Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) chips and more particularly to methods and systems for reducing congestion in VLSI chip design. In one embodiment, a method includes applying a placement constraint with at least one hot-spot logic cell, wherein the placement constraint restricts placement of new logic cells within a predefined distance from each of the at least one hot-spot logic cell; applying a routing constraint on a metal layer in a node of the VLSI chip, wherein the node includes the at least one hot-spot logic cell; and restricting fresh placement of the post route database of the at least one hot-spot logic cell to original location extracted using feedback received after culmination of routing procedure while applying the placement constraint and the routing constraint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for testing devices adapted for connection to other devices using universal serial bus (USB) are disclosed. Devices to be tested are caused to enter a special mode of operation when a resistance measured across across two terminals of a USB Type-C connector has a value associated with the special mode of operation. One or more operations of the device are automatically initiated when the resistance between the two terminals has a measured value that matches one of a set of resistance values maintained by the device. The one or more operations may include configuring a power management circuit based on the measured value, and entering a special or factory boot mode that controls startup of at least one processor on the device based on the measured value. Each of the set of resistance values exceeds a minimum open-circuit resistance value specified for the connector.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments relating to generating portions of network pages associated with a network site, where the portions of the network pages are generated by page generation code that uses a subset of aggregated data provided to it. A request for a network page is received from a first party. Data is aggregated from one or more data sources in response to the request. Each data source provides multiple data items using a multipart encoding. Page generation code supplied by the first party is executed to generate at least a portion of the network page in response to receiving a subset of the data which is used by the page generation code. The page generation code is able to access the subset of the data as predefined variables.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a distributed data storage system. In some embodiments, a plurality of storage devices define an overall available memory space. A control circuit stores a first copy of user data from a selected distributed data set in a working set of memory buffers, stores a duplicate, second copy of the user data in an alias set of memory buffers, generates parity data based on the second copy of the user data in the alias set of the memory buffers, and flushes the user data and the parity data from the alias set of memory buffers to the storage devices while the first copy of the user data remains in the working set of the memory buffers. In this way, subsequently received access commands can be serviced using the working set of the memory buffers.

Abstract: A first camera unit includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length. In some embodiments, a camera system of a multifunction device includes a second camera unit of the multifunction device for simultaneously capturing a second image of a second visual field. In some embodiments, the second camera unit includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length. In some embodiments, the second actuator includes a second actuator lateral magnet. In some embodiments, the first optical package and the second optical package are situated between the first actuator later magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet along an axis between the first actuator lateral magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet. In some embodiments, no actuator lateral magnets are situated between the first optical package and the second optical package along the axis.

Abstract: Textured ceramic compositions having improved piezoelectric characteristics as compared with their random counterparts are provided. Methods of making the compositions and devices using them are also included. More particularly, compositions comprising textured ceramic Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3—BaTiO3(NBT-BT) materials synthesized from high aspect ratio NBT seeds exhibit improved characteristics, including an increased longitudinal piezoelectric constant (d33) and magnetoelectric coupling coefficient over randomly oriented NBT-BT. Additionally provided are compositions comprising of nanostructured Na0.5B0.5TiO3—BaTiO3 ferroelectric whiskers having a high aspect ratio. Nanostructured whiskers can be used to improve the piezoelectric properties of the bulk ceramics. The inventive materials are useful in microelectronic devices, with some finding particular application as multilayer actuators and transducers.

