Abstract: A reading unit for reading data from a digital data carrier, the reading unit comprising: a reading head including a sensor for sensing data from the data carrier and generating a sensor signal indicative for the sensed data; head positioning apparatus for positioning the head relative to the data carrier in response to a head positioning control signal; a head positioning controller for receiving the sensed data and being operable in accordance with a stored instruction set to process the sensed data to generate the head positioning control signal; and a data decoder for decoding the sensed data to form a digital output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a travelling porous web of material in a predetermined gaseous atmosphere comprising a process chamber (1) through which a moving web of porous material (2) is transported from an inlet at a first end of the process chamber (1) to an outlet at a second end of the process chamber (1) and a means for introducing and controlling required gas intended to provide said predetermined gaseous atmosphere in the chamber, (1). The inlet and outlet each comprise a sealing means (4a, 4b) designed to enable passage of the web of material therethrough whilst minimising the ingress of an external gas boundary layer around said material.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a travelling web of material in a predetermined gaseous atmosphere comprising a chamber (1) through which a moving web of material (2) is transported from an inlet at a first end of the chamber (1) to an outlet at a second end and a means for introducing and controlling gas (5) intended to provide said predetermined gaseous atmosphere within said chamber (1), wherein said inlet and outlet each comprise a sealing means (4a, 4b) designed to enable passage of said web of material (2) therethrough whilst minimising the ingress of an external gas boundary layer (3) around said web of material (2) characterised in that said apparatus also comprises one or more re-circulation channels (7, 8) adapted to re-circulate gases within said chamber (1) from the second end of the chamber to the first end of the chamber thereby negating or substantially negating any pressure difference within the chamber (1) between said inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating, preventing or ameliorating neoplasia in a subject. This method includes administering to the subject an amount of actein or an amount of an extract of black cohosh that contains a triterpene glycoside, which amount of the actein or black cohosh is effective to treat, prevent or ameliorate the neoplasia, in combination with an amount of a statin which is effective to treat, prevent, or ameliorate the neoplasia. Related methods for treating, preventing or ameliorating breast cancer, or liver cell neoplasia are also provided. In addition, methods for modulating a cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and a stress response pathway in a subject are provided. These methods include administering to a subject a composition comprising an anti-neoplastic synergistic amount of a statin and actein. Compositions for carrying out such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing an automated and dynamically responsive infrastructure to support online subscription services. The system includes one or more components to coordinate and manage a plurality of services offered by multiple service providers. This can include automatically creating and managing billing accounts for customers subscribing to such services. At least one engine is provided to process multiple rules in response to subscription events that occur in connection with the services in order to facilitate service delivery. At least one rating processor is provided to process multiple rating rules in response to subscription events for currency and non-currency resources.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exercise device, comprising an elongate member, the elongate member having a pair of end regions, a pair of opposed end portions each associated with a corresponding end region, each end portion having a body, each body having one of a pair of opposed first end faces, at least a pair of first weighted segments, each weighted segment for removable attachment to the elongate member and/or a corresponding end portion in an operative position, each first weighted segment having a second end face, the first and second faces abutting one another in the operative position, each anchor portion having a first exterior surface region, each first weighted segment having a second exterior surface region which, in the operative position, is complementary with the first exterior surface region.

Abstract: Perforated retroreflective fabric, trim or tape that comprises a substrate (30) having a first and second sides and a plurality of openings (39) extending between the sides, providing a backing (50) on the first side of the substrate, providing a retroreflective layer (40) on the second side of the substrate, adhering the retroreflective layer to the second side and to the backing through said openings and removing the backing from the first side to strip away the retroreflective layer adhered to the backing through the openings in the substrate.

Abstract: Thermodynamically stable solutions of chalcogenide-bound Ln compounds with one or more Ln ions coordinated or bound by chalcogenolate, chalcogenide or polychalcogenido ligands by means of the ligand chalcogenide atom, wherein the Ln compounds are dissolved at a level up to about 90 vol. % in a host solvent optically transparent to wavelengths at which excitation, fluorescence or luminescence of the Ln ions occurs.

Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a system and/or methodology that provides an automated and dynamically responsive infrastructure to support online subscription services. The system coordinates and manages services offered by service providers. This can include automatically creating and managing billing accounts for customers. At least one engine is provided to process multiple rules in response to subscription events that occur in connection with the services to facilitate service delivery. At least one rating processor is provided to process multiple rating rules in response to subscription events.

Abstract: Described are estradiol-containing pharmaceutical compositions and, and methods using the same to alleviate menopause-related symptoms, such as hot flushes, by topically administering estradiol at low effective doses.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of monolithic silica under mild conditions from alkoxysilanes derived from sugars, sugar acids, sugar alcohols and polysaccharides including glycerol, sorbitol, mannose and dextran. Unlike the commonly used silica starting material TEOS (Si(OEt)4), the sol-gel hydrolysis and cure of the sugar derivatives are not very sensitive to pH as similar rates of gelation were observed over a pH range of about 5.5-11. The morphology of the resulting silicas could be varied using specific additives, including multivalent ions and hydrophilic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-step method of preparing methylsilsequixane (MSQ) materials suitable for chromatographic applications comprising treating a MSQ precursor with a suitable acid followed by treatment with a suitable base under conditions to form a MSQ monolith suitable for chromatographic applications.

Abstract: Methods for the selection of novel signaling allosteric DNA enzymes are provided. In particular, fluorescent signaling allosteric DNA enzymes are described. The selection system is based on the cleavage of an ribonucleotide flanked by a fluorophore modified nucleotide and a quencher modified oligonucleotide. Both cis-acting and trans-acting allosteric DNA enzymes are identified, as well as aptamer/DNA enzyme conjugates.

Abstract: A method for performing a wire-bonding operation in an integrated circuit utilizes a bonding tool. A wire is bonded to a first bond site in the integrated circuit, and terminated at a second bond site in the integrated circuit. The bonding and terminating steps are repeated for a plurality of additional wire bonds of the integrated circuit. At least two wire bonds in the integrated circuit are substantially perpendicular to one another at a crossing point in a plan view of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening compounds for modulation and binding to proteins, in particular proteins that have been immobilized in a monolithic chromatographic stationary phase. The method involves observing the conversion of a substrate to product by the protein and determining a product to substrate ratio. Changes in this ratio in the presence of another compound indicates that the other compound is a modulator of the enzyme. Various applications of this method to compound screening, including high throughput screening formats, are described.

Abstract: Device packages often include walls build on a heat sink that surrounds a device die that thermally interacts with the heat sink. Use of raised or depressed feature on said heat sink that contacts the walls improves the cohesiveness of the package. By appropriately positioning these features contaminant infusion into the package is improved without degrading cohesiveness.

Abstract: Devices such as amplifiers are built on a heat sink having a perimeter wall surrounding active electronic devices. Surprisingly formation of wire bonds to such devices tends to be degraded if they have an aspect ratio greater than 2:1. This problem is overcome by forming wire bonds before such walls have a height of 30 mils and after bond formation extending the walls to their final height.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided having a substrate, at least one integrated circuit element and a leadframe. The integrated circuit element and the leadframe are disposed on the substrate. The leadframe has at least one lead and at least one encapsulant dam disposed on the at least one lead. The encapsulant dam has at least one chamfered edge to provide clearance for a wire feed during a wire-bonding process.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is wire bonded in a manner such that there is consistent RF performance from integrated circuit package to integrated circuit package. Bond distances within the integrated circuit are measured, each corresponding to a wire bond to be formed. An area under a hypothetical wire bond profile is calculated as a function of the bond distances, a baseline wire length, and a baseline loop height. A wire is bonded across a given one of the bond distances to form a given one of the wire bonds. A wire bond profile for the given wire bond is provided having an area thereunder that is substantially equal to the calculated area.

Abstract: The specification describes a plastic cavity package for semiconductor devices that provides additional mechanical integrity for leads that extend from the plastic housing. Portions of the leads that are within the plastic housing are provided with cutouts. When the plastic housing is formed, or when the cavity is filled with polymer, plastic material fills the cutout, and joins to the mass of plastic on either side of the cutout, thus forming a continuous integral mass of plastic. The end result is that the plastic in the cutout, coupled to the main plastic mass, and to the rigid package sidewall, forms an effective anchor against pulling and bending forces the leads may encounter in manufacture or use.