Abstract: Methods, systems, software products perform circuit analysis on a circuit design. Instantiation paths for one or more design blocks of the circuit design are determined. Select information is recursively accumulated for each of the design blocks. Instantiation characteristics are applied to the accumulated information for each instance of the design blocks based upon instantiation hierarchy of the instance within the circuit design.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software products iteratively traverse a hierarchical circuit design. An initial net and an instance history that uniquely defines the initial net within the design are selected. The initial net and the instance history are appended to a list of nets to be processed. The initial net and the instance history are inserted into a set of visited nets. Each additional net connected to the initial net is visited in response to a first request from a user. The initial net and each additional net are returned in response to a second request from the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software products determine a highest level signal name in a hierarchical circuit design. A signal path is traced into a hierarchically lower level of the circuit design from a predetermined net in the circuit design to a predetermined terminal instance, while adding indicia, to an instance history list, of each subsequent instance encountered. A port instance is determined on the terminal instance associated with a selected net for which the highest level signal name is to be determined. The selected net is designated as the current net. For each stored indicia in the instance history list, the net connected to the current net in a hierarchical parent of the instance identified by the indicia is determined, to establish a next current net. If a condition exists wherein there is no connection from the current net to a hierarchically higher level instance, then the current net is established as the highest level signal name for the selected net.

Abstract: System and method for analyzing design elements in a CAD tool design. A configuration element generator encodes information in a configuration command to generate a configuration element associated with at least one of the design elements. A sequencer, coupled to the configuration element generator, tags the configuration element with a sequence number. A computer memory, coupled to the sequencer, stores the configuration element. A processor, coupled to the computer memory, applies, to the design element that is of interest, each stored said configuration element associated with the design element of interest, in an order indicated by the sequence number. A configuration element is an encoding of data comprising formatted information associated with a design.

Abstract: Methods, systems and software products are described for determining applicable configuration information for use in analysis of a computer aided design. A state machine is generated using information contained in a plurality of configuration commands. A design element name, associated with a design element, is applied to the state machine. The state machine generates a list including configuration information applicable to the design element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for independently controlling dynamic, reagent-induced transformations of multiple samples including proteins being crystallized and cells being cultured. The invention provides an automatic robotic device that enhances protein crystallization in high-throughput, using reagent reservoirs (28) linked to reagent chambers (40), with sample chambers (44) communicating with the reagent chambers (40) via semipermeable membrane.

Abstract: A process optimization system and method uses a computer network, particularly the Internet, to standardize a process performed at a number of geographically separated locations while assuring optimal use of available process technology. The system includes at least one central server computer system and at least one client-user computer station at each location. Data relating to the process is inputted into the server computer system using any one of the client-user computer stations. The server computer system the uses the data to determine an optimal approach to the process and displays the optimal approach on the client-user computer station used to input the data.

Abstract: This concerns a process for maintaining and using business registry (BR) databases. Such BR's, maintained and/or controlled by businesses designated ‘target’ enterprises, contain entries associated with businesses or individuals seeking consideration for trusted business relationship associations with the target enterprise, such entities designated presently as ‘seeking’ entities. These entries contain ‘member status’ code values designating levels of trust associated with respective seeking entities, and information parameters subject to modification by the target enterprise which effectively constitute criteria for raising and lowering status values assigned to individual entries. A presently disclosed options list mechanism allows the target enterprise to modify the information constituting the criteria for trust status level assignment.

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a closed frame of a single piece of wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration that comprises a self-expanding stent. The stent is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel. One or more barbs are attached to the frame of the device for anchoring or to connect additional frames. A covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or collagen, is sutured or attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an artificial valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet. A partial, triangular-shaped covering over the lumen of the device allows the valve to open with normal blood flow and close to retrograde flow.

Abstract: Image sequences, video clips, or other sensorily perceptible representations of experiments, are combined with software and hardware for teaching science, critical thinking, and other subjects, to provide a learning process centered on Scientific Method. Experiments are run (or simulated) with various experimental parameters and are recorded on a storage device such as a network server. The reproduced experiment is combined with introductory material, hypotheses, vocabulary words and definitions, and other information to create course modules consisting of one or more segments. Small groups of students run software on separate computers to pick and view experiments, to collect data by interacting with the experiments, to analyze the collected data, and to prove hypotheses. Following each course segment the student groups present their findings to other class members and the teacher facilitates identification and understanding of the principles involved.

