Abstract: A multimedia data distribution system is provided. The multimedia data distribution system comprises a multimedia controller and at least a distribution zone. A distribution zone has a zone hub and zero to finite number of zone media player. The zone hub receives multimedia data from a multimedia content source through an out-of-zone data path and then synchronously redistributes multimedia contents to rest of zone media players via in-zone data paths. A multimedia controller utilizes out-of-zone control path to transmit control message to a zone hub, which in turn relays the control messages to addressed zone media player(s) via in-zone control paths. The zone hub of a distribution zone receives status updates from individual zone media players via in-zone status update paths, aggregates them, and then relays to the multimedia controller via the out-of-zone status update path.

Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor may include one or more conductors received in a hollow portion of a hollow member. The first conductor may be made, at least in part, of a semiconductor material and an active region may be provided in contact with at least the first conductor. The analyte sensor may, in one aspect, include a lancet and an integrated sensor. Manufacturing methods and apparatus and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nanoscale memristor devices that provide nonvolatile memristive switching. In one embodiment, a memristor device includes an active region, a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the active region, and a second electrode disposed on a second surface of the active region, the second surface opposite the first surface. The first electrode is configured with a smaller width than the active region in a first direction, and the second electrode is configured with a larger width than the active region in a second direction. Application of a voltage to at least one of the electrodes produces an electric field across a sub-region within the active region between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A method for operating a memory includes receiving a command to program a data value at a memory cell, and an indication of which write mode in a plurality of write modes to use. Write modes in the plurality are characterized by different sets of resistance ranges that correspond to data values stored in the memory cell. The method includes executing a program operation according to the indicated one in the plurality of write modes to program the data value in the memory cell. The plurality of write modes includes a first write mode and a second write mode corresponding to shorter data retention than the first write mode. The first and second write modes are characterized by first and second sets of resistance ranges in the different sets of resistance ranges. The method includes periodically refreshing data values in memory cells storing data in the second write mode.

Abstract: An optical interconnect (200) includes: a reflective body (230) having a first reflective surface (235) and a second reflective surface (240) opposite the first reflective surface (235); a first optical waveguide (205) that directs a first optical signal received from a first communicating device (105) to the first reflective surface (235); a second optical waveguide (210) that directs the first optical signal from the first reflective surface (235) of the reflective body (230) to a second communicating device (110); a third optical waveguide (215) that directs a second optical signal received from the second communicating device (110) to the second reflective surface (240) of the reflective body (230); and a fourth optical waveguide (220) that directs the second optical signal from the second reflective surface (240) of the reflective body (230) to the first communicating device (105).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOSFET with an undoped channel is disclosed. The method comprises fabricating on a substrate a semiconductor structure having a dummy poly gate, dummy interlayer (IL) oxide, and a doped channel. The method further comprises removing the dummy poly gate and the dummy IL oxide to expose the doped channel, removing the doped channel from an area on the substrate, forming an undoped channel for the semiconductor structure at the area on the substrate, and forming a metal gate for the semiconductor structure. Removing the dummy poly gate may comprise dry and wet etch operations. Removing the dummy IL oxide may comprise dry etch operations. Removing the doped channel may comprise anisotropic etch operations on the substrate. Forming an undoped channel may comprise applying an epitaxial process to grow the undoped channel. The method may further comprise growing IL oxide above the undoped channel.

Abstract: A false-trigger free power-rail ESD clamp protection circuit includes an ESD impact detection component, a discharge transistor, a discharge transistor turn-on channel, and a discharge transistor shutoff channel. The circuit, in a smaller layout area, has very strong electrostatic charge discharge capability under ESD impact, little power leakage during normal power-up, and relatively strong false-trigger immunity capability for quick power-up.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna for a portable communication device is disclosed, in which the communication device includes a first housing, a second housing and a substrate. The multi-band antenna includes a feeding portion, a system ground plane, a metal ring, a resonant cavity, a first and a second radiating portion. The system ground plane is disposed on the substrate. The metal ring is connected to the first housing, and forms a space with the first housing to accommodate the substrate, in which the metal ring is electrically coupled to the system ground plane through a plurality of ground ends. The resonant cavity is formed between the system ground plane and the metal ring to generate a first resonant mode. The first and the second radiating portion are disposed on the second housing, for generating a second and a third resonant mode, respectively.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to route optical signals are disclosed. An example apparatus to route optical signals includes a plurality of hollow metal waveguide optical switch arrays. Each of the arrays comprises a plurality of optical input ports and a plurality of optical output ports. The input ports and the output ports for a first one of the arrays are arranged in a first plane, the input ports and the output ports for a second one of the arrays are arranged in a second plane, and the plurality of arrays are stacked such that the first and second planes are adjacent. The first one of the arrays is to convey optical signals from a first communication device to a second communication device and the second one of the arrays is to convey optical signals from the second communication device to the first communication device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved process for preparing an important intermediate of linagliptin. In particular, disclosed are a process for preparing a compound V which is an important intermediate of linagliptin and has the structure V, and an industrial process of preparing linagliptin having excellent chemical and optical purities, which is an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV), from the compound V. The process employs a phase-transfer catalyst, is high in yield, easy and simple to handle, environmentally friendly, suitable for industrial mass production, and can be implemented by a “one-pot process”.

