Abstract: The invention is directed to materials and methods associated with polymorphic variants in two enzymes involved in folate-dependent and one-carbon metabolic pathways: MTHFD1 (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (NADP+dependent) 1-like (MTHFD1L). Diagnostic and therapeutic methods are provided involving the correlation of polymorphic variants in MTBFD1, MTHFD1, and other genes with relative susceptibility for various pregnancy-related and other complications.

Abstract: Interruptions between a source in a first network and a destination in a second network are reduced by providing first primary and secondary nodes in the first network, and second primary and secondary nodes in the second network. First primary routes in the first network facilitate delivery of a first set of the data to the first primary node; and a second set of the data to the first secondary node. Inter-network routes between the first and second networks deliver the first and second sets of the data to the second primary node and the second secondary node. Second primary routes in the second network facilitate delivery of at least one of the first and second sets of data to the destination. A selector within the second network selects one of the sets of data. Route selectors select secondary routes in the event that a primary route is disabled.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin management system that provides passengers and crew with a number of entertainment and productivity enhancing options. Such options include, without limitation, audio, video, control and status of aircraft data systems and electro-mechanical devices. Located proximate to each seat and in various other strategic locations throughout the cabin is a control unit that acts as the primary means of passenger and crew interaction with the cabin management system. Using a multi-cast distribution methodology, over wired or wireless distribution, allows for an unlimited number of clients to have access to each available audio/video program. This allows the system to be fully scalable from a small 4 seat mobile platform to a large 800+ seat mobile platform. While particularly drawn to aircraft, the cabin management system is also applicable to other venues that have identifiable seating locations such as buses, passenger ships, hotels and auditoriums.

Abstract: Microwave packaging for a food product, as well as methods of its making and using, are disclosed. The microwavable food product packaging comprises a bottom wall, at least one side wall, and a floating divider positioned above the bottom wall and within the at least one side wall to at least partially define a bottom region and a top region. The floating divider includes a microwave interactive material and is movable relative to the bottom wall and/or side wall. The may also include one or more vents to allow passage of fluids between the first region and the second region (e.g., oils, fats, and/or other juices from one food product and steam, water vapor, and/or other gases from the other food product).

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program for data packet scheduling in a system having a plurality of queues including a mixed queue are provided. The mixed queue has first traffic associated with a bandwidth guarantee and second traffic associated with a best effort expectation of access to available bandwidth. A first weight is assigned for the first traffic and a second weight is assigned for the second traffic. Information about the first traffic is tracked. The first traffic is served based on the first information such that the first traffic is provided the guaranteed bandwidth and the second traffic is served in proportion to the second weight.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.

Abstract: A method and system for designing a bi-connected ring-based network is provided, which designs from scratch or converts an existing network to a dual-homed ring-based network. The network covers the locations capable of being bi-connected with one or more cycles/rings. The traffic demand is then routed via the cycles, in such a way so as to minimize the amount of network traffic management equipment required.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue closure devices for closing a tissue opening, including one or more closure components, each closure component having a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having a first surface that adheres to a tissue surface proximate to the tissue opening, each of the first and second members having a second surface substantially orthogonal to the first surface, and each of the first and second members having a transitional region between the first surface and the second surface which is contoured to evert an edge of the tissue opening upon the drawing together of the first and second members. The present invention is also directed to systems and kits, dressing systems, and methods for tissue repair and closure.

Abstract: A method of managing presence information in a packet-switched wireless communication network such as a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network or a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network. Instead of using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to send presence update messages to a presence server in the packet-switched network, the MS/UE sends its presence information to the presence server using a circuit-switched Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) message that is sent via a USSD gateway. The USSD message includes an IP address of the presence server, and the USSD gateway extracts the IP address and forwards the presence update message to the presence server.

