Abstract: A ceiling fan includes a motor housing and a motor enclosed by the motor housing. A set of blades can extend from the motor housing and be operably coupled to the motor. The motor can include a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The motor housing can include an upper housing and a lower housing.

Abstract: An approach for assigning definitions to media network channels is described. A demand for program content of a media network channel associated with a first definition relating to resolution of the program content is determined. A second definition is assigned to the media network channel for the program content in response to the demand, wherein the second definition relates to the resolution of the program content and is higher in resolution than the first definition.

Abstract: A dental impression apparatus for obtaining a patient's dental impression is provided. The dental impression apparatus includes a support frame of a predefined shape, a partially permeable membrane mounted on the support frame, and absorbent barrier members. The support frame includes a distal member, a buccal edge member, and a lingual edge member. The absorbent barrier members mounted to the buccal edge member and the lingual edge member of the support frame define opposing troughs separated by the partially permeable membrane. The opposing troughs receive the patient's mandibular teeth and maxillary teeth. The opposing troughs are deposited with a first impression material and/or a second impression material for obtaining the dental impression of the patient. The absorbent barrier members confine a flow of the first impression material and the second impression material within the opposing troughs, when the patient applies a biting force within the opposing troughs.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating an operator may include a server configured to receive a request to access an enclosure, wherein the request may include at least one enclosure identification and at least one operator identification. At least one ticket associated with the enclosure identification may be identified. The server may determine whether the at least one ticket is associated with the at least one operator identification and transmit instructions to the enclosure in response to determining whether the at least one ticket is associate with the at least one operator identification.

Abstract: An approach for assigning definitions to media network channels is described. A demand for program content of a media network channel associated with a first definition relating to resolution of the program content is determined. A second definition is assigned to the media network channel for the program content in response to the demand, wherein the second definition relates to the resolution of the program content and is higher in resolution than the first definition.

Abstract: A dental impression apparatus for obtaining a patient's dental impression is provided. The dental impression apparatus includes a support frame of a predefined shape, a partially permeable membrane mounted on the support frame, and absorbent barrier members. The support frame includes a distal member, a buccal edge member, and a lingual edge member. The absorbent barrier members mounted to the buccal edge member and the lingual edge member of the support frame define opposing troughs separated by the partially permeable membrane. The opposing troughs receive the patient's mandibular teeth and maxillary teeth. The opposing troughs are deposited with a first impression material and/or a second impression material for obtaining the dental impression of the patient. The absorbent barrier members confine a flow of the first impression material and the second impression material within the opposing troughs, when the patient applies a biting force within the opposing troughs.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) products for use in agricultural applications, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Certain of the SAPs include a monomer or a mixture of monomers, selected from acrylic acid, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylamide, 2-acryloamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, ethyl acrylate, potassium acrylate, derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, that is graft polymerized onto a starch in the presence of an initiator to form a starch graft copolymer.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) products for use in agricultural applications, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Certain of the SAPs include a monomer or a mixture of monomers, other than acrylonitrile, that is graft polymerized onto a starch in the presence of an initiator to form a starch graft copolymer that is cross-linked and the SAP product is isolated.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) products for use in agricultural applications, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Certain of the SAPs include a monomer or a mixture of monomers, other than acrylonitrile, that is graft polymerized onto a starch in the presence of an initiator to form a starch graft copolymer that is cross-linked and the SAP product is isolated.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for forming a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens, in a area defined by a first mold part and a second mold part wherein during the formation of the biomedical device a HEMA is formed and the HEMA ring and a greater adhesive force is generated on the HEMA ring by the second mold part than the first mold part.

Abstract: A superabsorbent polymer combined with a beneficial additive and method for administering the same in agricultural applications is disclosed. A method for delivering a beneficial additive in agricultural applications includes obtaining a beneficial additive combined with a superabsorbent starch graft copolymer and dispensing the combined beneficial additive and superabsorbent polymer in an agricultural environment.

Abstract: A method of and a product formed by entrapping a bioactive, growth-promoting additive in a starch matrix to form a starch-based, superabsorbent polymer product for use in agricultural applications involves (1) graft polymerizing a monomer and a starch to form a starch graft copolymer including a starch matrix; (2) isolating the starch graft copolymer; (3) forming particles of starch graft copolymer; and (4) adding a bioactive, growth-promoting additive such that at least some of the bioactive, growth-promoting additive is entrapped by the starch matrix. Following placement of the starch-based SAP including a bioactive, growth-promoting additive in proximity to a plant, root, seed, or seedling, growth of the plant, root, seed, or seedling is promoted because availability of beneficial nutrients is increased.

