Abstract: A stabilization device is provided including an axle and a portion that can be affixed to a bone. The device is used to stabilize a joint while allowing motion of the joint along its natural trajectory and it is placed internally in order to prevent pin tract problems. Additionally, methods for using the device are provided that include, in various sequences, inserting the axle into a bone of a joint, adjusting the geometry of the device and attaching the fixable portion to another bone of the joint. The device can be provided as part of a system including an axis trajectory guide useful for locating the axis of rotation of the joint prior to insertion, adjustment and attachment of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of inflammatory bowel disease. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of cytokines to detect, diagnose, and assess inflammatory bowel disease. In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing Crohn's Disease (CD) in a patient comprises the steps of (a) collecting a sample from the patient; (b) measuring the levels of at least one cytokine in the sample collected from the patient; and (c) comparing the levels of the at least one cytokine with predefined cytokine levels, wherein a correlation between the cytokine levels in the patient sample and predefined cytokine levels indicates that the patient has CD. In a specific embodiment, the at least one cytokine comprises Interferon (IFN)-gamma, Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17 and CXCL10.

Abstract: A liquid immersion lithography apparatus includes a projection system having a final optical element via which a substrate is exposed to an exposure beam through an immersion liquid located between the final optical element and the substrate, and a nozzle member. The nozzle member has a first opening on one side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is supplied, a second opening on a second side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is collected, and a liquid recovery portion that surrounds a path of the exposure beam and from which the immersion liquid is collected. During exposure, an upper surface of the substrate faces the liquid recovery portion, and the immersion liquid is supplied from the first opening while the immersion liquid supplied from the first opening is recovered from the second opening and the liquid recovery portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sterile solution comprising octreotide acetate in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, wherein solution is present as a reservoir in a multiple dose pen injection device, the device being adapted to subcutaneously inject a portion of the said reservoir in multiple daily doses and further being adapted to provide multiple portions of the said solution, while the reservoir remains sterile.

Abstract: A containment case for a gas turbine including: a cylindrical outer casing extending about an axis and having a radially outer and a radially inner surface; a coaxially arranged cylindrical inner skin formed of a harder material than the outer casing joined to the inner surface of the cylindrical outer casing; and an array of ribs extending radially from the inner skin towards the axis. The case for can have the coaxially arranged cylindrical inner skin formed of a harder material than the outer casing joined to the inner surface of the cylindrical outer casing by a galvanic isolation layer.

Abstract: The technology provides various embodiments for gaze determination within a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device. In some embodiments, the boundaries of a gaze detection coordinate system can be determined from a spatial relationship between a user eye and gaze detection elements such as illuminators and at least one light sensor positioned on a support structure such as an eyeglasses frame. The gaze detection coordinate system allows for determination of a gaze vector from each eye based on data representing glints on the user eye, or a combination of image and glint data. A point of gaze may be determined in a three-dimensional user field of view including real and virtual objects. The spatial relationship between the gaze detection elements and the eye may be checked and may trigger a re-calibration of training data sets if the boundaries of the gaze detection coordinate system have changed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a period between periodic transmissions of protocol data units (PDUs) used to form or maintain a link aggregation group is initially set to a fixed value. When a stress condition is detected, the period between periodic transmissions of PDUs is increased from the initial value. When the stress condition is determined to have eased, the period between periodic transmissions of PDUs is reduced back toward the fixed value.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to measure geographical features using an image of a geographical location are disclosed. An example method includes identifying first features of a first open market from a first image of a first geographic area, identifying second features of a second image of a second geographic area, comparing the first features to the second features, and identifying a second open market in the second image based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for advising a driver of a host vehicle on traffic conditions at a road intersection. It is determined that a host vehicle is approaching the intersection. Information is received from a plurality of other vehicles via a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication system indicating respective positions and timing of the other vehicles approach to and/or arrival at the intersection. The times at which the other vehicles have stopped at the intersection are detected, and the times at which the other vehicles proceed through the intersection. A past order-of-progression of vehicles through the intersection is determined based upon the stopping times and the proceeding times. The driver of the host vehicle is then advised whether it is safe to proceed through the intersection in view of the past order-of-progression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer and telecommunication network which can receive, send and manage information from or to a subscriber of the network, based on the subscriber's configuration. The network is made up of at least one cluster containing voice servers which allow for telephony, speech recognition, text-to-speech and conferencing functions, and is accessible by the subscriber through standard telephone connections or through internet connections. The network also utilizes a database and file server allowing the subscriber to maintain and manage certain contact lists and administrative information. A web server is also connected to the cluster thereby allowing access to all functions through internet connections.

