Abstract: A method for designing multi-layer electronic circuits includes defining a plurality of circuit blocks in terms of physical boundaries, the plurality of circuit blocks including a first circuit block with at least one port for connecting to a portion of inter-block routing having conducting material external to the first circuit block. The method further provides protective routing for the at least one port of the first circuit block in a region between the block and the inter-block routing, wherein circuitry within the first circuit connected to the at least one port is not in-circuit with the conducting material of the inter-block routing during processing steps involving the conducting material. The protective routing is a conducting layer which is higher in the multi-layer structure than the highest conducting layer used for routing the net containing the at least one port for inter-block routing.

Abstract: A platform provides for interaction with customers or other classes of individuals on a group basis. The platform supports a method that includes maintaining data about groups of persons, wherein the groups include persons associated with respective requests for action. The data further includes information sufficient to contact members of the groups. The platform provides a client interface, such as a web page for use of the data about groups of persons and requests for action. Using the client interface, users find and become members of groups. The platform also provides a business user interface, such as a web page, for use of the data about groups and about requests for action, by which business users monitor activity of groups and communicate with the groups. The client interface includes tools for browsing a set of requests for action, selecting a particular request, and joining a group of persons associated with the particular request.

Abstract: Benzimidazole derivatives useful for treating or preventing viral infections such as those caused by herpes viruses or in the treatment of restenosis following surgical techniques. Methods of preparing these benzimidazole derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain bezimidazole derivatives and their use in medical therapy particularly for the treatment or prophylaxis of virus infections such as those caused by herpes viruses. The invention also relates to the preparation of the benzimidazole derivatives and pharmaceutical formulations containing them.

Abstract: A system for predicting branches in a computer system is provided having a memory containing program code comprising a plurality of instructions, said instructions including branch instructions and prediction operations, a store containing an reference to a branch instruction in said program code and corresponding prediction data, means for modifying said prediction data in response to said prediction operations contained within said program code, means for predicting an outcome of a branch instruction based on the prediction data to generate a prediction, and means responsive to the prediction for predicting the outcome of a branch instruction. A method for predicting branches is also provided.