Abstract: An alignment apparatus for a polarization device includes a polarizer subassembly for polarizing a light beam, a rotary support for rotatably supporting the polarization device in a path of the light beam downstream of the polarizer subassembly, an analyzer subassembly downstream of the rotary support for receiving the light beam propagated through the polarization device, and a photodetector array disposed downstream of the analyzer subassembly and extending along the width dimension of the light beam for detecting the light beam propagated through the analyzer subassembly. At least one of the polarizer or analyzer subassemblies includes a spatially variant polarization element having a polarization property varying along the width dimension of the light beam.

Abstract: Identifying a trace based on wait chain coverage analysis comprises identifying a scenario covered by a plurality of traces, as well as a plurality of scenario phases. Each phase has corresponding phase beginning and ending, and is covered by corresponding trace(s) of the plurality of traces. For each prior instance of each phase, a corresponding wait chain comprising a series of wait operations is identified. After identifying signatures configured to match a subset of wait operations in wait chain(s), at least a signature coverage is calculated over the identified corresponding wait chains. The signature coverage characterizes portions(s) of these wait chains that are matched by the signature(s). Based on calculating the signature coverage, one or more of the plurality of traces are identified as having unknown wait states, based on the identified trace(s) corresponding to a larger amount of uncovered wait chain portions than others of the plurality of traces.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of NAND strings having a common set of word lines. Each NAND string includes data memory cells for data storage and dummy memory cells connected in series with the data memory cells. A first group of NAND strings includes dummy memory cells with a first pattern of threshold voltages and a second group of NAND strings includes dummy memory cells with a second pattern of threshold voltages for separate isolation of data memory cells of the first and second groups of NAND strings from corresponding bit lines.

Abstract: A memory card socket interconnector is disclosed including a pair of cavities configured to receive a pair of memory cards. The cavities include patterns of memory card interconnect pads. A second surface of the socket interconnector includes socket interconnect pads, distributed across the second surface of the socket interconnector, which are electrically coupled to the memory card interconnect pads. The memory card socket interconnector may further include an anisotropic elastomeric sheet provided between the memory card pads and the memory card interconnect pads in each cavity to enable good electrical contact between the memory card pads and the memory card interconnect pads.

Abstract: A multimedia file and methods of generating, distributing and using the multimedia file are described. Multimedia files in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can contain multiple video tracks, multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitle tracks, data that can be used to generate a menu interface to access the contents of the file and ‘meta data’ concerning the contents of the file. Multimedia files in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention also include references to video tracks, audio tracks, subtitle tracks and ‘meta data’ external to the file. One embodiment of a multimedia file in accordance with the present invention includes a series of encoded video frames and encoded menu information.

Abstract: A fluid composition comprises a triglyceride, having at least one alpha-branched fatty acid residue, wherein each alpha-branched fatty acid residue comprises at least one saturated or mono-unsaturated alkyl chain having a total number of carbon atoms ranging from 12 to 20, and wherein the triglyceride has at least one of (a) a flash point of at least 185° C., (b) a fire point of at least 230° C., (c) a pour point of ?25° C. or lower, or (d) a combination thereof. The fluid composition may be useful, for example, as a dielectric fluid and/or as a heat transfer fluid in transformers and other electrical device applications.

Abstract: A reception apparatus including a tuner and circuitry is provided. The tuner is configured to receive a transmission frame including a bootstrap portion, a preamble portion, and a payload portion. The circuitry is configured to extract first signaling information from the bootstrap portion to decode the preamble portion, and extract second signaling information from the preamble portion to decode the payload portion. The bootstrap portion includes at least one of a first symbol used for synchronization, a second symbol that signals emergency alert information, or a third symbol that signals the first signaling information.

