Abstract: A delivery device that allows for the sustained release of an agent, particularly useful for the sustained release of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions, such as the posterior chamber of the eye and inner ear. The delivery device is minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area. The delivery device includes a hollow body with an inlet port at its proximal end for insertion of the agent, a reservoir for holding the agent and a delivery mechanism for the sustained delivery of the agent from the reservoir to the patient.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the gray scale resolution of a PWM system. The method includes defining an N-bit PWM sequence with a length of 2N?1 units. The N-bit PWM sequence includes a least significant bit (LSB) segment characterized by a temporal length of one unit. In some embodiments, the temporal length of one unit is referred to as a time t0. The method also includes defining a fractional PWM sequence. The fractional PWM sequence includes the N-bit PWM sequence and a fractional bit segment of temporal length F. The temporal length of the fractional PWM sequence is 2N?1+F units. In a particular embodiment, F=1 and the temporal length of the fractional PWM sequence is 2N.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a device isolation structure, a recess channel structure, and a gate electrode. The device isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. The recess channel structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate under the active region. The gate electrode includes a holding layer disposed in a gate region to fill the recess channel structure. The holding layer prevents a seam and a shift of the seam occurring in the recess channel structure.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide multifocal lenses having one or more multifocal inserts comprising one or more diffractive regions. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can provide a constant optical power or can provide a progression of optical power, or any combination thereof. A multifocal insert of the present invention can be fabricated from any type of material and can be inserted into any type of bulk lens material. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can be positioned to be in optical communication with one or more optical regions of a host lens to provide a combined desired optical power in one or more vision zones. Index matching layers of the present invention can be used to reduce reflection losses at interfaces of the host lens and multifocal insert.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assembling oligopeptide intermediates in a native chemical ligation reaction that eliminates self-ligation of bi-functional intermediates. An important aspect of the invention is a bi-functional intermediate with an N-terminal heterocyclic protecting group which effectively prevents self-ligation in the chemical assembly process. The present invention is useful in methods for convergent synthesis of polypeptides and proteins and improves the efficiency of native chemical ligation reactions, particularly where three or more peptide fragments are used to assemble a polypeptide or protein product.

Abstract: Corneal epithelial pocket formation systems include a cutting head and a blade coupled to the cutting head. The blade is coupled to the cutting head at an orientation that is effective in maintaining a viable separated pocket defining portion of corneal epithelium of an eye of a patient during formation of a corneal epithelial pocket of the eye. The blade includes a cutting edge surface at its distal end. The cutting edge surface is effective in separating the corneal epithelium from the underlying Bowman's membrane of the eye without leaving residual corneal epithelial cells in contact with Bowman's membrane that may result in corneal epithelial cell growth between a corneal implant located in the corneal epithelial pocket and the underlying Bowman's membrane. Versions of the present systems include spring loaded blade holders, which may be removable from the cutting head. Versions also can include applanators.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods, systems and devices are provided for qualitatively and quantitatively assessing collateral ventilation in the lungs. In particular, collateral ventilation of a target compartment within a lung of a patient is assessed by advancement of a catheter through the tracheobronchial tree to a feeding bronchus of the target compartment. The feeding bronchus is occluded by the catheter and a variety of measurements are taken with the use of the catheter in a manner which is of low risk to the patient. Examples of such measurements include but are not limited to flow rate, volume and pressure. These measurements are used to determine the presence of collateral ventilation and to quantify such collateral ventilation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for automatically converting audio input signal data into musical score representation data. Embodiments of the invention identify a change in frequency information from the audio signal that exceeds a first threshold value; identify a change in amplitude information from the audio signal that exceeds a second threshold value; and generate a note onset event, each note onset event representing a time location in the audio signal of at least one of an identified change in the frequency information that exceeds the first threshold value or an identified change in the amplitude information that exceeds the second threshold value. The generation of note onset events and other information from the audio input signal may be used to extract note pitch, note value, tempo, meter, key, instrumentation, and other score representation information.

Abstract: To protect a person with a property interest in real property against a loss of market value thereof, a base market value of the real property is determined at a current time when the property interest in the real property arises or thereafter, and a number of types of events that cause the real property to lose market value as compared with the base market value are defined. A number of the defined types of events are selected, and a real estate market value policy is issued to the person at about the current time. The policy promises to compensate the person for any loss experienced by the person if the real property loses market value as compared with the base market value based on any of the selected types of events.

