Abstract: A staple for attaching a sheet-like implant to tissue or bone may include first and second arms, and first and second flukes. In some embodiments, the first arm has a proximal end and a distal end, and the second arm has a proximal end and a distal end. A bridge extends from the proximal end of the first arm to the proximal end of the second arm. The first fluke has a proximal end abutting the distal end of the first arm, and the first fluke extends distally from the first arm. The first fluke has a lateral extent larger than a lateral extent of the first arm and is mounted eccentrically thereto. The first fluke includes a proximal surface projecting at an outward angle in a proximal direction away from the distal end of the first arm to engage the tissue or bone when inserted therein. The second fluke has similar features. This arrangement causes the first and second flukes to rotate in response to a pullout force on the bridge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing using a remote plasma source are disclosed. The apparatus includes an outer chamber, a remote plasma source, and a showerhead. Inert gas ports within the showerhead assembly can be used to alter the concentration and energy of reactive radical or reactive neutral species generated by the remote plasma source in different regions of the showerhead. This allows the showerhead to be used to apply a surface treatment to different regions of the surface of a substrate. Varying parameters such as the remote plasma parameters, the inert gas flows, pressure, and the like allow different regions of the substrate to be treated in a combinatorial manner.

Abstract: A method for placing a component on a target platform includes providing component alignment marks, target platform reference marks, a first multiple-sensor probe including first sensors, and a second multiple-sensor probe including third sensors. The method further includes determining second sensors included in the first sensors, and sensing a first signal from a first one of the alignment marks by at least one of the second sensors. The method further includes determining fourth sensors included in the third sensors. The method further includes sensing a second signal from a second one of the alignment marks by at least one of the fourth sensors, and detecting a deviation of the component from the target platform associated with a first position of one of the second sensors that sense the first signal and a second position of one of the fourth sensors that sense the second signal.

Abstract: A non-destructive inspection system that has particular application for inspecting a bore in a valve for defects. The system includes an inspection yoke having a ferromagnetic core, where a first coil is wound around the core in one direction and a second coil is wound around the core in an orthogonal direction so that orthogonal electromagnetic fields can be generated within the bore. A controller provides a current flow through the coils to generate the electromagnetic fields to detect defects in the bore.

Abstract: First, a user may select an illumination color for a bezel framing a display of an electronics device. Second, the illumination of a digital picture frame may be established based on sensed motion nearby and/or ambient light. Third, the color of a user interface presented on a display can be established to match the color of the room in which the display is disposed, as indicated by colorimetry from a camera.

Abstract: An input device for tracking three-dimensional movements. The input device includes a tracking structure and is in electronic communication with a computing device. The tracking structure is detectable by a tracking device. The tracking structure is configured so that as the input device is deformed, the tracking structure deforms correspondingly.

Abstract: A method that includes capturing depth information associated with a first field of view of a depth camera. The depth information is represented by a first plurality of depth pixels. The method also includes capturing color information associated with a second field of view of a video camera that substantially overlaps with the first field of view of the depth camera. The color information is represented by a second plurality of color pixels. The method further includes enhancing color information represented by at least one color pixel of the second plurality of color pixels to generate an enhanced image. The enhanced image adjusts an exposure characteristic of the color information captured by the video camera. The at least one color pixel is enhanced based on depth information represented by at least one corresponding depth pixel of the first plurality of depth pixels.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes a test enable pad configured to receive a test enable signal, a plurality of test input pads including a reset pad, a signal combination unit configured to combine signals input to the plurality of test input pads when the test enable signal is activated, and to generate a plurality of test output signals, a plurality of test output pads configured to output the plurality of test output signals, and a reset control unit configured to generate a system reset signal using a signal input to the reset pad when the test enable signal is deactivated, and to generate the system reset signal using the test enable signal when the test enable signal is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for tracking electronic files in computer networks using electronic signatures. A signature program installed on a network node inserts an electronic signature into certain encoded media files when they are transferred to other network users. Each network user is issued a unique electronic signature based on public key infrastructure. A signature repository supplies the recipient signature to the signature program prior to transferring a file. The sender and recipient signatures are appended to a portion of the media file, preferably the lower order bits to minimize perceptible file degradation. A transaction record is thereby written into the file and a copy of the transfer information is stored centrally at the repository, thereby creating a traceable record of a file's movement.

Abstract: A hybrid drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data sectors, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) comprising a plurality of memory segments. A logical block address (LBA) is mapped to a data sector on the disk. During a bias interval following the start of a host boot operation, a biased migration policy is executed that increases a likelihood of migrating the LBA to the NVSM. After the bias interval a normal migration policy is executed.

Abstract: A social networking system obtains linguistic data from a user's text communications on the social networking system. For example, occurrences of words in various types of communications by the user in the social networking system are determined. The linguistic data and non-linguistic data associated with the user are used in a trained model to predict one or more personality characteristics for the user. The inferred personality characteristics are stored in connection with the user's profile, and may be used for targeting, ranking, selecting versions of products, and various other purposes.

Abstract: A preferred contact group centric interface for a communication device can be used to facilitate communications by a user. The user interface can be arranged to activate from a user's “home page” on the display, from an idle screen that is accessed after a timeout period expires, or any other appropriate mechanism that activates the preferred contact group centric experience. A user selects the preferred contact group from among an array of the user's contacts. Once the contact group is configured, a minimal number of navigation/selection features is necessary to activate any number of communication modes available to the contacts. The contact group is configured such that simple and quick navigation between the contact members is achieved. The contact group can be presented in 2D and 3D arrangements, in any number of list or geometric configurations. A pricing plan can optionally be tied to each member of the contact group.

Abstract: A tubular braid and mechanisms for forming the braid are described. The mechanism for braiding includes a disc, a mandrel, a plurality of catch mechanisms, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge. The mandrel extends from a center of the disc and is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc. The plurality of catch mechanisms are positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc and are adapted to engage a filament. The plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another and are adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc.

Abstract: A hydroalcoholic gel composition includes greater than about 40 weight percent of an alcohol, based upon the total weight of the alcoholic composition, a polyacrylate thickener, and an ester plug-preventing agent. The composition is suitable for use in dispensers, and exhibits reduced mis-directed output when the dispenser is actuated.

Abstract: A plate is provided that spans a space between a bleeder hole in a wall and a drainage trench in a floor adjacent the wall. The plate includes a base and a wall extension, substantially perpendicular to one another. The base extends from a point proximate to the wall to the trench where the base and the wall extensions are spaced apart from the floor and the wall, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method is provided wherein, in one aspect, a currently-requested item of information is stored in a cache based on whether it has been previously requested and, if so, the time of the previous request. If the item has not been previously requested, it may not be stored in the cache. If the subject item has been previously requested, it may or may not be cached based on a comparison of durations, namely (1) the duration of time between the current request and the previous request for the subject item and (2) for each other item in the cache, the duration of time between the current request and the previous request for the other item. If the duration associated with the subject item is less than the duration of another item in the cache, the subject item may be stored in the cache.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for devitalizing plant seed, the method comprising the steps of hydrating a viable whole plant seed and freezing the hydrated whole plant seed. The invention further provides a collection of devitalized whole plant seed wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved.