Abstract: A micromachined microphone is formed from a silicon or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. A fixed sensing electrode for the microphone is formed from a top silicon layer of the wafer. Various polysilicon microphone structures are formed above a front side of the top silicon layer by depositing at least one oxide layer, forming the structures, and then removing a portion of the oxide underlying the structures from a back side of the top silicon layer through trenches formed through the top silicon layer. The trenches allow sound waves to reach the diaphragm from the back side of the top silicon layer. In an SOI wafer, a cavity is formed through a bottom silicon layer and an intermediate oxide layer to expose the trenches for both removing the oxide and allowing the sound waves to reach the diaphragm. An inertial sensor may be formed on the same wafer, with various inertial sensor structures formed at substantially the same time and using substantially the same processes as corresponding microphone structures.

Abstract: An automated (robotic) floor cleaner (100) is adapted to allow sterile cleaning of sensitive environments, such as hospital room. In particular, the floor-cleaner chassis (124) is redesigned to be mounted on a deck (102) containing cleaning devices that contact the floor. The cleaning devices mounted on the deck (102) include vacuum head (132), brushes (120), cleaning fluid sprays (128), and conceivably sanitizing devices such as UV germicidal light, are provided pre-sterilized. As such, the adapted floor-cleaner chassis (124) allows the deck (102) to be mounted to the bottom of the chassis (124), the floor-cleaner (100) is then used to clean a floor, after which, the deck (102) is removed from the chassis (124) and disposed. The robotic-floor cleaner (100) and sterilization system cleans floor between or even during cases. Further, the robotic floor cleaner (100) reduces the “turnover time” required between cases, as it operates simultaneously while the staff prepares the room for the next case.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a marine article of the invention includes a phosphorescent phosphor. A particularly advantageous phosphorescent phosphor comprises MAl2O4. As used herein, “M” is at least one cation selected from a group consisting of calcium, strontium, and barium. The phosphor comprises 0.001% to 10% of a europium activator, and 0.001% to 10% of at least one dopant selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, tin and bismuth as a co-activator, in terms of mol % relative to the metal element expressed by M. The phosphorescent marine article has an afterglow corresponding to a luminance of at least 0.3 mCd/m2 for at least 420 minutes.

Abstract: An insufflating surgical instrument adapted for movement across an abdominal wall to insufflate an abdominal region of a patient is disclosed comprising a shaft having an insufflation channel adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure at the proximal end, a tip at the distal end of the shaft, and at least one vent hole formed at the tip or the shaft being in connection with the insufflation channel and being adapted to expel the fluid under pressure to insufflate the abdominal region. At least one of the tip and the shaft is translucent or transparent to facilitate visualization of the abdominal region. The shaft includes a lumen extending along the axis between the proximal end and the distal end to enable insertion of a laparoscope. The lumen and insufflation channel may be formed as separate channels or as one shared channel.

Abstract: A method and system for providing targeted advertisements over a networked media delivery system, especially interactive television networks, the system comprising tracking and storing viewer selections, analyzing the selections, and delivering targeted advertisements that appeal to the particular subscriber making the selections, the system including a merge processor, a file server, a profile processor, and a broadcast server contained in a head end in communication with a plurality of set-top boxes through a distribution network. Based on a subscriber's viewing habits and account information, the present invention delivers different, customized advertisements to different viewers watching the same program or channel. The present invention delivers the advertisements as either still frame bit maps or as video streams advertisement insertion in a playlist or a broadcast media program.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone has a backplate and a movable diaphragm that together form a variable capacitance. The backplate has a backplate surface and, in a corresponding manner, the diaphragm has a diaphragm surface that faces the backplate surface. At least one of the backplate surface and the diaphragm surface has at least a portion with a Hurst exponent that is less than or equal to about 0.5.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a hidden-refresh rate for dynamic memory cells includes monitoring a control signal from a processor and performing a hidden-refresh of dynamic data at a first refresh rate when the control signal is asserted. The dynamic data is refreshed at a second refresh rate when the control signal is deasserted for a predetermined duration. A hidden-refresh controller couples to an array of dynamic memory cells during a hidden-refresh of the array of dynamic memory cells. The hidden-refresh controller is further configured to monitor a control signal identifying a request from a processor at a memory device and refresh the dynamic data at a first refresh rate when the control signal is asserted. The hidden-refresh controller is further configured to refresh the dynamic data at a second refresh rate when the control signal is deasserted for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of rendering a print job comprises determining that a last page of a print job comprises insignificant text or no text. Modifying the print job in response to this determination is then performed, which can include deleting the last page, displaying a user interface for presenting options for implementing the step of modifying the print job, or reducing a margin of the text on the last page of the print job.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device for displaying the estimated drying time of an applied layer of a coating composition that is based on the input of several process variables that can include temperature, humidity, film build, air velocity, altitude, the type of coating composition or a combination thereof. The disclosed device provides an input for one or more of the process variables, a network or algorithm for computing the estimated drying time based on the input process variables, and an output device for displaying the estimated drying time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment planning are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating eye disease. In one embodiment, the method can comprise administering a bioconjugate to a subject to treat the eye disease, where the bioconjugate comprises a taxane covalently bonded to a cobalamin. Additionally, the bioconjugate can be dissolved in an aqueous solution prior to administration.