Abstract: A beam control structure for semiconductor lasers that allows modification of the shape of a beam allowing, for example, higher coupling into an optical fiber. The structure may comprise one or more of a tilted patio, a staircase, a reflective roof, and a reflective sidewall.

Abstract: A system and method for algorithmic selection of a consensus from a collection of ideas is disclosed. A group of ideas is provided to a group of participants for voting. Voting may occur in a single round or in several successive rounds, optionally until a consensus idea is chosen. Typically, the votes that are cast use discrete levels, such as “approve”, “disapprove”, “positive”, “neutral” or “negative”. For ideas that receive the same votes, a differentiator may be the time spent casting the vote. A relatively long evaluation time may signal some internal conflict in the mind of the participant, when compared with a relatively short evaluation time, which may signal no such conflict. The evaluation time may be combined with the rating of the participant to form a weighted rating. Consequently, a short evaluation time of a positive rating may yield a more positive weighted rating, while a short evaluation time of a negative rating may yield a more negative weighted rating.

Abstract: A cleaning carrier for in-situ cleaning of a process chamber of a material deposition tool and method for in-situ cleaning using a cleaning carrier. The cleaning carrier includes a body formed symmetrically about a central axis and having a geometry generally corresponding to the geometry of the removable wafer carrier for use with the tool, and a tool interface that facilitates mounting of the cleaning carrier body on a portion of the material deposition tool that accepts the removable wafer carrier. A set of deployable and retractable brushes are operatively coupled with the cleaning carrier body via a corresponding set of deployment and retraction mechanisms, the brushes being movable between a retracted position for handling of the cleaning carrier and a deployed position for cleaning an interior surface of the process chamber.

Abstract: A method for assisting a driver includes determining that a host vehicle and first and second surrounding vehicles are approaching an intersection on at least two different road segments; determining when the first and second vehicles have stopped at the intersection; determining when the first and second vehicles proceed through the intersection; and identifying an actual order-of-progression of the first and second vehicles through the intersection. Simultaneously or sequentially with determination of the actual order-of-progression, attempting to determine a present geographic location of the host vehicle and consulting an on-board database to attempt to identify a regulatory order-of-progression for the present geographic location. If the regulatory order-or-progression is identified, the driver is advised regarding the regulatory order-of-progression. If the attempt to identify the regulatory order-or-progression is not successful, the driver is advised regarding the actual order-of-progression.

Abstract: A powder press for producing a pressed piece from a powdered material, with a frame, a punch arrangement, and a die arrangement, which defines a die cavity into which the powdered material is fillable. To form the pressed piece, the punch arrangement and the die arrangement are movable relative to one another along a press stroke axis Z-Z; are pressible against each other; and one or both contains a linking element connected to two driving means, as well as a die plate and/or punch plate guided on guiding means along the stroke direction Z-Z and connected to the linking element. The driving means are each connected to the linking element by means of a flexible connecting means which lie on a first straight line X-X which is orthogonal to the press stroke axis Z-Z.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more indicia of stress are monitored. Based on the one or more indicia of stress, it is determined a stress condition exists. In response to the stress condition, one or more link aggregation actors and partners are caused to enter a grace state for a grace period. While the one or more link aggregation actors and partners are in the grace state, link aggregation formation is paced on a plurality of links by delaying formation of one or more new link aggregation groups on the plurality of links until a hold is released. Upon expiration of the grace period, the grace state is exited.

Abstract: A two-wire power and communication system is provided, having a decoder that draws a constant amount of current for communication signals despite changes in the voltage on the power and communication wires. In one example, decoders have a constant current sink circuit that includes a shunt regulator that controls a field effect transistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying advertisements on a portable device that utilizes an Activity-based operating system are described. The method includes receiving an indication that an Activity is being transitioned away from, and determining whether or not the Activity is finishing. Upon determining that the Activity is finishing, the method includes causing an advertisement display routine to be executed immediately, otherwise submitting the advertisement display routine into a processing queue to be executed subsequently. The advertisement display routine displays the advertisement only upon determining that the state of the Activity and the state of the portable device are characterized by one or more predetermined conditions.

Abstract: An electrochemical device including a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing. Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte. The electrochemical device also includes a current collector located between adjacent electrochemical cells, an anode bus operatively connected to the anodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack and a cathode bus operatively connected to the cathodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack. The housing, the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, the separator, the anode bus and the cathode bus are non-metallic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of (3R,3aS,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-yl(1S,2R)-3-[[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl](isobutyl)amino]-1-benzyl-2-hydroxypropylcarbamate as well as novel intermediates for use in said process. (3R,3aS,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-yl(1S,2R)-3-[[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl](isobutyl)amino]-1-benzyl-2-hydroxypropylcarbamate is particularly useful as an HIV protease inhibitor.