Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition of a participant using visual emphasis. One or more scenes are provided and are available for visual presentation to the participant, each scene having a background and at least one foreground object. A scene is visually presented to the participant with a specified visual emphasis that enhances visual distinction of the at least one foreground object with respect to the background, where the foreground object(s) and/or the background are modified or selected to achieve the specified visual emphasis. The participant is required to respond to the scene, and a determination made as to whether the participant responded correctly. The visual emphasis may be modified based on whether or not the participant responded correctly a specified number of times. The presenting, requiring, and determining (and possibly the modifying) are repeated in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for event distribution and routing in peer-to-peer overlay networks. A method is provided for event distribution and routing in a peer-to-peer overlay network that comprises a plurality of nodes. The method includes identifying a plurality of buckets on the overlay network, wherein each bucket includes one or more nodes, respectively, identifying bucket groups, wherein each bucket group includes a selected number of buckets, respectively, distributing events based on the bucket groups, and updating a routing table based on the events. A node includes a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to identify a plurality of buckets on the overlay network, wherein each bucket includes one or more nodes, respectively, identify bucket groups, wherein each bucket group includes a selected number of buckets, respectively, distribute events based on the bucket groups, and update a routing table based on the events.

Abstract: A method holds wafers that contain patterned structures using a particle blasting tool. Next, the method directs particles at the patterned structures, such that the particles contact the patterned structures with a predetermined velocity and remove the patterned structures. This process of directing the particles at the wafer is controlled to stop directing the particles when substantially all of the patterned structures are removed from the wafer. This process also comprises selecting the particles to have a size equal to or less than 3 microns. For example, the particles can comprise aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, cerium, and/or a plastic. By maintaining the particle size equal to 3 microns or less, the blasting produces a substantially smooth wafer surface, thereby omitting the need for subsequent wafer polishing. Further, the wafers produced by such processing do not exhibit the highly stress lattice and fragile nature of wafers processed by wet processing.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition of a participant. A first target image of a set of target images is visually presented for a specified presentation time at a first location in a visual field that includes multiple peripheral locations, each at least a specified distance from the first location. Substantially simultaneously, a first peripheral location in the visual field is visually indicated for the presentation time, after which the visually presenting and indicating are ceased. Candidate target images with a specified discriminability are visually presented, including the first target image. The participant is required to select the target image from among the candidates. If the participant correctly selected the first target image, the participant is required to select the first peripheral location from the multiple peripheral locations. The presentation time is adaptively modified based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's selections.

Abstract: A chair with articulable support sections and an integrated lift system may have support sections mechanically linked such that a single actuation control device may articulate multiple sections. The chair includes configurable accessories directed to the comfort of an occupant of the chair. The support sections may include air cells to adjust firmness of support section surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for proxying of devices and services using overlay networks. A method for operating a proxy includes obtaining meta-data associated with at least one of a device and a service, generating a searchable index of the meta-data, and publishing the searchable index on the overlay network as at least one of a distributed index and a centralized index. Another method includes receiving a request from a device or a service using a non overlay protocol to receive at least one of data and services from the overlay network, searching an index of meta-data on the overlay network based on the request, identifying a node associated with the at least one of data and services based on the index, establishing a direct connection with the node, and obtaining the at least one of data and services using the direct connection.

Abstract: A patterned portion of a patterned semiconductor substrate is removed by abrasive mechanical planarization employing an abrasive pad but without employing any slurry. Preferably, water is supplied to enhance the removal rate during the mechanical planarization. The removal rate of material is substantially independent for common materials employed in back-end-of-line (BEOL) semiconductor materials, which enables non-selective removal of the material containing metallization structures. The removal rate of silicon is lower than the removal rate for the BEOL semiconductor materials, enabling a self-stopping planarization process.

Abstract: A chair with articulable support sections and an integrated lift system may have support sections mechanically linked such that a single actuation control device may articulate multiple sections. The chair includes configurable accessories directed to the comfort of an occupant of the chair. The support sections may include air cells to adjust firmness of support section surfaces.

