Abstract: A prolapse prevention device formed by a continuous wire-like structure having a first end and a second end disconnected from each other. The continuous wire-like structure of the prolapse prevention device is substantially straight in a delivery configuration. The prolapse prevention device in a deployed configuration includes a centering ring of the continuous wire-like structure configured to seat adjacent to and upstream of an annulus of a heart valve in situ, a vertical support of the continuous wire-like structure which extends from the centering ring and includes an apex configured to seat against a roof of an atrium in situ, and a leaflet backstop of the continuous wire-like structure extending radially inward from the centering ring and configured to contact at least at least a first leaflet of the heart valve in situ to exert a pressure in a downstream direction on the first leaflet to prevent the first leaflet from prolapsing into the atrium.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches are disclosed. Parallel configurations of back-to-back MEMS switches are disclosed in some embodiments. An isolation connection of constant electrical potential may be made to a midpoint of the back-to-back switches. In some embodiments, a separate MEMS switch is provided as a shunt switch for the main MEMS switch. MEMS switch device configurations having multiple switchable signal paths each coupling a common input electrode to a respective output electrode are also disclosed. The MEMS switch device includes shunt switches each coupling a respective output electrode to a reference potential. The presence of a shunt switch coupled to an output electrode enhances the isolation of the signal path corresponding to that output electrode when the path is open.

Abstract: Impedance paths for integrated circuits having microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches that allow for electrical charge to bleed from circuit nodes to fixed electric potentials (e.g., ground) are described. Such paths are referred to herein as charge bleed circuits. The circuit nodes may be circuit locations where electrical charge may accumulate because there is no other path for the electrical charge to dissipate. In some embodiments, a charge bleed circuit includes a switchable device (e.g., a MEMS switch, a solid-state device switch, or a circuit including various solid-state device switches that, collectively, implement a device that can be switched on and off) that connects and disconnects the impedance path from a circuit node. This may allow the device to perform different types of measurements at desired performance levels.

Abstract: Described herein are oral care compositions comprising—in relevant part—an effective amount of inulin. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.

Abstract: An electric power source in which an electron collector and an electron emitter, having a higher work function than the electron collector, are connected peripherally by a wire and placed very close together. An electric potential difference develops between the electron collector and the electron emitter as electrons spontaneously flow through the wire from the electron collector to the electron emitter due to the difference in work functions. With the electron collector and electron emitter positioned extremely close together, the small electric potential difference creates a strong electric field. The strong electric field allows field emission of electrons from the electron emitter. The emitted electrons then cross the small gap to the electron collector, completing the electric circuit, allowing a continuous electric current to flow, making this device an electric power source.

Abstract: A graph of combinations of entities and parameters corresponding to the combinations of entities may be stored as two tables. The first table may comprise a table that includes all entity combinations, as well as each parameter that corresponds to the entity combinations. Each entity combination may additionally be parseable, such that each entity combination may be parsed to allow for identification of each entity included within a given entity combination. The second table may include an entity combination node corresponding to (and linked to) each entity combination stored within the first table. Each given entity combination node of the second table may then be linked within the second table to each nearest neighbor node of the given node to thereby allow for identifying each entity combination within the first table that includes a particular relevant entity (or set of entities).

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a warehouse management server (WMS) for storing delivery order information and locations of items specified in each of a plurality of delivery orders. The system further includes a mobile device, in communication with the WMS, for enabling user interaction with the delivery order information and the locations of the items in real-time. The system also includes an optical scanner, in communication with the mobile device, for tracking (i) picked ones of the items and (ii) item totes containing the picked ones of the items. The WMS determines the picked ones of the items, the item totes containing the picked ones of the items, and item packages for the picked ones of the items, and sends directions displayed on the mobile device for picking and packing the picked one of the items in each of the plurality of delivery orders responsive to the determining.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling business processes through information technology operational controls are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a business process; monitoring a load at each of multiple layers of the system; sending, to an end-to-end throttle controller, for each layer of the multiple layers, layer load data corresponding to the load at the layer, wherein each layer load data contains data related to a single layer; determining whether any adjustments should be made to throttling policies corresponding to the multiple layers based on the multiple layer load data; sending any adjustments that should be made to throttle agents of one or more layers; updating the throttling policies of one or more layers based on the adjustments; and, continuing executing the business process based on the updated throttling policies.