Abstract: A zone isolation cementing system includes a tubular having a longitudinal axis and a first flow-controlled port, a first conduit having a first end and a second end, the first end fluidically connected to the first flow-controlled port, a first distributor manifold arranged to deliver cement slurry exteriorly of the tubular, the second end of the first conduit fluidically connected to the first distributor manifold, and a first settable packer disposed exteriorly of the tubular and arranged longitudinally between the first flow-controlled port and the first distributor manifold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for testing devices adapted for connection to other devices using universal serial bus (USB) are disclosed. Devices to be tested are caused to enter a special mode of operation when a resistance measured across two terminals of a USB Type-C connector has a value associated with the special mode of operation. One or more operations of the device are automatically initiated when the resistance between the two terminals has a measured value that matches one of a set of resistance values maintained by the device. The one or more operations may include configuring a power management circuit based on the measured value, and entering a special or factory boot mode that controls startup of at least one processor on the device based on the measured value. Each of the set of resistance values exceeds a minimum open-circuit resistance value specified for the connector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for testing devices adapted for connection to other devices using universal serial bus (USB) are disclosed. Devices to be tested are caused to enter a special mode of operation when resistance measured at one or more terminals of a USB Type-C connector have values associated with the special mode of operation. One or more operations of the device are automatically initiated when the resistance coupled to the at least one terminal of the connector has a measured value that matches one of a set of resistance values maintained by the device. The one or more operations may include configuring a power management circuit based on the measured value, and entering a mode of operation that controls startup of at least one processor on the device when the measured value matches a first resistance value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a social-networking system authenticates a user of a mobile device, receives a request from the mobile device to install a software application, transmits data to the mobile device comprising the software application and an installation identifier (ID), receives another request including the installation ID from the mobile device to authorize the software application, evaluates the installation ID for validity, and transmits yet another response to the mobile device in accordance with the evaluation.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide for a plumbing fixture comprising a spout. The spout comprises a body with a collar on a top surface of the body and a hole extending through the collar and defining an internal surface of the collar. The spout further comprises a first camming surface formed on the internal surface. The plumbing fixture further comprises a lift knob. The lift knob comprises a head. The head comprises a front side, top side, and a bottom side. The lift knob further comprises a shaft. The shaft is axially movable within the hole and has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the bottom side of the head and the second end disposed within the spout. A second camming surface is formed on the bottom side of the head. The second camming surface has a geometrically complementary surface to the first camming surface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a first camera unit of a multifunction device for capturing a first image of a first visual field includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package. A second camera unit includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package. The second camera unit includes a second central magnet array situated along the axis between the first optics package of the first camera unit and the second optics package of the second camera unit. In some embodiments, the second central magnet array includes a second central upper magnet having a first polarity and a second central lower magnet having a polarity antiparallel to the first polarity. In some embodiments, the second camera unit includes a second distal magnet array situated opposite the second central magnet array with respect to the second optics package of the second camera unit.

Abstract: A method for dissolved gas analysis is presented. The method includes the steps of irradiating a fluid with electromagnetic radiation; and determining a concentration of a gas as a function of a temperature change of the fluid in response to the irradiation. A device for such an analysis of dissolved gases in a fluid, and a system having such device are also described.

Abstract: A neutral point clamped, multilevel level converter includes a DC voltage link; a first capacitor coupling one side of the DC link to a neutral point; a second capacitor coupling another side of the DC link to the neutral point; a plurality of phase legs, each phase leg including switches, each phase leg coupled to an AC node; a current sensor associated with each AC node; and a controller generating a PWM signal to control the switches, the controller generating a current zero sequence component in response to current sensed at each of the current sensors, the controller adjusting a modulation index signal in response to the current zero sequence component to produce the PWM signal.

Abstract: In response to a cacheable write request from a host, physical cache locations are allocated from a free list, and the data blocks are written to those cache locations without regard to whether any read requests to the corresponding logical addresses are pending. After the data has been written, and again without regard to whether any read requests are pending against the corresponding logical addresses, metadata is updated to associate the cache locations with the logical addresses. A count of data access requests pending against each cache location having valid data is maintained, and a cache location is only returned to the free list when the count indicates no data access requests are pending against the cache location.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to: (a) processes for preparing compounds and salts thereof that, inter alia, are useful for inhibiting hepatitis C virus (HCV); (b) intermediates useful for the preparation of the compounds and salts; (c) pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds or salts; and (d) methods of use of such compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments relating to virtual file systems for customers having network sites hosted by a hosting provider. A file system with multiple files of a customer is maintained for a hosting provider. Customer access to a virtualized version of the file system is facilitated. The virtualized version of the file system includes a virtual file that is dynamically generated based at least in part on one of the files in response to an access of the virtual file by the customer. The file system excludes the virtual file. A modification to the virtual file by the customer is obtained. The file in the file system is updated based at least in part on the modification to the virtual file.

Abstract: An in vitro method for demonstrating the stain removal efficacy of an oral care composition comprising (a) providing a substrate, (b) providing a staining solution, (c) providing a treatment solution comprising the oral care composition, (d) immersing the substrate in the staining solution, (e) removing the substrate from the staining solution, (f) evaluating the color of the stained substrate, (g) applying the treatment solution to the substrate and (h) evaluating the color of the treated substrate, wherein the staining solution comprises coffee is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a blueprint for an enterprise is provided. The system obtains information pertaining to an enterprise from data sources, extracts entities from the information, and identifies relationships across the entities, performs conflict resolution check on the information received from the data sources based on pre-defined rules, identifies one or more missing links in the information. The system further computes a completeness score for the information based on at least one of the conflict resolution check and the missing links, and generates a blueprint of the information and the one or more entities for the enterprise. Authentic data sources are identified from the data sources based on at least one of assigned weight, and one or more instances of, and contribution by, the data sources in the information. The completeness score is computed based on the instances and contribution of the sources in the information.

Abstract: A droplet coalescing filter cartridge is provided. The filter cartridge includes an outer filter tube and an inner filter tube disposed within the outer filter tube, and is configured to provide parallel filtration of a fluid flow. The filter includes a depth media configured to coalesce fine droplets or aerosols from an air flow. The filter cartridge is suitable for use in a coalescing filter assembly including the filter cartridge and a secondary filter element.