Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for substantially reducing or eliminating the timing skew caused by delay elements in a delay locked loop. A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a rising edge of a local timing signal is established and phase-locked to a rising edge of a system clock signal by delaying the system clock signal. A falling edge of the local timing signal is established and phase-locked to a falling edge of the system clock signal by further delaying only a portion of a signal representative of the delayed clock signal. By separately delaying different portions of the system clock signal and using the separately delayed portions to establish a local timing signal, a local timing signal may be established which is compensated for the varied effects of delay elements in a delay locked loop.

Abstract: A CT detector includes a direct conversion material configured to generate electrical charge upon reception of x-rays, a plurality of metallized anodes configured to collect electrical charges generated in the direct conversion material, at least one readout device, and a redistribution layer having a plurality of electrical pathways configured to route the electrical charges from the plurality of metallized anodes to the at least one readout device. A plurality of switches is coupled to the plurality of electrical pathways between the plurality of metallized anodes and the at least one readout device, wherein each of the plurality of switches includes an input line electrically coupled to one of the plurality of metallized anodes, a first output node electrically coupled to the at least one readout device, and a second output node electrically coupled to at least one other switch of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A drug test device for bodily fluids, such as urine, includes a cup and a removable lid which houses one or more test strips. The lid is releasably locked onto the cup so as to align dipping ends of the test strips exposed through an underside of the lid with a position stabilizer, thereby causing the dipping ends to be located downwardly and submerged in fluid when the device is placed on its side in a reactive position. The position stabilizer may comprise a sidewall indentation that reduces the internal volume of the cup and keeps the cup from rolling when placed on its side.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing photodiode thermal gain coefficient includes a bulk semiconductor material having a light-illumination side. The bulk semiconductor material includes a minority charge carrier diffusion length property configured to substantially match a predetermined hole diffusion length value and a thickness configured to substantially match a predetermined photodiode layer thickness. The apparatus also includes a dead layer coupled to the light-illumination side of the bulk semiconductor material, the dead layer having a thickness configured to substantially match a predetermined thickness value and wherein an absolute value of a thermal coefficient of gain due to the minority carrier diffusion length property of the bulk semiconductor material is configured to substantially match an absolute value of a thermal coefficient of gain due to the thickness of the dead layer.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal comprises a shell, and a backfire antenna which includes a main board disposed in the shell and having a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit on the main board; a main antenna element coupled to the transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit on the main board; and a backfire resonator located at a side of the shell deviated from a user's head, and coupled to the main board and the main antenna element, in which the backfire resonator is fed by the main board from a position on the main board deviated from a center of the main board. The mobile communication terminal according to embodiment of the present disclosure may cause most electromagnetic waves to radiate towards a direction deviated form the user, thus reducing radiation and harm thereof to the user, strengthening the signal received by the base station, and improving the communication quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed to compensate for skew and asymmetry of a locally processed system clock used to synchronize an output signal, e.g., a data signal or a timing signal, from a logic circuit, for example a memory device. A first phase detector, array of delay lock loop (DLL) delay elements and accompanying circuitry are disclosed to phase-lock the rising edge of the output signal with the rising edge of the system clock XCLK signal. Additionally, a comparator circuit, a register delay, an array of DLL delay elements and accompanying circuitry are disclosed to add or subtract delay from the falling edge of the DQ signal in order to produce a symmetrical output of the DQ signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made from plasticized polyolefin compositions comprising a polyolefin and a non-functionalized hydrocarbon plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reactive purge compound for cleaning polymer processing equipment wherein the reactive purge compound that includes i) at least about 50 wt.% of a polymeric carrier component based on the total weight of the reactive purge compound; and ii) a chain scission catalyst component dispersed in the polymeric carrier component; wherein a) the chain scission catalyst component includes a chain scission catalyst selected from the group consisting of at least one alkali metal hydroxide, at least one alkaline earth metal hydroxide, and any combination thereof; b) the reactive purge compound further comprises a water generating component; or c) both (a) and (b); wherein the reactive purge compound is a feedstock material in the form of a plurality of pellets, granules, rods, powder or other particles.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane comprises a hybrid inorganic-organic polymer that includes implanted metal cations. Acid groups are bound to the hybrid inorganic-organic polymer through an interaction with the implanted metal cations. An example process for manufacturing a proton exchange membrane includes sol-gel polymerization of silane precursors in a medium containing the metal cations, followed by exposure of the metal-implanted hybrid inorganic-organic polymer to an acid compound.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for enhancing the electromagnetic signal of a sample for ellipsometry which uses at least one auxiliary layer and at least one substrate layer.

