Abstract: A computer-implemented technique is described herein for customizing user experience on a per-user basis. In some implementations, the technique involves: collecting feedback information from a user pertaining to the user's interaction with a program feature; determining a modification to be made to the program feature based on the feedback information; making the modification; notifying the user of the modification; and receiving the user's post-modification assessment of the modification. The technique enables a program provider to quickly modify program features in an automated manner, with no (or reduced) effort by human developers, and at consequent reduced cost. In addition, the technique improves the users' experience with the program features since the program modifications are tailored to each user's preferences.

Abstract: A method of treating a metallic surface comprising a copper alloy, such as phosphor bronze, whereby the metallic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 ?m produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 HZ onto the metallic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated metallic surface comprising microgrooves with Cu3N present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated metallic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the metallic surface prior to the ablating.

Abstract: A method of treating a metallic surface comprising a copper alloy, such as phosphor bronze, whereby the metallic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 ?m produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 HZ onto the metallic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated metallic surface comprising microgrooves with Cu3N present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated metallic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the metallic surface prior to the ablating.

Abstract: A method of treating a ceramic surface containing zirconia, whereby the ceramic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 ?m produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 Hz onto the ceramic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated ceramic surface comprising microgrooves with ZrN present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated ceramic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the ceramic surface prior to the ablating.

Abstract: A method of treating a ceramic surface containing zirconia, whereby the ceramic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 ?m produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 Hz onto the ceramic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated ceramic surface comprising microgrooves with ZrN present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated ceramic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the ceramic surface prior to the ablating.

Abstract: A method of treating a ceramic surface containing zirconia, whereby the ceramic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 ?m produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 Hz onto the ceramic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated ceramic surface comprising microgrooves with ZrN present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated ceramic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the ceramic surface prior to the ablating.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique is described herein for customizing user experience on a per-user basis. In some implementations, the technique involves: collecting feedback information from a user pertaining to the user's interaction with a program feature; determining a modification to be made to the program feature based on the feedback information; making the modification; notifying the user of the modification; and receiving the user's post-modification assessment of the modification. The technique enables a program provider to quickly modify program features in an automated manner, with no (or reduced) effort by human developers, and at consequent reduced cost. In addition, the technique improves the users' experience with the program features since the program modifications are tailored to each user's preferences.

Abstract: A method of treating a metallic surface comprising a copper alloy, such as phosphor bronze, whereby the metallic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 ?m produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 HZ onto the metallic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated metallic surface comprising microgrooves with Cu3N present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated metallic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the metallic surface prior to the ablating.

Abstract: A method of laser treating a zirconia surface can include surface texturing zirconia using a combination of ablation and melting. The method includes forming a carbon film on the zirconia surface and laser treating the carbon-coated zirconia surface. The carbon film can include titanium carbide (TiC) and boron carbide (B4C), for example. The carbon film can include titanium carbide (TiC) and boron carbide (B4C) in equal proportions. The carbon-coated surface can then be scanned with a nitrogen gas-assisted CO2 laser beam to form a laser-treated surface. The laser-treated surface can include ZrN compounds. The present method can enhance the surface properties of zirconia and improve the structural integrity of zirconia.

Abstract: The method of laser treating an alumina surface includes applying a coating of a phenolic resin including particles of titanium carbide (TiC) and boron carbide (B4C) to an alumina (Al2O3) surface to form a resin-coated alumina surface, heating the resin-coated alumina surface to form a carbon-coated alumina surface, and scanning the carbon-coated alumina surface a nitrogen gas-assisted CO2 laser beam to form a laser-treated surface. The particles of titanium carbide (TiC) and boron carbide (B4C) each have a diameter of about 350 nm.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing a lens view associated with a map canvas. The map canvas may depict an area comprising one or more locations associated with imagery of such locations (e.g., a map of a shopping district may comprise a toy store associated with imagery of the toy store). Accordingly, the map canvas may be populated with a lens view depicting a location within the map canvas (e.g., depicting imagery of the toy store). A correspondence between a lens heading of the lens view and a map heading of the map canvas may be maintained. For example, responsive to rotation of the map canvas changing a current map heading of the map canvas to a rotated map heading, a current lens heading of the lens view maybe modified to a rotated lens heading corresponding to the rotated map heading.

