Abstract: A memory circuit for holding a single binary value. A first bit cell holds one of a logical high value and a logical low value, and a second bit cell also holds one of a logical high value and a logical low value. Circuitry is provided for placing a logical high value in the first bit cell when the binary value in the memory circuit is to be a logical high value, and circuitry is provided for placing a logical high value in the second bit cell when the binary value in the memory circuit is to be a logical low value. In this manner, a logical high value exists within the memory circuit, whether the single binary value within the memory circuit is a logical high value or a logical low value. The difference between the two values of the binary value is which of the two bit cells holds the logical high value. Thus, this memory circuit can be sensed without the use of a sense amplifier.

Abstract: The device is used for the automatic determination of characteristics on textile test material such as yarns, rovings, and slivers. A path is provided for the test material, through which path the test material is moved in its longitudinal direction. At least one measuring element for measuring a parameter of the test material is arranged along the path. In order to reduce the depositing of loose fibers, dust, or dirt particles, a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged along the path and spaced apart from one another, are provided and generate a vacuum, by means of which the undesired particles are sucked from the path.

Abstract: A user programmable hearing aid allows a user to select acoustical configuration programs that provide optimum performance for the user. The user may cycle through and evaluate various available programs by operating a single digital rocker switch on the hearing aid housing to switch from one program to the next. When a preferred program is active, the user can press and hold an up control or down control of the digital rocker switch for an extended time to select the currently active program. The user can then use the digital rocker switch to adjust the audio gain for the selected program. The hearing aid may also operate in a Configuration Mode wherein configuration settings may be changed by operating the up and down controls of the digital rocker switch. In the Configuration Mode, a clinician or patient may easily change configuration settings manually, with no need to connect the apparatus to a computer or other programming interface.

Abstract: An improvement to an integrated circuit of a type having a test enable line for enabling an electrical test of the integrated circuit only when the test enable line is at a logical high value, and output lines that are only used during the electrical test of the integrated circuit, where the improvement is a switch circuit for disabling a state change in the output lines when the test enable line is at a logical low value. In this manner, the output lines do not switch during functional use of the integrated circuit, and cannot be aggressors on the data signals that are carried by the data lines that are used during the functional use of the integrated circuit. In addition, these non-switching output lines can act as guard traces that run between the data lines, further electrically isolating the data lines from one another. Further, because they do not switch during functional use of the integrated circuit, the overall power consumption of the integrated circuit is reduced.

Abstract: The use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for monitoring the integrity of a physical border or a communication link is described. The no-cloning principle of quantum information science is used as protection against an intruder's ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a ‘classical’ intercept-resend attack. Correlated measurement outcomes from polarization-entangled photons are used to protect against quantum intercept-resend attacks, i.e., attacks using quantum teleportation.

Abstract: A knife and sheath for housing the knife, the sheath including a light, an actuator for activating the light, and finger openings, with the knife being withdrawn from the sheath to permit the fingers of the user to be inserted through the finger receiving openings and enable a thumb of the user to be positioned on the actuator for selective activation and de-activation of the light emitting device.

Abstract: A cutting tool including a housing provided with a compartment having an opening, a carrier disposed in the compartment and displaceable between extended and retracted positions, a spring for biasing the carrier in the retracted position, a mechanism for displacing the carrier in the extended position, a mechanism for releasably retaining the carrier in the extended position, and the carrier having a nesting surface for a blade whereby a blade nested thereon will project through the compartment opening when the carrier is in the extended position and will be disposed within such compartment when the carrier is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A tool used for cutting coke or other hard materials in drums, adapted for being mounted to a boring rod with which the water can be run under pressure into the tool thus that, the water can be run toward the boring and cutting nozzles, being provided with a valve mechanism that can rotate about a coupling angle for releasing and closing the flow channel ports depending on a control input, with a first coupling position of the valve mechanism for boring and another coupling position for cutting, whereby the valve mechanism can be coupled at a water pressure reduced to the coupling pressure by rotating about the coupling angle, is simplified as to construction and handling in that the valve mechanism comprises a valve body in the water intake area of the casing, which has a cylindrical shape and a section for the water flowing inside the casing, as well as being rotationally mounted and having the possibility to be lifted and lowered in a cylindrical section of the inner wall of the casing, the valve body bein

Abstract: A system for evaluating the metrological characteristics of a surface of a substrate, the system including an optical substrate measurement system, a data analyzing system for analyzing data in an evaluation area on the substrate, applying feature-specific filters to characterize the surface of the substrate, and produce surface-specific metrics for characterizing and quantifying a feature of interest, the surface-specific metrics including a range metric for quantifying maximum and minimum deviations in the evaluation area, a deviation metric for quantifying a point deviation having a largest magnitude in a set of point deviations, where the point deviations are an amount of deviation from a reference plane fit to the evaluation area, and a root mean square metric calculated from power spectral density.

