Abstract: A technique for mapping a plurality of configurable logic blocks in a programmable logic device, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The method includes adaptively adjusting one or more customer-specified constraints and can be implemented, for example, using a simulated annealing algorithm. During the refinement of the placement (i.e., assignment) of logic blocks in an FPGA, one or more constraints are adjusted by either selecting a customer-specified constraint value or specifying a new constraint value derived based on the actual circuit performance. The method provides substantial savings of computer time compared to the prior art placement methods and improves circuit performance, e.g., by enabling higher circuit operation frequencies.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for decoding input data by using a single decoder for decoding a first set of symbols and then, after those decoded symbols have been interleaved, using the same decoder for decoding the decoded and interleaved first set of symbols together with a second set of symbols. Also provided are methods and apparatuses for decoding input data by using multiple read/write means for controlling the storage and reading of data so as to interleave and/or de-interleave data simultaneously with data buffering.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for protecting critical computer software and/or data with a large amount of obscuring instructions and or data to the extent that observing and understanding the obscured instructions and/or data is not humanly feasible. In a preferred method of obscuring software, a bank of obscuring instructions is prepared, a large number of obscuring instructions are selected from the bank and injected in the software code to be protected and a static image of the obscured sequence of code is encrypted and/or compressed. At execution, the obscured instructions are executed one at a time to make run time tracing a labor intensive process.

Abstract: A lumped-element low-pass filter is formed in a multi-layered substrate. A negative mutual inductance between two inductors is adjusted to a designed value and utilized to improve the rejection in the stopband of the low-pass filter. The two inductors are spiral in shape and the orientations of the first inductor and the second inductor are of opposite sense such that a mutual inductance between the first inductor and the second inductor is negative and equals a designed value. A first capacitor and a second capacitor are shunt-connected to the first and the second inductor respectively to form the elliptic-type filter. A third capacitor is electrically connected to ground at its first end, and electrically connected to the end of the second inductor at which the second inductor in electrically connected to the first inductor in series at its second end.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode and a ferroelectric thin film thereon, includes preparing a substrate; depositing an electrode on the substrate, wherein the electrode is formed of a material taken from the group of materials consisting of iridium and iridium composites; and forming a single-phase, c-axis PGO ferroelectric thin film thereon, wherein the ferroelectric thin film exhibits surface smoothness and uniform thickness. An integrated circuit includes a substrate; an electrode deposited on the substrate, wherein the electrode is formed of a material taken from the group of materials consisting of iridium and iridium composites, wherein the iridium composites are taken from the group of composites consisting of IrO2, Ir—Ta—O, Ir—Ti—O, Ir—Nb—O, Ir—Al—O, Ir—Hf—O, Ir—V—O, Ir—Zr—O and Ir—O; and a single-phase, c-axis PGO ferroelectric thin film formed on the electrode, wherein the ferroelectric thin film exhibits surface smoothness and uniform thickness.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally vibration-preventing buffering mechanism is proposed, which is designed for use in conjunction with a dynamic module for the purpose of buffering the three dimensional vibrations of the dynamic module during operation, and which is characterized by the use of a group of specially-designed chained elastic members, each being composed of at least three integrally-linked flexure hinges whose axes of concavity are oriented respectively in parallel with the three axes of a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system, so that the vibrations of the dynamic module in all three dimensional directions can be respectively buffered by these flexure hinges to provide a three-dimensional vibration-preventing buffering effect.

Abstract: The present invention is about a mycobacterium smegmatis vaccine, a split product of mycobacterium smegmatis. This vaccine has made good use of the adjuvant function of bacterial cellwall and antigenic specificity of tropina which can stimulate the production of cytokine and consists of many immunologically competent CpG fragments of bacteria DNA. Such vaccine is prepared by treating newly-cultured thalli with a physical quassation technique. This vaccine is capable of enhancing normal immune function against TB, promoting the recovery of normal immune function in TB patients with hypofunction, and depressing the immunological responses in TB patients with hyperfunction. It is especially effective in the prevention and treatment of MTB carriers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inducible expression systems and to compositions and methods for modulating the expression of at least one target gene in an eukaryotic cell and non-human animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inducible expression systems and to compositions and methods for modulating the expression of at least one target gene in an eukaryotic cell and non-human animal.

