Abstract: A method for graphically presenting auction information. Characteristics of an auction for an item are received, wherein the characteristics comprise a target price for the item and a close time of the auction. The auction is then published to at least one bidder. At least one bid is received at a bid time, wherein the bid comprises a price for the item. A graphical presentation of status of the auction is generated, presenting auction information. The graphical presentation comprises a first axis and a second axis, wherein the bid is plotted as a point within the graphical presentation where the first axis corresponds to the bid time and the second axis corresponds to the price. New bids received are automatically plotted in real-time.

Abstract: A parallel operation keyboard (POK) which enables a user to provide multiple inputs simultaneously in managing a process control plant. A lock is provided to disable such simultaneous inputs. In an embodiment, multiple groups of keys are provided, with each group of keys being operable independently to modify the parameter value of a corresponding control loop. A network management station (NMS) and a server are designed to provide a suitable interface. In one implementation, each group of keys contains four keys respectively specifying increasing the parameter value, decreasing the parameter value, manual mode (in which the present level of the variable is controlled by the increase/decrease keys) and normal mode (in which the set point, i.e., the desired value, for the variable is controlled).

Abstract: An abuse resistant oral pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a barrier layer, comprising a first polymer; a diffusion layer, comprising a second polymer, substantially covering the barrier layer, wherein the diffusion layer is bonded to the barrier layer and comprises a drug that is substantially homogeneously distributed within the second polymer and diffuses from the diffusion layer within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and optionally an expansion layer comprising an expandable polymer, wherein the expansion layer is substantially covered by the barrier layer. Methods of making the same and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a drug eluting stent, is disclosed. The method includes subjecting an implantable medical device that includes a polymer to a thermal condition. The thermal condition can result in reduction of the rate of release of an active agent from the device subsequent to the implantation of the device and/or improve the mechanical properties of a polymeric coating on the device.

Abstract: A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound barrier comprising at least one composite resonator element; and (b) placing the at least one sound barrier in at least one gas stream that is at least partially enclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a drug eluting stent, is disclosed. The method includes subjecting an implantable medical device that includes a polymer to a thermal condition. The thermal condition can result in reduction of the rate of release of an active agent from the device subsequent to the implantation of the device and/or improve the mechanical properties of a polymeric coating on the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing xylitol from xylose by a yeast strain capable of converting the xylose to xylitol comprising independently growing the yeast strain in a medium; transferring the yeast strain from the medium to a feed solution, the feed solution comprising of xylose in water, and separating the xylitol from said feed solution.

Abstract: A communication system comprising at least one communication unit. Each communication unit includes an interface port, a first-digital-subscriber-line port, a second-digital-subscriber-line port, and a central processing unit. The central processing unit is communicatively coupled to receive information indicative of the operability of the first-digital-subscriber-line port and the second-digital-subscriber-line port. The at least one communication unit is implemented on the physical layer in single-pair mode. The at least one communication unit is configured to switch from sending timeslots in dual-pair mode to sending timeslots in 1+1 protection mode when communication on one of the first-digital-subscriber-line port and the second-digital-subscriber-line port fails.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining a lineage of a schema in one or more documents are provided. The techniques include using a schema to find a document that is most relevant to the schema, obtaining one or more relevant portions of the most relevant document that is related to the schema, constructing a first probe set from the one or more relevant portions of the document, using the first probe set to discover one or more documents for obtaining lineage information, discovering a second probe set from the one or more documents, and recursively using the second probe set to discover a related document.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating an electromechanical systems device that minimize critical dimension (CD) loss in the device are described. The methods provide electromechanical systems devices with improved properties, including high reflectivity.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining a lineage of a schema in one or more documents are provided. The techniques include using a schema to find a document that is most relevant to the schema, obtaining one or more relevant portions of the most relevant document that is related to the schema, constructing a first probe set from the one or more relevant portions of the document, using the first probe set to discover one or more documents for obtaining lineage information, discovering a second probe set from the one or more documents, and recursively using the second probe set to discover a related document.

