Abstract: An improved calibration process for a medical testing machine. The machine automatically recognizes that a package of calibration material has been inserted into it, and performs a calibration sequence to ascertain a calibration parameter to be used in performing future tests with the medical testing machine. The calibration package may include machine-readable indicators that the package is to be used for calibration, and of a calibration setpoint of a calibration material in the package. A calibration material may be stored in a lyophilized state in the package, and the medical testing machine may automatically reconstitute the lyophilized material.

Abstract: A medical testing machine provides improved recall and display of the outcomes of tests performed by the machine. Test outcomes and other information are stored in mass storage directly accessible by the medical testing machine. In one aspect, outcomes of tests relating to a particular patient may be recalled. The system may be especially useful for tests that may be performed multiple times for a particular patient over a period of time, for example testing for HbAlc hemoglobin levels in diabetes patients. According to another aspect, the medical testing machine may store an accession number for each test outcome, and may enable a user to display as a group test outcomes having the same accession number. The system may store further information and associate it with particular test outcomes, for example calibration information. The system may also store a set of rules under which each test instance was run.

Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.

Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for creating a crew to participate in a mission challenge in an online game includes identifying quests to complete the mission challenge. Each quest includes a plurality of tasks and each task includes a plurality of subtasks. A request feed is sent to members of a social graph of a user requesting the members to join the crew and to participate in completing the subtasks of the challenge. Skill set associated with each member of the social graph responding to the request feed is determined and matched with the skill set required for completing each subtask. A distinct subtask is delegated to each member based on the match. Each crew member's progression in completing the challenge is monitored and managed based on the progression made in the delegated subtask. Status of the challenge is updated and shared with the members of the crew.

Abstract: A method for performing a social project in a video game is provided. A session of the video game for a primary user is initiated, and a social project is initiated within the session of the video game. One or more secondary users are determined from a social graph of the primary user. A message requesting help to complete the social project is sent to the one or more secondary users, the message including a low-friction response mechanism. Upon activation of the low-friction response mechanism of the request, a response is received indicating an intent to help complete the social project from a responsive secondary user. Upon receiving the response, automated retrieval and animation of an avatar of the responsive secondary user is triggered within the primary user's session of the video game so as to collaborate on the social project.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for generating revenue in an online game are presented. One method includes an operation for creating, in the online game, a first virtual currency and a game score, where the amount of the first virtual currency can be increased in exchange for real currency. The first virtual currency can be traded for advancement in the online game. Further, a game module, that is an autonomous game within the online game, is started, and a second virtual currency and a module score are created in the game module. The amount of the second virtual currency can be increased in exchange for real currency, where the second virtual currency can be traded for advancement in the game module and cannot be traded for advancement in the online game outside of the game module. Advancement in the game module increases the module score and does not increase the game score.

Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for creating a crew to participate in a mission challenge in an online game are provided. The method identifies quests to complete the mission challenge. Each quest includes a plurality of tasks and each task includes a plurality of subtasks. A request feed is sent to members of a social graph requesting the members to join the crew and to participate in the completion of the subtasks of the mission challenge. The members in the social graph have a social relation with a user initiating the online game wherein the user is a mission leader managing the mission challenge. A distinct subtask is assigned to each member of the crew that responds to the request feed. Each crew member's progression in completing the mission challenge is monitored and status of the mission challenge is updated based on the progression made by each crew member of the crew.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a strained MOS device having a silicon germanium on insulator (SGOI) substrate that includes a layer of monocrystalline silicon germanium material characterized by a first lattice constant. A strained silicon layer is formed over the layer of monocrystalline silicon germanium material. A layer of gate electrode material is patterned to form a gate electrode overlying a channel region. The strained silicon layer is disposed between the gate electrode and the channel region. First recess and second recesses are etched into the layer of monocrystalline silicon germanium material. A layer of monocrystalline semiconductor material is then epitaxially grown to fill the first and second recesses such that it is embedded at the opposing sides of the channel region. The layer of monocrystalline semiconductor material comprises silicon and germanium, and is characterized by a second lattice constant less than the first lattice constant.

