Abstract: Methods and systems are described for reducing particulate contaminants on a clamping face of a clamping structure in a lithographic system. A substrate such as a cleaning reticle is pressed against the clamping face. A temperature differential is established between the substrate and the clamping face either before or after clamping occurs to facilitate transfer of particles from the clamping face to the substrate.

Abstract: A portable traffic signal system with multiple signal heads where a substantially horizontal telescopic arm is used to support multiple signal heads, where each additional remote stage is initially inclined with respect to an adjacent less remote stage and multiple traffic signal control boxes are held to a trailer using a “J” hook and a hole in a trailer floor, in combination with a hand crank jack.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical ophthalmic compositions are described, the compositions consisting essentially of a therapeutically effective quantity of an anti-bacterial agent (such as moxifloxacin), a therapeutically effective quantity of an anti-inflammatory agent (such as prednisolone), a combination of at least two solubilizing and suspending agents (of which one is a non-ionic polyoxyethlene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer), and a carrier. Methods for fabricating the compositions and using them are also described.

Abstract: A first playback device may include at least one battery, a network interface, at least one processor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The program instructions may be executable by the at least one processor such that the first playback device is configured to (i) receive an instruction to operate as a group coordinator of a synchrony group, (ii) determine a value of a battery state variable of the at least one battery, (iii) based on the value of the battery state variable of the at least one battery, select a second playback device from one or more other members of the synchrony group to operate as the group coordinator of the synchrony group, and (iv) cause the second playback device to operate as the group coordinator of the synchrony group.

Abstract: An imaging device may include single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). To mitigate crosstalk, isolation structures may be formed around each SPAD. The isolation structures may include front side deep trench isolation structures that extend partially or fully through a semiconductor substrate for the SPADs. The isolation structures may include a metal filler such as tungsten that absorbs photons. The isolation structures may include a p-type doped semiconductor liner to mitigate dark current. The isolation structures may include a buffer layer such as silicon dioxide that is interposed between the metal filler and the p-type doped semiconductor liner. The isolation structures may have a tapered portion or may be formed in two steps such that the isolation structures have different portions with different properties. An additional filler such as polysilicon or borophosphosilicate glass may be included in some of the isolation structures in addition to the metal filler.

Abstract: An induction-heating system includes a susceptor located proximate to a flight surface of an aircraft. The susceptor comprises an array of wires arranged along a first axis. The array of wires is constructed of a ferromagnetic material having a selected Curie temperature. The induction-heating system also includes an electrically conductive coil including a plurality of coil windings oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the first axis of the array of wires. The electrically conductive coil is configured to generate a magnetic field oriented substantially parallel with respect to the first axis of the array of wires. The electrically conductive coil is positioned to induce induction heating within the ferromagnetic material of the susceptor when the susceptor is below the selected Curie temperature.

Abstract: A measurement device, such as a power meter or power submeter, may comprise a frame disposed in a housing dividing an interior volume of the housing into a first volume and a second volume. An external power source is connected to the device in the first volume and the frame may serve as an insulative barrier between the first volume and an exterior it and the housing. The device may alternatively, or additional include, an user interface assembly that is configured to mounted in a same orientation regardless of an orientation of the device or housing of a device relative to the external power source.

Abstract: A communication device for multi-radio access technology (RAT) communications includes one or more processors and a plurality of transceivers. Each transceiver is configured to operate in at least one RAT of a plurality of RATs. The processors are configured to establish connection with a second communication device using a first transceiver of the plurality of transceivers and a first RAT of the plurality of RATs. A first data stream associated with a communication link connected to the second communication device and a third communication device is receive via a convergence function at the second communication device. The communication link uses a second RAT of the plurality of RATs. A code sequence is applied to a second data stream to generate an encoded second data stream, which is transmitted to the third communication device via a second communication link established based on information received via the first data stream.

