Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic tape includes a step of directing a tape of partially-sintered ceramic into a furnace. The tape is partially-sintered such that grains of the ceramic are fused to one another yet the tape still includes at least 10% porosity by volume, where the porosity refers to volume of the tape unoccupied by the ceramic. The method further includes steps of conveying the tape through the furnace and further sintering the tape as the tape is conveyed through the furnace. The porosity of the tape decreases during the further sintering step.

Abstract: A multi-junction photovoltaic device comprises a first sub-cell and a second sub-cell, the second sub-cell overlying the first sub-cell such that incident light passes through the second sub-cell before the first sub-cell. The light-receiving surface of the second sub-cell comprises a layer of a transparent conductive material and one or more metal tracks extending in a first direction and in contact with the layer of transparent conductive material. A layer of electrically insulating material is provided on the light receiving surface of the second sub-cell located under one end of the one or more metal tracks at an edge of the device, and an electrically conductive pad is provided over the layer of electrical insulator and in electrical contact with the one or more metal tracks to provide electrical contact to an external circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer implemented method, software product and computer system for managing a cryptographic service. The computer implemented method comprises: establishing a pool of encryption materials; periodically updating the pool of encryption materials; and responsive to an encryption request from an encrypting application: selecting encryption materials from the pool; encrypting payload data included in the encryption request using the selected encryption materials; and returning encrypted payload data to the encrypting application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer implemented method, software product and computer system for managing a cryptographic service. The computer implemented method comprises: establishing a pool of encryption materials; periodically updating the pool of encryption materials; and responsive to an encryption request from an encrypting application: selecting encryption materials from the pool; encrypting payload data included in the encryption request using the selected encryption materials; and returning encrypted payload data to the encrypting application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving service instructions from a client regarding a network function at a network element, the service instructions including a table of network policies and rules, receiving data from a first edge node of a network fabric, processing the data received from the first edge node according to the service instructions regarding the network function, and providing the processed data to a second edge node of the network fabric based on the service instructions.

Abstract: A clearing or unjamming process utilizes bidirectional agitation and non-deterministic behavior to clear debris that is jamming a downhole rotary tool. In accordance to at least one embodiment the clearing or unjamming process uses irregular oscillation of the jamming debris which may be produced by varying pause times in a bidirectional movement of the rotor. In some embodiments the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the rotor is maintained constant during the unjamming process.

Abstract: A clearing or unjamming process utilizes bidirectional agitation and non-deterministic behavior to clear debris that is jamming a downhole rotary tool. In accordance to at least one embodiment the clearing or unjamming process uses irregular oscillation of the jamming debris which may be produced by varying pause times in a bidirectional movement of the rotor. In some embodiments the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the rotor is maintained constant during the unjamming process.

Abstract: A solid, oral controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form has a water-soluble active ingredient dispersed in a matrix and releases the active ingredient at such a rate upon administration that the median tmax is 2.5 to 6 hours and the ratio of mean Cmax to mean plasma level of the active ingredient at 24 hours is in the range of 1.5 to 3.5.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to track and hold a voltage. An example track and hold circuit comprises a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, and a current mode logic amplifier.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable backboard support includes a fixed position structure to which a shiftable backboard structure is sliding attached for vertical adjustment between several selectable elevations. A torsion spring counterbalance apparatus on the fixed position structure facilitates manual shifting of the adjustable backboard structure to any of its vertically adjusted positions. A vertically disposed outer tube of the fixed position structure includes vertically spaced openings in one of its side walls for receiving a cam secured to a vertical operating rod rotatably mounted to the shiftable backboard structure for selecting and maintaining desired vertical positions of backboard adjustment.

Abstract: A controlled release preparation for oral administration contains tramadol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as active ingredient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to track and hold a voltage. An example track and hold circuit comprises a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, and a current mode logic amplifier.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable backboard support includes a fixed position structure to which a shiftable backboard structure is sliding attached for vertical adjustment between several selectable elevations. A torsion spring counterbalance apparatus on the fixed position structure facilitates manual shifting of the adjustable backboard structure to any of its vertically adjusted positions. A vertically disposed outer tube of the fixed position structure includes vertically spaced openings in one of its side walls for receiving a cam secured to a vertical operating rod rotatably mounted to the shiftable backboard structure for selecting and maintaining desired vertical positions of backboard adjustment.

Abstract: Fluorescent dyes useful for detecting a target material in biological assays an electron donating moiety which is linked by a conjugated ?-electron bridge to an electron accepting moiety. The ?-electron bridge includes at least one carbocyclic ring structure or heterocyclic ring structure. The electron accepting moiety is a carboxylic acid, a salt of a carboxylic acid, or has the formula: wherein: X8 is selected from the group consisting of H, CH3, and (CH2)n6-Z2?, where Z2? is a monovalent anion; and n6 is an integer from 1 through 10; and Q3 is O or S.

Abstract: A solid, oral controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form has a water-soluble active ingredient dispersed in a matrix and releases the active ingredient at such a rate upon administration that the median tmax is 2.5 to 6 hours and the ratio of mean Cmax to mean plasma level of the active ingredient at 24 hours is in the range of 1.5 to 3.5.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for assaying analytes.

Abstract: A substrate, which that is capable of attaching biomolecules, and a method for preparing the substrate are provided. The substrate has a reactive surface that can covalently attach a polymer coating containing functional groups, which can reduce nonspecific binding of biomolecules to the surface for a biological array. Optionally, at least a portion of the substrate may be coated with an intermediate tie layer, which enhances the covalent bonding between the polymer coating with the underlying substrate. The present invention also pertains to a method that uses electrostatic blocking agents to reduce non-specific binding of proteins to a substrate, especially anhydride-modified surfaces.

Abstract: A controlled release preparation for oral administration contains tramadol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arrays comprising porous substrates for attachment of nucleic acids, polypeptides, membranes, or other biological or organic materials. In many embodiments, the arrays of the present invention have a flow-through configuration such that washing buffers or samples can access to the porous substrates from at least two sides of the arrays. The present invention also features arrays comprising UV-compatible porous substrates, arrays comprising three-dimensional membranes in sol-gels, and arrays comprising silica-based porous substrates prepared using a low-temperature fusion process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to aromatic vinyl sulfide compounds of general formula A(—S—CH?CH2)z, wherein z is in the range of 1-4 and A represents highly halogenated and highly halogenated-deuterated phenyl, biphenyl and naphthalene compounds; highly halogenated and highly halogenated-deuterated biphenyl ethers and thioethers; and highly halogenated and highly halogenated-deuterated unsaturated 5- and 6-member heterocyclic ring systems containing carbon and at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The aromatic vinyl sulfide compounds of the invention can be used to prepare elements and devices suitable for use in optical communications.