Abstract: Porous composites comprise a porous membrane having a structure defining a plurality of pores extending therethrough, nonporous discontinuous surface layer affixed to said porous membrane, in which the nonporous discontinuous surface layer forms regions of gas permeability, and regions of gas impermeability, and a coating disposed upon the porous composite which renders at least a portion of the porous composite oleophobic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a semi-spherical polishing pad for polishing semiconductor surfaces, provide for: placing a polishing pad pre-form on a dome-shaped forming surface, the polishing pad pre-form including a circular body having a center and an outer peripheral edge, and a plurality of slots extending from the outer peripheral edge towards the center; disposing a bladder opposite to the dome-shaped forming surface and the polishing pad pre-form; inflating the bladder with a fluid such that the dome-shaped forming surface of the bonnet form presses against the polishing pad pre-form from one side and the bladder presses against the polishing pad pre-form from an opposite side; and maintaining the pressing step for a predetermined period of time to achieve the semi-spherical polishing pad.

Abstract: Immersion fluid remaining on a portion of a substrate after that portion has passed an immersion nozzle is removed by moving the substrate relative to an immersion nozzle so that the portion of the substrate on which the immersion fluid remains is passed by the immersion nozzle again. A path is determined along which the substrate is to be moved to remove the remaining immersion fluid. The path can be determined based upon previous movements of the substrate, including factors such as the speed and/or length of the previous movements. Alternatively, portions of the substrate on which immersion fluid remains can be detected, and then the substrate can be moved so that the portion of the substrate on which the immersion fluid remains is passed by the immersion nozzle based on the results of the detection. Immersion fluid also can be removed from the stage surface located beyond the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding ent-kaurenoic acid 13-hydroxylase polypeptides and polypeptides having ent-kaurenoic acid 13-hydroxylase activity. The invention also relates to methods of producing steviol and steviol glycosides.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine for a vehicle having at least a first cylinder, the method comprising of operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by holding one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the first cylinder closed while opening, closing, and opening the other of the intake valve and the exhaust valve during a cycle of the first cylinder and during a first vacuum level of an intake manifold upstream of the first cylinder; and operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by operating both the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the first cylinder during a cycle of the first cylinder to allow at least some air to flow through the first cylinder during a second vacuum level of the intake manifold.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator system to transport medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes in a compounding chamber regulated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred implementation, the manipulator system is configured to grasp and convey syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes from a storage system in an adjacent chamber regulated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Various embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate the manipulator system to bring a fill port of an IV bag, vial, or syringe into register with a filling port at a fluid transfer station in the chamber. A preferred implementation includes a sanitization system that can substantially sanitize a bung on a fill port of a vial or IV bag in preparation for transport to the fluid transfer station.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming low k dielectric regions between electrically conductive lines. A construction may be formed to have a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive lines, and to have sacrificial material between the electrically conductive lines. The sacrificial material may be removed. Subsequently, electrically insulative material may be deposited over and between the lines. The deposition of the insulative material may occur under conditions in which bread-loafing of the insulative material creates bridges of the insulative material across gas-filled gaps between the lines. The gas-filled gaps may be considered to correspond to low k dielectric regions between the electrically conductive lines. In some embodiments the sacrificial material may be carbon. In some embodiments, the deposited insulative material may be a low k dielectric material, and in other embodiments the deposited insulative material may not be a low k dielectric material.

Abstract: A power supply controller circuit is disclosed. An example power supply controller circuit includes a control circuit coupled to generate a switching waveform to be used to regulate an output of a power supply. A current input circuit is coupled to receive a current representative of an input of the power supply. The current input circuit is to generate a sense signal in response to the current representative of the input of the power supply. A first comparator is coupled to the current input circuit to receive the sense signal. The first comparator coupled to generate a first signal in response to the sense signal being above a first threshold. An enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to the first comparator. The enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to deactivate the control circuit in response to the first signal.

Abstract: The system of the invention is a very efficient means for the on-demand production of hydrogen for aid, power, and electricity, operated by a control system with a modular, smart, and high-power efficiency arrangement using nanotechnology. A vast number of selections are provided for the user to obtain power production when needed or furthermore with variable delivery. Respecting cleanliness, environmental, and air pollution reduction constraints, the system is devised for use in the areas of housing, transportation, or more generally, any industry producing electricity or heat particularly by hydrocarbon means, or furthermore any environment requiring power for stationary or mobile operation.

Abstract: A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller.

