Abstract: A computer system and method for performing concurrency control on work requests, the system having an object request broker for receiving work requests and for dispatching them for execution within the computer system, a processor for processing the requests which have been received by the object request broker, and a concurrency control component in the object request broker for performing concurrency control by isolating the effects of a group of related work requests which form a transaction. The method includes the steps of receiving a work request, analyzing the requested object and method related to the work request, and locking the brokering of the method.

Abstract: Methods for the ready identification of dynamic defects using switching induced light emission from CMOS gates in complex integrated circuits such as microprocessors are described. The rapid increase in the complexity of logic circuits means that practical gate level identification of the sources of dynamic errors will require methods other than the gate by gate tracing of every possible path taken by a given set of instructions. The methods described here are based on the ability of picosecond imaging circuit analysis to detect the switching activity of every gate of a complex circuit in a single, passive measurement, and the ability of data processing today to compare large two- and three-dimensional files.

Abstract: A laser system (called a UV Dermablator) and method that enables a clean, precise removal of skin while minimizing collateral damage to the skin underlying the treated region. The depth of ablation can be controlled via feedback from the physiology of the skin, namely the infusion of blood into the area of excision when skin has been ablated to a sufficient depth to produce bleeding. A second laser, such as a uv light source with a different wavelength, to penetrate the blood, heating it sufficiently to coagulate the blood. Other features provide precise control, permitting the epidermis to be removed down to the papillary dermis, following the undulations of the papillary dermis. This lateral and depth control may be accomplished by using careful observation, assisted by spectroscopic detection, to identify when the epidermis has been removed, exposing the underlying dermis, with spatial resolution appropriate for the spacing of the undulations of the papillary dermis.

Abstract: A general, event/handler kernel extension system is implemented. Network server extension architecture isolates and exploits the ability to derive responses on the same interrupt the original request was received on using non-paged memory. TCP network server extensions are implemented. A technique is defined for facilitating immediate completion of connection requests using pre-allocated connection endpoints and describes an approach to recycling these connection endpoints. A hybrid HTTP extension implemented partially in user space and partially in kernel space is defined that provides explicit or transparent implementation of the user space component and shared logging between user and kernel space. A technique is defined for prefetching responses to HTTP GET requests using earlier GET responses. Classifying of handler extensions according to latency in deriving a response to a network request is defined.

Abstract: An improved multidimensional data indexing technique that generates compact indexes such that most or all of the index can reside in main memory at any time. During the clustering and dimensionality reduction, clustering information and dimensionality reduction information are generated for use in a subsequent search phase. The indexing technique can be effective even in the presence of variables which are not highly correlated. Other features provide for efficiently performing exact and nearest neighbor searches using the clustering information and dimensionality reduction information. One example of the dimensionality reduction uses a singular value decomposition technique. The method can also be recursively applied to each of the reduced-dimensionality clusters. The dimensionality reduction also can be applied to the entire database as a first step of the index generation.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying long paths in an integrated circuit are described. An integrated circuit chip is subjected to input test signals of progressively shorter cycle time until the chip fails to produce a correct output. The cycle time of the signal resulting in the failure of the chip is defined as T. A signal having cycle time T'=T+.DELTA.T is then applied to the integrated circuit, where the signal of cycle time T' is known to result in proper operation of the chip. The chip is then observed for switching activity during the period .DELTA.T which occurs beginning at a time T measured from the beginning of the second signal of duration T' until the end of the signal of duration T'. The location of the switching activity is used to identify the path or paths of the circuit that resulted in failure of the chip. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching activity is detected using an optical measurement system capable of detecting light generated by transistor switching activity.

Abstract: A reading or language interactive system which utilizes a mechanism to permit a computer-based instruction program in reading or language instruction to implement a shared reading program, wherein portions of the text are read by the student and portions by the computer itself. The proportion of the text "read" by each participant and the pace at which the lesson progresses can each be automatically altered based upon the proficiency of the student. In addition, the system utilizes a computer instructor to share the task of reading or language learning by modeling the task for the learner, variably controlling the amount of material that the student reads aloud based upon a computer assessment of the student's ability, helping the learner navigate through the instructional application, and participating in a joint performance that demonstrates the student's reading.