Abstract: A computer-implemented method monitors a video-based graphic. The method includes displaying a video-based graphic. A position of a pointer is monitored. The method includes determining a transparency of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer. An action is performed based on the determined transparency of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer.

Abstract: A fluidic device including a main channel, wherein a first inlet fluidly connects to an upstream end of the main channel and introduces magnetic beads into a first side of the main channel A second inlet is fluidly connected to the upstream end of the main channel and introduces a sample stream into a second side of the main channel A first magnet disposed adjacent to the second side of the main channel pulls the magnetic beads towards a sidewall of the second side, and thus into the sample stream A second magnet disposed downstream from the first magnet and adjacent to a first side of the main channel subsequently pulls the magnetic beads towards a sidewall of the first side, and thus out of the sample stream A detection region is disposed at or downstream from the second magnet and in the first side of the main channel.

Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) that includes a pressure generating device (4) structured to produce a flow of gas and a component (8) such as a patient interface device (8) structured to be selectively coupled to the pressure generating device (4), wherein the pressure generating device (4) and the component (8) are structured to enable the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device (4). Also, a method of identifying a component (8) in an airway pressure support system (2) that includes steps of coupling the component (8) to a pressure generating device (4) of the airway pressure support system (2) and enabling the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device.

Abstract: A system and method includes reception of a hemodynamic signal, reception of a cardiac impedance signal, identification of a first peak and a second peak of the cardiac impedance signal, identification of a first portion of the hemodynamic signal based on the first peak and a second portion of the hemodynamic signal based on the second peak, and calculation of a cardiac characteristic based on the first portion and the second portion of the hemodynamic signal.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for calculating well flow rates produced with electrical submersible pumps using measured voltage, current, frequency and pressure data. An efficiency to flow rate ratio is calculated from the voltage, current, and pressure data. The efficiency to flow rate ratio is used to obtain a non-dimensional flow rate. The flow rate through the electrical submersible pump is calculated from the non-dimensional flow rate.

Abstract: A system for converting formatting of display object, including a logic (e.g., a computing device) that can be operable to traverse and record a part of source code or binary data related to a first visible item displayed on a visual output device. The logic can then convert a first data type or data structure that includes the recorded part of source code or binary data to a second data type or data structure that still includes the recorded part of source code or binary data, where the second data type or data structure is related to a second visible item displayable on the visual output device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method monitors a video-based graphic. The method includes displaying a video-based graphic. A position of a pointer is monitored. The method includes determining a transparency of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer. An action is performed based on the determined transparency of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer.

Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) that includes a pressure generating device (4) structured to produce a flow of gas and a component (8) such as a patient interface device (8) structured to be selectively coupled to the pressure generating device (4), wherein the pressure generating device (4) and the component (8) are structured to enable the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device (4). Also, a method of identifying a component (8) in an airway pressure support system (2) that includes steps of coupling the component (8) to a pressure generating device (4) of the airway pressure support system (2) and enabling the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device.

Abstract: A respiration humidifier having a base unit and a chamber constructed to hold liquid. A sensor is connected to the chamber and configured to sense a condition within the chamber. A radiation signal transmitter is carried by the chamber and associated with the sensor. The transmitter wirelessly sends a radiation signal indicative of the sensed condition. The humidifier includes a radiation signal receiver carried by the base unit for receiving the signal. The humidifier includes a control unit that controls the condition based on the radiation signal received by the radiation signal receiver. Another aspect provides a breathing system using the humidifier. The breathing system includes a gas flow generator that generates a flow of gas to a user circuit coupled to the gas flow generator and adapted to communicate the flow of gas to a user.

Abstract: An agent based model system provides simulation of the influence of environmental variables and tendencies in individual and social decision making relating to the formation of coalitions and ethnic groups. The system is based on improved understandings of human decision making under risk, and incorporates recent theoretical developments and computational tools. The system gives analysts the ability to predict the development of coalitions and ethnic groups, as well as the ability to manage the behavior of individuals in such groups. The model results provide confidence intervals for various possible scenarios in a mix of agents' decision rules and distribution of environmental resources. Applications include management of ethnic groups and violent conditions in unstable nations, the tracking of terrorist organizations, development of coalitions and oligopolies in business, and the modeling and interdiction of criminal organizations.

Abstract: The present specification describes a check in system for checking a passenger onto a flight. An indication of the airline and a passenger's reservation code is sent from a kiosk to a remote computer system using communications that are sent through the internet. On receipt of these details the remote computer system accesses the airline reservation system and requests a copy of the passenger name record, again using communications that are sent through the internet. The data in the passenger name record is used to check in the passenger at the kiosk. It is also used to assess whether the passenger's baggage is outside the baggage allowance for the ticket. The passenger is able to pay any fees at the kiosk further using communications that are sent through the internet. The specification also describes a baggage drop system using a similar process to issue baggage tags.

