Abstract: Methods and assays for detecting ?-secretase (BACE-1) activity in body fluids or tissue extracts from individuals, particularly individuals who have Alzheimer's disease, are disclosed. A truncated form of BACE-1 was isolated that can be used as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: In a temperature control method for magnetic field components of a permanent magnet arrangement of a magnetic resonance system, temperature stability of the magnetic field components is achieved by maintaining the temperature of the two sides of the magnetic field components constant, with a difference being maintained between the temperatures of the two sides of the magnetic field components so that a temperature gradient is formed within the magnetic field components. Once the temperature gradient is formed, dynamic temperature stability is established within the magnetic field component. When this dynamic temperature stability is broken by thermal disturbance, the temperature gradient allows the thermal disturbance to be quickly transmitted to the lower magnetic yoke and is further transmitted to the outside through the base of the magnetic resonance system so that the thermal disturbance is smoothed and dynamic temperature stability is reestablished.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium including improvements to the recording layer (RL), exchange break layer (EBL), soft underlayer (SUL), overcoat (OC), adhesion layer (AL) and the combination of the layers. Advances in the RL include a cap layer. Improvements in the EBL include a multiple layer EBL.

Abstract: A system for scheduling mold manufacturing includes a number of user computers (1) connected with a server (3) by a network (2), a standard parameter database (5), and a task scheduling database (6). Each user computer includes a standard parameter setting module for setting standard parameters; a task scheduling module for analyzing and calculating a workload of each manufacturing unit and machine, generating a workload list, scheduling working procedures of mold manufacturing, simulating scheduling results, generating a schedule, and transmitting the schedule; a task tracking and feedback module for tracking and sending out feedback of current process and workloads of manufacturing units and machines, generating a work process list, and dynamically updating the workload list. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of recovering data in a received signal sent in a communications media are disclosed. Composite channel impulse responses are first estimated. Channel-tap locations are then assigned to suppress the interference noises by sequential search schemes or heuristic search schemes based on estimated composite channel impulse responses. A sequential search scheme optimizes a predetermined design criterion in a sequential manner. Also described are recursive evaluations of the design criterion and the inverses of the noise covariance matrices based on the composite channel impulse response during a sequential search. A heuristic search scheme selects channel-tap locations based on a set of pre-selected channel-tap locations. The set of pre-selected channel-tap locations is determined according to the estimated composite channel impulse response. A method of estimating energy levels of known interference sources is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved electrostatic filter and filter media for filtering contaminants, such as particulates and vapor phase contaminants, from a confined environment such as electronic or optical devices susceptible to contamination (e.g. computer disk drives) by providing an improved performance recirculation filter.

Abstract: A system and method for data analysis are disclosed. Data analysis may include a step of filtering the data to produce filtered data. The method may include processing a plurality of prediction algorithms to produce prediction values, the prediction values having associated historical and expected prediction confidence intervals. The method may also include evaluating performance of the prediction algorithms to generate performance indexes, the performance indexes having associated index confidence intervals. The method may also include generating relevance values of the prediction algorithms based on the performance indexes, and index confidence intervals. The method may further include applying the relevance values and prediction confidence intervals to determine how to combine prediction values, and applying multivariable data fusion to combine the prediction values.

Abstract: Various operations may be performed based on a distance-related function associated with two or more devices. For example, an association procedure for two or more devices may be based on one or more determined distances. Similarly, presence management may be based on one or more determined distances. A distance-related function may take various form including, for example, a distance between devices, two or more distances between devices, a rate of change in a relative distance between devices, relative acceleration between devices, or some combination of two or more of the these distance-related functions.

Abstract: The invention provides novel heteroaryl-substituted arylaminopyridine derivative MEK inhibitors of Formula (Ia) Such compounds are MEK inhibitors that are useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer and inflammation. Also disclosed is the treatment of a hyperproliferative disease in mammals, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.

