Abstract: A method of preparing a thin section sample includes affixing the sample to a receptacle using an affixing media that includes a material having a thickness-sensitive characteristic. The sample may then be shaped to have an asymmetric cross-section. The method may further include reducing a thickness of the material until the thickness-sensitive material exhibits a change in an optical characteristic. The added material, which may be quartz, may exhibit a predetermined optical characteristic at a specified thickness and/or exhibit a change in an optical characteristic in response to a change in thickness. In one application, the method may include retrieving the sample from a subterranean formation. For instance, the sample may be retrieved from a gas shale formation.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for image decoding are described. A method performed by an image decoding apparatus includes generating motion compensation information and a quantized result of an error image that represents a difference between a current image to be decoded and a prediction image obtained by performing inter prediction on the current image from a bitstream of the current image. A reference image of the current image is received from an external memory unit based on the generated motion compensation information. The method includes restoring the current image based on the received reference image of the current image and the generated quantized result of the error image representing the difference between the current image and the prediction image. Receiving the reference image of the current image is performed while restoring a previous image, and restoring the current image is performed while receiving a reference image of a subsequent image.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light source and an integrated optical film. The integrated optical film includes a base, a brightness enhancement layer and a diffusion layer. The base has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The brightness enhancement layer has a plurality of brightness enhancement columns and a plurality of diffusion particles. The brightness enhancement columns are disposed on the first surface. The diffusion particles are dispersed in the brightness enhancement columns. The diffusion layer has a plurality of granular patterns disposed on the second surface in an irregular arrangement. Light beams emitted from the light source pass through the diffusion layer, the base and the brightness enhancement layer in proper order.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, and systems are described for providing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) receiving apparatus. An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) receiving apparatus includes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) start point estimating unit to detect a minimum symbol interference point of a received OFDM signal and identify a FFT start point. The apparatus includes a FFT operation performing unit to communicate with the FFT start point estimating unit and to perform a FFT operation at the FFT start point identified by the FFT start point estimating unit. The apparatus includes a phase modifying unit to communicate with the FFT start point estimating unit and to modify a phase of an output of the FFT operation performing unit. Also, the apparatus includes a decoding unit to communicate with the FFT operation performing unit and to decode the phase modified output of the FFT operation performing unit.

Abstract: Provided are a universal blind mode detector capable of universally detecting not only various orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication services but also non-OFDM communication services, and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) mode detector, a guard mode detector, and a memory sharing structure of the universal blind mode detector, and a method of detecting a universal blind mode. The universal blind mode detector includes a radio frequency (RF) tuner converting a received signal into a baseband frequency signal, an automatic gain control (AGC) unit which is connected to the RF tuner and determines existence of a communication service by referring to a received signal strength indication (RSSI), a communication service mode detection unit determining of which scheme a communication service mode signal is if the AGC unit determines that there is the communication service, and detecting the communication service mode signal, and a channel decoding unit detecting the detected signal.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for selecting the recommended image among sequentially captured images. In aspect, a method of selecting the recommended image includes measuring a brightness value and a sharpness value for each of sequentially captured images. The measured brightness and sharpness values are combined for each image to obtain a combined value for each image. The recommended image is selected from among the sequentially captured images based on the obtained combined values.

Abstract: Disclosed are an adder for obtaining a maximum accumulated value of correlation for mode detection in a communication system, and an adding method using the adder. According to the present disclosure, an adder for obtaining a maximum accumulated value of correlation values used to detect a mode in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, includes one or more adding logic circuits for adding input values constituting the correlation values to stored values and outputting accumulated values, by using one or more memories; and one or more controllers for, if one of the accumulated values stored in the memories is greater than a predetermined value, shifting all of the accumulated values and the input values of the memories in a direction for decreasing the accumulated values and transmitting the shifted accumulated values and the input values to the adding logic circuits.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a plurality of effecters, actuated in a periodic manner upon by obstructive forces of a flexible infusion tube so as flow of infusion fluid is provided along said infusion tube, the magnitude of the obstructive forces being dependent upon the displacement of said moving effecters; and a plurality of balancing magnets providing balancing forces upon one or all the moving effecters, the balancing forces at each point along the path of motion of the moving effecters being of approximately equal magnitude to that of the obstructive forces at the point; such that the parasitic output due to work performed against the obstructive forces is approximately zero and yield is maximized.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for tracking a satellite signal. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a tracking module to generate a satellite-based measurement result by tracking a satellite signal received from a satellite. The tracking module includes sub-tracking modules with each sub-tracking module configured to generate the satellite-based measurement result by using a different integral time.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and system for processing 3D graphics are provided. A graphics processor includes a fixed pipeline code generator to convert an application programming interface (API) supporting a fixed pipeline into first microcodes, a shader pipeline code generator to convert an API supporting a programmable pipeline into second microcodes, and a shader pipeline to process the first or second microcodes by using a shader program.

