Abstract: An electronic touch panel includes a plurality of spaced apart touch sensor pads that are arranged in a first direction on a planar layer. A proximity sensor pad is on the planar layer and is electrically isolated from the touch sensor pads. The proximity sensor pad has a greater surface area than a plurality of the touch sensor pads. A position detection circuit is configured to electrically charge the touch sensor pads to generate capacitive coupling to an adjacent user object and to detect therefrom a location of the user object relative to the first direction across the planar layer, and configured to electrically charge the proximity sensor pad to generate a higher level of capacitive coupling to the user object than a plurality of the touch sensor pads and to detect therefrom a proximity of the user object in a perpendicular direction to the planar layer. The proximity sensor pad may extend as a continuous line on the planar layer between adjacent spaced apart columns of the touch sensor pads.

Abstract: A nanocomposite comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in a molybdenum-based matrix, and an x-ray tube component formed from such a nanocomposite. The nanocomposite contains volume fraction of nanoparticle dispersoids in a range from about 2 volume percent to about 20 volume percent. A method of making such molybdenum-based nanocomposites is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and substances for regulating fat and carbohydrate oxidation in the muscle tissue of human and/or animal bodies, which involve controlling the carnitine content of the muscle tissue. Regulating carbohydrate and fat oxidation, and particularly increasing the level of fat oxidation in accordance with the present invention, by providing substances compositions and methodologies in accordance with the present invention, enable medicaments to be manufactured and methodologies employed that find use in the treatment of disorders and conditions of the human and/or animal body caused by impairment of the usual level of fat oxidation, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: A mobile communications terminal for augmenting a musical instrument includes an audio signal receiver that is configured to receive an audio signal from the musical instrument and a signal processor that is configured to perform a signal processing function on the audio signal. The mobile communications terminal includes an audio signal transmitter that is configured to transmit the audio signal to an audio signal rendering device.

Abstract: A technique to gather and assess the quality of a location based services provided to a mobile wireless device via a wireless network includes providing location-based service information by referring to a target location of a requested item of interest within a proximity of the present location of the mobile wireless device. Subjective quality or accuracy information can be submitted to the wireless network from the from the wireless device. The subjective quality or accuracy information is correlated with event and condition information affecting the wireless network. Reports can be generated which indicate the quality and accuracy information of the target location information. The reports are useful for troubleshooting location-based service inaccuracy.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly supplies water and water vapour by-product to a cooling water circuit delivered to a thermal storage tank from which it can be recycled to the fuel cell stack as direct input to the membrane electrode assemblies, for use as fuel/oxidant preheat and/or direct water injection to the membrane electrode assembly. The purity of water delivered to the membrane is thereby assured. The thermal storage tank allows for a decoupling of the thermal and electrical loads on the fuel cell stack in a combined heat and electrical power delivery unit. Under low external electrical loads, the fuel cell stack and its cooling circuit may be used at high capacity to provide hot water.

Abstract: In order to address the challenge associated with the analysis and visualization of large datasets, a method and apparatus provides for visualizing data clouds using color and opacity blending. The information stored within the data cloud is represented using a data container object. The colors and opacities associated with the container object's data point or points is blended to develop two-dimensional computer generated imagery that is unique to the virtual reference point chosen, typically within an OpenGL environment. The result is the ability to understand the sample density of large interactively rendered datasets from different reference points and as the datasets change over time.

Abstract: A nanocomposite comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in a molybdenum-based matrix, and an x-ray tube component formed from such a nanocomposite. The nanocomposite contains volume fraction of nanoparticle dispersoids in a range from about 2 volume percent to about 20 volume percent. A method of making such molybdenum-based nanocomposites is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a cushioning system comprising a lower sole element and an upper sole element. The cushioning system further comprises at least one lever having at least two arms where an angle ? between the arms lies within the range 0°<?<180°. The first arm is connected to a deformation element and the second arm is connected to one of the two sole elements, wherein the lever is pivotably arranged at the other sole element.

Abstract: Active tissue augmenting agents, compositions and methods for use are disclosed. In a typical embodiment, the active augmenting agents of the invention can be used to form an artificial sphincter around a lumen of a human or animal body. In one embodiment, the active augmenting agent comprises magnitizable particles which can provide occlusion of a lumen, such as the urethral lumen, by circumferential attraction of the injected material toward the center of the lumen by the inherent magnetic flux field created from the magnetic dipoles of the magnetic particles.

