Abstract: Efforts to use RNA-cleaving DIMA enzymes (DNAzymes) as gene silencing agents in therapeutic applications have stalled due to their low efficacy in clinical trials. Here the present invention reports a xeno-nucleic acid (XNA) modified version of the classic DNAzyme 10-23 that achieves multiple turnover activity under cellular conditions and resists nuclease digestion. The new reagent overcomes the problem of product inhibition limiting previous 10-23 designs using molecular chemotypes with DNA. FANA, and TNA backbone architectures that balance the effects of enhanced biological stability with RNA hybridization and divalent metal ion coordination. In cultured mammalian cells. X 10-23 facilitates persistent gene silencing by efficiently degrading exogenous and endogenous mRNA transcripts. Together, these results demonstrate that new molecular chemotypes can improve the activity and stability of DNAzymes, and may provide a new route for nucleic acid enzymes to reach the clinic.

Abstract: Method and devices to reduce integrated circuit fabrication process yield loss due to undesired interactions between PCMs and the wafer test probes during wafer sorting tests are disclosed. The described methods entail the use of a properly patterned metal layer on the PCM dies adjacent to the product dies under test. Such patterned metal layers shield traces of the wafer probes from the circuits of the PCM dies. Various exemplary metal layer patterns are also presented.

Abstract: Method and devices to reduce integrated circuit fabrication process yield loss due to undesired interactions between PCMs and the wafer test probes during wafer sorting tests are disclosed. The described methods entail the use of a properly patterned metal layer on the PCM dies adjacent to the product dies under test. Such patterned metal layers shield traces of the wafer probes from the circuits of the PCM dies. Various exemplary metal layer patterns are also presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for automatically overriding an auto-skip command embedded in a media asset annotation when a user profile indicates a preference for content that is to be auto-skipped. To this end, a media guidance application may play back a media asset to a user, and detect therein a skip annotation that corresponds to a portion of the media asset that is to be played back. The media guidance application may, in response to detecting the skip annotation, access metadata indicating content of the portion, compare the metadata to entries of a profile of the user, and determine whether the user prefers the content based on the comparing. if the user prefers the content, the media guidance application may refrain from executing a skip command indicated by the skip annotation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for automatically overriding an auto-skip command embedded in a media asset annotation when a user profile indicates a preference for content that is to be auto-skipped. To this end, a media guidance application may play back a media asset to a user, and detect therein a skip annotation that corresponds to a portion of the media asset that is to be played back. The media guidance application may, in response to detecting the skip annotation, access metadata indicating content of the portion, compare the metadata to entries of a profile of the user, and determine whether the user prefers the content based on the comparing. if the user prefers the content, the media guidance application may refrain from executing a skip command indicated by the skip annotation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for automatically overriding an auto-skip command embedded in a media asset annotation when a user profile indicates a preference for content that is to be auto-skipped. To this end, a media guidance application may play back a media asset to a user, and detect therein a skip annotation that corresponds to a portion of the media asset that is to be played back. The media guidance application may, in response to detecting the skip annotation, access metadata indicating content of the portion, compare the metadata to entries of a profile of the user, and determine whether the user prefers the content based on the comparing. If the user prefers the content, the media guidance application may refrain from executing a skip command indicated by the skip annotation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for automatically overriding an auto-skip command embedded in a media asset annotation when a user profile indicates a preference for content that is to be auto-skipped. To this end, a media guidance application may play back a media asset to a user, and detect therein a skip annotation that corresponds to a portion of the media asset that is to be played back. The media guidance application may, in response to detecting the skip annotation, access metadata indicating content of the portion, compare the metadata to entries of a profile of the user, and determine whether the user prefers the content based on the comparing. If the user prefers the content, the media guidance application may refrain from executing a skip command indicated by the skip annotation.