Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.

Abstract: Surgical staplers and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end of the tubular shaft, a head assembly extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft, and an insertion guide configured to extend through the head assembly. The insertion guide includes an expandable member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a camera configured to be positioned at least partially within the expandable member.

Abstract: Disclosed are hierarchical buoyant materials comprising porous components having multiple length scales that provide reduced density, higher strength, and improved buoyancy. The hierarchical buoyant materials include components having at least two length scales including a first porous material having elements characterized by a first linear length scale and a second porous material having elements characterized by a second linear length scale. The first porous material includes hollow microspheres, and the second porous material provides low effective density via geometrical arrangements. The second linear length scale is substantially different than the first linear length scale in terms of size, e.g., diameter, length, or distance.

Abstract: A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dihydro-cyclopenta-isoquinoline derivatives of formula (I): processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in treating disorders caused by IgE (such as allergic responses, non-allergic mast cell responses or certain autoimmune responses), and in particular, disorders caused by the interaction of IgE with the Fc?RI receptor.

Abstract: This invention provides minimally invasive methods, reagents, diagnostic and prognostic markers useful for staging, prognosis and surveillance of colorectal cancers, and therapeutic intervention in individuals with colorectal cancers, or individuals who may be susceptible to developing colorectal cancers.

Abstract: One example discloses a test-point access structure within a semiconductor, including: a target test-point configured to be coupled to a circuit within the semiconductor; a first doped region within the semiconductor configured to generate a first signal in response to an energy beam transmitted by a circuit editing (CE) tool; a second doped region within the semiconductor configured to generate a second signal in response to the energy beam transmitted by the CE tool; and a target pad coupling the target test-point to the first doped region; wherein the CE tool is configured to remove material from the semiconductor in response to the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, reagents, and diagnostic and prognostic markers useful for minimally invasive identification, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention in individuals with colorectal cancers, or individuals who may be susceptible to developing colorectal cancers.

Abstract: A computer based asset management system that organizes and stores a member's end of life wishes. The users give information about their wishes and assets, and also designate designees. This is organized by guiding the first member through determining the different categories of assets that the first member owns, and receiving from the first member, information about each of the assets, and also receiving from the first member, the end of life information including asset evidencing documents, which indicate information about the assets owned by the member, and preferences regarding end of life wishes.

Abstract: A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: Software instructions are executed on a processor within a computer system to configure a steaming engine with stream parameters to define a multidimensional array. The stream parameters define a size for each dimension of the multidimensional array, a null vector count (N), and a selected dimension. Data is fetched from a memory coupled to the streaming engine responsive to the stream parameters. A stream of vectors is formed for the multidimensional array responsive to the stream parameters from the data fetched from memory. N null stream vectors are inserted into the stream of vectors for the selected dimension without fetching respective null data from the memory.

Abstract: Software instructions are executed on a processor within a computer system to configure a steaming engine with stream parameters to define a multidimensional array. The stream parameters define a size for each dimension of the multidimensional array and a specified width for two selected dimensions of the array. Data is fetched from a memory coupled to the streaming engine responsive to the stream parameters. A stream of vectors is formed for the multidimensional array responsive to the stream parameters from the data fetched from memory. When either selected dimension in the stream of vectors exceeds a respective specified width, the streaming engine inserts null elements into each portion of a respective vector for the selected dimension that exceeds the specified width in the stream of vectors. Stream vectors that are completely null are formed by the streaming engine without accessing the system memory for respective data.

Abstract: Software instructions are executed on a processor within a computer system to configure a steaming engine with stream parameters to define a multidimensional array. The stream parameters define a size for each dimension of the multidimensional array, a null vector count (N), and a selected dimension. Data is fetched from a memory coupled to the streaming engine responsive to the stream parameters. A stream of vectors is formed for the multidimensional array responsive to the stream parameters from the data fetched from memory. N null stream vectors are inserted into the stream of vectors for the selected dimension without fetching respective null data from the memory.

Abstract: Software instructions are executed on a processor within a computer system to configure a steaming engine with stream parameters to define a multidimensional array. The stream parameters define a size for each dimension of the multidimensional array and a specified width for two selected dimensions of the array. Data is fetched from a memory coupled to the streaming engine responsive to the stream parameters. A stream of vectors is formed for the multidimensional array responsive to the stream parameters from the data fetched from memory. When either selected dimension in the stream of vectors exceeds a respective specified width, the streaming engine inserts null elements into each portion of a respective vector for the selected dimension that exceeds the specified width in the stream of vectors. Stream vectors that are completely null are formed by the streaming engine without accessing the system memory for respective data.

Abstract: A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A compact spectroradiometric device with a digital data processing system used to determine the spectral irradiance, illuminance, chromaticity, correlated color temperature, color rendering, flicker, equivalent melanopic lux and other characteristics of a light source as well as those same characteristics as observed in the transmittance through or reflectance from a sample being illuminated by that light source is described.

Abstract: A sample collection device for a fluid includes: a substantially disk-shaped body having a periphery; a capillary channel extending through the body and bounded by the periphery, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw the fluid into the channel by capillary action; a sample collection well located in the vicinity of the second end and in fluid communication with the capillary channel; and an axis of rotation extending through the center of the disk and which is substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the disk-shaped body. In a preferred embodiment, the sample collection device is adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation within a cartridge having a housing comprising an air vent in fluid communication with the capillary channel when the disk is rotated in a first position.

Abstract: A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.