Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for performing in vivo flow cytometry. In one embodiments, selected circulating cells of interest of a subject are labeled with fluorescent probe molecules. The labeled cells are irradiated in vivo so as to excite the fluorescent probes, and the radiation emitted by the excited probes is detected, preferably confocally. The detected radiation is then analyzed to derive desired information, such as relative cell count, of the cells of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for performing in-vivo flow cytometry to obtain desired information regarding one or more cell types of interest flowing through a subject's circulatory system. In one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the subject's circulating blood is illuminated with radiation having multiple wavelength components, and the backscattered radiation generated in response to the excitation radiation is detected at a plurality of scattering angles and analyzed to derive the desired information.

Abstract: CPP magnetic read head designs have been improved by increasing the length of the AFM layer relative to that of both the free and spacer layers. The length of the pinned layer is also increased, but by a lesser amount, an abutting conductive layer being inserted to fill the remaining space over the AFM layer. The extended pinned layer increases the probability of spin interaction while the added conducting layer serves to divert sensor current away from the bottom magnetic shield which now is no longer needed for use as a lead.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor chip that includes a conductive pad, a conductive trace that includes a routing line, a metal containment wall and a solder terminal, and a connection joint that electrically connects the routing line and the pad. The metal containment wall includes a cavity, and the solder terminal contacts the metal containment wall in the cavity and is spaced from the routing line.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor chip assembly includes providing a metal base, a routing line, a metal containment wall and a solder layer in which the metal containment wall includes a cavity and the solder terminal contacts the metal containment wall in the cavity, mechanically attaching a semiconductor chip to the routing line, forming a connection joint that electrically connects the routing line and the pad, etching the metal base to reduce contact area between the metal base and the routing line and between the metal base and the metal containment wall, and providing a solder terminal that includes the solder layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor substrate (38) is uniformly polished using a polishing pad (16) that has a first polishing region (26), a second polishing region (28), and a third polishing region (30). The semiconductor substrate (38) is aligned to the polishing pad (16), such that the center of the semiconductor substrate (38) overlies the second polishing region (28), and the edge of the semiconductor substrate overlies the first polishing region (26) and the third polishing region (30). During polishing, the semiconductor substrate (38) is not radially oscillated over the surface of the polishing pad, and as a result a more uniform polishing rate is achieved across the semiconductor substrate (38). This allows the semiconductor substrate (38) to be uniformly polished from center to edge, and increases die yield because die located on the semiconductor substrate (38) are not over polished.

Abstract: An improved read-write head for use with magnetic disks is described. This improvement has been achieved by providing the read head with shields that are limited to performing only shielding and do not share other magnetic functions with parts of the write head. This allows the write pole to be located very close to the read head since the top shield is no longer required to provide a flux return path, this function now being provided by a separate return flux pole. The separation between the read and write heads is now limited only by the need to achieve an optimum vertical field profile. Two key advantages of this structure are a substantial reduction in the jagging distance of the system and a reduced interference field from the write flux.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of discrete devices formed therein, and a plurality of metal layers and support layers, the support layers comprising an uppermost support layer and other support layers, and wherein each metal layer has an associated support layer having at least a portion underlying the metal layer, and wherein the plurality of metal layers includes an uppermost metal layer including a sealing pad having an opening therethrough, and a passivation layer having at least one opening therein exposing a portion of the sealing pad including the opening therethrough, and the uppermost support layer having a portion exposed through the opening in the sealing pad; exposing the uppermost support layer to an etching material through the opening in the sealing pad and etching away the support layers; and sealing the opening in the sealing pad.

