Abstract: A MEMS device comprises a membrane layer and a back-plate layer formed over the membrane layer. The membrane layer comprises an outer portion and an inner portion raised relative to the outer portion and a sidewall for connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The sidewall is non-orthogonal to the outer portion.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer comprises a substrate (124). A membrane layer (120) is supported by the substrate (124). A back-plate layer (110) is supported by the membrane layer (120), said back-plate layer comprising a respective sidewall portion and a respective raised portion. One or more columns (116) are provided separate from the sidewall portion of the back-plate layer, said columns (116) connecting the back-plate layer, the membrane layer and the substrate.

Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller.

Abstract: Methods for detecting cancer that include hybridizing a set of chromosomal probes to a biological sample obtained from a patient, and identifying if aneusomic cells are present in a selected subset of cells obtained from the biological sample are described. A set of chromosomal probes and kits for detecting cancer that include sets of chromosomal probes, are also described.

Abstract: A hip, ridge or rake shingle comprised of a plurality of panels sandwiched on each panel portion side of a layer of shingle material, such that each panel portion can be folded along a fold line, and wherein tabs are provided for each panel portion, adapted to be bent backwardly upon themselves, sandwiching thickening panels therebetween. The shingles can be laid up on a hip, ridge or rake of a roof, to yield desirable thickened features.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing and selling an article of food from a retail establishment is disclosed. The method includes receiving an order from a customer where the order identifies ingredients and a quantity for the ingredients. The order also includes a preparation instruction for at least one of the ingredients. The quantity of each of the ingredients is gathered as a function of the order. The ingredients are prepared at the retail establishment as a function of the preparation instruction to provide a prepared food article. The prepared food article is packaged for available delivery to the customer. The method can also include consulting a list of potential ingredients corresponding to a diet plan and gathering the ingredients as a function of the order and the list. A nutritional value may be calculated for the prepared food article and communicated to the customer. The order may be received over an internet connection.

Abstract: A method of making a shingle and the shingle made in accordance with such method are provided, in which a shingle-forming layer of shingle material has a plurality of marks applied thereto prior to or after application of decorative granules to its tab region, and wherein the locations of the marks are sensed by a sensor, that then activates and controls the operation and placement of various shingle-completion steps as a function of the placement of the marks.

Abstract: An electrical disconnect locking device which can be installed at the weather head of a dwelling in order to connect and disconnect electrical flow from a power source to a dwelling. The locking device comprises a housing having rotating plates than can be rotated in a first direction to matingly engage a pair of female couplings such that electrical current flows freely and that can be rotated in a second opposite direction away from the pair of female couplings such that electrical current is disconnected. The locking device includes a unique key member which is configured to engage a rotating shaft which is in connection with the rotating plates. The use of the unique key member prevents unauthorized access to the locking device.

Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller.

Abstract: The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that mutations on the chromosome 19q arm can lead to a diagnosis that a human has an elevated likelihood of developing proliferative disorder, such as an oligodendroglioma or prostate cancer, and can further provide a prognosis of a human who has a proliferative disorder. A mutation can include a deletion of at least a fragment of a chromosome 19q arm, particularly at band 13.3, or an insertion or substitution of one or more nucleic acids on the chromosome 19q arm. Deletions and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GLTSCR1 gene was found to be of particular predictive and diagnostic value.

Abstract: An approach for using functional indexes as a primary filter is provided. A database query that contains a reference to a column of a table, but does not contain any reference to a functional index based on that column, is received by a database server. The database server adds to the database query a reference to the functional index on the column. The database server determines if the database query should be executed using the functional index. If the database server determines that the database query should be executed using the functional index, then the database query is executed with the functional index. If the database server determines that the database query should not be executed using the functional index, then data that indicates that the functional index is not to be evaluated when the database query is executed is stored.

Abstract: A shingle is provided and its method of manufacture, in which granules are applied to an upper surface of a hardenable coating on a layer of shingle-making material, with granules of different pre-selected visual aesthetics provided in different tab areas, separated by mixtures of granules from adjacent tab areas forming intermediate areas, and in which the intermediate areas are removed to yield slots separating adjacent tabs, leaving visually sharp, precise starting and ending delineations for the tabs of a given aesthetic, that can be the same as or different than the aesthetic of an adjacent tab.

Abstract: Rotary switches, and in particular riser-style commutators, are detailed together with featured strips from which they are made. Segments formed from the strips may include anchor notches and slots for receiving reinforcing rings. The structure of the strip additionally permits electrical isolation of adjacent riser segments to occur through its coining rather than through slotting.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing failover in a computer system is provided. For a failover involving an order-sensitive dataset or application, a mechanism is provided to detect order inconsistencies between a first set of data and a second set of data, in which the first set of data corresponds to a first connection established before the failover and the second set of data corresponds to a second connection established after the failover.

Abstract: A canister, especially for two-cycle engines, having both noise reduction and pollutant treatment attributes in a single unit. To effectuate sound reduction the canister muffler has mounted within it several tubes randomly arranged in relation to one another. Thus, an emission stream is forced to frequently change directions, causing a baffling effect and a reduction in noise. Further, these tubes are coated with a catalytic substance to treat the emission stream and thus decrease undesired pollutants. The turbulent flow of the emission stream caused by the tubes also serves to increase the contact with the catalyst. Hence, a single canister is all that is necessary to both silence and treat the emission exhaust stream.

Abstract: A modular safety ladder system for climbing trees is provided, comprising a single support member having a lower end and an upper end; a bottom step attached to the lower end; a top step attached to the upper end; an intermediate step attached to the support member between the bottom step and the top step; a flexible strap attached to the support member for suspending the ladder module from the tree, wherein the strap is placed in tension when weight is exerted on the ladder module; first and second stabilizers attached to the upper end and the lower end of the support member, respectively, for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree, wherein the first and second stabilizers include surfaces which are caused to forcibly contact the tree when the strap is placed in tension; and a safety loop connected to the strap for allowing a secure attachment between the strap and a coupling device on the climber, wherein the safety loop is constructed in a manner to support the weight of the climber.

Abstract: A portable safety ladder for climbing trees is provided, comprising a single primary support member having first step; a single secondary support member having a second step, wherein the secondary support member is slidable relative to the primary support member; a locking mechanism operatively disposed between the primary support member and the secondary support member for selectively locking the position of the secondary support member relative to the primary support member; a single flexible strap on the primary support member for suspending the ladder module from the tree, wherein the flexible strap is placed in tension when weight is exerted on the ladder module; first and second stabilizers attached to the primary support member and the secondary support member, respectively, for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree, wherein the first and second stabilizers include surfaces which are caused to forcibly contact the tree when the flexible strap is placed in tension; and a safety loop connected t