Abstract: A downhole tool includes a receive antenna configured to receive a signal from a surrounding formation, and a receive amplifier proximate to and coupled to the receive antenna. The receive amplifier is configured to provide an amplified signal responsive to the signal received by the receive antenna. The downhole tool also includes an electronics carrier, including receive circuitry, coupled to the receive amplifier by a conductor. The electronics carrier is positioned axially away from the receive antenna and the receive amplifier, and the receive circuitry is configured to receive and process the amplified signal.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a receive antenna configured to receive a signal from a surrounding formation, and a receive amplifier proximate to and coupled to the receive antenna. The receive amplifier is configured to provide an amplified signal responsive to the signal received by the receive antenna. The downhole tool also includes an electronics carrier, including receive circuitry, coupled to the receive amplifier by a conductor. The electronics carrier is positioned axially away from the receive antenna and the receive amplifier, and the receive circuitry is configured to receive and process the amplified signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to produce an enzymatic-exchangeable peptide Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I (MHC-I) Single Chain Trimer (SCT), or tetramer thereof, constructs encoding same and uses thereof, such as detection or isolation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Said SCT comprises, in order from N-terminus to C-terminus, (i) a peptide ligand, (ii) a first linker polypeptide comprising an enzyme-cleavable portion, (i11) a ?-2 microglobulin (?2???) polypeptide, (iv) a second linker polypeptide, and (v) a mature MHC-I heavy chain polypeptide. In addition, a method of defining a peptide ligand suitable for successful production of a single fusion protein for peptide exchange is claimed.

Abstract: A connector ring comprising a body extending along a longitudinal axis and two sets of sensor connectors. The first set of sensor connectors comprises one or more transmitter sensor connectors coupled with the body and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the one or more transmitter sensor connectors having a first end. The second set of sensor connectors comprises one or more receiver sensor connectors coupled with the body and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the one or more receiver sensor connectors having a first end. The first end of the transmitter sensor connectors and the first end of the receiver sensor connectors are staggered along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A connector ring comprising a body extending along a longitudinal axis and two sets of sensor connectors. The first set of sensor connectors comprises one or more transmitter sensor connectors coupled with the body and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the one or more transmitter sensor connectors having a first end. The second set of sensor connectors comprises one or more receiver sensor connectors coupled with the body and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the one or more receiver sensor connectors having a first end. The first end of the transmitter sensor connectors and the first end of the receiver sensor connectors are staggered along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A transducer, method, and downhole tool for acoustic logging. The acoustic transducer comprises a piezoelectric material comprising a body and grooves formed on the body. The grooves comprise a first groove that intersects with a second groove on the body. The method of acoustic logging a wall comprises transmitting an acoustic pulse at the wall using the acoustic transducer. The method also comprises generating a signal indicative of a reflection of the pulse using the acoustic transducer; and determining an acoustic parameter based on the signal using a processor. The acoustic logging tool is locatable in a wellbore intersecting a subterranean earth formation. The acoustic logging tool comprises the acoustic transducer and a processor configured to determine an acoustic parameter based on a signal generated by the acoustic transducer, the signal being indicative of the acoustic wave.

Abstract: A transducer, method, and downhole tool for acoustic logging. The acoustic transducer comprises a piezoelectric material comprising a body and grooves formed on the body. The grooves comprise a first groove that intersects with a second groove on the body. The method of acoustic logging a wall comprises transmitting an acoustic pulse at the wall using the acoustic transducer. The method also comprises generating a signal indicative of a reflection of the pulse using the acoustic transducer; and determining an acoustic parameter based on the signal using a processor. The acoustic logging tool is locatable in a wellbore intersecting a subterranean earth formation. The acoustic logging tool comprises the acoustic transducer and a processor configured to determine an acoustic parameter based on a signal generated by the acoustic transducer, the signal being indicative of the acoustic wave.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the signal quality of received signals generated by acoustic tools by factoring in feedbacks from the rig operations in an adaptive optimization process. The system may include a transmitter driver circuit and transmitters which can implement signal transmission at selected power, mode and waveforms. The selected power, mode and transmit waveforms may further be generated in the system by making optimal calculations based on realtime information from the downhole data regarding the formation and borehole characteristics.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the signal quality of received signals generated by acoustic tools by factoring in feedbacks from the rig operations in an adaptive optimization process. The system may include a transmitter driver circuit and transmitters which can implement signal transmission at selected power, mode and waveforms. The selected power, mode and transmit waveforms may further be generated in the system by making optimal calculations based on realtime information from the downhole data regarding the formation and borehole characteristics.

