Abstract: Multiple applications request data from multiple storage units over a computer network. The data is divided into segments and each segment is distributed randomly on one of several storage units, independent of the storage units on which other segments of the media data are stored. At least one additional copy of each segment also is distributed randomly over the storage units, such that each segment is stored on at least two storage units. This random distribution of multiple copies of segments of data improves both scalability and reliability. When an application requests a selected segment of data, the request is processed by the storage unit with the shortest queue of requests. Random fluctuations in the load applied by multiple applications on multiple storage units are balanced nearly equally over all of the storage units.

Abstract: A method of producing cementitious mixtures containing fly ash as one of the cementitious components, under air entrainment conditions. The method involves forming a mixture comprising water, cement, fly ash, optionally other cementitious materials, aggregate, conventional chemical admixtures, and an air entrainment agent and agitating the mixture to entrain air therein. Additionally, at least one sacrificial agent is also included in the mixture. The sacrificial agent is a material or mixture of materials that is not required to act as an air entrainment agent but interacts preferentially with components of the fly ash that otherwise neutralize, repress or depress the activity of the air entrainment agent. The invention includes cementitious mixtures and hardened concretes resulting from the method and fly ash treated with sacrificial agent, or air entrainment agent/sacrificial agent combinations, and processes for selecting suitable sacrificial agents.

Abstract: Viewing an electronic document in a display window of a display includes detecting a layout of the electronic document and comparing the layout of the electronic document to a width of the display window. The electronic document is reformatted into at least two columns, with each of the columns having a width that does not exceed a width of the display window.

Abstract: The application of microstructures which improve the quality of light available to the viewer of an optical display system, or any display which works on the concept of moving one surface into direct contact or close proximity of a light guide to extract light through frustrated total internal reflection. Optical microstructures are introduced on one or both of the surfaces of the active layer to enhance its performance. Since the active layer has both an input and an output function, means for enhancing both are presented. The input function to the active layer occurs on the internal surface, so this is where the present invention adds a collector-coupler, a means for facilitating the migration of light from the waveguide into the active layer.

Abstract: A zener diode circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having an N-doped region and a P-doped region that form a PN junction. The N-doped region and the P-doped region have areas with widths that decrease as the N-doped region and the P-doped region approach the PN junction. The zener diode circuit also includes a transistor that provides current to the zener diode, and circuitry that detects a state of the zener diode.

Abstract: A display apparatus filter and a plasma display apparatus using the same are disclosed. The display apparatus filter includes a light transmission unit and a light absorption unit. The light transmission unit has a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes each have gradually increasing opening area as the filter goes from its front surface to its rear surface. The light absorption unit is formed on the parts other than the part where the plurality of holes are formed in the front surface of the filter.

Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor display device is provided. The semiconductor display device has a channel forming region, an LDD region, and a source region and a drain region in a semiconductor layer, and the LDD region overlaps with a first gate electrode, sandwiching a gate insulating film.

Abstract: A cutting instrument includes an outer member having a cutting portion, and a helical knife coupled to the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member. At least a portion of the helical knife extends distally beyond the cutting portion. The instrument includes an inner member received within the outer member. The helical knife is at a distal end of the inner member. A method of cutting includes slicing into tissue with a helical knife to draw tissue proximally toward a cutting portion, and cutting the tissue with the cutting portion. The helical knife is provided on an inner member, and the cutting portion is provided on an outer member. Cut tissue is transported along a helical channel defined by the helical knife and aspirated through a hollow interior in the inner member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, related to a cross-browser compliant web page zoom feature. A method includes receiving a web page with machine-readable instructions and a zoom factor for the web page; processing a document object model representation of the web page in accordance with the machine-readable instructions; and displaying the web page in a web browser according to the document object model representation. In that method, the processing includes modifying parameters pertaining to content in accordance with the zoom factor, if one or more scalable content parameters exist in the document object model representation, and modifying parameters pertaining to layout in accordance with the zoom factor, if one or more scalable layout parameters exist in the document object model representation.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device that power is stabilized by suppressing power consumption as much as possible. The semiconductor device of the invention includes a logic portion and a memory portion each including a plurality of transistors, a detecting portion for detecting one or both of operation frequencies of the logic portion and the memory portion, a Vth control for supplying a Vth control signal to one or both of the logic portion and the memory portion, and an antenna. Each of the plurality of transistors has a first gate electrode which is input with a logic signal, a second gate electrode which is input with the Vth control signal, and a semiconductor film such that the second gate electrode, the semiconductor film, and the first gate electrode are provided in this order from the bottom.

