Abstract: A modified version of the min-sum algorithm (“MSA”) which can lower the error floor performance of quantized LDPC decoders. A threshold attenuated min-sum algorithm (“TAMSA”) and/or threshold offset min-sum algorithm (“TOMSA”), which selectively attenuates or offsets a check node log-likelihood ratio (“LLR”) if the check node receives any variable node LLR with magnitude below a predetermined threshold, while allowing a check node LLR to reach the maximum quantizer level if all the variable node LLRs received by the check node have magnitude greater than the threshold. Embodiments of the present invention can provide desirable results even without knowledge of the location, type, or multiplicity of such objects and can be implemented with only a minor modification to existing decoder hardware.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulated composite fabric including attaching an insulating-filler fabric layer to an outer fabric layer, where the insulating-filler fabric layer is a textile fabric with at least one raised surface on the fabric. One side of the insulating-filler layer has a first surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile and the other side of the insulating-filler layer has a second surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile. The method further contains coupling at least one of a fleece and velour that is respectively lower than the relatively high pile of the first surface or the relatively high pile of the second surface to at least one of the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A system is presented that profiles authors and social media data across different media platforms and is capable of determining the author's overall social impact. In one aspect, this is accomplished by using a data retrieval service to trawl various web-sites and social media platforms for information about authors which can then be associated with those authors in a profile database. In one example, an author may post an entry on his/her blog and the data retrieval service can access the profile information of the author, on the blog, where various aspects of the profile information (e.g., real name, employee information, home address) can be matched with candidates in a profile database. From the information gathered, authors can be linked across multiple, different platforms, and an overall social impact of each of the authors can be determined.

Abstract: A system is presented that profiles authors and social media data across different media platforms and is capable of determining the author's overall social impact. In one aspect, this is accomplished by using a data retrieval service to trawl various web-sites and social media platforms for information about authors which can then be associated with those authors in a profile database. In one example, an author may post an entry on his/her blog and the data retrieval service can access the profile information of the author, on the blog, where various aspects of the profile information (e.g., real name, employee information, home address) can be matched with candidates in a profile database. From the information gathered, authors can be linked across multiple, different platforms, and an overall social impact of each of the authors can be determined.

Abstract: A composite textile fabric that includes a first (face) fabric layer, and a second (back) fabric layer that is formed concurrently with the first fabric layer in a plaited construction. The second fabric includes a plurality of anchored regions at which the second fabric layer is anchored to, and in intimate contact with, the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer also includes a plurality of floating regions, overlying and unattached to the first fabric layer, interspersed between the anchored regions.

Abstract: A composite textile fabric that includes a first (face) fabric layer, and a second (back) fabric layer that is formed concurrently with the first fabric layer in a plaited construction. The second fabric includes a plurality of anchored regions at which the second fabric layer is anchored to, and in intimate contact with, the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer also includes a plurality of floating regions, overlying and unattached to the first fabric layer, interspersed between the anchored regions.

Abstract: A composite textile fabric that includes a first (face) fabric layer, and a second (back) fabric layer that is formed concurrently with the first fabric layer in a plaited construction. The second fabric includes a plurality of anchored regions at which the second fabric layer is anchored to, and in intimate contact with, the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer also includes a plurality of floating regions, overlying and unattached to the first fabric layer, interspersed between the anchored regions.

Abstract: A system is presented that profiles authors and social media data across different media platforms and is capable of determining the author's overall social impact. In one aspect, this is accomplished by using a data retrieval service to trawl various web-sites and social media platforms for information about authors which can then be associated with those authors in a profile database. In one example, an author may post an entry on his/her blog and the data retrieval service can access the profile information of the author, on the blog, where various aspects of the profile information (e.g., real name, employee information, home address) can be matched with candidates in a profile database. From the information gathered, authors can be linked across multiple, different platforms, and an overall social impact of each of the authors can be determined.