Abstract: A bio-sensing device includes a first platform, a second platform, at least one first magnetic element, and at least one second magnetic element. The first platform is configured to support a microplate. The microplate has a plurality of wells, each of which stores a reagent and a plurality of microbeads. The second platform is movably placed below the first platform. The first and the second magnetic elements are respectively located on the second platform. The first magnetic element moves along with the second platform to magnetically attract the microbeads in the wells, the second magnetic element moves along with the second platform to demagnetize the microbeads in the wells, and magnetism of the first magnetic element is opposite to magnetism of the second magnetic element.

Abstract: A process for producing an antistatic yarn includes the steps of: (a) providing antistatic composite filaments having carbon black dispersed therein; (b) advancing the antistatic composite filaments to a first heating zone at a first advancing speed which ranges from 230 m/min to 330 m/min; (c) drawing the antistatic composite filaments from the first heating zone to a false twist zone at a second advancing speed such that a draw ratio of the second advancing speed to the first advancing speed ranges from 1.5 to 1.75, thereby obtaining false twisted filaments; and (d) heat-setting the false twisted filaments so as to obtain a permanent antistatic crimped yarn.

Abstract: The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) module, which includes a MEMS die stacked on an electronic circuit die. The electronic circuit die includes a substrate, the substrate including at least one through-silicon via (TSV) penetrating through the substrate; and at least one electronic circuit. The electronic circuit includes a circuit region, and a signal transmission layer directly connecting the TSV. At least one wire is connected between a middle part of the MEMS die and the TSV. There is no signal communication at the interfacing location where the MEMS die is stacked on and bonded with the electronic circuit die.

Abstract: An avatar-based charting method for assisted diagnosis to improve the efficiency of medical practice. Through an anthropomorphic symptom record interface, the first page is the Genetic-Psycho-Social-Bio (GPSB) which assists in understanding the genetic, psychological, social-environmental, and biological characteristics of patients. A Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Plan (SOAP) diagnosis page aids in doctor diagnosis. A decision support diagnostic summary interface automatically generates the diagnosis summary and notifies of any unusual circumstances. Finally, a medical records module saves all information into a medical database in order to provide health care for subsequent tracking and evaluation.

Abstract: A package on package (PoP) structure is provided, which includes: a packaging substrate having a plurality of conductive bumps, wherein each of the conductive bumps has a metal ball and a solder material covering the metal ball; and an electronic element having a plurality of conductive posts, wherein the electronic element is stacked on the packaging substrate by correspondingly bonding the conductive posts to the conductive bumps, and each of the conductive posts and the corresponding conductive bump form a conductive element. The present invention facilitates the stacking process through butt joint of the conductive posts and the metal balls of the conductive bumps.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and hospital information system for prompting medication safety. The method includes: extracting identifier information and execution time of a prescribed drug from a treatment information database; according to the identifier information of the drug, extracting a record related to the drug from an information database; for each contributor factor of the prescribed drug, determining an unsafe time interval corresponding to the contributor factor of the drug; extracting identifier information and execution time of a target factor from the treatment information database; and, in response to the target factor matching with a contributor factor of the drug and at least a part of the execution time of the target factor falling within the unsafe time interval corresponding to the matched contributor factor, prompting medication safety in the complete drug taking lifetime. Through adopting the present invention, internal data process can be optimized and medication safety can be improved.

Abstract: According to an example, an apparatus for performing spectroscopy includes a parabolic reflector and a plurality of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) elements spaced from the parabolic reflector and positioned substantially at a focal point of the parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector is to reflect Raman scattered light emitted from molecules in a near field generated by the plurality of SERS elements to substantially increase the flux of the Raman scattered light emitted out of the apparatus.

Abstract: An AC backup power system controls a power supply to selectively connect to a primary AC power source or a backup AC power source through a switching module. The switching module is controlled by a monitoring module. The monitoring module has a power monitoring unit, a first circuit switch, a second circuit switch, and a first processor. When the power monitoring unit detects an interruption of primary AC current, the first circuit switch that is normally closed is immediately turned off. The first processor then drives the switching module to connect to the backup AC power source. Once the backup AC power source reaches the zero-crossing point, the second circuit switch is turned on so that the backup AC power source provides power to the power supply. The power supply receives power at the zero-crossing point to avoid problems of sparks and coke deposition.

Abstract: Bacterial live vector vaccines represent a vaccine development strategy that offers exceptional flexibility. In the present invention, genes encoding protective antigens of unrelated bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal pathogens are expressed in an attenuated bacterial vaccine strain that delivers these foreign antigens to the immune system, thereby eliciting relevant immune responses. Rather than expressing these antigens using only low copy expression plasmids, expression of foreign proteins is accomplished using both low copy expression plasmids in conjunction with chromosomal integrations within the same live vector. This strategy compensates for the inherent disadvantage of loss of gene dosage (versus exclusive plasmid-based expression) by integrating antigen expression cassettes into multiple chromosomal sites already inactivated in an attenuated vector.

Abstract: An electrochemical test sensor for detecting the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. The electrochemical test sensor includes a housing that has a first end and a second opposing end. The housing includes an opening at the first end to receive a fluid test sample. An electrode assembly includes a substrate, a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reagent. The substrate has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The working electrode is disposed on the first surface of the substrate, and the counter electrode is disposed on the second surface of the substrate. The electrode assembly is positioned within the housing to define a reaction channel. The electrochemical test sensor may be used with a removable lancet mechanism or integrated within a lancet mechanism to form one integral unit.