Abstract: A feature for visibly distinguishing multiple containers within an application being edited in an ADE is described. When the user selects to activate the container expansion, the ADE identifies an active target container in the application and then analyzes a container hierarchy based on the target container. The ADE visually represents the container hierarchy in a graphical overlay superimposed on top of the application. The visual representation includes a container proxy for each of the containers within the hierarchy. The container proxies are drawn in a manner to visibly distinguish each of the proxies to the developer even though the actual containers are not distinguishable in the application. The overlay of container proxies are superimposed onto the application in a design view of the ADE and the developer may make changes to the underlying application by interacting with the overlay.

Abstract: Disclosed are RAGE fusion proteins comprising RAGE polypeptide sequences linked to a second, non-RAGE polypeptide. The RAGE fusion protein may utilize a RAGE polypeptide domain comprising a RAGE ligand binding site and an interdomain linker directly linked to an immunoglobulin CH2 domain. Such fusion proteins may provide specific, high affinity binding to RAGE ligands. Also disclosed is the use of the RAGE fusion proteins as therapeutics for RAGE-mediated pathologies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flotation element for vessels, consisting of concrete comprising closed-cell expanded foam beads, such as polypropylene beads, which are coated with a flexible binder, such as polyurethane, whereby the unfilled inter-bead volumes do not exceed approximately 20% of the volume of the floatation element. Preferably, one such floatation element comprises a concrete core as indicated above, a polyurethane coating around the core and a bonding film, such as polyurethane, which is disposed between the core and the coating. The invention is suitable for the construction of vessel floats.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device (10) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11), and a shape element (15) formed of a memory material, such as Nitinol. The elongate member (11) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a length and a plurality of electrodes (12) mounted thereon adapted to apply a preselected tissue stimulation. The elongate member (11) has a pre-formed curved orientation that at least substantially matches an inside surface of a cochlea, an implantable orientation different to said pre-formed orientation that allows said member to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea, and an at least one intermediate orientation between said implantable orientation and said pre-formed orientation. The shape element (15) is removably positioned within the elongate member (11) and extends along at least a portion of the length thereof.

Abstract: In a method of chilling slaughtered poultry or parts thereof, the poultry is conveyed through a chilling room, or at least through a part of said chilling room, and in the process is exposed to a stream of chilling air. During the chilling of the poultry the skin of the poultry is moistened. The skin of the poultry is moistened by spraying it with water in a spray area that is separated from the stream of chilling air.

Abstract: A peptide having a sequence which satisfies all of the following requirements (I) to (V) and has an activity of stimulating an immune cell: (I) the number of constituent amino acid residues is 12 to 36; (II) the sequence is amphipathic; (III) the charge of the whole molecule is +2 or more; (IV) when constituent amino acid residues are arranged so as to form an a-helical structure, a side chain of any aromatic amino acid residue is not located between side chains of at least two positively charged amino acid residues on a side where hydrophilic amino acid residues are located; and (V) the sequence contains an amino acid residue which serves as a cleavage point for a mitochondrial processing enzyme.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle are described. A mechanical control system can receive manual inputs from a mechanical operation member to operate the vehicle in manual mode. An actuator can receive autonomous control signals generated by a controller. When the actuator is engaged, it operates the vehicle in an autonomous mode, and when disengaged, the vehicle is operated in manual mode. Operating the vehicle in an autonomous mode can include automatically controlling steering, braking, throttle, and transmission. A system may also allow the vehicle to be operated via remote command.

Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for a fold preview. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a fold preview of a web page, including fixed-width and flexible-width web page designs. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a fold preview of any software application interface. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for providing a fold preview comprises calculating a cut-off region for one or more display resolutions, rendering one or more fold indicators, and continuing to display an area of a page falling within the cut-off region.

Abstract: An application development environment is described that updates one or more component tools offered in the application development environment. The application development environment determines the address of a server site related to the application under edit. After accessing this server site, the application development environment searches for one or more components related to the application being edited. The application development environment downloads and compares the server site components with one or more local components associated with the application. If a difference is detected, and a user authorizes the update, the application development environment revises the local components with the downloaded components and updates the component tools to facilitate presentation of the new components to the developer.

