Abstract: A method of resetting a resistive change memory element is disclosed. The method comprises performing a series of programming operations—for example, a programming pulse of a predetermined voltage level and pulse width—on a resistive change memory element in order to incrementally increase the resistance of the memory element above some predefined threshold. Prior to each programming operation, the resistive state of the memory element is measured and used to determine the parameters used in that programming operation. If this measured resistance value is above a first threshold value, the memory element is determined to already be in a reset state and no further programming operation is performed. If this measured resistance value is below a second threshold value, this second threshold value being less than the first threshold value, a first set of programming parameters are used within the programming operation.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing the number of wireless transactions between an application server and mobile subscribers in a wireless communications system. The communications system includes a plurality of wireless mobile subscribers communicating with network devices via the application server. Each of the mobile subscribers includes a lightweight client, and the application server includes an alias for each mobile subscriber. For each session between a mobile subscriber and a network device: the application server receives a communication from the network device intended to be processed at a client residing on the mobile subscriber in accordance with a given protocol.

Abstract: The invention features a monitoring device that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure). The device features a first sensor configured to attach to a first portion of the patient's body that includes: i) a first electrode configured to generate a first electrical signal from the first portion of the patient's body; ii) a first light-emitting component; and iii) a first photodetector configured to receive radiation from the first portion of the patient's body after the radiation is emitted by the first light-emitting component and in response generate a first optical waveform. The device also features a second sensor that includes essentially the same components. An amplifier system, in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes, receives first and second electrical signals from the two sensors to generate an electrical waveform.

Abstract: A reduced collateral damage bomb (RCDB) bomb casing is described and disclosed along with the system and method for making it. The RCDB bomb casing may be formed from conventional or penetrating warhead bomb casings. The RCDB bomb casing has a filler material/materials disposed on the interior walls that will assist in controlling the collateral damage caused by the finished bomb but not prevent the appropriate destructive power being delivered to a selected target.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant vectors for inducible and/or tissue specific expression of double-stranded RNA molecules that interfere with the expression of a target gene. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of Tet (tetracycline)-responsive RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) promoters (e.g., TetON or TetOFF) to direct inducible knockdown in certain cells of an integrated or an endogenous gene, such as p53. The invention also relates to a method for producing transgenic animals (e.g., mice) expressing inducible (such as tetracycline-regulated), reversible, and/or tissue-specific double-stranded RNA molecules that interfere with the expression of a target gene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing a waste item to be removed from a site. In one embodiment, a waste collection vehicle includes a reader configured to obtain identification information from an identification tag associated with the waste item. A transceiver associated with the vehicle is configured to: receive the identification information from the reader, wirelessly transmit the identification information to a remote computer for processing, and wirelessly receive an indication of whether the waste item should be collected and removed by the waste collection. The received indication is based on at least one hazardous characteristic associated with the identified waste item, a determination that the waste collection vehicle is authorized to collect the waste item having the at least one hazardous characteristic, and a determination that a driver of the waste collection vehicle is authorized to collect the waste item having the at least one hazardous characteristic.

Abstract: An energy delivery system includes at least one string of two or more energy delivery modules electrically coupled in series. Each energy delivery module includes one or more energy delivery devices for storing and delivering electrical current, and a module monitor for monitoring and controlling each of the energy delivery devices. Each string of energy delivery modules includes a string communication path accessible to each of the energy delivery modules, wherein the module monitor of each energy delivery module is operable to communicate information associated with its energy delivery module through the string communication path. Each string also includes a string manager device for communicating with each module monitor in the string, through the string communication path. The energy delivery system also includes a system controller for communicating with each string manager device through a system communication path.

