Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a conductive material, a select device gate material over the conductive material, and vertically-stacked conductive levels over the select device gate material. Vertically-extending monolithic channel material is adjacent the select device gate material and the conductive levels. The monolithic channel material contains a lower segment adjacent the select device gate material and an upper segment adjacent the conductive levels. A first vertically-extending region is between the lower segment of the monolithic channel material and the select device gate material. The first vertically-extending region contains a first material. A second vertically-extending region is between the upper segment of the monolithic channel material and the conductive levels. The second vertically-extending region contains a material which is different in composition from the first material.

Abstract: An electronically administered card game with a multi-tiered bonus game is disclosed. A wager is placed to play a blackjack base game. An optional side bet provides eligibility to players for a bonus game triggered when initial dealer cards are a colored pair. The bonus game occurs after the base game play is resolved. The rank of the initial dealer cards determines a bonus level for the bonus game and a number of indicia for corresponding multiplier and award pick fields. Based upon player indicia selection, a multiplier value for the bonus game is determined in addition to an award amount using a pyramid-pick field of award indicia descending in number in various tiers. Each tier contains indicia specifying a specific award amount and a single indicium enabling selection from a next-higher tier, if available. The bonus game award is determined by adjusting a selected award amount using the multiplier value or awarding a progressive jackpot at the highest bonus level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to scheduling updates on a personal electronic device based on biometric data gathered from a user. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may receive a pending software update. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may receive biometric data of the user from one or more biometric sensors. The biometric data may provide sufficient information to determine a sleep status of the user. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may determine a sleep status of the user. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may install the pending software update in response to determining that the user is sleeping. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may delay the pending software update in response to determining that the user is not sleeping.

Abstract: A multiple-opening container is configured to facilitate the simultaneous opening of two or more material containing compartments, thus allowing for the material contents within the multiple containing compartments to be suitably mixed upon pouring into another container. As a result of the simultaneous opening and pouring ability facilitated by the multiple-opening container, the time for mixing of multiple materials, such as beverages, fluids, powders or other like contents, can be suitably reduced. In addition, the de-carbonization and/or deterioration or other side affects caused from pre-mixing of the contents can be eliminated. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, engagement portion can comprise a snap clip and a ring portion configured for sealed coupling to a material containing compartment. Second compartment can be suitably filled within beverages or other materials, and then positioned within the container portion and sealed or otherwise coupled by the engagement portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods may include a motor and an output shaft apparatus. The output shaft apparatus may be configured to position a manufacturing component using the motor. The output shaft apparatus may move linearly along a longitudinal axis and/or rotationally about the longitudinal axis. The system may also include an engagement apparatus coupling the motor to the output shaft apparatus. The engagement apparatus may be configured in a linear configuration for linearly moving the output shaft apparatus or a rotational configuration for rotationally moving the output shaft apparatus.

Abstract: Arylomycin analogs are provided, wherein the analogs can have broad spectrum bioactivity. Resistance to the antibiotic bioactivity of natural product arylomycin in a range of pathogenic bacterial species has been found to depend upon single amino acid mutations at defined positions of bacterial Signal Peptidases (SPases), wherein the presence of a proline residue confers arylomycin resistance. Arylomycin analogs are provided herein that can overcome that resistance and provide for a broader spectrum of antibiotic bioactivity than can natural product arylomycins such as arylomycin A2. Methods for determining if a bacterial strain is susceptible to narrow spectrum arylomycin antibiotics, or if a broad spectrum analog is required for treatment, is provided. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of bacterial infections, and methods of synthesis of arylomycin analogs, are provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid dispensing system includes a liquid storage tank comprising a pressure chamber with a liquid space and a vapor space. The liquid storage tank further comprises a liquid bypass riser comprising a first end in communication with the vapor space, and a second end exterior to the pressure chamber. The liquid bypass riser forms a first passageway to the vapor space for returning liquid to the pressure chamber. The liquid storage tank further comprises a vapor return riser located within an interior portion of the liquid bypass riser. The vapor return riser comprises a first end located in the vapor space and a second end exterior to the pressure chamber. It forms a second passageway to the vapor space of the pressure chamber. The second passageway prevents liquid in the first passageway from entering the second passageway.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pigment press cake is provided in which a pigment, a grinding agent, a polyetheramine, and a vehicle are subjected to grinding, followed by removal of the grinding agent and the vehicle to form a press cake. Also disclosed are a process to disperse the press cake with a polymeric dispersant in an aqueous vehicle to form a pigment dispersion and using the dispersion to form an aqueous ink jet ink.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes a housing and a handle for gripping by a user, an end effector coupled to the handle and having at least one electrical contact, a battery, and a radio frequency (RF) generation circuit coupled to and operated by the battery. The RF generation circuit is operable to generate an RF drive signal and to provide the RF drive signal to the at least one electrical contact, wherein the RF generation circuit is supported by the housing. The RF generation circuit includes a resonant circuit that includes at least one inductive element constructed of litz wire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a sealing member, an integral structure associated with the sealing member, and an engagement section extending from the sealing member. The sealing member is configured to be attached to a surface of an object. The sealing member is consolidated with the integral structure. The engagement section is deformable and configured to engage a receiving structure in the object.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes a housing, at least one electrical contact, a radio frequency (RF) generation circuit coupled to and operated by the battery and operable to generate an RF drive signal and to provide the RF drive signal to the at least one electrical contact, and a user interface supported by the housing. The user interface includes visual and audible feedback elements, wherein the state of the instrument can be determined by the state of the visual and audible feedback elements.