Abstract: An audit planning system enables users to plan effective audits by identifying audit units having potentially large impacts and risks on an enterprise and enabling users to select audit units to include in audits based on a variety of different criteria. The audit planning system displays the audit units of the enterprise and a visual indicator of the impact and risk associated with each audit unit. The audit planning system enables users to select the displayed audit units to plan an audit. The audit planning system may display audit units in an impacted financial statement, a tree map, a graph, and/or a table. The audit planning system may sort and/or display audit units with visual indicators specifying associated risks, impacts, materiality values, exposures, coverages, and/or audit costs. The audit planning system can further display visual indications of the changes in audit units' associated attributes over time.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a high capacitance solid state circuit region configured to perform predetermined operations, a RFID block comprising a FeRAM block for storing data, and an interface unit configured to transfer to the RFID block an externally-provided unique ID for wirelessly identifying the IC, the unique ID being stored in the FeRAM block. The IC further includes a conductive trace extending through predetermined regions of the IC, the conductive trace being configured as an antenna for the RFID block, wherein the RFID block is configured to receive and transmit information to an external source via the antenna.

Abstract: Occluding structures may be created within a body lumen by advancing a length of material distally through the body lumen. By drawing a distal location on the advanced length of material in a proximal direction, the material may be compacted into a structure which at least partially occludes the lumen. The occluding structure may be used to remove kidney stones from the ureter in conjunction with lithotripsy and irrigation.

Abstract: A system for producing frequency converted light includes a first seed laser operable to provide a first laser signal and a second seed laser operable to provide a second laser signal. The system also includes an optical combiner optically coupled to the first seed laser and the second seed laser. The optical combiner is operative to combine the first laser signal and the second laser signal into a combined laser signal. The system further includes a power amplifier optically coupled to the optical combiner. An intensity of both the first laser signal and the second laser signal are increased by the power amplifier. The system additionally includes a harmonic converter optically coupled to the power amplifier.

Abstract: A method for managing Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) communications within a local area network and a LAN-based UMA network controller are disclosed. The method includes monitoring packets received from a first UMA device connected to the local area network and detecting whether they represent a call between the first UMA device and a second UMA device. The method also includes determining whether the second UMA device is connected to the local area network. If the packets represent a call between the first and second UMA devices and the second UMA device is connected to the local area network, packets representing audio data are maintained within the local area network.

Abstract: At least one wrong template for storing features of pattern information imaged on condition unsuitable for biometric authentication is provided and the wrong template information is collated with collation template information produced by extracting features from biometric information when authentication information is registered. When similarity is low, the collation template information is stored in an authentication template. The collation template is collated with the wrong template upon authentication and when similarity is high, authentication processing is not made. Further, when similarity of the collation template information and the wrong template information is high, a guidance message for solving a problem is displayed to the user. Thus, reduction of authentication performance is prevented.

Abstract: A photochromic optical article comprises a substrate, and a photochromic coating coated on an outer surface of the substrate and having at least two photochromic layers. Each of the photochromic layers has a composition that contains a carrier and at least one photochromic dye. The compositions of the photochromic layers are different from each other.

Abstract: Insurance policy deductibles are managed by a plurality of interrelated tables each including a plurality of variables. The variables in a first table include a geographical variable, a transaction variable and an effective policy date variable. The variables in another table include additional geographic variables, structural characteristics, amount of insurance and provides controls for managing deductibles. The variables in a further table distinguish deductibles available to the policies. In an additional table, the variables identify movement from an old deductible to a new deductible.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosure for maintaining realistic grooming of simulated objects. In a method for simulating objects, a reference shape associated with a simulated object is received. A predetermined orientation is also received. A force acting on the simulated object is then modified based on the predetermined orientation. The force acts on the simulated object to shape the simulated object according to the reference shape. The force may be “strategically weakened” when the simulated object (or a portion thereof) is substantially aligned with the predetermined orientation. In a further method for simulating objects, a measured height associated with the simulated object is received. A “lifting” force is generated to reduce a difference between the measured height and a predetermined height associated with the reference shape. The lifting force simulates structure and internal forces that provide volume and shaping to physical objects, such as hair.

Abstract: Systems for managing workflows to perform chemical or biological reactions using microfluidic devices.