Abstract: The invention includes the structure of a multilayer protective coating, which may have, among other properties, scratch resistance, UV absorption, and an effective refractive index matched to a polymer substrate such as polycarbonate. Each layer may contain multiple components consisting of organic and inorganic materials. The multilayer protective coating includes interleaved organic layers and inorganic layers. The organic layers may have 20% or more organic compounds such as SiOxCyHz. The inorganic layers may have 80% or more inorganic materials, such as SiO2, SiOxNy, and ZnO, or mixtures thereof. Each layer of the multilayer protective coating is a micro layer and may have a thickness of 5 angstroms or less in various embodiments. The multilayer protective coating may contain in the order of hundreds or thousands of micro layers, depending upon the design requirement of applications. In each micro layer, the components may have substantially continuous variations in concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies to HIV-1 Vpr and hybridoma cell lines that produce the monoclonal antibodies to HIV-1 Vpr. Methods for use of such antibodies in the detection of HIV-1 infection are also provided.

Abstract: A system for displaying financial information includes a financial statement having a set of financial accounts, a set of business processes associated with the set of financial accounts, and an financial statement manager for displaying the financial statement and the associated set of business processes. The financial statement manager is further adapted to display the financial statement and the set of risks associated with the set of financial accounts, the financial statement and a set of risk controls associated with the set of financial accounts, and/or the financial statement and a set of sample transactions associated with the set of financial accounts. The financial statement manager is further adapted to import the financial statement, which can be encoded in XML format. The system includes a web server for displaying the financial statement and the associated set of business processes as a web page on a user's web browser.

Abstract: An isochronous processor includes a state register, a functional unit, a control module, and an activation unit. The state register includes an arm buffer and an active buffer. The functional unit performs a transformation operation on the data stream in response to an active value of the control parameter obtained from the active buffer. The control module updates the arm value of the control parameter in the arm buffer in response to control instructions. The activation unit detects a load event propagating with the data stream and transfers the parameter value from the arm buffer to the active buffer in response to the load event. During this transfer, the control module is inhibited from updating the arm buffer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for replicating data from a first network device to a second network device involving selecting a plurality of data sections containing data accessed by the first network device, systematically assigning at least one replication attribute to each of the plurality of selected data sections, and replicating the plurality of selected data sections from the first network device to the second network device, to create a replicated version of the plurality of selected data sections accessible by the second network device, wherein replication of each of the plurality of selected data sections is performed in accordance with the at least one replication attribute assigned to the selected data section.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample for the manufacture of integrated circuits, e.g., dynamic random access memory devices, commonly called DRAMS. The method also provides an integrated chip including a thickness, a width, and a length. In a specific embodiment, the integrated chip has at least one elongated structure through a portion of the thickness, while being normal to the width and the length. In a specific embodiment, the elongated structure has a structure width and a structure length that extends through a vertical portion of the thickness. The method includes removing a slice of the integrated chip from a portion of the thickness in a directional manner normal to the structure length. In a specific embodiment, the slice is provided through an entirety of the one elongated structure along the structure length to cause a portion of a thickness of the slice providing the elongated structure to be of a substantially uniform sample thickness.

Abstract: Methods and devices for both imaging and treating uterine fibroid tumors in one real-time system are provided. One minimally invasive method comprises introducing a sheath into a uterus and determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath. Upon identification, a portion of the sheath is steered to position at least one treatment needle at the determined location. The needle is then anchored in uterine tissue and the fibroid treated with the needle.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a catheter shaft, an expandable member mounted to the catheter shaft, and one or more stents or stent segments slidably positioned on the expandable member. The stent deployment system is adapted for deployment of stents or stent segments in very long lesions and in tapered and curved vessels. The stent deployment system facilitates slidable movement of a stent in a distal direction relative to the expandable member while inhibiting slidable movement in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member.

Abstract: An ophthalmological surgery system and method for performing ablative photodecomposition of the corneal surface by offset image scanning. The image of a variable aperture, such as a variable width slit and variable diameter iris diaphragm, is scanned in a preselected pattern to perform ablative sculpting of predetermined portions of a corneal surface. The scanning is performed with a movable image offset displacement mechanism capable of effecting radial displacement and angular rotation of the profiled beam exiting from the variable aperture. The profiled beam is rotated by rotating the aperture in conjunction with the offset displacement mechanism. The invention enables wide area treatment with a laser having a narrower beam, and can be used in the treatment of many different conditions, such as hyperopia, hyperopic astigmatism, irregular refractive aberrations, post ablation smoothing and phototherapeutic keratectomy.

Abstract: A PDLC modulator is fabricated using at least one of a selection of specially-formulated UV curable organic hard coatings as a protective layer on the exposed side of polyester (Mylar) film. The hard coatings of various related types show good adhesion on a polyester film substrate, superior hardness and toughness, and have a slippery top surface, which minimizes unnecessary wear. The coating as applied on the modulator surface significantly reduces scratch damage on modulators caused by unexpected particles on the panels under test. In addition, the slip surface will reduce stickiness to particles and therefore also reduce the possibility of panel damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method of determining the average DNA methylation density of a locus of interest within a population of DNA fragments.

Abstract: An optical module, which is arranged in an optical transmission path, includes an optical amplifying unit configured with a semiconductor, wherein the optical amplifying unit amplifies light input from the optical transmission path, and an optical element configured with a semiconductor, wherein the optical element propagates the light amplified by the optical amplifying unit to the optical transmission path.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying information related to collection hierarchies. In one embodiment, an integrated direct-manipulation image-based interface is provided for displaying information related to collections. The interface also enables operations to be performed on collections and their elements. Multiple levels of the collection hierarchy are made visible and editable at the same time by the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resource provisioning. Resources for which provisioning could be performed might include, for example, software, devices, directories, and/or databases. Where performance of an operation involved in provisioning requires interface with a resource, various operations might be performed to achieve such interface. The operations involved in a particular provisioning procedure could, for example, be defined by a system administrator and/or other user. Provisioning procedure execution might be monitored and/or affected. Further, such execution might be checked for compliance with one or more established business rules.

Abstract: A method of detecting the condition of a turf grass is described. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises steps of attaching an active sensor to a mower; traversing a section of turf grass; and processing the output of the sensor. A device for detecting the condition of turf grass is also disclosed. The device comprises an array of illuminating devices generating a pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device receiving a pattern of reflected light which is coincident with the pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device adapted to detect stray light from the array of illuminating devices; and a feedback loop controlling the array of illuminating devices. A system employing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.

Abstract: An optical disk device for recording or reproducing an optical disk has: an objective lens for irradiating a laser beam to the optical disk; an actuator for moving the objective lens in the radial direction of the optical disk; and a spindle motor for rotating the optical disk. After the laser beam irradiated to the optical disk passed through a PID portion of the optical disk, the actuator moves the objective lens in the radial direction of the optical disk at a timing corresponding to a rotational speed. Between signals to drive the actuator, an output time of a deceleration signal is set to a predetermined ratio of a time during which an acceleration signal is outputted. While the deceleration signal is outputted, a light spot passes through the PID portion.

Abstract: Methods of performing electrostatic discharge testing on a transaction card are disclosed. A transaction card may be placed on an insulated surface. A grounding probe may be placed at a first location on the transaction card. A discharge probe may be charged to a known voltage level. The discharge probe may then be discharged at a second location on the transaction card. A discharge wave shape may be recorded from the ground probe, and one of a pass condition and a fail condition may be assigned based on at least the value of the known voltage level as compared to a reference voltage level. The first location and the second location may each be selected from a plurality of areas on the transaction card.