Abstract: The contrast offered by a spatial light modulator device may be enhanced by positioning nonreflective elements such as supporting posts and moveable hinges, behind the reflecting surface of the pixel. In accordance with one embodiment, the reflecting surface is suspended over and underlying hinge-containing layer by integral ribs of the reflecting material defined by gaps in a sacrificial layer. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the reflecting surface is separated from the underlying hinge by a gap formed in an intervening layer, such as oxide. In either embodiment, walls separating adjacent pixel regions may be recessed beneath the reflecting surface to further reduce unwanted scattering of incident light and thereby enhance contrast.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device with at least two gate regions. The method includes providing a substrate region including a surface. Additionally, the method includes forming a source region in the substrate region by at least implanting a first plurality of ions into the substrate region and forming a drain region in the substrate region by at least implanting a second plurality of ions into the substrate region. The drain region and the source region are separate from each other. Moreover, the method includes depositing a gate layer on the surface and forming a first gate region and a second gate region on the surface.

Abstract: A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion and a movable portion each having a heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe. The movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section therein. A positioning structure extends from the immovable portion toward the movable portion to ensure the receiving structure being capable of precisely receiving the heat pipe. Temperature sensors are attached to the immovable and movable portions for detecting temperature of the heat pipe. An enclosure encloses the immovable portion and the movable portions therein, and defines a space therein for movement of the movable portion relative to the immovable portion.

Abstract: Elements of the present invention relate to systems and methods for generating, modifying and applying backlight array driving values.

Abstract: A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of a heat pipe requiring testing. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion and has a heating member therein for heating the evaporating section of the heat pipe. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein. A positioning structure extends from the immovable portion to ensure the receiving structure being capable of precisely receiving the heat pipe. Temperature sensors are attached to the immovable portion and the movable portion for detecting temperature of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A chip card retaining mechanism (200) used in an electronic device (100) includes a sliding seat (20) and a sliding member (30). The sliding seat includes a main body (22) and two vertical portions (242) extending, respectively, from two opposite sizes of the main body. Each vertical portion defines a guide slot (26). The main body defines an opening (222) for receiving a connector (104) of the electronic device. The sliding member includes a stopping portion (36) and a receiving groove (35) for receiving a chip card (102). The stopping portion is positioned on one end of the sliding member. A shaft (39) is mounted on another end of the sliding member, and the two respective ends thereof are inserted into a corresponding guide slot so that the sliding member is slidably attached to the sliding seat.

Abstract: A driver circuit for a transistor provides a soft start feature where pulses provided to the transistor are varied in duration during startup. The driver also provides an overcurrent protection feature for disabling a driver output for a safe period of time when an overcurrent condition is detected. The driver circuit includes an oscillator that produces a saw tooth wave and a narrow width pulse train for determining pulse width and dead time, respectively. The driver circuit may be used in half-bridge or full-bridge drivers.

Abstract: A lower-cost and more precise control methodology of regulating the output voltage of a Flyback converter from the primary side is provided, which works accurately in either continuous voltage mode (CCM) or discontinuous mode (DCM). The methodology can be applied to most small, medium and high power applications such as cell phone chargers, power management in desktop computers and networking equipment, and, generally, to a wide spectrum of power management applications. Two highly integrated semiconductor chips based on this control methodology are also described that require very few components to build a constant voltage Flyback converter.

Abstract: The present inventions are solar cell assemblies comprising a combination of efficiency enhancing features, such as, a photovoltaic cell array including two or more members having different band gaps, dispersive optics capable of directing wavelengths of incoming light to the most efficient cells for those wavelengths, light concentrators to focus incoming light onto the appropriate cells, and electrically conductive light concentrators that can act as contacts and transmission paths for current generated in the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of using a driver (e.g., a commercially available, off-the-shelf driver) designed for a traditional passive matrix liquid crystal display, such as a Twisted Nematic (TN) and supertwisted nematic (STN) displays, for example, to drive a bistable liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A cargo security inspection method and system based on spiral scanning, the method including: spirally scanning an inspected object at a first precision to obtain the transmission projection data; judging whether there is a suspect area in the inspected area; scanning at least one slice of the suspect area at a second precision wherein the second precision is greater than the first precision; reconstructing a tomographic image of the at least one slice; and using the reconstructed tomographic image to judge whether there is any dangerous article in the suspect area.