Abstract: A highly palatable fluid composition for oral consumption is provided which contains liver digest and results in increased total water intake and urine production and decreased urinary specific gravity in companion animals. Methods of using these compositions for providing increased total water intake in companion animals are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for providing package resolution in a database system is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a statement within a server which allows an application to identify a list of package collections. The method and system further includes executing the statement to obtain the appropriate package. A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides a new current package path value, which is set via a statement referred to as Set Current Package Path. The SET CURRENT PACKAGE PATH statement allows the application to supply a precedence list of qualified package collections during execution time, therefore the scheme for resolving packages can be changed at any point during execution. The SET CURRENT PACKAGE PATH statement improves application development by making the package resolution mechanism less error prone and less tedious for the application developer, while providing an optimal-performance solution in the client-server environment.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises an electrostatically charge ingredient, preferably selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged proteins, amino acids, conjugated proteins, dipeptides, multipeptides, protein colloids, enzymes, protein hydrolysates, natural and artificial food additives, flavorings, seasonings, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged gelatin, animal bile acid, fungal acid protease, papain, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrostatically charged gelatin are provided. Gelatin is extracted by an acid extraction method (12) thereby producing a gelatin dispersion (14), the pH of which is adjusted to the isoelectric point of the gelatin. The pH of the gelatin dispersion (14) is then further adjusted (22) so as to cause the gelatin to assume an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: It is known that the magnetic shields, between which CPP GMR stacks are sandwiched, can be a source of AMR (anisotropic magneto-resistance) noise. This has been significantly reduced by coating both the magnetic shields with highly conductive layers. If the guidelines disclosed in the invention are followed, the read head can exhibit AMR noise reduced by about 14 to 20. Additionally, the total thickness of the read gap can be maintained to be as low as 300 to 400 Angstroms.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the palatability of dry and semi-dry animal feed compositions, particularly extruded cat food compositions, are described. In one embodiment, the palatability enhancer is a dry cat food coating including tetrapotassium pyrophosphate at about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the finished pet food product. In the case of extruded pet food products, the palatability enhancer is applied after the extrusion process to the extruded particles or pieces of pet food.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged gelatin, animal bile acid, fungal acid protease, papain, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of discrete devices formed therein, and a plurality of metal layers and support layers, the support layers comprising an uppermost support layer and other support layers, and wherein each metal layer has an associated support layer having at least a portion underlying the metal layer, and wherein the plurality of metal layers includes an uppermost metal layer including a sealing pad having an opening therethrough, and a passivation layer having at least one opening therein exposing a portion of the sealing pad including the opening therethrough, and the uppermost support layer having a portion exposed through the opening in the sealing pad; exposing the uppermost support layer to an etching material through the opening in the sealing pad and etching away the support layers; and sealing the opening in the sealing pad.

Abstract: A magnetic read head with reduced side reading characteristics is described. This design combines use of a current channeling layer (CCL) with stabilizing longitudinal bias layers whose magnetization direction is canted relative to that of the free layer easy axis and that of the pinned layer (of the GMR). This provides several advantages: First, the canting of the free layer at the side region results in a reduction of side reading by reducing magnetic sensitivity in that region. Second, the CCL leads to a narrow current flow profile at the side region, therefore producing a narrow track width definition. A process for making this device is described. Said process allows some of the requirements for interface cleaning associated with prior art processes to be relaxed.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrostatically charged gelatin are provided. Gelatin is extracted by an acid extraction method (12) thereby producing a gelatin dispersion (14), the pH of which is adjusted to the isoelectric point of the gelatin. The pH of the gelatin dispersion (14) is then further adjusted (22) so as to cause the gelatin to assume an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A magnetic read head with reduced side reading characteristics is described. This design combines use of a current channeling layer (CCL) with stabilizing longitudinal bias layers whose magnetization direction is canted relative to that of the free layer easy axis and that of the pinned layer (of the GMR). This provides several advantages: First, the canting of the free layer at the side region results in a reduction of side reading by reducing magnetic sensitivity in that region. Second, the CCL leads to a narrow current flow profile at the side region, therefore producing a narrow track width definition. A process for making this device is described. Said process allows some of the requirements for interface cleaning associated with prior art processes to be relaxed.