Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for managing and implementing a plurality of network policies in a network device. Each of the plurality of policies are defined by one or more filters. The filters are installed in a policy engine. A layer identifies the network policy to be applied to a packet by sending a request to the policy engine. The policy engine then returns the policy to the requesting layer. The method and system may be used to implement a programmable, host-based, distributed, authenticating firewall that enables security and other policies to be applied at several protocol layers.

Abstract: Improved methods are provided for therapeutic and/or preventative treatment to a mammal in which the mammal is protected against the toxicity of active pharmaceutical agents that (i) bind to or are substrates for P-gp, (ii) are taxane analogues, and/or (iii) are inhibitors of tubulin disassembly. Additionally provided are compositions and methods useful for treating cell proliferative disorders. Further provided are methods of increasing the bioavailability of therapeutic and/or preventative treatments in a mammal. Particular embodiments are directed to increasing such bioavailability across the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the relative contribution of fat and water signals in a magnetic resonance (“MR”) image including an algorithm operable for selecting an image signal model, selecting a scan parameter, forming a bias field estimate, applying a bias correction to a phase image, estimating the signal fraction of fat and water at each of a plurality of voxels, and forming a fat-suppressed image, a water-suppressed image, or a combination of a fat-based image and a water-based image. The (“MRI”) fat suppression systems and methods requiring only a single image acquisition including an algorithm operable for selecting a relative phase of approximately ?=?/2 or another suitable relative phase, employing an expectation maximization algorithm to classify the phase of the complex image, and projecting complex vectors into fat and water components to obtain fat and water images.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) agents. In particular, the present invention is directed to cationic, nonagglomerated, nontoxic SPIO agents, methods for imaging conditions associated with inflammatory responses using the disclosed SPIO agents, and methods for managing inflammatory conditions using the disclosed SPIO agents.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using a double inversion recovery (DIR) imaging pulse sequence for acquiring black-blood images for obtaining a first level of nulling of a blood signal from acquired imaging slices is provided. The MRI system comprises an image processor configured changing a respective time order of the imaging slices at a selected point or points during the pulse sequence to obtain a second level of nulling of the residual blood signal from the imaging slices.

Abstract: A method and disc drive are disclosed that employ dynamic buffer size allocation for handling multiple data streams, such as time-sensitive audio/video data. The method involves allocating a certain amount of required buffer space for each data stream to be handled without an interruption in recording or playing back the data stream. The method further involves reallocating the amount of required buffer space for each stream including any additional stream when one or more additional streams are to be added to the total number of streams being handled. The method also involves reallocating the amount of required buffer space for each stream including those streams that remain after any of the data streams being handled are terminated.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention includes a nanoparticle including a substantially monodisperse inorganic core with a surface and a coating substantially covering the surface of the substantially monodisperse inorganic core, wherein the coating includes of at least coating structure I, II, or III wherein the nanoparticle is substantially non-agglomerated and has diameter in a range from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. An aspect of the invention also encompasses a method of making a substantially non-agglomerated nanoparticle having a diameter in a range from about 1 nm to about 100 nm including a substantially monodisperse inorganic core with a surface and a coating substantially covering the surface of the substantially monodisperse inorganic core, wherein the coating comprises coating structure I, II, or III.

Abstract: The distributed firewall performs user authentication at a first level to establish a user security context for traffic from that user, and an authority context provides authorization for subsequent traffic. This authority context may be based on an underlying policy for particular types of traffic, access to particular applications, etc. Additionally, the system includes the ability to allow a user/process/application to define its own access control. The linking of the user security context from the traffic to the application is accomplished by enabling IPSec on a socket and forcing the socket to be bound in exclusive mode. The most common policy definitions may be included by default. Extensions of the Internet key exchange protocol (IKE) to provide the desired user authentication plus application/purpose are also provided. The architecture includes pluggable authorization module(s) that are called after IKE has successfully authenticated the peer, but before the connection is allowed to complete.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) systems and methods for acquiring multi-slice gradient echo images having a substantially constant T1-weighting including selecting a first scan having a desired contrast associated with T1-weighting and, given a first repetition time, TR1, and a first flip angle, flip1, associated with the first scan, selecting an effective repetition time, TReff, that provides the desired contrast. The MRI systems and methods also including holding the effective repetition time, TReff, substantially constant in relation to a second scan. The MRI systems and methods further including, given a second repetition time, TR2, determining a second flip angle, flip2, and, given the second flip angle, flip2, determining the second repetition time, TR2. The MRI systems and methods still further including performing the second scan using the second repetition time, TR2, and the second flip angle, flip2, and maximizing a signal-to-noise ratio, S/N, of the second scan.

Abstract: A data storage device array includes a number of data storage devices. Each of the disc drives is operable to spin-up its spindle motor in response to the successful communication of predetermined out-of-band (OOB) signals. By selectively causing the communication of the predetermined OOB signals to the data storage devices, the selective spin-up of the data storage devices may be achieved.

