Abstract: A patient support surface comprises a cover defining an interior region, a modifiable support layer situated in the interior region and having at least one air bladder, and a sensor layer situated in the interior region and having at least one sensor configured to detect a physiological parameter of a patient atop the patient support surface.

Abstract: Primers and probes derived from SARS-CoV nucleic acid that facilitate detection and/or quantification of the replicase gene are disclosed. The disclosed sequences may be used in a variety of amplification and non-amplification formats for detection of SARS-CoV infection.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic material consisting essentially of a composition of Formula 1 xATiO3(1?x)NdzRe(1?z)AlO3 ??(1) doped with 0.005% to 5% of a dopant selected from the group consisting of: cerium oxide, manganese oxide and mixtures thereof; wherein A may be selected from the group consisting of: Ca, Sr, Mg and mixtures thereof; Re may be selected from a group consisting of La, Sm, Pr, Dy, Er, Gd, Y and mixtures thereof; wherein z is from 0.95 to 0.995; and wherein x is a positive number less than 1.

Abstract: A printer with a chassis, a hinge and a paper cover assembly. The chassis may have a printing head and a notch. The hinge may have an axis, and may be coupled with the chassis such that the rotational axis of the hinge is laterally movable. The paper cover assembly may be coupled with the hinge, and may be rotatable about the hinge. The paper cover assembly may have a roller and a handle. The roller may have an axis, and when the paper cover assembly is closed, the axis of the roller may be within the notch. The handle may be configured to move a cam mechanism, and when the paper cover assembly is closed and the mechanism is moved, the mechanism may act against the chassis causing the axis of the hinge to laterally move, thereby causing the axis of the roller to move out of the notch.

Abstract: A bandage has a first sheet overlying a wound and located adjacent to it and a top sheet overlying the first sheet. The first sheet has a plurality of discrete passageways overlying the wound and adapted to communicate negative pressure established by a negative pressure source to the wound.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing multiple video sources are described. Video data for a first channel may be displayed and buffered, while video data for a second channel that is not being displayed or recorded is also being buffered. The second channel may be a previous display channel and/or a predicted future channel.

Abstract: An advantageous system, apparatus, and method for publishing and subscribing to viewer supplied suggestions for programming are provided allowing for personalized suggestions from individual sources. Advantageously, the present invention allows for the automated recording of favorite programming of friends, family, coworkers, peers, and select others.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing a semiconductor material using optical metrology are disclosed. In one respect, a electromagnetic radiation source may be directed in a direction substantially parallel to patterns on a semiconductor material. A polarized spectroscopic reflectivity may be obtained, and a critical point data may be determined. Using the critical point data, physical dimensions of the patterns may be determined. In other respects, using optical metrology techniques, a critical point data relating to electron mobility may be determined.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides a variety of systems and methods for configuring and/or providing a configurable point-of-sale system. Various methods of the present invention include providing a point-of-sale device and coupling it to a communication network. One or more transaction systems are accessible to the point-of-sale device via the transaction network, instructions are loaded to the memory of the point-of-sale device allowing it to access the transaction system. Various systems include a plurality of point-of-sale devices communicably coupled to various transaction systems via a communication network. The point-of-sale devices can be configurable to access one or more of the various transaction systems.

Abstract: Transaction card assemblies, systems and methods of making are provided. One such assembly includes a card carrier having a card integrally formed within. The card peripherally engages the card carrier and is adapted to be removed from the card carrier. An encodable strip is disposed on the card. The strip has first and second encodable tracks. The first encodable track is positioned to be read by a point-of-sale device when the card is engaged with the card carrier, and the second encodable track is positioned to be read by the point-of-sale device after the card is separated from the carrier. In this manner, the card can be read using the same point-of-sale device whether or not the card has been separated from the carrier.

Abstract: Methods for determining parameters of a semiconductor material, in particular non-classical substrates such as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates, strained silicon-on-insulator (sSOI) substrates, silicon-germanium-on-insulator (GOI) substrates, and strained silicon-germanium-on-insulator (sGeOI) substrates. The method provides steps for transforming data corresponding to the semiconductor material from real space to reciprocal space. The critical points are isolated in the reciprocal state and corresponding critical energies of the critical points are determined. The difference between the critical energies may be used to determine a thickness of a layer of the semiconductor material, in particular, a quantum confined layer.

Abstract: Methods for determining parameters of a semiconductor material, for example, non-classical substrates such as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates, strained silicon-on-insulator (sSOI) substrates, silicon-germanium-on-insulator (GeOI) substrates, and strained silicon-germanium-on-insulator (sGeOI) substrates are described. The method provides steps for transforming data corresponding to the semiconductor material from real space to reciprocal space. The critical points are isolated in the reciprocal state and corresponding critical energies of the critical points are determined. The difference between the critical energies may be used to determine a thickness of a layer of the semiconductor material, in particular, a quantum confined layer.

