Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions, which in turn contain at least one block copolymer. The block copolymer includes (a) at least one high Tg (glass transition temperature) polymer block that contains at least one high Tg vinyl ether monomer and (b) at least one low Tg polymer block that contains at least one low Tg vinyl ether monomer.

Abstract: To automatically discover the port connections for all nodes in a network, a master node generates a predetermined optical signal and transmits the predetermined optical signal to a neighboring node, which signal identifies the port on which the master node transmitted the predetermined signal. The recipient transmits a reply signal to the predecessor node and to the master node via a control channel, which identifies a port on which the predetermined optical signal was received by the neighboring node. By successively repeating this process in a methodical manner, the master node can discover all of the port interconnections in the optical network. Also each node can discover all its port interconnections to its neighbors. Moreover, by selecting controlling the state (e.g., terminate, open) of the ports of the non-master nodes in the network, the master node can control which nodes receive the predetermined signal, thereby ensuring proper port discovery.

Abstract: A semiconductor device mountable to a substrate is provided. The device includes a semiconductor die and an electrically conductive attachment region having a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface is arranged for electrical communication with the semiconductor die. An interlayer material is formed on the second attachment surface of the electrically conductive attachment region. The interlayer material is a thermally conductive, dielectric material. A housing at least in part encloses the semiconductor die and the interlayer material.

Abstract: Playing an interactive multimedia presentation involves pre-rendering a media object at certain times based on a frame rate of the interactive content, a frame rate of the video content (which may include video, audio, data, or any combination thereof), and a play speed of the presentation. Certain actions taken include calculating a current elapsed play time representing an amount of the presentation's play duration that has passed. Based on the calculated time, a current interactive content presentation time is ascertained from an interactive content timeline. The interactive content timeline represents times at which the media object is presentable. A subsequent interactive content presentation time is selected from the interactive content timeline. The presentation state of the media object is predicted for the subsequent interactive content presentation time. The media object is pre-rendered within a time offset period before the subsequent interactive content presentation time occurs.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate, an n-channel MOSFET formed on the substrate and a p-channel MOSFET formed on the substrate. A first layer is formed to cover the n-channel MOSFET, wherein the first layer has a first flexure-induced stress. A second layer is formed to cover the p-channel MOSFET, wherein the second layer has a second flexure-induced stress.

Abstract: A technique for allocating protection-switching mechanisms operates on a per wavelength basis. This allows a designer of an optical network to select a particular protection switching mechanism for a given traffic type, which is usually specific to a particular wavelength in an optical network. For another traffic type, the designer can allocate a different protection switching mechanism, thereby providing optimal protection switching for each traffic type.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-resistant medical devices which contain polymer regions for release of therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to radiation-resistant block copolymer materials for use in connection with insertable or implantable medical devices. The radiation-sterilized medical device comprise (a) a release region and (b) at least one therapeutic agent and the release region comprises a radiation resistant copolymer that includes (i) a low Tg hydrocarbon polymer block and (ii) one or more high Tg polymer blocks.

Abstract: The techniques described herein allow a more efficient transmuxing operation for transferring data from a synchronous domain (e.g., SONET) to a plesiochronous (e.g., PDH) domain as compared to the prior art, in which extraction of data streams, jitter filtering and stuff bit generation are processed separately. The techniques described herein include extraction of data from the plesiochronous data stream without complete extraction of the underlying native data stream. Filtering is performed based on synchronous timing, which results in a simpler filter design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel biomaterials and methods of using these new biomaterials to facilitate wound healing. The novel biomaterial may be a biocompatible polymer to which at least one bioactive polymer is covalently bonded by graft polymerization, copolymerization or cross-linking. Alternatively, the novel biomaterial may be a polymer blend comprising at least one biocompatible polymer and at least one bioactive polymer.

Abstract: A core material for a composite light weight building panel formed from a settable mixture, said mixture including an acrylic, polymer-based resin comprising: 85% by volume water based copolymer emulsion of polyvinyl acetate with versatate and/or acrylic copolymers in a water emulsion; 10% water soluble colloid protector; 5% additives; such that the resin obtains a specific gravity in the range of 1000±50 g/l and an 8 Ford viscosity at 20° C. of 7±1: and the mixture having the following ratios: from 1 to 3 liters of cement; more than 2 liters of resin; from 10 to 100 liters of light weight filler material; less than 6 kilograms of water, and such that the volume of cement is more than half the volume of resin.

