Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device is disclosed for attaching a suture that is fixed to portion of soft tissue to a portion of bone. The device has a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: A method, performed in a receiver device, for decoding transmissions of a set of coded information bits from a transmitter. The method includes deriving received symbols from first received data and second received data. The received symbols are converted to sets of soft coded bit estimates. The sets of soft coded bit estimates are combined to form a combined set of soft coded bit estimates. The combined set of soft coded bit estimates are decoded to form a set of soft information bit estimates. The set of soft information bit estimates are converted to form a set of binary bits. A determination is made whether the set of binary bits has been correctly or incorrectly decoded. Interference cancellation is performed on the received data, and the method is repeated until either the set of binary bits has been correctly decoded or a predefined maximum number of iterations is reached.

Abstract: Exterior wall systems, cladding for same and components of such systems, including an adjustable clip for use in mounting cladding and a thermal block comprising a silica aerogel material.

Abstract: A finds comparison tool is provided that includes a presentation tier providing a plurality of interfaces for interacting with a plurality of client applications. The presentation tier allows the client applications to send requests for a plurality of analytics to be performed regarding comparing the performance of one or more funds or portfolios as well allowing mobile-based client applications and web-based client applications to communicate with the funds comparison tool. An application tier processes the requests sent by the client applications by providing the data used by the client applications, storing and retrieving of session data, and an interface for the analytics information captured during sessions so as to allow a visualization of the analytics used in the comparison of the one or more funds or portfolios.

Abstract: Methods, servers, and devices for customizing a customizable book are disclosed. An example method includes providing an application on a device, and receiving from the device via the application a selection of a book from a plurality of books. The book includes a plurality of customizable fields. The method further includes receiving from the device via the application a selection of at least one customizable field in the plurality of customizable fields, for each of the at least one selected customizable fields, receiving from the device via the application a customization of the selected customizable field, and, based on the customization for each of the at least one selected customizable fields, customizing the book to produce a customized book. The customized book may be shared with one or more additional users and/or printed.

Abstract: A system configured to collect and disseminate measurements regarding a roadway condition. The numerical measurements may include pavement construction material temperature, material density, photographs, videos, location information (GPS, GIS, station and offset, etc.), timestamp, text, audio, calculated values, detected values (for example roadway ride quality based on calibrated mobile device internal accelerometer). The system may also disseminate information to the mobile devices with construction project/asset specific information. For example, information can include training or educational content on how to perform a specific measurement or procedure to properly acquire a data sample in the field. For example, the information sent to the mobile device can use real-time information such as device location to determine if the system user is near a point of interest where a particular data sample should be measured and recorded.

Abstract: An interactive electronic display of a plurality of inventory items across a distributed network has a database having information for each of a plurality of display items. A processor is configured to organize at least one electronic catalog of display items, said catalog being distributable across the distributed network such that at least one user computer with access to the network may access the catalog. Instructions may be received from the user and the catalog changed according to those instructions. Further changes in the catalog may be entered from the publisher in response to an editorial change entered by a user, according to preconfigured directions. The display of the catalog may be controlled by a user with a graphical user interface such that the user may toggle between different catalogs or different displays of a catalog, which may be a different layout or a different color.

Abstract: A finds comparison tool is provided that includes a presentation tier providing a plurality of interfaces for interacting with a plurality of client applications. The presentation tier allows the client applications to send requests for a plurality of analytics to be performed regarding comparing the performance of one or more funds or portfolios as well allowing mobile-based client applications and web-based client applications to communicate with the funds comparison tool. An application tier processes the requests sent by the client applications by providing the data used by the client applications, storing and retrieving of session data, and an interface for the analytics information captured during sessions so as to allow a visualization of the analytics used in the comparison of the one or more funds or portfolios.

Abstract: A magnetic signature minesweeping device comprising a water driven turbine power generator and a superconducting material magnet, wherein the turbine power generator is arranged, in use, to supply a driving current for the superconducting material magnet when the minesweeping device is towed through the water. In a further embodiment, a control unit is arranged, in use, to control the magnetic output of the superconducting magnet and the power output of the turbine power generator. Furthermore, a method of minesweeping using the device and an array of the devices is disclosed.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device comprises a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor, which suture is also fixed to a portion of soft tissue to be attached to a portion of bone. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: A suturing instrument and method for placing mattress stitches in soft tissues is described. An elongate shaft with a stationary jaw and a moveable jaw disposed at the distal end is coupled to a handle grip at the proximal end configured to manipulate the jaws into open and closed positions. The jaws are configured to allow for atraumatic grasping of soft tissues. The stationary jaw is comprised of a serrated face incorporating apertures through which needles attached to opposite ends of a single strand of suture material may be driven out into and through grasped tissue. The serrated upper jaw is configured with needle catch adapted to accept and capture the needles and suture. The handle is released to open the moveable jaw, the instrument may be withdrawn, trailing the suture, and leaving a mattress stitch in the grasped tissue.

