Abstract: A method has been developed to produce stable cell-matrix microspheres with up to 100% encapsulation efficiency and high cell viability, using matrix or biomaterial systems with poor shape and mechanical stability for applications including cell therapeutics via microinjection or surgical implantation, 3D culture for in vitro expansion without repeated cell splitting using enzymatic digestion or mechanical dissociation and for enhanced production of therapeutic biomolecules, and in vitro modeling for morphogenesis studies. The modified droplet generation method is simple and scalable and enables the production of cell-matrix microspheres when the matrix or biomaterial system used has low concentration, with slow phase transition, with poor shape and mechanical stability.

Abstract: A bioengineered IVD for disc replacement has been developed that has mechanical and structural support characteristics similar to those of native IVD. Extracellular matrix (ECM) provides support to living cell components and interacts with the living cellular components during the fabrication process without introducing toxicity. The composition can be produced from both natural or synthetic source but preferably natural and induced to self-assemble or reconstitute into its solid form under conditions that are mild enough to support cellular survival and growth. The cells induce a volume change of the structures, leading to changes in dimension, ECM density, cell density, mechanical property and stability, etc. The extent of the change in volume of the composition can be precisely controlled by factors such as the density of the ECM, the density of the living cells, the timing for interaction and the serum concentration. Increased structural support is provided by crosslinking.

Abstract: A shielded system for reducing energy dissipation from an RF component into a semiconductor substrate, the shielded system comprising: a semiconductor substrate; an RF component in connection with the semiconductor substrate; an electrically connected shielding structure having a galvanic connection to ground or the semiconductor substrate, the electrically connected shielding structure being electrically connected to the RF component; and an electrically isolated shielding structure having no galvanic connection to ground, the semiconductor substrate or the RF component.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes: receiving a plurality of groups of one or more phase signals, each group of phase signals having a different phase relative to other groups of one or more phase signals; generating a plurality of interpolated phase shifted signals based on the plurality of groups of one or more phase signals, wherein the plurality of interpolated phase shifted signals do not have an associated common mode component; receiving data bits and precompensating each data bit in accordance with a given interpolated phase shifted signal; and selecting a precompensated data bit for output.

Abstract: A method has been developed to produce stable cell-matrix microspheres with up to 100% encapsulation efficiency and high cell viability, using matrix or biomaterial systems with poor shape and mechanical stability for applications including cell therapeutics via microinjection or surgical implantation, 3D culture for in vitro expansion without repeated cell splitting using enzymatic digestion or mechanical dissociation and for enhanced production of therapeutic biomolecules, and in vitro modeling for morphogenesis studies. The modified droplet generation method is simple and scalable and enables the production of cell-matrix microspheres when the matrix or biomaterial system used has low concentration, with slow phase transition, with poor shape and mechanical stability.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to non-volatile memory. A described technique includes monitoring read-back data from a group of memory cells that are programmable based on a group of programming voltages, each of the memory cells being configured to represent two or more bits by a single charge level, the two or more bits corresponding to two or more bit positions; determining estimated mean and standard deviation values of level distributions of the memory cells based on the read-back data; and adjusting one or more of the programming voltages based on the estimated mean and standard deviations of the level distribution such that differences among bit error rates of the bit positions are reduced.

Abstract: A data channel circuit including an analog to digital converter, a timing loop control circuit, an interpolator circuit, and a deglitch circuit. The analog to digital converter is configured to convert an analog input signal into a corresponding digital signal in accordance with a reference clock signal received from a timing loop. The timing loop control circuit is configured to receive the digital signal from the analog to digital converter, and generate a first clock signal based on the digital signal. The interpolator circuit is configured to receive the first clock signal, and generate a second clock signal based on the first clock signal, and the first clock signal delayed by a predetermined phase delay. The second clock signal has first glitches. The deglitch circuit is configured to, based on the second clock signal, generate the reference clock signal. The reference clock signal does not include the first glitches.

Abstract: A digital signal processing block with a preadder stage for an integrated circuit is described. The digital signal processing block includes a preadder stage and a control bus. The control bus is coupled to the preadder stage for dynamically controlling operation of the preadder stage. The preadder stage includes: a first input port of a first multiplexer coupled to the control bus; a second input port of a first logic gate coupled to the control bus; a third input port of a second logic gate coupled to the control bus; and a fourth input port of an adder/subtractor coupled to the control bus.

Abstract: Disclosed is at least one flash analog-to-digital converter embodiment having a linear voltage ladder, a set of comparators each of which is coupled to one or more operational amplifiers by a sampling switch. Each of the sampling switches samples the comparator output, using the parasitic capacitance of the operational amplifier to hold the voltage. The sampling switches may be single transistors. Some embodiments further include, for each comparator, multiple operational amplifiers each of which drives a binary latch via a gating switch. The gating switches operate in sequence to distribute sequential samples to different latches. At least some embodiments of the flash converter further include an automatic gain control (AGC) that has both differential input terminals and differential output terminals. In such embodiments the comparators compare the differential output of the AGC to a differential reference voltage, and may further provide the result as a differential signal.

