Abstract: A method has been developed that detects cardiac arrhythmia from intrinsic cardiac nerve signals obtained from a heart in a patient. The method includes sampling intrinsic cardiac nerve activity at a high sample rate, filtering the sampled signal with a high pass filter, comparing the filtered signal to a predetermined threshold, and initiating a therapeutic action in response to the filtered signal exceeding the predetermined threshold. The intrinsic cardiac nerve activity may be received through an electrode implanted on the heart or from an electrode inserted into the venous structure of the heart.

Abstract: A system and method of designing a semiconductor device comprising loading a design rule manual (DRM) and a design rule check (DRC) into an electronic design tool, wherein the DRM comprises one or more design rules and the DRC comprises one or more design rule checks. Each design rule check is both associated with a corresponding design rule and configured to verify compliance with the corresponding design rule. The method further includes receiving a relevant information, wherein the relevant information comprises a layer number or a selected feature of the semiconductor device, creating, by a processor, a condensed DRM from the DRM, a condensed DRC from the DRC and displaying at least the condensed DRM or condensed DRC by a user interface. The condensed DRM is a portion of the DRM and the condensed DRC is a portion of the DRC.

Abstract: A current-steering DAC circuit for switching a light emitting diode, the current-steering DAC circuit including a current-steering DAC and a resistor. The current-steering DAC outputs a stable current and includes a plurality of current-steering units with a first output end and a second output end. The first output end is electrically connected to the light emitting diode, and the second output end is electrically connected to the resistor. Each of the current-steering units includes a current source and a switching circuit. A first end of the switching circuit is electrically connected to the current source. A second end and a third end of the switching circuit are electrically connected to the first output end and the second output end of the current-steering DAC, respectively. The switching circuit is controlled by a switching signal so as to selectively connect one of the second end and the third end to the first end.

Abstract: A vessel sensing device with automatic amendment function includes an analog processing circuit, a signal generating circuit and a DC voltage detecting circuit. The analog processing circuit includes an optical sensing module. An optical sensor of the optical sensing module generates an analog signal with a skin characteristic signal and a vessel characteristic signal according to an optical reflecting signal. The skin characteristic signal and the vessel characteristic signal respectively correspond to a skin feature and a vessel feature of the user. The signal generating circuit is coupled to the analog processing circuit to transform the analog signal into a compensation signal. The DC voltage detecting circuit is coupled to the signal generating circuit and adapted to compensate the analog processing circuit according to the compensation signal, so as to decrease the skin characteristic signal within the analog signal.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) includes obtaining nerve recordings from a subject using electrodes implanted to acquire signals from arteries or veins associated with sympathetic nerve activity of the subject and comparing the nerve recordings against at least one of pre-operative nerve recordings and post-operative nerve recordings to detect residual nerve activity of the subject.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving, in a computer, an input indicative of a drawing of at least a portion of at least one layer of a semiconductor device. The at least one portion of the at least one layer is compared to corresponding portions in corresponding layers of a plurality of previously defined devices stored in a non-transitory machine readable storage medium. Each layer of at least one of the plurality of previously defined devices for which the corresponding portion in the corresponding layer matches the at least one portion of the at least one layer of the semiconductor device is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring nerve activity in a subject. The system includes a plurality of electrodes placed in proximity to skin of the subject, an amplifier electrically connected to the electrodes and configured to generate a plurality of amplified signals corresponding to electrical signals received from the subject through the electrodes, and a signal processor. The signal processor applies a high-pass filter to the amplified signals to generate filtered signals from the amplified signals, identifies autonomic nerve activity in the plurality of filtered signals; and generates an output signal corresponding to the filtered signals. The high-pass filter attenuates a plurality of the amplified signals having frequencies that correspond to heart muscle activity during a heartbeat.

Abstract: A method of determining a device type and device properties includes receiving an input file including information related to a device, and identifying at least one layer set within the input file. The method further includes identifying at least one feature present in layer set. The method further includes analyzing a relationship between the at least one feature formed by the first layer and at least one feature formed by the second layer to determine at least one layer set relationship. The method further includes comparing the layer set relationship with at least one template layer set relationship. The method further includes determining the device type of the device based on the comparison between the layer set relationship and the template layer set relationship. The method further includes determining the device properties of the device based on the layer set relationship, the device type or the at least one feature.

Abstract: A system and method of designing a semiconductor device comprising loading a design rule manual (DRM) and a design rule check (DRC) into an electronic design tool, wherein the DRM comprises one or more design rules and the DRC comprises one or more design rule checks. Each design rule check is both associated with a corresponding design rule and configured to verify compliance with the corresponding design rule. The method further includes receiving a relevant information, wherein the relevant information comprises a layer number or a selected feature of the semiconductor device, creating, by a processor, a condensed DRM from the DRM, a condensed DRC from the DRC and displaying at least the condensed DRM or condensed DRC by a user interface. The condensed DRM is a portion of the DRM and the condensed DRC is a portion of the DRC.

