Abstract: A computer-based method for encoding and decoding quantized sequences in Wyner-Ziv coding of video, bi-partite graph is used in an iterative process. The method takes as input to an encoder a sequence of quantized data from a finite alphabet, the sequence comprising a video frame. Another sequence of data, decoded from the prior video frame, is input to a decoder. A statistical model describing the statistical relationship between the quantized input sequence to the encoder and the input sequence to the decoder is input to both the encoder and the decoder. A minimum field size is estimated from the statistical model at the encoder and the decoder separately.

Abstract: A display system and method for collecting respondent ratings of a concept on multiple attributes simultaneously, and using the same display mechanism for analysis of collected multi-attribute data. A graphical user interface presents concepts and instructions of a researcher and enables a respondent to evaluate each concept along two attributes simultaneously by positioning the concept on a surface having two degrees of freedom, one degree of freedom for each attribute. The simultaneous evaluation enables the respondent to consider interdependent relationships between the attributes. A graphical analysis interface allows the researcher to control display parameters and segment the collected data by respondent characteristics. Using the same display mechanism for collection and analysis enables analysis of data collected using legacy techniques.

Abstract: Outlier detection methods and apparatus have light computational resources requirement, especially on the storage requirement, and yet achieve a state-of-the-art predictive performance. The outlier detection problem is first reduced to that of a classification learning problem, and then selective sampling based on uncertainty of prediction is applied to further reduce the amount of data required for data analysis, resulting in enhanced predictive performance. The reduction to classification essentially consists in using the unlabeled normal data as positive examples, and randomly generated synthesized examples as negative examples. Application of selective sampling makes use of an underlying, arbitrary classification learning algorithm, the data labeled by the above procedure, and proceeds iteratively.

Abstract: The process begins with separate device wafers having complimentary chips. Thin metal capture pads, having a preferred thickness of about 10 microns so that substantial pressure may be applied during processing without damaging capture pads, are deposited on both device wafers, which are then tested and mapped for good chip sites. A handle wafer is attached to one device wafer, which can then be thinned to improve via etching and filling. Capture pads are removed and replaced after thinning. The device wafer with handle wafer is diced, and good chips with attached portions of the diced handle wafer are positioned and bonded to the good chip sites of the other device wafer, and the handle wafer portions are removed. The device wafer having known good 3-D chips then undergoes final processing.

Abstract: Automated mapping of part numbers associated with parts in a bill of materials (BOM) submitted by a BOM originator to internal part numbers assigned to those parts by a BOM receiver is performed by one or more computers connected to one or more networks through one or more network interfaces. A first receive component receives one or more data sets containing historical data on bills of materials received in the past by the BOM receiver. A second receive component receives one or more data sets containing known mappings between internal part numbers used by the BOM receiver, and part numbers used by various BOM originators. A third receive component receives one or more data sets containing information of various parameters and their values describing the parts to which the BOM receiver has assigned internal part numbers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed with structures spaced more closely together than a transverse dimension of such structures, such as for making contacts to electronic elements formed at minimum lithographically resolvable dimensions by dark field split pitch techniques. Acceptable overlay accuracy and process efficiency and throughput for the split pitch process that requires etching of a hard mark for each of a plurality of sequentially applied and patterned resist layers is supported by performing the etching of the hard mask entirely within a lithography track through using an acid sensitive hard mark material and an acidic overcoat which contacts areas of the hard mask through patterned apertures in the resist. The contacted areas of the hard mask are activated for development by baking of the acidic overcoat.

Abstract: Histogram construction and selectivity estimation for string and substring match queries in databases of data having strings associated with attributes. The histogram construction counts string-attribute pairs in the documents, and outputs string-attribute-count triples sorted by count. The collection is partitioned into buckets. A synopsis is generated for the partition, having an average selectivity or count of the string-attribute-count triples in the partition and summary information representing the set of string-attribute pairs belonging to the bucket. Subsequent queries, both for exact and substring matches, use the synopsis to estimate the selectivity of buckets.

Abstract: Risk in business management is analyzed based on a probabilistic network approach which quantifies the impact of operational risk on financial metrics such as Value-at-Risk (VAR) and/or Potential Losses (PL). This approach provides further capability to determine the optimal placement of one or more countermeasures within a system to minimize the impact of operational risks.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for respiratory audio-visual biofeedback are disclosed. A guide patterned after a breathing cycle comfortable to the patient serves as a target. The target is displayed as a bar moving vertically upward during inhale and vertically downward during exhale, between fixed end ex-hale and end in-hale limits. The patient's current respiratory position is also displayed as a bar, oriented parallel to the target bar so that the difference between the current position and the target position is easy for the patient to see.

