Abstract: This invention relates to a detection system for measuring a fluorescent signal in a fluorescent assay. The system comprises a probe having a small sensing surface bound with a fluorescent label, and a light source and a detector both mounted at the proximal side of the sensing surface of the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample using a probe tip having a small surface area (?5 mm) and a high molecular weight polymer (?1 MD) having multiple binding molecules and multiple fluorescent labels. The binding reaction is accelerated by flowing the reaction solutions laterally and moving the probe tip up and down in the reaction vessels. The invention furthers relates to a fluorescent labeling composition comprising a cross-linked FICOLL® molecule having a plurality of binding molecules and a plurality of fluorescent labels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high efficiency power circuit. It includes an input transistor having a negative-threshold coupled to a voltage source for providing a supply voltage to the output terminal of the power circuit. An input detection circuit is coupled to the voltage source to generate a control signal when the voltage level of the voltage source is higher than a threshold voltage. A second transistor is coupled to the input detection circuit to turn off the input transistor in response to the control signal. An output detection circuit is connected to the supply voltage to generate a first enable signal when the voltage level of the supply voltage is higher than an output-over-voltage threshold. The first enable signal is used to switch off the input transistor. The output detection circuit generates a second enable signal when the voltage level of the supply voltage is lower than an output-under-voltage threshold. The second enable signal is used to turn off the output of the power circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing substrate edges is disclosed that overcomes the limitations of conventional edge processing methods and systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. The edge processing method and apparatus of this invention includes a laser and fiber-optic system to direct laser radiation onto a rotating substrate supported by a chuck. A laser beam is transmitted into a bundle of optical fibers, and the fibers accurately and precisely direct the beam to remove or transform organic or inorganic films, film stacks, residues, or particles, in atmosphere, from the top edge, top bevel, apex, bottom bevel, and bottom edge of the substrate in a single process step. Reaction by-products are removed by means of an exhaust tube enveloping the reaction site. This invention permits precise control of an edge exclusion width, resulting in an increase in the number of usable die on a wafer.

Abstract: A vehicle control device, including a vehicle control unit that controls engagement between an engine and a starter motor for starting the engine, wherein the vehicle control unit, along with cutting off fuel supply to the engine and causing the engine to rotate inertially, also, in a state in which fuel supply to the engine is cut off and the starter motor is not engaged with the engine, rotates the starter motor, and thereafter controls supply of electrical power to the starter motor so as to causes the starter motor to rotate inertially, and engages the starter motor to the engine while both the engine and the starter motor are performing inertial rotation.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexing pipelined data for backup operations. Various data streams are combined such as by multiplexing by a multiplexing module. The multiplexing module combines the data from the various data streams received by receiver module(s) into a single stream of chunks. The multiplexing module may combine data from multiple archive files into a single chunk. Additional modules perform other operations on the chunks of data to be transported such as encryption, compression, etc. The data chunks are transmitted via a transport channel to a receive pipeline that includes a second receiver module and other modules. The data chunks are then stored in a backup medium. The chunks are later retrieved and separated such as by demultiplexing for restoring to a client or for further storage as auxiliary copies of the separated data streams or archive files.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wireless device for a wireless data communication system including the wireless device and a base station. The base station includes a plurality of first groups and a signal-processing unit. Each first group includes a receiver and at least one antenna connected to the receiver. The signal-processing unit includes memory and a processor adapted to process signals received by the first groups using a Maximum Likelihood Detection (MLD) method. The wireless device includes a plurality of second groups, each second group adapted to transmit a wireless signal to at least one first group via a corresponding communication channel. Each second group further includes a transmitter and at least one antenna connected to the transmitter.

Abstract: A stator core for a stator of an electrical machine includes an elongate stator yoke having an interior surface that defines an axial central opening through the stator yoke. The interior surface further defines a plurality of axial channels about a perimeter of the central opening. A plurality of stator teeth are retained in the plurality of axial channels and spaced apart from one another to define to define axial channels to receive windings of the stator.

Abstract: An intracardiac catheter for ultrasound guided ablation and EP mapping. Ablation and mapping electrodes 34, 36, 38, 39 are carried on the surface of an outer catheter 30 and an ultrasound array is mounted inside an inner catheter 20. Backloading the inner catheter into the outer catheter provides the ultrasound array in position to image tissue near the surface electrodes. An acoustic coupling fluid is provided between the catheters and a number of the electrodes 34, 38 are positioned directly within the image field of the array.

Abstract: A stent is fabricated utilizing a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface inwardly rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. Such polymer is hydrophobic yet has water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds are incorporated in the polymer to render the surface degrading materials suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with such polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.