Abstract: A graph of combinations of entities and parameters corresponding to the combinations of entities may be generated as a table that comprises a single column of entity combinations. Each entity combination may further be stored in a different row of the single column to thereby allow for efficient storage, search, and traversal of the table. Each corresponding parameter may also be stored in a separate column. Furthermore, each entity combination may be stored in a parseable manner, such that each entity combination may be parsed to allow for identification of each entity included within a given entity combination. Traversing the table may further be improved by generating a second table that includes an entity combination node corresponding to (and linked to) each entity combination stored within the first table. Each given node of the second table may be linked to each nearest neighbor node of the given node.

Abstract: A graph of combinations of entities and parameters corresponding to the combinations of entities may be stored as two tables. The first table may comprise a table that includes all entity combinations, as well as each parameter that corresponds to the entity combinations. Each entity combination may additionally be parseable, such that each entity combination may be parsed to allow for identification of each entity included within a given entity combination. The second table may include an entity combination node corresponding to (and linked to) each entity combination stored within the first table. Each given entity combination node of the second table may then be linked within the second table to each nearest neighbor node of the given node to thereby allow for identifying each entity combination within the first table that includes a particular relevant entity (or set of entities).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a medical identity theft prevention method performed by a computing server. The method includes: (a) registering an individual to an identity theft service, the registering comprising receiving individual identifying data from a computing device; (b) configuring a profile for the individual based on the individual identifying data; (c) monitoring use of a medical identity associated with the individual, the monitoring comprising receiving medical data from one or more provider devices; (d) determining from the medical data whether the medical identity is being misused; (e) in response to the determining that the medical identity being misused, alerting the individual through a victim device to the misuse of the medical identity; and (f) receiving a confirmation from the individual through the victim device, the confirmation indicating whether the medical identity is being used properly.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling business processes through information technology operational controls are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a business process; monitoring a load at each of multiple layers of the system; sending, to an end-to-end throttle controller, for each layer of the multiple layers, layer load data corresponding to the load at the layer, wherein each layer load data contains data related to a single layer; determining whether any adjustments should be made to throttling policies corresponding to the multiple layers based on the multiple layer load data; sending any adjustments that should be made to throttle agents of one or more layers; updating the throttling policies of one or more layers based on the adjustments; and, continuing executing the business process based on the updated throttling policies.

Abstract: An apparatus for two-dimensional magnetic recording includes a storage medium, an array of magnetoresistive read heads disposed adjacent the storage medium and spaced to read a data track, a number of leads connected to the array of magnetoresistive read heads, and number of bias circuits connected to the array of read heads by the leads. The bias circuits can be configured to independently bias each of the array of read heads with the array of read heads connected in series or in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus for two-dimensional magnetic recording includes an array reader with a number of magnetoresistive read sensors configured to read data from a storage medium. The magnetoresistive read sensors have a number of connection terminals, with at least one of the connection terminals being shared by more than one of the magnetoresistive read sensors. The apparatus also includes a number of low-noise amplifiers connected to the connection terminals, each configured to amplify a differential signal from a different one of the magnetoresistive read sensors. The apparatus also includes a number of impedance balancing networks connected to a subset of the connection terminals.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for determining contact with a storage medium. As an example, a data storage system is disclosed that includes: a head assembly and a data processing circuit. The head includes a head disk interface sensor operable to provide a contact signal indicating contact between the head and a storage medium disposed in relation to the head. The data processing circuit is operable to process the contact signal to yield an indication of a contact between the storage medium and the head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Z-shaped lamp panel applied in a lamp and configured as a comb-shaped body. The Z-shaped lamp panel includes an installing portion disposed at a position corresponding to a comb-handle position and a plurality of carrying portions corresponding to comb-tooth positions respectively. The installing portion is coupled to a side of the carrying portions, and the carrying portions are arranged with an interval apart from each other and provided for installing a plurality of light emitting diodes. Therefore, the cost of the lamp panel can be reduced while the lamp can maintain the light emitting diodes in a matrix form to ensure a maximum illumination range.

Abstract: The invention provides mutated Pseudomonas exotoxins (PE) that have reduced immunogenicity compared to PEs containing the native sequence. The PEs of the invention have one or more individual mutations of positions of the native sequence of PE that reduce antibody binding to one or more PE epitopes. Nucleic acids encoding the mutated PEs, chimeric molecules comprising them, compositions comprising the chimeric molecules and methods of using them, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides mutated, cytotoxic forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) comprising a furin cleavage sequence conjugated or fused directly to residues 395-613 of PE or variants of that sequence. These minimal forms of PE are smaller than previous cytotoxic forms of PE, reduce non-specific toxicity, and reduce immunogenicity due to domain II or domain Ib of PE. The invention further provides nucleic acids encoding said PEs, chimeric molecules containing them, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring.