Abstract: A polishing inhibiting layer forming additive for a slurry, the slurry so formed, and a method of chemical mechanical polishing are disclosed. The polishing inhibiting layer is formed through application of the slurry to the surface being polished and is removable at a critical polishing pressure. The polishing inhibiting layer allows recessed or low pattern density locations to be protected until a critical polishing pressure is exceeded based on geometric and planarity considerations, rather than slurry or polishing pad considerations. With the additive, polishing rate is non-linear relative to polishing pressure in a recessed/less pattern dense location. In one embodiment, the additive has a chemical structure: [CH3(CH2)xN(R)]M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: Cl, Br and I, x equals an integer between 2 and 24, and the R includes three carbon-based functional groups, each having less than eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping fluids, such as water and/or hydrocarbons, from a subterranean formation or reservoir, include a linear rod pump having a mechanical rack and pinion drive arrangement, adapted for attachment to a pumping mechanism, such as the polished rod at the top of a rod string in a hydrocarbon well. The rack gear, of the rack and pinion drive arrangement, is adapted for connection to, and movement with, the polished rod. The pinion gear does not translate with the rack gear, and is driven by a reversible motor for affecting up and down reciprocating motion of the rack gear and pumping mechanism. Some forms of the invention include a compressible gas counter-balance arrangement. Some forms of the invention include an electronic drive configured for dealing with electric power generated by the motor during a portion of the pumping cycle.

Abstract: Location-based services are provided in a communication system comprising at least a portion of at least one wireless network. In one aspect of the invention, mobile user devices that are candidates for a location-based service are identified and the identified mobile user devices are monitored to determine when one or more of said mobile user devices becomes currently active on a traffic channel of the wireless network. Location information is automatically obtained for the one or more mobile user devices that are currently active on the traffic channel, and delivery of at least one message to a given one of those mobile user devices is controlled based on the location information. Generation of location queries involving respective ones of the mobile user devices is thereby synchronized with the traffic channel activity of those devices.

Abstract: Location-based services are provided in a communication system comprising at least a portion of at least one wireless network. In one aspect of the invention, users associated with respective mobile user devices are separated into at least a first group of users of a first benefit class of a location-based service and a second group of users of a second benefit class of the location-based service. Location information is obtained for the mobile user devices, with the location information being obtained more frequently for the mobile user devices of users in the first group than for the mobile user devices of users in the second group. At least one message is controllably delivered to a given one of the mobile user devices based on the location information.

Abstract: Location-based services are provided in a communication system comprising at least a portion of at least one wireless network. In one aspect of the invention, particular ones of a plurality of mobile user devices associated with a wireless network are identified for which sufficient location-indicative information is available from which a general location of said devices can be inferred without performing actual location measurements for said devices. The delivery of location queries to the identified mobile user devices is prevented, such that a number of location queries required for provision of a given location-based service is reduced relative to a number of location queries which would otherwise be required without the delivery prevention.

Abstract: Location-based services are provided in a communication system comprising at least a portion of at least one wireless network. In one aspect of the invention, profile information is obtained for users associated with respective mobile user devices, and location information is obtained for the mobile user devices. At least one message is controllably delivered to a given one of the mobile user devices based on the location information and the profile information. The location information is obtained for respective ones of the mobile user devices responsive to location determinations initiated by those devices.

Abstract: Location-based services are provided in a communication system comprising at least a portion of at least one wireless network. In one aspect of the invention, mobile user devices that are located within a common geographic area are identified, and location-based service information is delivered to the identified mobile user devices over a broadcast channel shared by those mobile user devices. A response to the location-based service information maybe received from at least a given one of the mobile user devices, and at least one message maybe controllably delivered to the given one of the mobile user devices based on the response to the location-based service information.

Abstract: A fractionation system comprising means for forming a three dimensional optical lattice that is operable to separate particles that have different physical characteristics. Preferably, the wells of the optical lattice are interlinked. For example, the wells may be linked in such a manner as to provide deflection greater than or equal to 15 degrees.

Abstract: A composite door structure especially suitable for use as a door facing is provided. The structure comprises about 40 weight percent to about 80 weight percent thermoplastic polymer; up to about 30 weight percent glass fibers; and a filler selected from (a) about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent mineral filler and (b) about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent organic fibrous additive. A composite door comprising the door facing, and methods of making the same are also provided.

Abstract: An enzymatic electrochemical-based sensor includes a substrate and a conductive layer formed from a dried water-miscible conductive ink. The water-miscible conductive ink used to form the conductive layer includes a conductive material, an enzyme, a mediator, and a binding agent and is formulated such that the water-miscible conductive ink is a water-miscible aqueous-based dispersion and the binding agent became operatively water-insoluble upon drying.

