Abstract: A feedback instrument management system may be used to send a feedback instrument based on a user interaction. The user interaction and one or more feedback instruments may be received at a processing module. The feedback instruments may each have an associated set of rules and limiting criteria. The processing module may determine which feedback instruments have all rules satisfied and have not met the limiting criteria. A feedback instrument from the set of feedback instruments that have all rules satisfied and have not met the limiting criteria may be selected. The selection may be based on a priority value or an auction. The auction may be based on auction factors, such as satisfaction scores. The selected feedback instrument may be sent to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injectable composition for controlled delivery of a bioactive agent. The injectable composition is capable of spontaneous gelation in situ upon administration to a subject to form a gel from which an effective amount of the bioactive agent can be released over a period of 7 days or more.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for creating a private social network (PSN). Channels in the PSN can be created based on connections in existing social networks and based on other interactions between the users. Channels can be dynamically managed based on various interactions and attributes. Channels of the PSN are defined by a data structure indicating the users and relationships therebetween. The data structure can be manipulated to change the attributes of the channels. A user interface can be provided to facilitate aggregation of existing channels.

Abstract: As keys of the keyboard of a portable communication device are asserted, the device dynamically determines at least a portion of a corresponding telephone number to present on the device's display by, at least in part, considering likelihoods of differing explicit and implicit interpretations of these key assertions. By one approach this can comprise according a likelihood advantage to an explicit interpretation of one or more of the key assertions and/or implicit interpretations of such key assertions. These likelihood advantages need not be necessarily dispositive with respect to the resultant interpretation.

Abstract: A method for producing de-colored shellac by dissolving colored shellac in an aqueous solution comprising an alkaline agent; contacting the colored shellac in the aqueous solution with a sufficient amount of a chlorite salt to achieve de-coloration of the shellac; precipitating the de-colored shellac by neutralizing the aqueous solution with an acid; and recovering the precipitated de-colored shellac from said aqueous solution. The de-colored shellac produced is non-toxic and suitable for human use. Dental compositions comprising the de-colored shellac are disclosed, as well as uses of the de-colored shellac as a food product coating, a nail polish or varnish, and a wood varnish.

Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the parametric encoding of a stereo digital-audio signal. The method includes encoding a mono signal produced by downmixing applied to the stereo signal and encoding spatialization information of the stereo signal. Downmixing includes determining, for a predetermined set of frequency sub-bands, a phase difference between two stereo channels; obtaining an intermediate channel by rotating a first predetermined channel of the stereo signal through an angle obtained by reducing the phase difference; determining the phase of the mono signal from the phase of the signal that is the sum of the intermediate channel and the second stereo signal, and from a phase difference between, on the one hand, the signal that is the sum of the intermediate channel and the second channel and, on the other hand, the second channel of the stereo signal. Also provided are a decoding method, an encoder and a decoder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for initializing a plurality of processors of a multi-processor system by executing, at each respective processor of the plurality of processors, at least a portion of local initialization code stored on the respective processor. Receiving, at a designated processor of the plurality of processors, external initialization code stored in external memory, wherein the remainder of the plurality of processors do not have access to the external initialization code stored in external memory. Determining, the designated processor, send at least a portion of the external initialization code to a processor of the remainder of the plurality of processors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for selecting personalized content for a user, the method being performed by an evaluation tool instantiated on a computing device and comprising the evaluation tool. The evaluation tool creates a content selection rule for the user for finding and filtering content items, such as advertising content. The tool generates a content selection algorithm from the content selection rule for determining which content items to present to the user and presents the content item to the user based on the content selection algorithm and allows the user to interact with the presented content item.

Abstract: An orthopedic pillow comprises a padded member which has a hard block fully inserted inside. The padded member is made of resilient materials. The padded member's shape is roughly similar to that of a rectangular or hexagonal block; however, if looked right from its right or left side, the padded member has a symmetric or asymmetric bell shape. The length of the long side of the padded member is roughly equal to an adult's body's width. The hard block is made of non-resilient material. The hard block is able to tolerate, without rupturing and/or deformation, the gravity force on a mass of about 140 kg with a shape and size similar to those of a person's body. The shape of the hard block and of the padded member are similar, and their dimensions are proportional. The length of the long side of the hard block is also roughly equal to an adult's body's width. Both the padded member and the hard block have a flat bottom side.