Abstract: A magnetic signature minesweeping device comprising a water driven turbine power generator and a superconducting material magnet, wherein the turbine power generator is arranged, in use, to supply a driving current for the superconducting material magnet when the minesweeping device is towed through the water. In a further embodiment, a control unit is arranged, in use, to control the magnetic output of the superconducting magnet and the power output of the turbine power generator. Furthermore, a method of minesweeping using the device and an array of the devices is disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic signature minesweeping device (10) comprising a water driven turbine power generator (12) and a superconducting material magnet (14), wherein the turbine power generator is arranged, in use, to supply a driving current for the superconducting material magnet (14) when the minesweeping device is towed through the water. In a further embodiment a control unit (24) is arranged, in use, to control the magnetic output of the superconducting magnet (14) and the power output of the turbine power generator (12). Further more a method of minesweeping using the device (10), and an array of the devices (10) is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention allows for the use of chip-package co-design of RF transceivers and their components by using discrete active devices in conjunction with passive components. Two particular components are described, including voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) and low noise amplifiers (LNAs). The high quality passive components for use in the VCOs and LNAs may be obtained by the use of embedded passives in organic substrates. Further, the embedded passives may have multi-band characteristics, thereby allowing multi-band VCOs and LNAs to be implemented with fewer components. In situations where size is a concern, the active devices and passive components utilized in an RF transceiver may be implemented in a low form factor module of less than 1.1 mm thick according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: Methods, media, and devices for providing a package of assets are provided. In some embodiments, methods of distributing a package of assets to a portable device are provided, the methods comprising: identifying the portable device; identifying an asset that correspond to the portable device and the package of assets; and transferring the asset and a definition of assets that corresponds to the package of assets to the portable device. In some embodiments, methods of presenting a package of assets on a portable device are provided, the methods comprising: providing information for identifying the portable device; receiving an asset and a definition of assets, wherein the asset corresponds to the portable device; and presenting the asset according to the definition of assets.

Abstract: A device and method that encourages and develops the natural, instinctive foraging behavior in captive animals and birds. The device includes a container having an internal chamber or a recess and one or more openings or access points that allow a bird or small animal to access the chamber. At least one foraging material is disposed within the chamber. Food, treats, or toys for the bird or small animal may also be disposed in the chamber, adjacent or intermixed with the foraging material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide for high-performing inductor structures utilizing multi-layer organic stackups. In particular, these high-performing inductor structures may be formed of one or more stitched metal layer building blocks, which are each formed of at least two inductor sections that are vertically or horizontally aligned, and then stitched or connected together. This stitching process significantly reduces the DC/RF losses while reducing the inductance value by a substantially lower factor, thereby significant increasing the Q-factor of the resulting inductor structure. Each stitched metal layer building block may be formed on an organic dielectric layer (e.g., liquid crystalline polymer (LCP)) having a first conductive layer on a first surface and perhaps a second conductive layer on a second surface opposite the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voice user interface with personality. In one embodiment, a method includes executing a voice user interface, and controlling the voice user interface to provide the voice user interface with a personality. The method includes selecting a prompt based on various context situations, such as a previously selected prompt and the user's experience with using the voice user interface.

Abstract: A programmatic, online system and method by which individuals can plan an event that is to be attended by persons, enabling individuals to share event schedules, and provide information by which various other activities can be planned for the event.

Abstract: A method for training a spoken language identification system to identify an unknown language as one of a plurality of known candidate languages includes the process of creating a sound inventory comprising a plurality of sound tokens, the collective plurality of sound tokens provided from a subset of the known candidate languages. The method further includes providing a plurality of training samples, each training sample composed within one of the known candidate languages. Further included is the process of generating one or more training vectors from each training database, wherein each training vector is defined as a function of said plurality of sound tokens provided from said subset of the known candidate languages. The method further includes associating each training vector with the candidate language of the corresponding training sample.