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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Systems and methods are disclosed to assist in making decisions. The systems and methods consider situations where the user is determining which of several alternatives is the best choice. The criteria to evaluate the decisions are input into a grid, and the user rates the different alternatives against the different criteria. Given several alternative choices or options, it provides the probability each alternative is the right selection. In one embodiment, the system implements a Bayesian approach. The systems and methods may estimate the chance some important consideration was missed thereby reducing the chance of being surprised or blindsided. The system and method may also examine the inputs to a decision analysis in order to detect entries that might reflect bias, assumptions or unusual reasoning, thereby increasing the chance of obtaining the correct answer. The systems and methods may also identify the factors that were predictive.

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.

Abstract: An erosion-resistant article for use as a component in plasma process chamber. The erosion-resistant article comprises a support and an oxide coating comprising yttrium, which is disposed over the support. The support and the oxide coating preferably have material compositions that differ from one another in coefficient of thermal expansion by no more than 5×10?6/K. Preferred oxide coating compositions include yttria and yttrium aluminum garnet. Preferred supports include alumina supports and aluminum-silicon carbide supports.

Abstract: An electronic element testing apparatus for use with a number of probes. Each probe has a lower pole and an upper pole. The apparatus includes: a first plate having a first side and a second side, the first side having an array of lower pole regions disposed thereabout, each lower pole region configured to receive a lower pole of a probe; and a plurality of signal conductor regions disposed proximate the array of lower pole regions, each signal conductor region arranged to provide a non-cable electrical path between a lower pole region and a switching circuit. The switching circuits are operable to sequentially connect each electronic element to a testing circuit via the upper and lower poles.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided which comprises an elongated body adapted for insertion into a body lumen, and a plurality of electrically controlled actuators associated with the body which are controllable to impart an orientation to the body that is complimentary to the natural orientation of the lumen into which the endoscope is inserted.

Abstract: An adaptive dock for use with media players of varying form factors is provided by an arrangement in which a device connector is located on a moveable sled that is located in the dock's base unit. A device-specific dock insert is arranged for removable engagement with the base unit to allow the base to have applicability to different media players by using the appropriately configured insert. The insert includes a device receiving space having an opening that is located to expose the media player's accessory connector. The insert further includes an actuator that slidably engages with a cam that is located on the sled to impart a lateral motion to the sled as the insert is placed downward into the dock's base unit so as to align the device connector on the sled with the opening in the insert.

Abstract: An optical wavelength routing device utilizes a free space optical beam propagating therethrough is provided. The device includes at least one optical fiber input, at least one optical fiber output, an optical element having an actuator with at least one tilt axis and a diffraction element having a surface thereon. The device also includes an optical beam-splitting element having spatially varying optical properties. An optical beam transfer arrangement is positioned between the optical element and the diffraction element such that tilt actuation of the optical element elicits a proportional change in an angle of incidence of the optical beam onto the diffraction element, wherein the center of rotation for the angular change is the surface of the diffraction element. Optical routing between the fiber input and the fiber output can be configured by the positioning of the optical element.

Abstract: A medical device with anti-microbial properties to prevent infections. This medical device, such as an in-dwelling catheter, has a portion that is insertable into the body of a patient and accessible from outside the body once the portion is inserted. The portion has an outer wall, a first active lumen within the outer wall, and a false lumen within the outer wall in which the false lumen has a distal portion and a proximal portion. The false lumen contains an anti-microbial agent that provides the outer wall with anti-microbial properties. The distal portion of the false lumen is sealed. The false lumen may be adjacent to the first active lumen. The medical device may also contain a second active lumen, wherein the first active lumen is an inlet lumen and the second active lumen is an outlet lumen. Alternatively, the false lumen may surround the first active lumen.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device begins by forming a lower interconnection dielectric on a substrate and forming at least one active or passive device in the lower interconnection dielectric. An etch stop layer is formed on the lower interconnection dielectric and an interconnect stack layer is formed on the etch stop layer. At least one interconnect trench structure and at least one crack stop trench are etched in the interconnect stack layer while maintaining electrical isolation between the interconnect structure and the crack stop trench.

Abstract: A composition for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided. The composition comprises: (a) a biocompatible block copolymer comprising one or more elastomeric blocks and one or more thermoplastic blocks and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent. The block copolymer is preferably of the formula X-(AB)n, where A is an elastomeric block, B is a thermoplastic block, n is a positive whole number and X is a seed molecule. The elastomeric blocks are preferably polyolefin blocks, and the thermoplastic blocks are preferably selected from vinyl aromatic blocks and methacrylate blocks. According to another aspect of the invention, a medical device is provided, at least a portion of which is insertable or implantable into the body of a patient. The medical device comprises (a) the above biocompatible block copolymer and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: In a WDM optical communication system that includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by communication links, a node is provided that includes a first plurality of transponders each generating and/or receiving an information-bearing optical signal at a different channel wavelength from one another. An optical coupling arrangement, which may include one or more reconfigurable optical switches, transfers the channel wavelengths between a link connected to the node and the first plurality of transponders. The arrangement is adaptable to reconfigure its operational state to selectively direct different ones of the channel wavelengths from the link to different ones of the transponders without disturbing the optical path through the node traversed by any other channel wavelengths. A communications and configuration arrangement is provided, which transfers data identifying the respective channel wavelengths at which the transponders operate from the transponders to the optical coupling arrangement.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of granulates that contain liposoluble and hydrophobic substances, preferably steroidal substances, and that exhibit rapid and excellent water-dispersibility. The process comprises: a) the dispersion of substance (A) in water in the presence of a surfactant (B), b) the incorporation of a water-soluble polyhydroxylated solid excipient (C) in the aqueous dispersion until a granulable pasty mass is obtained and c) the granulation of the mass. The granulates so obtained are suitable for the preparation, at the time of use, of stable and homogeneous aqueous suspensions that are used for nutritional, cosmetic or, preferably, pharmaceutical purposes.

Abstract: A bar code scanning and information retrieval system is integrated into a consumer electronic device that has an otherwise main and different function or purpose. Location determining technology, or a user interface through which location-specific information is provided, may be added to the bar code scanning and information retrieval system. A user may readily obtain information regarding the vendor at the location where the product is scanned and other vendors of the scanned product in the vicinity of the scanning device. Information can be provided to the user concerning nearby vendor location, maps to these vendors and product pricing and availability at these vendors, for example. Scanning and memory capability can be provided in connection with a non-Internet-ready portable consumer good and that scanned information can be subsequently transferred to an Internet-ready device by means of removable memory.