Abstract: The present invention provides for increasing fluorescence detection in surface assay systems while increasing kinetics of a bioreaction therein by providing low-power microwaves to irradiate metallic materials within the system in an amount sufficient to increase heat thereby affecting the kinetics of a bioreaction therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides for testing methods to determine an effective testing agent that affects the activity of the HIV Gag protein at the plasma membrane of a cell, and specifically, effecting changes in the structural conformation of at least one fatty acid of PI(4,5)P2, a member of a family of differentially phosphorylated phosphatidylinositides, wherein inhibition of the extension of such fatty acid into the MA domain of the Gag protein reduces binding of Gag to the plasma membrane, thereby inhibiting virus particle assembly and subsequent replication of the HIV virus.

Abstract: A method for generating an ontology may include selecting, by a processing device, a tag in a tag cloud. The method may also include searching, by the processing device, an online encyclopedia for content corresponding to the selected tag and determining, by the processing device, at least one category to which the content belongs in the online encyclopedia in response to finding the content corresponding to the selected tag in the online encyclopedia. The method may additionally include adding, by the processing device, a class to the ontology corresponding to the at least one category of the content in the online encyclopedia.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for preparing compounds of Formula I: where R1, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C4 alkyl, and R2 is: where R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C4 alkyl, or where R6, R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C4 alkyl; or the esters or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. The methods can involve converting a suitably functionalized aniline compound to a diazonium salt (which aniline compound can be first formed by reduction of a nitrobenzene) and coupling the diazonium salt with a suitably functionalized benzene compound. The suitably functionalized aniline compound either includes a primary alcohol or aldehyde group, which is then oxidized to a carboxylic acid group, or includes a nitrile or amide group, which is hydrolyzed to a carboxylic acid group. The methods can also involve the direct coupling (via reduction of nitro groups to form an azo linkage) of suitably functionalized nitrobenzenes.

Abstract: The invention relates to peer-to-peer streaming of media in a network for distribution of data. A handover function is configured to hand over the distribution of sub-streams to a client back and forth between two peers or between a peer and the central server, if at least one predefined condition is fulfilled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products configured to determine communities within an organization dynamically based on the distribution of entitlements within the organization.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods implemented in a pothole patching system for creating a vacuum that pulls heavy particulate, such as gravel, out of a hopper. For example, according to an embodiment, a vacuum body having a vacuum chamber formed therein is positioned proximate to an opening of the hopper. A moveable slide gate is provided between the vacuum chamber and the opening of the hopper. The slide gate moves between open and closed positions for permitting and blocking communication between the vacuum chamber and the hopper. A reduction nozzle is provided between an air source and the vacuum chamber. Forced air flows from the air source, through the reduction nozzle, and into the vacuum chamber. The reduction nozzle reduces the pressure of the forced air entering the vacuum chamber, and thereby creates a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. When the slide gate is in the open position, this vacuum pulls particulate from the hopper.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an energy and entropy analysis of a business entity. Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method for calculating a metric indicative of a business entity's strategic health at a specific point in time, comprising obtaining a measurement of energy, obtaining a measurement of entropy, identifying at least one linkage between the energy measurement and the entropy measurement, and calculating a metric indicative of the business entity's current strategic health at the specific point in time.

Abstract: The quick change tool bit holder comprises a bore for receiving a bit. A retaining tooth, or plurality of teeth, is movable into engagement with the bit when the bit is inserted into the bore to retain the bit in the bore. An ejector ejects the bit from the bore when the retaining tooth is moved out of engagement with the bit. The ejector may comprise a spring that is compressed when the bit is inserted in the bore and a push button is biased by the spring into engagement with the bit. A sleeve forces the retaining tooth into engagement with the bit when said sleeve is in the locking position where the tooth moves at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis into contact with the bit. A method of operating the quick change tool bit holder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring airplane noise and emissions may include receiving a predetermined set of engine performance data for an airplane and receiving a predetermined set of airplane flight data for the airplane. The method may also include predicting at least one of a noise level and an emissions level from the airplane at each of a plurality of ground based noise and emissions monitoring stations based on the predetermined set of engine performance data and the predetermined set of airplane flight data. Each of the plurality of ground based noise and emissions monitoring stations is located at a predetermined geographic location along an expected flight path of the airplane.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a data carrier that is associated with at least two security features that can be independently used to authenticate the data carrier, the method comprising using a first one of the security features to authenticate the data carrier and switching to using a second security feature in place of the first security feature in response to a switch security feature command.

Abstract: A device is provided for presenting eyeglasses, comprising a base body and comprising a plurality of accommodating devices carried by the base body and serving for accommodating a respective pair of eyeglasses in secured fashion, wherein each accommodating device comprises at least one supporting part for placing the eyeglasses thereon and a securing part for securing the mounted eyeglasses against removal, and wherein the securing parts can be brought jointly from a locking position, which secures the eyeglasses, into a removal position, which releases the eyeglasses.

Abstract: A system to simulate pyrotechnic shock may include a pulse or signal generator to generate a predetermined signal waveform. A signal conditioning device may be included to condition the predetermined signal waveform to produce a predetermined shock simulation for a shock test. The system may also include a power amplifier to amplify the conditioned predetermined signal waveform to a chosen amplitude to produce a selected level of shock. A shaker system produces the selected level of shock in response to an amplified signal waveform from the power amplifier. A shock measuring device measures a shock imparted to the test specimen, and an output device presents a result of the shock test on the test specimen.

Abstract: A device includes a memory to store instructions; and a processor to execute the instructions to collect audio samples from user devices, where the audio samples are associated with a particular geographic location, store an audio file in association with the particular geographic location, based on the collected audio samples, receive a request for information associated with the particular geographic location, where the request is received from a particular user, and provide the audio file to the particular user.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing process including a single copper removal CMP slurry formulation for planarization of a microelectronic device structure preferably having copper deposited thereon. The process includes the bulk removal of a copper layer using a first CMP slurry formulation having oxidizing agent, passivating agent, abrasive and solvent, and the soft polishing and over-polishing of the microelectronic device structure using a formulation including the first CMP slurry formulation and at least one additional additive. The CMP process described herein provides a high copper removal rate, a comparatively low barrier material removal rate, appropriate material selectivity ranges to minimize copper dishing at the onset of barrier material exposure, and good planarization efficiency.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for producing a financial offer that is specific to a customer and storing the electronic acceptance and authentication of the acceptance in a digital medium. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to identifying a customer, providing a financial offer that is specific to that customer, and electronically storing both the authentication of the identity of the customer and the accompanying acceptance of the financial offer.