Abstract: A data distribution system that distributes data adapting to a second terminal from a first terminal having data to the second terminal. The first terminal includes a data recording means that records data of a plurality of formats, a data distribution request receiving means that receives a distribution request of data adapting to the second terminal and that receives a URL related to the information of the second terminal, a terminal information acquiring means that acquires the information of the second terminal from the URL, a data selecting means that selects data adapting to the second terminal on the basis of the acquired information of the second terminal, and a data transmitting means that transmits the selected data to the second terminal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a valve assembly for metal hydride hydrogen storage (MHHS) or chemical hydride hydrogen storage (CHHS) devices. The valve assembly comprises a body with an inlet connector for connecting to the MHHS or CHHS device, an outlet connector for connecting to an external device, a cavity in the body that is in gas communication with the inlet and outlet connectors, and a shut-off valve in the cavity that can be moved between an opened position that permits gas flow between the inlet and outlet connectors, and a closed position that denies said gas flow. The outlet connector has a first valve therein that is biased to remain closed when external pressure thereon is less than or equal to ambient pressure, thereby impeding at least atmospheric gas backflow into the cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention prevent demagnetization or degaussing of recorded magnetizations, even if a stray field is applied. In one embodiment, an output of a read head including a magneto-resistive effect element is inputted to a stray field detector through a DC amplifier and a DC filter. The stray field detector monitors dc components of the output from the read head, and escapes a head from above a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a pluggable optical module includes a boss in contact with a datum plane of a latch trough to latch and anchor the optical module. When a lever is turned, the boss is turned to press the datum plane and change the relative position to move a sliding member and release the latched and anchored condition of the optical module. The structure is simple and easy to fabricate and assemble. It also is reliable and convenient.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a compound from buckwheat and its use as a pharmaceutical treatment are disclosed. Methods of treatment using extracts of buckwheat are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides PEG-IFN ?-1b conjugates, where a PEG moiety is covalently bound to Cys86 of human IFN ?-1b conjugates. A pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating inflammatory diseases, infections, and cancer are also provided. The invention further relates to a method for the modification of interferons by conjugation of a PEG moiety to free cysteine residues in interferon molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inducible expression systems and to compositions and methods for modulating the expression of at least one target gene in an eukaryotic cell and non-human animal.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a silicon-on-plastic layer via layer transfer includes depositing a layer of SiGe on a silicon substrate; depositing a layer of silicon; implanting splitting hydrogen ions into the silicon substrate; bonding a glass substrate to the silicon layer; splitting the wafer; removing the silicon layer and a portion of the SiGe layer; depositing a dielectric on the silicon side of the silicon-on-glass wafer; applying adhesive and bonding a plastic substrate to the silicon side of the silicon-on-glass wafer; removing the glass from the glass side of the bonded, silicon-on-glass wafer to form a silicon-on-plastic wafer; and completing a desired IC device on the silicon-on-plastic. Multi-level structure may be fabricated according to the method of the invention by repeating the last few steps of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The thin film transistor has a non-transparent structure besides and insulated with the gate. Hence, the light transmitted from the substrate is blocked and the light current induced in the thin film transistor is negligible. The method uses a mask with a slit pattern to form a non-uniform photoresist. Hence, the mask could be used to pattern two conductor layers for forming source/drain/channel.

Abstract: A method for handing off to a second server, in either a fixed or mobile streaming media system, a multiple description streaming session between a first server and either a fixed or mobile client. In one embodiment, the present invention recites selecting a second server to receive a handoff of a multiple description streaming media session between the first server and the client. In this embodiment, the multiple description streaming media session is comprised of a first multiple description bitstream and a second multiple description bitstream. The present embodiment further recites receiving at the second server, the second multiple description bitstream for streaming to the client. This embodiment further recites sending the second multiple description bitstream from the second server to the client.

Abstract: A thermal oxidation method for forming a gate dielectric layer for use within a field effect transistor device employs a thermal oxidizing atmosphere comprising a halogen getter material. By employing the halogen getter material, the field effect transistor device is formed with enhanced performance, in particular with respect to negative bias temperature instability lifetime.