Abstract: A non-cadmium multi-layered composite coating is disclosed. Such coating achieves desirable lubricity, retains electrical conductivity, meets high performance industry standards for corrosion resistance, and avoids certain environmental and health hazards. Further disclosed are methods of applying such coating on various substrates using a combination of electrolytic and electro-less plating techniques. Such coating may be advantageously applied in machining and electrical interconnects, and are particularly useful in the defense and consumer electronics and appliances industries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a wagering game are disclosed. After a player makes a wager, a display depicts a combination of symbols. If the displayed combination yields a predetermined award and meets a predetermined criterion, a win multiplier feature is invoked. In the win multiplier feature the symbols of the combination are associated with respective multipliers, and then the player is prompted to select one of the symbols of the combination. The display reveals the multiplier associated with the selected symbol. The predetermined award is multiplied by the revealed multiplier.

Abstract: The compact and portable interactive system allows person-to-person communication in a typed language format between individuals experiencing language barriers such as the hearing impaired and the language impaired. The communication system includes a custom configuration having a display screen and a keyboard, a data translation module for translating the original data from a first language type to a second language type. The display screen shows a split configuration with multiple dialogue boxes to facilitate simultaneous display of each user's input. The system supports multilingual text-based conversations as well as conversion from audio-to-text and text-to-audio conversations. Translation from one communication format to a second communication format is performed as messages are transmitted between users.

Abstract: A method for estimating a radar cross-section (RES) of a given object by using a diffraction model of this object. With the model, it is possible to determine a basis adapted to said object on which is projected a vector of measurement. With the projected vector, it is possible to obtain a more complete reconstructed vector than the measurement vector in terms of incident wave and diffracted wave observation directions/polarizations and the components of which have a better signal/noise ratio than the measurements. The reconstructed vector is then used for calculating the RCS.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system, software and data structure for profiling programs, other code, and adaptive computing integrated circuit architectures, using a plurality of data parameters such as data type, input and output data size, data source and destination locations, data pipeline length, locality of reference, distance of data movement, speed of data movement, data access frequency, number of data load/stores, memory usage, and data persistence. The profiler of the invention accepts a data set as input, and profiles a plurality of functions by measuring a plurality of data parameters for each function, during operation of the plurality of functions with the input data set, to form a plurality of measured data parameters. From the plurality of measured data parameters, the profiler generates a plurality of data parameter comparative results corresponding to the plurality of functions and the input data set.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing a pregnancy related disease or disorder are provided. The methods involve administration of 2-methoxyestradiol, or an analog thereof, to a subject. Also provided are methods for diagnosing or predicting a pregnancy related disease or disorder. The methods involve detection of 2-methoxyestradiol, or a precursor or metabolite thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical test sensor includes a base, a generally hard electrically-conductive layer, an electrochemically-active layer, and a lid. The electrically-conductive layer is located between the base and the electrochemically-active layer. The electrically-conductive layer and the electrochemically-active layer are made of a different material. The electrically-conductive layer and the electrochemically-active layer form an electrode pattern. The electrochemical test sensor includes a reagent adapted to assist in determining information related to an analyte of a fluid sample.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for accurate estimation of the ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) parameters in Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (FTMS/FT-ICR MS). The parameters are essential to estimating the mass to charge ratio of an ion from FT-ICR MS data, the intended purpose of the instrument. Achieving greater accuracy in the parameters assists in greater accuracy of the mass to charge ratio of an ion, and obtaining an accurate estimation of the mass to charge ratio of an ion further aides in detecting mass with sub-ppm accuracy. Estimating mass in this manner enhances identification and characterization of large molecules. The inventive method and system thereby enhances the data obtained by conventional FTMS by accurately estimating ICR parameters. Ultimately, accurate estimates of the masses of molecules and detection and characterization of molecules from FT-ICR MS data are obtained.

Abstract: The play of a wagering game by a user on the user's computing device is supported while a web page from a host server is displayed on the user's screen. The game is contained in a window on the web page, but the game is under the control of a server. The user's computing device downloads a module of an application that supports play of the wagering game. Requests from the user's computing device for critical game information is routed via the host server to the source server. A reply to this request is transmitted from the source server via the host server to the user's computing device thereby permitting play of the game within web page window as displayed on the user's screen. The host server controls the subject matter displayed on the web page outside the window containing the wagering game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ubiquitination and/or degradation-related activity of a SIVA polypeptide and to agents capable of modulating said activity.