Abstract: A system for tracking a position error of a read/write head. The read/write head is configured to read data recorded to a data layer of a recording medium and read servo information recorded to a dedicated servo layer of the recording medium. To read the servo information, the read/write head is configured to read, from a first track, a first servo signal including first servo bursts of a predetermined frequency, and read, from a second track adjacent to the first track, a second servo signal including second servo bursts of the predetermined frequency. The first servo bursts are orthogonal to the second servo bursts. A position error signal determination circuit is configured to determine the position error using at least one of the first servo signal and the second servo signal.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a composition comprising at least one acid ester stemming from the biomass and an organic biosolvent is provided. The method comprises the esterification reaction between at least one acid stemming from the biomass and at least one alcohol, in the presence of an acid catalyst and of the organic biosolvent, the organic biosolvent being selective of the ester or of the esters formed relatively to the acid or to the starting acids and non-miscible with the alcoholic solution of the acid stemming from the biomass.

Abstract: Provided for example is a combination glove comprising: (a) an top elastomer layer with an inner surface, the top elastomer layer being translucent or transparent; (b) an bottom elastomer layer with an outer surface, the bottom elastomer layer being darker than the top elastomer layer; and (c) a space or seam between the layers, wherein to either the inner-top or the outer-bottom surface has been adhered a hydrophilicity promoting composition of (i) a polyvinyl alcohol or (ii) an alkyl-aryl compound or a siloxane compound having a pendent one to two oxy-polymers, or (iii) a quaternary amine including an alkyl of C8 to C24, wherein the oxy-polymer is (1) a poly-oxyalkylene polymer that is predominantly oxyethylene or (2) a polyvinyl alcohol, wherein the hydrophilicity promoting composition enhances the spreading in the space or seam of any of the hydrophilic or aqueous fluid that breaches the top or bottom elastomer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for low-power sensing, for example, sensing of chemical or biochemical analytes in a gas or liquid phase are disclosed. One aspect relates to the use of a thin continuous film without grain boundaries as a sensing layer in devices for sensing a predetermined analyte and to low power devices having such sensing layer. The sensing layer has a surface exposed to the analyte. The electrical impedance of the sensing layer changes upon adsorption of the predetermined analyte on the exposed surface of the sensing layer. The sensing layer may have a thickness in the range between about 1 nm and 100 nm, such as between about 1 nm and 30 nm. The sensing layer may be an amorphous layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for initializing a plurality of processors of a multi-processor system by executing, at each respective processor of the plurality of processors, at least a portion of local initialization code stored on the respective processor. Receiving, at a designated processor of the plurality of processors, external initialization code stored in external memory, wherein the remainder of the plurality of processors do not have access to the external initialization code stored in external memory. Determining, the designated processor, send at least a portion of the external initialization code to a processor of the remainder of the plurality of processors.

Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) is disclosed wherein the system includes a processor associated with at least one performance state (P-state), and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory is operable to store a virtualization software and a basic input/out system (BIOS). The BIOS is configured to report a parameter of the P-state to the virtualization software. In addition, the BIOS is configured to transition the processor into a desired P-state. A method for managing performance states in an information handling system (IHS) is further disclosed wherein the method includes providing a basic input/output system (BIOS) in communication with a processor, the processor associated with an at least one performance state (P-state) and reporting a parameter of the at least one P-state to a virtualization software via the BIOS. The method further includes transitioning the processor to a desired P-state via the BIOS.

Abstract: A cervical traction device includes a base assembly having a sled frame and a sled assembly that is adapted to move along the sled frame. The device includes a plurality of unique head support cushions. The sled assembly includes a recess that is adapted to removably receive each of the plurality of head support cushions. The device also includes a shoulder support cushion and a halter assembly having a head halter that is adapted to be removably attached to the head of the patient. A linear actuator is attached between the base assembly and the sled assembly and adapted to move the sled assembly along the sled frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phenyl amino pyrimidine compounds which are inhibitors of protein kinases including JAK kinases. In particular the compounds are selective for JAK2 kinases. The kinase inhibitors can be used in the treatment of kinase associated diseases such as immunological and inflammatory diseases including organ transplants; hyperproliferative diseases including cancer and myeloproliferative diseases; viral diseases; metabolic diseases; and vascular diseases.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to a process for producing isocyanatoorganosilanes having low color and improved color stability over known isocyanatosilanes involving a neutralizing step in which a carbamatoorganosilane intermediate is neutralized with acid to a pH equal to or greater than 6.0, to the isocyanatosilane produced by said process and to coatings and numerous other industrial applications which are useful in numerous industries containing the isocyanatoorganosilane produced by the process.