Abstract: A multiplexer containing multiple cells sharing a common output line. The cells select one of multiple input bits. The output line is first charged to a first logical value (e.g., 0), and one of the cells drives the output line to a second logical value (1) if the corresponding input bit does not equal the first logical value. The remaining cells may not affect the output line. Due to such an implementation, the number of transistors may be reduced.

Abstract: A method of determining laser parameters for lysing cells involves exposing cells from a sub-sample of a sample to laser light. At least one parameter of the laser is varied, and damage to intracellular molecules of sub-samples of the sample at such varied parameters is measured. At least one parameter is determined based on the measured damage. In one embodiment, the laser parameters comprise power, wavelength and duration. A microchannel system provides a transport mechanism for cells to be lysed. The microchannel system is combined with a laser to lyse cells while they are being transported. The laser is disposed within a trench to expose the cells in the channels in one embodiment. In still further embodiments, the laser is integrated into a semiconductor substrate in which the channels are formed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for improving communication in an optical communication system having spectrally shaped pulses. Embodiments of the systems and methods include sending a first spectrally shaped pulse over a channel connecting a transmitter and a receiver. Then, comparing the spectrally shaped pulse received at the receiver to a predetermined spectrally shaped pulse. The systems and methods further include obtaining a preemphasis coefficient that describes the difference between the spectrally shaped pulse received at the receiver to the predetermined spectrally shaped pulse by utilizing a mathematical description of C(&ohgr;k)e j(&ggr;&bgr;(&ohgr;k)) and multiplying a second spectrally shaped pulse with the preemphasis coefficient before sending the second spectrally shaped pulse to the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to at least one novel anti-alpha-V subunit antibodies, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one anti-alpha-V subunit antibody, alpha-V subunit, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.

Abstract: A reverse link modulator modulates the incoming data sequence for the I and Q channels of a wireless device such that the resulting spreading sequence never undergoes a transition through the origin. Consequently, the modulator has a reduced peak-to-average ratio and provides an improved battery life.

Abstract: Methods for the use of antibodies directed toward IL-6, including specified portions or variants, specific for at least one Interleukin-6 (IL-6 also known as interferon &bgr;2)) protein or fragment thereof, in combination with steroids for the treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancer which are amenable to treatment by apoptosis inducing agents.

Abstract: A high speed parser containing a content addressable memory (CAM) providing select values to multiplexers. The CAM is programmed to implement search rules which examine input data for specific semantics according to a protocol, and outputs the specific bit positions at which the corresponding desired data units are present. The outputs are provided to multiplexers to cause the desired data units to be selected on the corresponding output paths of the multiplexors.

Abstract: A multiplexer containing multiple cells sharing a common output line. The cells select one of multiple input bits. The output line is first charged to a first logical value (e.g., 0), and one of the cells drives the output line to a second logical value (1) if the corresponding input bit does not equal the first logical value. The remaining cells may not affect the output line. Due to such an implementation, the number of transistors may be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of etching polysilicon gates using a silicon dioxide hard mask. The process includes exposing a substrate with a polysilicon layer formed thereon to a plasma of a process gas, which includes a base gas and an additive gas. The base gas includes HBr, Cl2, O2, and the additive gas is NF3 and/or N2. By changing a volumetric flow ratio of the additive gas to the base gas, the etch rate selectivity of polysilicon to silicon dioxide may be increased, which allows for a thinner hard mask, better protection of the gate oxide layer, and better endpoint definition and control. Additionally, when the polysilicon layer includes both N-doped and P-doped regions, the additive gas includes both NF3 and N2, and by changing a volumetric flow ratio of NF3 to N2, the etching process may be tailored to provide optimal results in N/P loading and microloading.

Abstract: A Novel surgical apparatus and method of use in osteoplasty and other methods of injecting materials into a subject for medical purposes. The present invention particularly relates to the surgical treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of the human and other animal body systems and more particularly, to a novel apparatus and method for injection of a material into a lesion of a vertebral body or other bony structure.

