Abstract: For each device represented in a device graph of different sets of related devices, user profile and advertisement activity data are periodically obtained and associated with such device. For each set of related devices, an aggregated user profile graph is formed either by copying each related device's user profile data to the user profile data of the other related devices based on the device graph or each related device's user profile data is referenced with the user profile data of each other related device based on the device graph while maintaining such each related device to be separately associated with its user profile data. Different unique aggregated profiled identifiers are associated with different sets of related devices, and the aggregated profile device graph is provided in a database that is accessible by a processor that is programmed to perform targeted advertising or marketing engagement over a computer network.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate audience segment analysis. According to various embodiments, a performance metric for an initial audience segment may be identified. The initial audience segment may designate a first criterion used to select a first plurality of advertising opportunity bid requests for bid placement. An updated audience segment may be determined based on the performance metric. The updated audience segment may designate a second criterion used to select a second plurality of advertising opportunity bid requests for bid placement. A message to place a bid for an advertising campaign on an advertising opportunity bid request may be transmitted. The advertising opportunity bid request may be associated with an advertising audience member matching the second criterion.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for the loopback test of the proper operation of technical devices integrated in an industrial process automation system and operated by at least one electronic controller via wired or wireless connections for controlling the industrial process. The following test can be performed: a) configuring, in a device management unit having a graphical user interface, the loopback test by selecting technical devices to be included therein and specifying the test variant to be used, and b) performing, via the device management unit, the loopback test for each of the selected technical devices using the assigned test variant.

Abstract: A computer system includes a memory, the memory comprising a hardware boot parameter storage area; an operating system running on the computer system; and reboot logic configured to: store updated boot parameters for the operating system in the hardware boot parameter storage area in the memory; perform a reboot of the operating system with the updated boot parameters; determine whether the reboot of the operating system is successful, and, in the event the reboot of the operating system is successful, automatically propagate the updated boot parameters to a persistent boot parameter storage area.

Abstract: A method for automatically updating persistent boot parameter storage in a computer system includes storing updated boot parameters for an operating system in the computer system in a hardware boot parameter storage area in a memory of the computer system; performing a reboot of the operating system with the updated boot parameters; determining whether the reboot of the operating system is successful; and, in the event the reboot of the operating system is successful, automatically propagating the updated boot parameters from the hardware boot parameter storage area to a persistent boot parameter storage area.

Abstract: Methods and devices for harvesting cancellous bone are disclosed. The bone-harvesting device may include a cannula and a bone receptacle in communication with the cannula, wherein the cannula including a cutting surface positioned at or adjacent the distal end, the cutting surface being oriented at an angle, the angle being greater than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula, and the harvested bone is adapted to move from a position adjacent to the cutting surface through the cannula into the bone receptacle. The cutting surface of the cannula may be positioned at or adjacent the distal end, and positioned at least in part radially outward of the outer face of the cannula. The cannula may include a cutting surface positioned at or adjacent the distal end and an occluding geometry that partially occludes the distal end of the cannula adjacent the cutting surface. In addition, a suction port may be provided in communication with the bone receptacle.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive bone graft harvesting device, kit, and method are provided. The device includes a hollow cutting element and an extraction element. The hollow cutting element may define a longitudinal axis and includes a distal end, a proximal end adapted to be coupled to a powered or manual-operated rotary tool, and an inner lumen extending longitudinally between the distal and proximal ends. The hollow cutting element may also include one or more blades protruding from an outer surface of the cutting element. Each blade may be arranged adjacent to an opening extending between the outer surface and the inner lumen to allow cancellous bone material cut by each blade during use to pass through the opening into the inner lumen. The extraction element may be removably received within the inner lumen of the hollow cutting element to allow withdrawal of the bone material in the inner lumen.

Abstract: A computer system includes a memory, the memory comprising a hardware boot parameter storage area; an operating system running on the computer system; and reboot logic configured to: store updated boot parameters for the operating system in the hardware boot parameter storage area in the memory; perform a reboot of the operating system with the updated boot parameters; determine whether the reboot of the operating system is successful, and, in the event the reboot of the operating system is successful, automatically propagate the updated boot parameters to a persistent boot parameter storage area.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive bone graft harvesting device, kit, and method are provided. The device includes a hollow cutting element and an extraction element. The hollow cutting element may define a longitudinal axis and includes a distal end, a proximal end adapted to be coupled to a powered or manual-operated rotary tool, and an inner lumen extending longitudinally between the distal and proximal ends. The hollow cutting element may also include one or more blades protruding from an outer surface of the cutting element. Each blade may be arranged adjacent to an opening extending between the outer surface and the inner lumen to allow cancellous bone material cut by each blade during use to pass through the opening into the inner lumen. The extraction element may be removably received within the inner lumen of the hollow cutting element to allow withdrawal of the bone material in the inner lumen.

Abstract: A method for automatically updating persistent boot parameter storage in a computer system includes storing updated boot parameters for an operating system in the computer system in a hardware boot parameter storage area in a memory of the computer system; performing a reboot of the operating system with the updated boot parameters; determining whether the reboot of the operating system is successful; and, in the event the reboot of the operating system is successful, automatically propagating the updated boot parameters from the hardware boot parameter storage area to a persistent boot parameter storage area.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to novel genes and their encoded proteins, termed Mutants Associated with Resistance to STI-571 (e.g., T315I Bcr-Abl), and to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions useful in the management of various cancers that express MARS. The invention further provides methods for identifying molecules that bind to and/or modulate the functional activity of MARS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to arranging items of clothing to obtain photoimages of the clothing worn by mannequins and display of the photoimages of the items of clothing in a composite image as if worn by a model. For example, the composite image may be used in on-line or other remote or automated-assisted shopping to allow a shopper to see how an item of clothing will look on a composite image of an image of a model having physical measurements the same as or close to those of the shopper and an as-worn photoimage of the clothing on a mannequin also having similar physical measurements to the shopper. Embodiments of the invention further relate to a system that has databases of images of models and as-worn clothing items arranged on the portions of mannequins for a wide variety of physical measurements.