Abstract: This invention is related to content delivery systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a content provider controls a replacement process operating at an edge server. The edge server services content providers and has a data store for storing content associated with respective ones of the content providers. A content provider sets a replacement policy at the edge server that controls the movement of content associated with the content provider, into and out of the data store. In another aspect of the invention, a content delivery system includes a content server storing content files, an edge server having cache memory for storing content files, and a replacement policy module for managing content stored within the cache memory. The replacement policy module can store portions of the content files at the content server within the cache memory, as a function of a replacement policy set by a content owner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a methods and compositions for treating a surface, suspension or solution contaminated with a PrPSc prion protein or a surrogate thereof. The methods and compositions employ a combination of one or more enzymes effective to cleave a prion protein to fragments having a non-infective molecular weight, and one or more agents selected to favour conformational unfolding of the PrPSc prion protein while not denaturing the one or more enzymes.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media facilitating management of social media (SM) information are provided. In some embodiments, a method can include: executing a batch linking application; and batch linking one or more social network (SN) contacts to one or more contacts stored on or accessible by the communication device, wherein the batch linking comprises obtaining the one or more SN contacts at the communication device, wherein the one or more SN contacts are selected for the batch linking based, at least, on a correspondence to the one or more contacts, and wherein the batch linking is performed by the communication device.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods that can facilitate securing an electronic device and associated information are presented. A security component facilitates display and operation of a lock track comprising a locked portion having a positive slope and an unlocked portion, including a chasm, that is adjacent to a high point of the positive-sloped unlocked portion of the lock track. A lock facilitator component (LFC) can be moved along the track between a low point of the locked portion and the unlocked portion. The LFC can be moved in response to received input, and if the input is not sufficient to move the LFC from the locked region to the unlocked region, the LFC can be moved back down the positive-sloped lock track to the low point. The security component can control information to be displayed in an overlay display region in accordance with security level(s) of the device or application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach to cancer therapy and diagnostics that utilizes nanotubes and other similar nanostructures as both an indirect source of radiation therapy (BNCT), and as delivery vehicles for other types of radio- and chemo-therapeutic materials, as well as imaging agents for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A buttstock shoulder stabilizer includes a locator ball having a radially-projecting threaded cylindrical stud that screws into the sling mount of the buttstock endplate of assault rifles, and a socket assembly that mounts on a soldiers flak jacket near his shoulder. The ball can be machined from a structural metal or made of thermoplastic injection molded about the cylindrical stud. The socket assembly has an oblong horizontally-disposed socket connected to a lower approach ramp. A wall surrounds upper and side portions of the socket and the side edges of the approach ramp. When the soldier brings his weapon to firing position, the ball slides up the access ramp an into the oblong socket. The socket assembly is preferably injection molded from a tough structural thermoplastic resin. The socket assembly is provided with slots which enable it to be strapped to a soldiers flak jacket near his shoulder.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media facilitating information sharing via a communication device are described. In some embodiments, a method includes: generating a text message shell; providing concurrent access to a plurality of different types of content, wherein the plurality of different types of content includes website information; receiving a signal indicative of content selected from the plurality of different types of content, wherein the content is to be included in the text messaging shell; and generating a text message including the content. In some embodiments, providing concurrent access to the plurality of different types of content comprises providing concurrent access to one or more of contacts information, media or geographical location information for the communication device, and wherein the website information comprises a uniform resource locator or a website title.

Abstract: Images are searched to locate faces that are the same as a query face. Images that include a face that is the same as the query face may be presented to a user as search result images. Images also may be sorted by the faces included in the images and presented to the user as sorted search result images. The user may provide explicit or implicit feedback regarding the search result images. Additional feedback may be inferred regarding the search result images based on the user-provided feedback, and the results may be updated based on the user-provided and inferred feedback.

Abstract: A heat dissipating device for a lighting module includes a frame having connecting portions and assembling portions each interconnected between two adjacent connecting portions. Each end of each connecting portion is connected to an adjacent assembling portion. A plurality of air-guiding members is located on the same side of the frame and each mounted on one of the connecting portions. Each air-guiding member includes an air guiding channel having an opening in each end thereof. Each of several heat dissipating fans is mounted to one of the assembling portions and located between two adjacent openings respectively of two adjacent air-guiding members. Each heat dissipating fan includes a first air guiding hole in communication with an environment and at least one second air guiding hole in communication with the two adjacent openings. The air guiding channels and the heat dissipating fans together form a cycling air channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach to cancer therapy and diagnostics that utilizes nanotubes and other similar nanostructures as both an indirect source of radiation therapy (BNCT), and as delivery vehicles for other types of radio- and chemo-therapeutic materials, as well as imaging agents for diagnostic purposes.