Abstract: A range check array structure for searching and comparing external data from an external search data key is disclosed. The structure has data storage means with at least one of an upper limit field, and a lower limit field, and one or more bit lines running therethrough for transmitting an input data word for comparison with the stored data word range. The input data word being compared with a respective stored data word to detect a match that is indicated along a match line by the check array structure. The check array structure further includes a range match detection means connected to the match line to determine the match or mismatch of the applied data stream with the stored data in each range check cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for interleaving and de-interleaving frame symbols using a single memory buffer. Input frame symbols are read out in an interleaved sequence (or de-interleaved sequence) on a symbol by symbol basis. Frame symbols following the input frame symbols are written into memory locations from where the input frame symbols were read.

Abstract: A time-based breakpoint facility is provided in a debugger, to allow programmers to establish time-based breakpoints at any line of code. If the line is executed and the time specified elapses, then the program execution consequently stops. The debugger keeps track of the time elapsed for each such time-based breakpoint. There may be many criteria for calculation of the time for each breakpoint.

Abstract: In a method of generating a virtual map to a plurality of data files necessary for installing software on a computer that is coupled to a network, a primary directory that includes a plurality of links is generated. Each link points to a subdirectory that lists at least one file that is necessary for installing the software. Any subdirectories pointed to by any of the of links that contain redundant files are detected and any links pointing to redundant files are removed from the primary directory. All conflicts between files pointed to by any links of the plurality of links are detected and listed in a conflict report.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for editing configuration data such that alterations in one representation of the configuration data are reflected in one or more other representations of the configuration data. The altered configuration data may take effect without having to restart a corresponding program module. Multiple alterations to the configuration data may be consolidated. A differencing operation may be used to identify an altered portion of the configuration data. For one or more altered portions, an “updategram” may be generated and used to update a multiple program modules at various interconnected computer systems. A history of alterations to configuration data also may be maintained, making it possible to revert to an earlier version of the configuration data. Erroneous data may be ignored. Access to updated representations of the configuration data may be provided at a configuration management interface.

Abstract: A method of etching a magnetic material (e.g., nickel-iron alloy (NiFe), cobalt-iron alloy (CoFe), and the like) using a gas mixture comprising a hydrogen halide gas and a fluorocarbon-containing gas is disclosed. The method provides high etch selectivity for the magnetic materials over non-magnetic dielectric materials, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and the like, as well as to photoresist.

Abstract: A novel surgical apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery procedures and a method for use is provided. The present invention relates primarily to the treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of human and other animal body systems and, more particularly, to a novel apparatus and method for manipulating the vertebral body through a less invasive, percutaneous, surgical approach.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of presenting an electronic bill from a biller to a customer over a computer network includes steps of receiving biller-originated bill data and bill format data over the network into a bill presentment and payment database. The inputted bill data and bill format data are then stored in a first area of the bill presentment and payment database. The stored bill data and/or the bill format data is then validated and the validated bill data and/or the format data is swapped from the first area to a second area of the bill presentment and payment database, the second area being accessible to the customer. The bill, now incorporating the validated bill data and formatted according to the bill format data, may then be presented to the customer. A third, customer accessible area may be included in the database to archive the bills. The bill format data may include a plurality of bill templates, each of which may define a distinct appearance for the bill.

Abstract: A computer system for conducting electronic commerce. The system provides multiple electronic shopping carts for each user. Each electronic shopping cart has an indication of items currently within the electronic shopping cart and billing and shipment information. The system generates a display that identifies each of the electronic shopping carts and sends the generated display to a user computer system. The system then receives a selection of one of the identified electronic shopping carts from the user computer system and receives a selection of an item from the user computer system. In response to receiving the selection of the item, the system adds the item to the selected electronic shopping cart. The system then receives an indication to checkout the items in the selected electronic shopping cart from the user computer system.