Abstract: System and Methods are disclosed relating to the online purchase of a gift or other item. A gift recipient may purchase one or more gifts or items and receive such one or more gifts or items immediately. Thereafter, others who would seek to purchase a gift or item for the gift recipient from an online retailer or web service provider may choose to contribute to the cost of the already received gift or item and the gift recipient is reimbursed his cost for purchasing of such immediately received gift or item as the purchasers make such contributions towards the received gift or item.

Abstract: Methods of purchasing a gift include: providing a retailer website, providing a FriendGiftr website, selecting at least one gift on the retailer website, retailer catalog, retail store or combination thereof, selecting a FriendGiftr payment option on the retailer website, connecting with the FriendGiftr website and accessing options to display the at least one gift. Contemplated methods also include paying for part or all of a single gift or multiple gifts, setting up “immediate gratification” delivery or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A device having a monitor operable to display information to a customer. The device further including a touch sensitive module coupled to the monitor. Also, the device has an image capturing module operable to capture an image of the customer. Additionally, the device has a storage unit operable to store the image of the customer and product information including information related to products offered at a retail establishment and products offered in an online store of the retail establishment. Furthermore, the device has a communication module communicatively coupling the device to a server via a network. The server accessing a database to provide up-to-date product information to the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated interactive system that enables an author to build applications that handle complex consumer-merchant interactions. The author designs content components and application rules that are interpreted by the system dynamically, at runtime, to generate and deliver to users personalized HTML web pages, including client-side objects that track user behavior and enhance users' interaction with the application. Such rules dynamically adapt the author's goals to the appropriate users at the appropriate time, thereby simulating the dialogue between users and human salespersons/customer service personnel in the context of an automated interactive system.

Abstract: Various embodiments described and illustrated herein provide one or more of systems, methods, software, and firmware to handle attack generated demand proactively using distributed virtualization. One goal of some such embodiments is to provide a time window of stable operational response within which an intrusion detection system may detect an attack and/or cause a countermeasure against the attacks to be activated. Demand excursions which are not caused by an attack are supported during the variability of demand providing transparent response to legitimate users of the system. These embodiments, and others, are described in greater detail below.

Abstract: A composition and method of treating symptoms of diarrhea that utilize administering an effective amount of an isolated calcium aluminosilicate anti-diarrheal (“CASAD”), wherein the isolated CASAD is substantially free from T4-dioxin and toxic heavy metal contamination, waiting a period of time; and repeating the administration of the composition until the symptoms of diarrhea are mitigated. The symptoms of diarrhea may be associated with chronic or infectious diseases, inflammatory proteins, treatment using drugs, or treatment using a chemotheraputic agent in a subject in need of treatment. The isolated CASAD is capable of binding inflammatory proteins, drug metabolites, and chemotherapeutic agents. The isolated CASAD can be administered in any suitable form, such as in tablet, powder, or suspension form, and can be administered by any suitable route, such as orally.

Abstract: A composition and method for use as a preventive therapy to mitigate the effects of environmental toxins, and particularly aflatoxins in a subject. The subject may be at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and aflatoxicosis. The composition comprising: an effective amount of an isolated low sodium, calcium aluminosilicate clay in a powder form, wherein the isolated low sodium, calcium aluminosilicate clay contains acceptable levels of dioxins and priority toxic heavy metal contamination, and is capable of preferentially binding aflatoxins in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing loan applications in dynamic workflows. In a preferred embodiment, a system calls an activity engine with a top-level activity for processing a work-item, e.g., a loan application. The activity engine decomposes the top-level activity into child activities and lower-level child activities, and recursively calls itself to process the child activities until all constituent child activities have been preformed, thus performing the original top-level activity. In the preferred embodiment, each activity, work-item, user, event and role has associated rules, wherein an event represents a change in state of an activity and a role represents a class of users of the system having shared attributes. The evaluation of the associated rules dynamically creates the flow of activities, thereby creating a dynamic workflow.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample for the presence of an analyte in a sample. The system includes a sample holder for containing the sample; an excitation source, such as a laser, and at least one linear array radially disposed about the sample holder. Radiation from the excitation source is directed to the sample, and the radiation induces fluorescent light in the sample. Each linear array includes a plurality of fused silica optical fibers that receive the fluorescent light and transmits a fluorescent light signal from the first end to an optical end port of the linear array. An end port assembly having a photo-detector is optically coupled to the optical end port. The photo-detector detects the fluorescent light signal and converts the fluorescent light signal into an electrical signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a non-symmetrically arranged plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for creating a fluid seal in a subterranean well structure having a fluid seal defect. The method comprises introducing a meltable repair material proximate a structure in a subterranean well which has a fluid seal defect or enhanced seal capacity is required or it is desired to temporarily or permanently hydraulically isolate a portion the well or strengthen the structural integrity of well tubulars or tubular hangers. Exothermic reactant materials are located proximate the meltable repair material. The exothermic reactant material is ignited or an exothermic reaction otherwise initiated which supplies heat to and melts the meltable repair material into a molten mass. The molten mass flows and solidifies across the structure and the fluid seal defect to effect a fluid seal in the subterranean well structure or the structural integrity is enhanced.

