Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing surface properties of particles are provided. A method for analyzing the surface properties of the particle includes a associating a first particle with a first capture zone having a specific binding affinity for a first chemical species, applying an optical force to the first particle, sensing a response of the first particle to the optical force, and using the sensed response to determine the presence, absence or quantity of the first chemical species on the first particle surface. This process may be repeated in parallel to test multiple particles. In addition to directly testing the surface properties of the particles, the method can be used in direct, indirect and competitive assays to determine the presence, absence or quantity of free or immobilized analytes. A fluidic cartridge with capture zones having avidities that are tuned for the use of optical forces is provided. A software routine for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a microphone having a variable capacitance first deposits high temperature deposition material on a die. The high temperature material ultimately forms structure that contributes to the variable capacitance. The method then forms circuitry on the die after depositing the deposition material. The circuitry is configured to detect the variable capacitance.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating evaluation, in connection with the procurement or delivery of products or services, in a context of at least one of (i) a financial transaction and (ii) operation of an enterprise, are disclosed. The techniques involve retrieving party and counterparty preference profile data from digital storage media; performing multilateral analyses of the combined preference data by computing a closeness-of-fit value; and delivering a list matching the selected party and the at least one counterparty using the computed closeness-of-fit values.

Abstract: Objective measurement of cochlear implant operation is described which coordinates the delivery to a patient of an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The acoustic signal is developed as an acoustic stimulation input to the ear canal of a patient, and the electrical signal is developed as an electrical stimulation input to intracochlear electrodes of a cochlear implant. The evoked response in the patient to the delivered signals is then measured.

Abstract: A method, system and computer product for simultaneously activating at least two electrodes in a multichannel electrode array is presented. The method includes calculating pulse amplitudes of the electrodes in the multichannel array by taking into account parameters of spatial channel interaction reflecting geometric overlapping of electrical fields from each electrode. Calculating is based, at least in part, on place-independent impulse responses characterized by a first exponential decay constant ? at a first side of the electrode and a second exponential decay constant ? at a second side of the electrode, such that the first exponential decay constant ? is the same for each electrode in the array, and the second exponential decay constant ? is the same for each electrode in the array.

Abstract: A method for developing a voice user interface for a statistical semantic system is described. A set of semantic meanings is defined that reflect semantic classification of a user input dialog. Then, a set of speech dialog prompts is automatically developed from an annotated transcription corpus for directing user inputs to corresponding final semantic meanings. The statistical semantic system may be a call routing application where the semantic meanings are call routing destinations.

Abstract: A collection of dwelling unit module designs is created from which multi-family dwelling buildings or the multi-family portion of a mixed-use building may be designed. The module designs each fit onto uniform grid intervals defining a structural support system and fitting a parking layout. A module design may include an individual unit or a stack of units. A graphical user interface to a computer system accommodates defining an outline for the building and filling the outline with dwelling unit modules from the collection. The dwelling unit module designs may be designed and perfected in a manner independent of and in advance of any specific project and project schedule.

Abstract: A method of transforming an input image from a hemispherical source to an output image in rectilinear coordinates is disclosed. The method includes receiving data representative of an input image originating from a hemispherical camera and having a size defined by an input image height and an input image width. Once the data is received, an output image width and output image height representative of a size of a rectilinear output image is calculated based on the size of the input image. A rectilinear output image is then generated by mapping input image pixels to locations within the width and height of the output image, without reference to the optical characteristics of the hemispherical camera.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a reverberation signal component of an acoustic signal detected by a microphone where the acoustic signal is comprised of a direct sound component and a reverberation signal component. A method for dereverberation of an acoustic signal is further provided.

Abstract: A bandwidth extension system extends the bandwidth of an acoustic signal. By shifting a portion of the signal by a frequency value, the system generates an upper bandwidth extension signal. An extended bandwidth acoustic signal may be generated from the acoustic signal, the upper bandwidth extension signal, and/or a lower bandwidth extension signal.

Abstract: The invention is a method of improving the performance of a speech recognizer. The method generally involves: providing a lexicon for the speech recognizer; monitoring a user's interaction with a network; accessing a plurality of words associated with the monitored interaction; and including the plurality of words in the lexicon.