Abstract: A method of setting up a Push-To-Talk-over-Cellular (PoC) call between a calling mobile station (MS) and a called MS in a cellular communications network. In GSM/GPRS networks, the method decreases the call setup time, from the time the push-to-talk button is pressed, by causing the called MS to change to READY state before call setup is initiated. This is done by sending a USSD message to the called MS when the calling user selects a PoC contact list on the calling MS. The USSD message causes the called MS to perform a routing area update and change to READY state. This eliminates the need to page the called MS during call setup. In WCDMA networks, the USSD message causes the called MS to reestablish a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection. The called MS maintains this connection, thereby enabling faster type 2 paging to be utilized for call setup.

Abstract: A connector for providing semi-permanent connection between a bus bar and a connector contact is formed by ovelapping a bus bar tab with at least one contact tail of the connector contact and gripping the overlapped bus bar tab and the contact tail with a spring clip. In this manner, the spring clip produces the pressure required to establish adequate contact between the bus bar tab and contact tail. According to another feature, the junction including the bus bar tab, the contact tail and the spring clip are isolated by covering them with an electrically insulating sleeve, this sleeve also serving to retain the spring clip in position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toy set including a stuffed animal, a bathtub and bath time-related accessories. The bathtub is configured such that a child may cause water to be dispensed from the showerhead. In addition, the child may cause foam to be dispensed from either a foaming brush or the upper surface of the bathtub.

Abstract: A tablet holder including a plurality of perforations that allow diffusion of an enclosed tablet into a surrounding liquid through the perforations. The holder includes a retainer portion and an extension portion that engages selectively with the retainer portion and extends therefrom. In some embodiments, the extension portion extends parallel to a plane formed by a diffusion surface in the retainer portion.

Abstract: A press-fit bus-bar for distributing power along a backplane or a printed circuit board includes a number of flat bus bar conductors fabricated from an electrically conductive material. Each bus bar conductor is separated from adjacent bus bar conductors by layers of an insulating material. A number of electrically conductive press-fit tails protrude from one edge of each bus bar conductor. When the laminated bus bar conductors and insulating material layers are placed in a housing which is then filled with a hardened epoxy resin, the press-fit tails protrude from the surface of that epoxy resin. These protruding tails can be press-fit in a backplane(s) or printed circuit board(s) for the purpose of supplying these backplane(s) or printed circuit board(s) with electric power.

Abstract: A device for connecting an electrical contact to a flat bus bar conductor formed with a tab comprises a spring sleeve and a tubular shroud. The sleeve receives both the tab and the electrical contact in order to interconnect these tab and contact. The shroud has a first section in which the sleeve fits and a second section through which the tab is inserted in the sleeve, this second section being slotted to define a seat for the bus bar conductor. The electrical contact comprises a first pair of mutually spaced apart flat contact members, and a second pair of flat contact tails connected to the contact members and spaced apart from each other for insertion in the sleeve with the tab between them. An electrical connector comprises an electrically insulating housing formed with a cavity with front and rear openings, and the electrical contact having its contact members inserted in the cavity through the rear opening to form a conductor-receiving receptacle accessible through the front opening.

Abstract: A connector for providing semi-permanent connection between a bus bar and a connector contact is formed by ovelapping a bus bar tab with at least one contact tail of the connector contact and gripping the overlapped bus bar tab and the contact tail with a spring clip. In this manner, the spring clip produces the pressure required to establish adequate contact between the bus bar tab and contact tail. According to another feature, the junction including the bus bar tab, the contact tail and the spring clip are isolated by covering them with an electrically insulating sleeve, this sleeve also serving to retain the spring clip in position.

Abstract: A connector for providing semi-permanent connection between a bus bar and a connector contact is formed by ovelapping a bus bar tab with at least one contact tail of the connector contact and gripping the overlapped bus bar tab and the contact tail with a spring clip. In this manner, the spring clip produces the pressure required to establish adequate contact between the bus bar tab and contact tail. According to another feature, the junction including the bus bar tab, the contact tail and the spring clip are isolated by covering them with an electrically insulating sleeve, this sleeve also serving to retain the spring clip in position.