Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having reduced parasitics. An example embodiment, a signal isolator and include a first metal region electrically connected to a first die portion, a second die portion isolated from the first die portion, and a second metal region electrically connected to the second die portion. A third metal region can be electrically isolated from the first and second metal regions and a third die portion can be electrically isolated from the first, second and third metal regions. In embodiments, the first metal region, the second metal region, and the third metal region provide a first isolated signal path from the first die portion to the second die portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to social activities typically based on physical manipulation of objects to achieve an objective common to the participants or to allow participants to engage in distinct activities on a shared field of play, part of which is physical and part of which is virtual and rendered on one or more displays. The invention provides a system and method to enable multiple participants (users) to engage in the activity sequentially or simultaneously, based on the context and objectives of the game. The activity includes one or many shared physical environments modeled on a computing system and displayed, in high fidelity, by one or more projectors or screens.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a novel gene referred to herein as DSM-2. This gene was identified in Streptomyces coelicolor A3. The DSM-2 protein is distantly related to PAT and BAR. The subject invention also provides plant-optimized genes encoding DSM-2 proteins. DSM-2 can be used as a transgenic trait to impart tolerance in plants and plant cells to the herbicides glufosinate and bialaphos. One preferred use of the subject genes are as selectable markers. The use of this gene as a selectable marker in a bacterial system can increase efficiency for plant transformations. Use of DSM-2 as the sole selection marker eliminates the need for an additional medicinal antibiotic marker (such as ampicillin resistance) during cloning. Various other uses are also possible according to the subject invention.

Abstract: A content delivery method, and related apparatus, that involves the operations of receiving a request for a content resource including at least one embedded resource with a tag. Upon identification of the tag, using at least one delivery parameter to generate a modified embedded resource. Embedding the modified embedded resource in a content resource, such as an HTML document. Delivering, such as in response to request from a browser, the content resource with the modified embedded resource.

Abstract: A system (10) for reinforcing a pipeline (90) or pressure vessel includes a dispenser (12), a quantity of fabric (14), and a resin (16). The dispenser (12) has a first end (39), a second end (32), and a slot (46) formed in a wall (48), and is pressurizable via a fluid input (74) to a pressurized state. The dispenser (12) has a seal (56) configured to permit the quantity of fabric (14) to pass through the slot (46) and retain pressure within the dispenser (12). The dispenser (12) is configured to dispense the quantity of fabric (14) through the slot (46). The quantity of fabric (14) has a first width (24).

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to haptic rendering. One disclosed example provides a haptic rendering device including a patterned layer that exhibits auxetic behavior, and a plurality of actuators configured to move the patterned layer, each actuator being individually controllable to cooperatively change a curvature of the patterned layer in two dimensions.

Abstract: A transaction card construction and computer-implemented methods for a transaction card are described. The transaction card has vector formatted visible information lasered onto its surface. In some embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed for enabling the sourcing of visible information using a scalable vector format. The systems and methods may receive a request to add a first plurality of visible information to a transaction card and capture an image of the first plurality of visible information. The systems and methods may also map the image to a bounding box and convert the mapped image into vector format. In addition, the systems and methods may provide the converted image to a laser machine.

Abstract: A method for determining a suitable set of parameters for operating a light source within a photo-thermal targeted treatment system for targeting a chromophore embedded in a medium is disclosed. The method includes, before administration of a treatment protocol: 1) administering at least one laser pulse from the light source at a preset power level to a location to be treated, the preset power level being below a known damage threshold; 2) measuring a skin surface temperature at the location to be treated, following administration of the at least one laser pulse; 3) estimating a relationship between the parameters for operating the light source and the skin surface temperature; and 4) defining a safe operating range for the parameters for operating the light source in order to avoid thermal damage to the medium at the location to be treated while still effectively targeting the chromophore in administering the treatment protocol.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method comprises receiving design criteria for a fixed microwave network; identifying proximate interfering signals; determining whether interference levels satisfy design criteria of the fixed microwave network; and if the interference levels do not satisfy the design criteria, then optimize operating parameters of radio systems of the fixed microwave network.

Abstract: The method of confirming consumption of a tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product includes the step of providing a subject with a pharmaceutical or nutritional product which has been tagged with a safe, for example, a plant-based, compound. These compounds may include asparagusic acid or a derivative thereof which is found in asparagus, garlic or an extract of garlic, or 1,8-cineole. Alternatively, the taggant may be dimethylsulfoxide. A subject may be provided with and instructed to consume the tagged product according to a defined protocol. A sample of bodily waste or other biological sample may be collected from the subject and analyzed for the presence of the tag or a metabolite thereof. This method may be used to confirm compliance with the protocol in clinical drug trials or nutritional studies.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system for managing a stream-processing application. During operation, the system allocates a first host for an active instance of the stream-processing application that maintains a state during processing of one or more input streams. Next, the system allocates a second host for a first backup instance that recreates the state on the active instance by consuming changes to the state replicated from the active instance without consuming the input stream(s). During a failure on the first host, the system moves the active instance to the first host by stopping the first backup instance on the second host. Finally, the system launches the active instance on the second host to resume processing of the input stream(s) by the active instance using the recreated state from the first backup instance.

