Abstract: Novel heterocyclic aromatic compounds are disclosed. The novel compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable esters or salts thereof may be used in pharmaceutical compositions, and such compositions may be used to treat an infection, an infestation, a neoplasm, or an autoimmune disease. The novel compounds may also be used to modulate aspects of the immune system, including modulation of Type 1 and Type 2 activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image and video indexing scheme for content analysis. According to the invention, a database of images or videos is compressed. By examining patterns in the compression scheme of each image or video, the present invention identifies the content of the data. In one embodiment, an unsupervised learning method is employed where each image or video is sub-divided into smaller blocks (8 pixels×8 pixels, for instance) and each of the smaller blocks is examined for its compression pattern. Then, the patterns associated with each of the smaller blocks is recorded for each of the images in the database and content is retrieved from the database by associating certain patterns or groups of patterns with certain content.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for preparing to efficiently distribute data to be extracted from a data store to clients and for distributing such prepared data to the clients. The methods and system have particular utility in the context of a network monitoring system which captures and stores network event data and makes the event data available to clients according to any desired view or summary. One method for preparing the data involves storing as primary requests one or more client requests for data to be extracted from the event database. Additional client requests for event are each compared to the stored primary requests to determine whether each additional request matches a stored primary request in accordance with a given criterion, such as a filter or summary formula. If the additional request matches a stored primary request, the additional client request is associated with the matching primary request.

Abstract: Anhydrous cosmetic compositions comprising hydrolyzed jojoba ester with increased short- and long-term thermal stability are disclosed. The compositions exhibit increased thermal stability of at least about 1° C., preferably at least about 5° C., and most preferably, at least about 10° C., and optimally at least about 15° C. The compositions provide excellent aesthetic and long-wear properties and are resistant to liquid syneresis and are useful in cosmetic and personal care formulations.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system for an electromagnetic pump having an electromagnetic drive (11) and a compressor (6). The control system established a required current in the compressor coils (10) to control the position and movement of the actuator (11), the actuator deflecting a diaphragm within the pump to provide the required flow. The control system includes a command signal generator (1) to create a signal representing the required flow. The signal is applied to a command processor (2) with any feedback signals (13) for example, coil current and/or actuator displacement. The command processor (2) calculates the appropriate drive signal defined by mark-space ratio, repetition rate, and amplitude. The drive signal controls the voltage supplied to the compressor coils (11) resulting in a required coil current to provide the desired flow. A dc power supply is used to avoid problems regarding main power supply and frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scheme for compressing the color components of image data. The pixel data is grouped into a plurality of tiles for storage. A test is performed to determine if a tile can be compressed so that its size after compression is less than its size before compression. If so, the tile is compressed. A tile table is provided that includes a flag that can be set for each tile that is compressed. In a data transfer from memory to a graphics processor, the tile table is examined to identify those tiles that are compressed and must be decompressed prior to use. In one embodiment, a number of compression schemes are available for use on a tile and the best compression scheme is chosen on a tile by tile basis. The invention includes an identifying code for each compression scheme (stored as a value in each compressed tile).

Abstract: Telecommunications apparatus and method for detecting any unusual activity in customer behavior. A comprehensive behavior profile of a customer is generated on the basis of customer transactions. The profile includes a short-term customer behavior obtained from all of the customer's transactions, and further includes a long-term customer behavior obtained on the basis of the generated short-term behavior. Any behavior deviation from the profile is detected and identified as fraudulent or unusual.

Abstract: A new family of multifunctional smart coatings based on diamond-like atomic-scale composite materials which can provide a real-time control of the surface stress distribution and potentially dangerous stress diagnostic for the most critical parts of flying vehicles. The coating is a silica-stabilized dielectric film, particularly, a diamond-like atomic-scale composite material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for digitizing shapes especially for garment styles by using image scanning techniques.

Abstract: The specification discloses a multi-wheel game-of-chance having at least two groups of spinning wheels, wherein each group includes at least two concentric spinning wheels having a viewable surface face thereon. A plurality of indicia are positioned on the peripheral of the viewable surface face of each wheel such that all indicia on each wheel is viewable to the user. Bet areas are positioned at various locations around at least a portion of each group of wheels; along a line joining the center of any two groups of wheels; and/or a junction between various radially positioned lines extending from the center of two or more groups of wheels. Each bet area represents a possible payline with various pay ratios depending on the probability of various predetermined combinations.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a memory controller that can perform a series of data write operations so as to complete the data writing at high speed. A memory controller includes means for dividing the physical blocks into a plurality of groups, means for forming a plurality of virtual blocks by virtually combining a plurality of physical blocks each of which belongs to a different group, and means for assigning adjacent host addresses to different physical blocks belonging to the same virtual block. Thus, when a host computer issues a request to access the plurality of successive host addresses, the physical blocks to be accessed are different physical blocks. Since the physical blocks to be accessed can therefore operate independently, a series of operations can be performed in parallel.

