Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and packaged RF amplifier devices each include a transistor with a drain-source capacitance that is relatively low, an input impedance matching circuit, and an input-side harmonic termination circuit. The input impedance matching circuit includes a harmonic termination circuit, which in turn includes a first inductance (a first plurality of bondwires) and a first capacitance coupled in series between the transistor output and a ground reference node. The input impedance matching circuit also includes a second inductance (a second plurality of bondwires), a third inductance (a third plurality of bondwires), and a second capacitance coupled in a T-match configuration between the input lead and the transistor input. The first and second capacitances may be metal-insulator-metal capacitors in an integrated passive device.

Abstract: A system for controlled motion of circuit components to create reconfigurable circuits comprising: a support; a substrate operatively associated with the support; actuators operatively associated with the support configured to physically move circuit components and to move the circuit components into physical and electrical contact with the substrate; the substrate comprising at least one conductive segment arranged to electrically connect circuit components when electrical contacts of circuit components are placed in contact with at least one conductive segment; and control circuitry configured to control the first and second actuators to thereby position the circuit components relative to the substrate; whereby circuit function is determined by the selection of circuit components and the location and orientation of circuit components relative to the substrate and conductive segments to create a reconfigurable circuit.

Abstract: A system may include a radio frequency (RF) amplifier device that includes an input impedance matching network and first and second baseband decoupling circuits, which may remove intermodulation distortion products from signal energy input to the RF amplifier device at baseband frequencies. The input impedance matching network may act as a band-pass or low-pass filter. A gate bias voltage may be applied to the gate of a transistor in the RF amplifier device through one of the baseband decoupling circuits or, alternatively, at an input node of the RF amplifier device.

Abstract: A system for controlled motion of circuit components to create reconfigurable circuits comprising: a support; a substrate operatively associated with the support; actuators operatively associated with the support configured to physically move circuit components and to move the circuit components into physical and electrical contact with the substrate; the substrate comprising at least one conductive segment arranged to electrically connect circuit components when electrical contacts of circuit components are placed in contact with at least one conductive segment; and control circuitry configured to control the first and second actuators to thereby position the circuit components relative to the substrate; whereby circuit function is determined by the selection of circuit components and the location and orientation of circuit components relative to the substrate and conductive segments to create a reconfigurable circuit.

Abstract: A downlight fixture includes an optic housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) array, and a lens-less reflector. The LED array emits directional light rays in a downward direction towards an illuminated target. The reflector is mounted within the optic housing and adjacent to the LED array. The reflector has a hyperbolic wall continuously extending between a narrow neck and a wide bell. The light rays are spread into a light beam within the reflector upon making contact solely with the hyperbolic wall.

Abstract: A system for controlled motion of circuit components to create reconfigurable circuits comprising: a support; a substrate operatively associated with the support; actuators operatively associated with the support configured to physically move circuit components and to move the circuit components into physical and electrical contact with the substrate; the substrate comprising at least one conductive segment arranged to electrically connect circuit components when electrical contacts of circuit components are placed in contact with at least one conductive segment; and control circuitry configured to control the first and second actuators to thereby position the circuit components relative to the substrate; whereby circuit function is determined by the selection of circuit components and the location and orientation of circuit components relative to the substrate and conductive segments to create a reconfigurable circuit.

Abstract: A monitoring system is configured to manage lumen depreciation in a lighting fixture and includes an optic housing, a light source with a light-emitting diode (LED), a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that cause the monitoring system to measure elapsed time during which the LED light source emits the light and, based on the elapsed time, determine a current level of the emitted light. In response to the current level changing from an acceptable level to an unacceptable level, an alert is provided to show that the emitted light has reached the unacceptable level. A reset input is received to remove the alert for a predetermined period of time. Changes in status of the LED light source are indicated.

Abstract: A monitoring system is configured to manage lumen depreciation in a lighting fixture and includes an optic housing, a light source with a light-emitting diode (LED), a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that cause the monitoring system to measure elapsed time during which the LED light source emits the light and, based on the elapsed time, determine a current level of the emitted light. In response to the current level changing from an acceptable level to an unacceptable level, an alert is provided to show that the emitted light has reached the unacceptable level. A reset input is received to remove the alert for a predetermined period of time. Changes in status of the LED light source are indicated.

Abstract: A downlight fixture includes an optic housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) array, and a lens-less reflector. The LED array emits directional light rays in a downward direction towards an illuminated target. The reflector is mounted within the optic housing and adjacent to the LED array. The reflector has a hyperbolic wall continuously extending between a narrow neck and a wide bell. The light rays are spread into a light beam within the reflector upon making contact solely with the hyperbolic wall.

