular sum of money in order to maximize a credit score. In one embodiment, the system obtains credit data from multiple credit bureaus and can determine credit scores using different algorithms, such as the different algorithms used by the different credit bureaus.

Abstract: A dual fuel heating apparatus can include a safety control system having a shutoff valve, a thermocouple solenoid assembly, a first nozzle, and a second nozzle. The first nozzle can be positioned to direct heat from combustion of a first gas, liquid, or combination thereof towards the thermocouple solenoid assembly when the first gas, liquid, or combination thereof is being combusted. The second nozzle can be positioned to direct heat from combustion of a second gas, liquid, or combination thereof towards the thermocouple solenoid assembly when the second gas, liquid, or combination thereof is being combusted. The thermocouple solenoid assembly can be configured to maintain the shutoff valve in an open position based on heat from combustion directed to the thermocouple solenoid assembly or in a closed position based on an absence of heat from combustion directed to the thermocouple solenoid assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: In one aspect a method of determining the functional activity of the MRP2 and/or MRP3 efflux pathway of a human or animal subject, comprises: (i) determining the level of a bile acid derivative in the blood of said human or animal subject at a predetermined time interval after introducing an amount of the bile acid derivative into the subject; and (ii) using the determination obtained in step (i) to indicate the functional activity of the MRP2 and/or MRP3 efflux pathway of the subject.

Abstract: A protective garment for livestock, such as a horse, has a first portion and a second portion defining a planar sheet of material. The first portion substantially covers a left leg and shoulder of the livestock, while the second portion substantially covers a right leg and shoulder of the livestock. The garment can comprise a one-piece protective cover or a two-piece protective cover. In one embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other by an attachment member extending across a back of the livestock. In use, the protective garment is sufficiently secured to the livestock to protect it from undesirable external elements, such as insects and sunlight, yet somewhat loose to allow the livestock to freely move while wearing the garment.

Abstract: In one embodiment a layered pharmaceutical formulation includes two or more pharmaceutical layers and an intermediate layer disposed between at least two of the two or more pharmaceutical layers, the intermediate layer configured to dissolve in vivo to thereby leave the two or more pharmaceutical layers substantially intact. In one embodiment, an active pharmaceutical ingredient in at least one of the pharmaceutical layers is selected from bupropion, zonisamide, naltrexone, topiramate, phentermine, metformin, olanzapine and fluoxetine.

Abstract: A computing system is configured to accept bid rules from merchants for the placement of ads for a plurality of products. The bid rules comprise a bid amount, a rule definition and a priority. The bid amount may be an absolute bid or it may be relative to base advertising rate. The rule definition comprises criteria for describing products to determine when the bid rule is applied to a product for sale. The priority indicates whether the bid rule applies to a particular product when the rule definition of more than one bid rule could be applied to a product. The computing system is also configured to generate a list of product offers based at least in part on the bids. The system may also generate reports for merchants.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to multilevel encoding with error correction. In some embodiments, a plurality of bits may be encoded into a plurality of multilevel memory cells by level-shifting a subset of the plurality of multilevel memory cells for a bit of the plurality of bits. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A thin film transistor including: a substrate; a gate electrode formed on the substrate; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate electrode and exposed portions of the substrate; an oxide semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating layer to correspond to the gate electrode, and comprising an HfInZnO-based oxide semiconductor, wherein the oxide semiconductor layer has a Zn concentration gradient; and source and drain regions respectively formed on both sides of the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer.

Abstract: A single-wafer, chemical vapor deposition reactor is provided with hydrogen and silicon source gas suitable for epitaxial silicon deposition, as well as a safe mixture of oxygen in a non-reactive gas. Methods are provided for forming oxide and silicon layers within the same chamber. In particular, a sacrificial oxidation is performed, followed by a hydrogen bake to sublime the oxide and leave a clean substrate. Epitaxial deposition can follow in situ. A protective oxide can also be formed over the epitaxial layer within the same chamber, preventing contamination of the critical epitaxial layer. Alternatively, the oxide layer can serve as the gate dielectric, and a polysilicon gate layer can be formed in situ over the oxide.

Abstract: A new, effective and cost-efficient method of introducing Fluorine into Hf-based dielectric gate stacks of planar or multi-gate devices (MuGFET), resulting in a significant improvement in both Negative and Positive Bias Temperature Instabilities (NBTI and PBTI) is provided. The new method uses an SF6 based metal gate etch chemistry for the introduction of Fluorine, which after a thermal budget within the standard process flow, results in excellent F passivation of the interfaces. A key advantage of the method is that it uses the metal gate etch for F introduction, requiring no extra implantations or treatments. In addition to the significant BTI improvement with the novel method, a better Vth control and increased drive current on MuGFET devices is achieved.

Abstract: A portable solar battery charger comprises a photovoltaic array, a power regulator, a controller, and a battery. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to increase the charging current provided by the power regulator to the battery over time using discrete current levels. A comparator can compare the voltage of the photovoltaic array to a threshold, and provide the result to the controller. The controller can be configured to decrease the current to a previously selected level when the comparator indicates the voltage of the photovoltaic array is below a threshold, thereby improving the efficiency of the current delivery to the battery.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT.

Abstract: Methods for correcting a deformity in the spine by forming a trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion axial bore through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner and providing a therapy to the spine employing the axial bore. Curved or relatively straight anterior axial bores are formed from the anterior starting positions. The therapies performed through the axial bores include discoscopy, full and partial discectomy, vertebroplasty, balloon-assisted vertebroplasty, drug delivery, electrical stimulation and various forms of spinal disc cavity augmentation, spinal disc replacement, fusion of spinal motion segments and implantation of radioactive seeds. Axial spinal implants and bone growth materials can be placed into single or multiple parallel or diverging axial bores to fuse two or more vertebrae, or distract or shock absorb two or more vertebrae.