Abstract: A network analysis system obtains parameter data generated by telecommunications network equipment, in which the parameter data represents operational parameters of the network. The network analysis system processes the parameter data to generate symptom data from test procedures that are applied to the parameter data. Fault data is generated that is representative of faults that may have occurred, on the basis of the symptom data and relationship data representative of the relationship between the symptom data and the faults. The relationship between a symptom and a fault represents likelihood of the symptom being caused by the fault. The system also generates occurrence data that is representative of faults that probably have occurred, on the basis of the fault data.

Abstract: A system, an IC chip, a test structure formed on the IC chip, and a corresponding method for modeling one or more target interconnect capacitances is disclosed. The test structure comprises an interconnect configuration comprising a test interconnect and one or more target interconnects. The interconnect configuration has, for each target interconnect, a corresponding target interconnect capacitance between the test interconnect and the target interconnect. The test structure also comprises a test interconnect charging circuit connected to the test interconnect. The test interconnect charging circuit is configured to place a test charge on the test interconnect. The test structure further comprises one or more target interconnect charging circuits. Each target interconnect charging circuit is connected to a corresponding target interconnect.

Abstract: Methods for creating and using polypeptide probes with high affinity for any desirable coiled coil region are described, as well as heterospecific polypeptide probes directed to the coiled coil region of a target polypeptide. Core residue packing rules are provided for selective amino acid pairing and packing in the hydrophobic core of the interhelical interface.

Abstract: An optical microswitch comprising a support body and first and second output fibers carried by the body. A rotary electrostatic microactuator is carried by the body and extends in plane. A micromirror is disposed out of the plane. The microactuator has a mirror holder coupled to the micromirror and at least one comb drive assembly coupled to the mirror holder for driving the micromirror about an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to the plane between a first position for reflecting a laser beam to the first output fiber and a second position for reflecting the laser beam to the second output fiber.

Abstract: A system, an IC chip, a test structure formed on the IC chip, and a corresponding method for modeling one or more target interconnect capacitances is disclosed. The test structure comprises an interconnect configuration comprising a test interconnect and one or more target interconnects. The interconnect configuration has, for each target interconnect, a corresponding target interconnect capacitance between the test interconnect and the target interconnect. The test structure also comprises a test interconnect charging circuit connected to the test interconnect. The test interconnect charging circuit is configured to place a test charge on the test interconnect. The test structure further comprises one or more target interconnect charging circuits. Each target interconnect charging circuit is connected to a corresponding target interconnect.

Abstract: Method and composition for making an expanded polyethylene material by forming a foamable melt of polyethylene, a nucleating agent, a material which retards migration of alkanes, and a blowing agent which comprises 10 to 100 mole percent ethane. In one disclosed embodiment, the melt is passed through an annular extrusion die to form an elongated tube of extruded material which is then expanded, slit lengthwise and laid flat to form a sheet of the expanded material.

Abstract: A conduit connector and method for coupling a plurality of conduit sections together. The connector includes a conduit body having a first inlet, a second inlet and an interior cavity extending between the first and second inlets. The conduit body is split longitudinally between the inlets into a front member and a back member. The connector also includes a locking system for securing the front and back members together. The method includes the steps of providing a pair of connector sections, one having spaced apart first arcuate stretches and the other having spaced apart second arcuate stretches. The arcuate stretches are each shaped and positioned to engage the exterior end of a corresponding conduit section.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a playing card dispensing shoe apparatus, system and method wherein the shoe has a card scanner which scans the indicia on a playing card as the card moves along and out of a chute of the shoe by operation of the dealer. The scanner comprises an optical-sensor used in combination with a neural network which is trained using error back-propagation to recognize the card suits and card values of the playing cards as they are moved past the scanner. The scanning process in combination with a central processing unit (CPU) determines the progress of the play of the game and, by identifying card counting systems or basic playing strategies in use by the players of the game, provides means to limit or prevent casino losses and calculate the Theoretical Win of the casino, thus also providing an accurate quality method of the amount of comps to be given a particular player.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treatment of a wafer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heating chamber having a heat source. A cooling chamber is positioned adjacent to the heating chamber and includes a cooling source. A wafer holder is configured to move between the cooling chamber and the heating chamber through a passageway and one or more shutters defines the size of the passageway. The one or more shutters are movable between an open position where the wafer holder can pass through the passageway and an obstructing position which defines a passageway which is smaller than the passageway defined when the shutter is in the open position.

