Abstract: Provided are mycobacteria deleted in at least a portion of a region 3 ESAT-6-like gene cluster. Also provided are mycobacteria comprising a mutation in an roc-1 gene. Additionally, vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are provided. Further provided are methods of making a recombinant mycobacterium, methods of inducing an immune response in a mammal, methods of inhibiting IL-12 production in a mammal, and methods of stimulating IL-12 production in a mammal. Vaccine adjuvants are also provided, as are methods of inducing immunity to a target antigen in a mammal.

Abstract: A computer system detects that it is coupled to a pedestal having a cooling fan. The computer system signals the cooling fan of the pedestal to operate, and signals cooling fans within the computer system to operate at lower rotational speeds having lower acoustic levels.

Abstract: A baffle is provided proximate an array of fans used to cool electronic components. The baffle may assume different orientations with respect to the array of fans.

Abstract: Provided are mycobacteria deleted in at least a portion of a region 3 ESAT-6-like gene cluster. Also provided are mycobacteria comprising a mutation in an roc-1 gene. Additionally, vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are provided. Further provided are methods of making a recombinant mycobacterium, methods of inducing an immune response in a mammal, methods of inhibiting IL-12 production in a mammal, and methods of stimulating IL-12 production in a mammal. Vaccine adjuvants are also provided, as are methods of inducing immunity to a target antigen in a mammal.

Abstract: A baffle is provided proximate an array of fans used to cool electronic components. The baffle may assume different orientations with respect to the array of fans.

Abstract: A pixel element for an image sensor comprising, a photodiode and a reset transistor coupled to an input node, wherein said reset transistor is a PMOSFET coupled between said input node and the supply voltage, and wherein said pixel further comprises parallel complementary signal paths.

Abstract: A computer system detects that it is coupled to a pedestal having a cooling fan. The computer system signals the cooling fan of the pedestal to operate, and signals cooling fans within the computer system to operate at lower rotational speeds having lower acoustic levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to an overhead coaxial-type transmission system. The system includes a coaxial-type conductor, a support structure adapted to support the coaxial-type conductor at a pre-determined elevation above the ground, and a conductor support extending downwardly from the horizontal support such that the coaxial-type conductor is secured thereto. The support structure includes a vertical support secured in the ground and a horizontal support secured to and extending outwardly from the vertical support.

Abstract: A method of releasing units in a production facility includes forming a release plan for a production facility that establishes a number of units to be operated on by a production process, and creating a least one recipe bucket having an associated number of units. The method further requires evaluating production process throughput parameters, and comparing the number of units associated with the at least one recipe bucket with the number of units to be operated on by the production process and production process throughput parameters. If the number of units in the recipe bucket matches the number of units to be operated on by the production process and production process throughput parameters, recipe bucket is released to the production process, else the at least one recipe bucket is delayed from being released to the production process.

Abstract: A frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator is disclosed, which facilitates a switching regulator to use smaller-size inductive and capacitive elements, to have an improved power efficiency at light load, as well as predictable spectrum at different load levels. The improved modulator automatically determines the switching frequency of a switching regulator according to the load current delivered by the switching regulator from a number of pre-defined frequencies, which are all multiples of a fundamental frequency. By designing the maximum switching frequency of frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator in the MHz range, a switching regulator is able to use smaller-size inductive and capacitive elements. Light-load efficiency of the switching regulator with the frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator is also greatly improved as switching frequency of such switching regulator is reduced with decreased load current.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the linearity of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a digital waveform generator that generates a digital sequence associated with a desired analog waveform and a pseudo-random noise component that provides a pulse shaped band limited pseudo-random noise sequence. The system further includes a combiner configured to combine the digital sequence and the pulse shaped band limited pseudo-random noise sequence and provide the combined sequence to the DAC.

Abstract: A higher voltage switching circuit based on a standard process limits the lowest applied voltage to an intermediate voltage between the higher voltage and ground, instead of ground. In this way, the maximum electric field across the gate dielectric is greatly reduced. In additional the use of p-type triple well also reduces junction breakdown in some embodiments. This concept is also valid in the case where the high voltage is negative, in which case the intermediate voltage is also negative.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the linearity of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a digital waveform generator that generates a digital sequence associated with a desired analog waveform and a pseudo-random noise component that provides a pulse shaped band limited pseudo-random noise sequence. The system further includes a combiner configured to combine the digital sequence and the pulse shaped band limited pseudo-random noise sequence and provide the combined sequence to the DAC.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing an oral care benefit by combining the use of an oral carc composition with an electric toothbrush having an electrically powered element disposed thereon. In particular methods are described for using an electric toothbrush comprising a light emitting element, with oral care compositions to provide tooth whitening and stain removal.

Abstract: A dual-powered timepiece for independently displaying time information and driving one or more other timepiece functions comprises a case comprising a case interior and a case opening substantially defined by a periphery of a first side of the case. The timepiece further includes an analog movement comprising a first timing device within the case interior, where the analog movement drives the display of time information in hours and minutes. Also, the timepiece may comprise a lever escapement mechanism comprising a second timing device within the case interior. This level escapement mechanism is substantially independent from the analog watch movement and drives at least one timepiece function.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and packaging feature for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a positionable member accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. The actuator assembly further includes a spring member retained within the interior of the toothbrush body which urges a cam member against the underside of the positionable member. The positionable member defines an aperture extending through its midsection within which is disposed a depressible member. The depressible member has an outer end which is also accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. Upon pressing the depressible member, the cam member and spring are urged against an electrical circuit provided within the body of the toothbrush which is used to selectively operate a motor and drive mechanism to move one or more sets of bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle, a neck attached to the handle, and a head attached to the neck. The head has a bristle holder having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The toothbrush further includes a light emitting element disposed in the bristle holder, wherein the light emitting element is capable of providing light having wavelengths between about 390 nm to about 770 nm and having a radiometric power of between about 5 mW/cm2 to about 200 mW/cm2.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle, a neck attached to the handle, and a head attached to the neck. The toothbrush also has a bristle holder and a light emitting element. The bristle holder has a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The light emitting element is disposed in the bristle holder and is capable of providing light having wavelengths between about 370 nm to about 770 nm and having an FDRT of greater than about 30 mW/cm2 with a detector distance of greater than about 0.55 cm and a detector aperture area of less than about 3.14 cm2.