Abstract: There is provided an item which floats in a body of water. The item includes a body having a surface provided to form at least part of the underside of the item and an opposing surface. The item includes apparatus comprising at least one channel which passes between the surfaces and allows the passage of water therethrough. A means provided to influence and/or be influenced by the passage of the water through the at least one channel to exert a propelling and/or controlling force on the item.

Abstract: A method and computer system including launching a dialog window for two users to communicate with one another via respective client devices relating to a particular subject. A search query is received from an additional user including a keyword associated with the particular subject. In response to the request, a backlog of a recent discussion between the two users relating to the particular subject is retrieved and provided to the additional user, wherein the backlog includes a suggested link relating to the recent discussion.

Abstract: A method and program for preventing an interrupting action in a computer resource for a full-screen mode or presentation mode of a user application are disclosed. Such a method includes: detecting, for example by a window manager, that a user application is entering into full-screen mode in a display space of the computer resource; transmitting to a target module, for example via a message bus, a mode message indicating that the full-screen mode is being entered; and preventing the interrupting action by the target module. The interrupting action may be a display action in a display space associated with the computer resource. The target module may be an instant messaging application, a screen saver application, a calendar application, a power management application, or a voice communication application.

Abstract: An electrically powered of the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft configured for use with a tether station having a continuous power source is provided including at least one rotor system. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft additionally has an autonomous flight control system coupled to the continuous power source. The autonomous flight control system is configured to operate an electrical motor coupled to the at least one rotor system such that the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft continuously hovers above the tether station in a relative position. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft also includes a detection system for detecting objects at a distance from the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical device lead includes a connector configured to connect the lead to an external control module, a helically coiled conductor including a plurality of insulated filars and having a proximal end mechanically and electrically connected to the connector, and one or more electrodes defined by uninsulated portions of the helically coiled conductor. The temporary implantable medical device lead also includes one or more tine assemblies proximal to the one or more electrodes and configured to inhibit axial migration of the temporary implantable medical device lead, each tine assembly including a base and a plurality of tines extending from the base.

Abstract: Discussion of content between users of social networks is described. A request from a first user to discuss content with a recipient user in a first social network is received, wherein the recipient user has a first identifier in the first social network. A request from a second user to discuss content with the recipient user in a second social network is received, wherein the recipient user has a second identifier in the second social network. A discussion is initiated between the second user and the recipient user about the content in the second social network. The recipient user is tracked in view of the first identifier in the first social network and the second identifier in the second social network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow users to tag a multimedia program or stream with data or pointers to external information related to content of the multimedia program. Users in a social network may tag various aspects of the content, such as a particular actor, a type of car, jewelry, a location, a phrase, etc. This tagging information may then be linked to various websites that provide further information about the tagged content and may be keyed to video offset times.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide users in a social network with a screen saver constructed by media shared by their contacts and groups in a social network. The present invention provides a shared photo album that displays images from a user's own photo collection, and that of their social network automatically. For a user, the social network service queries its database to retrieve a list of photo sources. The sources of images may be online photo sharing services, other computers with photos on their local hard drives, and public peer-to-peer storage services. The images may be displayed to the user and optionally may be accompanied with information, such as the owner of the photo or descriptive phrases or comments about the photo. The social network service may be configured to continuously or periodically request photos to update the screen saver.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads and methods of forming such leads are disclosed. An implantable medical lead includes a lead body, a swage base coupled to the lead body, and a polymeric member interposed at least in part between the swage base and at least one rigid component of the lead such as an electrode or annular ring. The swage base includes an annular-shaped body including a flange having a number of protrusions that extend radially outward from the flange. During a swaging process, the protrusions on the flange are compressed against the polymeric member, forming a number of channels in the member that mechanically bond the member to the swage base.

