Abstract: A thin film circuit comprises a plurality of thin film transistors, wherein the output response of the circuit is dependent on at least first (36) and second (34, 22) of the transistors. The first thin film transistor (36) is, in use, exposed to a source of illumination (2) and the second thin film transistor (16) is shielded from the source of illumination. The first thin film transistor (36) is operated in use as an analogue switch which provides an analogue output in response to a control input. The illumination of this transistor reduces the effect of dynamic threshold voltage variations, which can be a limitation to circuit performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for offloading health-checking policy in a distributed management environment are provided. A failure policy is received at a node of a cloud from a cloud health monitor. The node transmits a notification to a health monitor of the node that the node has failed when the failure policy is satisfied. The node reports at least one fault based on the satisfied failure policy to the cloud health monitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-layer thermal protection material comprising: (i) a substrate layer; (ii) a reflection layer formed on the substrate layer; and (iii) an emission layer formed on the reflection layer and effective to convert thermal energy to photonic energy. The reflection layer comprises a porous scattering media effective to reflect photonic energy away from the substrate layer. The emission layer comprises a thermally emissive dopant incorporated into a thermal matrix material. The present disclosure also provides articles such as portions of hypersonic flight vehicles and turbine component parts that include coatings comprising the multi-layer protection material of the present disclosure. The present disclosure also provides methods of making and using the multi-layer thermal protection material and associated articles described herein.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus that is configured to receive data from a mobile operator, process the data by, at least, anonymizing and aggregating the data to identify at least one market opportunity within a predefined market footprint, and generate a report that highlights the at least one market opportunity.

Abstract: Reverse segmentation may be provided. First, a plurality of legs may be received and combined into a first service group. Next, it may be determined that a number of active user devices increased on at least one of the plurality of legs. A portion of the plurality of legs may then be switched from the first service group to a second service group in response to determining that the number of active user devices increased on the at least one of the plurality of legs.

Abstract: A nasal cannula arrangement for use as part of systems for delivery respiratory gases to a patient is disclosed. The nasal cannula arrangement includes a manifold part adapted to receive gases from a delivery conduit. The manifold includes one but preferably a pair of prongs extending upward and curving towards the rear of the manifold. The prongs are inserted into the nostrils of the patient and deliver gases to a patient. The prongs have a cut out on the rear side of the prongs. The cut out forms a gases outlet in the prongs and are shaped such that the area of the cut out area is greater than the cross sectional area of the prongs at the entry point to the prongs.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided that include illumination sources, micro-mirror array optical modulators, and an optical element. The micro-mirror array optical modulators can selectively modulate light beams, redirect light by diffraction and reflection, and provide an output modulated light beam that exhibits a diffraction handedness dependent on the spectral bandwidth of the light incident thereupon. The optical element has a color dependent aperture that defines portions of output modulated light beams that are transmitted and remaining portions that are blocked. An efficiency and contrast of each the output modulated light beams acquired by the optical element can be independently determined by a narrow spectral bandwidth of each of the light beams, the spectral characteristics of the color dependent aperture, and the diffraction handedness of the micro-mirror array optical modulators for the associated spectral bandwidth.

Abstract: Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Content distribution systems, methods and user interfaces are described wherein a modulator dynamically duplicates output of multiple channels, a plurality of receivers are individually tuned to one of the multiple channels, wherein a single transport stream can be sent on the multiple channels to each of the desired receivers and wherein the distribution can occur in multiple modes, and user interfaces which allow a manager of the content distribution system to dynamically change the channels on each receiver so that each of the receivers can be tuned to one of the multiple channels through the user interface.

Abstract: A user interface for a content distribution system is disclosed which allows a manager of an environment of TV sets to view which content is playing on individual TV sets, and to change, track and otherwise adjust the content. The invention advantageously provides these features without interfering with other TV sets' programming when another TV set is being adjusted, changes or tracked by the manager.

