Abstract: The present invention is a press molded custom foot plate, a method of making said plate, and a method of making a shoe using said press molded plate wherein said press molded foot plate is formed of a piece of press molded material that is incorporated and used as the insole of a shoe and where an outsole and uppers are attached to the press molded custom foot plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a haptic feedback device that includes a circuit board, a pressure sensor in operable communication with the circuit board, and a vibrator in operable communication with the circuit board. The vibrator is configured to vibrate when the pressure sensor senses pressure above a threshold pressure. The haptic feedback device includes a battery in operable communication with the circuit board. The circuit board, the vibrator, the pressure sensor and the battery are configured to be inserted into a wearable article such that when a wearer wears the wearable article the vibrator is configured to vibrate when the wearer is lying in the supine position. Further disclosed is a wearable sleep mask having a band for receiving the haptic feedback device, and a method of use thereof.

Abstract: A method and system are described for managing radio frequency layer priority settings for radio access network nodes in a mobile wireless network. A programmed server is configured with an initial configuration of the trigger definitions and corresponding radio frequency layer priority settings. Thereafter, the programmed server applies current conditions bearing upon a conditional area to a conditional area trigger definition. The programmed server then issues, based upon the application of the current conditions to the conditional area trigger definition, a message to re-designate radio frequency layer priority settings for a cell. The programmed server thereafter receives network characteristics feedback.

Abstract: A method and system are described for managing radio frequency layer priority settings for radio access network nodes in a mobile wireless network. A programmed server is configured with an initial configuration of the trigger definitions and corresponding radio frequency layer priority settings. Thereafter, the programmed server applies current conditions bearing upon a conditional area to a conditional area trigger definition. The programmed server then issues, based upon the application of the current conditions to the conditional area trigger definition, a message to re-designate radio frequency layer priority settings for a cell. The programmed server thereafter receives network characteristics feedback.

Abstract: Novel peptoid oligomers are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following formula Ia or Ib: The peptoid oligomers are prepared as modulators of androgen receptor (AR), and may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions and used for the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals, including humans, associated with unwanted or aberrant AR activity. The present peptoid oligomers are particularly valuable for the treatment of subjects with cancer.

Abstract: A system and method for offer targeting is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for offer targeting may comprise: providing a plurality of offers and a plurality of groups, wherein each group comprises one or more accounts; maintaining an offer counter for each of the plurality of groups; and assigning the plurality of offers, in a predetermined order, to the plurality of groups by repeating the following steps: (1) assigning an offer to one or more groups, wherein the one or more groups are selected from groups that are pre-qualified for the offer based on a plurality of business rules, and the selection of the one or more groups is based at least in part on the offer counters of the one or more groups; (2) incrementing offer counters associated with the one or more groups; and (3) sorting the plurality of groups based on the incremented offer counters.

Abstract: A method for managing service quality provided by a mobile wireless network including a population of base station transceivers and associated antennas at a radio frequency interface to mobile wireless devices is described. The method includes acquiring data volume and connection attempts demand information from the base station transceivers. The data volume and connection attempts demand parameter values are analyzed to render statistical values for these two types of demand parameter values. Thereafter, trigger points for data volume and data connection attempts demand are established based upon the statistical values for these two respective types of demand information. The data volume and connection attempts demand trigger points are applied, respectively, to the individual data volume demand parameter values and the individual connection attempts demand parameter values to render a list of transceivers having parameter values exceeding both the data volume and connection attempts demand trigger points.

Abstract: The present invention is a press molded custom shoe plate, a method of making said plate, and a method of making a shoe using said press molded plate wherein said press molded shoe plate is formed of a piece of press molded material that is incorporated and used as the inner sole of a shoe and where an outer sole and uppers are attached to the press molded custom shoe plate.

Abstract: A centralized dispute resolution system for use in commercial credit or debit card transactions. The inventive system utilizes a common data storage, interfaces, processes, procedures, rules, and other elements of a dispute resolution system that are made available to cardholders, merchants, card issuers, payment processors, and other parties that may be involved in a dispute or in a process intended to resolve a dispute. The system may be implemented using a client-server architecture with communication between clients and one or more server elements provided by a communications network.

Abstract: A method for offer management may comprise: providing a plurality of offers for targeting at a plurality of accounts based on a plurality of business rules; prioritizing the plurality of offers; grouping the accounts based on their qualification for each offer in accordance with the business rules; optimizing the business rules based on the prioritization of the offers and the grouping of the accounts, such that each offer is associated with at least a predetermined number of accounts; imposing a volume limit or weight limit for offers assigned to each account; incorporating the offers into communications associated with the plurality of accounts based on the optimized business rules and the volume limit or weight limit; and managing production of the communications based on at least one simulation, wherein the at least one simulation is performed based on data associated with the offers, business rules and the accounts.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for producing advertisements on a transaction record for a transaction between a consumer and a merchant involving the use of a portable consumer device such as a credit or debit card. Advertisers may specify criteria so that the advertisements are specifically targeted.

