Abstract: A method of manufacturing a preform, the method including positioning at least one glass tube in a glass outer cladding to form a preform precursor, the glass tube comprising a first open end and a second open end, forming a preform from the preform precursor, and thermally treating at least one of the preform precursor and the preform. The thermally treating including sealing the first open end and the second open end of the glass tube to form a closed tube and heating and/or cooling the glass tube to manipulate gas pressure within the closed glass tube.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for empirical analysis of remaining life in electromechanical devices. Sensors are positioned to generate signals representing sound energy emitted by devices, and digital sound data are stored corresponding thereto. The system classifies sound characteristics and their corresponding impact on wear rate over time via recurring analysis of the stored sound data. For a selected device, a wear state is estimated based on a comparison of current sound energy emitted therefrom with respect to sound data for a comparable group of electromechanical devices, and it may be ascertained whether certain classified sound characteristics are present in digital sound data corresponding to the selected electromechanical device. Output signals are selectively generated based on the estimated wear state and/or classified sound characteristics ascertained to be present, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNA constructs, and particularly, although not exclusively, to mRNA constructs and saRNA replicons and to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding such RNA constructs. The invention extends to the use of such RNA constructs in therapy, for example in treating diseases and/or in vaccine delivery. The invention extends to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such RNA constructs, and methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a channel extending across a portion of the sole. The channel may be recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole and have a depth of recession from the adjacent surfaces of the sole. The channel may have a cross-sectional profile that is asymmetric with a front wall and a rear wall where the front wall is longer than the rear wall. The channel may also have a center thickness that is different than a thickness at the heel and toe sides.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for unlocking in-game content for a video game application. In one embodiment, the video game application may be operated by a user that is concurrently viewing media content. The video game application captures an audio signal from the concurrently-playing media content, performs content recognition on the captured audio signal, and determines whether to unlock one or more portions of in-game content based on the identified media content.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball where the face has multiple thickness regions. The face has a center region, an upper region, a lower region, a toe region, and a heel region. The upper and lower regions have a ramped thickness extending from a center region to an upper and lower edge of the face. The heel and toe regions have a constant face thickness and have a thickness less than the other regions. Additionally, the club head body has a flange where the face is welded to the club head body. The flange has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the heel and toe regions of the face.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: An implant is insertable in the joint space to separate bones of the joint. The implant has two endplates each configured to engage a separate articulating bone of the joint, and a threaded member positioned between the two endplates and configured to increase the space between the two endplates when the threaded member is rotated. A rotatable gear is engaged with the threaded member, and is engageable with a rotating gear of a connected implantation tool, so that rotation of the gear on the tool causes rotation of the threaded member and expansion of the implant to separate the bones. Connector portions on the tool and the implant may be rotated together to securely engage the implant and the tool so that the gears of the tool and the implant can be rotated using an actuator outside of the body, when the implant is inside the body.

Abstract: A carrier includes a body and a cover portion. The body has a generally circular bottom portion and a generally circular top portion and an opening in the top portion. The bottom portion is configured to be placed on a surface. The opening is the only opening sized and configured to enable an animal to enter or exit the body and enables an animal to enter or exit the body in a vertical manner when the bottom portion is placed on the surface. The cover portion is sized and configured to fit within the opening of the top portion. The cover portion is hingedly attached to the top portion at a first side and includes a latching mechanism at a second side. The latching mechanism enables the cover to be disposed in a latched state to close the opening in the top portion.

Abstract: An odor reducing device for a cat litterbox includes a housing and a fastener. The housing has a front sidewall and a rear sidewall. The front and rear sidewalls together defines a top opening that opens to an interior of the housing. The fastener is attached to the housing and is configured to support the housing on the litterbox.

Abstract: A pet food feeder includes a base, a hopper, a bowl and a food dispensing mechanism. The hopper holds foodstuffs. The hopper is detachably supported to the base. The bowl for receives foodstuffs from the hopper via the base. The food dispensing mechanism is supported to the base. The food dispensing mechanism is rotatable with respect to the base to dispense foodstuffs from the hopper to the bowl in predetermined increments.

