Abstract: An interconnect structure for integrated circuits incorporates manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride layers that completely surrounds copper wires in integrated circuits and methods for making the same are provided. The manganese silicate forms a barrier against copper diffusing out of the wires, thereby protecting the insulator from premature breakdown, and protecting transistors from degradation by copper. The manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride also promote strong adhesion between copper and insulators, thus preserving the mechanical integrity of the devices during manufacture and use. The strong adhesion at the copper-manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride interfaces also protect against failure by electromigration of the copper during use of the devices. The manganese-containing sheath also protects the copper from corrosion by oxygen or water from its surroundings.

Abstract: A means for the extraction and crystallization of quassinoids such as quassin and neoquassin from natural sources containing these compounds, using compounds that are Generally Recognized As Safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is provided. In particular, a means for extraction that does not require use of lead acetate, chloroform, methanol, or diethyl ether is provided. The process includes a means of removing non-polar and very polar substances from an extracted residue to enhance crystallization of quassinoids from the residue.

Abstract: Tetrasubstituted benzenes that act as modulators of gamma secretase and their use in the treatment of one or more symptoms of treating neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease, are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for determining the presence or absence of one or more target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Also provided are kits comprising these systems, and uses of these systems in such applications as determining the presence or absence of at least one target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, detecting microorganism transcripts and host transcripts, differentiating microorganism transcripts from host transcripts, screening blood products, assaying a food product for contamination, assaying a sample for environmental contamination, detecting genetically-modified organisms, biodefense, forensics, and genetic-comparability studies. The present invention further provides a complex that includes a target nucleic acid sequence, a capture nucleic acid, and a reporter nucleic acid.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) emitter having a broad emission pattern driven by a frequency-modulated (FM) carrier signal enables electronic communication between multiple talkers and multiple listeners. A narrow reception pattern on the listener's receiving unit combined with the inherent capture effect of FM coding provides each listener with the means of easily and naturally selecting one of many talkers from a group. A close microphone for the talking party and a close earphone for the listening party enables the system to assist conversation particularly in the case of noisy environments by improving the signal to noise ratio. A similar system of broad emission transmitters and narrow reception can be used in other systems, such as a teleconferencing unit in which users have transmitters and receivers and a teleconferencing unit has multiple receivers arranged to receive signals in multiple different sectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a computer to detect operating system process manipulation by malicious software programs is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for detecting operating system process manipulation through unexpected process behavior includes accessing process behavior indicia regarding memory addresses used by at least one user mode process to request computer resources and comparing the process behavior indicia with a user mode request to identify operating system process manipulation.

Abstract: Systems for recording, searching, and outputting display information are provided. In some embodiments, systems for recording display information are provided. The systems include a virtual display that: intercepts display-changes describing changes to be made to a state of a display; sends the display-changes to a client for display; records the display-changes; and a context recorder that records context information describing a state of the display derived from a source independently of the display changes and independently of screen-images. In some embodiments, the systems further include a display system that generates an output screen-image based at least in part on at least one of the display-changes and in response to a search of the context information. In some embodiments, the virtual display further records screen-images; and the display system further generates the output screen-image based at least in part on a recorded-screen-image of the recorded screen-images.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which enable options broker-dealers to execute a listed options contract trade order while simultaneously eliminating (or at least reducing) exposure to the negative consequences associated with toxic (or likely toxic) trades in the options 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 option contract order flow, a broker dealer can reduce the level of risk inherent in serving as a counter-party in listed options transactions, and inherent in offering a rapid execution guarantee. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for global single instance segment-based indexing are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for global single instance segment-based indexing for backup data. The method may comprise dividing an item being backed up into segments, generating a fingerprint for each segment, and saving an entry for each segment in an index database. Each entry may comprise the fingerprint for the segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for decreasing cellular DNA repair in a target patient; decreasing cellular NAD+ biosynthesis in a target patient; increasing efficiency of radiation therapy in a target patient; modulating nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase activity in a patient; or sensitizing a patient to a DNA damaging therapy. The invention relates to methods for treating a patient who received a toxic dose of an nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase inhibitor. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier; an effective amount of a NMPRT inhibitor; and nicotinic acid. The invention also relates to methods for treating a patient diagnosed with or suspected to have a cancer deficient in nicotinic acid pathway.