Abstract: Issuance of work orders in response to monitoring signal egress from shielding integrity flaws in a cable communication system by detecting received signal strength from a mobile receiver only during rising trends in received signal strength when the mobile receiver is in motion and tracking the maximum received signal strength peak during each rising trend. Rising trends are detected by computing two rolling averages of received signal strength sample of different lengths and offset from each other and applying a threshold to the difference between the rolling averages to provide hysteresis in switching between rising and falling trend detection. Reported peaks are then compared by proximity to each other and their circle of influence determined in accordance with respective signal strengths to determine if newly reported peaks are duplicates of previously reported peaks and duplicate reported peaks are removed or discarded.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and storing communications preferences of recipients and delivering communications to a recipient in accordance with the recipient's preferences is disclosed herein. Preferably, the communications preferences consist of at least one mail formatting preference and at least one sending preference. The system automatically formats a message in accordance with the intended recipient's communications preferences stored in a profile table. In an alternative embodiment, the system provides for a prompting function that can alter the communications preferences in the event that a particular preference must be changed. This prompting function is also useful if recipient does not have a corresponding profile in the profile table.

Abstract: Mast cell (MC) and peripheral blood basophil (PBB)-associated diseases are treated or prevented, or their symptoms are alleviated by the administration of water soluble fullerenes (buckeyballs) to the individual under conditions sufficient to inhibit MC and PBB responses. MC and PBB responses are associated with, for example, various allergies including Type 1 hypersensitivity initiated by IgE-antigen, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, heart disease, etc. The treatment regimen can be enhanced using Chimeric fullerenes that specifically home to and inhibit MC and PBB cells. These molecules, for example, comprise fullerenes to which are attached IgE Fc or stem cell factor (SCF) peptides that bind to receptors specifically on MC and PBB cells. Additional molecules which may be used in the processes include IgE Fc or SCF peptides with several fullerenes covalently attached.

Abstract: A system and method for developing and enabling model-driven extensible Markup Language (XML) transformation to XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) format incorporate a strong built-in validation capability. A platform independent framework applies multiple passes of transformation, where each pass performs specific operations on internal models. Different source models are then merged into a target model.

Abstract: Plural encoders operating in parallel to achieve a desired data rate have their respective outputs combined by an autonomously operating arrangement for transfer of data to a direct memory access arrangement from respective encoders in order in response to a signal asserted upon completion of encoding and output of encoded data corresponding to a predetermined portion of input data. Buffering of encoder output can be either internal or external to the encoders. Zero bytes which may be inherently generated at the beginning and end of an encoder output stream may be suppressed to improve encoded signal quality and efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method automatically maps computer center rooms and locates data center components within computer centers. Radio triangulation is used to determine the locations and, optionally, orientation, of machines within a computer center.

Abstract: Channel depth in a field effect transistor is limited by an intra-layer structure including a discontinuous film or layer formed within a layer or substrate of semiconductor material. Channel depth can thus be controlled much in the manner of SOI or UT-SOI technology but with less expensive substrates and greater flexibility of channel depth control while avoiding floating body effects characteristic of SOI technology. The profile or cross-sectional shape of the discontinuous film may be controlled to an ogee or staircase shape to improve short channel effects and reduce source/drain and extension resistance without increase of capacitance. Materials for the discontinuous film may also be chosen to impose stress on the transistor channel from within the substrate or layer and provide increased levels of such stress to increase carrier mobility. Carrier mobility may be increased in combination with other meritorious effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for strategic budgeting of initial response for managing wildfires. According to the present invention, stochastic-integer-programming-based constrained optimization techniques are employed to develop a strategic budget by optimally allocating disaster management resources to disaster events belonging to scenarios associated with occurrence probabilities. According to the invention, certain machine-readable data describing fires may be subjected to computerized data processing, ultimately producing a determination of valid disaster management resources for each fire event, which may be used for strategic budgeting of initial responses for managing wildfires.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for blocking exocytosis by inhibition of proteins that regulate exocytosis, such as N-ethylmaleimide Sensitive Factor (NSF), are provided. The compositions include multidomain fusion peptides containing a domain that causes the fusion peptide to cross the cellular membrane (e.g. a domain from the TAT protein of HIV) and a domain that inhibits NSF (e.g. a domain of NSF). Administration of the fusion peptide promotes anticoagulation, attenuates thrombosis, and decreases heart attack severity.

Abstract: A design structure for a 3D chip having at least one I/O layer connected to other 3D chip layers by a vertical bus such that the I/O layer(s) may accommodate protection and off-chip device drive circuits, customization circuits, translation circuits, conversions circuits and/or built-in self-test circuits capable of comprehensive chip or wafer level testing wherein the I/O layers function as a testhead. Substitution of I/O circuits or structures may be performed using E-fuses or the like responsive to such testing.

Abstract: A recommendation system exploits a repository of mashups to provide design-time assistance to the user through relevant suggestions as to what outputs can be generated along with the best plans to generate those outputs. An output ranker ranks the outputs of the system base on their popularity scores, and a planner uses metric planning algorithms and a configurable utility function. The system takes into account popularity and semantic similarity when recommending services and sources.