Abstract: A water dispenser includes a bottle support area, a bowl and a channel. The bottle support area has a nozzle receiving portion defined by a circular sidewall that is configured to abut a nozzle of a water bottle. The bowl is fluidly connected to the bottle support area. The channel has a pair of first and second sidewalls extending from the nozzle receiving portion to the bowl to fluidly connect the nozzle receiving portion and the bowl. The channel has a maximum diameter that is less than a maximum diameter of the nozzle receiving portion. The channel further includes a pair of first and second protrusions extending from the first and second sidewalls of the channel towards each other. The first and second protrusions define a minimum diameter of the channel.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: A rotating grooming brush comprising a brush hub having grooming elements and shroud elements, and method for grooming a surface having an unwanted material thereon. The elements extend from the brush hub and may be positioned near its outer periphery. The elements may be grooming elements forming an array and shroud elements forming a shroud array. A rigid or elastomeric shroud extending from the brush hub surface may optionally be included about the edge of the brush hub, to the outside of the grooming elements. Rotation of the grooming attachment brush causes a low pressure region to build in the central area of the brush. This low pressure region creates a resulting force that forcefully attracts the grooming attachment brush to the surface to be groomed. The resulting force is controlled by the diameter of the brush hub, arrangement, of the elements and the speed of rotation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument enables dispensing of a series of fasteners within a patient's body. The device includes a magazine sized and dimensioned to hold a series of fasteners, the series of fasteners insertable through an opening at the end of the magazine. A splined guide bore is rotatably supported within the magazine, and slidingly supports a shaft having an external surface mateable with the splined guide bore to restrict radial rotation of the shaft with respect to the support about said longitudinal axis. A biasing element is connected between the support and the shaft, to urge the shaft along a longitudinal axis towards a distal end of the instrument. A ratchet is connected to the shaft and engages the magazine to permit sliding of the shaft in a direction for dispensing fasteners only, unless disengaged with the magazine.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods related to spinal stabilization are provided. A system can comprise a plurality of cross-links. Each of the cross-links can include a central rod holder that extends substantially along a mid-line of the spine and a pair of extension members extending from the central rod holder. The extension members can be secured to a vertebral body via a fixation device, such as a spinal screw or a hook member having serrations and/or side-cuts. One or more rod members can be extended across the central rod holders of the cross-links, thereby forming a stable spinal stabilization system providing bilateral stress distribution across different levels of the spine.

Abstract: A surgical instrument enables dispensing of a series of fasteners within a patient's body. The device includes a magazine sized and dimensioned to hold a series of fasteners, the series of fasteners insertable through an opening at the end of the magazine. A splined guide bore is rotatably supported within the magazine, and slidingly supports a shaft having an external surface mateable with the splined guide bore to restrict radial rotation of the shaft with respect to the support about said longitudinal axis. A biasing element is connected between the support and the shaft, to urge the shaft along a longitudinal axis towards a distal end of the instrument. A ratchet is connected to the shaft and engages the magazine to permit sliding of the shaft in a direction for dispensing fasteners only, unless disengaged with the magazine.

Abstract: A rotating grooming brush comprising a brush hub having grooming elements and shroud elements, and method for grooming a surface having an unwanted material thereon. The elements extend from the brush hub and may be positioned near its outer periphery. The elements may be grooming elements forming an array and shroud elements forming a shroud array. A rigid or elastomeric shroud extending from the brush hub surface may optionally be included about the edge of the brush hub, to the outside of the grooming elements. Rotation of the grooming attachment brush causes a low pressure region to build in the central area of the brush. This low pressure region creates a resulting force that forcefully attracts the grooming attachment brush to the surface to be groomed. The resulting force is controlled by the diameter of the brush hub, arrangement, of the elements and the speed of rotation.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and devices including drivers, inserters, and reducers. The driver includes a ratcheting mechanism configured to provide uni-directional motion when engaged. The inserter includes a rack, pinion, and cam system designed to secure an implant and release an implant in-situ. The reducer includes a geared system for persuading together surgical components and aligning misaligned vertebrae.