Abstract: Improved systems and methods for extracorporeal blood temperature control and patient temperature control, e.g., for induced hypothermia and optional normothermia, may include or otherwise employ a heat exchanger for cooling/warming of a fluid, a thermal exchange module having fluidly isolated first and second volumes, and a fluid pump for circulating the fluid through the heat exchanger and the first volume of the thermal exchange module. A blood pump may be provided for the flow of blood through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, and a first controller may be provided for providing output signals for use in operation of the heat exchanger to selectively control thermal exchange between the fluid circulated through the first volume of the thermal exchange module and the blood flowed through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, thereby providing for selective cooling/warming of the blood.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor is provided. The CCD image sensor may include an array of photosensors that transfer charge to multiple vertical CCD shift registers, which then in turn transfer the charge to a horizontal CCD shift register. The horizontal CCD shift register then feeds an output buffer circuit. The output buffer circuit can include multiple output stages, each of which can include a source-follower transistor coupled in series with a current sink transistor and at least one cascode transistor. The current sink transistor may have its gate terminal shorted to ground. In one arrangement, the cascode transistor has a gate terminal that receives a non-zero bias voltage. In another arrangement, the cascode transistor has a gate terminal that is also shorted to ground and operates in depletion mode.

Abstract: Embodiments for establishing configurations for a location sharing session are described. A location sharing session can include a sharing device gathering location data and providing it to a recipient device, e.g. via a server system. Configurations for a sharing session can include, for example: a duration that the sharing device provides the location data or that the sever system permits access to location data by the recipient device; preferences for how to manually or automatically set the duration for the sharing session; options to automatically end the sharing session; etc. A sharing session duration can be automatically set based on, e.g. an estimated time of arrival, a specified mode of transport, etc., and can include a specified amount of buffer time. The automatic share duration can last until a particular event occurs, e.g. the sharing device arriving at a particular location.

Abstract: A method of binning charges in a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor is described. The frequency at which an HCCD in the CCD image sensor is clocked may be a multiple of the frequency at which a summing element coupled to the end of the HCCD is clocked, such that charges may be binned at a gate within the HCCD or at the summing element before being read out. The clock signal for the summing element may have a 50% duty cycle in order to provide additional time for charge to flow across an output gate to a floating diffusion node in an output stage of the CCD image sensor. For cases where the HCCD clock frequency is more than twice the summing element clock frequency, charges may be binned at the summing element. Otherwise, charges may be binned at another gate within the HCCD.

Abstract: A method of forming a microlens may include using two layers of photoresist. The first photoresist layer may be patterned to form a first portion of a pixel microlens. A second photoresist layer may be patterned on top of the first portion of the pixel microlens. The second photoresist may then be melted so that the second photoresist layer has a curved upper surface. The first and second photoresist layers may combine to form the pixel microlens. The indices of refraction of the first and second photoresist layers may the same or different. The melting point of the second photoresist may be lower than the melting point of the first photoresist.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for data exploration. An application is provided for execution on a client computer to display a plurality of data fields associated with one or more data sources, receive user input specifying a set of one or more graph parameters based on one or more selected data fields, generate a graph model, and transmit a continuous query request corresponding to the graph model. In response to receiving the continuous query request from the application, a continuous query is generated and stored in association with the graph model. The continuous query is periodically executed to generate a plurality of computed result sets over time by accessing the one or more data sources. A selected computed result set is provided to the application. The application is configured to render a graph in the graph rendering interface based on the selected computed result set.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a frame, a padded seat back assembly (16), a padded seat cushion assembly (18), and a seat cushion assembly tilt arrangement for tilting the seat cushion assembly. A valance cover (34) is mounted on an outer side of the seat. The cover has a rearward cover section (34a) and a forward cover section (34b). The forward cover section (34b) is mounted in fixed relation to the seat cushion assembly (18) for tilting movement together with the seat cushion assembly. The seat cushion padding (24) extends over an upper surface of the forward cover section (34b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel canine distemper virus (CDV) neutralization-resistant mutants, methods for making the same and uses for vaccine production.

Abstract: Methods of measuring and calibrating the gain of a CCD imaging system are described. Charge injectors may be present on either side of an image sensor array that provide test charges to respective calibration VCCDs. Test charges may be transferred to upper and lower HCCDs during quad-output read out or to only the lower HCCD during dual-output or single-output read out. In each quadrant of the imaging system, test charges may be transferred to an EMCCD output or to a non-EMCCD output via a charge switch based on the magnitude of the test charges. The gains of all EMCCD outputs and non-EMCCD outputs in the imaging system may be calibrated against one another by adjusting the gain at each output when a discrepancy is detected between any two outputs.

Abstract: In electron multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) image sensors, electron traps in the dielectric stack underneath charge multiplication electrodes may cause undesirable gain ageing. To reduce the gain ageing drift effect, a dielectric stack may be formed that does not include electron traps in regions underneath charge multiplication electrodes. To accomplish this, silicon nitride in the dielectric stack may be removed in regions underneath the charge multiplication electrodes. The EMCCD image sensors can thus be fabricated with a stable charge carrier multiplication gain during their operational lifetime.