Abstract: An extractor cleaning machine includes a base or foot having a distribution nozzle and a suction nozzle. A suction source fluidly communicates with the suction nozzle, and a distributor fluidly communicates with the distribution nozzle. The distributor delivers cleaning fluid to the distribution nozzle and has first and second non-zero operating speeds. A first manually operable actuator associated with the distributor changes the distributor from the first operating speed to the second operating speed. The distributor also includes a third non-zero operating speed, and a second manually operable actuator associated with the distributor changes the distributor from the second operating speed to the third operating speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to produce a poly(alpha-olefin)(alpha, internally unsaturated, nonconjugated olefin) comprising: contacting at least one renewable feedstream with at least one lower olefin in the presence of a metathesis catalyst, wherein a mixture of at least one C4 to C40 linear alpha-olefin and at least one alpha, internally unsaturated, nonconjugated olefin is produced; and contacting the mixture with a metallocene catalyst system, wherein a poly(alpha-olefin)(alpha, internally unsaturated, nonconjugated olefin) is produced.

Abstract: A travel management system is configured to facilitate the resolution of issues related to transaction posted to a transaction account. The travel management system provides a communication portal that allows a transaction account owner to communicate efficiently with a transaction account provider and a travel service provider or other merchant to quickly resolve issue related to particular transactions. The system allows payment deadlines for transactions with associated issues to be suspended while the issues are resolved. Moreover, the system allows user and transaction account providers to evaluate the issue resolution performance of travel service providers and other merchants.

Abstract: A multilayer, heat-shrinkable film generally includes at least one bulk layer and a microlayer section comprising a plurality of microlayers. The ratio of the thickness of any of the microlayers to the thickness of the bulk layer ranges from about 1:2 to about 1:40.

Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.

Abstract: Brassieres are provided which provide enhanced levels of comfort and support to the wearer. In one aspect, the invention provides a brassiere comprising an elastic material and damping arrangement, wherein the damping arrangement is arranged so as to dampen movements of a strap of cup caused by movement of a breast. In another aspect there is provided a brassiere having a strap and cup arrangement which is configured to distribute the breast load. Also provided is a brassiere for constraining movement of a wearer's breasts during wear, wherein said brassiere is configured such that movement of one breast caused by movement of the wearer is restrained by a remaining breast.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for regenerative selective catalytic reduction including a catalyst chamber that contains a catalyst for reducing NOX in a gas stream passing therethrough. The system also includes a reactant injector, first and second heat exchangers, and a valve manifold adapted to direct a substantially continuous gas stream through the heat exchangers and catalyst chamber in such a manner as to flow through the catalyst chamber in the same flow direction during each cycle of the system. The invention also provides a process of regenerative selective catalytic reduction wherein the gas stream through the catalyst chamber flows in the same flow direction during each cycle of the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized Fc variants, methods for their generation, and antibodies and Fc fusions comprising optimized Fc variants.