Abstract: Improved compositions comprising a mixture of particulate bone growth material and polymeric carrier are provided. The particulate is preferably porous, resorbable, anorganic bone material. The polymeric carrier can be light-cured to form a cross-linked, biodegradable hydrogel. In one version, the bone growth material is a synthetic peptide bound to anorganic bone matrix particles and the carrier is methacrylated sodium hyaluronate (MHy) or methacrylated hydroxyethylcellulose (MHEC). The composition is particularly suitable for repairing defective dental and orthopedic bone tissue. The particulate and hydrogel carrier are biodegradable so the composition can be replaced by new bone formation over time.

Abstract: A learning kit having a literary component that includes at least one story, wherein the story has described therein a problem; an experimental component wherein the problem posed in the story is quantitatively and/or qualitatively analyzed using experimental hardware and procedures provided in the kit; and a means for verifying successful completion of the experiments wherein successful completion of the experiments is required in order to progress the story. In one embodiment, the means for verifying successful completion of the experiments is a written letter or document that that is opened after the experiments are completed to verify the results. The letter or other printed document includes printed matter to progress the story. In another embodiment the means for verifying successful completion of the experiments is digitally recorded media recorded on digital media such as a compact disk, DVD or a remotely accessible computer.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling data transfer speed of bus transactions. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising analyzing of a characteristic a first bus transaction that has yet to be applied to a bus, setting a first data transfer speed across the bus based on the characteristic of the first bus transaction, and sending the first bus transaction across the bus at the first data transfer speed.

Abstract: A device recognition system comprises an identification module of a computer device configured to generate an impedance signature for an external device using an impedance of the external device measured at least two different stimuli, the impedance signature used to identify the external device.

Abstract: Improved compositions comprising a mixture of particulate bone growth material and polymeric carrier are provided. The particulate is preferably porous, resorbable, anorganic bone material. The polymeric carrier can be light-cured to form a cross-linked, biodegradable hydrogel. In one version, the bone growth material is a synthetic peptide bound to anorganic bone matrix particles and the carrier is methacrylated sodium hyaluronate (MHy) or methacrylated hydroxyethylcellulose (MHEC). The composition is particularly suitable for repairing defective dental and orthopedic bone tissue. The particulate and hydrogel carrier are biodegradable so the composition can be replaced by new bone formation over time.

Abstract: A power management system comprises a electronic device couplable to a power adapter. The electronic device is adapted to determine a power rating of the power adapter via an identifier associated with the power adapter and adjust at least one power-consuming activity of the electronic device based on the determined power rating.

Abstract: A system comprises an optical energy producing structure that produces non-visible light and an electrical device comprising a solar cell that faces the structure when the electrical device rests on the structure. The solar cell converts non-visible light from the structure to electrical energy for use by the electrical device. The structure comprises a cover that is substantially transparent to the non-visible light, but is substantially opaque to visible light. The electrical device receives the non-visible light through the cover.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a refresh rate of volatile memory are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a radio frequency (RF) device; a computing device that communicates with the RF device, the computing device including a refresh manager that monitors activities of the RF device; and volatile memory that communicates with the refresh manager of the computing device, wherein the refresh manager determines a refresh rate of the volatile memory based on the monitored activities of the RF device. A representative method, among others, for determining the refresh rate of volatile memory, includes monitoring activities of a radio frequency (RF) device; and adjusting a refresh rate of volatile memory based on the monitored activities of the RF device.

Abstract: A system for reducing noise induced from a chassis is described. The system comprises a signal processing engine, a first microphone connected to a chassis and communicatively coupled to the signal processing engine, a dampener connected to the chassis, and a second microphone connected to the dampener and communicatively coupled to the signal processing engine.

Abstract: A battery pack for thermal conduction of heat from a battery cell to a portable computer system is described. The battery pack comprises a housing, a battery cell within the housing, at least one electrode, and a thermal transfer contact separate from the at least one electrode. The thermal transfer extends through the housing and transfers heat from the battery cell to external of the battery pack.

Abstract: A method for coating a medical device with a bioactive peptide comprising: providing a medical device to be coated with a bioactive peptide to a cylinder; attaching a syringe containing a bioactive peptide coating solution; introducing into the cylinder the bioactive peptide coating solution when the first valve of the connector and the second valve of the connector are open; incubating the medical device within the cylinder with the bioactive peptide coating solution; removing the bioactive peptide coating solution from the cylinder after the medical device is coated with the bioactive peptide.

Abstract: A computer measures a processor load and configures itself so that a lesser amount of speculative execution is enabled when the processor is lightly loaded than is enabled when the processor is heavily loaded.

Abstract: A paint striper has a main body having a head portion, an interior cavity, and a slot in fluid communication between the head portion and the interior cavity. The slot is configured for receiving a wheel, and the interior cavity is configured for receiving paint. A wheel is rotatably mounted in the slot with a portion of the wheel extending into the interior cavity. A shoulder extends from the main body, and a guide extends from the shoulder for following a guide track formed in a strip positioned on a surface of the vehicle, wherein the track is substantially parallel to the desired position of the pinstripe. The strip is secured in position on the surface of the vehicle using adhesive which permits removal of the strip from the surface of the vehicle without leaving a residue, and re-use of the strip on a surface of another vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling data transfer speed and power consumption of a bus. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising determining that a bus should operate at a modified power consumption mode for a particular set of data, modifying power consumption by modifying a data transfer rate without changing the clock frequency of the bus, and transferring the data at the modified power consumption mode.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling data transfer speed of bus transactions. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising analyzing of a characteristic a first bus transaction that has yet to be applied to a bus, setting a first data transfer speed across the bus based on the characteristic of the first bus transaction, and sending the first bus transaction across the bus at the first data transfer speed.

Abstract: A device recognition system comprises an identification module of a computer device configured to generate an impedance signature for an external device using an impedance of the external device measured at least two different stimuli, the impedance signature used to identify the external device.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce power consumption in a portable computer system while allowing the CDROM drive to continue playing audio CDs. When the system enters a suspend mode, the status of the CDROM drive is checked, and if it is playing an audio CD, it remains powered, otherwise power to the CDROM drive, is also suspended. The system recognizes when the audio CD is finished playing and then places the CDROM drive into the suspend mode.

Abstract: A power management system comprises a electronic device couplable to a power adapter. The electronic device is adapted to determine a power rating of the power adapter via an identifier associated with the power adapter and adjust at least one power-consuming activity of the electronic device based on the determined power rating.

Abstract: An electronic device automatically detects whether an SPDIF receiver or an HDMI display is electrically connected with the electronic device and favors an external digital audio connection, when available. In some embodiments, an analog audio output is automatically muted, when a digital audio connection is detected. In other embodiments, the electronic device automatically configures its digital and analog audio outputs in accordance with a set of predetermined user preferences, when a digital audio connection is detected.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a notebook computer is configured to facilitate connection of the device with an audiovisual system such as a home theater system by the inclusion of an output port (a DIN connector having at least five electrical contacts) that outputs S-Video-compatible video, digital audio, and, in some embodiments, composite video.