Abstract: A system of the present invention uses small swing differential source synchronous voltage and timing reference (SSVTR and /SSVTR) signals to compare single-ended signals of the same slew rate generated at the same time from the same integrated circuit for high frequency signaling. The SSVTR and /SSVTR signals toggle every time the valid signals are driven by the transmitting integrated circuit. Each signal receiver includes two comparators, one for comparing the signal against SSVTR and the other for comparing the signal against /SSVTR. A present signal binary value determines which comparator is coupled to the receiver output, optionally by using exclusive-OR logic with SSVTR and /SSVTR. The coupled comparator in the receiver detects whether change in signal binary value occurred or not until SSVTR and /SSVTR have changed their binary value. The same comparator is coupled if the signal transitions. The comparator is de-coupled if no transition occurs.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods and apparatus for modifying or converting a gaming machine to permit fully cash-less or optional cash-less transactions in a manner which avoids changing the existing firmware or software of the gaming machine. In an optional cash-less arrangement, a player selects the form by which finds for added or paid to the machine and/or paid out by machine. The cash-less forms of payment may comprise the acceptance and/or payment of funds or value electronically to a system account, coded card or ticket, smart card, magnetic card and other non-cash elements. In one or more embodiments, the invention consists of hardware and/or software for intercepting and/or emulating any or all combinations of the electronic signals associated with the coin acceptor, cash out button, hopper, serial communication interface(s) and bill acceptor(s) associated with a gaming machine to create optional currency transfers.

Abstract: A method for playing a bonus game in association with a main game is provided. A bonus game is activated upon the occurrence of a predefined triggering event in the main game. Five cards are randomly drawn from an abridged deck of playing cards. The abridged deck of playing cards comprises thirteen cards all of a single suit. As few as none and as many as all five of the dealt cards are discarded and replaced with a card from the abridged deck of playing cards. The final hand is awarded a bonus payout based on the final hand of cards.

Abstract: An affinity generation system according to the present invention analyzes a profiled user's authorship and document usage within an ‘intranet’ to create a set of affinities between documents and topical classifications used in a hierarchical content catalog. These affinities are weighted depending on the system usage and amount of collected evidence. Once a certain threshold has been reached, the threshold being fixed or dynamically set to achieve a desired policy, the affinities are published into the content catalog. The user looking for specific expertise can then search or browse the content catalog and find both documents and people with strong affinities to the selected content area.

Abstract: Aptamer oligonucleotides specifically bind to the DNA binding site of proteins such as Sp1 and Sp1-related proteins which regulate the genes which encode costimulatory molecules such as CD28 and cytokines such as IL-2 and GMCSF. The oligonucleotides compete with the DNA-binding sites of regulatory proteins which specifically regulate molecules to modulate T-cell activation. This serves to modulate gene expression by preventing transcription of the gene. Aptamers are administered to provide therapies for diseases which involve aberrant T-cell activation such as psoriasis, Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune uveitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis), and septic shock and to regulate normal T-cell activation such as in allograft rejection.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for a rotating, tunable, holographic drop filter connected to a fiber optic source. The filter uses a quasi phase-conjugate optical system for a drop-channel fiber coupling and WDM channels which are introduced to the system. The light from these channels is collimated and passed through a volume phase holographic material so that only one WDM channel is diffracted and the rest pass through the holographic material unaffected. A quasi phase-conjugate diffracted beam is generated by the optical system to reflect the diffracted channel back towards the holographic material. The reflected light is Bragg matched to the holographic material so that it is re-diffracted along a path identical to the original incident light beam. A free-space circulator may be used to direct the diffracted beam to a fiber optic collimator, which is different from the fiber optic collimator of the incident light beam.

Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the supply of fuel to an engine, the control system comprising: pump means for providing a flow of fuel to said engine; first and second drive means for driving said pump means; and, control means for controlling said first and second drive means; wherein, said control means is arranged to control said first and second drive means such that in the event of failure of one of said first and second drive means, said pump means is driven by the other of said first and second drive means.