Abstract: A computer system includes a peripheral device and a processing unit. The processing unit is adapted to execute a driver for interfacing with the peripheral device in a standard mode of operation and an authentication agent in a privileged mode of operation, wherein the authentication agent includes program instructions adapted to authenticate the driver. The peripheral device may comprise a communications device, such as a software modem. A method for identifying security violations in a computer system includes executing a driver in a standard processing mode of a processing unit; transitioning the processing unit into a privileged processing mode; and authenticating the driver in the privileged processing mode. The driver may be adapted for interfacing with a communications peripheral device, such as a software modem.

Abstract: A communications system includes a physical layer hardware unit and a processing unit. The physical layer hardware unit is adapted to communicate data over a communications channel. The physical layer hardware unit is adapted to receive unencrypted control codes and encrypted user data over the communications channel and transmit an upstream data signal over the communications channel based on the control codes. The processing unit is adapted to execute a software driver for interfacing with the physical layer hardware unit. The software driver includes program instructions for implementing a protocol layer to decrypt the user data and provide the upstream data to the physical layer hardware unit. A method for configuring a transceiver includes receiving unencrypted control codes over a communications channel; receiving encrypted user data over the communications channel; and transmitting an upstream signal over the communications channel based on transmission assignments defined by the control codes.

Abstract: A milling device is disclosed for the preparation of microscopy specimens or other surface science applications through the use of ion bombardment. The device provides the ability to utilize both gross and fine modification of the specimen surface through the use of high and low energy ion sources. Precise control of the location of the specimen within the impingement beams created by the ion sources provides the ability to tilt and rotate the specimen with respect thereto. Locational control also permits the translocation of the specimen between the various sources under programmatic control and under consistent vacuum conditions. A load lock mechanism is also provided to permit the introduction of specimens into the device without loss of vacuum and with the ability to return the specimen to ambient temperature during such load and unload operation. The specimen may be observed and imaged during all active phases of operation.

Abstract: A communications system includes a physical layer hardware unit and a processing unit. The physical layer hardware unit is adapted to communicate data over a communications channel in accordance with assigned transmission parameters and receive an incoming signal over the communications channel and sample the incoming signal to generate a digital received signal. The processing unit is adapted to execute a standard mode driver in a standard mode of operation and a privileged mode driver in a privileged mode of operation. The standard mode driver includes program instructions adapted to extract encrypted data from the digital received signal and pass the encrypted data to the privileged mode driver. The privileged mode driver includes program instructions adapted to decrypt the encrypted data to generate decrypted data including control codes and transfer the control codes to the physical layer hardware unit.

Abstract: A quick connect electrical junction box assembly for receipt and support of electrical appliances including a first support member adapted to be attached to a building, the first support member having a female electrical receptacle connected thereto, a second support member to support an electrical appliance, the second support member having a male electrical plug rotatably connected thereto, the male electrical plug being adapted to be received in the female electrical receptacle to make an electrical connection between first support member and the second support member, the second support member having at least one load bearing connector, the load bearing connector being adapted to be received in the first support member to connect the second support member to the first support member, the load bearing connector being spaced apart from the male electrical plug.

Abstract: A series of N-alkanol-N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide and related derivatives of the Formula I are disclosed, wherein R1, R2, R3, X, and Y are defined herein. The compounds are inhibitors of ?-amyloid peptide (?-AP) production and are useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other conditions characterized by aberrant extracellular deposition of amyloid. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A communications system includes a physical layer hardware unit and a processing unit. The physical layer hardware unit is adapted to receive user data over a first communications channel and control codes over a second communications channel. The physical layer hardware unit is further adapted to transmit an upstream data signal over the first communications channel based on transmission assignments defined by the control codes. The processing unit is adapted to execute a software driver for interfacing with the physical layer hardware unit. The software driver includes program instructions for implementing a protocol layer to decrypt the user data and provide upstream data to the physical layer hardware unit for generation of the upstream data signal.

Abstract: A communications system includes a physical layer hardware unit and a processing unit. The physical layer hardware unit is adapted to communicate data over a communications channel in accordance with assigned transmission parameters. The physical layer hardware unit is adapted to receive an incoming signal over the communications channel and sample the incoming signal to generate a digital received signal. The processing unit is adapted to execute a standard mode driver in a standard mode of operation and a privileged mode driver in a privileged mode of operation. The standard mode driver includes program instructions adapted to extract control codes from the digital received signal and configure the physical layer hardware assigned transmission parameters based on the control codes.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel class of sulfonamide compounds. Compounds of the invention contain a core sulfonamide group. Variable moieties connected to the sulfur atom and nitrogen atom of the sulfonamide group include substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl moieties, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle moieties, polycyclic moieties, halogen, alkoxy, ether, ester, amide, sulfonyl, sulfonamidyl, sulfide, carbamate, and the like. Invention compounds are capable of a wide variety of uses. For example sulfonamide compounds can act to modulate production of amyloid ? protein and are useful in the prevention or treatment of a variety of diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions containing invention compounds are also provided. Such compositions have wide utility for the prevention or treatment of a variety of diseases.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for trapping metastability events to provide a metastable-free output signal. Values of an input signal compared to at least three different threshold voltages are latched at a predetermined point in time. A first intermediate signal is activate when all of the at least three corresponding latched values are in a first logic state. A second intermediate signal is activated when all of the at least three corresponding latched values are in second logic state. An output signal is placed in a first predetermined logic state in response to the second intermediate signal and is changed from the first predetermined logic state to a second predetermined logic state in response to the first intermediate signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a component having a synthetic wood layer that is secured to a foamed polymer layer. The foamed polymer layer is comprised of a polymer selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ethyl-vinyl acetate, and polystyrene. The component can be used for a variety of different purposes such as fencing, furniture, cabinets, storage devices, lawn edging, flower boxes, flooring, roofing, wall covering, building siding, basement flooring, basement wall covering, interior and exterior decorative house moldings, crown moldings, chair rails, picture frames, porch decks, deck railings, window moldings, window components, door components, door moldings, various other lawn and garden uses, various other below grade uses, and various other indoor and outdoor uses.