Abstract: A cosmetic bandage (1) and method for its manufacture for external application to a wound, injury, blemish or other disfigurement of the human skin to help facilitate healing and for providing cosmetic benefits. The bandage (1) preferably includes a transparent backing layer (2) and an adhesive layer (5) applied to the first side (10) of the backing layer (2). An absorbent pad (3) is attached to a portion of the first side (10) of the backing layer (2). The topside (20) of the absorbent pad (3) is visible through the transparent backing layer (2). The top side (20) of the absorbent pad (3) is coated or embedded with one or more nontoxic pigment compositions which are derma or skin matching, having a melanin likeness in appearance so as to substantially match human skin tones and colors. A method for manufacturing a cosmetic bandage (1) is useful in the external application.

Abstract: A process of forming a structure by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming includes forming a pack from at least one skin sheet and at least one core sheet, placing the pack in a mould and heating it. A gas is injected between the skin sheet and the core sheet to urge the skin sheet against an internal face of the mould, thereby forming a cavity. Gas is also injected on the other side of the core sheet to urge it against the skin sheet, and gas pressure is maintained on said side of the core sheet thereby forming a diffusion bond between the skin sheet and the core sheet. Helium gas is used to maintain a regulated pressure of helium in the cavity between the skin sheet and the core sheet, which allows such gas trapped between the skin sheet and the core sheet to diffuse through the core sheet.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides a variety of systems and methods for configuring and/or providing a configurable point-of-sale system. Various methods of the present invention include providing a point-of-sale device and coupling it to a communication network. One or more transaction systems are accessible to the point-of-sale device via the transaction network, instructions are loaded to the memory of the point-of-sale device allowing it to access the transaction system. Various systems include a plurality of point-of-sale devices communicably coupled to various transaction systems via a communication network. The point-of-sale devices can be configurable to access one or more of the various transaction systems.

Abstract: Transaction card assemblies, systems and methods of making are provided. One such assembly includes a card carrier having a card integrally formed within. The card peripherally engages the card carrier and is adapted to be removed from the card carrier. An encodable strip is disposed on the card. The strip has first and second encodable tracks. The first encodable track is positioned to be read by a point-of-sale device when the card is engaged with the card carrier, and the second encodable track is positioned to be read by the point-of-sale device after the card is separated from the carrier. In this manner, the card can be read using the same point-of-sale device whether or not the card has been separated from the carrier.

Abstract: Transaction card assemblies, systems and methods of making are provided. One such assembly includes a card carrier having a card integrally formed within. The card peripherally engages the card carrier and is adapted to be removed from the card carrier. An encodable strip is disposed on the card. The strip has first and second encodable tracks. The first encodable track is positioned to be read by a point-of-sale device when the card is engaged with the card carrier, and the second encodable track is positioned to be read by the point-of-sale device after the card is separated from the carrier. In this manner, the card can be read using the same point-of-sale device whether or not the card has been separated from the carrier.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing and reporting institutional investments provides a single platform for daily investment accounting, compliance, performance, and risk reports for investment portfolios held at single or multiple custody/safekeeping locations. The method involves retrieving transaction data from multiple independent financial institutions and storing it in a database in a standardized format and retrieving security data from one or more security information service providers and storing it in the database. The method further involves applying a uniform set of customized accounting, compliance, risk and performance parameters to the transaction data and security data stored in the database and, in response to a user request, calculating and reporting selected data to the user in accordance with the uniform accounting, compliance, risk and performance parameters.

Abstract: The instant invention provides microspheres and related processes and pharmaceutical compositions useful in the controlled delivery of a wide variety of active ingredients. In one embodiment, the microspheres comprise an active ingredient dispersed within a polymeric composition comprising a first pH insensitive hydrophobic polymer and second pH sensitive hydrophobic polymer, wherein the microspheres, in an aqueous environment having a pH of around 5 or greater, release the active ingredient in a substantially zero-order profile. In another embodiment, the microspheres comprise an active ingredient dispersed within a polymeric composition comprising a first pH insensitive hydrophobic polymer and second water-swellable polymer, wherein the microspheres, in an aqueous environment, release the active ingredient in a substantially zero-order profile. In both of these embodiments, the microspheres are prepared by a non-aqueous emulsion solvent evaporation method.

Abstract: Ornamentations for wheel assemblies that are rotatably mounted on the hub assemblies of the wheel assemblies and configured to produce a variety of visual and/or audible effects. The ornamentations develop a spinning motion as the wheels rotate and remain spinning for a period of time after the rotation of the wheels is stopped. The ornamentations are generally disc shaped and can include light and/or sound generating elements. The ornamentations can be used in conjunction with spoked wheels such as bicycle wheels.