Abstract: Pressurized portable solar heated shower having a flexible shower bag with first and second closed chambers on opposite sides of a flexible membrane enclosed within a flexible outer bag. Water is introduced into the first chamber, and a foot operated pump is connected to the second chamber for pressurizing the second chamber with air to expel the water from the first chamber through a flexible hose and shower head. When not in use, the shower bag is emptied, and the entire device can be folded into a relatively small package which is easily carried by campers, backpackers, boaters, and the like.

Abstract: A lower frame structure of a foldable playyard comprises a hub being operable to lock the lower frame structure at an erected state and to unlock the lower frame structure to allow it to collapse to a collapsed state; four hub legs, one end portion of each of the hub legs being pivotally coupled to the hub such that the hub legs is capable of pivotal in a longitudinal direction of the hub between a erected position and a collapsed position; and a first L-shaped auxiliary supporting tube pivotally coupled to a first hub leg at a coupling end thereof and a second auxiliary supporting tube pivotally coupled to a third hub leg at a coupling end thereof and arranged such that the auxiliary supporting tubes may pivot in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the hub leg, whereby as the lower frame structure is extended to an erected state the hub legs and the first and second auxiliary supporting tubes form a substantially horizontal co-planar spread-out configuration with a leg portion of each of the auxil

Abstract: The invention includes transformed plants having at least one cell transformed with a modified ETR nucleic acid. Such plants have a phenotype characterized by a decrease in the response of at least one transformed plant cell to ethylene as compared to a plant not containing the transformed plant cell. Tissue and/or temporal specificity for expression of the modified ETR nucleic acid is controlled by selecting appropriate expression regulation sequences to target the location and/or time of expression of the transformed nucleic acid. The plants are made by transforming at least one plant cell with an appropriate modified ETR nucleic acid, regenerating plants from one or more of the transformed plant cells and selecting at least one plant having the desired phenotype.

Abstract: A steel composition particularly useful for components of solid oxide fuel cells, for example a connector plate for collecting electrical current from a solid oxide fuel cell, consisting of, in weight percent, 18-28.5 Cr, 0.001-0.20 C, <0.1 Si, 0.005-0.10 Mn, <1.0 Ni, <0.25 N, <0.05 S, <0.08 P, <0.06 Al, <0.25 Additional Defined Metals, and 0.005-0.50 REM, wit the residue iron, excluding incidental impurities, where Additional Defined Metals is the sum of titanium, niobium, vanadium, molybdenum and copper, and REM is one or more of the rare earth metal elements in the group of the lanthanide elements 57 to 71, scandium and yttrium.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a planarization endpoint of a semiconductor wafer planarization operation, which includes monitoring a motor current for at least one of a platen motor, a carousel motor and a head motor, performing a Fourier transform of the monitored current to identify periodic oscillations in the current, to ensure that undesirable oscillations in the monitored motor current are minimized, to provide better reliability and higher precision of end-point detection triggering.

Abstract: Described herein are methods that can be used for diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Also described herein are methods that can be used to screen candidate bioactive agents for the ability to modulate colorectal cancer. Additionally, methods and molecular targets (genes and their products) for therapeutic intervention in colorectal and other cancers are described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for joining a first structure to a second structure. In one embodiment, a bridge 100 is provided for joining a movable structure 105 to a fixed structure 110. The bridge 100 includes a number of spaced apart extensible beams 115, each beam having a first end 125 pivotably and rotatably attached to the movable structure 105 and a second end 130 pivotably and rotatably attached to the fixed structure 110. Deck members 135 are supported by the extensible beams 115 in a substantially horizontal attitude, each of the deck members pivotably and rotatably attached to one of the beams whereby access is provided between the movable structure 105 and the fixed structure 110. In one version, the movable structure 105 includes a vehicle, such as a train, an automobile, a watercraft, an aircraft or a spacecraft. In another version, the movable structure 105 is a motion-base 230 of a simulator, amusement ride or a theater 235.

Abstract: A blast nozzle apparatus which includes a circular inlet to an entry portion with converging top and bottom surfaces and diverging side surfaces which terminate in a throat portion and an outlet portion including diverging side surfaces and top and bottom surfaces terminating in a substantially rectangular outlet opening.

Abstract: A transducer suitable for ultrasonic applications, fluid drop ejection and scanning force microscopy. The transducer comprises a thin piezoelectric ring bonded to a thin fully supported clamped membrane. Voltages applied to said piezoelectric ring excite axisymmetric resonant modes in the clamped membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.