Abstract: An auditory prosthesis (30) comprising a microphone (27) for receiving the sound and producing a microphone signal responding to the received sound, an output device for providing audio signals in a form receivable by a user of the prosthesis (30), a sound processing unit (33) operable to receive the microphone signal and carry out a processing operation on the microphone signal to produce an output signal in a form suitable to operate the output device, wherein the sound processing unit (33) is operable in a first mode in which the processing operation comprises at least one variable processing factor which is adjustable by a user to a setting which causes the output signal of the sound processing unit (33) to be adjusted according to the preference of the user for the characteristics of the current acoustic environment.

Abstract: An umbrella comprises a vertical support member and a plurality of ribs operatively associated with the vertical support member and extending generally radially outward from a central location. The umbrella further includes a plurality of elongated, laterally flexible members, one of the flexible members being operatively associated with each of the plurality of ribs and extending outward therefrom. A canopy is supported by the plurality of ribs and has a periphery extending beyond the ribs. Receptacles are disposed on the inner surface of the canopy at points proximate the periphery of the canopy and in substantial alignment with a corresponding rib. The outer end of each flexible member engages a corresponding one of the receptacles. The canopy and the flexible members are configured such that the canopy exerts a tension on the flexible member that causes it to flex inward and downward.

Abstract: Methods, systems and program products for providing a first visual region, the first visual region configured to present content determined by a document. A distinct second visual region is provided, the second visual region not defined by the document and configured to present content that is not contained in the document. One or more attributes are identified in the electronic document. Based on the one or more attributes, the presentation of ad content in the second visual region is enabled or disabled. The electronic document is presented in the first visual region.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) that can test external components of a cochlear implant system in a manner that does not require the person conducting the test to have advanced knowledge of the operation of the tested component. The apparatus provides a relatively quick and straightforward answer to the question of whether the component is operative or not. The testing apparatus (30) comprises at least one testing station (32,33,34) for receiving the component to be tested and makes an electrical and/or inductive connection thereto. A testing circuit is adapted to apply at least one test to the component and measure the response of the component to that test. The apparatus (30) compares the response of the component to stored data indicative of the response to the test of at least one equivalent component that is known to be operational and outputs a result of said comparison.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in a prosthetic hearing implant, the electrode assembly comprising: an elongate carrier member for implantation into the cochlea, the carrier member having a proximal end adapted to be positioned in a basal region of the cochlea, and a distal end adapted to be positioned in an apical region of the cochlea; and a plurality of electrodes disposed along a longitudinal surface of the carrier member, wherein the plurality of electrodes have a predetermined spacing to attain a desired flexibility along the length of the carrier member.

Abstract: An implantable component (30) of a cochlear implant system comprising a housing for a stimulator unit (31) that is adapted to output one or more stimulation signals and an electrode assembly (30) adapted to apply electrical stimulation in accordance with the output of the stimulator unit (31). On implantation, the housing is positionable such that the electrode assembly (20) extends from the housing at least initially in a downward orientation toward the mastoid cavity before entering the cochlea. An external component (50, 60 or 70) of a cochlear implant system comprising a support for mounting to the ear of an recipient and an external signal transmitter coil (53) wherein the signal transmitter coil (53) is movably mounted to at least a portion of the support.

Abstract: Systems and methods of conducting financial transactions are disclosed. One method disclosed comprises receiving prices from a plurality of providers, updating a database of providers based at least in part on the received prices, and arranging the prices in the updated database of providers by arranging bid rates in a first order, arranging offer rates in a second order, and resolving a tie.

Abstract: Inmate communications systems provide a feature-rich platform with a high degree of flexibility and security employing call control facilities located off institutional premises. Authentication processes for calling and called party verification include biometric techniques in some embodiments. Distributed processing of call control and billing provide flexible interactive call payment processes. Preferred embodiments feature voice over IP transmission and control featuring controlled access to avoid addition of unauthorized third-party call participants. Monitoring, recording and selective forwarding of calls is provided under control of system administrators.

Abstract: An improved interface control advantageously may be operated by one hand. A thumbpiece is slidably disposed within a longitudinal arm member which moves in an arcuate path. Placing his or her thumb in the thumbpiece, a user controls the horizontal positioning of a cursor by moving the arm member along the arcuate path. Vertical positioning of the cursor is controlled by sliding the thumbpiece along the length of the arm member. Trigger functions are implemented by exerting a downward force on the thumbpiece. Since the downward force used to implement the trigger function is orthogonal to motions used to control positioning of the cursor irrespective of the particular positions of the arm member and thumbpiece, the disclosed interface control prevents a user from inadvertently altering the positioning of the cursor during implementation of the trigger function.