Abstract: A microphone assembly comprises a substrate and an enclosure disposed on the substrate. A port is defined in one of the substrate or the enclosure. An acoustic transducer is configured to generate an electrical signal in response to acoustic activity. The acoustic transducer comprises a membrane separating a front volume from a back volume of the microphone assembly. The front volume is in fluidic communication with the port, and the back volume is filled with a first gas having a thermal conductivity lower than a thermal conductivity of air. An integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the acoustic transducer and configured to receive the electrical signal from the acoustic transducer. At least a portion of a boundary defining at least one of the front volume or the back volume is configured to have compliance so as to allow pressure equalization. The first gas is different from the second gas.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles, devices and systems providing a semi-rigid acoustic coupling medium for ultrasound diagnostic and treatment techniques. In some aspects, an acoustic coupling article includes a semi-rigid acoustic coupling medium (SACM) able to conform to a receiving body through deformation of the SACM body in order to propagate an acoustic signal within the SACM to and from the receiving body. In some embodiments, the SACM is configured in a shape having one or more attachment portions located at one end of an acoustic interface portion, such that the acoustic interface portion is operable to contact the receiving body to propagate the acoustic signal and the attachment portions are configured to be secured by an acoustic probe device to transmit and receive the propagated acoustic signal.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a functionalized thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) containing bulk incorporated or surface-grafted quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC)s for contact-killing of a variety of microbes, where the QACs are on the surface of TPU to provide a sterile surface material that prevents bacteria commonly involved in device-associated infections (DAIs) from proliferating. The functionalized TPUs of the present invention can be formed into a wide variety of 3-dimensional shapes, such as catheters, medical tubing, laryngeal or tracheal stents, sutures, prosthetics, wound dressings, and/or a coating for medical devices and contains the residue of either a QAC containing diol monomer or an alkene functional diol monomer, which then allows the TPU to be functionalized with a QAC containing disulfide or free thiol compound, to form a quaternary ammonium functionalized thermoplastic polyurethane compound having antimicrobial properties for use in medical devices.

Abstract: A system for presenting a skill-based game, the system includes at least one server to serve a set of matchups of participants of an event, to a plurality of presentation devices, the plurality of presentation devices displaying the set of matchups on a display; to receive over the wide area network data from the presentation devices characterizing a set of user selected winners of the matchups made by the users; update the event data pertinent to participants in the actual events; using the updated data to calculate and assign payoffs to the users based on fixed payoff odds. A related computer-implemented method provides participant matchups to an operator organizing such a skill-based game.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing maximum transform size control for decoding of a video sequence includes identifying, by a decoder, a high-level syntax element associated with the video sequence. A maximum transform size associated with the video sequence is determined based on identifying the high-level syntax element associated with the video sequence. The video sequence is decoded using the maximum transform size based on determining the maximum transform size associated with the video sequence. The video sequence is transmitted based on decoding the video sequence using the maximum transform size.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for wireless communications. A base station may send, to a wireless device, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising a bandwidth part identifier field and a channel state information (CSI) report configuration field. Based on the MAC CE, the wireless device may activate the CSI report configuration for a bandwidth part indicated by the bandwidth part identifier field. The wireless device may transmit one or more CSI reports based on the CSI report configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a method of manufacturing a golf club head may include providing a body portion having a face opening and an interior cavity. The method may include preparing a surface of the interior cavity to receive a structural adhesive by abrading the surface and cleaning the surface with a solvent. The method may include joining a face portion to the body portion to cover the face opening. The method may include introducing the structural adhesive to the interior cavity. The structural adhesive may form a solid plastic material coupled to a rear surface of the face portion and coupled to a surface of the interior cavity. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A hydrant includes: a hydrant body defining a hydrant inner cavity, the hydrant configured to couple to and be in fluid communication with a fluid distribution system including a fluid therein under pressure; and a break check valve coupled to the hydrant body, the valve including: a valve body defining a valve inner cavity, the hydrant inner cavity defining a valve bore in fluid communication with the fluid during normal operation of the hydrant; a valve member configured to rotate from an open position to a closed position of the valve; and an arm in contact with the hydrant and configured to prevent movement of the valve member when the hydrant is coupled to the valve, the valve defining a hole separate from the valve bore and in fluid communication with each of the hydrant inner cavity and the valve inner cavity.