Abstract: Transferring data between devices utilizing state data. The devices may include a writer device and a reader device, each coupled to a common bus. A host device may create a transfer session between the devices. Each of the host device, the writer device, and the reader device may maintain state data of the transfer session. The host device may notify at least one of the reader device or the writer device of a state change from a disabled state to an enabled state. After enabling, data may be transferred directly between the writer device and the reader device without involving the host device. Finally, the host device may notify at least one of the reader device or the writer device of a state change from the enabled state to the disabled state. After disabling, the direct transfer of data between the writer device and the reader device may be stopped.

Abstract: Methods and a device for improving wound healing and for improving the effects of rehabilitative therapies in patients with cognitive and motor deficits are provided. Repeated regimens of remote ischemic conditioning are performed. Markers of ischemia are monitored in the tissue. The remote ischemic conditioning regimen may be adjusted based on the monitoring results. The remote ischemic conditioning regimen can be performed at a hospital, medical clinic, healthcare facility, or at a subject's home.

Abstract: Data representing application deployment attributes, network topology, and network performance attributes based on a reduced set of element attributes is utilized to simulate application deployment. The data may be received from a user directly, a program that models a network topology or application behavior, and a wizard that implies the data based on an interview process. The simulation may be based on application deployment attributes including application traffic pattern, application message sizes, network topology, and network performance attributes. The element attributes may be determined from a lookup table of element operating characteristics that may contain element maximum and minimum boundary operating values utilized to interpolate other operating conditions.

Abstract: Methods for ischemic conditioning treatments of a chronic medical condition are provided. Baseline disease-related parameters of a patient with a chronic medical condition are measured. Ischemia is induced in the patient by occluding and releasing arterial flow in one or more extremities of the patient. Post-ischemia parameters in the patient are measured. The baseline and post-ischemia parameters are compared to provide an assessment of an ischemic conditioning treatment of a chronic medical condition. The repeated, scheduled delivery of ischemic conditioning provides a beneficial, therapeutic effect on the chronic medical condition. Also provided is a device for pulse oximetry during periods of absent or low pulsatile blood flow including an artificial pulse generator as well as the use of said device in assessment of ischemic conditioning.

Abstract: A mobile programmable device and method providing aural, visual or mechanical stimulus in a program for facilitating weight loss or maintenance. The device may be a mobile phone programmed with a downloadable mobile application. The application program may be modified as a result of user behavior or responses to the application. Thus the application can provide a personalized aid in weight loss control. The application may also provide a link for the user to live coaching assistance, support text messaging or email.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of cardiovascular health status in a given individual are provided. The comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular health includes at least two components: risk factor assessment based on epidemiologic studies and functional status of the individual. Structural studies of the individual can also be included in the comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular health. The invention aims to improve detection, treatment, devices, and administration of cardiovascular risk assessment.

Abstract: Methods for ischemic conditioning treatments of a chronic medical condition are provided. Baseline disease-related parameters of a patient with a chronic medical condition are measured. Ischemia is induced in the patient by occluding and releasing arterial flow in one or more extremities of the patient. Post-ischemia parameters in the patient are measured. The baseline and post-ischemia parameters are compared to provide an assessment of an ischemic conditioning treatment of a chronic medical condition. The repeated, scheduled delivery of ischemic conditioning provides a beneficial, therapeutic effect on the chronic medical condition. Also provided is a device for pulse oximetry during periods of absent or low pulsatile blood flow including an artificial pulse generator as well as the use of said device in assessment of ischemic conditioning.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches non-invasive, inexpensive and reproducible tests that provide improved measurement of risk assessment by measurement of the following parameters of a subject. The disclosure includes intima-media thickness, augmentation index, arterial wall elasticity, central arterial pressure, electrocardiogram impedance, cardiograph blood pressure measurement, ankle-brachial index, 3D (three dimensional) plaque volume, vessel wall volume, and diameter waveform pattern characterization. Further, the disclosure teaches that satisfactory measurement of risk assessment may be achieved by conducting any four of the aforementioned tests.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to automated and subject operated medical diagnostic equipment that may be remotely monitored by trained medical personnel. The diagnostic equipment may be installed in publicly accessible locations such as airports or hotels. The diagnostic equipment may be located in a subject's home. The diagnostic equipment may be utilized by a subject as prompted by the diagnostic equipment. The prompts may be communicated audibly or by text. The text may be communicated using display screens. The display screens may be touch screens allowing the subject to answer audible or text questions. The diagnostic equipment may include a key pad either as a separate component or as part of a display screen. The subject may also respond verbally. The diagnostic equipment will be in communication with a computer processor containing software allowing the equipment to respond to subject verbal input including questions.