Abstract: Ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators include a ratcheting assembly that is operatively coupled to a first bracket and a shape memory alloy element that is operatively coupled to the ratcheting assembly and to a second bracket. The first bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a first structure, while the second bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a second structure. The shape memory alloy element is configured to apply a motive force to the ratcheting assembly upon deformation between a first conformation and a second conformation. The ratcheting assembly is configured to utilize the motive force to selectively adjust an orientation of the first structure relative to the second structure.

Abstract: Methods and products are provided for determining if a subject having a tumor is at risk of metastasis of the tumor. Specifically, the methods comprise detecting phosphorylated cofilin, and both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated cofilin; quantifying the phosphorylated cofilin, and the total of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated cofilin; and determining if a subject having the tumor is likely to experience metastasis of the tumor, based on the ratio of the amount of detected phosphorylated cofilin: total amount of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated cofilin detected. Further disclosed are the types of tumor metastases that can be determined using the methods provided.

Abstract: An acoustic manipulation process and acoustic manipulation device are disclosed. The acoustic manipulation process includes providing a device having a pathway positioned to receive a flow of a particle-containing fluid, transporting the particle-containing fluid into the pathway, and applying standing surface acoustic waves to the particle-containing fluid while the particle-containing fluid is flowing through the pathway. The applying of the standing surface acoustic waves to the particle-containing fluid includes nodes and anti-nodes of the standing surface acoustic waves extending through the particle-containing fluid. The acoustic manipulation device includes a pathway positioned to receive a flow of a particle-containing fluid, and a mechanism for generating and applying standing surface acoustic waves to the particle-containing fluid while the particle-containing fluid is flowing through the pathway.

Abstract: A new additive for plastics (for example, polyethylene) is prepared by reacting a fatty acid ester of glycerol (such as glycerol monostearate) with a source of a reactive divalent metal selected from zinc, calcium, and magnesium. In an embodiment, Zinc oxide is the reactive divalent metal and the reaction is conducted in the presence of an acid such as zinc acetate. In one embodiment, a molar excess of zinc oxide (compared to the fatty acid ester) is used. The additive is suitable for use in the preparation of injection molded parts, rotomolded parts, and films.

Abstract: A method and a system for forming a solid casting. A material is fed into a mold having a retractable bottom. A first portion of the material at a first, lower position within the mold is allowed to solidify to thereby form a portion of the casting. The retractable bottom is withdrawn downwards at a withdrawal rate. A second portion of the material at a second, upper position within the mold is maintained in a liquid state by application of heat thereto, using a plasma arc generated by a plasma arc torch. A voltage of the plasma arc is measured, and the withdrawal rate of the retractable bottom is controlled based on the voltage of the plasma arc.

Abstract: Systems and computing devices may be configured to intelligently and dynamically allocate quotas for the access and use of a telecommunications network by consumers that use a shared account balance. A server computing device may be configured to intelligently allocate quota by determining an allocation time interval for allocating quota from a shared account balance, receiving a quota request message from a metering and gating component that includes information requesting allocation of a first quota to a first consumer associated with a shared account balance, determining a validity period for the first quota based on the determined allocation time interval, and allocating the first quota to the first consumer from the updated shared account balance so as to eliminate or reduce conflicts and discrepancies between different instances of the shared account balance.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity such as a doctor or dentist appointment or even an appointment to have their car lubed. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which they want a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of their choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time they select is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event.

Abstract: A system for prioritizing intervention of live agents into automated customer engagements in a communication system is disclosed. The system includes an intervention prioritization module configured to identify a live agent to intervene into an automated customer engagement in a communication system based on a confidence factor corresponding to the automated customer engagement and one or more live agent attributes corresponding to the live agent. The system further includes a live agent conference module configured to cause the identified live agent to intervene into the automated customer engagement.

Abstract: Digital watermark encoding—and associated registry transactions—are made transparent to consumers—performed as built-in features of common image processing operations, such as taking a picture, or printing a picture. In one arrangement, a user particularly defines network experiences that a hardcopy image is to invoke. The user may interact with buttons and other controls of a graphical user interface on the touchscreen of a printer to author specific experiences that should be triggered by a hardcopy image—such as launching a related video, playing a recorded audio clip, displaying other images in a story narrative to which the hardcopy image relates, etc. These choices can be made at the time of printing, or the printer can be used as an interface to establish or adjust such network experiences after printing. The printer then attends to interactions with network infrastructure components needed to give the hardcopy print the user-desired functionality.

Abstract: In one arrangement, a first device presents a display that is based on context data, derived from one or more of its sensors. This display is imaged by a camera in a second device. The second device uses context data from its own sensors to assess the information in the captured imagery, and makes a determination about the first device. In another arrangement, social network friend requests are automatically issued, or accepted, based on contextual similarity. In yet another arrangement, delivery of a message is triggered by a contextual circumstance other than (or in addition to) location. In still another arrangement, two or more devices automatically establish an ad hoc network (e.g., Bluetooth pairing) based on contextual parallels. In still another arrangement, historical context information is archived and used in transactions with other devices, e.g., in challenge-response authentication. A great number of other features and arrangements—many involving head-mounted displays—are also detailed.

