Abstract: A traffic manager includes an execution unit that is responsive to instructions related to queuing of data in memory. The instructions may be provided by a network processor that is programmed to generate such instructions, depending on the data. Examples of such instructions include (1) writing of data units (of fixed size or variable size) without linking to a queue, (2) re-sequencing of the data units relative to one another without moving the data units in memory, and (3) linking the previously-written data units to a queue. The network processor and traffic manager may be implemented in a single chip.

Abstract: A traffic manager includes an execution unit that is responsive to instructions related to queuing of data in memory. The instructions may be provided by a network processor that is programmed to generate such instructions, depending on the data. Examples of such instructions include (1) writing of data units (of fixed size or variable size) without linking to a queue, (2) re-sequencing of the data units relative to one another without moving the data units in memory, and (3) linking the previously-written data units to a queue. The network processor and traffic manager may be implemented in a single chip.

Abstract: A traffic manager includes an execution unit that is responsive to instructions related to queuing of data in memory. The instructions may be provided by a network processor that is programmed to generate such instructions, depending on the data. Examples of such instructions include (1) writing of data units (of fixed size or variable size) without linking to a queue, (2) re-sequencing of the data units relative to one another without moving the data units in memory, and (3) linking the previously-written data units to a queue. The network processor and traffic manager may be implemented in a single chip.

Abstract: A composition for use in chromatography is provided comprising a substrate modified with a metal-cyano bonded phase. This novel cyano bonded phase provides superior performance in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and provides superior selectivity, improved peak shape for basic analytes, and the ability of provide rapid separation with outstanding resolution. The composition exhibits improved storage stability, and is chemically stable over a range of pH from 1.5 to 7.5 mobile phase conditions and for more than 2000 multiple injections. A baseline separation of eight tricyclic antidepressants was achieved in less than four minutes using an isocratic mobile phase with the metal-cyano bonded phase of the present invention, compared to the long retention times and poor separation observed for traditional cyano bonded phase. The composition of this invention is particularly useful in a wide variety of chromatographic applications.

Abstract: A traffic manager includes an execution unit that is responsive to instructions related to queuing of data in memory. The instructions may be provided by a network processor that is programmed to generate such instructions, depending on the data. Examples of such instructions include (1) writing of data units (of fixed size or variable size) without linking to a queue, (2) re-sequencing of the data units relative to one another without moving the data units in memory, and (3) linking the previously-written data units to a queue. The network processor and traffic manager may be implemented in a single chip.

Abstract: A traffic manager includes an execution unit that is responsive to instructions related to queuing of data in memory. The instructions may be provided by a network processor that is programmed to generate such instructions, depending on the data. Examples of such instructions include (1) writing of data units (of fixed size or variable size) without linking to a queue, (2) re-sequencing of the data units relative to one another without moving the data units in memory, and (3) linking the previously-written data units to a queue. The network processor and traffic manager may be implemented in a single chip.

