Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etch stop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etch stop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etch stop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant forms of Msp. The invention also relates to nucleic acid characterisation using Msp.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etch stop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etch stop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etch stop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: A power distribution system such as a marine power distribution and propulsion system. The system includes an ac busbar and a plurality of active front end power converters. Each AFE power converter includes a first active rectifier/inverter connected to the busbar and a second active rectifier/inverter connected to an electrical load such as an electric propulsion motor. Power sources are connected to the dc link of the AFE power converters and can be operated under the control of a power management controller or power management system.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a membrane having a tampered pore, a polymeric membrane having a tapered pore, and uses of such polymeric membrane are disclosed. The membrane includes apertures of increasing diameter which are aligned with each other to form the tapered pore.

Abstract: A communications system may include at least one wireless communications device and a plurality of electronic mail (email) servers for storing email messages for the at least one wireless communications device. The system may further include an email relay server for detecting a new email message on a given one of the email servers and, based thereon, sending a short message service (SMS) notification with a unique server identifier (ID) of the given email server to the at least one wireless communications device. The at least one wireless communications device may detect the SMS notification and send an email retrieval request to the email relay server instructing the email relay server to retrieve email messages from the given server based upon the unique server ID.

Abstract: A power distribution system is described that does not rely on a fixed frequency and which therefore allows prime movers to run at different speeds in response to load demand, typically so that fuel consumption and/or harmful exhaust emissions is/are minimised. A marine power distribution and propulsion system can include an ac busbar adapted to carry a variable-frequency ac distribution voltage. A plurality of ac generators are connected to the busbar, each having an associated prime mover such as a diesel engine, turbine etc. A power management controller is adapted to vary the rotational speed of the prime movers with reference to the electrical load on the ac busbar such that the generators provide a variable frequency output during normal operation of the power distribution system. Such operation is to be contrasted with conventional distribution systems which have a fixed frequency.

Abstract: A self -piercing rivet (10) for forming joints in stacked sheets of high or low strength, light alloy metals such as aluminium and magnesium. The rivet (10) comprises a head (11) and a substantially cylindrical shank (12) that is at least partially hollow so as to define a bore (13) that extends along at least part of its length. The outside diameter (D1) of the shank (12) is at least 6 mm, the effective length of the rivet is at least 1.3 times the diameter of the shank and the bore (13) has a volume that is at least 38% of the effective solid volume of the rivet (10). The rivet geometry is such that it has enhanced column strength to withstand the high insertion forces required and a high bore volume to accommodate displaced sheet material.

Abstract: A method to confirm delivery of data to a receiving device via a sending socket is disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises determining when a predetermined amount of data has been removed from a send buffer of the sending socket and sending a confirmation when the predetermined amount of data has been removed from the send buffer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of riveting comprising using a punch (1) to push a rivet (9) through a workpiece (5) such that a shank (10) of the rivet (9) is received in a die (3) defined by a die body (3) which is in contact with the workpiece, a slug of material (16) being removed from the workpiece (5) by the rivet (9) and being received in the die, the method further comprising closing or substantially closing the die using a rod (4) and using the rod to upset the shank of the rivet.

Abstract: Accessing, via an end user device, email messages of an external mail source. A direct access proxy is operative to reconcile the email contents of external email sources with the email contents of user devices through the use of lists of unique email identifiers (UIDs). A Partition Database returns UID lists reflective of the UIDs of email messages previously received from the external email source and forwarded to a network server of the system (forwarded UID lists). A memory cache external to the direct access proxy and its corresponding Partition Database returns forwarded UID lists. The direct access proxy determines the data reliability of the Partition Database and memory cache, and obtains forwarded UID lists from the memory cache when it determines that the memory cache is at least as reliable as the Partition Database.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antigen binding proteins, such as antibodies, that bind to HER3, polynucleotides encoding such antigen binding proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antigen binding proteins and methods of manufacture. The present disclosure also concerns the use of such antigen binding proteins in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases associated with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic, gastric, melanoma and other cancers that overexpress HER3.

Abstract: A communications system may include a client device for generating email processing jobs and a proxy server communicating asynchronously over the Internet with the client device for processing the email processing jobs. The client device may post a given email processing job to the proxy server with a unique job identifier (ID), and the proxy server thereafter may post job results for the given email processing job to the client device also with the unique job ID. The client device may also advantageously post at least one other email processing job to the proxy server over the Internet at a time between posting the given email processing job and receiving the job results therefor.

Abstract: Accessing, via an end user device, email messages of an external mail source. A direct access proxy is operative to reconcile the email contents of external email sources with the email contents of user devices through the use of lists of unique email identifiers (UIDs). A Partition Database returns UID lists reflective of the UIDs of email messages previously received from the external email source and forwarded to a network server of the system (forwarded UID lists). A memory cache external to the direct access proxy and its corresponding Partition Database returns forwarded UID lists. The direct access proxy determines the data reliability of the Partition Database and memory cache, and obtains forwarded UID lists from the memory cache when it determines that the memory cache is at least as reliable as the Partition Database.

Abstract: A method for automated selection of a user account is provided. The method includes analyzing a plurality of parameters associated with operation of plurality of user accounts on a mobile device and selecting a user account based on the analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing blood glucose levels in hyperglycaemic subjects. The methods and compositions may therefore be suitable for treating a disease or condition associated with hyperglycaemia such as, for example, obesity (particularly diet induced obesity (DIO)), weight gain, Type II diabetes mellitus, insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose tolerance and inflammation. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering a melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R) agonist to one or more skeletal muscle cells of the subject. Preferred MC5R agonists are those that specifically activate MC5R and/or enhance expression of MC5R, such as the melanocortin analogue, Ac-Nle-c[Asp-Pro-D-Nal(2?)-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2.

Abstract: Accessing, via an end user device, email messages of an external mail source. A direct access proxy is operative to reconcile the email contents of external email sources with the email contents of user devices through the use of lists of unique email identifiers (UIDs). A Partition Database returns UID lists reflective of the UIDs of email messages previously received from the external email source and forwarded to a network server of the system (forwarded UID lists). A memory cache external to the direct access proxy and its corresponding Partition Database returns forwarded UID lists. The direct access proxy determines the data reliability of the Partition Database and memory cache, and obtains forwarded UID lists from the memory cache when it determines that the memory cache is at least as reliable as the Partition Database.

Abstract: The invention relates to combinations of HGF antagonists with VEGF antagonists, and provides antigen-binding proteins which bind to HGF comprising a protein scaffold which are linked to one or more epitope-binding domains wherein the antigen-binding protein has at least two antigen binding sites at least one of which is from an epitope binding domain and at least one of which is from a paired VH/VL domain, methods of making such constructs and uses thereof.

Abstract: A communications system may include a plurality of data storage devices each using at least one of a plurality of different operating protocols, and a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices for accessing the plurality of data storage devices. Each mobile wireless communications device may also use at least one of the plurality of different operating protocols. The system may further include a protocol interface device. In particular, the protocol interface device may include a protocol engine module for communicating with the plurality of data storage devices using respective operating protocols, and a front-end proxy module coupled to the protocol engine. The front-end proxy module may include a respective proxy module for communicating with the plurality of mobile wireless communications devices using each different operating protocol, and at least one common core service module connected to the proxy modules.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating benzenepolycarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof, such as esters and/or anhydrides, is provided.