Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may operate to identify and locate an RFID-tagged object relative to a point on a body, including a human, animal, or robotic body.

Abstract: A method is described for detecting an object with target radar. After the first detection of an object, the antenna is tilted. The original direction towards the object is restored by electronically steering the emitted beam. The beamsteering is obtained by changing the frequency of the emitted signal. Thus, the object may be detected several times on different frequencies. The method is particularly applicable in search and track radars.

Abstract: A high density vertical gain cell is realized for memory operation. The gain cell includes a vertical MOS transistor used as a sense transistor having a floating body between a drain region and a source region, and a second vertical MOS transistor merged with the sense transistor. Addressing the second vertical MOS transistor provides a means for changing a potential of the floating body of the sense transistor. The vertical gain cell can be used in a memory array with a read data/bit line and a read data word line coupled to the sense transistor, and with a write data/bit line and a write data word line coupled to the second transistor of the vertical gain cell.

Abstract: Luciferase enzymes with greatly increased thermostability, e.g., at least half lives of 2 hours at 50° C., cDNAs encoding the novel luciferases, and hosts transformed to express the luciferases, are disclosed. Methods of producing the luciferases include recursive mutagenesis. The luciferases are used in conventional methods, some employing kits.

Abstract: A method of forming a coupling dielectric in a memory cell includes forming an oxide on a substrate, forming Ta2O5 on the oxide, oxidizing the Ta2O5 with rapid thermal process (RTP) at a temperature above the crystallization temperature for Ta2O5, forming a cell nitride on the oxidized Ta2O5, and forming a wetgate oxide on the cell nitride.

Abstract: A floating gate transistor has a reduced barrier energy at an interface with an adjacent gate insulator, allowing faster charge transfer across the gate insulator at lower voltages. Data is stored as charge on the floating gate. The data charge retention time on the floating gate is reduced. The data stored on the floating gate is dynamically refreshed. The floating gate transistor provides a dense and planar dynamic electrically alterable and programmable read only memory (DEAPROM) cell adapted for uses such as for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a dynamically refreshed flash EEPROM memory. The floating gate transistor provides a high gain memory cell and low voltage operation.

Abstract: A method of routing connections of an integrated circuit package having a set of top side conductors and bottom side conductors. The method includes defining at least one distribution layer within the package, and positioning a set of upper vias between the set of top side conductors and the distribution layer. A set of lower vias is positioned between the distribution layer and the set of bottom side conductors that correspond to the set of top side conductors. One or more connections on the distribution layer are routed between the set of upper vias and the set of lower vias. In this manner, the one or more top side conductors are coupled automatically with their respective one or more bottom side conductors. This process may be implemented using one or more computer modules or computer operations.

Abstract: Methods of forming solder ball contacts having dimensions of approximately 2.5 microns in diameter for use in C4-type connections. The methods form solder ball contacts using selective deposition of solder on metal contact pads of a device. The metal contact pads have exposed portions at the bottom of through holes. The through holes define the dimensions of the exposed portions of the metal contact pads, and serve to limit the dimensions of the resulting solder contact by limiting the area upon which deposition preferentially occurs. Subsequent reflow of the deposited solder forms a solder ball contact. Various devices, modules, systems and other apparatus utilizing such methods of forming solder ball contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may operate to transmit an initial pulse to a directional coupler, where the initial pulse has an initial amplitude and a timed overshoot of a selected duration. Further activities may include stepping down the initial amplitude to an amplitude approximately equal to the initial amplitude times a mode reflection coefficient squared. A tuning stub may be coupled to a charge line to transmit the initial pulse, and decoupled from the charge line to refrain from receiving an echo pulse associated with the initial pulse.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system selects one of multiple electrodes associated with a particular heart chamber based on a relative timing between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes, or based on a delay between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes and detection of a reference depolarization fiducial point at another electrode associated with the same or a different heart chamber. Subsequent contraction-evoking stimulation therapy is delivered from the selected electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion therebetween. The lead body includes two or more individually insulated conductors, where a first conductor traverses along less than an entire length of the lead body and a second conductor traverses from the proximal end to the distal end of the lead body. Optionally, the first conductor has a different material than the second conductor, for instance having differing electrical properties and/or differing stiffnesses. A method includes varying the stiffness of a coiled conductor assembly including winding a plurality of conductors to form the coiled conductor assembly, and pulling at least one loop of a first conductor away from the coiled conductor assembly.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an outer insulative body, a conductor, and at least one electrode electrically coupled with the at least one conductor. The outer insulative body extends from a proximal end to a distal end and has an intermediate portion therebetween. A flexible portion for example having a bellows portion is disposed along the lead body.

