Abstract: A magnetron sputtering apparatus has a controller for selectively releasing the spread of plasma on a substrate on a support. The controller can also contain the plasma when the substrate is to be coated with the target material. This enables cleaning of the target surface during intervals between deposition of target material onto a desired substrate, such as a wafer, and ensures that layers or flakes of back-scattered deposited target material do not build up on the target itself. A platen coil is located between the magnetron and the support to increase both uniformity and density of target material arriving nearly normal to the substrate surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides the enzyme and enzymatic procedures for cleaving the ? secretase cleavage site of the APP protein and associated nucleic acids, peptides, vectors, cells and cell isolates and assays. The invention further provides a modified APP protein and associated nucleic acids, peptides, vectors, cells, and cell isolates, and assays that are particularly useful for identifying candidate therapeutics for treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Telomerase reverse transcriptase is part of the telomerase complex responsible for maintaining telomere length and increasing the replicative capacity of progenitor cells. Telomerase activity is turned off in mature differentiated cells, but is turned back on again in hyperplastic diseases, including many cancers. This disclosure provides regulatory elements that promote transcription in cells that express telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). The disclosure also provides systems using TERT promoter sequences for identifying compounds that can be used to modulate telomerase expression.

Abstract: An optimum pathway to data stored on a data storage system having N storage devices and more than N pathways is determined in response to a read request for the data. A sorter separates the read request into an appropriate segment size for sending to the storage devices of the data storage system. An assigner generates the set of read permutations satisfying the read request. A read permutation is selected based on a metric. A collector receives the requested data from the N storage devices in response to the selected read permutation being sent to the storage devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying or dispensing surgical prep solution. The applicator system includes a spreader element and a container of surgical prep solution. The spreader element includes a body with an orifice covered by a pad. The orifice is in fluid communication with a passage through an elongated stem connected to the body. The container may be collapsible with only limited recovery. The spreader element may include a receptacle for receiving the container.

Abstract: A plant stem support system having an adjustable base and adjustable top support assembly. The base is adjustable to optimally fit within pots or spaces between about two and six inches in diameter. The top support assembly includes a pair of curved arms that are pivotable to secure a range of plant sizes or number of plants. Anchors on the arms provide for attachment of the plant to the arms or attachment of a plant covering.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for associating a cable including a braid with an electronic device and improving electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) shielding between the cable and the electronic device, the apparatus including a tubular member including an outer dimension, and defining a first opening, a second opening, and a cable cavity, the tubular member being configured to associate with the electronic device and the braid of the cable, the outer dimension of the tubular member being further configured to receive a charge from the braid of the cable in a region of the tubular member disposed externally to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of measuring the concentration of metal ions in a sample comprising the steps of: providing a sample comprising a nonpolar, liquid hydrocarbon, suspected of containing a metal ion; adding a dye such as a spirobenzopyran dye or bathocuproine and a reducing agent to the sample; wherein the dye forms a complex with the metal ion; wherein the complex has a spectral shift in light absorbance relative to the dye; observing the spectral shift; and calculating the concentration of the metal ion in the sample.

Abstract: Porphyrin compounds having a surface attachment group coupled thereto at the 5 position are described. The surface attachment group has the formula: wherein R is —CHCH2 or —CCH and Ar is an aromatic group. Methods and intermediates useful for making such compounds are also described.

Abstract: A signal analyzer system comprises a differential operator configured to receive at least one input signal, and to determine at least one locus based on instantaneous differences in a relative rate of change between the at least one input signal and the at least one input signal's at least one nth-order derivative, wherein n represents at least one selected order of differentiation. A distortion identifier is configured to compare at least one amplitude of the at least one determined locus against at least one selected reference locus, and to identify at least one distortion in the signal when the comparison indicates at least one selected exception condition.

