Abstract: A steerable medical apparatus includes a shaft, a steering mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The shaft has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first pull wire, and a second pull wire. The distal ends of the first and second pull wires are coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The steering mechanism has a first wheel and a second wheel coupled by a differential mechanism. The proximal ends of the first and second pull wires are respectively coupled to the first and second wheels. The actuation mechanism is coupled to the steering mechanism. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a first operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve in a first plane. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a second operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve away from the first plane.

Abstract: A hardware downscaler and an architecture for implementing a FIR filter in which the downscaler can be arranged for downscaling by a half in one dimension. The downscaler can comprise: hardware logic implementing a first three-tap FIR filter; and hardware logic implementing a second three-tap FIR filter; wherein the output from the hardware logic implementing the first three-tap filter is provided as an input to the hardware logic implementing the second three-tap filter.

Abstract: An animal feeder apparatus includes a hopper defining a cavity configured to store granular animal feed; a cup mounted with respect to the hopper and defining a concavity; and a spout defining a passageway. The spout and passageway are positioned such that, when the cavity contains the granular animal feed, the granular animal feed flows from the cavity, through the passageway, and into the concavity of the cup. The cup, hopper, and passageway are configured and arranged such that the animal feed does not flow as a result of granular friction when the concavity contains more than a predetermined amount of feed.

Abstract: A hardware downscaling module and downscaling methods for downscaling a two-dimensional array of values. The hardware downscaling unit comprises a first group of one-dimensional downscalers; and a second group of one-dimensional downscalers; wherein the first group of one-dimensional downscalers is arranged to receive a two-dimensional array of values and to perform downscaling in series in a first dimension; and wherein the second group of one-dimensional downscalers is arranged to receive an output from the first group of one-dimensional downscalers and to perform downscaling in series in a second dimension.

Abstract: An exemplary self-curling cochlear electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material, a shape memory polymer element that is embedded within the flexible body and that is configured to cause the self-curling cochlear electrode lead to transition to a curved spiral shape so as to conform with a curvature of a human cochlea when a temperature of the shape memory polymer element reaches a transition temperature, a plurality of electrode contacts arranged along a side of the flexible body, and a plurality of wires embedded within the flexible body and configured to electrically connect the plurality of electrode contacts to at least one signal source. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a self-curling cochlear electrode lead are also described.

Abstract: A method, electromagnetic switch, controller and program product, when energizing an electromagnetic coil to urge a selected shoe into a diverting path downstream of the electromagnetic switch, reverse current flow during at least a portion of the time that the electromagnetic coil is energized to recover energy from the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: Disclosed is an internally illuminated bioreactor, and related algae production methods, that employ integrated in-water grow light assemblies configured to manage the heat generated by lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) on the in-water grow lights. The bioreactor includes an outer shell and one or more in-water grow light fixtures positioned within the outer shell that are positioned around the perimeter of a hollow, internal tube. The lighting elements and internal tube are themselves contained within a preferably clear, exterior tube of the light fixture that allows light generated by the lighting elements to pass through to the algae culture inside of the growth chamber.

Abstract: A steerable medical apparatus includes a shaft, a steering mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The shaft has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first pull wire, and a second pull wire. The distal ends of the first and second pull wires are coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The steering mechanism has a first wheel and a second wheel coupled by a differential mechanism. The proximal ends of the first and second pull wires are respectively coupled to the first and second wheels. The actuation mechanism is coupled to the steering mechanism. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a first operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve in a first plane. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a second operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve away from the first plane.

Abstract: Data processing systems (e.g. image processing systems) and methods are provided for processing a stream of data values (e.g. pixel values). In each of a plurality of iterations, a respective particular data value of the stream is processed by operating on a respective particular subset of data values of the stream. In each iteration: group indication data for at least one group is retrieved and used to define a set of groups into which data values within the particular subset can be grouped; each of the data values within the particular subset is grouped into one of the groups of the set of groups; the particular data value is processed using one or more of the data values of the particular subset in dependence on the classification of the data values into the groups; and group indication data is stored for a group, for use in a subsequent iteration.

Abstract: A medication delivery device usable with a medication container wherein advancement of a piston within the container expels medication. The device includes a housing and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a drive ribbon having distal and proximal edge sections. The drive ribbon has a retracted configuration defining a spiral and an extended configuration defining a helix. The drive ribbon is movable from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration with such movement defining a drive axis and advancing the piston. In some embodiments, the drive ribbon may not rotate as it is advanced while in other embodiments, the ribbon does rotate. The disclosed drive assemblies include manually driven assemblies, spring driven assemblies and motor driven assemblies. The containers may be replaceable to allow for reuse of the device. In some embodiments, replaceable cartridges which includes both a medication container and a drive ribbon are employed.