Abstract: A method for separating proteins from plant material, in particular, intact algal cells, using an amphipathic solvent set and a hydrophobic solvent set. Some embodiments include dewatering intact algal cells and then extracting proteins from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal proteins from a wet algal biomass. These proteins are high value products which can be used as renewable sources of food and food additives. Neutral lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of proteins can be used to generate renewable fuels.

Abstract: Nucleic acid and protein sequences relating to a cation channel which is sperm-specific (CatSper1) are disclosed. The CatSper1 protein is shown to be specifically expressed in sperm and to be necessary for sperm motility. Nucleic acids, vectors, transformed cells, transgenic animals, polypeptides, and antibodies relating to the CatSper1 gene and protein are disclosed. Also provided are methods of in vitro fertilization and contraception, methods of identifying modulators of CatSper1 activity, methods of genotyping subjects with respect to CatSper1, and methods of diagnosing and treating CatSper1-mediated disorders, including infertility.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow the delivery of location based services within a communication network. The location information can be retrieved using information from the mobile node when the mobile node registers in the network. The location information can then be cached or stored in one or more places in the communication network and correlated with the mobile node's addressing information. If a request for location based services is received without location based information, the gateway can use location based information regarding the mobile node to provide location based services. The gateway can enable non IMS mobile nodes to obtain IMS location based services or incompatible mobile nodes to obtain location based services.

Abstract: A semiconductor device along with circuits including the same and methods of operating the same are described. The device includes an electrically floating body region and a gate disposed about a first portion of the body region. The device includes a source region adjoining a second portion of the body region, the second portion adjacent the first portion and separating the source region from the first portion. The device includes a drain region adjoining a third portion of the body region, the third portion adjacent the first portion and separating the drain region from the first portion, wherein the source and drain regions are opposing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which automatically build a database by automatically assigning links to an expert, pushing content to an expert, providing expert annotation, and linking the content to an annotation database. A term is selected by applying rules, such as, the term not previously existing in the database, an unusually high frequency of the term, the term is an article or the term is an unusual part of speech. An advertiser can sponsor the term, for example, by having a banner ad automatically pop-up on a keyword search. Content windows can be attached to the term, the content window containing information such as definitions, related products or services, sponsorship information, information from content syndicators, translations and reference works. A utility is available to the expert that allows the expert to analyze the term in context by extending or reducing the sentence or paragraph the word is contained in.

Abstract: Techniques for directory server integration are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for directory server integration comprising setting one or more parameters determining a range of permissible expiration times for a plurality of cached directory entries, creating, in electronic storage, a cached directory entry from a directory server, assigning a creation time to the cached directory entry, and assigning at least one random value to the cached directory entry, the random value determining an expiration time for the cached directory entry within the range of permissible expiration times, wherein randomizing the expiration time for the cached directory entry among the range of permissible expiration times for a plurality of cached directory entries reduces an amount of synchronization required between cache memory and the directory server at a point in time.

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: Hydrophilic threads as platforms for inexpensive, low volume, portable diagnostic systems, and methods of making the same are described. A diagnostic system includes a hydrophilic loading thread having an inlet zone at a proximal end; a testing zone at a distal end; and an intermediate zone located between the inlet zone and the testing zone, wherein the testing zone does not directly contact the inlet zone. In another aspect, a diagnostic system includes (i) a hydrophilic loading thread that includes an inlet zone at a proximal end and an intermediate zone at a distal end; and (ii) one or more additional hydrophilic threads that contact the intermediate zone of the loading thread.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to merging and splitting intersecting geometry-only solids and surfaces in an intuitive manner. One embodiment is a method of merging and cutting geometry-only format CAD objects without related history information, using a single geometry modification tool and interface. In response to receiving a group selection from the user, of a plurality of CAD objects, the method infers a merge operation and automatically merges the plurality of CAD objects into a single merged CAD object. In response to receiving an individual selection from the user of a CAD object, the geometry modification tool enters a merged state when the subsequent second selection from the user is selected in a manner indicating a merger operation, or alternatively, enters a cut state when the subsequent second selection from the user is selected in a manner indicating a cut operation.

Abstract: A wood plank which is dimensionally stable and moisture resistant includes a sealant layer on at least four of its sides. A geometric variation (e.g., tongue and groove) may be located on at least one side of the dimensionally stable wood. The sealant layer may be applied to the tongue and groove as well. A method for manufacturing the dimensionally stable wood is also described.