Abstract: An autopilot for a flight vehicle is described herein. Various configurations of the autopilot may be used in a gyro-less guidance and control system, which can be designed based on translational acceleration measurements only. In other configurations, the one or more components of the autopilot may be used as a backup to primary components of a guidance and control system. The autopilot may use state estimates to determine effector commands to control a flight vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit structure includes a substrate having an array region and a peripheral region. The substrate in the array and peripheral regions includes insulator material over first semiconductor material, conductive material over the insulator material, and second semiconductor material over the conductive material. The array region includes vertical circuit devices which include the second semiconductor material. The peripheral region includes horizontal circuit devices which include the second semiconductor material. The horizontal circuit devices in the peripheral region individually have a floating body which includes the second semiconductor material. The conductive material in the peripheral region is under and electrically coupled to the second semiconductor material of the floating bodies. Conductive straps in the array region are under the vertical circuit devices.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid dispensing system includes a pressure chamber comprising a liquid space and a vapor space, and a liquid dispenser. A first and second orifice located in a bottom portion wall of the pressure chamber and each coupled to a vapor conduit extending into the vapor space of the pressure chamber form passageways between the first and second orifice and the vapor space. A third orifice of equal to or greater than approximately two inches diameter is located in the bottom portion wall of the pressure chamber. The third orifice is coupled to a liquid supply inlet port of the liquid dispenser; the second orifice is coupled to a liquid bypass port of the liquid supply pipe; and the first orifice is coupled to a vapor release port of the liquid dispenser.

Abstract: A method for sensing using a multi-band photovoltaic detector, the method including biasing the photovoltaic detector using a bias voltage at a mid-point of a detector substrate bias voltage range, selecting a first band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, sensing a first current from a first diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the first diode being associated with the first band, selecting a second band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector; and sensing a second current from a second diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the second diode being associated with the second band.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a current flow through a charge connector to a charging system includes a charge connector including a plug connectable to a power outlet to receive a current flow, the plug including a temperature sensor to measure an interface temperature at the plug and outlet interface, the charge connector including a coupler connectable to an inlet of the charging system, where one of a control module of the charge connector and a controller of the charging system is operable to control the current flow to an adjusted level determined by one of the interface temperature and a voltage drop at the plug. A communication link may be established by a coupler element connected to an inlet element to transmit signals between the control module and connector. The charge connector may be connectable to a charging system of a plug-in electric vehicle.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes at least one electrical contact, a radio frequency (RF) generation circuit coupled to and operated by the battery and operable to generate an RF drive signal and to provide the RF drive signal to the at least one electrical contact, a battery discharge circuit coupled to the RF generation circuit, a processor coupled to the battery discharge circuit, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores computer instructions that when executed cause the processor to monitor battery capacity and send a signal to the battery discharge circuit to discharge a battery coupled to the battery discharge circuit when the battery capacity falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A circuit structure includes a substrate having an array region and a peripheral region. The substrate in the array and peripheral regions includes insulator material over first semiconductor material, conductive material over the insulator material, and second semiconductor material over the conductive material. The array region includes vertical circuit devices which include the second semiconductor material. The peripheral region includes horizontal circuit devices which include the second semiconductor material. The horizontal circuit devices in the peripheral region individually have a floating body which includes the second semiconductor material. The conductive material in the peripheral region is under and electrically coupled to the second semiconductor material of the floating bodies. Conductive straps in the array region are under the vertical circuit devices.

Abstract: A circuit structure includes a substrate having an array region and a peripheral region. The substrate in the array and peripheral regions includes insulator material over first semiconductor material, conductive material over the insulator material, and second semiconductor material over the conductive material. The array region includes vertical circuit devices which include the second semiconductor material. The peripheral region includes horizontal circuit devices which include the second semiconductor material. The horizontal circuit devices in the peripheral region individually have a floating body which includes the second semiconductor material. The conductive material in the peripheral region is under and electrically coupled to the second semiconductor material of the floating bodies. Conductive straps in the array region are under the vertical circuit devices.

Abstract: An infrastructure monitoring system and method that comprises multiple monitoring devices and/or multiple output devices. Each monitoring device includes at least one sensor for collecting data, a data storage device for storing the data, a processor for analyzing the data, and a communications device for transmitting and receiving data. The system may also include an operations center for controlling and receiving data from the plurality of devices.