Abstract: A thin film composition is made from silicon, an insulator such as alumina or silicon dioxide, and at least one additional material such as chromium, nickel, boron and/or carbon. These materials are combined to provide a thin film having a ? of at least 0.02 ?-cm (typically 0.02-1.0 ?-cm), and a TCR of less than ±1000 ppm/° C. (typically less than ±300 ppm/° C.). A sheet resistance of at least 20 k?/? may also be obtained. The resulting thin film is preferably at least 200 thick, to reduce surface scattering conduction currents.

Abstract: A tiltable platform and container system employs a container on a tilted platform which when released will move rearwardly under the influence of gravity to an off-loading position. The container is loaded by a winch and cable attachable to the container to roll the container onto the trailer. The container is provided with individually vertically adjustable rear ground engaging means whose vertical adjustments are controlled by at least one pitch-sensitive switch which enables the container to remain substantially level during loading and unloading from a tilted platform.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer networks may be established by considering various characteristics of the peers when clustering the peers within the network. The characteristics may include operational criteria such as the cost of data transfer by each peer, the type and status of power being supplied to each peer, and the bandwidth available to each peer. The peer-to-peer networks may be established by requiring credentials to gain access to the peer-to-peer network, where those credentials may be a network access identifier that has previously been used to gain access to an underlying data network of the peer-to-peer network. The operational criteria used to select peers for clustering may be stored and accessed through association to the credentials used to gain access to the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products of dynamic communication data routing by a multi-network remote communication terminal across a plurality of networks are provided. The multi-network remote communication terminal is delivered to a locality to receive communication services. The terminal is communicatively connected to a first network, a second network, the second network having a communication characteristic different from the first network, and to a user endpoint device positioned in the locality. Communication data directed to a target device from the user endpoint device is received at the terminal. A characteristic of the received communication data is determined. Routing of received communication data to the target device is allocated across the first network and/or the second network based on the determined characteristic of the received communication data and the communication characteristics of the first and second network.

Abstract: This invention describes a multi-stage pre-concentrator device for use with a detector system. One pre-concentrator stage is detachable and may be used to collect sample remotely from the detection system. The detachable pre-concentrator stage mates with the detector system and can transfer its desorbed sample to another pre-concentrator stage which also incorporates the functions of a sample loop serving as an injection volume to the separation column of an analytical instrument. In one embodiment the fixed pre-concentrator stage serves as a sample loop that preferably integrates suitable valves with sorbent materials onto the same structure to minimise dead volume, maximise sensitivity, improving column loading efficiency, reducing duty cycles and minimising detection system response time.

Abstract: An integrated analytical device is described. The device includes a plurality of components which are initially mounted or provided on support submounts. The submounts are then packaged onto a microbench, with the alignment of the submounts relative to the microbench being determined by alignment features provided on the microbench.

Abstract: A thin film composition is made from silicon, an insulator such as alumina or silicon dioxide, and at least one additional material such as chromium, nickel, boron and/or carbon. These materials are combined to provide a thin film having a ? of at least 0.02 ?-cm (typically 0.02-1.0 ?-cm), and a TCR of less than ±1000 ppm/° C. (typically less than ±300 ppm/° C.). A sheet resistance of at least 20 k?/? may also be obtained. The resulting thin film is preferably at least 200 ? thick, to reduce surface scattering conduction currents.

Abstract: A packet switched communications network that includes nodes that are interconnected by links, is dimensioned to accommodate committed bandwidths for ports that are connected to packet switched communications network. Bandwidth of a given link that includes first and second ends is provided, based on a link dimensioning rule that is a function of committed bandwidths from ports that are connected to the first end of the given link and ports that are connected to the second end of the given link. The packet switched communications network provider agrees to provide communications service for a customer through the packet switched communications network at a first committed bandwidth. At least some of the links are dimensioned to accommodate the first committed bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for preparing microparticles having a selected polymer molecular weight. The hold time and temperature of a solution containing a nucleophilic compound and a polymer having a starting molecular weight are controlled in order to control the molecular weight of the polymer in the finished microparticle product. In this manner, a selected polymer molecular weight in the finished microparticle product can be achieved from a variety of starting material molecular weights.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing microparticles using in-line solvent extraction. An emulsion is formed by combining two phases in a static mixer. The emulsion is combined with an extraction liquid in a blending static mixer. The outflow of the blending static mixer is combined with additional extraction liquid. The additional extraction liquid and the outflow of the blending static mixer can be combined in a vessel, or through the use of a static mixer manifold that includes a plurality of static mixers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing microparticles using in-line solvent extraction. An emulsion is formed by combining two phases in a static mixer. The emulsion is combined with an extraction liquid in a blending static mixer. The outflow of the blending static mixer is combined with additional extraction liquid. The additional extraction liquid and the outflow of the blending static mixer can be combined in a vessel, or through the use of a static mixer manifold that includes a plurality of static mixers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically interrogating a particle comprising obtaining a plurality of optical interrogations from a plurality of orientations relative the particle. In one aspect, the particle is tumbled relative to optical interrogation direction and reflected or transmitted energy is collected and added into a single spectrum that represents a complete spectral composition of the sample.