Abstract: A method and system for charge imbalance compensation in a stimulating medical device is provided. The stimulating medical device includes at least one electrode contact configured for providing stimulation to a recipient. A charge imbalance compensation system in the stimulating medical device measures any residual charge remaining on the electrode contact that may result from an imbalance in the applied stimulation. If the measured residual charge exceeds a threshold, the charge imbalance compensation system causes a compensator current to be applied to reduce the residual charge. This residual charge may be measured by measuring a potential difference between the electrode contact and a reference electrode; or, by measuring a potential difference across a capacitor in-series with the electrode contact.

Abstract: This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula I”):

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of ribonucleases (RNases) in the treatment or prevention of disease.

Abstract: A line depth augmentation system and method for conversion of 2D images to 3D images. Enables adding depth to regions by altering depth of lines in the regions, for example in cell animation images or regions of limited color range. Eliminates creation of wireframe or other depth models and complex modeling of regions to match the depth of lines therein. Enables rapid conversion of two-dimensional images to three-dimensional images by enabling stereographers to quickly add/alter line depth without artifacts in images for example lines in monochrome regions. Embodiments may output a stereoscopic image pair of images with lines having desired depth, or any other three-dimensional viewing enabled image, such as an anaglyph image. Although the lines may be of a different depth than the region they appear in, the human mind interprets the monochromatic region as having depth associated with the line.

Abstract: A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing includes an upper component of polymer, a bullet of a standard weight, a lower component of polymer, and an insert. The upper component has a shoulder portion and an upper component inner wall has a first diameter extending from the shoulder. The lower component has a lower component inner wall having a second diameter. The upper and lower component inner walls form a propellant chamber; and the first and second diameters reduce a volume of the propellant chamber. The reduced volume of the propellant chamber permits only enough propellant to propel a bullet engaged in the cartridge casing at subsonic speeds.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly has a bit head and a pin body. The bit head comprises a cutting end, an opposite connecting end with an engagement section, and a feature facing the connecting end. The pin body comprises a tubular body with an axial bore therethrough, a connecting end with an engagement section and a feature facing the connecting end. The drill bit assembly is manufactured by positioning the pin body connecting end with the bit head connecting end such that the pin body and bit head engagement sections overlap with a gap therebetween, and the pin body and bit head features are aligned; injecting a thermoplastic or other connecting material in liquid form between the bit head and pin body engagement sections and into the gap; and solidifying the thermoplastic or other connecting material such that the bit head and pin body are mechanically coupled together at their connecting ends and their features are securely aligned.

Abstract: A processing chamber for post-wet-etch removing of drying fluid (DF) is disclosed. The chamber includes a chamber wall surrounding a processing volume and a plurality of nozzles disposed annularly about the processing volume and arranged into a set of nozzle rows that includes at least one nozzle row. The chamber also includes a plenum and a set of manifolds coupled to the plurality of nozzles to deliver the supercritical CO2 to the plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle has a nozzle outlet directed toward an interior portion of the processing volume and the nozzles are configured to flow the supercritical CO2 toward the substrates in a manner that minimizes recirculation loops and vortices.

Abstract: Non-volatile resistive-switching memories are described, including a memory element having a first electrode, a second electrode, a metal oxide between the first electrode and the second electrode. The metal oxide switches using bulk-mediated switching, has a bandgap greater than 4 electron volts (eV), has a set voltage for a set operation of at least one volt per one hundred angstroms of a thickness of the metal oxide, and has a leakage current density less than 40 amps per square centimeter (A/cm2) measured at 0.5 volts (V) per twenty angstroms of the thickness of the metal oxide.

Abstract: A method for forming a through wafer via hole in a semiconductor device, wherein the semiconductor device comprises a wafer having a SiC substrate with a front side and a backside, a GaN-based layer formed on the front side of the SiC substrate, and a mask structure formed on the backside of the SiC substrate defining an etching area. The etching area is first descummed A through substrate via hole is formed by etching the etching area through the SiC substrate. The mask structure is removed and the inner surface of the through substrate via hole is cleaned. The inner surface of the through substrate via hole is then descummed A through wafer via hole is formed by etching through the GaN layer in the through substrate via hole. And lastly the inner surface of the through wafer via hole is cleaned.

Abstract: A novel design and construction method for the creation of a Deployable Flexible Flood Mitigation Device manufactured from textile and membrane materials. The Flexible Flood Mitigation Device comprises a textile/membrane panel configured to be movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the panel forms a barrier against flood water; and a spool that is manually or electrically operated is used to move the panel from the closed position to the opened position. The spool can also be eliminated and the panel can be manually folded for storage. The Flexible Flood Mitigation Device can be configured for use in many applications including subway tunnels, vehicular tunnels, stairwells, ventilation shafts, and other openings that can be threatened by flooding. It can be used in any orientation (vertical, horizontal or at an angle with respect to gravity), and can stop fluids approaching from either side. It can also be shaped to fit any opening.