Abstract: A layout structure of a static random access memory (SRAM) cell array includes at least one SRAM cell area, oxide defined (OD) area and strapping cell area. The SRAM cell area has a longitudinal side being at least twice longer than a transverse side thereof. The oxide defined (OD) area is formed on an insulating layer, extending across at least two neighboring SRAM cell areas for construction of a passing gate transistor and a pull-down transistor used in an SRAM cell. The strapping cell area is interposed between the SRAM cell areas, in which a strapping cell is constructed for connecting the OD area to a fixed potential, thereby preventing bodies of the passing gate transistor and the pull-down transistor constructed on the OD area from floating.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for implementing and control of a financial instrument having pre-set maturity that provides efficient exposure to common stock at a reduced risk. In a preferred embodiment, the financial instrument is divided into units, each one consisting of a long-dated Treasury STRIP and the common stock of one company. Over its life term, each unit generates income based on the total return of the underlying common stock and can be created or redeemed at any time. The data processing system receives input from the capital market and evaluates the financial instrument, reporting its price to customers. The system further arranges for periodic distributions according to pre-defined distribution schedule and for the creation and redemption of new units. Also disclosed is a data processing system and method for administering a group of such instruments designed to track the performance of specified equity securities.

Abstract: An implant for improved engagement between modular components is provided. The implant includes a body member for insertion, in use, in a natural femoral neck; and a rod for insertion, in use, in the intramedullary canal of a femur. The body member has a first engagement surface and the rod has a second engagement surface such that the first and second engagement surfaces are configured for complementary engagement with each other. One of the first or second engagement surfaces may be a protrusion while the other of the first or second engagement surfaces may be a recess for receiving the protrusion. The implant may further include a locking member, a stabilizing member and a guide means. A domed head portion is provided for attachment to a medial end of the body member and insertion, in use, in a natural or prosthetic acetabulum.

Abstract: A comminution apparatus for reducing a particle size of a material includes a cutting chamber defining an interior volume, wherein the cutting chamber includes first and second member forming an angle therebetween. Each of the first and second members include a plurality of slots therethrough providing access to the interior volume. The apparatus further includes a rotatable arbor disposed outside the interior volume of the cutting chamber and supporting a plurality of toothed blades thereon. During rotation of the arbor a portion of each of the blades enters an interior volume of the cutting chamber through the slots in the first member and exits the interior volume of the cutting chamber through the slots in the second member. The comminution apparatus may be used to process various feed materials to desired sizes, and is particularly useful for reducing the size of materials otherwise difficult to cut to small size.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to the enzymatic decarboxylation of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KLG) to produce xylose. The invention is also drawn to a method to detect xylose in vitro or in vivo (intracellularly), which employs an L-xylose dehydrogenase.

Abstract: Provided is a method for production of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles, and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles produced according to the method. The nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles exhibit substantially superior cell transformation abilities as compared to known and commercially-available calcium phosphate kits. The nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles also find use in tissue engineering applications, for example bone and tooth engineering and repair applications.

Abstract: A position-tracking system for tracking the position of an object is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the tracking system includes a tracking device that is connected to or otherwise affixed to the object to be tracked. The tracking device may include, among other things, an inertial sensor assembly, radio transceivers and a processor. The position tracking system may also include a host processing system that is in communication with the tracking device. The position tracking system may provide variable-resolution position information based on the environment in which the object is moving. In a “wide resolution” area, the system may compute a general position for the object based on a wireless telephone network Cell-ID/map correlation architecture. In a high-resolution area, greater position resolution may be realized from the combination of a wireless aiding system and inputs from the inertial sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a plurality of joists. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a joist rim having a web and first and second rim legs extending substantially perpendicularly from the web. The apparatus may also include at least one opening through the web and a joist attachment tab integrally formed in the web adjacent each opening. Each of the joist attachment tabs may extend from the web at an angle relative to the web. The apparatus may include at least one reinforcing rib corresponding to each tab and provided in the web adjacent to the corresponding tab.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for producing electrolytic water using three chambers, rigid plates and ion exchange membranes. Benefits include reduced scale production and increased long-term bactericidal effects of the water produced.

Abstract: Tracking methods and systems for providing timing recovery of continuous signals is presented. According to one embodiment, the method includes: sampling a continuous signal; estimating a timing disturbance of the sampled continuous signal; generating a timing adjustment signal in accordance with the estimated timing disturbance; and adjusting a sampling signal associated with a sampling device based on the timing adjustment signal.