Abstract: An implantable fixation structure includes a c-shape bone fixation clip adapted to fit over and attach to a bony bridge element in the middle ear of a patient. A c-shape electrode fixation clip is adapted to fit over and attach to an electrode array element in the middle ear of the patient. A connecting bar has a first end connected to the bone fixation clip and a second end connected to the electrode fixation clip. A coupling clip is connected to the connecting bar between the first end and the second end and adapted to fit over and attach to a cochlear implant element and hold the cochlear implant element in a desired position relative to the middle ear of the patient.

Abstract: A flow diverter, vacuum control and tilting of the liquid filtering system are used alternatively or in conjunction to reduce foam production in a filtered liquid sample. A liquid filtering system includes an upper sample reservoir, a filter and a lower storage bottle. A vacuum is applied below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. A flow diverter may be used to direct flow of the filtered liquid sample onto a sidewall of the storage bottle or guide flow to a bottom of the storage bottle. The vacuum may be regulated to reduce foaming. The liquid filtering system may be tilted to direct fluid to the sidewall of the lower storage bottle and reduce foaming.

Abstract: A portable fixture for supporting a vacuum filtration device includes a cradle portion and a clamping portion. The cradle portion supports the vacuum filtration device. The clamping portion removeably attaches the portable fixture to a support in order to secure and support the filtration device above a workspace. The portable fixture may also provide a vacuum to the filtration device. To that end, the portable fixture may have a vacuum inlet port which may be connected to a vacuum source and a vacuum outlet port that is fluidly connected to the vacuum inlet port.

Abstract: A reservoir for use with a blood collection system includes a housing, a pre-filter, and a spring mechanism. The housing defines a cavity and has an inlet for receiving fluid from a source. The pre-filter is located within the cavity, removes particulates contained within the fluid, and allows the fluid to pass through the pre-filter. The spring mechanism is connected to the pre-filter and allows the pre-filter to travel within the cavity as the pre-filter collects particulates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue closure devices for closing a tissue opening, including one or more closure components, each closure component having a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having a first surface that adheres to a tissue surface proximate to the tissue opening, each of the first and second members having a second surface substantially orthogonal to the first surface, and each of the first and second members having a transitional region between the first surface and the second surface which is contoured to evert an edge of the tissue opening upon the drawing together of the first and second members. The present invention is also directed to systems and kits, dressing systems, and methods for tissue repair and closure.

Abstract: A scrolling encoder encodes scrolling elements that are to be scrolled around all or a subset of the frames of a video stream or file with their movement in time and space controlled by a path to produce a video stream or file, without searching previous or subsequent frames of the video stream or file for reference blocks. The scrolling element can be an image, video, text or any combination thereof. The scrolling element is encoded using information about the contents of the scrolling element and information about a path the scrolling element is to take across a screen. The information about the contents of the scrolling element is obtained when the scrolling element is first introduced into a frame. The information about the path of the scrolling element is provided by an external component or is otherwise deduced. Optionally, the path information includes information about how the scrolling element is to change appearance. This information may be used to automatically generate error terms.

Abstract: A storage system condition indicator and method provides a visual display representing the operating condition of a set of storage devices. Various operating conditions may be defined based on available storage capacity and capacity to store data redundantly. One or more indicators may be used to represent the operating condition of the set of storage devices. The indicator(s) may be used to indicate whether additional storage capacity is recommended and, in a storage array, which slot in the array should be updated with additional storage capacity.

Abstract: A micro-machined switching system for equalizing an electrical property, such as charge due to parasitic capacitance formed at an input and an output of a micro-machined switching device. The micro-machined switching device may be a MEMS relay or a MEMS switch. In addition to the micro-machined switching device, the switching system also includes a balancing module for equalizing the electrical property between the input and the output of the micro-machined switching device. In certain embodiments, the balancing module includes a switch operable in a first state causing charge due to the parasitic capacitance on the input and the output of the micro-machined switching device to substantially balance. The switch is also operable in a second state wherein parasitic capacitance can separately accumulate at the input and the output of the micro-machined switching device.