Abstract: System and method for improving tactile sensitivity and precision/accuracy of motor control of the hand of a subject. A joystick is configured to provide commands to a computing device. The joystick includes a base, shaft, and a textured surface with a specified level of bumpiness. A computer-implemented exercise is executed, including presenting stimuli, including at least one target, to the subject via a computer display. The subject is required to respond to the stimuli via the joystick within a specified duration, including using the joystick to move a cursor to the target, and, upon reaching the target, disengage from the joystick. The subject's response to the stimuli is recorded, and a determination made regarding whether the subject responded correctly. The duration is modified based on whether the subject responded correctly to the stimuli. The presenting, requiring, recording, determining, and modifying are repeated a plurality of times in an iterative manner.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing a participant's cognition, including, e.g., visual memory, utilizing a computing device to present visual stimuli for training, and to record responses from the participant. Multiple graphical elements are provided for visual presentation to the participant. A temporal sequence of a plurality of the graphical elements is visually presented, including displaying each graphical element in the sequence at a respective location in a visual field for a specified duration, then ceasing to display the graphical element. The presented graphical elements include at least two matching graphical elements. The participant is required to respond to the presented sequence, including indicating locations of matching graphical elements. A determination is made as to whether the participant responded correctly, and the duration modified based on the determining.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for improving cognition. Multiple first and second stimulus elements are provided, where some of the second elements correspond to the first elements. A sequence of first stimulus elements is presented, each element presented for a duration separated by an interval. After a specified delay period, equal to the duration plus the interval, times a non-integer factor N, a sequence of groups of second elements is presented concurrently with the sequence of first elements, where each group includes a matching second element that matches a corresponding first element presented earlier by the specified delay period, i.e., presented N first elements back. For each presented group, the participant indicates the matching second element, or a second element in the group that doesn't match. The delay period is modified based on whether the participant responded correctly. The presenting, presenting, requiring, determining, and modifying are repeated in an iterative manner.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing a participant's cognition, including, e.g., visual memory, utilizing a computing device to present visual stimuli for training, and to record responses from the participant. Multiple graphical elements are provided for visual presentation to the participant. A temporal sequence of a plurality of the graphical elements is visually presented, including displaying each graphical element in the sequence at a respective location in a visual field for a specified duration, then ceasing to display the graphical element. The presented graphical elements include at least two matching graphical elements. The participant is required to respond to the presented sequence, including indicating locations of matching graphical elements. A determination is made as to whether the participant responded correctly, and the duration modified based on the determining.

Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine is set up by first identifying combinations of compression ratio and exhaust gas percentages for each speed and load across the engines operating range. These identified ratios and exhaust gas percentages can then be converted into geometric compression ratio controller settings and exhaust gas recirculation rate controller settings that are mapped against speed and load, and made available to the electronic engine controller. This provides the engine controller with a look up table of what compression ratio and exhaust gas rates should be at each speed and load. The engine controller also balances at least one of combustion phasing and energy release among a plurality of cylinders in order to enable higher load operation.

Abstract: A multi cylinder homogeneous charge compression ignition engine includes actuators and an engine controller configured to reduce variations in combustion phasing and/or combustion energy release among the different engine cylinders. By sensing both the phasing and magnitude of the combustion energy release, the engine controller generates control signals to combustion phase controllers and combustion energy release controllers for the engine cylinders. The control signals may be different from one another to reduce variations across the group of engine cylinders. A combustion energy release controller may be a direct injection fuel injector, and the combustion phase controller may be a variable intake valve actuator. Reducing variations in these aspects of the combustion events, allows the engine to operate at higher speeds and loads.

Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine is set up by first identifying combinations of compression ratio and exhaust gas percentages for each speed and load across the engines operating range. These identified ratios and exhaust gas percentages can then be converted into geometric compression ratio controller settings and exhaust gas recirculation rate controller settings that are mapped against speed and load, and made available to the electronic engine controller. This provides the engine controller with a look up table of what compression ratio and exhaust gas rates should be at each speed and load. The engine controller also balances at least one of combustion phasing and energy release among a plurality of cylinders in order to enable higher load operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method of removing patterned circuit structures from the surface of a semiconductor wafer. The method embodiments comprise blasting the surface of the semiconductor wafer with particles so as to remove substantially all of the patterned circuit structures. The blasting process is followed by one or more grinding, polishing and/or cleaning processes to remove any remaining circuit structures, to remove any lattice damage and/or to achieve a desired smoothness across the surface of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method holds wafers that contain patterned structures using a particle blasting tool. Next, the method directs particles at the patterned structures, such that the particles contact the patterned structures with a predetermined velocity and remove the patterned structures. This process of directing the particles at the wafer is controlled to stop directing the particles when substantially all of the patterned structures are removed from the wafer. This process also comprises selecting the particles to have a size equal to or less than 3 microns. For example, the particles can comprise aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, cerium, and/or a plastic. By maintaining the particle size equal to 3 microns or less, the blasting produces a substantially smooth wafer surface, thereby omitting the need for subsequent wafer polishing. Further, the wafers produced by such processing do not exhibit the highly stress lattice and fragile nature of wafers processed by wet processing.

Abstract: A homogenous charge compression ignition engine is operated by compressing a charge mixture of air, exhaust and fuel in a combustion chamber to an autoignition condition of the fuel. The engine may facilitate a transition from a first combination of speed and load to a second combination of speed and load by changing the charge mixture and compression ratio. This may be accomplished in a consecutive engine cycle by adjusting both a fuel injector control signal and a variable valve control signal away from a nominal variable valve control signal. Thereafter in one or more subsequent engine cycles, more sluggish adjustments are made to at least one of a geometric compression ratio control signal and an exhaust gas recirculation control signal to allow the variable valve control signal to be readjusted back toward its nominal variable valve control signal setting.

Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine operates by injecting liquid fuel directly in a combustion chamber, and mixing the fuel with recirculated exhaust and fresh air through an auto ignition condition of the fuel. The engine includes at least one turbocharger for extracting energy from the engine exhaust and using that energy to boost intake pressure of recirculated exhaust gas and fresh air. Elevated proportions of exhaust gas recirculated to the engine are attained by throttling the fresh air inlet supply. These elevated exhaust gas recirculation rates allow the HCCI engine to be operated at higher speeds and loads rendering the HCCI engine a more viable alternative to a conventional diesel engine.