Abstract: A method includes rendering, by at least one processor, a first sub-frame of an image, where the first sub-frame includes a first subset of pixels of the image. The method includes displaying the first sub-frame on a display. The method also includes rendering, by the at least one processor, a second sub-frame of the image, where the second sub-frame includes a second subset of pixels of the image, and where the second sub-frame is shifted a half-pixel diagonally from the first sub-frame. The method also includes displaying the second sub-frame on the display after displaying the first sub-frame, where the display is optically shifted a half-pixel diagonally to display the second sub-frame.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery including a system for performing minimally invasive procedures including a flexible catheter having a first lumen, a first flexible tube positioned in the first lumen, and a second flexible tube positioned in the first lumen. The first lumen defines a first space configured and dimensioned to receive an endoscope. The first flexible tube and second flexible tube are fixed at a proximal portion and configured to float within the first lumen of the catheter. First and second flexible guides are slidably positioned within the first and second flexible tubes and dimensioned to receive a first instrument for axial movement therein, the first and second flexible guides movable to an angled position with respect to a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system for treating cardiac arrhythmias comprising a generator including: a sensing circuitry configured to evaluate one or more identified signals representative of electrical activity of the heart and detect an arrhythmia, a control circuitry that is configured to control delivery of a therapy in response to the detected arrhythmia, the therapy including a first stage of electrical pulses delivered via at least a first electrode, wherein the first set of electrical pulses is configured to destabilize and/or terminate a reentry associated with the arrhythmia, and a first lead coupled to the generator, wherein the first lead includes the first electrode.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical ophthalmic compositions are described, the compositions consisting essentially of a therapeutically effective quantity of an anti-bacterial agent (such as moxifloxacin), a therapeutically effective quantity of an anti-inflammatory agent (such as prednisolone), a combination of at least two solubilizing and suspending agents (of which one is a non-ionic polyoxyethlene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer), and a carrier. Methods for fabricating the compositions and using them are also described.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising a rubber component and a polysaccharide, wherein the polysaccharide comprises i) poly alpha-1,3-glucan; ii) poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan; iii) water insoluble alpha-(1,3-glucan) polymer having 90% or greater ?-1,3-glycosidic linkages, less than 1% by weight of alpha-1,3,6-glycosidic branch points, and a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000; iv) dextran; v) a composition comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan ester compounds as disclosed herein; or vi) water-insoluble cellulose having a weight-average degree of polymerization (DPw) of about 10 to about 1000 and a cellulose II crystal structure. The compositions can be used in articles such as a tire, a belt, a seal, footwear, a coating, a film, or an adhesive.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a silicon chromium (SiCr) thin film resistor disposed on a first oxide layer. The SiCr thin film resistor has a resistor body and a resistor head. A second oxide layer overlays the SiCr thin film resistor. The second oxide layer has an opening exposing a surface of the resistor head. A metal pad is disposed in the opening in the second oxide layer and is contact with the surface of the resistor head exposed by the opening. Further, an interlevel dielectric layer is disposed on the second oxide layer overlaying the SiCr thin film resistor. A metal-filled via extends from a top surface of interlevel dielectric layer through the interlevel dielectric layer and contacts the metal pad disposed in the opening in the second oxide layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: One or more devices in a data analysis computing system may be configured to receive and analyze movement data, and determine driving trips associated driving data based on the received movement data. Movement data may be collected by one or more mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, and the like. One or more driving trips may be identified based on the movement data collected by the mobile devices, including acceleration data, speed data, and rotation rate data. After identifying a driving trip, the previously collected movement data and/or additional driving data may be analyzed to determine additional driving trip data, such as the driver, vehicle, and/or additional driving factors.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, there is provided an adaptive cooking device that includes: a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, an antenna assembly, an RF power source, a sensor assembly coupled to the cooking chamber and comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor configured to obtain a measurement characterizing a cooking process in real-time, and one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors configured to obtain a different type of the measurement, and a controller coupled to the antenna assembly, the sensor assembly, and the RF power source, wherein the controller is configured to: receive the measurement characterizing the cooking process from the sensor assembly, process the measurement to determine a modified cooking process, and operate the antenna assembly and the RF power source in accordance with the modified cooking process in real-time.

Abstract: Development of resists are useful, for example, to form a patterning mask in the context of high-resolution patterning. Development can be accomplished using a halide-containing chemistry such as a hydrogen halide. A metal-containing resist film may be deposited on a semiconductor substrate using a dry or wet deposition technique. The resist film may be an EUV-sensitive organo-metal oxide or organo-metal-containing thin film resist. After exposure, the photopatterned metal-containing resist is developed using wet or dry development.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating a respiratory disorder, m one aspect, include an apparatus that delivers backup breaths at a sustained timed backup rate that is a function of the patient's spontaneous respiratory rate. Other aspects include apparatus that delivers backup breaths at a rate that gradually increases from a spontaneous backup rate to a sustained timed backup rate or, alternatively, apparatus that oscillates a treatment pressure in antiphase with the patient's spontaneous respiratory efforts when a measure indicative of ventilation is greater than a threshold. Other aspects include apparatus configured to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration by computing the treatment pressure so as to bring a measure indicative of ventilation of the patient towards a target ventilation that is dependent on the measure indicative of ventilation or, alternatively, by periodically elevating the treatment pressure to a high level for a short time.

Abstract: A wireless detonation system having a dongle for removable connection with a computer system and for wirelessly communicating with and controlling one or more trigger devices and a trigger device for wirelessly communicating with the dongle. The dongle includes a dongle processor programmed to communicate with the computer system via the communication interface to operate the radio transceiver to wirelessly communicate with one or more trigger devices, a radio transceiver coupled to the dongle processor, a communication interface coupled to the dongle processor and one or more contact communication terminals in communication with the dongle processor.