Abstract: A method for obtaining mesas that are made at least in part of a nitride (N), the method includes providing a stack comprising a substrate and at least the following layers disposed in succession from the substrate a first layer, referred to as the flow layer, and a second, crystalline layer, referred to as the crystalline layer; forming pads by etching the crystalline layer and at least one portion of the flow layer such that: —each pad includes at least: —a first section, referred to as the flow section, formed by at least one portion of the flow layer, and a second, crystalline section, referred to as the crystalline section, framed by the crystalline layer and overlying the flow section, the pads are distributed over the substrate so as to form a plurality of sets of pads; and epitaxially growing a crystallite on at least some of said pads and continuing the epitaxial growth of the crystallites until the crystallites carried by the adjacent pads of the same set coalesce.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining a layer at least partially made of a nitride (N), first comprising the provision of a stack comprising at least one assembly of pads (1000A1-1000B4) extending from a substrate (100). Each pad comprises at least one creep section (220A1-220A5) and one crystalline section (300A1,300A5) surmounting the creep section (200A1-200A5). Then, a crystallite (510A1-510A5) is epitaxially grown on at least some of said pads until coalescence of the crystallites, so as to form a nitride layer (550A). The pads of the assembly are distributed over the substrate, such that the relative arrangement of the pads of the assembly is such that during the epitaxy of the crystallites, the progressive coalescence of the crystallites is always done between, on the one hand, a crystallite or a plurality of coalesced crystallites and, on the other hand, an isolated crystallite.

Abstract: Compositions for forming protective coatings can include a first group of compounds, where each compound of the first group is a fatty acid, fatty acid ester, or fatty acid salt having a carbon chain length of at least 14 carbons. The compositions can optionally include a second group of compounds selected from fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty acid salts, and combinations thereof, wherein each compound of the second group has a carbon chain length from 7 to 13 carbons. At least some of the compounds of the first group can function as emulsifiers, allowing the composition to be dissolved, suspended, or dispersed in a solvent. At least some of the compounds of the second group can function as wetting agents in order to improve the surface wetting of items to be coated when solutions, suspensions, or colloids that include the compositions are applied to the items.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of transcription activator-like effectors transcription factors and methods of using the compositions for inducing gene expression of mammalian genes.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a handheld controller device includes a housing and a trigger assembly. The housing is configured to be held in the hands of a user. The trigger assembly includes a pair of triggers extending outward from a side of the handheld controller device and configured to move along respective trigger paths. The trigger assembly also includes a guide and coupling assemblies. The guide assembly is disposed inside the housing and includes, for each trigger, a channel that extends at least partially along the trigger path of the trigger. The coupling assembly is disposed inside the housing and is connected to the pair of triggers. The coupling assembly is configured to transfer motion between the pair of triggers such that, when one trigger moves towards the housing along its respective trigger path, the coupling assembly moves the other trigger away from the housing along its trigger path.

Abstract: Techniques are described that generally relate to centralized vulnerability discovery and management of disparate network-connected devices. A computing device connected to a network determines vulnerabilities for devices connected to the network. The computing device identifies the devices connected to the network and determines vulnerability information for the network-connected devices using one or more remote sources of vulnerability information. For example, the computing device may access websites containing vulnerability or security information, e.g., by performing web searches on a periodic basis, subscribing to one or more web-based feeds of vulnerability information, or the like. The computing device performs a variety of operations (e.g., ranking vulnerabilities, applying patches, sending notifications, or the like) for the network-connected devices based on the vulnerability information.

Abstract: The invention displays a guard ring within an integrated circuit design by determining positions of the logic devices within the integrated circuit design, incorporating the guard ring into the integrated circuit design, and displaying the logic devices and the guard ring either graphically, semantically, or symbolically in a single display. The symbolic display comprises a parameterized symbol. The parameterized symbol displays parameters including the type of circuit, the type of guard ring and the efficiency of the guard ring. The invention displays the logic devices and the guard ring graphically by illustrating relative positions of the logic devices and the guard ring.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise device includes a support frame defining a first axis and a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis. A seat assembly associated with the support frame includes a seat which pivots about the first axis and is laterally and arcuately slidable about the second axis. The exercise device includes a footrest and a bar that attaches the footrest to the seat assembly such that the bar and the footrest pivot with the seat about the first axis.

Abstract: A universal hair dryer holder includes a base including suction mechanism for releasably attaching the base to a generally flat surface and an adjustable arm extending from the base. The holder also includes a cradle for holding a hair dryer at an end of the arm opposite the base.

Abstract: An adjustable baking form includes a strip of malleable material forming a series of longitudinally extending discrete links. Each link includes a wall section and a base section extending transversely from the wall section. The base sections are bent generally perpendicularly to the respective wall sections and the wall sections are bent relative to one another to hand-manipulate the strip into a desired shape. When opposite ends of the strip are brought together, the links cooperatively form a baking vessel. Baking a cake includes providing a roll forming a series of discrete links and manipulating the roll to a desired shape. The first and second ends of the roll are joined to form the baking vessel having the desired shape. A resultant cake is obtained in the shape of the baking vessel after placing the baking vessel on a baking pan and pouring batter into the baking vessel.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus that will exercise at least five groups of muscles is disclosed. The exercise apparatus exercises the abdominal muscles, the serratus muscles, the intercostals muscles and the leg muscles. The apparatus uses a seated position for the person exercising and the exerciser is seated on a swing. When the exerciser contracts his or her abdominal muscles while lifting the legs, the swing rotates such that the exerciser's feet rotate upward. When the exerciser releases tension on the abdominal muscles, the apparatus goes back to its original position. When the exerciser bends forward, the above four groups of muscles are exercised.

Abstract: A torso exercise device includes a base support frame, a seat assembly, and a back support assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat and mechanism for connecting the seat to the base support frame in a manner enabling multi-directional resistive movement of the seat relative to the base support frame. The back support assembly is pivotally connected to the base support frame.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a clamp attached to an end thereof, which is adapted to be removably attached to the shaft of a golf club so that the training apparatus shaft and the golf club shaft are disposed in spaced apart parallel relation. The training apparatus elongated shaft has first and second shafts slidably disposed for telescopic length adjustment.

Abstract: An exercise device is disclosed having a self-inflating pillow with a compressed state and an expanded state. In an initial position, the pillow is biased in an expanded state, preferably by coils positioned in the pillow cavity. To perform exercises, the user must compress the pillow by applying force on the pillow. A two-way valve is provided on the pillow to facilitate the intake and the exhaust of air through the pillow. The valve can be adjusted to provide variable resistance and lumbar support to the user.

Abstract: A flexible baking apparatus is disclosed having a strip of malleable material configured to be hand-manipulated into a desired shape. The malleable strip material is a thermoplastic, metal, alloy or other material capable of withstanding high temperatures. After forming the desired shape, the ends of the strip are joined together to form a baking vessel.

Abstract: A portable punching exercise device includes a base and a plurality of legs attached to the base that are selectively pivotable between a first ground-engaging position and a second folded position. A padded punching bag is resiliently fixed to the base.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus that will exercise at least five groups of muscles is disclosed. The exercise apparatus exercises the abdominal muscles, the serratus muscles, the intercostals muscles and the leg muscles. The apparatus uses a seated position for the person exercising and the exerciser is seated on a swing. When the exerciser contracts his or her abdominal muscles while lifting the legs, the swing rotates such that the exerciser's feet rotate upward. When the exerciser releases tension on the abdominal muscles, the apparatus goes back to its original position. When the exerciser bends forward, the above four groups of muscles are exercised.