Abstract: A non-volatile integrated device having first and second dimensionally different polysilicon gate layers separated by an oxide layer for hot-carrier reliability. More specifically, the oxide and second polysilicon gate layer are selectively etched to form a second gate region over the first polysilicon gate layer that electrically contacts the first polysilicon gate in one direction and is isolated by the oxide in the other direction. Insulating sidewalls are formed over the first polysilicon gate layer regions that are not electrically contacted by the second gate layer to help isolate the second polysilicon gate and form an LDD structure within the substrate for the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data processing system for processing natural product information entered into the system using a standardized entry protocol. The data processing system stores data such as chemical structures, geographic locations, taxonomy, genus synonyms, and textual descriptions and related natural products images such as images of the organisms, and geographic maps. The natural product images are correlated with the natural products data to allow display of the images with the related data. The data processing system further correlates the data products data and images stored in the system with remote databases, such as those containing existing commercially available data, linking the remote data thus correlated for display.

Abstract: An absorbent dressing for absorbing exudate from a wound is disclosed. The absorbent dressing contains a plurality of dried absorbent hydrogel particles sealed within a porous container. The porous container is non-adherent to the wound, and the hydrogel particles remained sealed within the container after absorbing the wound exudate. In a preferred embodiment, the particles are dried polyacrylonitrile hydrogel particles, and the porous container is in the form of a sachet bag made from nylon, cotton, polyester, polypropylene and the like.

Abstract: A transition detection circuit includes a low-to-high detector and a high-to-low detector. Each of the detectors includes a normally closed switch that directly transmits an input signal and a delay block that transmits the input signal to control input of the switch after a delay. The delayed input signal opens the switch to block further transmission of the signal and closes a second switch to supply a high voltage in place of the input signal. The transition detector thus provides a short pulse in response to signal transitions with very little delay. To balance a response of the low-to-high detector and the high-to-low detector, the output of the low-to-high detector, which is the slower detector, is applied to the faster input of an output NOR gate. The difference in response time of the NOR gate inputs offsets the difference in response time of the transition detectors.

Abstract: A hard polishing pad with a porous surface for use in chemical-mechanical planarization of semiconductor wafers. The polishing pad has a body with a planarizing surface upon which a slurry may be deposited, and a plurality of particles are suspended in the body. The body is made from a continuous phase matrix material, and the particles are made from a substantially incompressible material that is soluble in the slurry. As a wafer is planarized, the particles at the planarizing surface of the polishing pad dissolve in the slurry and create pores in the pad. Also, because the particles are substantially incompressible, they reinforce the pad to provide a hard, substantially incompressible pad.

Abstract: There is disclosed a diagnostic sensor device comprising a plurality of sensor probes, a detection device, and a computer for analyzing the signals generated from each sensor probe by multivariate statistical analysis. The plurality of sensor probes comprise a substrate that allows transmission of a signal and a partially selective surface coating the substrate wherein the partially selective surface binds proteins from a biological fluid by multiple, noncovalent interactions, and with the proviso that the partially selective surfaces of each sensor probe in the diagnostic sensor device be different. The diagnostic sensor device can be used as a method for diagnosing disease states in humans and animals, wherein the disease states are characterized by altered protein character and behavior of a biological fluid.

Abstract: A wash station assembly and method for washing selected samples in a sample containing assembly. The wash station assembly includes a wash station having a frame and a fluid dispensing assembly connected to the frame. The fluid dispensing assembly has a selector valve that is connectable to a plurality of fluid lines and is adjustable to allow only one of the fluids to pass through the selector valve at a time. An array of syringes is coupled to the selector valve and positioned to receive the fluid passing through the selector valve. Each syringe includes a check valve that prevents backflow of fluid or air into the syringe through the pipetting needles. A distribution manifold is connected to the selector valve and receives the fluid passing through the selector valve. The manifold has a plurality of distribution channels coupled to the syringes, to direct the fluid into the syringes. Each distribution channel has a manifold valve therein that prevents backflow of fluid into the manifold from the syringes.

Abstract: Quercetin chalcone, an effective, soluble and bioavailable bioflavonoid, is disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions containing quercetin chalcone in combination with an acceptable carrier and/or diluent, as well as methods for administration thereof to warm-blooded animals. Such administration is beneficial in generally maintaining good health of the animal and, more specifically, for the treatment of allergies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting genetic mutations in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c genes that segregate with Alzheimer's Disease and methods for determining the amount of heteroplasmy of mitochondrial nucleic acid. The invention provides methods for detecting such mutations, as a diagnostic for Alzheimer's Disease, either before or after the onset of clinical symptoms.

Abstract: A snap-on antenna and connector mounting assembly for a hand-held electronic device, such as a hand-held computer. The hand-held electronic device has a housing with a sidewall and a jack-receiving aperture therein, an antenna jack extending through the jack-receiving aperture, and a flexible bushing positioned in the jack-receiving aperture between the antenna jack and the sidewall. The bushing isolates the antenna jack from the sidewall, so the antenna jack is deflectable relative to the sidewall without being damaged. The snap-on antenna has a substantially rigid base having an interior area therein and having a housing-attachment portion with an aperture communicating with the interior area. A plug connector contained within the interior area has a jack-connecting portion positioned to removably receive the antenna jack such that the antenna can be snapped into and off of the hand-held electronic device between installed and removed positions, respectively.