Abstract: Existing semiconductor transistor processes may be leveraged to form lateral extensions adjacent to a conventional gate structure. The dielectric thickness under these lateral gate extensions can be varied to tune device performance and enable higher cut-off frequencies without compromising resistance to breakdown at high operating voltages. These extensions may be patterned with dimensions that are not limited by lithographic resolution and overlay capabilities and are compatible with conventional processing for ease of integration with other devices. The lateral extensions and dielectric spacers may be used to form self-aligned source, drain, and channel regions. A narrow-highly-doped channel may be formed under a narrow gate extension to improve operating frequencies. A thick dielectric layer may be formed under a narrow extension gate to improve operation voltage range.

Abstract: Existing semiconductor transistor processes may be leveraged to form lateral extensions adjacent to a conventional gate structure. The dielectric thickness under these lateral gate extensions can be varied to tune RF switch FET device performance and enable resistance to breakdown at high operating voltages. These extensions may be patterned with dimensions that are not limited by lithographic resolution and overlay capabilities and are compatible with conventional processing for ease of integration with other devices. The lateral extensions and dielectric spacers may be used to form self-aligned source, drain, and channel regions. A thick dielectric layer may be formed under a narrow extension gate to improve operation voltage range. The present invention provides an innovative structure with lateral gate extensions which may be referred to as EGMOS (extended gate metal oxide semiconductor).

Abstract: Existing semiconductor transistor processes may be leveraged to form lateral extensions adjacent to a conventional gate structure. The dielectric thickness under these lateral gate extensions can be varied to optimize device channel resistance and enable resistance to breakdown at high operating voltages. These extensions may be patterned with dimensions that are not limited by lithographic resolution and overlay capabilities and are compatible with conventional processing for ease of integration with other devices. The lateral extensions and dielectric spacers may be used to form self-aligned source, drain, and channel regions. A thin dielectric layer may be formed under an extension gate to reduce channel resistance. A thick dielectric layer may be formed under an extension gate to improve operation voltage range. The present invention provides an innovative structure with lateral gate extensions which may be referred to as EGMOS (extended gate metal oxide semiconductor).

Abstract: Disclosed is an internally illuminated bioreactor, and related algae production methods, that employ integrated in-water grow light assemblies configured to manage the heat generated by lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) on the in-water grow lights. The bioreactor includes an outer shell and one or more in-water grow light fixtures positioned within the outer shell that are positioned around the perimeter of a hollow, internal tube. The lighting elements and internal tube are themselves contained within a preferably clear, exterior tube of the light fixture that allows light generated by the lighting elements to pass through to the algae culture inside of the growth chamber.

Abstract: An exemplary self-curling cochlear electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material, a shape memory polymer element that is embedded within the flexible body and that is configured to cause the self-curling cochlear electrode lead to transition to a curved spiral shape so as to conform with a curvature of a human cochlea when a temperature of the shape memory polymer element reaches a transition temperature, a plurality of electrode contacts arranged along a side of the flexible body, and a plurality of wires embedded within the flexible body and configured to electrically connect the plurality of electrode contacts to at least one signal source. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a self-curling cochlear electrode lead are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for preparing a diastereomeric mixture of the phenicol of Formula (1), its use for the treatment of bacterial infections in animals, and veterinary compositions containing the Formula (1) compound, diastereomers thereof, and veterinary acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A method, electromagnetic switch, controller and program product utilize multiple electromagnetic coils that, whenever it is desirable to divert a shoe, are operated in sequence to urge the shoe into a diverting path downstream of the electromagnetic switch. The multiple electromagnetic coils may also be used in combination with a downstream permanent magnet such that energization of the electromagnetic coils appropriately positions the shoe adjacent the permanent magnet such that the permanent magnet can further urge the shoe towards the diverting path.

Abstract: A foliar nutritional composition and method for using same for providing nutrients and/or for treating disease in plants. The foliar nutritional composition comprises a metal salt complexed with amino acids from hydrolyzed yeast extract. The metal salt is selected for high solubility using a salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, and combinations thereof. Preferred metal salt are nitrates, chlorides, and combinations thereof. In the method, an aqueous solution of this composition is sprayed on the plant foliage and absorbed by the plant.

Abstract: Data processing systems (e.g. image processing systems) and methods are provided for processing a stream of data values (e.g. pixel values). In each of a plurality of iterations, a respective particular data value of the stream is processed by operating on a respective particular subset of data values of the stream. In each iteration: group indication data for at least one group is retrieved and used to define a set of groups into which data values within the particular subset can be grouped; each of the data values within the particular subset is grouped into one of the groups of the set of groups; the particular data value is processed using one or more of the data values of the particular subset in dependence on the classification of the data values into the groups; and group indication data is stored for a group, for use in a subsequent iteration.

Abstract: A sequencing batch reactor includes a liquid level sensor configured to measure a level of liquid in the vessel and provide an indication of the level of the liquid to a controller and a sludge detector configured to measure a position of an interface between sludge and solids-lean supernatant in the vessel and to provide an indication of the position of the interface to the controller. The controller is configured to perform a comparison between the level of the liquid and the position of the interface and control an amount of solids-lean supernatant removed from the vessel during the decant stage based on the comparison.