Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the thermal conductivity of a circuit board (CB) assembly comprising an integrated circuit (IC) die mounted on a CB. A high thermal conductivity device is attached on a first end to a surface of the die. When the die is mounted on the CB, a void formed in the CB receives a second end of the HTC device, and the second end of the HTC device comes into contact with a portion of the CB. During operation of the die, heat produced by the die is dissipated through the HTC device and into the CB.

Abstract: Shadows from physical lights have a penumbra region, in which the light is only partially hidden from the shadow acceptor. The intensity of light in this region may be calculated using an approximation of the amount of light visible. For example a fragment or pixel shader program execution on a GPU may generate a shadow from a light source using the light intensities for each pixel being rendered. Per-pixel shadow density information may be projected from the shadow caster onto the shadow acceptor. A penumbra map may contain both depth information and light attenuation information for the shadow acceptor. This information may be blurred using a fragment or pixel shader on a GPU to determine an average shadow density for a pixel being rendered.

Abstract: A zinc electrode for use in alkaline batteries comprises a mixture of 0.425 to 1.55 volume parts of zinc oxide with a volume part of a metallic oxide chosen from the group consisting of: calcium oxide, barium oxide, and mixtures thereof, together with hydroxy-ethyl cellulose, an oxide dispersant chosen from the group consisting of: soap derivatives, anionic polyelectrolytes, anionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof, and a binder. The electrode is prepared by mixing zinc oxide with the chosen metallic oxide in an aqueous medium such as water or potassium hydroxide, stirring overnight, filtering and drying the mixture, optionally adding a further small amount of zinc oxide, optionally adding other metallic oxides, and adding hydroxy-ethyl cellulose, an oxide dispersant, and a binder. The aqueous paste os slurry thus formed is placed on a conductive substrate, drawn through a sizing gap, cut and dried, to form low cost pasted zinc oxide electrodes.

Abstract: A dedicated wireless data connection to the Internet through which digital broadcasts are streamed to mobile devices specifically designed to receive and play the content of the broadcasts. A user is supplied with a hand-held mobile terminal device specifically designed for the reception and playback of Internet radio wirelessly and the content available to the user of the device is automatically pre-specified based upon the connection node with which the device is currently communicating. The device creates and maintains a wireless connection to the Internet through any existing access technology (e.g., cellular or Wi-Fi access technology), manages the connection, including roaming, and buffers data in order to present a continuous stream of content to the end-user. Using this model, local advertisers and/or stations can pay the wireless service provider to have their content broadcast in a particular region, thereby enabling regional advertising to be delivered to listeners.

Abstract: The inspection methods and systems of the present invention are mobile, rapidly deployable, and capable of scanning a wide variety of receptacles cost-effectively and accurately on uneven surfaces. The present invention is directed toward a portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source, comprising a mobile vehicle, a detector array physically attached to a movable boom having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is physically attached to the vehicle. The invention also comprises at least one source of radiation. The radiation source is fixedly attached to the distal end of the boom, wherein the image is generated by introducing the target objects in between the radiation source and the detector array, exposing the objects to radiation, and detecting radiation.

Abstract: A system determines the carbon footprint of a compressed gas leak. The system comprises an ultrasonic detector to detect a compressed gas leak, a storage device storing information on the type of gas, the compressor efficiency, and the carbon emissions necessary to generate electricity to drive the compressor. A processing unit includes software that determines an amount of electrical energy needed to recharge the lost compressed gas based on the compressor efficiency and calculates the carbon emissions created by the amount of electrical energy. A method monitoring for gas leaks comprises detecting ultrasonic emissions, generating an electrical signal representative of the compressed gas leak, and calculating an amount of electrical energy needed to recharge the lost compressed gas. The method further includes calculating the carbon footprint based on the carbon emissions necessary for the electrical power generation system that drives the compressor.

Abstract: A fetal heart monitor device includes a channel to receive a first signal representative of acoustic energy principally from a maternal heartbeat and a second signal representative of acoustic energy including a fetal heart beat. The device includes a computing device including a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor and non-volatile storage operatively coupled to the processor, the non-volatile storage storing a computer program including instructions to cause the processor to process the first and second electrical signals into an electrical signal representative of the acoustic energy emitted by the fetal heart.

Abstract: An RFID enabled paper roll includes a tubular core, a paper stock wound around the core, and a radio frequency integrated circuit electrically coupled to an antenna and positioned on the core. A system for reading a radio frequency integrated circuit positioned on an item of inventory in a warehouse comprises a material handling device and an RFID reader coupled to the material handling device. The material handling device has at least member for use in transporting an item of inventory. The reader is configured to read the radio frequency integrated circuit associated with the item of inventory when the item is in proximity to the material handling device.

Abstract: A redundant host pair runtime arrangement is disclosed for a process control network environment. The arrangement includes a primary network. A first partner of a fail-over host pair operates on a first machine communicatively connected to the primary network. The first partner hosts a set of executing application components in accordance with an active role assigned to the first partner. A second partner of the fail-over host pair operates on a second machine communicatively connected to the primary network. The second partner hosts a non-executing version of the set of executing application components in accordance with a standby runtime role. A monitoring process, operating separately upon the first machine, senses a failure of the first partner, and in response, initiates a notification to the second partner to take over the active role.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and methods are provided for data communications associated with a vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes at least one electronic subsystem associated with the vehicle and a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the at least one electronic subsystem and associated with the vehicle. A vehicle data communications protocol converter is preferably connected to the plurality of electrical conductors for converting a first data communications protocol associated with data communications along the plurality of electrical conductors to a second data communications protocol such as an infrared, an RF data, an Internet, or other network communications protocol.