Abstract: Provided is a digital image transmission system in a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) format or a digital visual interface (DVI) format. A transmission and reception reinforcement device of the digital image transmission system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit includes a first power supply unit supplying power to the transmitter and a second power supply unit supplying power to the receiver. Power output terminals of the first and second power supply units are connected to each other. External-power supply voltages respectively input to the first and second power supply units are output to the power output terminals. When all of the external-power supply voltages input to the first and second power supply units are lower than a predetermined voltage, an internal-power supply voltage present in a communication line between the host device and the display device is output to the power output terminals.

Abstract: To reduce variation among TFTs in manufacture of a semiconductor device including n-type thin film transistors and p-type thin film transistors. Further, another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of masks and manufacturing steps, and manufacturing time. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer of a first thin film transistor, then, forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor. In the formation of the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor, a gate insulating film in contact with the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor is used as a protection film (an etching stopper film) for the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the first thin film transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in which damages to an element such as a transistor are reduced even when external force such as bending is applied and stress is generated in the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first island-like reinforcement film over a substrate having flexibility; a semiconductor film including a channel formation region and an impurity region over the first island-like reinforcement film; a first conductive film over the channel formation region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween; a second island-like reinforcement film covering the first conductive film and the gate insulating film.

Abstract: A laser beam treatment device capable of solving problem in a conventional technology that any uniform laser anneal cannot be realized since use of a galvano mirror changes the angle of incidence of the laser beam to the substrate and the reflected light from a back side of a transmissive substrate interferes with the reflected light from a surface of a semiconductor film or an interface between the semiconductor film and the substrate. Laser anneal is performed by using the laser beam treatment device comprising a laser, an optical system for shaping the laser beam oscillated from the laser, and a substrate holds to hold a work formed on the transmissive substrate, in which the substrate holder holds a liquid, and the liquid is brought into contact with the surface.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a wagering game with a changed expected value for a special event based on the achievement of a wagering-game enhancement parameter award. The wagering game includes a base game and a special event. The wagering game has a first expected value attributable to the base game and a second expected value attributable to the special event. The special event occurs in response to a triggering event. The first expected value attributable to the base game is decreased. The second expected value attributable to the special event is subsequently increased to compensate for decreasing the first expected value attributable to the base game.

Abstract: A method of using a collection of symbols based on the movement of a circular object in space on three-dimensional and two-dimensional art works. The method relates to orienting a circular object at different angles and to trace the path of the circular object to create basic symbols. The basic objects are incorporated in a three-dimensional sculpture including surfaces and circular objects suspended at relative heights and orientations according to the collection of symbols.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device, a first display, and a second display. The wager input device receives a wager. The first display displays an array of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome. The second display displays an amount of at least one progressive award in at least one display window. The progressive award has an integer value. At least a first incrementing marker moves about the display window in response to changes in value of the progressive award.

Abstract: An in-situ gas flow measurement controller measures the temperature and rate of pressure drop upstream from a flow control device (FCD). The controller samples the pressure and temperature data and applies the equivalent of a decimating filter to the data to produce filtered data at a slower sampling rate. The controller derives timestamps by counting ticks from the sampling clock of the A/D converter that is sampling the pressure at regular intervals to ensure the timestamps associated with the pressure samples are accurate and do not contain jitter that is associated with software clocks. The controller additionally normalizes the temperature reading to account for power supply fluctuations, filters out noise from the pressure and temperature readings, and excludes data during periods of instability. It calculates the gas flow rate accounting for possible non-linearities in the pressure measurements, and provides the computed gas flow measurement via one of many possible interfaces.

Abstract: A transdermal test sensor assembly adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample is disclosed. The assembly comprises a sensor support including at least one reservoir adapted to hold a liquid. The assembly further comprises a test sensor being coupled to the sensor support. The test sensor forms at least one aperture therein. At least a portion of the at least one aperture is adjacent to the at least one reservoir. The assembly further comprises a hydrogel composition positioned on the test sensor. The hydrogel composition is linked to the at least one reservoir via the at least one aperture.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer is formed by dropping liquid crystal by a dropping method, a surface of a sealant which is formed over a first substrate is cured by a first cure treatment before dropping the liquid crystal, and then the liquid crystal is dropped. A second substrate has a plurality of projections in a sealant adhesive region. The first substrate and the second substrate are attached to each other with the liquid crystal interposed therebetween so that the plurality of projections is in contact with an uncured region in the sealant formed over the first substrate.