Abstract: A PCI/ISA computer system architecture is disclosed in which the ISA legacy circuitry (such as the interrupt request controller, DMA controller, and timer counter unit) is integrated within the system controller coupling the processor and PCI buses. Accordingly, the ISA bridge coupling the PCI and ISA buses is simplified relative to prior art PCI-ISA bridges. A high speed communications channel between the system controller and the ISA bridge is established by first placing an address on the PCI bus which is recognizable only by the system controller and the ISA bridge. Data transfer then occurs within standard PCI protocols, but need only require a subset of the A/D lines. Backwards compatibility is maintained, while system performance is improved and system cost is reduced.

Abstract: An input structure for associative memories, including an array of elementary cells, a number of input lines, a number of output lines, a number of address lines, and a number of enable lines. Each elementary cell is formed by a D flip-flop having a data input coupled to one of the address lines and an enable input coupled to one of the enable lines, and by a switch coupled between an input line and an output line, and having a control input coupled to the output of a respective latch to selectively couple the respective input line and output line according to the data stored in the latch.

Abstract: A method for chemical-mechanical planarization of a substrate on a fixed-abrasive polishing pad in which a planarizing solution is dispensed onto the fixed-abrasive polishing pad. The planarizing solution is preferably an abrasive-free planarizing solution that oxidizes a surface layer on the substrate without passing the surface layer into solution, and the fixed-abrasive pad has a substantially uniform distribution of abrasive particles fixedly bonded to a suspension medium. The surface layer of the substrate is then pressed against the fixed-abrasive pad in the presence of planarizing solution, and at least one of the fixed-abrasive pad or the substrate moves relative to the other to remove material from the surface of the substrate. In operation, the planarizing solution forms a rough, scabrous layer of non-soluble oxides on the surface layer that are readily removed by the abrasive surface of the polishing pad.

Abstract: A computer system includes a memory controller that interfaces a memory requester with a memory device that may include defective memory cells. For each of plural memory blocks, defective bit sets having one or more defective memory cells are identified. A bit set error map is created and stored which identifies the defective bit sets of each of the memory blocks. In response to receiving from the memory requester a request for access to a requested storage location of the memory device, a determination is made from the error map whether the storage location is in a memory block that includes one or more defective bit sets. If the error map indicates that the requested storage location is in a memory block with one or more defective bit sets, then a determination is made from the error map which of the bit sets are defective. To execute the memory access request, the memory controller accesses the non-defective bit sets to which the defective bit sets have been mapped.

Abstract: A sense amplifier driver activates a plurality of sense amplifiers coupled to respective digit lines in each of a plurality of memory-cell arrays. The sense amplifiers each have first and second activation nodes. The sense amplifier driver includes a plurality of drive circuits each coupled to the first and second activation nodes of the sense amplifiers in at least one of the memory-cell arrays. The first activation nodes of the sense amplifiers in at least one of the memory-cell arrays are coupled to a plurality of drive circuits so that the plurality of drive circuits drive the first activation nodes of the sense amplifiers in at least one of the memory-cell arrays in parallel.

Abstract: An improved device for adjusting the running clearance of a pump impeller is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, an annular adjustment member is positioned adjacent to a pump impeller and the pump housing, the impeller being spaced from the adjustment member and housing by a predetermined distance. The adjustment member is selectively moved towards and away from the impeller, and lockable in any desired position. The adjustment member is moved in an axial direction by loosening a plurality of clamp nuts, and turning adjustment nuts until the annular adjustment member bottoms out on the impeller. The annular adjustment member is then backed off until an end surface of the adjustment member is spaced from the end surface of the impeller by the predetermined distance. The adjustment member is locked in the new location, thereby resetting the running clearance of the pump.

Abstract: A control circuit adapted to be switched to a standby mode during periods without control requirement and to be repeatedly reset during the standby mode of operation for a short wake-up period each to a full mode of operation. The control circuit comprises a standby oscillator that is operative also in the standby mode and that is adjusted during wake-up periods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for therapy of cystic fibrosis and other conditions are provided. The compositions comprise one or more flavones and/or isoflavones capable of stimulating chloride transport in epithelial tissues. Therapeutic methods involve the administration (e.g., orally or via inhalation) of such compositions to a patient afflicted with cystic fibrosis and/or another condition responsive to stimulation of chloride transport.

Abstract: A reading circuit comprises a current mirror circuit connected, at a first and a second output node, to the drain terminals of an array cell and of a reference cell; a comparator whose inputs are connected to the output nodes of the current mirror circuit; a ramp generator having an enabling input connected to the output of the comparator and an output connected to the control terminal of the reference cell. Biasing the gate terminal of the array cell to a constant voltage, when the currents flowing in the array cell and in the reference cell are equal, the value assumed by the ramp voltage is proportional to the threshold value of the array cell; at that time the comparator is triggered and discontinues the ramp increase, supplying as output the desired threshold value.