Abstract: A fully distributed system for testing a distributed computing system utilizes test services exposed in conjunction by independent test components deployed on one or more computing nodes of the distributed computing system. The test services ensure dynamic and adaptive coordination amongst the test components. The test services include but are not limited to: an atomic synchronization service; a distributed shared memory service; a lock manager service; a publish/subscribe service; and a producer/consumer service.

Abstract: Techniques for testing software applications in stack-based computing environments are discussed. A tested application is executed at predetermined logical positions in a stack, such as at a layer of the OSI reference model. An expected result of an operation performed by the application is identified. A first set of computer-executable instructions is installed at a first position logically above the tested application, and a second set of computer-executable instructions is installed at a second position logically below the tested application. One or both sets of instructions simulate inputs to the application. The application is executed based on the simulated inputs, and one or both sets of instructions are used to compare outputs from the application with the expected result. Various, virtually unlimited tests can be performed on the software application without the use of extensive test infrastructure.

Abstract: A surface processing method includes supporting a wafer in a vacuum chamber and generating a plasma in a confined portion of the chamber over only a selected portion of the wafer to thereby perform a surface processing treatment (e.g., an ashing process) on the selected portion of the wafer. While the plasma is being generated, the wafer and the confined portion of the chamber are displaced with respect to one another to thereby perform the surface processing treatment on a second selected portion of the wafer.

Abstract: A stent includes a main body of a generally tubular shape for insertion into a lumen of a vessel of a living being. The tubular main body includes a substantially biodegradable matrix having collagen IV and laminin that enclose voids within the matrix. The tubular main body also includes a biodegradable strengthening material in contact with the matrix to strengthen the matrix. The tubular main body is essentially saturated with drugs.

Abstract: Optimization of encrypted traffic flowing over a WAN is provided by an arrangement in which WAN compression is distributed between endpoints (i.e., client machines or servers) in a subnet of a hub and branch network and a WAN compression server in the subnet. A client portion of the WAN compression running on each of one or more endpoints interfaces with a disposable local cache of data seen by endpoints in the subnet that is used for compressing and decompressing traffic using dictionary-based compression techniques. The local WAN compression server in a subnet stores a shared central database of all the WAN traffic in the subnet which is used to populate local disposable caches in the endpoints.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical device is provided, which comprises the following: (a) a hollow elongate body (e.g., a elongate cylinder, such as a needle) having distal and proximal ends; and (b) a rotatable member comprising a tissue morselizer and an elongate shaft (e.g., an auger-like tissue-drilling bit). The device (i) advances material (e.g., morselated tissue) toward the proximal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, and (ii) advances material (e.g., a therapeutic agent and/or a bulking agent) toward the distal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The invention also provides a method of treatment for morselizing and removing tissue from within the patient and creating a void within the patient and introducing a therapeutic agent and/or a bulking agent into the void.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma reaction chamber in which a plasma is generated for processing. First and second electrodes are located in the chamber for generating the plasma. First and second RF power sources provide RF power to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The apparatus also includes first and second impedance matching circuits through which the RF power is respectively provided from the first and second RF power supplies to the first and second electrodes. A first plasma controller monitors plasma density and, in response thereto, adjusts the RF power supplied by the first RF power source to the first electrode to achieve a given plasma density. A second plasma controller monitors the ion energy of plasma species impinging on a semiconductor structure associated with the second electrode and, in response thereto, adjusts the RF power supplied by the second RF power source to the second electrode to achieve a given ion energy.

Abstract: A stent may be manufactured by providing a tube having a longitudinal axis therethrough, providing a stationary source of laser radiation, generating a beam of laser radiation using the source of laser radiation, and cutting a desired pattern into the tube by scanning the beam over a desired region of the tube.

Abstract: An interactive, meter-type graphical user interface (“GUI”) visually illustrates how the storage capacity of a physical or logical storage container is consumed by a number of items. Examples of items include physical units, logical units, or files of digital content. The items are arranged into a number of logical groups (each group including zero or more items) in accordance with user-selectable grouping criteria. The GUI displays group indicators in a manner that illustrates the relative amount of storage capacity consumed by each group (with respect to either total storage capacity or consumed storage capacity), and optionally by the individual items within each group. The GUI may also facilitate user manipulation of the items associated with each of the displayed groups, or suggest to the user how the unused storage capacity of a particular storage container may be consumed.

Abstract: Network-based and client-based operating environments implement computerized systems and techniques for organizing and discovering digital media objects originating from personal digital media sources. The association between a user-selected computer-usable descriptor and a particular digital media object serves as a semantic medium for exchange of information about the digital media object via a network, independent of whether the digital media object is registered with an established digital content sharing service. A user-selected computer-usable descriptor is part of one or more collections of such descriptors that are organized into published data structures having data elements corresponding to particular real-world meanings. Leveraging the consistent associations of computer-usable descriptors with the subject matter of personal digital media content within digital media objects enables the widespread and efficient computerized discovery of relevant digital media objects.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering fluid components of an embolic mass into a body cavity. A connector, which includes a receiving element, a first port, and a second port, is provided for securing an outer tubular element and an inner tubular element such that the outer tubular element coaxially surrounds the inner tubular element. The first port is in fluid communication with the lumen of the outer tubular element when the outer tubular element is secured to the receiving element; and the second port is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner tubular element when the inner tubular element is secured to the connector. First and second fluid components of an embolic composition are delivered into the first and second ports of the connector and through the lumens of the outer and inner tubular elements for occlusion of the body cavity.