Abstract: A method for treating a gastrointestinal tract in a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution to treat the wall. A kit for use in the procedure is provided.

Abstract: Novel nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are provided which comprise a lipid molecule selected from (a) phosphoglycerides, (b) lipids having a sphingosine base as a backbone, (c) monoacylglyerols, (d) diacylglycerols, (e) glycosylacylglycerols, and (f) sterol compounds of the formula: where R is a branched aliphatic chain of eight or more carbon atoms, wherein the lipid molecule is provided with a nitric-oxide containing group which comprises (a) a —S—N?O moiety, (b) a —O—N?O moiety, or (c) a a moiety. Also provided are methods of forming such nitric oxide releasing lipid molecules. Various pharmaceutical compositions, topical liquids and drug delivery systems comprising the nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are also described.

Abstract: Memory management techniques involve establishing a memory pool having an amount of sharable memory, and dynamically allocating the sharable memory to concurrently manage multiple sets of sequenced units of digital data. In an exemplary scenario, the sets of sequenced units of digital data are sets of time-ordered media samples forming clips of media content, and the techniques are applied when media samples from two or more clips are simultaneously presentable to a user as independently-controlled streams. Variable amounts of sharable memory are dynamically allocated for preparing upcoming media samples for presentation to the user. In one possible implementation, a ratio of average data rates of individual streams is calculated, and amounts of sharable memory are allocated to rendering each stream based on the ratio. Then, the sharable memory allocated to rendering individual streams is reserved as needed to prepare particular upcoming media samples for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of channels amplified by an optical amplifier arrangement is provided. The optical amplifier arrangement includes at least one optical amplifier stage amplifying a first number of channels at a given average gain level. The method begins by selecting a second number of channels to be amplified by the optical amplifier arrangement. At least one additional optical amplifier stage is serially coupled to an input or output of the at least one optical amplifier stage to form a multistage optical amplifier arrangement. The gain shape of the multistage optical amplifier is adjusted to maintain, at the given average gain level or greater, a prescribed degree of gain flatness over an operating bandwidth in which the second number of channels are located.

Abstract: A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach.

Abstract: Wind Chimes are provided, the notes of which are tuned to play a person's given name, according to the Ogham notation. The “tune” of the person's name is played on, e.g., anodized aluminum tubes, which are tuned to specific notes, based on the ancient system. The name being “played” is written on one side of the frame in English, and on the other side using the Ogham characters that translate as both the English letters, and the musical notes. The shape of the chime's frame is patterned after a Harp. The instrument can be used traditionally, as a wind chime, or it can be fitted with a base, allowing it to be used indoors as a décor item.

Abstract: Compositions for embolization are disclosed herein. The compositions disclosed can have a matrix-forming component, a solid-aggregate material, and a rheology modifying agent, wherein the matrix-forming component includes at least alkyl cyanoacrylate monomers, a stabilizer, and a plasticizer, and the solid-aggregate material includes at least a radiopacifier. The composition and a method of administering the composition are useful for treating vasculature abnormalities, particularly when the composition solidifies upon contact with an ionic environment, such as blood.

Abstract: A covered substrate is described, which comprises: (a) a flexible substrate layer; and (b) a plurality of cooperative barrier layers disposed on the substrate layer. The plurality of cooperative barrier layers further comprise one or more planarizing layers and one or more high-density layers. Moreover, at least one high-density layer is disposed over at least one planarizing layer in a manner such that the at least one high-density layer extends to the substrate layer and cooperates with the substrate layer to completely surround the at least one planarizing layer. When combined with an additional barrier region, such covered substrates are effective for enclosing organic optoelectronic devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes, organic electrochromic displays, organic photovoltaic devices and organic thin film transistors. Preferred organic optoelectronic devices are organic light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: An optical switch includes at least one input port for receiving a plurality of channel wavelengths of an optical signal and a plurality of output ports. A plurality of wavelength selective elements are also provided, which each select a channel wavelength from among the plurality of channel wavelengths received at the input port. A plurality of optical elements are respectively associated with the plurality of wavelength selective elements. Each of the optical elements direct one of the selected channel wavelengths, which are selected by the associated wavelength selective element, to any one of the output ports independently of all other channel wavelengths and with a selectively variable degree of attenuation. The switch also includes a controller for adjusting a configuration of the optical elements to provide the channel wavelengths with the selectively variable degree of attenuation.