Abstract: Classification of breast tumours into Estrogen Receptor positive and negative (ER+ and ER?) subtypes is an important distinction in the treatment of breast cancer. ER typing is frequently performed using expression profiles of genes whose expression is known to be affected by ER activity. Some tumours cannot confidently be assigned to a particular ER type based on such expression data. The present inventors have found that such “low confidence” tumours constitute a distinct biological subtype of breast tumours associated with significantly worse overall survival than high confidence tumours. Gene sets capable of distinguishing low confidence from high confidence tumours are provided, along with methods and apparatus for performing appropriate classification of breast tumours.

Abstract: A new method to prevent cracking at the corners of a semiconductor die during dicing is described. Dummy metal structures are fabricated at the corners of the die to prevent cracking. The design for the dummy metal structures can be generated automatically by a computer program.

Abstract: The inventors set out to identify a set of genes for use as prognostic markers for breast tumours which correlate with the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI). Initially they were unable to identify a single set of genes whose expression correlates with the NPI. However after segregating the dataset into molecular subcategories (estrogen receptor positive, estrogen receptor negative, and ErbB2 positive) they identified a set of 62 genes which are differentially expressed in tumours of different prognoses. Methods and apparatus for determining prognosis are provided. Also provided are methods of determining the response of tumours to chemotherapy involving comparing the expression levels of the predictive gene set before and after treatment.

Abstract: Fluorescent screens and display systems and devices based on such screens using at least one excitation optical beam to excite one or more fluorescent materials on a screen which emit light to form images. The fluorescent materials may include phosphor materials and non-phosphor materials such as quantum dots. A screen may include a multi-layer dichroic layer.

Abstract: A design, device, system and process for placing slots in active regions (e.g., metal areas). Embodiments of the present invention improve the planarization of metal areas (e.g., lines) and insulators by reducing depressions (e.g., dishing) in the metal areas by including symmetric or square slots inside selected wide metal lines, by adhering to a set of placement rules. Embodiments reduce dishing in copper dual damascene structures. Embodiments reduce data processing requirements for designing and arranging the layout of IC devices and the slots.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a scan circuit including at least a first and a second clock domain and a scan chain having a first plurality of scan cells positioned in the first clock domain and a second plurality of scan cells positioned in the second clock domain. A scan clock source, coupled to the scan chain, generates a first scan clock signal to the first plurality of scan cells and a second scan clock signal to the second plurality of scan cells. The first and the second clock signals have an inverted relationship.

Abstract: A new method to prevent cracking at the corners of a semiconductor die during dicing is described. Dummy metal structures are fabricated at the corners of the die to prevent cracking. The design for the dummy metal structures can be generated automatically by a computer program.

Abstract: The invention provides a number of genetic identifiers (genesets) which may be used as diagnostic tools to determine the presence or risk of breast cancer in a patient. The invention also provides genesets which may be used to classify a breast tumour cell as to its molecular subgroup. Each of the identified genesets may be used to product customised specific nucleic acid microarrays for use in diagnosis and classification of breast tumour cells.

Abstract: A design, device, system and process for placing slots in active regions (e.g., metal areas). Embodiments of the present invention improve the planarization of metal areas (e.g., lines) and insulators by reducing depressions (e.g., dishing) in the metal areas by including symmetric or square slots inside selected wide metal lines, by adhering to a set of placement rules. Embodiments reduce dishing in copper dual damascene structures. Embodiments reduce data processing requirements for designing and arranging the layout of IC devices and the slots.

Abstract: A method of investigating a biochemical pathway, especially a biochemical pathway treated with a test substance which is being considered as a potential drug, in order to predict its effects, comprises the steps of:

Abstract: A method of forming fiber arrays includes using a base substrate to form an alignment pattern, holding a fiber fixed with reference to the pattern, and, while the fiber is held fixed, bonding a cap to the fiber, the cap being of a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the base substrate. The base substrate can be an etched silicon chip and the cap can be of a fused silicon material. The method provides one and two dimensional arrays of fibers, the fiber aligning structures of the arrays having coefficients of thermal expansion selected to match those of connecting components. A fiber array made by the method includes a pair of substrates, a fiber sandwiched between the substrates, and a molded material holding the fiber in a predetermined alignment with respect to a pattern preformed in the molded material.

Abstract: An actuator for controlling a pitch angle and a yaw angle of a mirror in a fiber-optic switch includes a piezoelectric strip having a first and second arm. The first arm extends from a substrate in a first direction. The second arm, which is for attachment to the mirror, extends from the first arm in a second direction different from the first direction. A pitch-electrode, in electrical communication with the first arm, controls pitch angle by causing deflection of the first arm. A yaw-electrode, in electrical communication with the second arm, controls the yaw angle by deflecting the second arm.

Abstract: A robotic cell, or work area, especially useful for education. The cell has a plurality of interchangable work surfaces for mounting objects that the robot manipulates. Students, researchers, or other workers can thus set up separate experiments that need not be torn down each time a different user begins work with the cell. The cell has safety switches that encourage a user, when near the robot, to keep a hand on the robot so as not to be accidentally injured by the robot's motion. There is also a dead man switch effective to disenable the robot entirely, after a short time delay. The cell has a pneumatic control circuit that enables a user to position the robot's gripper arm at positions intermediate of fully up and fully down.