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a closed frame of a single piece of wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration that comprises a self-expanding stent. The stent is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel. One or more barbs are attached to the frame of the device for anchoring or to connect additional frames. A covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or collagen, is sutured or attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an artificial valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet. A partial, triangular-shaped covering over the lumen of the device allows the valve to open with normal blood flow and close to retrograde flow.

Abstract: A microphone apparatus or assembly includes three or more microphone elements supported on a horizontal plane or planes, which microphones are physically arranged and electrically combined such that the resulting composite stereo signals, left total and right total, produce a surround image and are compatible with current standard surround decoders.

Abstract: Studies investigating posteroanterior (PA) forces in spinal stiffness assessment have shown relationships to spinal level, body type, and lumbar extensor muscle activity. Little objective evidence is available discerning variation in PA stiffness and its clinical significance. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to determine the stiffness index and neuromuscular characteristics of the asymptomatic and symptomatic low back. Twenty-two subject underwent physical examination and completed outcome VAS, Oswestry, and SF-36 questionnaires. A hand-held spinal manipulation instrument, equipped with a load cell and accelerometer was used to deliver high rate (<0.1 sec) PA manipulative thrusts (450 N) to several common spinal landmarks including the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), sacral base, and L5, L4, L2, T12, T8 spinous (SP) and transverse processes (TP).

Abstract: Studies investigating posteroanterior (PA) forces in spinal stiffness assessment have shown relationships to spinal level, body type, and lumbar extensor muscle activity. Little objective evidence is available discerning variation in PA stiffness and its clinical significance. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to determine the stiffness index and neuromuscular characteristics of the asymptomatic and symptomatic low back. Twenty-two subject underwent physical examination and completed outcome VAS, Oswestry, and SF-36 questionnaires. A hand-held spinal manipulation instrument, equipped with a load cell and accelerometer was used to deliver high rate (<0.1 sec) PA manipulative thrusts (450 N) to several common spinal landmarks including the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), sacral base, and L5, L4, L2, T12, T8 spinous (SP) and transverse processes (TP).

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly according to the invention includes a cylinder block having a cylinder defined by a cylinder bore wall, a cylinder head connected to the cylinder block, and a piston for reciprocating in the cylinder relative the cylinder head. A combustion chamber for an air/fuel mixture has a volume formed by the cylinder bore wall, cylinder head, and the piston, and is divided into an intake side and an exhaust side by a longitudinal center axis of the piston. A spark plug is mounted in the cylinder head and extends into the combustion chamber to ignite the air/fuel mixture therein. A crown of the piston has a raised peak offset from the longitudinal center axis for providing a homogeneous air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber near the spark plug.

Abstract: An endovascular graft prosthesis for arrangement at an aneurysm positioned in the vicinity of a bifurcation in an arterial system having a main lumen and a first and a second branch lumen. The endovascular graft prosthesis includes a prosthetic device with at least one expandable tubular frame body for arrangement in the main lumen and a first and a second graft limb. The frame body is contractible into a first shape with a smaller diameter for introduction to a vascular site upstream of the aneurysm and is radially expandable into a second shape having a larger diameter and an inner lumen. The frame body is provided with a covering which extends across the inner lumen of the tubular frame body and has two apertures each of which has a diameter of less than half the larger diameter of the frame body. The first and second limbs have a cranial end for mounting at one of the apertures and a caudal end for arrangement in one of the branch lumens.

Abstract: A stent graft (10) with a stent frame (12) having a plurality of stents (16) connected together with monofilament line (22). A covering (14) of collagen having an extracellular matrix (ECM), such as small intestine submucosa (SIS), is disposed through the inside and over the outside of the stent frame. The covering (14) is affixed to the stent frame (12) such as by being sutured onto the stent frame at the ends of the stent frame and also at the connections of the stent bodies, such as at eyelets (24).

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a frame comprising wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration which a generally serpentine shape. The device is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel and may include one or more barbs for anchoring purposes. A full or partial covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or a collagen-based material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS), may be sutured or attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an implantable, intraluminal valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet.

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a closed frame of a single piece of wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration that comprises a self-expanding stent. The stent is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel. One or more barbs are attached to the frame of the device for anchoring or to connect additional frames. A covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or collagen, is sutured or attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an artificial valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet. A partial, triangular-shaped covering over the lumen of the device allows the valve to open with normal blood flow and close to retrograde flow.

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a closed frame of a single piece of wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration that comprises a self-expanding stent. The stent is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel. One or more barbs are attached to the frame of the device for anchoring or to connect additional frames. A covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or collagen, is sutured or attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an artificial valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet. A partial, triangular-shaped covering over the lumen of the device allows the valve to open with normal blood flow and close to retrograde flow.