Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating and/or preventing obesity and/or obesity-related disorders by administering to a subject in need thereof a selective inhibitor of cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor expression.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a user-controllable clutch assembly for selectively engaging an agitator assembly. The clutch assembly generally comprises an axially displaceable drive member that is selectively engageable by rotating ramps that engage stationary cam lobes. In one embodiment, the clutch module is mounted to the foot housing and is intermediately connected between the vacuum motor/fan shaft and the agitator. In a second embodiment, the clutch module is mounted axially on the agitator shaft. In a third embodiment, a linkage interconnects a handle detent pedal to the clutch module to automatically engage the clutch when a user depresses the detent pedal.

Abstract: An industrial control and automation human machine interface (HMI) technology migration scheme is embodied in object management, graphics technologies, and namespace handlers for HMI applications. New features of the second technology are supported for HMI graphics while retaining the functionality of systems embodying the first technology, including the ability to export to the first technology, graphics developed and/or managed in the second technology. A combination of facilities is provided to accommodate both the first and second HMI graphics technologies: name space integration, graphics rendering integration, and HMI application management integration.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting, analyzing, assessing, and managing financial data of prospective, enrolled, and former students of an educational institution is provided. Student data and credit data corresponding to the students may be analyzed to create a compliance profile. Loan default likelihood factors may be determined based on the compliance profile. The students may be segmented into sub-populations based on the factors, the student data, and the credit data, and a risk baseline including risk criteria may be determined based on the segmentation. Prospective student leads may be screened for their repayment ability risk by utilizing the risk criteria to assist the educational institution in making financial aid and admissions decisions. A student loan portfolio may be assessed based on the risk criteria and credit data to identify at-risk accounts and to prioritize collections activities for past due accounts.

Abstract: A process for separating from an oil sand slurry solids and bitumen is provided, comprising introducing the oil sand slurry into a separation zone comprising an upper zone and a lower zone; intercepting a settling path of the solids in the separation zone by bringing the solids into contact with at least one intercepting surface to direct the solids to the lower zone; and producing a reduced solids upper zone to allow the bitumen to rise through the upper zone with reduced hindrance from the solids.

Abstract: A processor uses a dedicated buffer to reduce the amount of time needed to execute memory copy operations. For each load instruction associated with the memory copy operation, the processor copies the load data from memory to the dedicated buffer. For each store operation associated with the memory copy operation, the processor retrieves the store data from the dedicated buffer and transfers it to memory. The dedicated buffer is separate from a register file and caches of the processor, so that each load operation associated with a memory copy operation does not have to wait for data to be loaded from memory to the register file. Similarly, each store operation associated with a memory copy operation does not have to wait for data to be transferred from the register file to memory.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) includes forming on a substrate covered by an epitaxially grown source material a dummy gate stack surrounded by sidewall spacers; forming doped source and drain regions followed by forming an inter-layer dielectric surrounding the sidewall spacers; removing the dummy gate stack, etching a self-aligned cavity; epitaxially growing a thin channel region within the self-aligned etch cavity; conformally depositing gate dielectric and metal gate materials within the self-aligned etch cavity; and planarizing the top surface of the replacement metal gate stack to remove the residues of the gate dielectric and metal gate materials.

Abstract: A controller and a method for interfacing between a host and storage medium. A storage medium interface includes CH0 circuitry for performing a CH0 process to access a buffer memory on behalf of the storage medium. A host interface includes CH1 circuitry for performing a CH1 process to access the buffer memory on behalf of the host. Access to the buffer memory is arbitrated in sequential tenures to each channel of the multi-channel bus within a maximum arbitration round trip time defined by the time taken by the storage medium to move a distance corresponding to N sectors in which N is greater than one. In the CH0 tenure, the CH0 process transfers data corresponding to N sectors of the storage medium in a multi-sector burst. The length of the tenure of the CH0 channel is pre-designated so that the multi-sector burst is completed within the CH0 tenure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tool can be used for tissue dissection. The tool can include several electrodes positioned on a jaw assembly. The electrodes can be selectively connected to a power source in a cutting arrangement or a coagulation arrangement. Switching from the cutting arrangement to the coagulation arrangement can be provided by opening and closing a handle to actuate the jaw assembly.

Abstract: Serializer circuitry for high-speed serial data transmitter circuitry on a programmable logic device (“PLD”) or the like includes circuitry for converting parallel data having any of several data widths to serial data. The circuitry can also operate at any frequency in a wide range of frequencies, and can make use of reference clock signals having any of several relationships to the parallel data rate and/or the serial data rate. The circuitry is configurable/re-configurable in various respects, at least some of which configuration/re-configuration can be dynamically controlled (i.e., during user-mode operation of the PLD).