Abstract: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.

Abstract: A device is tested using a system that includes automatic test equipment (ATE) and a computer. At the ATE, the testing includes receiving data from the device, and processing the data to obtain processed data. At the computer, the testing includes executing a computer program while the data is being processed at the ATE, where the computer program processes an object that contains a pointer, passing the object to the ATE, and receiving the object from the ATE. The pointer in the object is replaced with the processed data.

Abstract: The invention provides non-steroidal ligands for the glucocorticoid receptor, methods for making non-steroidal ligands of the glucocorticoid receptor, compositions of non-steroidal ligands of the glucocorticoid receptor and methods of using non-steroidal ligands and compositions of non-steroidal ligands of the glucocorticoid receptor for treating or preventing diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, depression, neurodegeneration or an inflammatory disease) associated with glucocorticoid binding to the glucocorticoid receptor.

Abstract: A drop ejection device includes a group of orifices adapted to eject fluid drops. The fluids ejected from the orifices merge into a fluid drop. The orifices are separated by walls which define the orifices. The merging of the fluid into a fluid drop depends on the spacing of the orifices and the waveform applied to actuators which cause the fluid to be ejected.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition for external application, particularly, a remedial formulation for external use containing fluconazole is disclosed. The formulation comprises a base material, 0.1-5.0 percent by weight of fluconazole and 1.0-40.0 percent by weight of any one compound selected from a group consisting of fatty acid, fatty alcohol, higher fatty acid ester and lower alcohol based on weight of the base material. The composition according to the present invention has various advantages of a favorable absorption into a system through the skin of a human body and delivery of active material into horny layer of the skin, a reduced skin stimulation and an excellent stability. Therefore, the composition is efficiently useable in a medical treatment application for dermatomycosis-related infectious diseases including tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea versicolor and/or candidiasis and the like.

Abstract: A real-time interface between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an Internet Protocol (IP) network provides voice to data and data to voice conversion between the PSTN and the IP network in a seamless process. The interface, a central communication network, performs Class 5 switching between the PSTN and the IP network, besides providing enhanced services. Receiving a call, the central communication network simultaneously routes the call to a plurality of preprogrammed numbers on the PSTN and on the IP network. The central communication network provides call screening, takes voice messages and converts them to e-mail messages, takes e-mail or facsimile messages and converts them to voice messages.

Abstract: In an electro-optical device for performing image display using an n-bit (where n is a natural number, n?2) digital image signal, n×m (where m is a natural number) volatile memory circuits, and n×k (where k is a natural number) non-volatile memory circuits are contained in every one pixel. The electro-optical device has a function for storing m frame portions of the digital image signal in the volatile memory circuits, and k frame portions of the digital image signal in the non-volatile memory circuits. By performing display of a static image in accordance with repeatedly reading out, for each frame, the digital image signal stored once in the memory circuits and performing display, drive of a source signal line driver circuit can be stopped during that period. Further, a digital image signal stored in the non-volatile memory circuits is stored even after a power source is cut off, and therefore display is possible immediately when the power source is next turned on.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes receiving a user input, the user input having been input in a user interface in one of multiple modalities. The method also includes accessing, in response to receiving the user input, a multi-modality content document including content information and presentation information, the presentation information supporting presentation of the content information in each of the multiple modalities. In addition, the method includes accessing, in response to receiving the user input, metadata for the user interface, the metadata indicating that the user interface provides a first modality and a second modality for interfacing with a user. First-modality instructions are generated based on the accessed multi-modality content document and the accessed metadata, the first-modality instructions providing instructions for presenting the content information on the user interface using the first modality.

Abstract: An IC die and a flexible circuit structure are integrated into a lower stack element that can be stacked with either further integrated lower stack element iterations or with pre-packaged ICs in any of a variety of package types. The present invention may be employed to stack similar or dissimilar integrated circuits and may be used to create modularized systems. In a preferred embodiment, a die is positioned above the surface of portions of a pair of flex circuits. Connection is made between the die and the flex circuitry. A protective layer such as a molded plastic, for example, is formed to protect the flex-connected die and its connection to the flex. Connective elements are placed along the flex circuitry to create an array of module contacts along the second side of the flex circuitry. The flex circuitry is positioned above the body-protected die to create an integrated lower stack element.

Abstract: A clock distribution approach includes distributing a clock signal from a clock tree to a first set of circuit elements characterized by a first circuit characteristic; and distributing a clock signal from a sub-tree of the clock tree to a second set of circuit elements characterized by a second circuit characteristic different from the first circuit characteristic.