Abstract: A blood flow dynamic analysis apparatus acquires data from a plurality of regions lying in slices set to a subject with a contrast agent injected therein and analyzes blood flow dynamics of the subject, based on the data.

Abstract: A software application and an operating system may run on a computer, which includes a graphics card and a video display, where the graphics card is operable to render images to the video display, and the operating system includes a universal application programming interface (API) which supports hardware layers on graphics cards. The operating system may be operable to receive draw events via the universal API; determine what hardware layers are available on the graphics card, and what their parameters are; and respond to draw requests from the software application by rendering the draw requests selectively to any of the available hardware layers on the graphics card.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the performance of second order CDR systems. The integral state of the CDR system is initialized to a value that is based on an expected frequency profile that may be known a priori for certain applications. One or more quality of lock (QOL) metrics are also monitored that are derived from the integral register state value. A quality of a locking between a received signal and a local clock generated by a Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) system is evaluated by monitoring a state value of an integral register in a digital loop filter of the CDR system; evaluating one or more predefined criteria based on the integral register state value; and identifying a poor lock condition if the one or more predefined criteria are not satisfied.

Abstract: A brewing piston for infusion preparation, including a head associated with a filtering element, and a lateral surface having a first gasket in proximity to the head and a second gasket at a distance from the first gasket. The brewing piston includes a first conduit connected to the head and arranged to inject a liquid for infusion preparation, and a second conduit connected to the lateral surface between the gaskets and arranged to inject the liquid between the first gasket and the second gasket during infusion preparation. The piston is arranged to limit or avoid leaks in a machine for infusion preparation. Also included is a machine using the piston and a method of limiting or avoiding leaks in a machine for infusion preparation.

Abstract: A method and system for rapid determination of a hydrocarbon type composition, such as crude oils and fractions thereof, and s obtaining the information necessary to assess the yield of commercially valuable fuel and lube oil fractions in a single process, variations of the method and system use Gas Chromatography-FID/Mass Spectrometry and other features, including an auto sampler, a wall coated capillary column, a temperature programmable injector, and a data processing system for compiling and processing the experimental data. The system and method further include a computer system with application software or other processing mechanism and optionally a communication network. One variation provides a graphical user interface for the entry of data and for displaying information, such as in a graphical manner, to show the relationship of various determined outputs and results.

Abstract: A radiation-treatment planning apparatus accesses information regarding a treatment target and at least one operational parameter pertaining to a physical characteristic of a given radiation-treatment platform. The apparatus also accesses information regarding a candidate treatment plan using the given platform. The apparatus then optimizes the candidate treatment plan by permitting, temporarily, discontinuities of the at least one operational parameter as between adjacent ones of a plurality of control points to thereby yield an optimized treatment plan. By one approach, this operational parameter can comprise a speed at which a collimator aperture can be changed. In such a case, the aforementioned discontinuities can comprise discontinuities with respect to the speed at which this aperture can be changed. So configured, these teachings will accommodate temporarily permitting speeds that are too fast to be actually performed by the given radiation-treatment platform.

Abstract: A simulator for testing a wireless device is configured by using an indication of connected devices and channel model to be applied to an identified link received as input to calculate settings for function elements which modify signals to implement simulated effects defined by the channel model. The calculations are performed while a test is running, thereby avoiding delays associated with playback tests. Allocation of simulator paths and function elements are automated, and an indication of how the wireless devices are to be connected to the simulator is provided to the user.

Abstract: Traffic management reports are created by providing vehicle sensor devices at different location in a region. Each device captures data of vehicles that pass the device. The vehicle data is communicated to a central computer database. At the central computer database, a user interface selects one or more criteria from a plurality of criteria for filtering the vehicle data. Traffic management reports are then automatically created from the filtered vehicle data using the selected criteria.

Abstract: One facilitates capturing samples as pertain to an object to be imaged by providing N pulsed sampling chains (where N is an integer greater than 1) where these sampling chains are in planes substantially parallel to one another and are substantially equidistant from adjacent others by a given distance. By one approach, the ratio of this given distance to a desired sample interval is approximately an integer that is relatively prime to N. So configured, a complete set of samples of the object can be captured by the sampling chains in a single pass notwithstanding that the object and the sampling chains are moving quickly with respect to one another.

Abstract: A method of driving a lamp that uses a DC to AC inverter that is connected to a primary winding of a transformer is disclosed. The inverter frequency is variable, and in one embodiment, may be controlled by a voltage controlled oscillator. Circuitry is included that monitors the phase relationship between a voltage across a secondary of the transformer and a current through the primary of the transformer. The circuitry monitors the phase relationship and adjusts the inverter frequency, such as by adjusting voltage controlled oscillator, so that the phase relationship is maintained at a predetermined relationship.