Abstract: An optical apparatus and a lithographic apparatus including the optical apparatus. The optical apparatus includes a substrate having an aperture for passing light; a transmissive optical element covering the aperture of the substrate; and an optical contact bond between the substrate and transmissive optical element, the optical contact bond being spaced from the aperture a sufficient distance such that stress forces in the transmissive optical element from the optical contact bond to the aperture are below an acceptable stress threshold. The optical contact bond geometry herein, for example, minimizes a contact area and provides a quasi-kinematic (near-exactly constrained) interface between the substrate and the optical element.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-CCR8 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, and methods of making and using said anti-CCR8 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides in situ Raman spectroscopy methods and systems for monitoring and controlling one or more process variables in a bioreactor cell culture in order to improve product quality and consistency. The methods and systems utilize in situ Raman spectroscopy and chemometric modeling techniques for real-time assessments of cell cultures, combined with signal processing techniques, for precise continuous feedback and model predictive control of cell culture process variables. Through the use of real-time data from Raman spectroscopy, the process variables within the cell culture may be continuously or intermittently monitored and automated feedback controllers maintain the process variables at predetermined set points or maintain a specific feeding protocol that delivers variable amounts of agents to the bioreactor to maximize bioproduct quality.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver, a display, and a processor, operatively coupled to the transceiver and to the display. The processor is operative to interrupt a communication application by displaying a context notification within a graphical user interface (GUI) of the communication application on the display. The processor prevents user input to the communication application until a user selection input is received within the context notification on the GUI. In one embodiment, the processor is operative to display the context notification within a dialog box on the GUI.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a synthetic compound, Oxy149, having the structure (Formula I) or a bioactive or pharmaceutical composition comprising Oxy149 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods are also disclosed for using the compound or bioactive or pharmaceutical composition to treat a variety of disorders, including e.g. bone disorders, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological disorders. Oxy149 can be delivered either locally or systemically.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the detection and correction of metastability errors in a successive approximation analog to digital converter (ADC). The successive approximation ADC (40) includes a comparator unit (424) that includes a NAND gate circuit (550) that outputs a comp_rdy_n signal when the comparator (500) has latched a result. ADC (40) includes a metastability detection and correction circuit (425) that includes a first logic circuit (700) that monitors the comp_rdy_n signal and detects a metastable event if that signal is not received within a portion of a conversion time period of the ADC. Responsive to detection of a metastable event, a second logic circuit (750) generates a correct conversion code at the output of the ADC. If no metastable event is detected during a conversion cycle of the ADC, the second logic circuit (750) outputs the conversion codes determined by the comparator (500).

Abstract: An analog to digital converting system (200) includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit that is formed by a plurality of parallel ADCs (ADC 1 ADC N) for continuous sequential processing of an input analog voltage signal. Each of the ADCs is a type that employs a capacitor digital to analog converter (DAC) (209, 701) therein. The system further includes a sample and hold circuit (220) coupled to the parallel ADCs by a conductive interconnect wiring pattern (203). The sample and hold circuit includes a sampling switch (207) and a hold capacitance formed by the parallel combination of a hold capacitor (205) and the distributed parasitic capacitance (204) of the conductive interconnect wiring pattern (203). During the hold phase of the sample and hold circuit, charge is redistributed from the hold capacitance to all of the capacitors (211) of the capacitor DAC, which serve as a secondary hold capacitance.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for level shifting signals generated by an electronic circuit with selectively controlled frequency response. A first circuit portion defines a primary path for a signal within an upper region of a predefined signal frequency range, and includes a first capacitor unit establishing a voltage level shift for a signal passing therethrough. A second circuit portion selectively defines a secondary path bypassing the primary path for a signal within a lower region of the predefined signal frequency range, and includes a switched capacitive section disposed in parallel across the first capacitor unit to establish a voltage level shift for the signal passing therethrough. A second capacitor unit charges substantially to a predetermined shift voltage in a charging phase and couples to the first capacitor unit during a transfer phase. An attenuation adjust unit adjustably augments a parasitic capacitance of the first or second circuit portion.