Abstract: A system extrapolates and interpolates patient fluid intake or output parameter values and associated cumulative values over variable time intervals from a reduced set of stored fluid parameter values affecting fluid cumulative volume computation or rate of fluid intake or output computation. The extrapolation and interpolation function accomodates drip (continuing) fluid volumes as well as supplemental (non-continuing e.g., bolus) fluid volumes. A patient medical parameter data processing system provides patient medical parameter data for trend indicative display covering a time period comprising user selectable patient parameter acquisition time intervals. The system includes an acquisition processor for receiving data identifying, for a continuing infusion, rate of volume of fluid infusion into a patient, a fluid type identifier and a start time and start date of said continuing infusion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for timing calibration of write and read-back data exchanges between respective dies of an external memory/external device has a master arbiter or, alternatively, a test bus between a system bus master interface and an external memory controller for driving the external memory/external device, a calibration circuit under control of the master arbiter via a test bus master interface to provide stepped-through time delays for test data exchanges between the dies, and the calibration circuit obtains pass/fail data indicating pass or fail of the varied time delays for the test data exchanges. A processor system at the system bus master interface selects calibration values corresponding to pass data, and applies the calibration values to the respective dies for timing of write and read-back data exchanges between the dies.

Abstract: A device for measuring positions of structures (3) on a substrate (2) is disclosed, wherein the device is enclosed by a climatic chamber (30). An illumination and imaging means (6, 14) is also arranged in the climatic chamber (30). At least one loading station (32) for substrates is formed on an outer wall (30a) of the climatic chamber (30), wherein at least one transport means (34, 40) for transporting the substrates is provided within the climatic chamber (30). A means (36) for orienting the substrates (2) with respect to a coordinate system of the coordinate measuring machine (1) is provided, wherein the transport means (34, 40) deposits the substrates (2) on the means (36) for orienting.

Abstract: A method and a system is provided of monitoring installation of a software program on at least one user computer. The software program may be subject to a license agreement that specifies a number of permitted installations of the software program. The method may comprising receiving an installation identifier identifying a useable installation of the software program on the at least one user computer and determining if the installation identifier is one of a set of installation identifiers. The set of installation identifiers may comprise at least one monitored installation identifier and the set may be created or generated when a number of user installations exceeds a limit of installations (e.g., a number of permitted useable installations). When the received installation identifier is one of the set, the method may comprise modifying the set so that the received installation identifier is no longer a monitored installation identifier.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus gantry includes a cylindrical static magnet housing which accommodates a static field magnet and in which an opening portion is formed, a cylindrical gradient magnet housing which accommodates a gradient coil, is placed in the opening portion, and is shorter in length in an axial direction than the static magnet housing, and a support unit which supports the gradient magnet housing on the static magnet housing, and includes a first support member mounted on the static magnet housing, a second support member mounted on the gradient magnet housing and supported by the first support member, and an adjustment unit which is placed inside the static magnet housing in the axial direction and adjusts a relative positional relationship between the static magnet housing and the gradient magnet housing by changing the relative positional relationship between the first support member and the second support member.

Abstract: A knuckle includes two steering bosses (i.e., upper and lower), each having a continuous channel, connecting, respectively, separate channel openings where the channels taper outward from an inner diameter to each of their respective openings. A hollow first adapter sleeve is located within either one of the channel openings of the upper steering boss, and a hollow second adapter sleeve is located within either one of the channel openings of the lower steering boss. As a result of this structure, the knuckle may be used on either side of a vehicle, allow for entry of a steering arm/tie rod arm from forward to rear (rearwardly directed) or vice versa in either of the steering bosses, and may be applied to various sizes of knuckle-steer axle assemblies.

Abstract: Caspase activity and apoptosis are promoted using active, dimeric Smac peptide mimetics of the general formula M1-L-M2, wherein moieties M1 and M2 are monomeric Smac mimetics and L is a covalent linker. Target cancerous or inflammatory cells are contacted with an effective amount of an active, dimeric Smac mimetic, and a resultant increase in apoptosis of the target cells is detected. The contacting step may be effected by administering to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of The compoundic mimetic, wherein the individual may be subject to concurrent or antecedent radiation or chemotherapy for treatment of a neoproliferative pathology.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system 10 for irradiating a breast 20 of a patient 22. The system 10 comprises a gantry 12 rotatable about a horizontal axis 14 and comprising a radiation source 16 for generating a radiation beam 18 and a detector 24 spaced from the radiation source 16, and a barrier 26 disposed between the patient 22 and the gantry 12. The barrier 26 is provided with an opening 30 adapted to allow a breast 20 passing therethrough to be exposed to the radiation beam 18. In some embodiments, the barrier 26 is provided with an opening 30 adapted to allow both the breast 20 and the tissue leading from the breast to axilla and the muscle tissue of the adjacent chest wall passing therethrough to be exposed to the radiation beam 18.