Abstract: A manganese dioxide (MnO2) or silver vanadium oxide (SVO) or other battery of an implantable medical device having a relatively flat quiescent battery voltage during a beginning portion of the battery's useful life, makes it difficult to use quiescent battery voltage as an indicator of remaining battery energy during this portion of the battery life. A substantially constant load current pulse is drawn from the battery and a pair of loaded battery terminal voltage measurements is taken during this pulse. A difference between the voltage measurements is computed. This difference can be expressed as a rate of change, a slope, or a polarization angle, and can be used with stored data from similar batteries to determine remaining energy of the battery. A quiescent battery voltage can also be used in combination with this technique, and/or for distinguishing between different remaining energies corresponding to the same difference, slope, or polarization angle.

Abstract: A grown single crystal diamond is polished using a non contact polishing technique, which leaves a residue on the diamond surface. In one embodiment, a wet chemical etch is performed to remove the residue, leaving a highly polished single crystal diamond surface. In a further embodiment, a colloidal silica solution is used in combination with rotating polishing pads to remove the residue. Both residue removing techniques may be used in further embodiments.

Abstract: A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and data structures for modeling information quality are provided. Information metrics, levels of maturity, and capabilities are integrated and linked with one another to provide an information quality and maturity assessment framework and tool. The framework is visualized and traversed in one or more dimensions. Sets of three metric values are provided to the tool for generating a current information quality state of a specific information repository. A desired information quality state is selected, and the tool generates a map of intermediate information quality states needed to optimally reach the desired state from the current state.

Abstract: A resistive element, a circuit board, and a circuit package, as well as a method of adding a resistive element to a circuit board are described. The resistive element includes a first contact point connected to a capacitor terminal, a second contact point connected to a circuit board plane, and resistive material connected to the first and second contact points. The invention may also include a circuit board with one or more resistive elements, as well as a circuit package, such as an integrated circuit or a discrete bypass capacitor, including one or more resistive elements, applied to an outside surface. The value of resistance for the resistive element can be selected by design to have a predetermined relationship with the equivalent resistance of an associated circuit board and connecting circuitry.

Abstract: Isolated and purified chemokine peptides, variants, and derivatives thereof, as well as chemokine peptide analogs, are provided.

Abstract: A system, method and kit for forming a powered communications interface in a computer system having a computer housing. A processor, a power supply and a communications interface are installed in the computer housing. The power supply includes a ground rail, a first power rail having a first nominal voltage and a second power rail having a second nominal voltage. The processor is connected to the power supply and the communications interface. A booster is connected to the first power rail and is used to boost power from the first power rail to a third nominal voltage and to place the third nominal voltage on a third power rail. An externally accessible connector having a ground conductor and first, second and third power conductors is connected to the booster and the power supplies such that, wherein the first conductor is connected to the first power rail, the second conductor is connected to the second power rail and the third conductor is connected to the third power rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for demonstrating cardiac device function and patient cardiac function over time, including a board with a coordinate system representing time, the board having one or more colored areas representing cardiac device function and patient cardiac function and a legend. Assembled magnetically to the board are objects sized for alignment with the coordinate system representing cardiac device function and including colors matching the one or more colored areas of the magnetic board and the legend. The assembled object and board demonstrate cardiac device function over time. The present subject matter also includes a method for demonstrating cardiac device function and patient cardiac function over time, including placing the objects on a magnetic board in alignment with the coordinate system and one or more colored areas representing cardiac device function and patient cardiac function to demonstrate cardiac device function over time.