Abstract: A novel, hybrid optical fiber stub device comprises a first ferrule transparent to UV light and a second ferrule including a conventional material. An optical fiber is disposed through the first ferrule and second ferrule. The input and output faces of the optical fiber are prepared suitable for optical coupling. A photonic device is coupled to the first optical fiber surface. A UV curable epoxy is disposed between the photonic device and the first optical fiber surface. The UV curable epoxy includes an index of refraction between an index of refraction of the first optical fiber and an index of refraction of the photonic device. A second optical fiber is coupled to the first optical fiber.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for extracorporeal blood temperature control and patient temperature control, e.g., for induced hypothermia and optional normothermia, may include or otherwise employ a heat exchanger for cooling/warming of a fluid, a thermal exchange module having fluidly isolated first and second volumes, and a fluid pump for circulating the fluid through the heat exchanger and the first volume of the thermal exchange module. A blood pump may be provided for the flow of blood through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, and a first controller may be provided for providing output signals for use in operation of the heat exchanger to selectively control thermal exchange between the fluid circulated through the first volume of the thermal exchange module and the blood flowed through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, thereby providing for selective cooling/warming of the blood.

Abstract: A method of forming a microlens may include using two layers of photoresist. The first photoresist layer may be patterned to form a first portion of a pixel microlens. A second photoresist layer may be patterned on top of the first portion of the pixel microlens. The second photoresist may then be melted so that the second photoresist layer has a curved upper surface. The first and second photoresist layers may combine to form the pixel microlens. The indices of refraction of the first and second photoresist layers may the same or different. The melting point of the second photoresist may be lower than the melting point of the first photoresist.

Abstract: Methods of measuring and calibrating the gain of a CCD imaging system are described. Charge injectors may be present on either side of an image sensor array that provide test charges to respective calibration VCCDs. Test charges may be transferred to upper and lower HCCDs during quad-output read out or to only the lower HCCD during dual-output or single-output read out. In each quadrant of the imaging system, test charges may be transferred to an EMCCD output or to a non-EMCCD output via a charge switch based on the magnitude of the test charges. The gains of all EMCCD outputs and non-EMCCD outputs in the imaging system may be calibrated against one another by adjusting the gain at each output when a discrepancy is detected between any two outputs.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor is provided. The CCD image sensor may include an array of photosensors that transfer charge to multiple vertical CCD shift registers, which then in turn transfer the charge to a horizontal CCD shift register. The horizontal CCD shift register then feeds an output buffer circuit. The output buffer circuit can include multiple output stages, each of which can include a source-follower transistor coupled in series with a current sink transistor and at least one cascode transistor. The current sink transistor may have its gate terminal shorted to ground. In one arrangement, the cascode transistor has a gate terminal that receives a non-zero bias voltage. In another arrangement, the cascode transistor has a gate terminal that is also shorted to ground and operates in depletion mode.

Abstract: A method of binning charges in a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor is described. The frequency at which an HCCD in the CCD image sensor is clocked may be a multiple of the frequency at which a summing element coupled to the end of the HCCD is clocked, such that charges may be binned at a gate within the HCCD or at the summing element before being read out. The clock signal for the summing element may have a 50% duty cycle in order to provide additional time for charge to flow across an output gate to a floating diffusion node in an output stage of the CCD image sensor. For cases where the HCCD clock frequency is more than twice the summing element clock frequency, charges may be binned at the summing element. Otherwise, charges may be binned at another gate within the HCCD.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for data exploration. An application is provided for execution on a client computer to display a plurality of data fields associated with one or more data sources, receive user input specifying a set of one or more graph parameters based on one or more selected data fields, generate a graph model, and transmit a continuous query request corresponding to the graph model. In response to receiving the continuous query request from the application, a continuous query is generated and stored in association with the graph model. The continuous query is periodically executed to generate a plurality of computed result sets over time by accessing the one or more data sources. A selected computed result set is provided to the application. The application is configured to render a graph in the graph rendering interface based on the selected computed result set.

Abstract: A novel, hybrid optical fibre stub device comprises a first ferrule transparent to UV light and a second ferrule including a conventional material. An optical fibre is disposed through the first ferrule and second ferrule. The input and output faces of the optical fibre are prepared suitable for optical coupling. A photonic device is coupled to the first optical fibre surface. A UV curable epoxy is disposed between the photonic device and the first optical fibre surface. The UV curable epoxy includes an index of refraction between an index of refraction of the first optical fibre and an index of refraction of the photonic device. A second optical fibre is coupled to the first optical fibre.

Abstract: A structure with improved electromigration resistance and methods for making the same. A structure having improved electromigration resistance includes a bulk interconnect having a dual layer cap and a dielectric capping layer. The dual layer cap includes a bottom metallic portion and a top metal oxide portion. Preferably the metal oxide portion is MnO or MnSiO and the metallic portion is Mn or CuMn. The structure is created by doping the interconnect with an impurity (Mn in the preferred embodiment), and then creating lattice defects at a top portion of the interconnect. The defects drive increased impurity migration to the top surface of the interconnect. When the dielectric capping layer is formed, a portion reacts with the segregated impurities, thus forming the dual layer cap on the interconnect. Lattice defects at the Cu surface can be created by plasma treatment, ion implantation, a compressive film, or other means.

Abstract: A bottom hole actuator tool is provided for locating and actuating one or more sleeve valves spaced along a completion string. A shifting tool includes radially extending dogs at ends of radially controllable, and circumferentially spaced support arms. Conveyance tubing actuated shifting of an activation mandrel, indexed by a J-Slot, cams the arms radially inward to overcome the biasing for in and out of hole movement, and for releasing the arms for sleeve locating and sleeve profile engagement. A cone, movable with the mandrel engages the dogs for positive locking of the dogs in the profile for sleeve opening and closing. A treatment isolation packer can be actuated with cone engagement. The positive engagement and compact axial components results in short sleeve valves.