Abstract: A method of evaluating customers is provided. The method is used for customers of two or more divisions of a business. The method involves collecting information indicative of the customer's influence on division performance metrics of several divisions of a business, where the division performance metrics each influence a business performance metric of the business. After it is collected, the information is electronically stored. The method includes the step of periodically calculating a customer division profit indicator for each of the divisions based on the information. The method also includes the step of periodically calculating a customer business profit indicator based on the customer division profit indicators, where the customer business profit indicator indicates a net influence of the customer on profits of the business. One or more of the customer division profit indicators and the customer business profit indicator are transmitted for display on a display device.

Abstract: Co-fabricating of vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuators that achieve large positive and negative displacements through operating electric fields in excess of the coercive field includes forming a large negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator, forming a bottom structural dielectric layer above a substrate layer; forming a bottom electrode layer above the structural dielectric layer; forming an active piezoelectric layer above the bottom electrode layer; forming a top electrode layer above the active piezoelectric layer; forming a top structural layer above the top electrode layer, wherein the x-y neutral plane of the negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator is above the mid-plane of the active piezoelectric layer, wherein the negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator is partially released from the substrate to allow free motion of the actuator; and combining the large negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator and a large positive displaceme

Abstract: A piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuator includes a silicon substrate; an actuator beam comprising a first end region connected to the silicon substrate and a second end region connected to a mechanically compliant spring assembly; a first electrode over the silicon substrate; a piezoelectric layer above the first electrode; a second electrode over the piezoelectric layer; a conductive top structural layer above the second electrode, wherein a center half of the actuator beam is configured as a positive deflection region, and wherein both the first electrode and the second electrode supply voltage to both positive and negative deflection regions of the actuator beam.

Abstract: A piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuator includes a silicon substrate; an actuator beam comprising a first end region connected to the silicon substrate and a second end region connected to a mechanically compliant spring assembly; a first electrode over the silicon substrate; a piezoelectric layer above the first electrode; a second electrode over the piezoelectric layer; a conductive top structural layer above the second electrode, wherein a center half of the actuator beam is configured as a positive deflection region, and wherein both the first electrode and the second electrode supply voltage to both positive and negative deflection regions of the actuator beam.

Abstract: Co-fabricating of vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuators that achieve large positive and negative displacements through operating electric fields in excess of the coercive field includes forming a large negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator, forming a bottom structural dielectric layer above a substrate layer; forming a bottom electrode layer above the structural dielectric layer; forming an active piezoelectric layer above the bottom electrode layer; forming a top electrode layer above the active piezoelectric layer; forming a top structural layer above the top electrode layer, wherein the x-y neutral plane of the negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator is above the mid-plane of the active piezoelectric layer, wherein the negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator is partially released from the substrate to allow free motion of the actuator; and combining the large negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator and a large positive displaceme

Abstract: Certain pump dispensers, for example foam dispensers, are specially adapted for inverted use. One feature especially useful in a foam dispenser having both an air cylinder and a liquid cylinder with respective pistons is an intake conduit arrangement to increase the clearance of liquid from the container. An intermediate shell fits over the upright liquid cylinder body and carries an inlet valve positively urged upward to the closed position to prevent leaking. A conduit shell fits over the intermediate shell and creates an intake conduit extending down the side of the liquid cylinder to an intake opening lower down the pump body.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new muscle ring finger (MURF) proteins designate MURF-1, MURF-2 and MURF-3. The genes encoding these MURFs also are provided. MURFs interact with microtubules and thus play a role in cytoskeletal function, mitosis and cell growth. Thus, the uses of MURFs in diagnosis, treatment and drug screening, in particular relation to cardiomyopathies, are described.

Abstract: An airless dispenser pump assembly includes a pump mechanism with an inlet valve that is configured to efficiently pump viscous fluids and that is able to be pre-primed when the pump mechanism is attached to a container. In one form, the inlet valve includes a seal member that seals an inlet port of the pump and an outer support member that secures the inlet valve to the rest of the pump mechanism. Two or more legs generally extend in a circumferential direction between the support member and the seal member in order to create a large flow opening for fluid flow through the inlet valve when opened and to rapidly close the inlet valve. The pump mechanism further includes an outlet valve that is configured to draw fluid back from a nozzle of the pump after dispensing in order to minimize build up around the nozzle.

Abstract: An airless dispenser pump assembly includes a pump mechanism with an inlet valve that is configured to efficiently pump viscous fluids and that is able to be pre-primed when the pump mechanism is attached to a container. In one form, the inlet valve includes a seal member that seals an inlet port of the pump and an outer support member that secures the inlet valve to the rest of the pump mechanism. Two or more legs generally extend in a circumferential direction between the support member and the seal member in order to create a large flow opening for fluid flow through the inlet valve when opened and to rapidly close the inlet valve. The pump mechanism further includes an outlet valve that is configured to draw fluid back from a nozzle of the pump after dispensing in order to minimize build up around the nozzle.