Abstract: A services-oriented system for knowledge assessment and learning performs a method of receiving a plurality of two-dimensional answers to a plurality of first multiple-choice questions, determining, after a period of time, which of the answered multiple choice questions remain unfinished and which are completed, separating the unfinished questions from the completed questions, determining which of the unfinished and completed questions to include in a mastery-eligible list of questions, assigning a weight to each of the mastery-eligible questions based on the current learning state of the learner, a target learning score of the learner, and a calculated dopamine level of the learner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming a silicon/germanium protection layer above source/drain regions of a transistor. One method disclosed herein includes forming a plurality of recesses in a substrate proximate the gate structure, forming a semiconductor material in the recesses, forming at least one layer of silicon above the semiconductor material, and forming a cap layer comprised of silicon germanium on the layer of silicon. One device disclosed herein includes a gate structure positioned above a substrate, a plurality of recesses formed in the substrate proximate the gate structure, at least one layer of semiconductor material positioned at least partially in the recesses, a layer of silicon positioned above the at least one layer of semiconductor material, and a cap layer comprised of silicon/germanium positioned on the layer of silicon.

Abstract: In some implementations, an injection system that injects sealant into a pipe, pressure component or valve while containing the pipe, pressure component or valve repair that significantly reduces or eliminates release of hazardous material from inside the pipe, pressure component valve or injection system and thus significantly reduces emission of the hazardous material from inside the pipe, pressure component or valve into the environment and protecting the repair technicians.

Abstract: A connector with at least one multi-core fiber (MCF) and method of attaching the MCF within the connector, includes inserting a first end of a MCF into a ferrule of a connector. Then, rotating the end of the MCF within the ferrule until a first selected satellite core of the MCF is in a first alignment relative to a feature of the connector. The feature may be a mark, indentation or protrusion formed on a ferrule, ferrule holder or connector envelope. Finally, affixing the MCF within the ferrule of the connector. In the case of an array-type connector, first ends of other MCFs may be added to the ferrule and clocked relative to the same feature of the connector. Second ends of one or more MCFs may be clocked relative to a same feature of a second connector.

Abstract: Provided herein are isoparaffins derived from hydrocarbon terpenes such as myrcene, ocimene and farnesene, and methods for making the same. In certain variations, the isoparaffins have utility as lubricant base stocks.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. In one embodiment a method of plugging a wellbore is described. The method comprises providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising pumice, hydrated lime, a cement set retarder, and water; activating the set-delayed cement composition to produce an activated set-delayed cement composition; introducing the activated set-delayed cement composition into the wellbore; and allowing the activated set-delayed cement composition to form a plug in the wellbore that has a permeability of less than 0.1 millidarcy.

Abstract: In various embodiments, self-adjusting reclinable seating is disclosed. When the user applies a force to the seating by shifting his or her center of gravity, the backrest and seat portions of the seating move in response to the force to recline the seating. The user can return the seating to an upright position by again shifting his or her center of gravity. Such a configuration eliminates the need for manual recline controls. The seating is further configured to continuously vary the angle of the seat and backrest portions relative to the ground as the user moves. In particular, vertical distance between the front of the seat and the ground increases as the backrest reclines. Continuously varying the angle of both the seat and the backrest portions of the seating relative to the ground may improve a user's seating comfort, for example, by decreasing or eliminating the user's need to shift position on the seat when reclined.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds used to inhibit the deamination enzyme responsible for the inactivation of therapeutic compounds, and methods of using them.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient's nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters.

Abstract: The assemblies of the invention can comprise a fine fiber layer having dispersed within the fine fiber layer an active particulate material. Fluid that flows through the assemblies of the invention can have any material dispersed or dissolved in the fluid react with, be absorbed by, or adsorbed onto, the active particulate within the nanofiber layer. The structures of the invention can act simply as reactive, absorptive, or adsorptive layers with no filtration properties, or the structures of the invention can be assembled into filters that can filter particulate from a mobile fluid while simultaneously reacting, absorbing, or adsorbing materials from the mobile fluid.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface, a through silicon via (TSV) that is formed so that at least a part thereof penetrates through the semiconductor substrate, and an insulation ring. The insulation ring is formed so as to penetrate through the semiconductor substrate and so as to surround the TSV. The insulation ring includes a tapered portion and a vertical portion. The tapered portion has a sectional area which is gradually decreased from the first surface toward a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. The vertical portion has a constant sectional area smaller than the tapered portion.

