Abstract: An electrical through-connection, or via, that passes through a substrate to a bus on a first surface of the substrate. The via may be configured with an interlock such that the electrically conductive core of the via is constrained to thermally expand towards the second surface, away from the bus, thus preventing damage to the bus. The interlock may be a local constriction or enlargement of the via near the first surface of the substrate. The via may be greater in length along the bus than a unit spacing of beams in a parallel microswitch array actuated in unison along the bus. The via may be narrower in width than in length, and may form a trapezoidal geometry that is larger at the second surface of the substrate than at the first surface.

Abstract: Multiple microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) on a substrate are capped with a cover using a layer that may function as a bonding agent, separation layer, and hermetic seal. A substrate has a first side with multiple MEMS devices. A cover is formed with through-holes for vias, and with standoff posts for layer registration and separation. An adhesive sheet is patterned with cutouts for the MEMS devices, vias, and standoff posts. The adhesive sheet is tacked to the cover, then placed on the MEMS substrate and heated to bond the layers. The via holes may be metalized with leads for circuit board connection. The MEMS units may be diced from the substrate after sealing, thus protecting them from contaminants.

Abstract: A microfluidic device with a vertical injection aperture is provided. The microfluidic device comprises a separation channel, an injection aperture disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with the separation channel. The microfluidic device further comprises a semi-permeable filter disposed adjacent to the injection aperture, wherein the filter is configured to preconcentrate a sample in the injection aperture to form a preconcentrated sample plug during an injection operation, and wherein the sample plug flows downwardly from the injection aperture to the separation channel during an electrophoresis operation.

Abstract: A system and method for prescription therapy management and compliance are provided. The system framework integrates primary databases from pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), health plans, and EHR providers with a secondary database system, user interface, and wireless messaging platform, in order to extract and aggregate user-specific prescription data and make it available to users through a personalized account and as a part of a wireless prescription reminder service. The system helps users access, aggregate, manage, update, automate, and schedule the prescriptions they are currently taking. Users receive real-time wireless prescription dosing reminders based on their prescribed drug, dosage, and other indications, tailored to each individual's daily schedule.

Abstract: This invention concerns a telecommunication system SYST including: a mobile transmitter/receiver ERM, a number of access points PA1i and PA2j, each capable of communicating with the mobile transmitter/receiver ERM situated in a coverage area ZA1i or ZA2j of the access point considered, and a communication network NW1 authorizing communications between said access points. The system according to the invention includes at least one mobility manager GM capable of determining, based on operating conditions of the access points, with which access point the mobile transmitter/receiver ERM should establish a communication. In the system according to the invention, a change in access point may not be carried out at the sole initiative of a mobile transmitter/receiver ERM, but is, on the contrary, carried out after analysis of an environment specific to said mobile transmitter/receiver ERM by the mobility manager GM.

Abstract: Reduced State Sequence Equalizer (RSSE) is implemented using a butterfly hardware accelerator (58) in the form of a butterfly to increase the efficiency of computing branch metrics (24) and the ACS (add, compare and select) function (26).

Abstract: A releasable joint for joining two construction elements of a transportable construction. Also a construction element adapted for use in making the releasable joint, and a construction, such as a portable building or stage assembly, comprising a plurality of construction elements joined by the releasable joint.

Abstract: An electrical data transmission system employs a telephone line to transmit data from a subscriber data equipment to a telephone exchange data equipment when the telephone line is idle. A first idle line sensing means is associated with the subscriber equipment and is operable to connect the line to the subscriber equipment when the line is idle and to disconnect the line from the subscriber equipment when the line is busy. A second idle line sensing means is associated with the exchange data equipment and is operable to connect the line to the exchange equipment when the line is idle and to disconnect the line from the exchange equipment when the line is busy.