Abstract: A fluidic device including a main channel, wherein a first inlet fluidly connects to an upstream end of the main channel and introduces magnetic beads into a first side of the main channel A second inlet is fluidly connected to the upstream end of the main channel and introduces a sample stream into a second side of the main channel A first magnet disposed adjacent to the second side of the main channel pulls the magnetic beads towards a sidewall of the second side, and thus into the sample stream A second magnet disposed downstream from the first magnet and adjacent to a first side of the main channel subsequently pulls the magnetic beads towards a sidewall of the first side, and thus out of the sample stream A detection region is disposed at or downstream from the second magnet and in the first side of the main channel

Abstract: Method and system for determining a characteristic of a subsurface formation traversed by a wellbore. A fluid flow rate in the wellbore is established, the flow being associated with fluid movement in one or more layers in the formation. Fluid data is generated from the fluid flow. The fluid flow rate in the wellbore is selectively altered, and fluid data is re-generated pertaining to the altered flow rates. The fluid data is processed to determine desired reservoir parameters and/or characteristics of an identified stratum in the formation. A method identifies inflexion points on a single phase oil only curve plot using the fluid data to determine layer characteristics and flow stability.

Abstract: A current sensor comprises an outer shielding means (4), a toroidal inner core and inner shield means (1). A combined driving and sensing winding (3) is wound around the inner core. First and second ends of the winding (3) are connectable to a sensor head. The inner shield means (1) has a gap (1A) formed in it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for inducing an immune response to an antigen in a vertebrate (e.g., mammal) comprising an antigen and all or a portion of a stress protein or all or a portion of a protein having an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of the stress protein to induce the immune response against the antigen. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to vaccines and compositions which induce a CTL response in a mammal comprising an antigen and all or a portion of a stress protein. In another embodiment, the invention relates to vaccines and compositions which induce an immune response to an influenza virus in a mammal comprising an antigen of the influenza virus and all or a portion of one or more stress proteins. The invention also relates to vaccines and compositions for inducing a CTL response to a tumor-associated antigen comprising a tumor-associated antigen and all or a portion of the stress protein.

Abstract: A merge conveyor defines a travel pathway for moving cargo. A tail pulley has a first rotational axis which is perpendicular to the travel pathway. First and second nose bars are parallel and spaced and are disposed at an angle with respect to the travel pathway. A drive pulley has a second rotational axis which is parallel with the travel pathway. A snub pulley has a third rotational axis which is parallel with the first rotational axis. An endless belt is sequentially routed over the tail pulley, the first nose bar, the drive pulley, the second nose bar, and the snub pulley. The endless belt extends directly from the second nose bar to the snub pulley and then directly to the tail pulley.

Abstract: To protect a joint from exposure to contaminants and loss of lubricant disposed within a joint a traditional joint includes a sealing system. Typically the sealing system includes a boot and a boot cover. To produce a more effective joint, the sealing system of the present invention further includes a shield to protect the boot and the boot cover from exposure to contaminants by providing a barrier therebetween. The joint of the present invention includes a shield having several embodiments including an elastomer sleeve, a rigid cylindrical tube and a thermoplastic second boot.

Abstract: A device for decorating bakery goods is provided that includes a basin having a bottom and sides. A turntable is provided that is rotatably mounted to the bottom of the basin. Additionally, at least one retainer is provided, the retainer being secured to the turntable. The present invention also is directed toward a method of decorating bakery goods on a turntable having at least one retainer. A bakery good is secured to the turntable with the retainer. The bakery good is then decorated with frosting as the turntable rotates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for inducing an immune response to an antigen in a vertebrate (e.g., mammal) comprising an antigen and all or a portion of a stress protein or all or a portion of a protein having an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of the stress protein to induce the immune response against the antigen. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to vaccines and compositions which induce a CTL response in a mammal comprising an antigen and all or a portion of a stress protein. In another embodiment, the invention relates to vaccines and compositions which induce an immune response to an influenza virus in a mammal comprising an antigen of the influenza virus and all or a portion of one or more stress proteins. The invention also relates to vaccines and compositions for inducing a CTL response to a tumor-associated antigen comprising a tumor-associated antigen and all or a portion of the stress protein.

Abstract: A non-monolithic ring laser cavity comprising: (a) a gain medium (1); (b) a first polarization rotation element arranged to rotate the polarization of light propagating in the cavity with a predetermined handedness irrespective of the direction of propagation of the light; (c) a second polarization rotation element (7) arranged-to rotate the polarization of light propagating in the cavity with a handedness which is dependent upon the direction of propagation of the light; (d) a polarization selection element (5, 6) arranged to cause loss to light propagating in the cavity, the loss being determined by the polarization of light incident upon the polarization selection element; wherein the polarization selection element comprises at least one mirror spaced away from the gain medium (1) and arranged to reflect light at an angle displaced from the normal such that the reflectivity of the at least one mirror is sufficiently polarization dependent that the laser oscillates uni-directionally.