Abstract: A secondary plugging tool is disclosed for use in a subterranean plug, such as in a plugged and/or abandoned well. The repaired plug may be of a cementicious material, or a mechanically, hydraulically or electrically set plug or packer. The plugging tool includes an outer housing containing an eutectic metal alloy. A thermitic reaction charge is contained within chambers within an inner tubular member and a lower housing. The lower end of the outer housing being ported circumferentially there around, the thermitic reaction charge activates the eutectic metal charge such that the eutectic charge melts and pours out of the outer housing and across and upon the initial plug to repair any failure areas therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved control methodology for maximum power point tracking (MPPT), anti-islanding, and output current regulation for distributed generation sources connected to a utility grid. The control includes enhancements for MPPT and regulating the inverter output-current that is sourced into the utility grid. In addition, the functions associated with MPPT, anti-islanding detection and output current regulation are integrated together; the MPPT algorithm operates in conjunction with the anti-islanding detection, and the output current regulation operates in conjunction with the MPPT algorithm.

Abstract: An acidic solution of sparingly-soluble Group IIA complexes (“AGIIS”), its preparation and its uses. The AGIIS can be prepared by mixing a mineral acid (such as sulfuric acid), and a Group IIA hydroxide (such as calcium hydroxide) or a Group IIA salt of a dibasic acid (such as calcium sulfate), or a mixture of the two Group IIA compounds, followed by removing the solid formed. The various uses include cleaning, food production, decontamination, bioremediation, agricultural application, medical application, and detoxification of substances.

Abstract: An acidic solution of sparingly-soluble Group IIA complexes (“AGIIS”), its preparation and its uses. The AGIIS can be prepared by mixing a mineral acid (such as sulfuric acid), and a Group IIA hydroxide (such as calcium hydroxide) or a Group IIA salt of a dibasic acid (such as calcium sulfate), or a mixture of the two Group IIA compounds, followed by removing the solid formed. The various uses include cleaning, food production, decontamination, bioremediation, agricultural application, medical application, and detoxification of substances.

Abstract: A highly acidic metalated organic acid composition and its preparation. The acidic composition can be prepared by mixing a monovalent or polyvalent cation and an organic acid in the presence of a strong oxyacid, wherein the resultant acidic composition is less corrosive to a ferrous metal than a solution of a mineral acid having the same acidic pH value as that of the acidic composition, and where in the acid composition is more biocidal than a mixture of the organic acid and a metal salt of the organic acid which mixture has the same acid normality value as that of the acidic composition. The acidic composition can be prepared by mixing at least one regenerating acid, at least one metal base, and at least one organic acid, wherein the amount of the regenerating acid is in excess of the equivalent amount of the metal base.

Abstract: An anti-wrap device for a flag comprises a clamp, which is configured to attach the anti-wrap device to a flagpole. The clamp includes a pair of spaced apart arms and a connecting portion, connecting the pair of spaced apart arms, with a first pivot disposed between the pair of spaced apart arms. An arm hinge is rotatably disposed about the first pivot, and configured to have a limited and predetermined range of motion about the first pivot. A second pivot is disposed through said arm hinge, with a flag arm comprising first and second spaced apart retaining arms that are connected together by a connecting portion. The retaining arms are configured to be disposed on either major face of a flag and are pivotable about the second pivot in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of pivot of the am hinge about the first pivot.

Abstract: Methods are described for providing localized heating in an oil well at precise depths to accomplish or expedite specific objectives. The methods involve the use of a heating tool which can be lowered into an oil well to apply heat at a precise depth to achieve a desired result. The specific objectives may include localized heating of a fresh cement slurry to accelerate curing, or localized heating of recently emplaced chemicals which are formulated to be thermally activated. One purpose of such chemicals is to viscosify or increase in gel strength after being pumped into an oil well production zone, in order to restrict the production of unwanted formation fluids such as water.

Abstract: An inverter system for delivering energy from a source of direct current (dc) to an alternating current (ac) utility is provided. The inverter system comprises a dc/dc converter coupled to the source of dc for synthesizing a time-varying current from the dc, an output inductor coupled to the dc/dc converter, and an inverter coupled to the output inductor for supplying the time-varying current to the ac utility in phase with a voltage of the ac utility.