Abstract: A device includes: non-volatile memory; a controller in communication with the non-volatile memory, wherein the controller is programmed to move data from a volatile memory to the non-volatile memory upon a loss of power of a primary power source of the volatile memory; and a backup power supply providing temporary power to the controller and the volatile memory upon the loss of power of the primary power source, including: a capacitor bank with an output terminal; a connection to a voltage source that charges the capacitor bank to a normal operating voltage; and a state-of-health monitor that is programmed to generate a failure signal based on a voltage at the output terminal of the capacitor bank.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for debugging heterogeneous applications in a distributed environment. In one embodiment, an architecture for debugging heterogeneous applications in a distributed environment is configured to enable both location transparency and dynamic exposure of service state. Regardless of where the physical application state resides, the architecture describes or otherwise provides a mechanism that allows seamless debugging and troubleshooting of distributed applications. The location of the state is transparent to the debugger and the application being debugged. In addition, the architecture enables an individual service to expose its state dynamically at run-time. It is possible for the service to expose its state in a self-describing fashion, allowing service state to be exposed in the architecture regardless of the service environment.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method is disclosed which constructs medical histories by direct interactions between the patient and system that acquires pertinent and relevant medical information covering the complete life of a given patient. The system and method insure that a complete life long medical history is acquired from every patient interacting with the health care system. Once acquired, the facts of the patient's life long and family medical history are analyzed automatically by databases to generate a set of the most reasonable diagnostic possibilities (the differential diagnosis) for each medical problem identified and for each risk factor for disease that is uncovered in the historical database.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which enable equities broker-dealers to execute an equity trade order while simultaneously eliminating (or at least reducing) exposure to the negative consequences associated with toxic (or likely toxic) orders in the equities market. By using toxicity and/or profit analyzers, for example, to detect, track and respond to the level of toxic (or likely toxic) orders present in an equities order flow, a broker dealer can reduce the level of risk inherent in serving as counter-party to order flows, such as anonymous equities order flows. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanotube-based switching elements and logic circuits are disclosed. Under one embodiment of the invention, a Boolean logic circuit includes at least one input terminal and an output terminal, and a network of nanotube switching elements electrically disposed between said at least one input terminal and said output terminal. The network of nanotube switching elements effectuates a Boolean function transformation of Boolean signals on said at least one input terminal. The Boolean function transformation includes a Boolean inversion within the function, such as a NOT or NOR function.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a volatile storage device that stores a corresponding logic state in response to electrical stimulus; and a shadow memory device coupled to the volatile storage device. The shadow memory device receives and stores the corresponding logic state in response to electrical stimulus. The shadow memory device includes a non-volatile nanotube switch that stores the corresponding state of the shadow device.

Abstract: A memory device for use with a primary power source and a backup power source, includes: volatile memory; an interface for connecting to a backup power source; a plurality of ports, each of which is for receiving a different corresponding non-volatile memory chip; a plurality of interfaces, each of which is for communicating through a different corresponding one of the plurality of ports with any non-volatile memory connected to that port; a controller that is programmed to activate a selectable set of the plurality of interfaces depending on which ports are to receive non-volatile memory chips, wherein said controller is also programmed to react to a loss of power from the primary power source by moving data from the volatile memory through the selected interfaces to whatever non-volatile memory is connected to the selectable set of interfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining in-situ hydrate saturation of hydrate-bearing formations using dielectric properties of gas hydrate amounts are described. In accordance with one aspect, a method for determining gas-hydrate saturation concentration of hydrate-bearing formations includes collecting data using a dielectric propagation tool indicative of propagation time (tpl) and attenuation time (?), collecting data indicative of density using a density device, and processing the combination of data indicative of tpl, ? and density to determine the concentration of gas-hydrate saturation and porosity of the formations.

Abstract: A method of intra-articular drug delivery may include selecting an attachment zone in a synovial joint; affixing a drug release device in the attachment zone, the drug release device comprising a base affixable in the attachment zone, a sustained-release drug carrier, and a drug, the device positioned so that the device releases the drug into the synovial fluid of the synovial joint, and so that agitation of the synovial fluid facilitates elution of the drug from the drug release device.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for analyzing polymer molecules. These methods are employed for the high throughput readout of DNA and RNA molecules with single molecule sensitivity. The method of the present invention comprises (1) the electrically controlled unzipping of DNA (or RNA) double strands, and (2) the readout of the molecule's identity (or code) using one or more molecule signal detection.

Abstract: An interconnect structure for integrated circuits incorporates a layer of cobalt nitride that facilitates the nucleation, growth and adhesion of copper wires. The cobalt nitride may deposited on a refractory metal nitride or carbide layer, such as tungsten nitride or tantalum nitride, that serves as a diffusion barrier for copper and also increases the adhesion between the cobalt nitride and the underlying insulator. The cobalt nitride may be formed by chemical vapor deposition from a novel cobalt amidinate precursor. Copper layers deposited on the cobalt nitride show high electrical conductivity and can serve as seed layers for electrochemical deposition of copper conductors for microelectronics.

Abstract: Systems and methods to manage network access (e.g., IPv4 and IPv6) and layer 3 mobility are provided. This can allow mobility management to be moved from a mobile node's stack to the access gateway, simplifying the stack and providing fast handoffs. The mobility management at an access gateway further allows a mobile node to keep its dynamically assigned IP address for the duration of a call session and through handoffs. The placement of access gateways in a domain of trust allows security information to be passed between access gateways in a handoff so that the security associations do not need to be re-authenticated with the mobile node. One or more of the above mobility management features can be used to provide a fast and seamless handoff for a mobile node.