Abstract: A MEMS transducer structure comprises a substrate comprising a cavity. A membrane layer is supported relative to the substrate to provide a flexible membrane. A peripheral edge of the cavity defines at least one perimeter region that is convex with reference to the center of the cavity. The peripheral edge of the cavity may further define at least one perimeter region that is concave with reference to the center of the cavity.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer, for instance a MEMS capacitive transducer, comprising: a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane comprising a conductive track; and a continuity testing circuit electrically connected to the conductive track. The conductive track may be electrically isolated from any further conductive regions of the flexible membrane. The continuity testing circuit is configured to test the continuity of the conductive track.

Abstract: The application describes a MEMS transducer comprising a substrate having a cavity. The transducer exhibits a membrane layer supported relative to the substrate to define a flexible membrane. An upper surface of the substrate comprises an overlap region between the edge of the cavity and a perimeter of the flexible membrane where the membrane overlies the upper surface of the substrate. At least one portion of the overlap region of the upper surface of the substrate is provided with a plurality of recesses. The recesses are defined so as to extend from the edge of the cavity towards the perimeter of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved.

Abstract: A device for allowing the puborectalis muscle to relax for easier fecal matter evacuation. The device differs from current units because it is a lightweight, portable unit that can collapse and be hidden away from view. The device has a nonslip foot rest that is adjustable based on differences in height of users. An unlocking mechanism enables a user to unlock the foot rests and fold them for easy storage.

Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducers comprising a flexible membrane layer supported in a fixed relation relative to a substrate along at least one supporting edge, wherein a plurality of slits are provided through the membrane layer. The slits define a plurality of beams. Each beam defines a path between first and second endpoints of the beam, the path comprising at least one change in direction. Also described are transducers wherein the membrane layer is supported in a fixed relation relative to the substrate along a plurality of supporting edges which define a membrane region that is substantially bounded by the supporting edges.

Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducer having a flexible membrane and which seeks to alleviate and/or redistribute stresses within the membrane layer. A membrane having a first/active region and a second/inactive region is described.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer structure comprises a substrate comprising a cavity. A membrane layer is supported relative to the substrate to provide a flexible membrane. A peripheral edge of the cavity defines at least one perimeter region that is convex with reference to the center of the cavity. The peripheral edge of the cavity may further define at least one perimeter region that is concave with reference to the center of the cavity.

Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducer having a flexible membrane and which seeks to alleviate and/or redistribute stresses within the membrane layer. A membrane having a first/active region and a second/inactive region is described.

Abstract: Examples include techniques for a write commands to one or more storage devices coupled with a host computing platform. In some examples, the write commands may be responsive to write requests from applications hosted or supported by the host computing platform. A tracking table is utilized by elements of the host computing platform and the one or more storage devices such that the write commands are completed by the one or more storage devices without a need for an interrupt response to elements of the host computing platform.

Abstract: A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates located on rail ties on a railroad track, includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track, at least one tie plate gripping assembly mounted to the frame, the assembly configured for grasping a selected tie plate at the front and rear edges between an adjacent one of the at least one raised rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie in the operational position upon which the plate was resting, each gripping assembly including a pair of opposing gripping jaws which are configured for controlled reciprocation in a direction parallel to the rails along a guide bar, the guide bar being slidable with the gripping jaws and the selected plate, relative to the frame.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.

Abstract: In one embodiment, dynamic host memory buffer allocation in accordance with the present description includes sensing a level of activity of a memory or storage and dynamically allocating a portion of a host memory as a buffer to the non-volatile memory, as a function of a sensed level of activity of the non-volatile memory. Such dynamic allocation of host memory buffers as a function of sensed levels of activity, can improve the efficiency of the allocation of memory resources and improve system performance. Other aspects are described herein.

Abstract: An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalization of the air volumes above and below the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides intravaginal drug delivery devices, such as intravaginal rings, comprising active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) having terminal alkene, alkyne or carbonyl functionalities. The devices of the invention exhibit increased recovery of the active pharmaceutical ingredient from platinum-catalyzed silicone polymers due to the optimization of drug particle size and cure conditions. The present invention also provides methods of preventing unintended pregnancy in a female human, methods of preventing unintended pregnancy in a female human and HIV infection in a female human, and methods of preparing intravaginal drug delivery devices.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.

Abstract: A controller maintains exposed and unexposed locations of a first storage device and a second storage device. In response to receiving a request a perform a write operation to write data in locations that span the first storage device and the second storage device, the controller atomically writes an entirety of the data in the unexposed locations of the first storage device.

Abstract: An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalization of the air volumes above and below the membrane.