Abstract: A sleeping apparatus for infants and children, such as a bassinet, includes a child-receiving sleep receptacle and a frame assembly attached to and supporting the child-receiving sleep receptacle. The child-receiving sleep receptacle includes sidewalls extending between a head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and a foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle. One or more fasteners extend along one or more of the sidewalls and are operable for opening and closing and thereby lengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls so as to change an inclination of the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle or of the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle, or both.

Abstract: There are provided a polyolefin resin composition having excellent mechanical properties and thermal resistance; a film formed of the polyolefin resin composition, which has excellent mechanical properties and thermal resistance and which is less likely to suffer from fisheyes; a microporous membrane having excellent permeability and shutdown properties in addition to the above-mentioned physical properties; and applications thereof. Such objects are accomplished by a polyolefin resin composition containing an ultra-high molecular weight ethylene polymer (A), a 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer or 3-methyl-1-pentene polymer (B), and a polymer of an olefin having 2 to 12 carbon atoms (C) at an intended ratio.

Abstract: An example method for a distributed NetFlow exporter with a single IP endpoint in a network environment is provided and includes configuring a network protocol stack of an exporter with switched virtual interface (SVI) state information of an SVI associated with a switch in a network, retrieving flow data from a NetFlow cache, and communicating the flow data to a collector according to the configured network protocol stack. Although the communication bypasses the SVI, the collector perceives the flow records as being communicated by the SVI. The SVI state information includes a public Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the SVI, where the exporter executes on an adaptor of a server in the network. The method also includes configuring a destination IP address and a destination MAC address on the exporter according to a NetFlow policy.

Abstract: There is provided a skin rejuvenation composition which comprises at least one oxidant, at least one photoactivator capable of activating the oxidant, and at least one healing factor chosen from hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and allantoin, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide transmitters and receivers for managing multiple optical signals. High order modulation, such as phase and/or amplitude modulation, is used to achieve multiple bits per symbol by transporting multiple asynchronous data streams in an optical transport system. One or more supplemental multiplexing techniques such as time division multiplexing, polarization multiplexing and sub-carrier multiplexing may be used in conjunction with the high order modulation processing. This may be done in various combinations to realize a highly spectrally efficient multi-data stream transport mechanism. The system receives a number of asynchronous signals which are unframed and synchronized, and then reframed and tagged prior to the high order modulation. Differential encoding may also be performed. Upon reception of the multiplexed optical signal, the receiver circuitry may employ either direct detection without a local oscillator or coherent detection with a local oscillator.

Abstract: A method of treating a well including the steps of: (A) treating a first aqueous fluid comprising seawater with electrocoagulation to obtain a second aqueous fluid, wherein the second aqueous fluid has a reduced concentration of magnesium ions relative to the original concentration of magnesium ions in the first aqueous fluid; (B) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises the second aqueous fluid, and (ii) a viscosity-increasing agent in the aqueous phase; and (C) introducing the treatment fluid into a well. The aqueous phase can have a pH of at least about 9 or the treatment fluid can be introduced into a well at a design temperature of at least about 93° C. (200° F.).

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to limit or prevent movement of rotors due to axial thrust loading resulting from rapid changes in speed of the rotors of the compressor. The operational profile of the motor is controlled to maintain acceleration torque and deceleration torque within predefined limits. The acceleration torque and deceleration torque are maintained within the predefined limits by controlling the speed of the motor, or by controlling the torque applied by the motor to the rotors during acceleration or deceleration.

Abstract: The combination of an underground valve, for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line, and a conduit assembly defining an access passage through which above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly further has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks an entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator through the entry opening and access passage. A part of the cap and another part of the conduit assembly interact and are relatively moved as the cap is changed between the first and second states. At least one of: a) the part of the cap; and b) the another part of the conduit assembly is made from a non-metal material.

Abstract: A nitride-based semiconductor device is disclosed, including a substrate, an active region including a plurality of nitride-based semiconductor layers disposed on the substrate, wherein a 2DEG channel and a two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) under the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel are formed within the plurality of nitride-based semiconductor layers, a gate electrode disposed on the top of the active region and an interconnection structure electrically connected with the gate electrode and the 2DHG.