Abstract: A correlation apparatus for tracking a satellite signal includes a shifter, a multiplexer and an accumulator. The shifter generates generating a Prompt signal, a plurality of Early signals and a plurality of Late signals. The multiplexer outputs at least one of the plurality of Early signals and at least one of the plurality of Late signals. The accumulator acquires a correlation signal to tracking the satellite signal.

Abstract: A medical device includes an interface unit body, which is configured to hold a portion of a flexible infusion tube. A hinge insert is fixed to the interface unit body and is configured to engage a hinge receptacle, which defines a hinge axis, on an infusion pump. A catch insert is fixed to the interface unit body and is configured to lock onto a catch receptacle on the infusion pump upon rotation of the mechanical interface unit about the hinge axis while the hinge insert engages the hinge receptacle, so as to bring the tube into engagement with a peristaltic mechanism of the infusion pump in order to enable the peristaltic mechanism to propel a fluid through the tube.

Abstract: A web-winding core (1) is disclosed. The core comprises a tabular wall and longitudinal ribs (2) extending radially inward from the wall. It is formed from a fibre reinforced polymeric composite material. The polymeric material is typically anisotropic and has the required strengths in specific directions by design orientation of the reinforcing fibres. It may have reinforcing fibres disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core, fibres disposed within the longitudinal ribs, fibres substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core and/or fibres disposed at least one angle other than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the core. The reinforcing fibres may include one or more of glass, carbon, aromatic polyamide such as Aramid, other polymeric, natural (of vegetable origin) and/or metallic fibres.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discovering features of a communication device. The features of a communications device are tracked or monitored. Features that are unused or undiscovered are identified. The undiscovered features are then included as ticker items in an interactive ticker. When a ticker item that corresponds to an undiscovered feature is selected, the user is presented with information or a tutorial that instructs the user about the feature or how to use the feature. The undiscovered features included in the ticker can change based on how the usage of the device's features changes.

Abstract: A cervical immobilization collar incorporates one or more cooling elements for inducing a mild cerebral hypothermia by transcutaneous cooling of oxygenated blood flowing through carotid arteries. The immobilization collar includes an annular support structure having an extended axial length for limiting cervical compaction of a wearer's neck and a chin rest for limiting cervical rotation of the wearer's neck. In addition, the one or more cooling elements, which function as a heat extractor, are carried by the support structure in positions for inducing transcutaneous conduction of heat through an anterior portion of the wearer's neck from at least one of the wearer's carotid arteries.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a signal using a single correlator are provided. The apparatus may include a first storage unit storing satellite signal samples, a correlator receiving the satellite signal samples stored in the first storage unit in units of at least two satellite signal samples and performing correlation, and a controller storing the satellite signal samples received from an RF terminal in the first storage unit and controlling the correlator based on a predetermined control value. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure speed and performance even when tracking a plurality of satellite signals using a single correlator.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques, systems and apparatus are described for complementing a bitstream error so that a hardware decoder can stably decrypt a bitstream. A method of complementing a bitstream error includes: receiving a bitstream; detecting an error in the received bitstream; and complementing the detected error, before decrypting the bitstream.

Abstract: It is possible to provide a code using an optical symbol which can be read with a high accuracy even under an environment of a low printing accuracy including printing on an article which can be easily deformed. Cells are arranged in a linear shape and particular data is indicated by a state of element in each of the cells (whether the element is colored). Especially a particular color is fixed to each of the elements and it is possible to use the two states whether the color is attached or note. This state can express the data. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a code system capable of ready data if the element sequence continuity and the form (topology) as the linear state are maintained.

Abstract: A selectively loadable/sealable bioresorbable carrier assembly for retaining and positioning elements used in brachytherapy procedures comprises a bioresorbable tube having a closed distal end and a proximal open end. The bioresorbable tube is loaded with a selectable arrangement of elements, including at least one radioactive seed, through the proximal open end. After the bioresorbable tube is selectably loaded, the bioresorbable tube is heat sealed at a sealing position adjacent a proximalmost element. Once sealed, the bioresorbable tube maintains the arrangement of elements throughout the treatment duration.

Abstract: A writing current circuit (42) supplies a controlled electrical current to a laser diode (34) for recording data swiftly onto a DVD (16). A plurality of thermometer code registers (52) respectively store numerical values. A current control register (58) receives a numerical value from one of the thermometer code registers (52). Serial data specifies a sequence in which individual thermometer code registers (52) supply values to the current control register (58) thereby causing the writing current circuit (42) to supply a particular electrical current waveform to the laser diode (34). A plurality of current sources (62) respectively receive a single output signal from the current control register (52) which activates or deactivates individual current sources (62) for supplying a particular quantity of current to the laser diode (34).