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing a serial interface with shared datapaths. The apparatus and methods share or re-use components from multiple lower-speed datapaths so as to efficiently provide a higher-speed datapath. In one embodiment, physical coding sublayer circuitry of the lower-speed datapaths is also used by the higher-speed datapath. In another embodiment, physical media access circuitry of the lower-speed data paths is also used by the higher-speed datapath. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method embeds tracing secret data into multimedia contents delivered to particular users. The method descrambles a first scrambled video stream having alternate values to obtain a personalized video stream corresponding to an original video stream by a decoder comprising at least a security unit and a descrambling unit, the personalized video stream being obtained by restoring the alternate values by personalized values taking into account an internal parameter on the security unit and received control data containing the original values and their location in the modified stream.

Abstract: The invention provides human secreted proteins (SECP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode SECP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of SECP.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes a plurality of conductors that extend continuously, without any intermediary junctions, between a plurality of electrodes and a corresponding plurality of contact members of an in-line connector terminal. A junction between each conductor and the corresponding contact member is preferably formed by first fitting a conductive sleeve, which is coupled to a proximal portion of the conductor, into an eyelet feature of the contact member, which is mounted on a strut member, and then welding the sleeve to the contact member at a pre-formed slot of the contact member, which extends along an external recessed surface thereof. The assembly of the connector terminal preferably completes the construction of the lead, wherein the proximal portion of each conductor is positioned in a helical path, which extends between an elongate body of the lead and the connector terminal, and along which a grip zone is formed.

Abstract: Described is an atomizing nozzle having a relatively small frontal area permitting insertion of a nozzle into small diameter medical conduit(s). A body of a preferred nozzle has a characteristic size (e.g., cross-section diameter) of less than about 0.2 inch (0.5 cm). The nozzle body is typically carried on an extension member, which can be transversely flexible to permit passage of a nozzle body through a tube and along a nonlinear path. The nozzle body is typically connected to an extension member by way of a lap joint associated with the nozzle body. Preferred embodiments have a De/O ratio of less than 12.0, a Db/O ratio of less than about 18, and a Db/De ratio of less than about 1.1. Certain embodiments include a swirling chamber disposed upstream of the ejection orifice and having a proximal wall with a portion configured to at least approximate a portion of a dome, or other curved surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional detector for gaseous compounds, or mixtures of gaseous compounds, selected from NH2Cl, NHCl2, NCl3, total chlorine, NOx, where x=1 or 2, O3, and X2, where X?Cl, Br, or I, in a sample, said detector including a first sensor including an iodide and a reactive compound selected from starch, amylose, amylopectin, xyloglucan, xylan, chitosan, glycogen, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose or a cellulose compound, ?-cyclodextrin, theobromine, and polypropylene block polymers and polyethylene oxide block polymers, included in a block of sol-gel material that is absorbent in the UV spectrum but not in the visible spectrum. The invention also relates to the uses of said detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the method for producing the biodiesel comprising steps of providing a biomass having an oil, obtaining a crude mixture of the biomass, and then performing a transesterification in which the crude mixture is used as a reacting material thereof to produce the biodiesel.

Abstract: A method of reducing blood flow within an aneurysm includes: injecting a contrast agent into a blood vessel including an aneurysm; deploying an occlusion device across the aneurysm; producing an image of the aneurysm including the contrast agent; and withdrawing the delivery device from the vessel after observing that the aneurysm has been obstructed by a desired amount. The image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Observing that the aneurysm has been obstructed may include determining a degree of obstruction, for example by comparing an area or volume of the contrast agent in a first image and a second image. The desired amount may be a certain degree of obstruction, identification of a shape indicative of stasis such as a flat surface, an approximate hemisphere, a mushroom, or a crescent. If the occlusion device does not achieve the desired amount, a second occluding device may be deployed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information via a plurality of platforms communicatively linked together via a communication network. Each of the plurality of platforms comprising a dynamically threaded gateway comprising a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver is configured to communicate with other of the plurality of platforms along a communication link. The processor is coupled to the transceiver, and is configured to identify a plurality of paths among the plurality of platforms for obtaining requested information, select a desired path of the plurality of paths based on a cost index for the plurality of paths, and obtain the information via the desired path using the transceiver.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to devices and methods for cell-exclusion patterning. Specifically, this disclosure provides a device and method to exclude cells in selected areas during cell seeding and create cell-free arrays that can be used for cell migration and related studies and assays.