Abstract: A nanocomposite comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in a molybdenum-based matrix, and an x-ray tube component formed from such a nanocomposite. The nanocomposite contains volume fraction of nanoparticle dispersoids in a range from about 2 volume percent to about 20 volume percent. A method of making such molybdenum-based nanocomposites is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact, robust, wear resistant, and high performance electrically insulating gap sub for use with borehole EM Telemetry is disclosed. In one embodiment, the gap sub may include an externally threaded mandrel separated from an internally threaded housing by a dielectric material. Additionally, some embodiments may include an external gap ring for separating the upper and lower electrical halves of the sub which offers structural support, acts as the primary external seal, and provides an abrasion resistant non-conductive length on the exterior. Some embodiments may include torsion pins to prevent the possible unscrewing of the dielectric filled threaded sections should the dielectric material become damaged or weakened.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus compress data, comprising an In-phase (I) component and a Quadrature (Q) component. Statistical characteristics of the data are utilized to convert the data into a form that requires fewer bits in accordance with the statistical characteristics. The data may be further compressed by transforming the data and by modifying the transformed data in accordance with a quantization conversion table that is associated with the processed data. Additionally, redundancy may be removed from the processed data with an encoder. Subsequent processing of the compressed data may decompress the compressed data in order to approximate the original data by reversing the process for compressing the data with corresponding inverse operations. Interleaved I and Q components can be processed rather than separating the components before processing the data. The processed data type may be determined by providing metadata to retrieve the appropriate quantization table from a knowledge database.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus compress data, comprising an In-phase (I) component and a Quadrature (Q) component. The compressed data may be saved into a memory or may be transmitted to a remote location for subsequent processing or storage. Statistical characteristics of the data are utilized to convert the data into a form that requires a reduced number of bits in accordance with the statistical characteristics. The data may be further compressed by transforming the data, as with a discrete cosine transform, and by modifying the transformed data in accordance with a quantization conversion table that is selected using a data type associated with the data. Additionally, a degree of redundancy may be removed from the processed data with an encoder. Subsequent processing of the compressed data may decompress the compressed data in order to approximate the original data by reversing the process for compressing the data with corresponding inverse operations.

Abstract: A control system for estimating the approximate relative position of an electric linear actuator on a surface maintenance machine. The control system includes device for selectively coupling the electric motor of the linear actuator to the electric power source, device for measuring or estimating the current and voltage of the electric motor, device for estimating the motor speed based on the measured values of current and voltage, and storage device for storing values of estimated motor speed and integrating device for determining approximate linear actuator position, wherein the integrating device integrates the motor speed over time to determine the approximate position of the linear actuator position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, devices, compositions, and systems for providing an interface between medical instrumentation and a patient. In various embodiments, the interface provides a sterile barrier, acoustic coupler, and thermal insulator between the patient and a medical instrument. In some embodiments, an acoustic coupler interface is used between an ultrasound instrument and a patient. In some embodiments, the acoustic coupler comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) and in particular oil-enhanced or gelatinous TPEs that can be used in diagnostic and therapeutic (HIFU) ultrasound procedures.

Abstract: A data collection and management method is disclosed for use in association with a surface maintenance machine wherein a control system controls selected machine operations in response to manually inputted operation settings selected by an operator and occurring at selected times. In broad terms, an embodiment of the present invention includes steps of receiving and storing operational and time information associated with machine operation, conveying information to an information processor, and processing the information so as to provide a report or record of time quantified machine information. In a particular application, reports or records can be utilized to provide feedback to a machine operator to improve the cleaning process, such as by minimizing the usage of wear parts, solutions, and or energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting couplers for therapy administration and/or monitoring. The apparatus can include a support member configured to rest on a body of a recipient proximate to a coupling area. The support member can include a first coupler location configured to removably carry a first coupler proximate to a first coupling position of the body of the recipient. A second coupler location of the support member is configured to removably carry a second coupler proximate to a second coupling position of the body of the recipient. The first and second coupler locations can be arranged to guide the practitioner to connect the couplers properly to the body. For example, the first coupler location can be positioned closer than the second coupler location to the first coupling position. Accordingly, practitioners can be more likely to connect the first and second couplers to the correct coupling position on the body of the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus compress data, comprising an In-phase (I) component and a Quadrature (Q) component. The compressed data may be saved into a memory or may be transmitted to a remote location for subsequent processing or storage. Statistical characteristics of the data are utilized to convert the data into a form that requires a reduced number of bits in accordance with the statistical characteristics. The data may be further compressed by transforming the data, as with a discrete cosine transform, and by modifying the transformed data in accordance with a quantization conversion table that is selected using a data type associated with the data. Additionally, a degree of redundancy may be removed from the processed data with an encoder. Subsequent processing of the compressed data may decompress the compressed data in order to approximate the original data by reversing the process for compressing the data with corresponding inverse operations.