Abstract: A system and method for securing financial information in payment instruments including generating a pseudorandom number sequence, generating an activation code, including a unique pseudorandom number of the sequence with each payment instrument of a plurality of payment instruments and issuing the plurality of payment instruments with the activation code to a customer. The activation code is associated with customer identifying information and each unique pseudorandom number of the sequence included with each payment instrument of the plurality of payment instrument. The plurality of payment instruments is activated with the activation code. A received payment instrument of the plurality of payment instruments is authenticated if the customer and the unique pseudorandom number of the sequence included on the received payment instrument are authenticated and if the plurality of payment instruments are activated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for adaptively controlling timing in SAR ADC of a sampled analog signal within a conversion period. A state machine maintains a set of SAR states including a sampling state and a plurality of bit conversion states. A reference generator generates a quantization level reference for each of the bit conversion states within a parametric settling time thereof. A comparator compares the sampled analog signal with the quantization level reference over a parametric propagation time for determining a hit value for each hit conversion state. A clock generator adaptively defines signals for clocking the state machine and comparator for each SAR state, thereby adaptively delaying bit determination in each bit conversion state by an integration period not less than the settling time, while adaptively delaying quantization level reference generation for a next bit conversion state by a regeneration period not less than the propagation time.

Abstract: A CMOS phase interpolation system comprises a capacitive integration unit coupled to a charge node and a plurality of selectively enabled current source units operably coupled to the charge node. The current source units each include: a charging segment; a discharging segment; and, a switching segment operable responsive to at least one periodic reference signal to selectively couple the charging and discharging segments to the charge node for alternatively charging and discharging the capacitive integration unit therethrough. The current source units are selectively enabled in predetermined combinations to uniquely define an output waveform at the charge node. An output conditioning unit coupled to the charge node generates a recovered periodic signal based on the output waveform. In certain applications, a duty cycle correction unit coupled to feed back from the output node adaptively biases a charging segment current of each enabled current source unit, responsive to the recovered periodic signal.

Abstract: A system and method for securing financial information in payment instruments including generating a pseudorandom number sequence, generating an activation code, including a unique pseudorandom number of the sequence with each payment instrument of a plurality of payment instruments and issuing the plurality of payment instruments with the activation code to a customer. The activation code is associated with customer identifying information and each unique pseudorandom number of the sequence included with each payment instrument of the plurality of payment instrument. The plurality of payment instruments is activated with the activation code. A received payment instrument of the plurality of payment instruments is authenticated if the customer and the unique pseudorandom number of the sequence included on the received payment instrument are authenticated and if the plurality of payment instruments are activated.

Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.

Abstract: The serial interface operable, for example, to facilitate high speed differential data transfer between integrated circuits provides level shifting of an incoming data signal using a switched capacitor technique which level shifts the common mode voltage with minimal attenuation and minimal reduction of bandwidths. The serial interface also includes a DC offset correction loop of the input data receiver path. The level shifting circuit operates by sensing the incoming common mode voltage of a differential data signal with a resistor divider and sampling the difference between the measured input common mode voltage and desired input differential voltages generated by a differential DAC in the DC offset correction loop on two small capacitors.

Abstract: An anterior instrumentation method of treating spinal deformities involves a combination of a spinal rod anterior system and one or two spinal plates fixed on the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae of the instrumented segment. Deformities are treated by the anterior rod system through compression, distraction and derotation. Two spinal plates are fixed to the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae respectively to prevent the end vertebrae from rotating into kyphosis. A number of cancellous screws are inserted into the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae and their adjacent vertebrae through the spinal plate to provide several points of fixation on the end vertebrae to prevent implant failure and loss of correction.

Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.

Abstract: The invention is a joint cover assembly for covering a gap adjacent an edge of a panel that covers a sub-surface, and a method of covering such a gap. The assembly can be manipulated to form an end molding, a T-molding, a hard surface reducer, a carpet reducer, and/or a stair nose molding. A kit can include the joint cover assembly an a tool for forming a flooring transition from a generic element having break-away sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formula or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for delivering agents having the capacity to diagnose, treat or prevent bone injury or disease to the bone for interaction therewith.

Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.