Abstract: A computer processor retention device comprises a load frame, a load plate, and a pair of retractable cover members. The load frame may be secured to a circuit board around a processor mounting site. The load plate is pivotally coupled to the load frame and is pivotable between being open for receiving a processor at the processor mounting site and closed in engagement with a periphery of the received processor. The load plate has a window that is open to the processor mounting site when the load plate is closed. The retractable cover members span the window and are alternately movable along a track toward one another to cover the processor mounting site and away from one another to expose the processor mounting site.

Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.

Abstract: A pellet having a microstructure including a bismuth phase, a zinc solid solution phase, and a Zn3Hg phase is disclosed. A method of making a pellet including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is also disclosed. Moreover, a fluorescent lamp with a fill material including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is disclosed. Further, a method of dosing a fluorescent lamp with mercury is disclosed.

Abstract: Video processing methods include correlating a video frame in a video stream with event data in a data stream based on a video frame time stamp and an event data time stamp, the time stamps being based on a time scale that is independent, and recording the correlation in a database. Other video processing methods include receiving a query for a video frame and searching for event data in a database. The database has an event data table and a video data table used in locating the video frame. Further video processing methods include receiving a query to retrieve a video clip for each of a plurality of plays, searching for event data in a database, locating the video clip for each of the plurality of plays, and compiling the video clips into a compiled video stream lacking video frames that do not satisfy the query.

Abstract: A method of minimally invasively reducing a volume of a hyper-inflated target section of diseased lung comprising the steps of introducing a bronchoscope into a patient's airway to a position adjacent the target section and equilibrating air within the target section with atmospheric air to at least partially deflate the target lung section; injecting an inflammation-causing substance into the target section to precipitate adhesion of the walls within the target lung section, preventing substantial re-inflation of the target section by occluding an airway upstream of the target section for a period of time, and removing the airway occlusion after the target section has substantially permanently been reduced in volume. The injected substance can be autologous blood or a constituent thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing GaN material includes subjecting a GaN substrate to at least two cycles of Ga deposition and desorption, then applying a layer of AlN to the GaN substrate, then growing GaN on the AlN layer by molecular beam epitaxy. This results in reduced concentrations of oxygen, carbon, and silicon impurities.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for treating or preventing disorders in companion animals, wherein the compositions and methods include feeding the companion animal a composition including lipoic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: An expandable slide and lock stent comprises a tubular member that can be expanded from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The tubular member can comprise a reversing helical backbone and at least one rail member extending from the helical backbone in a circumferential direction. The backbone can have at least one engagement element that can be configured to receive a rail member to form the tubular member. In some embodiments, the reversing helical backbone can comprise a plurality of discrete segments having a variable profile and/or wave form.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a support member sized and configured to span at least a portion of a patient's face while remaining below the patient's eyes responsive to the patient interface device being donned by such a patient and a sealing assembly operatively coupled to the support member such that the support member is moveable relative to the support member. The support member defines a gas carrying conduit adapted to carry a flow of gas to the sealing assembly. The support member is a single-piece unitary member and includes a conduit coupling portion adapted to be coupled to a patient circuit.

Abstract: A process for providing an improved hermetically sealed capacitor which includes the steps of applying a solder and a flux to an interior surface of a case; flowing the solder onto the interior surface; remove flux thereby forming a flux depleted solder; inserting the capacitive element into the casing; reflowing the flux depleted solder thereby forming a solder joint between the case and the solderable layer; and sealing the case.

Abstract: A method of determining auto-calibrating information of a test sensor includes providing an optical read head that includes a light source, a light guide and a detector. The read head forms an opening that is sized to receive a test sensor. The detector includes a linear-detector array or single detector. A test sensor is provided having apertures formed therein. The test sensor is placed in the opening of the optical read head. Light is transmitted from the light source through the apertures. The light transmitted through the apertures using the detector or detecting the absence of light being transmitted through the test sensor using the detector is detected. The detected light or the absence of detected light information from the detector is used to determine the auto-calibration information of the test sensor.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed in program listings display regions on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned. The program listings display regions containing the advertisements may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size video window. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the image-based backgrounds for images, an image is analyzed in order to identify a color that represents the image. An enhanced background is generated based at least in part on the identified color, and both the image and the enhanced background are output on a screen. In addition, or alternatively, the identified color can be saved as being associated with the image in order to be used to generate an enhanced background for the image when the image is displayed.

Abstract: A method of operating a memory device includes receiving first and second sets of bits to be stored in multi-level cells in the device. A multi-level encoding is selected from among a plurality of multi-level encodings for storing the first and second sets of bits in the multi-level cells. Each multi-level encoding includes at least four encoding levels for a respective multi-level cell. Respective multi-level encodings have respective costs associated with programming the first and second sets of bits into the multi-level cells in accordance with the respective multi-level encodings. The multi-level encoding is selected based on the respective costs of the respective encodings. The first and second sets of bits are encoded in accordance with the selected multi-level encoding to produce encoded data for storage in the device such that a respective multi-level cell stores respective bits from both the first and second sets of bits.

Abstract: A white light LED-based lighting device configured for direct form, fit, and function replacement of existing incandescent and fluorescent devices is provided. The white light LED-based lighting device comprises a group of solid state light emitting diodes, electronics to activate the light emitting diodes, and an encapsulating housing configured for direct form, fit, and function replacement of existing devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically engineered strains of Pichia capable of producing proteins with reduced glycosylation. In particular, the genetically engineered strains of the present invention are capable of expressing either or both of an ?-1,2-mannosidase and glucosidase II. The genetically engineered strains of the present invention can be further modified such that the OCH1 gene is disrupted. Methods of producing glycoproteins with reduced glycosylation using such genetically engineered stains of Pichia are also provided.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a vehicle involves selecting content, and a source from which the information is retrievable. The information pertains to the content and the content is associated with an entity. The vehicle is tracked in real time. Via a telematics unit of the vehicle, vehicle data obtained from the tracking (including at least a then-current vehicle location and speed) is uploaded to an offboard server. The data is utilized, by a processor associated with the offboard server, to identify the entity that is within proximity of the vehicle. Information from the selected content source is obtained via the offboard server. The information is associated with the entity. The information is transmitted to the telematics unit. The information that is displayed to the vehicle is associated with an object representing the entity that is within the field of view of a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A modular wall panel system including a series of wall panels connectable to each other. Each of the wall panels is formed from a support frame having a pair of spaced vertical posts and an upper header and a lower sill extending between the vertical posts. The lower sill is received within attachment notches formed in each of the vertical posts near the bottom end of each post. The attachment notches are spaced along the length of the vertical post such that the position of the sill can be adjusted. The lower sill includes a trim channel that receives the bottom of a tile mounted to the support frame. A top cap is attached to the header and engages a top end of the tile to aid in retaining the tile on the support frame. The tile may be a segmented tile having a lower portion and an upper portion joined to each other by a segmented trim channel. The segmented trim channel between the upper and lower portions is not connected to the support frame.

Abstract: An automatic weapon system that closely controls the operation of a weapon, such as a cam rotor gun. The system has, among other things, an actuator for firing ammunition, a feeder for supplying ammunition to be fired, and a counter for determining the amount of fired ammunition. An actuator sensor is in communication with the actuator and a counter sensor is in communication with the counter. A controller is in communication with the actuator sensor, the counter sensor and the feeder to control the operation of the weapon.

Abstract: system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.