Abstract: A composition for use in chromatography is provided comprising a substrate modified with a metal-cyano bonded phase. This novel cyano bonded phase provides superior performance in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and provides superior selectivity, improved peak shape for basic analytes, and the ability of provide rapid separation with outstanding resolution. The composition exhibits improved storage stability, and is chemically stable over a range of pH from 1.5 to 7.5 mobile phase conditions and for more than 2000 multiple injections. A baseline separation of eight tricyclic antidepressants was achieved in less than four minutes using an isocratic mobile phase with the metal-cyano bonded phase of the present invention, compared to the long retention times and poor separation observed for traditional cyano bonded phase. The composition of this invention is particularly useful in a wide variety of chromatographic applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic adjustment of the transmit power are provided. Excess transmit power is determined as a function of the difference between a noise level and the lower end of the dynamic range of the system as configured. Based on the excess transmit power, the transmit power is reduced from the regulated maximum default settings to about a minimum while substantially preserving the original display image. This minimizes the acoustic energy delivered to the transducer and the body, thus reducing transducer heating and satisfying the FDA's ALARA principle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic adjustment of the transmit power are provided. Excess transmit power is determined as a function of the difference between a noise level and the lower end of the dynamic range of the system as configured. Based on the excess transmit power, the transmit power is reduced from the regulated maximum default settings to about a minimum while substantially preserving the original display image. This minimizes the acoustic energy delivered to the transducer and the body, thus reducing transducer heating and satisfying the FDA's ALARA principle.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus gathers NMR image data over a sequence of measurement cycles. First magnetic gradient pulses are superimposed on a nominally static magnetic field to selectively address NMR RF excitations for at least one predetermined volume and second magnetic gradient pulses are superimposed on the static magnetic field at other times in a measurement cycle. At least one further of the measurement cycles is performed during which at least one of the second gradient pulses is omitted so as to produce calibration data representative of the magnetic field then existing in the predetermined volume. The calibration data is used to produce MRI data compensated for phase angle errors which otherwise would be present due to undesirable changes with respect to time in the magnetic field actually present in said predetermined volume.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of selectively etching polysilicon relative to at least one of deposited oxide, thermally grown oxide and nitride, and methods of selectively etching polysilicon relative to BPSG. In one implementation, a method of selectively etching polysilicon relative to at least one of deposited oxide, thermally grown oxide and nitride, includes forming a substrate to have a layer comprising polysilicon received over at least one layer comprising at least one of deposited oxide, thermally grown oxide, and nitride. The polysilicon is exposed to an aqueous solution comprising NH4F, an oxidizer, CH3COOH, TMAH, and HF under conditions effective to selectively etch at least a portion of the polysilicon comprising layer relative to an ultimately exposed portion of the at least one of deposited oxide, thermally grown oxide, and nitride.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing water-dominant and fat-dominant MR signal data for use in constructing separate images from single-scan single-point Dixon MRI sequences is disclosed. The effects of field inhomogeneities are removed by quantitating the signal phase by taking the argument of the MR signal multiplied by itself. A region-growing algorithm guided by a polynomial model is used to unwrap the phase which is then used to separately generate water-pixel data and fat-pixel data for producing separate images. The invention can be used for constructing images from both 2-D and 3-D spin-echo and/or field-echo acquisitions.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging sequence synergistically combines Half Fourier Transform complex conjugation with shared echo imaging. The Half Fourier Transform complex conjugation reduces data acquisition time and permits the data acquisition per scan to be accomplished with a single RF transmission loop. The shared echo imaging provides multiple images of an image plane from a single scan, yet with different contrast and a larger number of slices. In an alternative embodiment, phase correction is provided between the non-shared echo responses.

Abstract: A chromatographic device comprising a column body having a first end and a closed second end. The device further includes a piston inside the column body, a chromatographic medium, a rod, and a locking mechanism. The chromatographic medium is within the column body and between the piston and the second end. The rod has a longitudinal rod axis and is operatively engageable with the piston for pressing the piston in the column body. The locking mechanism is adapted for locking the rod relative to the column body in a manner to prevent movement of the rod relative to the column body in an outward longitudinal direction away from the piston without preventing movement of the rod relative to the column body in an inward longitudinal direction toward the piston. Preferably, the chromatographic device includes a spring for exerting a constant axial compression against the piston to prevent the formation of voids in the packing medium.

Abstract: An improved MRI magnet structure is created by utilizing a lower pole mounting support with one or more vertically extending yokes. The one or more vertically extending yokes mount an upper pole mounting structure including an upper pole mounting ring and at least one spoke connecting the ring to at least one of the vertically extending structural supports. The average effective spacing of the upper pole mounting structure is greater than the air gap between the upper and lower pole thereby resulting in improved uniformity of the B.sub.o field at the patient imaging volume. In a preferred embodiment, a pie-shaped cryostat encompasses a plurality of radially distributed superconducting electromagnets for generating a more uniform field in the patient imaging volume. The patient imaging field uniformity in some embodiments can be improved by the use of shim coils and/or shim rings associated with either the upper or lower poles to further modify the field within the patient imaging volume.

Abstract: A game software is devised for a user to play the Kung-Ming Chess on a microprocessor-based system having at least a CPU, a memory unit, a screen, and a cursor position control device. In playing the Kung-Ming Chess, the user plays on screen against a deployment selected from a predefined set of deployments stored in the database of the game software. Each deployment is entitled with the name of a particular stratagem originated from Chinese heritage. While playing the Kung-Ming Chess, the game software allows the user to learn these stratagems and related information.