Abstract: A position-tracking system for tracking the position of an object is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the tracking system includes a tracking device that is connected to or otherwise affixed to the object to be tracked. The tracking device may include, among other things, an inertial sensor assembly, radio transceivers and a processor. The position tracking system may also include a host processing system that is in communication with the tracking device. The position tracking system may provide variable-resolution position information based on the environment in which the object is moving. In a “wide resolution” area, the system may compute a general position for the object based on a wireless telephone network Cell-ID/map correlation architecture. In a high-resolution area, greater position resolution may be realized from the combination of a wireless aiding system and inputs from the inertial sensors.

Abstract: A passive magnetic latch is disclosed. The latch includes, according to various embodiments, a magnetically-actuated switch and a hard, non-linear biasing magnet. The switch may include components that, when polarized, cause the switch to transition from a first state to a second state. The biasing magnet is positioned proximate to the switch such that when the magnetization of the biasing magnet is changed by an external effect to thereby induce a modified magnetic field from the biasing magnet, the modified magnetic field polarizes the components of the switch such that the switch transitions from the first state to the second state and remains in the second state after the external effect is removed. A second external effect may be used to again change the magnetization of the biasing magnet such that the components of the switch depolarize and the switch transitions back the first state. As such, the magnetic latch may act like a remote ON/OFF switch.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining information about the work activities of an employee includes providing a site accessible to the employee over a network, creating a profile of the work activities of the employee at the site, and calculating a value for the profile of the work activities of the employee or analyzing the work activities in the profile. Analyses may be performed and a report may be generated based on the work activities of the employee in the profile and the calculated value for the profile. The system may be implemented over the network with a server and a computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for delivering a therapeutic agent into tissue in combination with an implant device (2). Preferably the therapeutic substance is contained within a pellet form (14) that is deliverable into the interior of the device (2) after it has been implanted. In a preferred embodiment the implant device (2) comprises a flexible coiled spring body, the coils (4) of which have the proper diameter and spacing to contain the pellet (14) within the interior of the device (2) to contact the therapeutic agent. In treatment of ischemic tissue such as that of the myocardium of the heart, the mechanical irritation of the tissue caused by the implanted device (2) can help to provide an angiogenic effect. Additionally, the cavity (18) provided by the interior of the device (2) permits blood to pool around the pellet (14) and mix with the therapeutic agent. Several delivery systems have provided for delivering the implant and pellet (14) sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention, sometimes called Enterlink, for the first time provides a federated system with state that interconnects applications of multiple companies. The Enterlink connects participant companies and applications, through the Enterlink bus, with each other and with consolidated data stores, third party services, core services, public process applications, and private process applications. The Enterlink bus uses, for the first time, metachannels, a metachannel engine and a metachannel repository Connectors connect the Enterlink public process applications and the company private I process applications with the bus. The invention can be applied to the automotive retail industry, among others. The Enterlink applications, core applications, and bus, may be operated as a service to company participants.

Abstract: The invention provides oil-in-water emulsions comprising recombinant collagen-like polymer in an amount sufficient to act as stabiliser of the emulsion. The polymer is especially a polypeptide which is free of helix structure, has an isoelectric point at least 0.5 pH units removed from the pH of the oil-in-water emulsion. Furthermore, amphiphilic recombinant collagen-like polymers are provided for use in oil-in-water emulsions. The amphiphilic polymers are polar at one end as a result of a relative abundance of polar amino acids, and apolar at the other end as a result of a relative abundance of apolar amino acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing fusion proteins with the heterodimeric cytokine, interleukin-12. In order to insure that the proper ratio of fused and non-fused subunits are obtained in the fusion protein, a specific stepwise approach to genetic engineering is used. This consists of first expressing the non-fused p40 IL-12 subunit in a production cell line, followed by or simultaneously expressing in the same cell, a second recombinant fusion protein consisting of the fused polypeptide linked by a peptide bond to the p35 subunit of IL-12. Molecules containing the p35 fusion protein cannot be secreted from the transfected mammalian cell without first complexing in a one to one ratio with the p40 subunit, thus ensuring the production of active heterodimeric fusion proteins.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides an in-vehicle telematics system featuring: 1) a controller; 2) a diagnostics system configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle; 3) a position-locating system configured to determine the host vehicle's location information; 4) a communication interface configured to send additional information to a peripheral system other than the diagnostic position-locating systems; and, 5) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit information through a wireless network to an Internet-accessible website.