Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive change management in a network are provided. A configuration change can be specified and pre-validated according to the access path policy, before the actual changes are implemented. The conformance of the implemented configuration change with the access path policy is validated after implementation, because of possible consequential effects of the configuration change. If a change in one or more access paths is specified, then associated component events can be simulated before implementation, so that root causes for resulting access path violations can be detected and remedied before the changes are made.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for creating ad groups based on sequential search queries are disclosed. A seed ad group theme can be selected. Aggregated sequential search queries can be obtained from a seed search query having identical terms as the seed ad group theme. The aggregated sequential search queries can be used as additional ad group themes for generating new ad groups. Keywords can be selected for each new ad groups based on one or more performance criteria. Performance of ad groups and keywords and changes in aggregated sequential search queries can be monitored for subsequent ad group creation, removal, and dynamic tuning.

Abstract: A transaction card with improved security features, comprising: an authentication unit and a magnetic stripe wherein parts of the magnetic field pattern of said magnetic stripe are generated by currents running through coils only after the authentication unit authenticates the transaction card holder. One or more sensors detect attempts to read the card by two magnetic heads, and block the card if a cloning attempt is suspected. The transaction card is thus closed for transactions in a normal state, and the magnetic information is not readable. Only after the card holder authentication, then currents are run through the coils to generate the magnetic information and make the magnetic stripe readable by commercial devices. Authentication means may include entering a PIN via a keyboard, entering a PIN via a keypad, voice recognition identification of one or more voices, biometric identification, or identification via a connection to a remote device.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing and analyzing an access path event history in a network is provided. Inconsistencies in the physical and logical access paths when making changes in the network are detected and analyzed. Component events associated with network appliances are recorded and an event sequence is constructed. Root causes for the inconsistencies are identified and the access paths are repaired in conformance with the network access path policy. The method and systems can be applied to networks in general, and more particularly to storage area networks (SAN).

Abstract: Systems and processes for determining and validating accessibility and currency, i.e., the actual status, of data replicated in a networked environment are disclosed. According to the disclosed process, a replicated-data policy for replicating data is defined, and access paths between network devices or between applications running on the network devices are monitored, for example, by a replicated-data monitor. Also monitored are the data replication activities in the network. The currency, i.e., timeliness, and accessibility of a replica by a network device is then compared with the requirements in the replicated-data policy and discrepancies with the replicated-data policy are identified, optionally accompanied by a notification.

Abstract: Systems and processes for determining and validating accessibility and currency, i.e., the actual status, of data replicated in a networked environment are disclosed. According to the disclosed process, a replicated-data policy for replicating data is defined, and access paths between network devices or between applications running on the network devices are monitored, for example, by a replicated-data monitor. Also monitored are the data replication activities in the network. The currency, i.e., timeliness, and accessibility of a replica by a network device is then compared with the requirements in the replicated-data policy and discrepancies with the replicated-data policy are identified, optionally accompanied by a notification.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive change management in a network are provided. A configuration change can be specified and pre-validated according to the access path policy, before the actual changes are implemented. The conformance of the implemented configuration change with the access path policy is validated after implementation, because of possible consequential effects of the configuration change. If a change in one or more access paths is specified, then associated component events can be simulated before implementation, so that root causes for resulting access path violations can be detected and remedied before the changes are made.

Abstract: A method and system for validating logical access path in a storage area network is provided. It supports definition of a SAN access path policy that represent which application to data LUN logical access paths should not exist, which should exist, and what should be the end-to-end attributes of each. It performs the SAN-customized graph-based validation algorithm based on information it collects automatically from devices distributed across the SAN using a variety of non-intrusive mechanisms. It enables to identify violations of actual logical access paths relative to the required access paths as determined by the policy. It enables notification about violations, with all their relevant context information, to the appropriate target recipient using a variety of means.

Abstract: Methods and systems for periodically analyzing and correcting storage load imbalances in a storage network environment including virtual machines are described. These methods and systems account for various resource types, logical access paths, and relationships among different storage environment components. Load balancing may be managed in terms of input/output (I/O) traffic and storage utilization. The aggregated information is stored, and may be used to identify and correct load imbalances in a virtual server environment in order to prevent primary congestion and bottlenecks.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive change management in a network are provided. A configuration change can be specified and pre-validated according to the access path policy, before the actual changes are implemented. The conformance of the implemented configuration change with the access path policy is validated after implementation, because of possible consequential effects of the configuration change. If a change in one or more access paths is specified, then associated component events can be simulated before implementation, so that root causes for resulting access path violations can be detected and remedied before the changes are made.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical etching of a semiconductor material using positive potential dissolution (PPD) in solutions that do not contain hydrofluoric acid (HF-free solutions). The method includes immersing an as-cut semiconductor material in an etching solution, and positive biasing at atypically highly positive (anodic) potentials, thereby significantly increasing the value of the anodic current density (measured as A/cm2) of the semiconductor material. The application of positive biasing at atypically highly positive (anodic) potentials, is combined with specifically controlling and directing illumination on the semiconductor material surface contacted and wetted by the etching solution. This is done for a necessary and sufficient period of time to enable a positive synergistic effect on the rate and extent of etching of the semiconductor material therefrom.