Abstract: Methods of treating orthostatic hypotension are disclosed. The methods include administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a beta 2 (?2) adrenoceptor antagonist, and in particular, the specific ?2 adrenoceptor antagonist, 3-(isopropylamino)-1-[(7-methyl-4-indanyl)oxy]butan-2-ol.

Abstract: A computer-implemented probabilistic pointer analysis method using SSA form comprises the steps of: evaluating a program in an SSA form comprising a target pointer to determine pointer relations between the target pointer, a plurality of aliased pointers related to the target pointer and at least a probable location of the target pointer; and generating a direct probabilistic relation between the target pointer and the at least a probable location of the target pointer according to the pointer relation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an increased likelihood of the occurrence of a cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure and other diseased conditions of the heart associated with elevated sympathetic neural discharges in a patient. The methods and systems comprise monitoring the sympathetic neural discharges of a patient from the stellate ganglia, the thoracic ganglia, or both, and detecting increases in the sympathetic neural discharges. The methods and systems may further comprise delivering therapy to the patient in response to a detected increase in the sympathetic neural discharge, such as delivering one or more pharmacological agents; stimulating myocardial hyperinnervation in the sinus node and right ventricle of the heart of the patient; and applying cardiac pacing, cardioversion or defibrillation shocks.

Abstract: A method of navigating an autonomous mobile device to a base station is provided. In the method, when a detector detects a navigating signal sent out by the base station, the mobile device rotates in a first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a first time point is set at this time. Then, the mobile device rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a second time point is set at this time. Afterward, the mobile device rotates in the first direction by a time computed based on the first and second time points to make the detector face the base station, and then, moves toward a direction pointed by the detector.

Abstract: An electrode for monitoring nerve activity has been developed. The electrode includes an array of electrically conductive projections extending from a surface of an electrical contact that enable the electrical contact to be connected directly to the nerve.

Abstract: A computer-implemented probabilistic pointer analysis method using SSA form comprises the steps of: evaluating a program in an SSA form comprising a target pointer to determine pointer relations between the target pointer, a plurality of aliased pointers related to the target pointer and at least a probable location of the target pointer; and generating a direct probabilistic relation between the target pointer and the at least a probable location of the target pointer according to the pointer relation.

Abstract: A method of nerve stimulation produces therapeutic effects in an organ not directly innervated by the electrically stimulated nerve. The method includes identifying an electrical stimulation reaction threshold of at least one organ directly innervated by a parasympathetic nerve of a subject, identifying a reaction threshold of at least one tissue that is not directly innervated by the parasympathetic nerve of the subject after the parasympathetic nerve is electrically stimulated, and electrically stimulating the parasympathetic nerve with an electrical stimulation signal that is below the identified reaction threshold for the at least one directly innervated organ, but above a reaction threshold for the at least one tissue or organ that is not directly innervated by the parasympathetic nerve of the subject.

Abstract: A method of navigating an autonomous mobile device to a base station is provided. In the method, when a detector detects a navigating signal sent out by the base station, the mobile device rotates in a first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a first time point is set at this time. Then, the mobile device rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a second time point is set at this time. Afterward, the mobile device rotates in the first direction by a time computed based on the first and second time points to make the detector face the base station, and then, moves toward a direction pointed by the detector.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resistive memory device is provided. A bottom electrode and a cup-shaped electrode connected to the bottom electrode are formed in an insulating layer. A cover layer extends along a first direction is formed and covers a first area surrounded by the cup-shaped electrode and exposes a second area and a third area surrounded by the cup-shaped electrode. A sacrificial layer is formed above the insulating layer. A stacked layer extends along a second direction and covers the second area surrounded by the cup-shaped electrode and a portion of the corresponding cover layer is formed. A conductive spacer material layer is formed on the stacked layer and the sacrificial layer. By using the sacrificial layer as an etch stop layer, the conductive spacer material layer is etched to form a conductive spacer at the sidewall of the stacked layer.

Abstract: A method has been developed that detects cardiac arrhythmia from intrinsic cardiac nerve signals obtained from a heart in a patient. The method includes sampling intrinsic cardiac nerve activity at a high sample rate, filtering the sampled signal with a high pass filter, comparing the filtered signal to a predetermined threshold, and initiating a therapeutic action in response to the filtered signal exceeding the predetermined threshold. The intrinsic cardiac nerve activity may be received through an electrode implanted on the heart or from an electrode inserted into the venous structure of the heart.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for determining an increased likelihood of the occurrence of a cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure and other diseased conditions of the heart. The methods and kits comprise measuring serum NGF levels in a subject and detecting increases in NGF levels over baseline. The methods may further comprise initiating preventive therapy in response to a detected increase in serum NGF levels.