Abstract: Efficient manufacturing automation system and methods are described. The automation system controls movement of materials for processing by tools in a manufacturing facility. The system and methods include pre-emptive dispatching for transferring of materials. With the pre-emptive dispatching, the next destination and next lot to be processed is determined prior to a first lot being converted to a ready to unload state. This reduces wait time or idle time to improve tool utilization.

Abstract: A photobioreactor (100) comprises a base (110); a supportive frame (120) extending upwardly from the base; a plurality of trays (130) for culturing phototropic microorganisms, ranking vertically from a uppermost tray to a bottommost tray, supported co-axially on the supportive frame (120) and spaced apart one and other in a predetermined gap at the vertical plane to optimize exposure to a light source; and a protective member (140) located on top of the uppermost tray by mounting onto the supportive frame (120) wherein the plurality of trays (130) and the protective member (140) are made of light permeable material.

Abstract: A BGA package is disclosed including a base IC structure having a base substrate, with an opening running length-wise there through. A first semiconductor chip is mounted face-down on the base substrate so the bond pads thereof are accessible through the opening. The package also includes a secondary IC structure including a secondary substrate, having an opening running there through, and a second semiconductor chip. The second chip is mounted face-down on the secondary substrate so that the bond pads thereof are accessible through the opening in the secondary substrate. An encapsulant fills the opening in the secondary substrate and forms a substantially planar surface over the underside of the secondary substrate. The substantially planar surface is mounted to the first chip of the base IC structure through an adhesive. Wires connect a conductive portion of the secondary IC structure to a conductive portion of the base IC structure.

Abstract: An efficient manufacturing automation system and method is described. The system and method include bays, with each bay having a group of tools. Temporary storage locations are provided. A transport system facilitates movement of materials from the tools. The system and method enable direct transfer of materials from a first tool to a second tool or transfer of materials from a first tool to a temporary storage location when a second tool is unavailable.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing non-invasive stimulation of an animal's body, the apparatus comprising: a connector body having a conductor and a pair of stimulators electrically coupled to said conductor, the pair of stimulators being disposed on the connector body to allow the cutaneous surface of the animals body to be engaged therebetween. In use, a power source is electrically coupled to said conductor to transmit an electric current to the pair of stimulators to perform non-invasive stimulation on the animals body as current passes therethrough.

Abstract: Efficient manufacturing automation system and methods are described. The automation system controls movement of materials for processing by tools in a manufacturing facility. The system and methods include pre-emptive dispatching for transferring of materials. With the pre-emptive dispatching, the next destination and next lot to be processed is determined prior to a first lot being converted to a ready to unload state. This reduces wait time or idle time to improve tool utilization.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes an event trigger to a primary server and a schedule server, forming a control job by the primary server and the schedule server, checks status (such as an end value trigger) of the primary server with a delay by the schedule server, and validating the status of the primary server with a validation process before the schedule server transmits the control job.

Abstract: An efficient manufacturing automation system and method is described. The system and method include bays, with each bay having a group of tools. Temporary storage locations are provided. A transport system facilitates movement of materials from the tools. The system and method enable direct transfer of materials from a first tool to a second tool or transfer of materials from a first tool to a temporary storage location when a second tool is unavailable.

Abstract: Methods of preparing conductive regions such as source/drain regions for silicidation procedures, has been developed. The methods feature removal of native oxide as well as removal of deposited arsenic based defects from conductive surfaces prior to deposition of a metal component of subsequently formed metal silicide regions. Arsenic ions implanted for N type source/drain regions are also implanted into insulator regions such as insulator filled shallow trench isolation regions. A hydrofluoric acid cycle used as a component of the pre-silicidation preparation procedure can release arsenic from the shallow trench isolation regions in the form of arsenic based defects, which in turn can re-deposit on the surface of source/drain region. Therefore pre-silicidation preparation treatments described in this invention feature removal of both native oxide and arsenic based defects from conductive surfaces prior to metal silicide formation.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining the minimum required processing speed for a quadrature decoder using measurements of an encoder performance, and to assess the safety factor of a particular decoder processing speed. The system and method may also be used to indicate proper adjustment direction by displaying real-time error measurements during encoder alignment. The system measures the logic state width error and provides for calculation of alignment parameters, processing speed and a safety factor. The method allows a measured the logic state width error can be used to for calculating a minimum required processing speed and a safety factor.

Abstract: A system and method for power management of an optical mouse. A mechanical displacement sensor associated with the optical mouse is used to detect movement of the optical mouse. When the optical mouse is motionless, a switch within the mechanical displacement sensor sets the optical mouse to a standby state. The standby state conserves power. When motion is detected by the mechanical displacement sensor, the switch powers up the optical mouse into its normal mode of operation.