Abstract: A method for reshaping an electric drive signal of a real-time damper in a sprung mass system includes detecting a periodic frequency and magnitude of a target periodic vibration of a sprung mass. The periodic vibration has velocity and elasticity components that are 90 degrees out-of-phase. An electric drive signal to the real-time damper is reshaped by a controller depending on polarity of the velocity component to thereby generate a composite drive signal. The damper is energized using the composite drive signal to modify a damper force. Reshaping the electric drive signal includes injecting a force and/or an intermittent drive suppression component onto the electric drive signal based on the frequency and magnitude. The sprung mass system may have a frame and body, motion and wheel speed sensors, the real-time dampers, road wheels, and a controller programmed to perform the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a temperature of a thermal system that includes fluid conduits. A sensor monitors a current state of the temperature. A controller receives a signal from the sensor that is representative of the current state; determines a flow in the fluid conduits; determines a noise covariance of the thermal system; processes a thermal model of the thermal system; predicts a next-step state of the parameter at a time after the current state; and corrects the next-step state based, at least in-part, on the noise covariance resulting in a corrected next-step state.

Abstract: A oral hygiene implement for cleaning the surface of a tongue, cleaning between teeth, and for massaging the gums at the tooth gum interface comprising a handle, a sculpted top edge with the sculpted potion covering the majority of the top edge, with a plastic dental flossing pick on one end of the device and a floss holding assembly having fork-shaped tines for holding floss therebetween on the other end of the device.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, by a touch screen device, signals on electrodes. The method further includes detecting, by a pen, a signal of the signals via an electrode of the electrodes. The method further includes creating, by the pen, a representation of the signal and transmitting the representation of the signal in accordance with a pen recognition signal format. The method further includes detecting, by the touch screen device, a change in the electrical characteristic of the electrode that is caused by the representation of the signal. The method further includes determining, by the touch screen device, that the pen is causing the change to the electrical characteristic of the electrode based on the pen recognition signal format.

Abstract: A leak detection system includes a testing interface, which includes a rotation holder configured to retain and rotate a package. The testing interface includes a plunger apparatus configured to actuate a plunger to apply a pressure to the package before and/or during the package being inspected using a high voltage leak detection (HVLD) apparatus. The testing interface also includes a controller configured to operate and coordinate the operation of the testing interface with operation of the HVLD apparatus.

Abstract: System and method of controlling operation of a device having multiple rechargeable packs configured to store energy. The multiple rechargeable packs include at least one primary pack characterized by a first capacity and at least one auxiliary pack characterized by a second capacity, the first capacity being greater than the second capacity. A controller is configured to selectively command one or more of the multiple rechargeable packs to begin at least one of discharging and charging. When an estimated end of trip time is less than or equal to a discharging time of the at least one auxiliary pack, the discharging of the at least one auxiliary pack is begun. When the estimated end of trip time is greater than the discharging time, the discharging is delayed until the respective state of charge of the at least one primary pack reaches a first threshold.

Abstract: A system for monitoring usage of rail car brake equipment and determining whether the actual lifespan of the brake equipment is shorter than an expected lifespan had the brake equipment been used under normal or constant parameters. The system includes a sensor for collecting and outputting data indicating how the brake equipment has been actually used. A controller is programmed to receive the data regarding how the brake system component has been used and to calculate whether the brake system component has an estimated lifespan that is shorter than the expected lifespan. The sensor may comprise an ambient temperature sensor, a flow sensor that determines the air used by the braking system that includes the brake system component, and/or a pressure sensor that can determines how frequently and in what manner the brake system has been used.

Abstract: A specimen holding and positioning apparatus operable to substantially non-movably maintain a specimen (e.g., an excised tissue specimen) in a fixed or stable orientation with respect to the apparatus during imaging operations (e.g., x-ray imaging), transport (e.g., from a surgery room to a pathologist's laboratory), and the like for use in facilitating accurate detection and diagnosis of cancers and/or other abnormalities of the specimen.

Abstract: An overmolded/through-molded pouch, having one or more wall portions defining a pouch body, wherein the pouch body extends from a substantially open top portion to a bottom portion, and wherein the one or more wall portions define an at least partial pouch cavity of the pouch body; at least one overmold aperture formed through a portion of one or more of the one or more wall portions; and an overmolding material extending atop at least a portion of an exterior surface of the pouch body, wherein at least a portion of the overmolding material extends through the at least one overmold aperture, such that at least a portion of the overmolding material extends through at least a portion of the at least one overmold aperture and into at least a portion of the at least partial pouch cavity.