Abstract: An optical fiber coating composition that includes an acrylic copolymer. The acrylic copolymer is a block copolymer that includes two or more acrylic blocks. The two or more acrylic blocks differ in glass transition temperature (Tg). The acrylic copolymer may include an acrylic block with a Tg above 50° C. and an acrylic block with a Tg below 0° C. Representative monomers from which the repeat units of the acrylic blocks are derived include alkyl(meth)acrylates. In one embodiment, the acrylic copolymer includes an acrylic block with repeat units derived from methylmethacrylate and an acrylic block derived from butylacrylate. The acrylic copolymer lacks urethane groups, lacks urea groups, lacks radiation-curable groups, and is otherwise unreactive with other components in the coating composition. The acrylic copolymer features high solubility in common acrylate-based radiation-curable coating compositions and can be provided at high concentrations in acrylate-based coating compositions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with analog device fault detection includes an integrated circuit die having an analog device, an on-line fault detector and a control circuit. The analog device has a power input, an analog device input and an analog device output and the on-line fault detector is coupled to at least one of the power input, the analog device input and the analog device output and has a fault detector output. The control circuit is coupled to the fault detector and responsive to the fault detector output. Detector self-test (DST) circuitry can be provided to test the on-line fault detector and one or more circuit breakers can be provided to protect the analog device and other devices attached to the analog device.

Abstract: An optical fiber is disclosed that includes a primary coating formed from a radiation curable composition that includes a curable cross-linker essentially free of urethane and urea functional groups, a curable diluent, and a non-radiation curable component comprising (thio)urethane and/or (thio)urea groups. The primary coating features low Young's modulus, low Tg, and high tensile strength. The optical fiber exhibits low microbend losses in wire mesh drum and basketweave tests.

Abstract: A low cost composition that cures rapidly and which is suitable for coating an optical fiber comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; at least one photoinitiator; and at least one non-radiation-curable polar polymer having pendent groups that facilitate low energy chemical bonding, hydrogen bonding, dipolar interactions or other interactions with radical compounds formed during polymerization of the monomer. The non-radiation-curable polar polymer(s) are inexpensive and reduce and/or eliminate the need for expensive urethane acrylate oligomers, without sacrificing properties, and while achieving rapid cure speeds.

Abstract: Coating compositions that include acrylic polymers as reinforcing agents. The coating compositions are radiation-curable and include a multifunctional acrylate component, an acrylic monomer diluent, an acrylic polymer, and a photoinitiator. The acrylic polymer is not radiation-curable and lacks hydrogen-donor groups, urea groups, and urethane groups. The acrylic polymer is non-reactive and does not chemically bond to the crosslinked network formed by curing the acrylate components. Instead, the acrylic polymer reinforces the cured network through physical interactions. Representative acrylic polymers include (meth)acrylates that lack substituents with hydrogen-donor, urea, and urethane groups.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for operating a wireless electronic device having one or more antennas. The method comprises monitoring at least one parameter of a signal received from a remote transmitter. The method includes determining that the at least one parameter meets a first threshold and performing, at the wireless electronic device, a probing operation. The probing operation includes performing an antenna switching operation. The probing operation includes generating first signal information of the received signal prior to the antenna switching operation and generating second signal information of the received signal subsequent to the antenna switching operation. The probing operation includes determining whether the antenna switching operation achieves a desired gain based at least in part on the generated first and second signal information. The probing operation includes reversing the antenna switching operation in response to the desired gain not being achieved.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for operating a wireless electronic device having one or more antennas. The method comprises monitoring at least one parameter of a signal received from a remote transmitter. The method includes determining that the at least one parameter meets a first threshold and performing, at the wireless electronic device, a probing operation. The probing operation includes performing an antenna switching operation. The probing operation includes generating first signal information of the received signal prior to the antenna switching operation and generating second signal information of the received signal subsequent to the antenna switching operation. The probing operation includes determining whether the antenna switching operation achieves a desired gain based at least in part on the generated first and second signal information. The probing operation includes reversing the antenna switching operation in response to the desired gain not being achieved.