Abstract: A system is presented that profiles authors and social media data across different media platforms and is capable of determining the author's overall social impact. In one aspect, this is accomplished by using a data retrieval service to trawl various web-sites and social media platforms for information about authors which can then be associated with those authors in a profile database. In one example, an author may post an entry on his/her blog and the data retrieval service can access the profile information of the author, on the blog, where various aspects of the profile information (e.g., real name, employee information, home address) can be matched with candidates in a profile database. From the information gathered, authors can be linked across multiple, different platforms, and an overall social impact of each of the authors can be determined.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of a bone. The apparatus may include an implant. The implant may include an implant tail and an implant head configured to expand, inside the bone, from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The apparatus may include an intramedullary rod defining a central longitudinal rod axis. The intramedullary rod may include a guide segment configured to guide the implant head into the bone and support the implant tail. The intramedullary rod may include an elongated extension member spaced radially apart from the central longitudinal axis. The extension member may be configured to provide clearance for the implant head as the implant head is advanced, in the collapsed state, into the bone. The extension member may be configured to provide clearance for the implant head in the expanded state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of a bone. The apparatus may include an implant. The implant may include an implant tail and an implant head configured to expand, inside the bone, from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The apparatus may include an intramedullary rod defining a central longitudinal rod axis. The intramedullary rod may include a guide segment configured to guide the implant head into the bone and support the implant tail. The intramedullary rod may include an elongated extension member spaced radially apart from the central longitudinal axis. The extension member may be configured to provide clearance for the implant head as the implant head is advanced, in the collapsed state, into the bone. The extension member may be configured to provide clearance for the implant head in the expanded state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivery of an implant at a target site in an interior of a bone. The apparatus may include a plate. The plate may include a bottom surface complementing a surface contour of a bone. The plate may define first holes sized for receiving screws. The plate may define second holes sized for receiving fixation elements. The plate may define an opening. The opening may be sized for providing passage of the implant through the plate. When the bottom surface is seated complementarily against the surface contour, the first holes may point into an interior of the bone and into a volume occupied by the implant in the interior when the implant is positioned at a target site and radially expanded to form a mesh cage.

Abstract: An insulated composite fabric has an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an insulating-filler layer enclosed there between. The insulating-filler layer is a textile fabric with at least one raised surface. One side of the insulating-filler layer comprises a first surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile. The other side of the insulating-filler layer comprises a second surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile. Interconnecting piles are formed with regions of the relatively high pile of the first pile surface and regions of the relatively high pile of the second pile surface.

Abstract: A system is presented that profiles authors and social media data across different media platforms and is capable of determining the author's overall social impact. In one aspect, this is accomplished by using a data retrieval service to trawl various web-sites and social media platforms for information about authors which can then be associated with those authors in a profile database. In one example, an author may post an entry on his/her blog and the data retrieval service can access the profile information of the author, on the blog, where various aspects of the profile information (e.g., real name, employee information, home address) can be matched with candidates in a profile database. From the information gathered, authors can be linked across multiple, different platforms, and an overall social impact of each of the authors can be determined.

Abstract: A system is presented that profiles authors and social media data across different media platforms and is capable of determining the author's overall social impact. In one aspect, this is accomplished by using a data retrieval service to trawl various web-sites and social media platforms for information about authors which can then be associated with those authors in a profile database. In one example, an author may post an entry on his/her blog and the data retrieval service can access the profile information of the author, on the blog, where various aspects of the profile information (e.g., real name, employee information, home address) can be matched with candidates in a profile database. From the information gathered, authors can be linked across multiple, different platforms, and an overall social impact of each of the authors can be determined.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of a bone. The apparatus may include an implant. The implant may include an implant tail and an implant head configured to expand, inside the bone, from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The apparatus may include an intramedullary rod defining a central longitudinal rod axis. The intramedullary rod may include a guide segment configured to guide the implant head into the bone and support the implant tail. The intramedullary rod may include an elongated extension member spaced radially apart from the central longitudinal axis. The extension member may be configured to provide clearance for the implant head as the implant head is advanced, in the collapsed state, into the bone. The extension member may be configured to provide clearance for the implant head in the expanded state.

Abstract: An insulated composite fabric has an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an insulating-filler layer enclosed there between. The insulating-filler layer is a textile fabric with at least one raised surface. One side of the insulating-filler layer comprises a first surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile. The other side of the insulating-filler layer comprises a second surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile. Interconnecting piles are formed with regions of the relatively high pile of the first pile surface and regions of the relatively high pile of the second pile surface.

Abstract: A composite textile fabric that includes a first (face) fabric layer, and a second (back) fabric layer that is formed concurrently with the first fabric layer in a plaited construction. The second fabric includes a plurality of anchored regions at which the second fabric layer is anchored to, and in intimate contact with, the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer also includes a plurality of floating regions, overlying and unattached to the first fabric layer, interspersed between the anchored regions.

Abstract: An insulated composite fabric has an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an insulating-filler layer enclosed there between. The insulating-filler layer is a textile fabric with at least one raised surface. One side of the insulating-filler layer comprises a first surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile. The other side of the insulating-filler layer comprises a second surface with relatively high pile, including regions of no pile or relatively low pile interspersed among regions of relatively high pile. Interconnecting piles are formed with regions of the relatively high pile of the first pile surface and regions of the relatively high pile of the second pile surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivery of an implant at a target site in an interior of a bone. The apparatus may include a plate. The plate may include a bottom surface complementing a surface contour of a bone. The plate may define first holes sized for receiving screws. The plate may define second holes sized for receiving fixation elements. The plate may define an opening. The opening may be sized for providing passage of the implant through the plate. When the bottom surface is seated complementarily against the surface contour, the first holes may point into an interior of the bone and into a volume occupied by the implant in the interior when the implant is positioned at a target site and radially expanded to form a mesh cage.