Abstract: In a power plant which produces electricity by boiling water with heat generated from a nuclear or fossil fuel source, and uses the steam to drive a generator to produce electricity, the spent steam is condensed in the vacuum produced by a column that is disposed beneath the surface of an adjacent sea or other large body of water. The distilled condensate is pumped back to the boiler providing a closed-loop condensing system. The system improves the Carnot efficiency of the plant by exhausting the steam to a lower pressure than previous condensers which operate at near atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An electric power generating plant using nuclear or fossil fuel to produce steam in a boiler which powers a turbine to generate electricity is disposed adjacent to a body of sea water or fresh water. Spent steam from the turbine is cooled in a primary heat exchanger with water from the body. The heated water from the heat exchanger is cooled in a near-vacuum chamber at the upper end of a column having its lower end in the body of water. The vapor produced in the evaporator is fed to a near-vacuum space in a second condenser supported below the sea level so as to be cooled by the sea water. The condenser has its lower end disposed in a sump of fresh water which is vented to atmosphere or sealed and pressurized, to provide support for the column. Fresh water produced by the condensation may be used for drinking water or other purposes and is pumped for utilization.

Abstract: A subatmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water. A degasser for the water to be distilled prevents the accumulation of gases dissolved in the seawater or the like in the subatmospheric volume.

Abstract: A sub-atmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water.

Abstract: A lung and breath control exercise device includes an elongated body with an upwardly open channel. An array of pegs are rotatably mounted on an axle extending along the channel and the pegs may be rotated from a first position against one wall of the channel to a second position against the opposite wall. In use, the pegs are positioned in one position and the device is placed on a level surface a predetermined distance from a human user. The user then blows his or her breath on the pegs to blow them to their second positions in a predetermined order or sequence or to keep selected pegs suspended between positions. This exercises the user's lungs and develops breath control. The immediate feedback provided by the moving pegs is a measure of success and progress, which encourages the user to engage and continue to engage in breath and lung exercises with the device.

Abstract: A lung and breath control exercise device and methodology is provided. The device includes an elongated body with an upwardly open channel. An array of pegs are rotatably mounted on an axle extending along the channel and the pegs may be rotated from a first position against one wall of the channel to a second position against the opposite wall. In use, the pegs are positioned in one position and the device is placed on a level surface a predetermined distance from a user. The user then blows on the pegs to blow them to their second positions in a predetermined order or sequence. The immediate feedback provided by the moving pegs is a measure of success and progress, which encourages the user to engage and continue to engage in breath and lung exercises. In an enhanced embodiment, an on-board microprocessor is coupled to a clock, to sensors for detecting the conditions of the pegs, and to LEDs, which indicate a particular peg when lit.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for modulating phosphate homeostasis and renal phosphate transport by delivering agents that alter the expression of the FRP-4 gene or alter the activity of the FRP-4 protein. The methods of the invention are useful for modulating bone mineralization, renal phosphate transport, alleviating oncogenic osteomalacia-associated symptoms and treating phosphate homeostasis-related disease. The invention further provides methods for reducing phosphate re-absorption by delivering to a subject FRP-4 protein or polynucleotides that encode this protein. In addition, the invention provides methods for detecting and monitoring expression of the FRP-4 gene and modulating the phenotype of a neoplastic cell associated with oncogenic osteomalacia. Finally, the invention provides methods for screening candidate agents to identify compositions that modify the activity of the FRP-4 gene and protein.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding an oncogenic osteomalacia-related factor and polypeptides encoded by this polynucleotide. Expression systems, including gene delivery vehicles such as liposomes and vectors, and host cells containing the polynucleotides are further provided by this invention. The present invention also provides proteins encoded by the polynucleotides and antibodies that specifically recognize and bind to these proteins. In one embodiment the proteins that modulate bone mineralization and phosphate metabolism as characterized by the methods described herein. The present invention also provides methods for modulating bone mineralization activity and phosphate metabolism and for treating diseases related to abnormal bone mineralization and abnormal phosphate metabolism.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture which provides for the display of database management information on a computer in a user-friendly way to minimize errors and maximize database usership. The invention displays a window in a graphical user interface on a computer display. The window allows the user to enter database tables, fields, and database commands selected from a displayed menu. The window also displays a natural language translation of the current status of the database command, allowing the user to see, in real time, the scope of the request and the databases affected.