Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing an electronic order to purchase an item via the Internet. A purchaser places an order at a client system and a server system receives the order. The server system receives with the order, an electronic request to purchase certain goods or services and notification information. The notification information is representative of at least one communication pathway for communicating with the shopper. Then the occurrence of a triggering event that affects the performance of the electronic request is recognized and the shopper is notified that the triggering event has occurred via the at least one communication pathway as represented in the notification information.

Abstract: A micro-electromagnetic device is formed by providing internal channels in a ceramic housing sintered from ceramic materials with high dielectric strength and infiltrating these channels with molten metal. The invention allows the fabrication of arrays of ceramic embedded micro-electromagnetic devices as well as ceramic embedded helical micro-antennas designed for use in the high GHz and THz regions at a fraction of the present cost of manufacturing of such devices and with virtually no restriction to their miniaturization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 3-methylidenyl-2-indolinone compounds and physiologically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof which modulate the activity of protein kinases and therefore are expected to be useful in the prevention and treatment of protein kinase related cellular disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an economical and environmentally benign method for using crystalline silicon metal kerf recovered from wiresaw slurries towards the fabrication of complex MEMS and MEMS components, including MEMS packages, with improved design features.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an economical and environmentally benign method to recover crystalline silicon metal kerf from wiresaw slurries and to shape and sinter said recovered crystalline silicon kerf into thin-layer PV cell configurations with enhanced surface texture for metallization and reduced optical reflection losses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel geometrically restricted 2-indolinones and physiologically acceptable salts thereof which modulate the activity of protein kinases and therefore are expected to be useful in the prevention and treatment of protein kinase related cellular disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: Rotors for stepping motors used in analog timepieces are produced from a mixture of prealloyed rare earth magnetic particles and a thermoplastic binder. The mixture is either tape cast in a magnetic field following blanking of green rotors or injection molded in a magnetic field. Following extraction of the binder the green parts are sintered to net shape. Improved magnetic properties, smaller dimensions, better tolerances and 100% material utilization are claimed.

Abstract: A method for handling system management interrupts in multiprocessors systems is provided. After the processors of the system enter system management mode, one of the processors of the system is designated to handle the system management interrupt. The processor designated to handle the system management interrupt scans a memory location that includes a memory space associated with the saved contents of the processor registers of each processor. After locating a SMI signature in one of the memory spaces associated with the respective processors of the system, the SMI handler of the processor designated to handle the system management interrupts, retrieves any necessary parameters for the system management interrupt from the memory space associated with the SMI signature, thereby allowing a processor to cause the issuance a SMI, to pass a set of parameters for the software SMI, and to permit a second processor to receive the parameters and handle the software SMI.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to accurately determine the volumetric composition of thermoplastic compounds made from sinterable materials mixed with an organic binder so that parts produced from such compounds will have a precisely controlled shrinkage upon sintering. The invention allows the use of a single molding tool to fabricate parts to very tight manufacturing tolerances in a range of different sizes and from different materials such as stainless steels, carbides, advanced ceramics, metal and ceramic matrix composites, etc. The invention also allows the miniaturization of metal and ceramic injection molded components.

Abstract: The invention overcomes prior art problems associated with mass-production of technology-based commercial products like watch cases, mobile telephone housings, medical appliances, etc. such as high investment in tooling, delays in production, short economic tool life, inconsistence and mismatching between parts made in different geographical locations, etc., through the use of standardized, interchangeable ceramic mold inserts.

Abstract: A method of making a retroreflective article comprising on the top surface thereof a retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in a contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a substantially planar position.

Abstract: A variable digital delay line with an insertion delay as low as a single delay element yet capable of providing a large programmable delay with a small simple control mechanism. A loop connects an input to an output through selectable first delay elements such as 2:1 muxes and selectable second delay elements such as pairs of inverters by way of a plurality of intermediate nodes having a tap. A plurality of sneak paths are available wherein the loop by passes a remainder of first delay elements and/or second delay elements by way of the taps at the intermediate nodes.

Abstract: A process for producing polycrystalline silicon carbide by heating an amorphous ceramic fiber that contains silicon and carbon in an environment containing boron oxide vapor. The boron oxide vapor is produced in situ by the reaction of a boron containing material such as boron carbide and an oxidizing agent such as carbon dioxide, and the amount of boron oxide vapor can be controlled by varying the amount and rate of addition of the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A process for producing polycrystalline silicon carbide includes heating an amorphous ceramic fiber that contains silicon and carbon in an environment containing boron oxide vapor. The boron oxide vapor is produced in situ by the reaction of a boron containing material such as boron carbide and an oxidizing agent such as carbon dioxide, and the amount of boron oxide vapor can be controlled by varying the amount and rate of addition of the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A composition, suitable for use in producing a tire carcass, is provided. The composition comprises a halogen-containing copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene; a rubber such as a blend of natural rubber and a copolymer of styrene and butadiene; carbon black, and a plasticizer oil. Tires comprising carcasses made of the composition are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations containing (2R, cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2 -one (-)-2',3'-dideoxy,3'-thiacytidine, lamivudine, that are substantially free of ethanol and ethylenediamine-tetraacitic acid, and their use in medical therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to protection of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) traffic against Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) fiber cuts or other types of transmission media failures in a SONET Ring. The nodes of the Synchronous Optical Network protect the asynchronous transmission mode cells for immediate failures in the Synchronous Optical Network by establishing a table indicating the topology of the nodes in the Synchronous Optical Network. Each node is capable of detecting a loss of header error check synchronization and generating a protection payload data unit, which is egressed to the plurality of nodes. In addition, each node is capable of ingressing protection payload data units from neighboring nodes and for switching the transmission of asynchronous transmission mode cells within the node so that the cells being transmitted in the network are protected.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for production of polycrystalline ceramic fibers from silicon oxycarbide (SiCO) ceramic fibers wherein the method comprises heating an amorphous ceramic fiber containing silicon and carbon in an inert environment comprising a boron oxide and carbon monoxide at a temperature sufficient to convert the amorphous ceramic fiber to a polycrystalline ceramic fiber. By having carbon monoxide present during the heating of the ceramic fiber, it is possible to achieve higher production rates on a continuous process.

Abstract: A waterless or driographic printing plate which can be thermally imaged by an infrared laser is composed of a substrate; a thermal imaging layer containing a photothermal conversion material, such as an infrared absorbing material, and a thermoplastic polyurethane with pendent allyl groups; and a crosslinked silicone polymer top layer. It was discovered that when the imaging layer contains an allyl functional polyurethane mixed with an infrared absorbing dye or pigment, the polymeric layer will have enhanced solubility in certain solvents when exposed to infrared radiation. In addition, the polymeric layer continues to exhibit excellent adhesion to the silicone in unexposed areas so that the infrared absorbing layer can endure development with a suitable organic solvent, or a solvent mixture. Mild brushing or rubbing with the developing solvent readily removes laser-struck portions of the infrared imaging layer while unexposed areas remain firmly intact.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles for life saving devices at sea are described comprising a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive made using a solvent-free hot melt process which employs as starting material a tackified non-thermoplastic hydrocarbon elastomer. The process employs a continuous compounding device that has a sequence of alternating conveying and processing zones.