Abstract: Processes for forming an enhanced material or structure are disclosed. The structure typically includes a preform that has a first common surface and a recess below the first common surface. A filler is added to the recess and seams are friction stir welded, and materials may be stir mixed.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for jumping exercises including at last one handle and an appendage, the apparatus further including a first attachment member including an aperture defining a first zone and a second zone, the second zone shaped similar to a cylinder. The handle includes a hub that fits at least in part within the first zone and can be rapidly engaged within the second zone so to attach the appendage to the handle while allowing rotational movement of the hub within the second zone.

Abstract: A method of forming and assembling at least two parts together that may be metal, ceramic, or a combination of metal and ceramic parts. Such parts may have different CTE. Individual parts that are formed and sintered from particles leave a network of interconnecting porosity in each sintered part. The separate parts are assembled together and then a fill material is infiltrated into the assembled parts using a method such as capillary action, gravity, and/or pressure. The assembly is then cured to yield a bonded and fully or near-fully dense part that has the desired physical and mechanical properties for the part's intended purpose. Structural strength may be added to the parts by the inclusion of fibrous materials.

Abstract: A surface inspection system, as well as related components and methods, are provided. The surface inspection system includes a beam source subsystem, a beam scanning subsystem, a workpiece movement subsystem, an optical collection and detection subsystem, and a processing subsystem. The system features a variable polarization a polarizing relay assembly arranged to selectively permit the scattered light having a selected polarization orientation to pass along a detector optical axis to a light detection unit in the detection subsystem. They system also features a collector output width varying subsystem for varying the width of an output slit in response to changes in the location of the location scanned on the workpiece.

Abstract: A computer assisted system and related method for interacting with an audience by combining questions from a group of questioners, analyzing the questions, and presenting the questions in summary form for answering by a speaker or interviewee. The answers are then delivered to the questioners. The entire interview may be delivered to the questioners, or portions may be selectively delivered to separate questioners based on questions asked by the respective questioner. In one embodiment, questions may be grouped by similar subject matter; groups may be arranged by the number of associated questions or by other priority criteria. In a further embodiment, a representative question may be generated for each group. The representative question may be selected from the group or may be generated from analysis results. In one embodiment, a subscriber based service is provided. Profiles may be developed for the questioners, and targeted advertising may be delivered based on the profiles.

Abstract: A processor-based method for detecting defects in an integrated circuit, by creating an image of at least a portion of the integrated circuit with a sensor, grouping pixels of the image into bins based at least in part on a common characteristic of the pixels that are grouped within a given bin, creating a histogram of the pixels in each of the bins, calculating a mean value of the histogram for each of the bins, comparing the mean value for each of the bins to a threshold value, flagging as defect candidates those bins where the mean value of the bin varies from the threshold value by more than a predetermined amount, and performing signature detection on the bins that are flagged as defect candidates, where the image of the integrated circuit is not directly compared to any other image of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable pharmaceutical composition that includes sirolimus. The pharmaceutical composition includes sirolimus in the amorphous form, a fatty acid ester, such as glyceryl behenate, and a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer wherein the fatty acid ester is present at a concentration of less than 10% w/w compared to the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having an injector which functions as a positive displacement pump and dispenses an amount of lubricant fixed for each and every operation of the injector. The fluid dispensed could be a lubricant delivered directly to crankshaft bearings, camshaft bearings, tappets or cylinder sleeve. Alternatively the fluid could be fuel, water or urea delivered to an exhaust system upstream of a catalytic converter. The injector can have a one-way valve with a valve element having a domed or conical surface for directing fluid flow across a sharp edge which induces turbulence in the fluid flow.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures formed as bulk support media having carbon nanotubes formed therewith. The bulk support media may comprise fibers or particles and the fibers or particles may be formed from such materials as quartz, carbon, or activated carbon. Metal catalyst species are formed adjacent the surfaces of the bulk support material, and carbon nanotubes are grown adjacent the surfaces of the metal catalyst species. Methods employ metal salt solutions that may comprise iron salts such as iron chloride, aluminum salts such as aluminum chloride, or nickel salts such as nickel chloride. Carbon nanotubes may be separated from the carbon-based bulk support media and the metal catalyst species by using concentrated acids to oxidize the carbon-based bulk support media and the metal catalyst species.

Abstract: A method and compositions for lubricating surfaces with lubricating oils exhibiting increased phosphorous retention. The lubricated surface includes a lubricant composition containing a base oil of lubricating viscosity, an amount of a phosphorus-containing compound and an amount of at least one hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound that is effective to provide an aged catalyst temperature that converts at least fifty percent of exhaust gas hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOx that is lower than an aged catalyst temperature that converts at least fifty percent of exhaust gas hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOx of the lubricant composition devoid of the hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound.