Abstract: An electronic circuit formed on an insulating substrate and having thin-film transistors (TFTs) comprising semiconductor layers. The thickness of the semiconductor layer is less than 1500 ?, e.g., between 100 and 750 ?. A first layer consisting mainly of titanium and nitrogen is formed on the semiconductor layer. A second layer consisting of aluminum is formed on top of the first layer. The first and second layers are patterned into conductive interconnects. The bottom surface of the second layer is substantially totally in intimate contact with the first layer. The interconnects have good contacts with the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of prognosing urothelial carcinoma. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of prognosing urothelial carcinoma by determining expression levels of JUN, MAP2K6, STAT3 and/or ICAM1. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an single prognostic panel made up of eight gene markers. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a single prognostic panel made up of eleven gene markers.

Abstract: A vehicle charging and selection system for kiosk operated electrical vehicles. The system includes a utility connected AC charging source, a battery-to-battery DC charging source, a number of vehicle charging stations, a local power bus connectable to both charging sources and each of the charging stations and a system controller connected to each of the charging stations. The system controller evaluates the vehicle battery condition of each electric vehicle connected to one of the charging stations and determines the most efficient method for charging the largest number of vehicle batteries based on current condition of the individual batteries, weather conditions, time of day, status of the utility electrical grid, etc. The system controller also selects one of the connected electric vehicles for customer use by using the battery charging information and additional information about the desired trip provided by the customer and other external data sources monitored by the system controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods of linking silk fibroin to active agents through the specific interaction between avidin and biotin, providing for functionalization of silk-based protein biomaterials. An avidin- or biotin-modified silk is a biomaterial platform for functionalization with a variety of correspondingly linked active agents, such as antibodies and growth factors. A variety of functionalized silk materials, such as silk hydrogel, silk micro/nanoparticles and silk films, can be prepared by the methods of the present invention. The functionalization strategies of the present invention are relatively easy, fast and feasible, and are thus useful in many biomedical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure of a semiconductor device that realizes low power consumption even where increased in screen size, and a method for manufacturing the same. The invention forms an insulating layer, forms a buried interconnection (of Cu, Au, Ag, Ni, Cr, Pd, Rh, Sn, Pb or an alloy thereof) in the insulating layer. Furthermore, after planarizing the surface of the insulating layer, a metal protection film (Ti, TiN, Ta, TaN or the like) is formed in an exposed part. By using the buried interconnection in part of various lines (gate line, source line, power supply line, common line and the like) for a light-emitting device or liquid-crystal display device, line resistance is decreased.

Abstract: A grammatical inference system for inferring a grammar from a plurality of example sentences. The system selects sentences having a common suffix or prefix component; identifies the other of said suffix or prefix component of each selected sentence; generating rules for generating the example sentences and the other components; reduces the right hand side of each rule on the basis of the right hand sides of the other rules; and generates a grammar on the basis of the reduced rules.

Abstract: A community game having a “winner-takes-all” feature in which at least one eligible proxy winning player of a round of the community game, which is initiated by a triggering event and is played by multiple players at linked gaming terminals, accrues the highest award among the awards accrued by other proxy players of the community game. The winning proxy player must satisfy an eligibility criterion to participate in the community game and to be eligible to receive the winner-takes-all award, which includes all of the awards accrued by the winning eligible proxy player during one or more rounds and at least the other respective awards accrued by the other proxy players during the round(s). These awards can include those accrued by non-eligible proxy players as well, who are awarded nothing at the end of the round(s). Non-winning eligible proxy players of the community game are awarded whatever awards they accrued during the round(s).

Abstract: Manufacturing cost of an SOI substrate is reduced. Yield of an SOI substrate is improved. A method for manufacturing an SOI substrate includes the steps of irradiating a single crystal semiconductor substrate with ions to form an embrittled region in the single crystal semiconductor substrate, bonding the single crystal semiconductor substrate to a base substrate with an insulating film therebetween, and separating the single crystal semiconductor substrate and the base substrate at the embrittled region to form a semiconductor layer over the base substrate with the insulating film therebetween. In the step of forming the embrittled region, ion species which are not mass-separated are used as the ions and a temperature of the single crystal semiconductor substrate is set to 250° C. or higher at the time of irradiation with the ions.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of reels each having distinct symbol positions and bearing an array of symbols. Some of the symbols are grouped into corresponding symbol clumps. A window is associated with each of the reels. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Some of the outcomes are represented by a segment of each reel being displayed through a respective one of the windows. The probability that a particular one of the windows will be filled with one of the symbol clumps as part of an outcome decreases between at least two of the windows.

Abstract: A convertible gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet, at least one display, and a convertible area. The gaming cabinet has a ledge portion with a top surface. The at least one display is mounted to the gaming cabinet and is configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The convertible area is located entirely below the at least one display and partially below the top surface of the ledge portion. The convertible area is convertible at least between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration including a player tracking system, the second configuration including an insert having a storage portion configured to store one or more patron items. The insert replaces the player tracking system.

Abstract: An apparatus for commercial transactions using a transaction card via a communication device in audio communication with a remote processor assembly is provided. The apparatus comprises an input device for capturing information from the transaction card, a controller for converting the captured card information into an audio signal. The controller is linked to the communication device. The apparatus may also be part of an assembly wherein this controller is part of the communication device. The remote processor assembly includes a transaction server linked to a remote processor/issuer for validating the transaction card data. A system including this apparatus, the communication device and the transaction server is also provided. Methods therefore are also disclosed.

Abstract: A structural insulated panel system includes a frame having a first and second vertical frame members and top and bottom frame members. First and second siding members are attached to opposite sides of the frame, the frame and the first and second siding members forming a cavity, with an insulation material within the cavity. The first vertical frame member includes recesses having a first depth and the second vertical frame member includes projections having a second depth. A first compressible seal is disposed within the recesses and is compressed by the projections of an adjacent panel upon assembly. A second compressible seal is disposed adjacent to each outside edge of the first or second vertical frame member and is compressed by the other frame member upon assembly. A plurality of voids are formed in at least one of the frame members and filled with the insulation fill material.

Abstract: A fully automatic key duplicating machine. A master key alignment module is movably disposed into and out of proximity with a master key clamping module, the master key being aligned by the alignment module within the master key clamping module. A master key identification module is disposed in fixed relation to the master key clamping module and identifies a type of key secured in the master key clamping module. A central positioning base is provided automatically movable into and out of engagement with the key cutting module and optionally the alignment module, adapted to move the master key alignment module into proximity with the master key clamping module and adapted to secure a key blank to be cut at the key cutting module in accordance with the tooth pattern of a clamped master key.

Abstract: A copper-based winding implementing a copper-based winding of diameter that is typically greater than 90 mm, designed to generate a magnetic field in an electrical contact for a medium-voltage vacuum circuit-breaker. The winding is constituted by a hollow cylinder including helical slots about its longitudinal axis and opening out both into the hollow and to the exterior of the cylinder, winding in which the space between two consecutive slots that form a turn is empty of material and the width of each initial slot is less than 1 mm.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent an insulating film from peeling in a section where the insulating film is adjacent to a sealing region. Over a first substrate 104, a pixel portion 100 provided with a light emitting element, a source driver 101, a gate driver 102, and a sealing region 103 are provided. A light emitting element is sealed between the first substrate 104 and a second substrate 110 by a sealant 108. An insulating film 107 serves as a partition wall of the light emitting element. An end portion of the insulating film 107 which is adjacent to the sealing region 103 does not overlap with a step formed by a side surface and an upper surface of a conductive film 106 which serves as a wiring.

Abstract: A device and method for treating an infarct scar on a heart comprising an electric cable with proximal and distal ends; a handle with proximal and distal ends with the proximal end connected to the distal end of the cable; a stem with proximal and distal ends with the proximal end of the stem connected to the distal end of the handle; a heating element with a first surface for contacting infarct scar tissue connected to the distal end of the stem wherein the heating element comprises at least two electrodes and at least one temperature sensor positioned on the first surface for sensing a temperature of infarct scar tissue adjacent to the sensor; an energy source connected to the electrodes via the electric cable; and a regulator connected to the energy source and the temperature sensor of the infarct scar tissue, for controlling the temperature of the infarct scar tissue from about 60 degrees C. to about 99 degrees C.

Abstract: A technique to implement a stable and high impedance current sink or source onto a display substrate using a single device. The high output current source or sink circuit includes an input that receives a fixed reference current and provides the reference current to a node in the current source or sink circuit during a calibration operation of the current source or sink circuit. The circuit further includes a first transistor and a second transistor series-connected to the node such that the reference current adjusts the voltage at the node to allow the reference current to pass through the series-connected transistors during the calibration operation. The circuit includes one or more storage devices connected to the node, and an output transistor connected to the node to source or sink an output current from current stored in the one or more storage devices to a drive an active matrix display with a bias current corresponding to the output current.

Abstract: Electrical circuit breakers in an electrical panelboard are equipped with tie-down devices to secure the circuit breakers to the panelboard. Each circuit breaker includes a standard housing or case having a raised portion that forms a pair of end walls and a slot at the base of each of the end walls. The panelboard includes mounts for attaching the tie-down devices to the panelboard. Each tie-down device includes (1) a breaker-attachment portion adapted to be mounted on the circuit breaker housing around the raised portion and having a pair of mounting hooks adapted to fit into the slots for attaching the tie-down device to the circuit breaker housing, and (2) a panelboard attachment portion extending beyond the circuit breaker housing for attachment to the panelboard mount.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for communicating with a gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first wireless transceiver. A portable data unit includes a second wireless transceiver. In response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, a wireless transmission link is established between the first and second wireless transceivers. The wireless transmission link may, for example, be a radio (RF) link or an infrared (IR) link. Information is transmitted between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link for such purposes as cashless gaming, player tracking, game customization, and data transfer.

Abstract: An elastic shield comprising an acoustic channel having a sound inlet and a sound outlet, and a hollow portion being adapted to at least partly surround a miniature microphone, or alternatively, arranged to follow an outer contour of a miniature microphone. The present invention further relates to a miniature microphone assembly comprising a miniature microphone having a sound inlet, and an elastic shield comprising an acoustic channel having a sound inlet and a sound outlet, the elastic shield further comprising a hollow portion housing at least part of the miniature microphone in a manner so that the sound outlet of the acoustic channel is aligned with the sound inlet of the miniature microphone.