Abstract: An antijam module (10) for GPS utilizing the vertical and horizontal polarizations of signal output by each antenna element in an array of antenna elements. This effectively doubles the number of channels from the conventional number of channels (N) to 2N. Each of these channels is uniquely weighted in accordance with conventional teachings such that the system operates with a capability to null 2N-1 jammers. Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a system and method for moving the reference channel from one channel to another in respect to the detection of received power levels. In specific implementations, the applied weights are dithered in a predetermined direction and a predetermined amount to ascertain when and whether to pass the reference channel designation.

Abstract: In a data storage device, a system of method of optimizing cache management. A method includes selecting a set of cache management algorithms associated with a predetermined pattern in a sequence of commands. Statistics based on a sequence of commands are gathered and a pattern is detected from the statistics. The pattern is associated with predetermined known patterns to identify a set of cache management algorithms that are optimized for the known pattern. A system includes usage statistics that are correlated among a set of known usage patterns. A switch chooses the set of cache management algorithms associated with the known pattern that most closely matches the usage statistics.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for managing and implementing a plurality of network policies in a network device. Each of the plurality of policies are defined by one or more filters. The filters are installed in a policy engine. A layer identifies the network policy to be applied to a packet by sending a request to the policy engine. The policy engine then returns the policy to the requesting layer. The method and system may be used to implement a programmable, host-based, distributed, authenticating firewall that enables security and other policies to be applied at several protocol layers.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) systems and methods for acquiring multi-slice gradient echo images having a substantially constant T1-weighting including selecting a first scan having a desired contrast associated with T1-weighting and, given a first repetition time, TR1, and a first flip angle, flip1, associated with the first scan, selecting an effective repetition time, TReff, that provides the desired contrast. The MRI systems and methods also including holding the effective repetition time, TReff, substantially constant in relation to a second scan. The MRI systems and methods further including, given a second repetition time, TR2, determining a second flip angle, flip2, and, given the second flip angle, flip2, determining the second repetition time, TR2. The MRI systems and methods still further including performing the second scan using the second repetition time, TR2, and the second flip angle, flip2, and maximizing a signal-to-noise ratio, S/N, of the second scan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the relative contribution of fat and water signals in a magnetic resonance (“MR”) image including an algorithm operable for selecting an image signal model, selecting a scan parameter, forming a bias field estimate, applying a bias correction to a phase image, estimating the signal fraction of fat and water at each of a plurality of voxels, and forming a fat-suppressed image, a water-suppressed image, or a combination of a fat-based image and a water-based image. The (“MRI”) fat suppression systems and methods requiring only a single image acquisition including an algorithm operable for selecting a relative phase of approximately &thgr;=&pgr;/2 or another suitable relative phase, employing an expectation maximization algorithm to classify the phase of the complex image, and projecting complex vectors into fat and water components to obtain fat and water images.

Abstract: A data storage device array includes a number of data storage devices. Each of the disc drives is operable to spin-up its spindle motor in response to the successful communication of predetermined out-of-band (OOB) signals. By selectively causing the communication of the predetermined OOB signals to the data storage devices, the selective spin-up of the data storage devices may be achieved.

Abstract: In a data storage device, a system of method of optimizing cache management. A method includes selecting a set of cache management algorithms associated with a predetermined pattern in a sequence of commands. Statistics based on a sequence of commands are gathered and a pattern is detected from the statistics. The pattern is associated with predetermined known patterns to identify a set of cache management algorithms that are optimized for the known pattern. A system includes usage statistics that are correlated among a set of known usage patterns. A switch chooses the set of cache management algorithms associated with the known pattern that most closely matches the usage statistics.

Abstract: A method and disc drive are disclosed that employ dynamic buffer size allocation for handling multiple data streams, such as time-sensitive audio/video data. The method involves allocating a certain amount of required buffer space for each data stream to be handled without an interruption in recording or playing back the data stream. The method further involves reallocating the amount of required buffer space for each stream including any additional stream when one or more additional streams are to be added to the total number of streams being handled. The method also involves reallocating the amount of required buffer space for each stream including those streams that remain after any of the data streams being handled are terminated.

Abstract: A process for low cost manufacturing light-weight, heat-dissipating structures such as heatsinks, heat spreaders, and covers or lids for microelectronic components such as flip-chip integrated circuits from difficult-to-machine metal matrix composites such as aluminum silicon carbide (generically referred to as “Al—SiC” or “AlSiC”). The process involves selecting a mass produced quantity of Al—SiC material, forming that material into a thin ribbon, then stamping/coining the ribbon into the structures. The ribbon can be formed by extruding a thin strip from a billet of the Al—SiC material, then plurally rolling it. In this way, commonly available AlSiC composites manufactured in high volume for use in other applications such as cast automotive parts may be used.

Abstract: An impact resistant extrudable alloy spoked wheel having a rim with an integral transverse curved torque converter yolk portion integral with the rim side wall portions forming an angle of about 20 degrees to about 45 degrees with a horizontal plane and with a radius of curvature of about 0.22 inches to about 0.34 inches; including aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, a titanium alloys, a beryllium alloys or mixtures thereof with ceramic particles selected from among alumina, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, Boron carbide and silicon nitride.