Abstract: A hot video prediction system is provided. A video comments database stores video comments submitted by a plurality of users. A user social network constructor establishes a user social network according to the video comments. When new comments of a new video are received, a hot video predictor uses the user social network to determine a similar theme between the new video and hot videos that have been hot for a period of time, and predicts whether the new video will become popular accordingly. A social network adaptor checks the prediction, and modifies the user social network accordingly.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises a polymer network, including silicon atoms and oxygen atoms, a first organic side-chain attached to at least some silicon atoms within the polymer network comprising a flexible linking group and a terminal group, the terminal group including at least one atom providing a lone pair of electrons. The composition of matter can be used to form a proton-conducting membrane. In illustrative examples, the polymer network can be an organic-inorganic hybrid network and the terminal group can includes a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

Abstract: A data sort device for converting parallel data to serial data is disclosed and provided. The data sort device may include a plurality of switches for receiving parallel data, each of which are controlled by a respective control signal and configured to alternatingly transmit data bits received via first and second input terminals.

Abstract: A photodiode element includes a first layer of a first diffusion type and a second layer. The second layer defines a charge-collecting area. The charge-collecting area includes an active region of a second diffusion type and an inactive region. The active region surrounds the inactive region. The photodiode element also includes an intrinsic semiconductor layer between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface of a fuel cell plate is disclosed herein. The method involves forming a sol gel mixture including a metal oxide modified with at least one functional group, where the at least one functional group is configured to improve adhesion; and adding carbon modified with a hydrophilic functional group to the mixture, thereby forming a suspension. The suspension is applied to the surface of the fuel cell plate, and is activated to form a porous, hydrophilic, and conductive film on the surface of the fuel cell plate.

Abstract: A shielding device provides a housing, a lid and a connection hole, and the shielding device is fireproof, insulating, and easy for wire assembly. The housing is disposed on an electronic device and surrounds the electronic device. The housing has at least one opening corresponding to a connector of the electronic device. The perimeter of the lid is connected to the perimeter of the opening, so that the lid can cover the opening to shield the connector. The connection hole is disposed on at least one of the perimeter of the opening and the perimeter of the lid. When the lid covers the opening of the housing, at least one connecting wire of the electronic device can extend outwardly through the shielding device via the connection hole.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface of a fuel cell plate is disclosed herein, and involves forming a sol gel mixture by mixing a weak acid and a composition including at least two metal oxide precursors. One of the metal oxide precursors is configured to be hydrolyzed by the weak acid to form a mixed metal oxide framework with an other of the metal oxide precursors having at least one organic functional group that is not hydrolyzed by the weak acid. The mixture is applied to the surface, and is condensed by exposure to air at least one predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time. The sol gel mixture is immersed in water at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to form a porous, hydrophilic, and conductive film on the surface.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus and method are disclosed for inspecting a magnetic disk or a magnetic head. A first reference signal generating source generates reference signals of a controllable oscillating frequency, and a signal switching means selects either a reference signal or test data reproduced by the magnetic head. Factors such as offsets and gain differentials among signal distribution paths, phase shifts of sampling clocks supplied to a plurality of AID converters, and frequency-dependence of the transfer function and phase response of signal paths are identified so that errors due to these factors can be detected. Based on the detected values of these factors and errors, reference signals are utilized to compensate test data errors.

Abstract: A method for the inhibition of the binding of ?4?1 integrin to its receptors, for example VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) and fibronectin; compounds that inhibit this binding; pharmaceutically active compositions comprising such compounds; and to the use of such compounds either a above, or in formulations for the control or prevention of diseases states in which ?4?1 is involved.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane comprises a hybrid inorganic-organic polymer that includes implanted metal cations. Acid groups are bound to the hybrid inorganic-organic polymer through an interaction with the implanted metal cations. An example process for manufacturing a proton exchange membrane includes sol-gel polymerization of silane precursors in a medium containing the metal cations, followed by exposure of the metal-implanted hybrid inorganic-organic polymer to an acid compound.