Abstract: A device which has both educational and entertainment purposes. The device has a housing which allows multiple instances of the device to be stacked together. The device has a CPU, memory, storage, and a wireless module which allows communications with a base computer. The device also has a flat touch screen which serves as the user interface. The touch screen also serves as the video display for the device. Each device is approximately the size of a conventional building block. Variants include having some sides equipped with protuberance and some sides are equipped with voids. The protuberances of one device is constructed and arranged to interlockingly mate with the voids of another device. The device may be used in conjunction with multiple types of applications which have both educational and entertainment uses. The device may be used to receive images, data, commands, etc. from the base computer and the device may be used in conjunction with other similar devices.

Abstract: An electronic or micromechanical device having first (11) and second (12) surfaces and a via extending through the device from the first surface to the second surface. The via comprises integrally formed first (84, 86), second (82) and third (88) portions. The first portion (84, 86) extends from the first surface (11) to the second surface (12). The second portion (82) extends over a part of the first surface (11) of the device. The third portion (88) extends over a part of the second surface (12) of the device. Preferably the first portion comprises first and second parts, the second part extending through an active region of the device and having a narrower width than the first part. A method of forming and filling the via is also disclosed.

Abstract: High optical efficiency CMOS image sensors capable of sustaining pixel sizes less than 1.2 microns are provided. Due to high photodiode fill factors and efficient optical isolation, microlenses are unnecessary. Each sensor includes plural imaging pixels having a photodiode structure on a semiconductor substrate adjacent a light-incident upper surface of the image sensor. An optical isolation grid surrounds each photodiode structure and defines the pixel boundary. The optical isolation grid extends to a depth of at least the thickness of the photodiode structure and prevents incident light from penetrating through the incident pixel to an adjacent pixel. A positive diffusion plug vertically extends through a portion of the photodiode structure. A negative diffusion plug vertically extends into the semiconductor substrate for transferring charge generated in the photodiode to a charge collecting region within the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: High optical efficiency CMOS image sensors capable of sustaining pixel sizes less than 1.2 microns are provided. Due to high photodiode fill factors and efficient optical isolation, microlenses are unnecessary. Each sensor includes plural imaging pixels having a photodiode structure on a semiconductor substrate adjacent a light-incident upper surface of the image sensor. An optical isolation grid surrounds each photodiode structure and defines the pixel boundary. The optical isolation grid extends to a depth of at least the thickness of the photodiode structure and prevents incident light from penetrating through the incident pixel to an adjacent pixel. A positive diffusion plug vertically extends through a portion of the photodiode structure. A negative diffusion plug vertically extends into the semiconductor substrate for transferring charge generated in the photodiode to a charge collecting region within the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: High throughput and virtual screening methods are disclosed that can identify potential anti-viral agents. The virtual screening methods identify agents that interact with a viral nucleoprotein binding site. The high throughput methods identify compounds that inhibit viral infection by binding to viral nucleoprotein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical formulations useful for treating or preventing viral infections, especially influenza A.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing age appropriate activities to infant users. The age of the infant user is first determined and, based on the age, activities are presented to the infant user. Younger infant users will be presented with simpler and easier to understand activities requiring less manual dexterity and comprehension skills while older infant users will be presented with more complex tasks which may require more involved comprehension skills. These activities are presented by way of a touch screen user interface for ease of use by the infant user. Also disclosed are methods and systems for exposing the infant user to a variety of languages at an early age. These methods and systems may be incorporated as activities for older infant users.

Abstract: Methods and software applications targeted to and for use by infant users. Various activities are presented to infant users through a touch-screen based monitor and, depending on the input entered by infant users, emotionally positive or emotionally negative indications are presented to the infant user. The emotionally positive indications are designed to reinforce desirable results caused by the infant user's input while the emotionally negative indications are designed to discourage undesirable result from the infant user's input. Various environments and activities based on these environments and areas are provided to the infant user by way of the monitor.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluorophore compounds including rhodol and rhodamine compounds which can be used as fluorescent labels and/or fluorogenic probes and methods of making same. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to track, measure, detect, or screen biological species such as protein, DNA, enzyme, antibody, organelle, cell, tissue, drug, hormone, nucleotide, nucleic acid, polysaccharide or lipid in living organisms. Specifically, the methods include the steps of contacting any of the fluorophore compounds, rhodol compounds and rhodamine compounds disclosed herein with the biological species to form one or more fluorescent compounds, and measuring fluorescence properties of the fluorescent compounds. Provided also herein are high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting or screening biological species.

Abstract: A handle for a computing device having a touch screen, wherein the handle is affixed to the computing device, and the handle is made of material that is suitable for gripping by an infant and the handle is of a specific size range such that the handle is capable of being gripped by an infant.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds or fluorogenic probes which can be used as reagents for measuring, detecting and/or screening ROS or RNS such as peroxynitrite or hypochlorite. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to measure, directly or indirectly, the amount of peroxynitrite or hypochlorite in chemical samples and biological samples such as cells and tissues in living organisms. Specifically, the methods include the steps of contacting the fluorogenic probes disclosed herein with the samples to form one or more fluorescent compounds, and measuring fluorescence properties of the fluorescent compounds. Provided also herein are high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting or screening peroxynitrite or compounds that can increase or decrease the level of peroxynitrite or hypochlorite in chemical and biological samples.