Abstract: A strategy of controlling a state of hydration of a fuel cell(s) and actively managing operation of the fuel cell(s) to achieve a desired state of hydration. The control strategy monitors the state of hydration and a rate of change of the state of hydration which are used to control the operation of the fuel cell(s). A supervisory control strategy is implemented that alters the operating parameters of the fuel cell(s) based upon the state of hydration, the rate of change of the state of hydration, and a desired operational range for the state of hydration.

Abstract: An initial item is grouped into a cluster defined by a query expression applied to a description of the item. Given the initial item, its associated cluster is accessed, and another item is identified based on the initial item's cluster or from a cluster designated as similar to the initial item's cluster. Once identified, the other item is presented as related to the initial item.

Abstract: Systems and methods, including computer software products, for processing gray colors in a conversion between color spaces involve identifying a lookup table used to convert a color value from a first color space to a second color space. The method includes identifying a pure gray color value from a first plurality of color values, determining a corresponding pure gray color value in the second color space substantially equivalent to the pure gray color value from the first plurality, and replacing a corresponding non-pure gray color value with the corresponding pure gray color value. The method includes identifying near gray color values in the second plurality of color values that are located in relatively close proximity in the lookup table to the corresponding pure gray color value in the second color space. The method also includes modifying the lookup table by replacing the near gray color values using a smoothing function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for testing the electrical characteristics of reflective displays, including interferometric modulator displays. In one embodiment, a controlled voltage is applied to conductive leads in the display and the resulting current is measured. The voltage may be controlled so as to ensure that interferometric modulators do not actuate during the resistance measurements. Also disclosed are methods for conditioning interferometric modulator display by applying a voltage waveform that causes actuation of interferometric modulators in the display.

Abstract: A quiescent state retention mode (QSRM) permits minimal power consumption and dissipation by an electronic device while idle without producing adverse latencies to users or causing system instability. Upon a call to enter the QSRM, processes may be frozen, clocks may be gated, switching regulators may be placed in low power mode, SDRAM may be placed into self-refresh mode, caches may be flushed, IRQs may be disabled, and the system waits for interrupt to wakeup. In the QSRM, powered components include the switching regulator configured to provide power to the processor is maintained in a low power mode while the SDRAM is placed in self-refresh.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for fabricating a microelectromechanical systems device. The method comprises fabricating a first layer comprising a film having a characteristic electromechanical response, and a characteristic optical response, wherein the characteristic optical response is desirable and the characteristic electromechanical response is undesirable; and modifying the characteristic electromechanical response of the first layer by at least reducing charge build up thereon during activation of the microelectromechanical systems device.

Abstract: To provide collaborative business intelligence in an enterprise, an analytics platform is provided to receive an event associated with the enterprise and to perform analysis in response to the event. A virtual collaboration platform is provided to enable plural users to interact with each other and to use resources of the analytics platform.

Abstract: A method for preparing gallium nitride nanoparticles includes providing a pair of electrodes; the pair of electrodes being opposedly disposed to one another. One electrode of the pair of electrodes is filled with gallium nitride powder. The pair of electrodes is dipped in a liquid. An arc discharge is produced between the pair of electrodes. The arc discharge produces a plasma between the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A communication network comprises a first central digital subscriber line (DSL) unit having at least one application port and a plurality of DSL ports; a first remote DSL unit having at least one application port and at least one DSL port, wherein the first remote DSL unit is communicatively coupled to the central DSL unit via a first single independent DSL pair having a first EOC channel; and a second remote DSL unit having at least one application port and at least one DSL port, wherein the second remote DSL unit is communicatively coupled to the central DSL unit via a second single independent DSL pair having a second EOC channel; wherein the at least one application port in the central DSL unit is communicatively coupled to an application port in at least one of the first remote DSL unit and the second remote DSL unit.