Abstract: Methods for removing, reducing or treating the trace metal contaminants and the smaller fine sized cerium oxide particles from cerium oxide particles, cerium oxide slurry or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) compositions for Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) process are applied. The treated chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) compositions, or the CMP polishing compositions prepared by using the treated cerium oxide particles or the treated cerium oxide slurry are used to polish substrate that contains at lease a surface comprising silicon dioxide film for STI (Shallow trench isolation) processing and applications. The reduced nano-sized particle related defects have been observed due to the reduced trace metal ion contaminants and reduced very smaller fine cerium oxide particles in the Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) CMP polishing.

Abstract: A method includes a computer detecting an element from a data flow for at least one endpoint device; the computer using the detected element and a protection engine to assess security requirements for the flow of data for the at least one endpoint device; and the computer causing the protection engine to issue additional security controls for the at least one endpoint device.

Abstract: A wearable breathing apparatus includes a thermal capacitor that a user inhales and exhales through. Inhaled air is cooled as it passes through the thermal capacitor, and exhaled air cools the material of the thermal capacitor for the next breathing cycle. The breathing apparatus may be used by a firefighter, for example, as a lightweight apparatus to enable the firefighter to safely breathe dangerously heated air, for example while in a fire shelter, that may otherwise cause injury to the user. The breathing apparatus advantageously does not require external power for cooling. The thermal capacitor may also be used as a part of a rebreather that uses a scrubber that removes carbon dioxide from exhaled air, for rebreathing. Further, the thermal capacitor may be used for other purposes, such as in recirculation of building air.

Abstract: A content distribution system allows multiple channels to be played on multiple TV sets without the need to separately tune the TV sets using a remote control, which would potentially interfere with the channels being broadcast on nearby TV sets in an environment. A modulator dynamically duplicates the output of channels, thereby allowing multiple TV sets to be statically tuned to a fixed channel. The modulator can then duplicate the output so that a single input MPEG-2 transport stream can be sent out multiple channels and sub-channels to each of the desired TV sets.

Abstract: Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A hybrid diffusion-brazing process and hybrid diffusion-brazed article are disclosed. The hybrid diffusion-brazing process includes providing a component having a temperature-tolerant region and a temperature-sensitive region, brazing a braze material to the temperature-tolerant region during a localized brazing cycle, then heating the component in a furnace during a diffusion cycle. The brazing and the heating diffusion-braze the braze material to the component, and the localized brazing cycle is performed independent of the diffusion cycle in the hybrid diffusion-brazing process. The hybrid diffusion-brazed article includes a component, and a braze material diffusion-brazed to the component with a filler material. The filler material has a melting temperature that is above a tolerance temperature of the component.

Abstract: A connector (100) for a respiratory mask (10) including a first end portion (110) removably connected to the respiratory mask, a second end portion (120)removably connectable to a non-invasive ventilation (NIV) tube (40), and an elbow portion (130) disposed between the first and second end portions. The elbow portion includes a port (140) for removably receiving an endotracheal tube (50), the port including a removable seal (450) that maintains non-invasive ventilation during insertion of the endotracheal tube into the respiratory mask through the port. At least one of the first end section, the second end section and the port are openable for removal of the connector from around the inserted endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A stretched artist canvas frame system is supported with a rigid foam back to either allow artists to apply pressure to a canvas without stretching it and causing sagging, or to allow artists to use the stretched artist canvas as an alternative for artists who paint on board. The frame system is a light weight alternative to painting on board, especially when the paintings become very large. The frame system provides the texture of canvas but the stiffness of a board by supporting the board with a lightweight rigid extruded foam. The frame system gives the artist the choice of painting on canvas or the feel of painting on board. The rigid foam back allows the artist to even create a smooth board finish if they choose through priming techniques. As the canvas gets larger, they do not get prohibitively heavier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a credit account are disclosed. The systems and methods may receive a first encrypted payload comprising application data associated with a credit application by a credit issuer. The first encrypted payload may be decrypted to provide intelligible application data comprising applicant identifying information. A credit application can be processed using the applicant identifying information and a credit account can be established based on the credit worthiness determined and associated with the applicant. A second encrypted payload comprising credit account information associated with the credit account can then be established and transmitted to a client at the first location.