Abstract: A medical device lead includes an electrode, a helically coiled conductor electrically coupled to the electrode, and a polymer sheath formed over the helically coiled conductor. The helically coiled conductor includes a plurality of turns helically wound around a longitudinal axis of the conductor, and consists of one filar.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes a lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The lead body includes an insulative member having a lumen extending longitudinally between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The lead body also includes a generally tubular liner disposed coaxially with the lumen within the insulative member. The implantable lead also includes an electrode disposed along the lead body in the distal end portion thereof, and a conductor disposed within the lumen and electrically coupled to the electrode. A terminal connector is coupled to the proximal end portion of the lead body and to the conductor.

Abstract: A temporary neurostimulation lead may be secured relative to patient using a fixation device. The fixation device may include an attachment portion that is configured to be releasably fixated to the patient and a lead fixation portion that is configured to secure the temporary neurostimulation lead. The fixation device can be adhesively fixated to the patient via the attachment portion and the temporary neurostimulation lead can be fixated to the lead fixation portion of the fixation device.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes a flexible lead body, a plurality of conductor wires and a plurality of electrodes. The implantable lead also includes a terminal connector assembly coupled with a proximal end of the lead body. The terminal connector assembly is sized to be inserted into and received by a connector port of a pulse generator header. The terminal connector assembly includes a plurality of axially spaced terminal ring elements each electrically coupled to at least one of the conductor wires. The terminal ring elements are separated from one another by an electrically insulating material. Each of the terminal ring elements includes an outer surface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being electrically conductive and the second portion being electrically non-conductive.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a platform for an open overlay for online services, such as social networking sites, that permit users to share and leverage information within a single context. In some embodiments, the single context is implemented as a web site that is accessible to a social network of users that are known to each other. Systems and methods are provided that share and forward information for the users' online services within the single context. Client applications are provided that serve as an open overlay for the user and permit the user to seamlessly utilize the services of multiple online services within a single context. In some embodiments, the users' existing account identities and security information are utilized alone or in combination, and thus, the users are not required to establish a separate or new account for accessing the open overlay service.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical device lead includes a connector configured to connect the lead to an external control module, a helically coiled conductor including a plurality of insulated filars and having a proximal end mechanically and electrically connected to the connector, and one or more electrodes defined by uninsulated portions of the helically coiled conductor. The temporary implantable medical device lead also includes one or more tine assemblies proximal to the one or more electrodes and configured to inhibit axial migration of the temporary implantable medical device lead, each tine assembly including a base and a plurality of tines extending from the base.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical device lead includes a connector configured to connect the lead to an external control module. A helically coiled conductor includes a proximal end that is mechanically and electrically connected to the connector. The conductor includes a plurality of insulated filars. An insulative layer is removed from an uninsulated portion of each of the filars near a distal end of the conductor. The uninsulated portion of each of the filars is exposed at an outer surface of the conductor such that the exposed uninsulated portions of the filars define a plurality of electrodes at longitudinally spaced sections near the distal end of the conductor.

Abstract: A user is provided a temporary account and, in the event they choose to finalize joining a service, the user is permitted to save settings from their temporary account. For example, in some embodiments, the user is permitted to perform various functions, such as, browsing the service, navigating external links, and viewing various pages of other users and groups. This information and links may be transitioned over if the user wishes to establish a permanent account.

Abstract: Methods and systems to manage users of a social network. The method includes receiving, at a server, a request to contact a user from another user of a social network based on a selected one of a plurality of associated identity resources of the user known by other users. The method also includes restricting views of other users for the identity of the user to the selected one of the plurality of associated identity resources.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and system for allowing an open overlay service for a social network to interface with other online services. In particular, the open overlay service configures its clients to make requests on behalf of the social network. Responses to the requests are routed back to the open overlay service and the information is then provided to the social network. Since the requests come from the client the online services will simply treat them as normal requests, and thus, the open overlay service can seamlessly integrate with a user's online services.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a “live social context” in which users can share multimedia content information. Upon finding multimedia content that a user would like to share with others, the user may select a “share” function Invitations may then be sent to other users across different services. In addition, the invitation may include content, such as a text comment or file that the user has added. The recipient users receive a live notification of the invitation and may then participate in an online discussion with the user. Furthermore, other users may be provided a live notification that activity has been initiated or in-progress about the multimedia content. These users may then request to join in the online discussion.