Abstract: A sum-of-delays algorithm in a digital mobile communication bandwidth-varying network is employed to estimate link buffer size and queue length in an undying network connection. In particular, mechanisms associated with the process compensate for link bandwidth variations. In a particular embodiment, passive estimation are employed to implement the process by simply measuring the in-band data packet timings to perform estimation, thus eliminating the need for transmission of extra measurement packets. This method enables the integration of the link buffer size estimation algorithm into existing transport protocols such as TCP to optimize flow and congestion controls. As part of the invention, a new congestion control method called TCP Queue-length-Adaptive (TCP-QA) is developed to employ the sum-of-delays algorithm in the TCP sender computer to control the data flow in a TCP connection.

Abstract: A device is provided that, in one implementation, includes interpolators to generate interpolated phase shifted signals, and a precompensation circuit to provide precompensated versions of data bits in accordance with the interpolated phase shifted signals. Each of the interpolators is assigned a bit pattern different from that assigned to remaining ones of the interpolators.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for removing glitches from a clock signal, including a duty cycle lock loop (DCLL) circuit. A glitch, which may produce errors in the clock signal, may occur when a read channel transitions from an acquired clock signal to an adjusted clock signal. In one embodiment of the inventive deglitch circuit, a first capacitor is charged and discharged in response to an input clock signal, and an output clock signal is provided depending upon the first capacitor's voltage. The output clock signal further charges and discharges a second capacitor whose ratio of charge to discharge currents provides a signal to bias the discharge current of the first capacitor. A second DCLL circuit may be provided to restore the output clock signal duty cycle to the original clock signal duty cycle.

Abstract: A transceiver includes a first circuit having a connector for connection to an antenna and receiving circuitry, and a second circuit having transmitting circuitry. The first and second circuits are coupled using a balun, where the balun is arranged so that its unbalanced side is in the first circuit and its balanced side is in the second circuit.

Abstract: An electronic device bonding apparatus comprises a flip arm for picking up an electronic device, the flip arm being operative to invert an orientation of the electronic device. A collet tool which contacts the electronic device and secures it to the flip arm is detachably mountable onto the flip arm, and a bond arm may pick up the electronic device from the collet tool to bond the electronic device to a bonding surface. Additionally, a tool changer module is operative to detach the collet tool from the flip arm and to mount another collet tool onto the flip arm.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing sputtering target assemblies and assemblies thereof are provided, particularly targets made of powders. Powders are adhered to a backing plate by use of a vacuum hot press, the powder preferably contacted by non-planar surfaces, and is compressed with at least about 95% density and substantially simultaneously diffusion-bonded to the backing plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is at least one flash analog-to-digital converter embodiment having a linear voltage ladder, a set of comparators each of which is coupled to one or more operational amplifiers by a sampling switch. Each of the sampling switches samples the comparator output, using the parasitic capacitance of the operational amplifier to hold the voltage. The sampling switches may be single transistors. Some embodiments further include, for each comparator, multiple operational amplifiers each of which drives a binary latch via a gating switch. The gating switches operate in sequence to distribute sequential samples to different latches. At least some embodiments of the flash converter further include an automatic gain control (AGC) that has both differential input terminals and differential output terminals. In such embodiments the comparators compare the differential output of the AGC to a differential reference voltage, and may further provide the result as a differential signal.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing sputtering target assemblies and assemblies thereof are provided, particularly targets made of powders. Powders are adhered to a backing plate by use of a vacuum hot press, the powder preferably contacted by non-planar surfaces, and is compressed with at least about 95% density and substantially simultaneously diffusion-bonded to the backing plate.

Abstract: A method is provided to functionally select cells with enhanced characteristics relevant to cell engraftment, including both spontaneous migration and directional migration towards specific chemo-attractants. The cells are preferably undifferentiated cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells. The method involves entrapping or encapsulating the cells in a biomaterial barrier, optionally inducing cell migration, and selecting cells that migrated through the barrier. The cells selected by this method have better migratory activities and enhanced in vivo engraftment to injured tissues when they are supplemented systemically.

Abstract: A physical vapor deposition target for the manufacturing of flat panel displays is provided. The target includes a ternary alloy system having, by atom percent, a first component in an amount of about 90 to 99.98, wherein the first component is aluminum, a second component in an amount of about 0.01 to 2.0, wherein the second component is a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Nd, Ce, Dy and Gd, and a third component in an amount of about 0.01 to 8.0, wherein the third element is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mo, Sc, and Hf.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a digital interface for connection to a host controller; an antenna connection for connection to an antenna; a radio frequency transceiver for communicating data in accordance with one or more radio communication protocols, the radio frequency transceiver being configured to communicate radio frequency signals over the antenna connection in response to data exchanged over the digital interface; and radio loop-through circuitry for exchanging radio frequency signals with another integrated circuit, the radio loop-through circuitry being configured to provide radio frequency signals received at the antenna connection to an output connection of the integrated circuit.