Abstract: An integrated module for a fiber optic gyroscope system includes a fiber optic sensing coil arranged to sense rotations about a sensing axis via the Sagnac effect comprises a substrate, an optical waveguide formed on the substrate, a light source comprising a doped waveguide formed on the substrate. The light source and the optical waveguide are arranged to produce counterpropagating light waves in the fiber optic sensing coil. The light source may be formed as a rare earth doped polymer waveguide or as a rare earth doped glass waveguide.

Abstract: Systems and processes for determining and validating accessibility and currency, i.e., the actual status, of data replicated in a networked environment are disclosed. According to the disclosed process, a replicated-data policy for replicating data is defined, and access paths between network devices or between applications running on the network devices are monitored, for example, by a replicated-data monitor. Also monitored are the data replication activities in the network. The currency, i.e., timeliness, and accessibility of a replica by a network device is then compared with the requirements in the replicated-data policy and discrepancies with the replicated-data policy are identified, optionally accompanied by a notification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may further provide a contact ring for an electrochemical plating system. The contact generally includes a substrate receiving member having a substrate support surface formed thereon, a plurality of electrical contact pins extending from the substrate support surface, a first seal positioned on the substrate support surface radially inward of the plurality of electrical contacts, and a second seal positioned radially outward of the plurality of electrical contacts. Additionally, the contact ring generally includes a fluid inlet configured to supply a fluid to a volume between the first seal and the second seal.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical etching of a semiconductor material using positive potential dissolution (PPD) in hydrofluoride (HF)-free solutions. The method includes subjecting one of: a polished material; and an as-cut semiconductor material to an etching solution. The method also includes positive biasing at atypically highly positive (anodic) potentials. The specifically controlled and directed illumination of the positively biased semiconductor material surface contacted and wetted by the etching solution significantly increases the value of the anodic current density (A/cm2) of the semiconductor material. The application of positive biasing at atypically highly positive (anodic) potentials, is combined with specifically controlling and directing illumination by light of the semiconductor material surface contacted and wetted by the etching solution.

Abstract: A method for immersing a substrate into a plating solution. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a first waveform to the substrate as the substrate is being immersed into the plating solution, stopping the application of the first waveform to the substrate as soon as the substrate is fully immersed inside the plating solution, and applying a second waveform to the substrate prior to the substrate being situated into a plating position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting cell survival and/or promoting cell death following exposure to cytotoxic agents and stress such as radiation or chemotherapy exposure through inhibition of V-H+-ATPase. In particular, the formation and/or acidification of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) may be prevented or decreased by inhibiting the activity of vacuolar proton ATPase (“V-H+-ATPase”). The methods and compositions of the invention are based on the observation that (i) following irradiation surviving cancer cells accumulate AVOs and that their acidification is mediated by V-H+-ATPase; (ii) surviving colonies of cells contain higher levels of AVOs; and (iii) inhibition of V-H+-ATPase decreases the clonogenic survival of cells irradiated or exposed to chemotherapeutic agents. These observations led to the conclusion that V-H+-ATPase activity and AVO function serve to protect cells from radiation and chemotherapy damage.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing and analyzing an access path event history in a network is provided. Inconsistencies in the physical and logical access paths when making changes in the network are detected and analyzed. Component events associated with network appliances are recorded and an event sequence is constructed. Root causes for the inconsistencies are identified and the access paths are repaired in conformance with the network access path policy. The method and systems can be applied to networks in general, and more particularly to storage area networks (SAN).

Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive change management in a network are provided. A configuration change can be specified and pre-validated according to the access path policy, before the actual changes are implemented. The conformance of the implemented configuration change with the access path policy is validated after implementation, because of possible consequential effects of the configuration change. If a change in one or more access paths is specified, then associated component events can be simulated before implementation, so that root causes for resulting access path violations can be detected and remedied before the changes are made.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for conditioning contacts of an electrochemical metal plating system. The method includes deplating the contacts by supplying a reversed biased energy and monitoring electrical measurements of the plating system in real-time such that the endpoint of a deplating process can be determined. In different embodiments, the method includes the use of a constant current or voltage, variable current or voltage, or combinations thereof for conditioning the contacts.