Abstract: A system for reducing jitter in a packet audio reception device comprises an output time stamp index, a delay calculation module, and a histogram module. The output time stamp index determines an initial output time stamp value upon receipt of a jitter buffer latency value and increments the output time stamp upon release of each of the frames by a jitter buffer. The delay calculation module calculates a delay value for each of the sequence of received frames. The histogram module periodically calculates a target delay value which, based on a buffered history of values representing the delay value of each of a fixed quantity of the most recently received frames, would have resulted in a predetermined portion of the fixed quantity of frames being dropped, and adjusting the jitter buffer latency value to a value equal to the target value.

Abstract: A modular human habitat simulator for providing an environment on Earth that approximates, in a controlled test situation, a number of conditions expected to exist when an inflatable modular habitat is deployed into Earth orbit. The simulator has a housing with a rigid wall defining an internal volume, a longitudinal axis, a first and second opposing openings along the longitudinal axis, the rigid wall having an exterior surface, and an interior surface where the interior surface is generally the shape of an interior surface of a deployed inflatable shell of a modular human habitat, and the internal volume is substantially that of a deployed inflatable modular human habitat volume.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed wherein labeled antibodies can be provided in vivo to tissue having antigens that specifically bind the labeled antibody. A first optical radiation is emitted into the tissue in vivo to excite the labeled antibody bound to the antigen in vivo. A second optical radiation that is emitted by the excited labeled antibody, in response to the excitation thereof, can be detected in vivo. Related telemetric circuits and compositions of matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator having an integrated mains voltage connection with a selective connection of power to an accessory such as a light is disclosed.

Abstract: An endovascular tissue removal system including an expandable mechanism introduceable to the ventricular side of a valve to support the leaflets of the valve in a closed position and a tissue removal device advanceable to the leaflets and configured to resect the leaflets as they are supported by the expandable mechanism.

Abstract: In a distributed computing environment utilizing Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), a software status display tool that provides a graphical representation of the current operational status of all of the data sources in a computer network. The display tool accesses the CORBA Name Server and obtains all available references for object implementations and their CORBA Interface Definition Language (IDL) interface. The references and interfaces map directly to all of the data suppliers and servers and their respective interfaces. The display tool then interfaces with each and every supplier and server as if it were a corresponding client or consumer and based upon the data it is able to obtain it makes a determination of the state of that particular supplier or server. The display tool then logs the results of its determinations and presents a fundamental color-coded system-wide display of its determinations on a video device.

Abstract: A control circuit (1) includes two input terminals (2, 3) for respectively electrically connecting with the active and neutral conductors (4, 5) of a mains power source (6). Two output terminals (7, 8) electrically connect with a load in the form of a two pin domestic electrical appliance (9). Conductors (4, 5) terminate at a domestic power outlet socket, and terminals (7, 8) are incorporated into a two pin plug for insertion into that socket. That is, terminals (7, 8) include elongate bundled conductors for extending between the outlet socket and the circuit. Appliance (9) has a conductive component, in this instance a housing (10) that, under normal operating conditions, is electrically insulated or otherwise electrically isolated from conductors (4, 5). The housing provides a reference point for circuit (1), and is electrically connected to that circuit by way of a conductor (11).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method (and corresponding system) for providing location-aware media information and more specifically a method for providing location-aware audio content by an audio-presenting device capable of presenting audio content. On the audio source (401) comprising processing means (301) one or more sensors (404), may be positioned in order to locate the position(s) of one or more audio-presenting devices attached, close, or distant to said audio source. The sensors are used by receiving signal(s) to determine the location of the available audio-presenting devices. The audio-presenting device's (402, 403) location relative to the user's working position—in front of the display device (406)—may be estimated by the audio source (401) and thereby provides information items to the audio-presenting devices (402, 403) by the method according to the present invention so as to provide desired sound signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides radiation curable resin compositions having enhanced low temperature flexibility and to methods of using these compositions. The radiation curable resin compositions contain no or essentially no volatile organic components (VOCs), and find particular use as coating compositions. In particular, the radiation curable resin compositions of this invention comprise a vinyl dioxolane end-capped oligomer blended with a photoinitiator.