Abstract: A water-miscible conductive ink for use in enzymatic electrochemical-based sensors includes a conductive material, an enzyme, a mediator and a binding agent. The conductive material, enzyme, mediator, and binding agent are formulated as a water-miscible aqueous-based dispersion wherein the binding agent becomes operatively water-insoluble upon drying.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a portion of an enzymatic electrochemical-based sensor includes applying a water-miscible conductive ink to a substrate of an enzymatic electrochemical-based sensor. The water-miscible conductive ink includes a conductive material, an enzyme, a mediator, and a binding agent (that becomes operatively water-insoluble upon drying) formulated as a water-miscible aqueous-based dispersion. The method further includes the drying the water-miscible conductive ink to form a conductive layer on the substrate that includes an operatively water-insoluble binding agent.

Abstract: A cable operated drum brake has an internal brake operating lever (12) provided with an quick-attach device (10) for an operating cable (11). A cable attachment tube (21) projects from a backplate (17) of the brake and the operating cable has a cable inner (13) with a latching formation (14) on the end thereof and a cable outer sleeve (15). An end portion of the operating cable is slideable towards (X) the backplate (17) within the tube (21) up to a first position at which further movement towards the backplate is stopped by contact between an abutment (26) on the tube and a cooperating abutment (31a) on the cable outer sleeve. When in the first position the latching formation (14) has moved passed the quick-attach device (10). The cable is then subsequently moveable away from the backplate (Y) within the tube to a second position in which the latching formation (14) on the cable inner is fully engaged with the quick-attach device (10).

Abstract: A polishing inhibiting layer forming additive for a slurry, the slurry so formed, and a method of chemical mechanical polishing are disclosed. The polishing inhibiting layer is formed through application of the slurry to the surface being polished and is removable at a critical polishing pressure. The polishing inhibiting layer allows recessed or low pattern density locations to be protected until a critical polishing pressure is exceeded based on geometric and planarity considerations, rather than slurry or polishing pad considerations. With the additive, polishing rate is non-linear relative to polishing pressure in a recessed/less pattern dense location. In one embodiment, the additive has a chemical structure: [CH3(CH2)xN(R)]M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: Cl, Br and I, x equals an integer between 2 and 24, and the R includes three carbon-based functional groups, each having less than eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an ultrasound system are provided. The method includes receiving scanning information from an ultrasound system, with the scanning information including at least one of image information and spectral information. The method further includes controlling power to a transducer of the ultrasound system based on the scanning information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system and method for an improved image acquisition rate in an ultrasound imaging system. The system includes an encoder for encoding an ultrasound signal with a code for transmission to form an encoded ultrasound signal, a transmitter for transmitting the encoded ultrasound signal, and a receiver for receiving an encoded echo signal produced based on the encoded ultrasound signal, wherein the receiver decodes the encoded echo signal to produce a decoded echo signal. The transmitter may include a transducer array for transmitting the encoded ultrasound signal. The receiver may include a separate transducer element or a dedicated transducer element of the transmitter transducer array. The system further includes a processor for determining a position of a scatterer based on a time of transmission of the encoded ultrasound signal, a time of reception of the encoded echo signal, and a strength of the encoded echo signal.

Abstract: A slurry containing abrasive particles, an oxidizing agent having a low static etch rate on at least one acid or salt metal, and having a pH of about 5 to about 11 is especially useful for polishing surfaces, including both metal and silicon dioxide, such as present in microelectronics, at the same or substantially the same polishing rates.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for delivering a drug to an individual. The microfluidic device includes a body that defines a reservoir for receiving the drug therein. A valve interconnects the reservoir to an output needle that is insertable into the skin of an individual. A pressure source urges the drug from the reservoir toward the needle. The valve is movable between a closed position preventing the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle and an open position allowing for the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle in response to a predetermined condition in the physiological fluids of the individual.

Abstract: A method for preparing a semiconductor material for formation of a silicide layer on selected areas thereupon is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes removing at least one of a nitride and an oxynitride film from the selected areas, removing metallic particles from the selected areas, removing surface particles from the selected areas, removing organics from the selected areas, and removing an oxide layer from the selected areas.

Abstract: A method for preparing a semiconductor material for the formation of a silicide layer on selected areas thereupon is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes removing at least one of a nitride and an oxynitride film from the selected areas, removing metallic particles from the selected areas, removing surface particles from the selected areas, removing organics from the selected areas, and removing an oxide layer from the selected areas.