Abstract: A system and method for providing a requested computing service, wherein a contract describes conditions of the requested computing service, wherein a contract guarantor accepts the contract and guarantees to provide the requested computing service with the given conditions, wherein the guarantor uses a second computing resource and a first computing resource for fulfilling the contract, wherein the second computing resource provides computing capacity according to a stochastic process that is not controlled by the guarantor wherein the first computing resource is controlled by the guarantor to provide a requested computing service, whereby the guarantor uses the second computing resource for fulfilling the contract and uses the first computing resource for guaranteeing the fulfillment of the contract, if the contract could not be fulfilled using solely the second computing resource.

Abstract: A resist material used to mask an underlying layer during an etch process is subjected to ion implantation to harden the resist material against damage from the etch process. In a particular embodiment, the resist material is compatible with exposure to 193 nm radiation for patterning the resist material.

Abstract: The variation in flow resistance of the respiratory system (Rrs) is determined as an indicator of variations in airway calibre, by oscillating the system, for example at 6 Hz for 5-15 minutes and determining the variations in ratio of the pressure difference (Prs) across the system that is in phase with flow, to flow V. The variation in airway calibre may be employed as a prognostic indicator in asthmatics and also to assess the efficacy of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method for enhancing the digitised optical image section of a (e.g. substantially transparent biological) specimen and in a particular aspect the boundary outline of a specimen in such an image section thereof. In accordance with the invention a Nomarski image section is smoothed and a gradient of image pixel intensity determined for each pixel thereof. Thereafter each pixel of the smoothed Nomarski image which has an intensity gradient within a reference range is set to zero intensity so as to provide a processed image section.