Abstract: Encryption method and system for iteratively, structurally converting a binary sequence into an encrypted final image. A selected transformation algorithm and an alphabet formed from the binary sequence to be converted is applied to an image of the sequence, and a resulting image is coded with an external key. Additional embodiments code portions of the image with extracted, and optionally scrambled, internal identifiers derived stochastically from the image being converted.

Abstract: The present invention describes new and distinct strains of higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms, and a process for growing them in submerged culture. Specifically, the new strains of species of the genus Pleurotus offer superior yields of mushroom biomass and concentrations of biologically active compounds, for example, cholesterol-lowering compounds, lectins, proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins or polysaccharides. The process includes use of defined media and a simple one-step procedure of separating the lovastatin-containing nutriceuticals from culture broth.

Abstract: Provided is a selective hydrogenation process for producing aminonitriles by contacting the corresponding dinitriles with a hydrogen-containing fluid in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, a solvent and divalent sulfur and selenium compounds.

Abstract: A system (8) for identifying an unidentified caller (14, 16, 18) includes a database (42) that contains utterance data (162) corresponding to a known caller. A data communications system (10) is coupled to the database (42) and receives utterance information corresponding to the unidentified caller (14, 16, 18). The data communications system (10) compares the utterance information with the utterance data (162) to identify the unidentified caller (14, 16, 18) as the known caller.

Abstract: Provided is a selective hydrogenation process for producing aminonitriles by contacting the corresponding dinitriles with a hydrogen-containing fluid in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, a solvent and an azide additive.

Abstract: The reliability, electromigration resistance, adhesion, and electrical contact resistance of planarized, in-laid metallization patterns, e.g., of copper, are enhanced by a process comprising selectively depositing on the planarized, upper surfaces of the metallization features at least one thin layer comprising at least one passivant element for the metal of the features, reacting the at least one passivant element to chemically reduce any deleterious oxide layer present at the upper surfaces of the metallization features, and diffusing the at least one passivant element for a distance below the upper surface to form a passivated top interface. The passivated top interfaces advantageously exhibit reduced electromigration and improved adhesion to overlying metallization with lower ohmic contact resistance. Planarization, as by CMP, may be performed subsequent to reaction/diffusion to remove any elevated, reacted and/or unreacted portions of the at least one thin layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device having selectively fabricated copper interconnect structure that is encapsulated within selectively formed metallic barriers. An exemplary encapsulated copper interconnect structure includes a first low dielectric constant layer (low K1) formed over a substantially completed semiconductor device on which a first sidewall metallic barrier, consisting of metallic material is formed to line the wall structure of a via. The metallic liner encapsulates a first, substantially thin (≦0.25 &mgr;m) copper interconnect structure. A second selectively formed thicker (>>0.25 &mgr;m) copper interconnect trench structure is formed overlying and integral with the first copper interconnect structure. A second metallic barrier is deposited over the second selectively formed copper interconnect structure and is formed integral with the first sidewall metallic barrier.

Abstract: A charged particle beam column for generating a variable shaped (in cross section) charged particle beam. The charged particle beam column includes: a source of a charged particle beam; a first aperture defining a first opening positioned coaxial to the beam and spaced apart from the source; a second aperture defining a second opening positioned coaxial to the beam and spaced apart from the first aperture; a third aperture defining a third opening positioned coaxial to the beam and spaced apart from the second aperture; an imaging device coaxial to the beam, where the imaging device controls focusing of the beam; and at least two deflection devices coaxial to the beam which controls a path of the beam through the openings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. In one embodiment, a sequence of numbers received from a user of a standard telephone keypad is translated into a set of potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences. These potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences are provided as an input to a conventional search engine, using a boolean “OR” expression, and the search results are presented to the user. The search engine effectively limits search results to those in which the user was likely interested.

Abstract: The use of sensory G protein-coupled receptors that recognize chemical sensants, parti-cularly those involving olfactory and taste receptors; polypeptide fragments and mutants thereof; classes of such receptors; polynucleotides encoding such receptors, fragments and mutants thereof, and representatives of receptor classes; genetic vectors including such polynucleotides; and cells and non-human organisms engineered to express such receptor complexes, fragments and mutants of an olfactory or taste receptor, and representatives of receptor classes to simulate sensory perception of odorants and tastants is described. The use of such products as a biosensor or a component thereof to detect, identify, measure, or otherwise process the event of binding between the receptor and its cognate ligand (i.e., chemical sensant) is also described. The invention has application, for example, in the design and formulation of odorant and tastant compositions.