Abstract: An MOS device having enhanced mobility and a method for its fabrication are provided. The method comprises providing a P-type monocrystalline silicon germanium substrate having a first lattice constant and a channel region at the substrate surface, forming a gate insulator layer on the substrate, forming a gate electrode having a first sidewall and a second sidewall overlying the channel. First and second recesses are etched into the substrate in alignment with the first and the second gate electrode sidewalls, respectively. The recesses are filled by epitaxially growing a layer of embedded monocrystalline semiconductor material characterized by a second lattice constant less than the first lattice constant to impart a tensile strain on the channel region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid distribution or collection device for a vessel containing material to which the liquid is to be delivered, the device having a plurality of conduits extending from a liquid transport channel, in which at least one said conduit comprises a proximal end in communication with the liquid transport channel, a distal end remote from the liquid transport channel and, between said proximal and distal ends, a multiplicity of spaced apertures for passage of liquid, wherein a distal region of the conduit has a cross-sectional area d2 that is smaller than the cross-section area d1 in a proximal region of the conduit. The present invention also relates to an ion exchange or filtration vessel comprising said device and a method of distributing a fluid onto a substrate in a vessel using said device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the measuring device (5) wherein the measurement pattern is printed on the inside or outside of a transparent medium. Its uses can include being held up between the target and the user, placed directly onto the target or projected onto the target by a light source.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a substrate having a first crystal orientation is provided. A first insulating layer overlies the substrate and a plurality of silicon layers overlie the first insulating layer. A first silicon layer comprises silicon having a second crystal orientation and a crystal plane. A second silicon layer comprises silicon having the second crystal orientation and a crystal plane that is substantially orthogonal to the crystal plane of the first silicon layer. Because holes have higher mobility in the (110) plane than the (100) plane, while electrons have higher mobility in (100) plane than the (110) plane, semiconductor device performance can be enhanced by the selection of silicon layers with certain crystal plane orientations. In addition, a method of forming a semiconductor device is provided.

Abstract: A process for increasing the active surface area of at least one electrode having a surface comprising a group VIII metal in an electrochemical cell, which also comprises at least one balancing electrode and an aqueous electrolyte which comprises nitrate ions, which comprises applying a sweeping voltage across the electrodes at a rate of at least 0.2 V/s, the sweeping voltage being from a lower voltage which is between the voltage at which hydrogen evolution occurs and ?0.7 V to an upper voltage which is between ?0.2 V and +0.3 V, all of the above voltages being with reference to a standard calomel reference electrode (VSCE).

Abstract: A broad area field electron emitter comprises a plurality of emitter cells of layered structure. Each cell comprises a hole having a layer of field electron emission material 501 at its base. A gate electrode 503 is spaced from the emitter layer 501 by a dielectric material 502 having a first region in contact with the emitter layer 501 and a second region in contact with the gate electrode 503. The cell diameter is greater at the level of the gate 503 than at the level of the emitter layer 501, thus enabling electrons in electron beam 505 and emitted from sites adjacent to the side walls of the cell to avoid interception by the gate 503 at point 506. This reduces cell-wall charge between the first and second regions of dielectric material 502, and other means for achieving this are disclosed.

Abstract: A layer of a material is created in a thin-film structure by coating a substrate (14) in one pass with an ink having a major, fugitive component (13) and at least one minor, non-fugitive component (12) and treating the ink to expel the major component (13) to leave the layer (15) of material. The layer (15) may bean electrically insulating layer having a thickness in the range 0.5 to 10 micrometres, with the ink containing non-fugitive colloidal ceramic nanoparticles having a size in the range 10 to 100 nanometres. The layer (15) may be a process control. layer, such as an etch stop layer or barrier layer. The layer (15) may be an optically emissive layer or a layer of predetermined electrical conductivity.

Abstract: An optical micro-electromechanical device includes a substrate and a mirror assembly suspended above the substrate. The mirror assembly includes a torsional beam and a cantilever. The cantilever includes a cantilever first end and a cantilever second end. The cantilever first end is attached to the torsional beam. The cantilever second end supports a mirror head. A connector is attached to the torsional beam. A counterweight is attached to the connector.

Abstract: A process for increasing the active surface area of at least one electrode having a surface comprising a group VIII metal in an electrochemical cell, which also comprises at least one balancing electrode and an aqueous electrolyte which comprises nitrate ions, which comprises applying a sweeping voltage across the electrodes at a rate of at least 0.2 V/s, the sweeping voltage being from a lower voltage which is between the voltage at which hydrogen evolution occurs and −0.7 V to an upper voltage which is between −0.2 V and +0.3 V, all of the above voltages being with reference to a standard calomel reference electrode (VSCE).

Abstract: A process for removing nitrate ions from an aqueous solution thereof which comprises passing the solution through an electrochemical cell comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode and passing a current therebetween, wherein the cathode surface (s) comprise rhodium metal.