Abstract: A method and mask to improve measurement of alignment marks is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a resist mask with a patterned alignment mark comprising an assemblage of features whose spacing is smaller than the wavelength of light used to measure the alignment. In a preferred embodiment, an alignment mark patterning process alters the appearance of the alignment mark and renders an enhanced contrast with the substrate background.

Abstract: There is provided a pharmaceutical preservative free composition suitable for topical administration to an eye, the composition comprising (a) an oxazolidinone antimicrobial drug, for example linezolid, in a therapeutically or prophylactically effective drug concentration that is above the practical limit of solubility of the drug in a substantially isotonic aqueous solution at a physiologically compatible pH, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable cyclodextrin compound in a concentration sufficient to maintain the drug in solution at such a drug concentration. The composition is particularly useful for the treatment and/or prevention of eye infections due to gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: There is provided a pharmaceutical composition suitable for topical administration to an eye, the composition comprising (a) an antibiotic antibiotic drug, for example linezolid, in a therapeutically or prophylactically effective drug concentration, (b) as a solubilizing agent, a pharmaceutically acceptable cyclodextrin compound in a concentration sufficient to maintain the drug in solution at such a drug concentration, and (c) as a preservative, cetyl pyridinium chloride. The composition is particularly useful for the treatment and/or prevention of eye infections due to gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: There is provided a pharmaceutical preservative free composition suitable for topical administration to an eye, the composition comprising (a) an oxazolidinone antimicrobial drug, for example linezolid, in a therapeutically or prophylactically effective drug concentration that is above the practical limit of solubility of the drug in a substantially isotonic aqueous solution at a physiologically compatible pH, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable cyclodextrin compound in a concentration sufficient to maintain the drug-in solution at such a drug concentration. The composition is particularly useful for the treatment and/or prevention of eye infections due to gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed for determining one or more target polypeptides in a sample where the target polypeptides have undergone a post-translational modification. A mixture comprising the sample and a first reagent comprising a cleavage-inducing moiety and a first binding agent for a binding site on a target polypeptide is subjected to conditions under which binding of respective binding moieties occurs. The binding site is the result of post-translational modification activity involving the target polypeptide. The method may be employed to determine the target polypeptide itself. In another embodiment the presence and/or amount of the target polypeptide is related to the presence and/or amount and/or activity of an agent such as an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of the target polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing security to Internet hosting sites and mitigating electronic attacks against such sites. The system and method of the present invention provide: adequate Internet connections to the site to prevent connection floodings from intruders; implementation of different types of firewalls and an intrusion detection system to monitor and guard the site from electronic attacks; routing protocols to limit access to Internet hosting sites; continuous transfer of a hosting site from one geographic location to another in the event of an electronic attack against the hosting site or a disaster situation.

Abstract: A candy dispensing apparatus is provided with a housing having an opening formed therein, a reservoir disposed in the housing and shaped to hold a plurality of pieces of candy, and an animated figure having a hand that is shaped to hold a piece of candy. The animated figure is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, and a dispensing mechanism disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the animated figure. The hand of the animated figure is movable from a retracted position in which the hand is positioned within the housing to an extended position in which the hand extends out of the housing through the opening in the housing. The hand moves from the retracted position to the extended position upon the animated figure being moved from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: A candy dispenser in the form of a toy spacecraft having a single user action dispensing mechanism is provided. The candy dispenser may include an internal cavity to store candies. The internal cavity may be provided in the form of a cockpit for the spacecraft, with a cockpit windshield serving as a lid to retain candies therein. The dispensing mechanism may include a user-depressable button in the form of a passenger of the spacecraft, which upon a single depression, both loads a candy into a firing chamber, and fires the candy from the spacecraft. After each depression of the passenger button, the button is automatically reset to facilitate ease of use and rapid firing.

Abstract: A method for improving the fault coverage of functional tests for integrated circuits by establishing a design-specific low voltage functional screening procedure. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a reduced voltage test threshold is established by comparing the results of an iterative test procedure executed on a set of known good integrated circuits and integrated circuits which have passed traditional functional test programs but manifested problems in the field. For a given device under test, the iterative procedure commences by applying a system clock and nominal power supply voltage. A set of functional test vectors is then executed on the device using automated test equipment (ATE). The results are compared with expected test results to determine if the device is a passing device under the initial test conditions. If so, the power supply voltage is decremented by a predetermined value and the test process is repeated.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly is disclosed which comprises a generally cylindrical housing having a recess at one end thereof with a circumferential lip, a ball element disposed in the housing, and a joint pin connected to the ball element and extending from the housing. The assembly further includes a polymeric bearing disposed over the ball element in the housing and a cover plate for sealing the ball element and bearing in the housing and preventing contaminants from entering the housing.

Abstract: Method, compositions, and compounds for modulating brain excitability to alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia and seizure activity using certain steroid derivatives that act at a newly identified site on the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-chloride ionophore (GR) complex.