Abstract: A mobile device for determining a handling condition of the mobile device and a method of use thereof. One embodiment of the mobile device includes: at least one left capacitive proximity sensor disposed on a left side of the mobile device and operable to detect a hold condition, at least one right capacitive proximity sensor disposed on a right side of the mobile device and operable to detect a hold condition, an accelerometer disposed in the mobile device and operable to detect an orientation of the mobile device, an ambient light proximity sensor disposed in the mobile device and operable to detect a proximity of a user's head, and a processor operable to execute an application configured to gain access to and employ the hold condition, the orientation, and the proximity of the user's head to determine a handling condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a needle for attaching a fixator to a soft tissue graft. The needle includes a pointed distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a suture coupler, the suture coupler including a hook and a pocket formed by the hook, wherein the needle is curved along an entire length of the needle. A fixator for use with the needle and method of fixating a soft tissue graft to a bone is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for detecting and handling missing meeting attendees. The embodiments include mechanisms to detect and notify missing attendees to join a meeting, and inform a meeting organizer of the status of missing attendees. The missing attendees are detected using user equipment (UE) and location determining technology. Additionally, UE sensor technology is used to estimate arrival time of expected attendees. A UE of the organizer detects present attendees in a meeting location using a near range wireless connection with UEs of the present attendees. The organizer's UE then detects a missing attendee from the meeting in accordance with a pre-established list of invitees and the detected present attendees, and sends a notification message including a reminder of the meeting to a UE of the missing attendee. The UE of the missing attendee also receives a message to activate a wireless positioning service capability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing virtual messaging is provided. The method comprises examining status information associated with a plurality of servers for notifying call recipients of messages using at least one messaging protocol, wherein each of the plurality of servers operates independently, identifying an available server of the plurality of servers, based on the status information, for handling a message and directing an incoming call to the available server, wherein the available server stores the message until communication of the message to at least one call recipient, wherein the available server communicates at least one notification message associated with the message to at least one telephone number of the at least one call recipient, wherein the at least one notification message comprises a telephone number associated with the call origination device and a message link number for communicating with the available server.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing urethane-free polyfunctional acrylate compounds. The method includes reaction of a polyol with acrylic acid in the presence of an inhibitor. A catalyst may also be present. The catalyst may be an acid and the inhibitor may be a substituted phenol compound. Excess acid may be removed by adding a salt and excess water may be removed by adding a drying agent. The reaction converts alcohol groups of the polyol to acrylate groups to provide a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylate compound. The reaction is applicable to polyols generally and provides a scalable high yield process for forming urethane-free polyfunctional acrylates over a wide range of molecular weights. Coatings made from the acrylate products exhibit modulus and tensile strength characteristics favorable for primary fiber coatings.

Abstract: A coating composition including a reinforcing agent. The coating composition may include one or more radiation-curable monofunctional monomers, one or more radiation-curable multifunctional monomers or oligomers, a photoinitiator, and a reinforcing agent. The monofunctional monomers, multifunctional monomers, and multifunctional oligomers may include acrylate groups. The reinforcing agent may be an acrylic co-polymer that includes two or more repeat units. At least one of the repeat units includes chemical groups that enable self-association of the acrylic co-polymer. Self-association of the acrylic co-polymer may improve the tensile strength of coatings formed from the coating compositions.

Abstract: A low cost composition that cures rapidly and which is suitable for coating an optical fiber comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; at least one photoinitiator; and at least one non-radiation-curable polar polymer having pendent groups that facilitate low energy chemical bonding, hydrogen bonding, dipolar interactions or other interactions with radical compounds formed during polymerization of the monomer. The non-radiation-curable polar polymer(s) are inexpensive and reduce and/or eliminate the need for expensive urethane acrylate oligomers, without sacrificing properties, and while achieving rapid cure speeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing virtual messaging is provided. The method comprises examining status information associated with a plurality of servers for notifying call recipients of messages using at least one messaging protocol, wherein each of the plurality of servers operates independently, identifying an available server of the plurality of servers, based on the status information, for handling a message and directing an incoming call to the available server, wherein the available server stores the message until communication of the message to at least one call recipient, wherein the available server communicates at least one notification message associated with the message to at least one telephone number of the at least one call recipient, wherein the at least one notification message comprises a telephone number associated with the call origination device and a message link number for communicating with the available server.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for measuring a length of a bone tunnel is provided. The device includes: a gauge comprising an annular shaft coupled to a handle, the handle including a constrained channel configured for receiving a passing pin from the annular shaft and displaying the passing pin in relation to a scale. In another embodiment, a method for measuring length of the bone tunnel is provided. A method and another device are provided.

Abstract: An anatomic femoral guide positions bone tunnels corresponding to the AM and PL bundles in ACL repair and reconstruction procedures. A template guide disposed in a surgical field proximate to a surgical member such as a femur or tibia defines a surgical footprint of the resulting bone tunnel. The template includes apertures corresponding to the size of the bone tunnels for the respective (AM or PL) bundles, and allows positioning at the drilling site to identify the size and location of the bone tunnel, as well as the relative distance between tunnels for double bundle procedures. An offset angle in the template provides differing orientations of the template apertures for visualizing the actual bone tunnel placement. The template has an aperture positionable parallel to a tibial plateau formation on the tibia, and the template orients a second aperture angled by the offset angle for positioning the second tunnel.

Abstract: Embodiments of this device or method repeatedly apply droplets of two or more liquids by means of nozzles of fixed relative direction in an alternate or sequential manner to a target location on a surface for removing material from the surface, adding material to the surface, or using the surface to biphasically catalyze a reaction of components of the liquids. The droplets have essentially no contact with one another before reaching the surface (FIG. 12A thru 13H). The effect of the droplets on the target surface can be modified by a continuous or interrupted flow of air or other gas to the target surface (FIG. 27A thru 29H), or by application of radiations such as sonic or ultrasonic radiation, or various frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, to the target surface, or some combination of these. Means may be included for adjusting the temperature of the liquids and gasses.

Abstract: A suture puller includes a tubular body member with a first end and a second end. First and second conical end members are coupled to the first and second ends of the tubular body member, respectively. The first conical end member and the tubular body member define a slot, configured to receive a suture, that extends through the first conical end member and a portion of the tubular body member along a central axis of the suture puller.

Abstract: A radiation curable composition is disclosed that includes a curable cross-linker essentially free of urethane and urea functional groups, a curable diluent, and a non-radiation curable component comprising (thio)urethane and/or urea groups. Coated optical fibers having a primary coating formed from this radiation curable composition, as well as optical fiber ribbons that contain the coated optical fibers are disclosed. Methods of making the optical fibers and ribbons are also disclosed.