Abstract: A communications system includes physical layer hardware and a processing unit. The physical layer hardware is adapted to communicate data over a communications channel in accordance with a plurality of control codes. The physical layer hardware is adapted to demodulate an incoming analog signal to generate a digital receive signal and modulate a digital transmit signal to generate an analog transmit signal. The processing unit is adapted to execute a privileged driver for interfacing with the physical layer hardware. The privileged driver includes program instructions for implementing a protocol layer to decode the digital receive signal, encode the digital transmit signal, and configure the physical layer hardware for receipt of the digital receive signal and transmission of the digital transmit signal based on the plurality of control codes.

Abstract: A scalable optical interconnect includes a plurality of transmitters, a multiplexing subsystem able to combine the signals of the plurality of transmitters onto one or more transport fibers according to an orthogonal multiplexing scheme, multiple broadband burst-mode receivers structured and positioned so as to be capable of receiving any signal from any one transmitter of the plurality of transmitters, a distribution subsystem structured so as to be able to distribute independently and contemporaneously the signals of every transmitter to every receiver; and one or more selection subsystems structured and arranged so as to be capable of selecting, in less than 1 microsecond, a single channel from within the orthogonal multiplexing scheme. A method and architecture for distributed contention resolution is also disclosed.

Abstract: A document type can be defined using existing or newly-defined item types. A document instance is created using the document type. Roles are assigned to users, and users can interact with the document instance. Finally, the document instance can be processed in a workflow.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for trapping metastability events to provide a metastable-free output signal. At least three successive values of an input signal are latched successively over a predetermined period which is less than half of a fundamental period of the input signal to provide at least three corresponding latched values. First and second intermediate signals are activated when outputs of all of the at least three corresponding latched values are in respective first and second logic states. An output signal is placed in a first predetermined logic state in response to the second intermediate signal and is changed from the first predetermined logic state to a second predetermined logic state in response to the first intermediate signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated, functionally-active protein that catalyzes cleavage of a gamma-secretase substrate. The functional activity of the isolated protein suggests that the isolated protein includes gamma-secretase. In one embodiment, the isolated gamma-secretase protein is associated with PS1. The present invention also relates to homogeneous methods for monitoring cleavage of &bgr;-amyloid precursor protein (&bgr;APP) by gamma-secretase, wherein the steps of of isolating and retrieving cleavage products have been eliminated. Cleavage can be detected by binding a pair of fluorescent adducts to the gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragment. Preferably, a first fluorescent adduct binds to the carboxy-terminal end of the gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragment, with substantially no cross-reactivity to uncleaved &bgr;APP or to other types of gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragments, while a second fluorescent adduct binds to a portion within the amino-terminal region on the gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragment.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing specimens for microscopy including equipment for providing two or more of each of the following specimen processing activities under continuous vacuum conditions: plasma cleaning the specimen, ion beam or reactive ion beam etching the specimen, plasma etching the specimen and coating the specimen with a conductive material. Also, an apparatus and method for detecting a position of a surface of the specimen in a processing chamber, wherein the detected position is used to automatically move the specimen to appropriate locations for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A series of N-alkanol-N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide and related derivatives of the Formula I are disclosed, 1

Abstract: A computing device has a plurality of subsystems located in subsections that are moveable with respect to each other. Communication between the subsections is accomplished with wireless transceivers transmitting over the air gap interface separating the subsections. Data from multiple communicating subsystems in the subsections is multiplexed into a single data stream and encoded into the communication protocol of the wireless transceivers. The encoded data stream is transmitted to a compatible transceiver where it is decoded. The decoded data stream is demultiplexed into individual data streams for each of the communicating subsystems. The wireless transceivers include multiple communication protocols and transmission frequencies from radio frequencies to optical frequencies. Optical fibers, transmission lines or waveguides may be used to transmit signals within each subsection depending on the wireless technology and protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for bus arbitration. A computer system includes one or more buses for transferring data. Access to each bus is controlled by an arbitration unit. Various bus agents (i.e. peripherals) are coupled to the bus. Some bus agents are designated as normal-priority agents, while other bus agents are designated as high-priority bus agents. A high-priority bus agent may be a peripheral that is a latency-sensitive device. The arbitration unit may grant bus access to a normal-priority bus agent based on an arbitration scheme. When a high-priority bus agent requests access to the bus, the arbitration unit may cause the termination of access by the normal-priority bus agent. The high-priority bus agent is then granted access to the bus. When the high-priority bus agent has completed its use of the bus, the arbitration unit allows the normal-priority bus agent to regain access to the bus.