Abstract: A processing system, such as typically a CPU, is used for converting a digital signal organized in pixels, such as a video signal, between a first format and a second multiple-description format. The system comprises at least one input register and at least one output register, and is configured via instructions, that can be constituted at least in part by instructions of a SIMD type, so as to: order the pixels of the signal to be converted in a set of input registers; and take selectively the pixels from the aforesaid set of input registers and place them in an orderly way in at least one output register.

Abstract: A startup circuitry connected to a main circuit which has at least an output terminal connected to its feedback terminal by a feedback loop. The startup circuitry is connected to the main circuit in such a manner to break the feedback loop, by having a first circuit node connected to said output terminal of said main circuit and a second circuit node connected to its feedback terminal, said startup circuitry providing a correct output voltage value during the startup phase of said main circuit.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna element capable of implementing miniaturization, acquisition of a high gain, and broadening of a band and coping with multiple bands.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for providing information obtained from both online stores and offline stores and for offering more purchasing options to customers. A customer can specify a particular item with detailed aspects for an information search, along with location information to define a local geographic area. The gathered local price information is presented to the customer over a network connection. The customer can purchase the item from either online stores or offline stores over a network connection.

Abstract: A fiber optic mesh intrusion detection system includes a mesh structure made from twisted fiber optic cable to form a plurality of rhombic openings. For each of the crossings, a fastener is wrapped around the crossed fiber optic cable, serving both to provide the mesh structure and to protect the crossing points from tampering. Embodiments include fasteners having rotationally symmetric, interlocking portions such that when wrapped around the crossed cable the portions engage each other to hold the fastener in place.

Abstract: A method that includes forming a first level of active circuitry on a substrate, forming a first probe pad electrically connected to the first level of active circuitry where the first probe pad having a first surface, contacting the first probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the first probe pad above the first surface, and performing a chemical mechanical polish on the first probe pad to planarize the portion of the first probe pad above the first surface. The method also includes forming a second level of active circuitry overlying the first probe pad, forming a second probe pad electrically connected to the second level of active circuitry, contacting the second probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the probe pad, and chemically mechanically polishing the second probe pad to remove the portion displaced.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequencing methods and related products are disclosed. Methods for sequencing a target nucleic acid comprise providing a daughter strand produced by a template-directed synthesis, the daughter strand comprising a plurality of subunits coupled in a sequence corresponding to a contiguous nucleotide sequence of all or a portion of the target nucleic acid, wherein the individual subunits comprise a tether, at least one probe or nucleobase residue, and at least one selectively cleavable bond. The selectively cleavable bond(s) is/are cleaved to yield an Xpandomer of a length longer than the plurality of the subunits of the daughter strand, the Xpandomer comprising the tethers and reporter elements for parsing genetic information in a sequence corresponding to the contiguous nucleotide sequence of all or a portion of the target nucleic acid. Reporter elements of the Xpandomer are then detected.

Abstract: Conformationally constrained compounds that mimic the secondary structure of reverse-turn regions of biologically active peptides and proteins are disclosed. Such reverse-turn mimetic structures have utility over a wide range of fields, including use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Libraries containing the reverse-turn mimetic structures of this invention are also disclosed as well as methods for screening the same to identify biologically active members. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for inhibiting or treating disorders modulated by Wnt-signaling pathway, such as cancer, especially colorectal cancer, restenosis associated with angioplasty, polycystic kidney disease, aberrant angiogenesis disease, rheumatoid arthritis disease, tuberous sclerosis complex, Alzheimer's disease, excess hair growth or loss, or ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deactivating a semi-persistent resource allocation of a user equipment in an LTE-based mobile communication system. Furthermore, the invention also related to a user equipment and a eNode B implementing this method. To provide a mechanism for deactivating a semi-persistent resource allocation in a LTE system which is not requiring any changes to the Physical layer-to-MAC layer interface and/or preferably no changes to the PDCCH formats agreed by the 3GPP a combination of NDI value and MCS index is defined that is commanding the release of SPS resources. Alternatively, another solution proposed to define a special transport block size that when signaled in a PDCCH is commanding the release of SPS resources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the amount of conjugated taxane, in particular paclitaxel, in a PGA-taxane conjugate said method comprising: a) reacting the PGA-taxane conjugate with a compound formula (I): R1R2N—NH2 (I), wherein R1 and R2 are as defined in the description; to give a unbound taxane and a PGA hydrazide and b) determining the amount of unbound taxane.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing distributed execution of programs. In some situations, the techniques include dynamically monitoring the ongoing distributed execution of a program on a cluster of multiple computing nodes, and may include automatically determining the status of execution of the program on each of the multiple computing nodes and/or automatically determining the aggregate usage of one or more types of computing resources across the cluster of multiple computing nodes by the distributed program execution. The information obtained from the dynamic monitoring may be used in various manners, including to facilitate dynamically modifying the ongoing distributed program execution in various manners, such as to temporarily throttle usage of computing resources by the distributed program execution (e.g., to remove or reduce one or more bottlenecks).

Abstract: A push update system for a security system having a plurality of network nodes connected in a hierarchy to a root node, including: (i) an upstream agent of an upstream node for sending updates for respective downstream nodes; (ii) a schedule agent for scheduling processing by the upstream agent; (iii) a downstream agent of a downstream node for receiving and storing updates; and (iv) an update agent for processing received updates to queue updates for a downstream node. The root node includes the upstream agent and the schedule agent. Leaf nodes include the downstream agent, and intermediate nodes include all four agents. The updates include Internet threat signatures for Internet protection appliances of the leaf nodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new amine compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the definitions of X, R1, R2 and n are given in the description, to a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound as active ingredient, and to use of the amine compound or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt for the manufacture of an anti-depressent drug.

Abstract: A recording medium has a real data area built from a plurality of clusters and a fat (File Allocation Table) built from a plurality of entries showing usage conditions of the corresponding clusters. A control unit previously divides the fat into a plurality of blocks and creates, in RAM, a search table, at each block, showing presence or absence of an entry (unassigned entry) corresponding to an unassigned cluster. When data are written into the recording medium, the position of a block including an unassigned entry is located on the basis of the search table. Subsequently, the block is read in RAM, thereby locating the position of the unassigned cluster. Data are written in the thus-located cluster.

Abstract: A multi-processing system-on-chip including a cluster of processors having respective CPUs is operated by: defining a master CPU within the respective CPUs to coordinate operation of said multi-processing system, running on the CPU a cluster manager agent. The cluster manager agent is adapted to dynamically migrate software processes between the CPUs of said plurality and change power settings therein.

Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.

Abstract: Medical implants are provided which release a fluoropyrimidine or an analog thereof, thereby inhibiting or reducing the incidence of infection associated with the implant.