Abstract: A superabsorbent starch graft copolymer product having particle sizes useful in granule applicators for application to agricultural fields. Starch graft copolymers applied to field crops provide excellent anti-crusting properties, increased seed germination and stand, increased crop growth, increased yields, and reduced water requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a meshed power and signal bus system on an array type integrated circuit that minimizes the size of the circuit. In a departure from the art, through-holes for the mesh system are placed in the cell array, as well as the peripheral circuits. The power and signal buses of the mesh system run in both vertical and horizontal directions across the array such that all the vertical buses lie in one metal layer, and all the horizontal buses lie in another metal layer. The buses of one layer are connected to the appropriate bus(es) of the other layer using through-holes located in the array. Once connected, the buses extend to the appropriate sense amplifier drivers. The method and apparatus are facilitated by an improved subdecoder circuit implementing a hierarchical word line structure.

Abstract: Verifying a process margin for a mask pattern includes receiving the mask pattern for patterning features on a semiconductor wafer. The mask pattern is modified according to a wafer pattern model operable to estimate a wafer pattern resulting from the mask pattern. An intermediate stage model is selected to apply to a portion of the mask pattern, where the intermediate stage model is operable to estimate an intermediate stage of the wafer pattern. A process margin of the portion is verified by selecting a test of the intermediate stage model, and performing the test on the portion to verify the process margin of the portion.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic lenticular screen has a lenticular screen held in juxtaposition with a display surface. The lenticular screen has lenticules disposed on one side thereof and a smooth surface on the other side thereof. In one aspect of the invention, a closed chamber is formed over the lenticules. In order to deactivate the refractive properties of the lenticular screen, and thereby view the display in a planar mode, an optically clear fluid, such as a fluoropolymer, is introduced into at least a portion of the closed chamber. In order to activate the refractive properties of the lenticular screen, and thereby view the display in a stereoscopic mode, the optically clear fluid is removed from the closed chamber. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the lenticular screen is oriented such that the lenticules face inwardly toward the display screen, and the smooth surface of the lenticular screen is coated with an antireflective material.

Abstract: Methods of making and using a superabsorbent starch graft copolymer involve producing starch graft copolymers having particle sizes useful in granule applicators for application to agricultural fields. Starch graft copolymers applied to field crops provide excellent anti-crusting properties, increased seed germination and stand, increased crop growth, increased yields, and reduced water requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing viewing distance for a stereogram system. In a stereogram, an image is held in close juxtaposition with a lenticular screen. In the invention, a data store is used to store optimum pitch values for specified viewing distances. An interdigitation program then acts on the table values and creates a mapping of interdigitated views for each viewing distance. The user can then select or specify a desired viewing distance, and the optimum mapping of views is automatically chosen for display.

Abstract: The Electronic Autostereoscopic Camera comprises a taking “lens” that gathers full scene information and encodes this information onto the camera electronic sensor such that the “Depth” of the scene constituents is thereby preserved. This camera may be of a monochrome, single sensor color, or multi-sensor color type and may utilize C.C.D., Analog, C.M.O.S., or other variety of photosensitive electronic sensor. The output information from the camera may be in any suitable format suitable for use in the C.C.T.V., Broadcast T.V., or A/V displays (Computer Generated). Post processing and recording of the data is handled in the same manner as the familiar Two-Dimensional content now utilized by such industries and users. The “lens” of this camera may be configured to function on other electronic cameras by fitting the scene “Depth Encoding” optical group to a particular camera as may be desired by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a meshed power and signal bus system on an array type integrated circuit that minimizes the size of the circuit. In a departure from the art, through-holes for the mesh system are placed in the cell array, as well as the peripheral circuits. The power and signal buses of the mesh system run in both vertical and horizontal directions across the array such that all the vertical buses lie in one metal layer, and all the horizontal buses lie in another metal layer. The buses of one layer are connected to the appropriate bus(es) of the other layer using through-holes located in the array. Once connected, the buses extend to the appropriate sense amplifier drivers. The method and apparatus are facilitated by an improved subdecoder circuit implementing a hierarchical word line structure.