Abstract: An electronic or micromechanical device having first (11) and second (12) surfaces and a via extending through the device from the first surface to the second surface. The via comprises integrally formed first (84, 86), second (82) and third (88) portions. The first portion (84, 86) extends from the first surface (11) to the second surface (12). The second portion (82) extends over a part of the first surface (11) of the device. The third portion (88) extends over a part of the second surface (12) of the device. Preferably the first portion comprises first and second parts, the second part extending through an active region of the device and having a narrower width than the first part. A method of forming and filling the via is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and devices for use as optical transceivers and amplifiers in optical networks. An optical transceiver/amplifier has two optical signal circulators, each of which receives one incoming signal and transmits one outgoing optical signal. Each circulator combines its incoming and outgoing signals on to a bidirectional optical connection internal to the transceiver amplifier. Between the two circulators are a pump laser, an optical coupler to couple the pump laser's power into the bidirectional connection, and an amplifying medium for amplifying the bidirectional signals internal to the transceiver amplifier. The amplifying medium may be an Erbium doped fiber which would amplify any optical signal passing through it. In one embodiment, the transceiver amplifier is in a self-contained package that is pluggable into existing equipment using pre-existing ports and interfaces.

Abstract: An electronic device package comprises a substrate 110 having a first surface 110a and a second surface 110b opposite the first surface. An electronic device 120, 130 is positioned on the first surface 110a. An isolation layer 140 extends over at least a portion of the top surface of the electronic device. A redistribution layer 145 having one or more I/O lines extends over the isolation layer and the top surface of the electronic device. The RDL layer connects the electronic device to one or more first vias 160 which pass through the substrate 110 to the second surface 110b thereof. The electronic device may be an image sensor. A microlens 220 and protective parylene layer 230 may be fabricated over the image sensor. A method of manufacturing the electronic device package is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds which exhibit antiviral activity, particularly against influenza virus, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. In one embodiment, the compounds are heterocyclic amides containing piperazine and isozazole rings and optionally substituted with one or more substituents. The compounds can be formulated with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to form compositions suitable for enteral or parenteral administration. The compounds are preferably used to treat or prevent Influenza A infections, such as H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H1N2, H9N2, H7N2, H7N3, and H10N7.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for forecasting the future headcount of an organization by generating, validating and displaying models of the headcount of an organization or division thereof over time. In some embodiments, at least three different models are generated using stored historical headcount information, including a linear regression model, a multivariate model using macroeconomic variables, and an autoregressive moving average model. In some embodiments, for each of the foregoing types, multiple models are generated and the best model of each type is selected for use in forecasting headcount according to predetermined evaluation criteria.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatuses and methods for gathering and analyzing facility weather data, such as temperature and humidity data, and energy-usage data, such as electricity-usage data, from a plurality of remote facilities and using the analysis to assess energy-using systems and/or methods across an organization made up of the plurality of remote facilities.

Abstract: A robust process for automating the tuning and maintenance of decision-making systems is described. A configurable multi-stage mutation-based evolutionary algorithm optimally tunes the decision thresholds and internal parameters of fuzzy rule-based and case-based systems that decide the risk categories of insurance applications. The tunable parameters have a critical impact on the coverage and accuracy of decision-making, and a reliable method to optimally tune these parameters is critical to the quality of decision-making and maintainability of these systems.

Abstract: A robust system for automating the tuning and maintenance of decision-making systems is described. A configurable multi-stage mutation-based evolutionary algorithm optimally tunes the decision thresholds and internal parameters of fuzzy rule-based and case-based systems that decide the risk categories of insurance applications. The tunable parameters have a critical impact on the coverage and accuracy of decision-making, and a reliable method to optimally tune these parameters is critical to the quality of decision-making and maintainability of these systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds or hypochlorous acid probes which can be used as reagents for measuring, detecting and/or screening, directly or indirectly, hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to measure, directly or indirectly, the amount of hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite in chemical samples and biological samples such as cells and tissues in living organisms. Specifically, the methods include the steps of contacting the hypochlorous acid probes disclosed herein with the samples to form one or more fluorescent compounds, and measuring fluorescence properties of the fluorescent compounds. Provided also herein are high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting or screening hypochlorous acid or compounds that can increase or decrease, directly or indirectly, the level of hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite in chemical and biological samples.

Abstract: A process for at least a partial underwriting of insurance policies is described. Various rules are created, along with a degree of satisfaction for each rule. Rules may be directed toward various insurance underwriting components (e.g., cholesterol levels, blood pressure, etc.). Based on the degree of satisfaction for each rule, a component may be assigned to a category. Based on the category for each component, the insurance application may be assigned an underwriting category.