Abstract: A method for traffic engineering of connectionless virtual private network (VPN) services that includes receiving physical connectivity data for a connectionless VPN. The data includes service nodes and links between the service nodes. One or more of the service nodes are also edge nodes. Logical connectivity data for the edge nodes is received. A restricted topology is created in response to the physical connectivity data and to the logical connectivity data. The restricted topology includes a single path between each pair of the edge nodes and each path includes a plurality of the service nodes and one or more of the links. A bandwidth requirement for each link in the restricted topology is calculated. The bandwidth requirement is reserved on each link in the restricted topology. The method further comprises directing routing software to force a packet received from an edge node through one of the paths in the restricted topology.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide network access service for a subscriber by utilizing multiple asymmetric DSL modems per service point such that the available bandwidth is the aggregation of the multiple asymmetric DSL modems. One asymmetric DSL modem of a service point has a faster upload speed than download speed while another asymmetric DSL modem of the service point has a faster download speed than upload speed. The two asymmetric DSL modems are aggregated together at the service endpoint so that the service endpoint benefits from the upload and download bandwidth available from both asymmetric DSL modems. The two asymmetric DSL modems at one service point communicate with two asymmetric DSL modems aggregated at another service point to complete the exchange of data.

Abstract: Extendable and expandable ablation electrodes are disclosed. Electrophysiology catheter systems include ablation electrodes that maintain a reduced cross-sectional profile during introduction into a patient and are extendable and/or expandable once positioned at a lesion site. The expanded electrodes having a larger length or and/or diameter can help to produce large lesions. Controllability of the dimensions of the ablation electrodes may be improved.

Abstract: Methods for preparing microparticles having improved flowability to facilitate processing in automated equipment. Microparticles are conditioned so that a flowability index of the microparticles is greater than about 60. The conditioning preferably includes maintaining the microparticles at a conditioning temperature for a period of time. The conditioning can be used with microparticles containing an active agent, and with placebo microparticles, and it is reversible.

Abstract: An electronic dive and method of fabricating an electronic device. The method including placing a placement guide over a top surface of a module substrate, the placement guide having a guide opening, the guide opening extending from a top surface of the placement guide to a bottom surface of the placement guide; aligning the placement guide to an integrated circuit chip position on the module substrate; fixing the placement guide to the module substrate; placing an integrated circuit chip in the guide opening, sidewalls of the placement guide opening constraining electrically conductive bonding structures on bottom surface of the integrated circuit chip to self-align to an electrically conductive module substrate contact pad on the top surface of the module substrate in the integrated circuit chip position; and bonding the bonding structures to the module substrate contact pads, the bonding structures and the module substrate contact pads in direct physical and electrical contact after the bonding.

Abstract: Bandwidth of a subscriber line, such as a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), that carries Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone calls and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) transmissions is allocated. A message is sent from a VoIP call processor that is associated with the subscriber line and a video server that is associated with the subscriber line, so as to allow a VoIP call to take place at a desired quality of service, notwithstanding concurrent transmission of IPTV to the subscriber line by the video server. The message may be sent by the VoIP call processor in response to initiating setup of a VoIP call for the subscriber line by the VoIP call processor.

Abstract: Setup of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call is initiated and an authentication token is received for the VoIP call that is set up, that indicates that the VoIP call is authorized. The authentication token is inserted into packets for the VoIP call. The packets, including the authentication token therein, are transmitted into an IP network. The authentication token may be placed in an IP version 6 (IPv6) flowID field.

Abstract: Methods of selecting operating parameter values for tissue ablation procedures are disclosed. Energy supply parameters may be selected based on inputs such as fluid flow rate, impedance, and the distance from an ablation electrode surface to a target tissue surface. The distance to place an ablation electrode surface from a target tissue surface may be selected based on various operating parameter values and/or operating condition values. Operating curves, lookup tables, or processors may be used to select operating parameter values.