Abstract: A method for forming a valve-like mechanism in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and formed by a wall having a muscle layer and a mucosal layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least one implant in the muscle layer of the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The at least one implant inhibits opening of esophagus at the lower esophageal sphincter and causes the mucosal layer to appose in the vicinity of the implants.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices comprising a surface region that is modified by covalently coupling a molecular species (or a combination of molecular species) to the same. The molecular species are selected such that the resulting modified surface region has critical surface energy between 20 and 30 dynes/cm. In certain embodiments, the covalently coupled molecular species comprise one or more methyl groups. An advantage of the present invention is that novel medical devices are provided, which have a surface with a critical surface energy value that has been shown to display enhanced biocompatibility, including enhanced thromboresistance, relative to other surfaces.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which contain at least one polymeric region. The polymeric region contains at least one copolymer, which includes at least one high Tg vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one low Tg monomer. Moreover, the polymeric region contains at least one surface sub-region that is crosslinked and at least one bulk sub-region that is substantially non-crosslinked. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided which includes exposing a polymeric region of a medical device to energetic species such that at least one surface sub-region of the polymeric region becomes crosslinked and at least one bulk sub-region remains substantially non-crosslinked. The polymeric region contains at least one copolymer, which includes at least one high Tg vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one low Tg monomer.

Abstract: Nanocapsules are disclosed which comprise (a) a drug-containing core and (b) a polyelectrolyte multilayer encapsulating the drug-containing core. The nanocapsules include particles whose largest dimension typically ranges between 50 nm to 10000 nm. In some embodiments, the nanocapsules contain a single drug. In others, the nanocapsules contain multiple drugs, either within the same nanocapsules or within separate populations of nanocapsules. In some embodiments, the nanocapsules comprise surfaces that are functionalized, for example, with ligands that allow for attachment to bodily tissue. In some embodiments of the present invention, the nanocapsules are rendered magnetic or are rendered susceptible to magnetic fields. Also disclosed is a drug delivery method that comprises the steps of (a) providing nanocapsules such as those above; and (b) placing the nanocapsules at a desired location within the body of a subject using an implantable or insertable medical device.

Abstract: A router identifies in a data packet an address of a network device. An algorithm determines that the address and a first prefix in a tree data structure match up to a first mask length of the first prefix. The algorithm maintains the first prefix in a temporary storage location if there is a match, and determines whether the address and a second prefix in the tree data structure match up to a second mask length of the second prefix, wherein an external node of the second prefix is linked below an external node of the first prefix, and wherein the second mask length is longer than the first mask length. The algorithm maintains the second prefix as a better match of the address, if the address and the second prefix match up to the mask length of the second prefix.

Abstract: A multiple layer overvoltage protection device is provided. The method begins by providing a substrate having a first impurity concentration of a first conductivity type to define a mid-region layer. A dopant of a second conductivity type is introduced into the substrate with a second impurity concentration less than the first impurity concentration. An upper base region having a second type of conductivity is formed on the upper surface of the mid-region layer. A lower base region layer having a second type of conductivity is formed on a lower surface of the mid-region layer. A first emitter region having a first type of conductivity is formed on a surface of the upper base region layer. A first metal contact is coupled to the upper base region layer and a second metal contact is coupled to the lower base region layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining an acceptable reticle tolerance for a reticle used to produce an integrated circuit layout. The method begins by specifying a wafer target CD and a wafer CD tolerance for the integrated circuit layout. A reticle target CD is provided for the reticle that is producing the wafer target CD. A critical reticle pattern pitch is selected for the reticle target CD. The critical pattern pitch defines a relationship between the wafer CD and illumination dose exposing the reticle for producing the wafer CD which exhibits a maximum gradient. For the critical reticle pattern pitch, a relationship is established between wafer CD and a deviation from the reticle target CD that arises from use of different illumination doses. From the relationship between wafer CD and the deviation from the reticle target CD, a reticle target CD deviation interval is identified that gives rise to the wafer CD tolerance that is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a program controlled stirrer for producing pharmaceutical or cosmetic recipes, comprising a stirring unit which consists of a stirring tool which engages with a mixing receptacle. According to the invention, the stirring unit is coupled to a micro-processor which determines the length of stirring time and stirring speed at the stirring unit in a program-controlled manner. The micro-processor executes a data-processing program with the following steps: input of variable data; input of constant data; determination of the length of stirring time and stirring speed in order to produce the desired amount of the recipe by combining the variable and constant data; conversion of the determined length of stirring time and stirring speed into corresponding first current or voltage values; control of the stirring unit with said first current or voltage values.

Abstract: A medical device for long-term implantation is provided, as well as a method of making the same and a method of treatment using the same. The medical device comprises (1) a reservoir including (a) a polymer matrix and (b) an antimicrobial agent disposed within the polymer matrix, wherein the reservoir is adapted for long-term release of the antimicrobial agent from the polymer matrix; and (2) a surfactant region disposed over the reservoir at an outer surface of the device.