Abstract: An optical communication system including a transmitter, an optical information channel, and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit a plurality of optical signals in L-band wavelengths or between about 1560 nm and about 1630 nm. Use of the L-band in long-haul optical systems permits transmission over at least about 2,000 kilometers from an originating light source such as a transmitter or another regenerator. A method of modulating and transmitting data signals in the L-band is also provided.

Abstract: Single crystals of (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2.6H2O represent an excellent material for filtering UV light and in an enclosed system will not deteriorate at temperatures as high as 125° C. They are particularly useful in solar-blind optical systems and sensing devices, which seek to identify the presence of UV light sources in the UV missile warning band.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, comprising an alphavirus nonstructural protein gene which, when operably incorporated into a recombinant alphavirus particle, eukaryotic layered vector initiation system, or RNA vector replicon, has a reduced level of vector-specific RNA synthesis, as compared to wild-type, and the same or greater level of proteins encoded by RNA transcribed from the viral junction region promoter, as compared to a wild-type recombinant alphavirus particle. Also disclosed are RNA vector replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems which contain the above-identified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs and host cells comprising the same are disclosed. DNA constructs comprise a transcription unit (e.g. operon) comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin. In preferred embodiments, constructs further comprise DNA sequences encoding for thymidylate synthase and/or transcription units comprising sequences encoding for uridine kinase preferably together with dCTP deaminase. In particularly preferred embodiments, host cells comprising constructs having all of the above characteristics wherein the host cell displays repressed or no uracil DNA glycosylase activity. This may be achieved by removal of the host cell ung gene. Use of host cells in the manufacture of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides e.g. thymidine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing at least one waste area of a face layer, which includes graphic or product area(s) and waste area(s), from a laminate composed of a face layer removably adhering to a backing layer, to leave at least one product area of the face layer in place on the backing layer, the method including: applying adhesive on portions of the waste area(s); temporarily adhering the laminate to a carrier surface using the adhesive; and separating the laminate from the carrier surface with the waste area(s) remaining on the carrier surface. One preferred embodiment of the invention includes a carrier web enabling continuous or near continuous operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is diced before thinning. The wafer is diced only part of the way through, to form grooves which are at least as deep as the final thickness of each chip to be obtained from the wafer. Then, the wafer is placed into a non-contact wafer holder, and the wafer backside is blanket etched with a dry etch, for example, atmospheric pressure plasma etch. The wafer is thinned until the grooves are exposed from the backside. The dry etch leaves the chip's backside smooth. After the grooves have been exposed, the dry etch is continued to remove damage from the chip sidewalls and to round the chips' bottom edges and coners. As a result, the chip becomes more reliable, and in particular more resistant to thermal and other stresses.

Abstract: An alloy material is formed on an underlying material, and the alloy material comprises an alloy doping element mixed into a bulk material. A first layer of material including the alloy doping element is deposited on the underlying material using a first type of deposition process. The first type of deposition process is corrosion resistive to the underlying material according to one aspect of the present invention. A second layer of material including the bulk material is deposited on the first layer of material using a second type of deposition process. A thermal anneal may be performed by heating the first layer of material and the second layer of material such that the alloy doping element is mixed into the bulk material to form the alloy material on the underlying material. The alloy doping element of the first layer of material deposited on the underlying material promotes adhesion of the alloy material to the underlying material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a diamond composite from diamond particles, comprising the steps of forming a work piece, heating the work piece and controlling the heating temperature and heating time so that a certain desired amount of graphite is created by graphitization of diamond particles, thereby creating an intermediate body, and infiltrating silicon or silicon alloy into the intermediate body. The invention also relates to a diamond composite produced by this method.

Abstract: A multipoint controller unit in which the audio signal processing is distributed among several audio ports. The control of the audio signal processing may be centrally or distributively managed by one or more audio controllers. The audio signal processing may include selecting audio streams from a common interface and/or mixing the signals from the common interface. Each audio port may enhance the audio signal and generate control information from the audio signal. The audio ports are synchronized by a common information channel while the audio controllers are synchronized by a common control channel interface. Port fragmentation is reduced since the audio signal processing that relates to an endpoint within a conference is handled by a single audio port.

Abstract: Adsorption, desorption and ionization methods and apparatuses are used to produce gas phase ions for subsequent analysis. Non-porous microscopically rough ionization surfaces are used to absorb analyte in situ for subsequent ionization by laser light and release of gas phase analyte ions.