Abstract: Presently disclosed is a method, apparatus and software for capturing decrypted information by receiving such decrypted information in a presentation device and then directing the decrypted information to a computer readable medium.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location.

Abstract: A method for setting up a cutting table for an automated high temperature thermal cutting system can include providing a computer-readable product to, for example, a digital signal processor (e.g., CNC). The computer-readable product can include data for at least one part to be cut from a workpiece (e.g., a part program). A user can be prompted to select values from a menu of mandatory operating parameters (e.g., using a graphical user interface) for a shape of the part to be cut from the workpiece. Mandatory operating parameters can include at least one of an operating current, a gas flow, a thickness of the workpiece, or a material of the workpiece.

Abstract: A portable plasma arc torch system can be used for processing materials. The system includes a replaceable or rechargeable power source and replaceable or rechargeable gas source. A controller communicates with at least one of the power source or the gas source. A plasma delivery device received via the controller current from the power source and gas from the gas source to generate a plasma arc at an output of the plasma delivery device. The plasma arc can be used to process materials such as metallic workpieces. The plasma arc torch can include a wearable portable assembly which includes the replaceable or rechargeable power and gas source. A plasma delivery device receives current from the power source in the assembly and gas from the gas source in the assembly to generate a plasma arc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge for processing a sample and methods for aligning a cartridge. The cartridge includes a processing device for processing a sample, a body having a surface and bounded by at least one edge, and a plurality of positioning members defined by the surface for aligning the processing device relative to a conduit defined by the body between a cartridge input and a cartridge output.

Abstract: A first optical module scans a portion of an eye with a line of light, descans reflected light from the scanned portion of the eye and confocally provides output light in a line focus configuration. A detection device detects the output light and images the portion of the eye. A second optical module detects an optical distortion and corrects the optical distortion in the line of light scanned on the portion of the eye.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient storage of data are provided. For instance, a method that includes acts of receiving a data stream to be stored on a first storage system, the data stream comprising a data object and metadata that describes attributes of the data object, extracting the metadata from the data stream, storing the data object on the first storage system and storing the extracted metadata, separately from the data object, on a computer-readable medium is disclosed. Additionally, a storage system is disclosed that includes a first storage medium, an interface configured to receive a data stream including a data object to be stored on the first storage medium and a controller. The controller may be configured to extract metadata from the data stream, the metadata being descriptive of attributes of the data object, and to direct the extracted metadata to be stored on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: Inquiry lists for financial interests are submitted, negotiated and traded between investors and dealers over a network or networks. An investor interface for display is provided to an investor. A dealer interface for display is provided to a plurality of dealers. The investor can create an inquiry list via the investor interface containing a plurality of inquiries for a corresponding plurality of different financial interests and can send a message containing the inquiry list to selected dealer(s) where an established relationship exists between said investor and dealers. The dealer(s) can provide respective responses to the message, the response containing respective offers/bids on the plurality of inquiries contained in the inquiry list via the dealer interface. The respective offers/bids are displayed in the inquiry list on the investor interface. The investor may then select one of the respective dealer offers/bids for each inquiry list line item via the investor interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to stimulate subterranean production and injection wells, such as oil and gas wells, utilizing rocket propellants. Rapid production of high-pressure gas from controlled combustion of a propellant, during initial ignition and subsequent combustion, together with proper positioning of the energy source in relation to geologic formations, can be used to establish and maintain increased formation porosity and flow conditions with respect to the pay zone.

Abstract: When a user gets interested in some music he/she listens to somewhere, for example, in a coffee shop, the user records that music in a memory provided in a portable terminal. A processor reads the information stored in the memory and performs a predetermined process on it. The resultant information is stored on a storage device. The information stored on the storage device is then transferred to a server via a communication device. The server searches the database for the title of the music corresponding to the received information, and returns the result to the terminal. Thus, the user can easily get information about the title of the music.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for trading of debt securities (bonds), where multiple dealers participate and compete on a single platform (100). Dealers and investors have respective interfaces (250, 230) for communicating. In one aspect, dealers announce new debt security issues (400), the investors communicate an indication of interest (IOI) (500) in purchasing the new debt security issues, and the issues are allocated to the investors. In another aspect, issues from multiple dealers are made available to investors on a secondary trading market in a searchable format (1000). In response to price inquires sent by the investors (1200), the dealers provide offers (1300) which are briefly held and released to the investor concurrently to allow the investor to consider all offers together. In another aspect, the dealers post bid and offer terms for actively traded issues (1700) that are updated in real-time to avoid the need for the inquiry procedure.

Abstract: A device for positional securing and guiding of rails for railway tracks for trains, in particular high-speed trains, includes guide plates. In general, rails are laid directly or indirectly by intermediate assembly of intermediate plates to fixed concrete track beds and guide plates, against which the rail base and possibly intermediate plates lie laterally. Guide plates are embedded on or in the concrete track beds, wherein the guide plates are fabricated of high-strength, form-stable material, preferably reinforced plastic, such as for example glass-fiber reinforced plastic, in particular polyamide. The device according to the invention allows to create guide plates which are overall more wear resistant. Wear resistance is achieved in that the guide plate within the surface area, on which the rail base rests, has an insert or areas provided with inserts, the insert being fabricated of slippable, low-abrasion or friction-resistant, low-wear or wear-resistant and flexibly resilient material.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for subscribing to data feeds on a network. An user utilizes a transmitting device to transmit data packets that are split between a plurality of data centers for processing. The data packets are captured at the data centers. The data packets are recombined. The recombined data can be analyzed for fraud detection, marketing analysis, network intrusion detection, customer service analysis, and/or performance analysis. If fraudulent activity is detected, then the user can be interdicted to prevent further fraudulent activity.

Abstract: Described are infrared light sources and methods for generating infrared radiation. The infrared light source includes a source of laser radiation, a target and an enclosure. The target is positioned in a path of an output region of the source of laser radiation. The target includes an absorbing material that absorbs radiation at a wavelength within the lasing spectrum of the source of laser radiation and converts the absorbed radiation into thermal energy. The enclosure defines a cavity that includes the target. The enclosure includes an infrared reflecting film on a side that defines the cavity.

Abstract: When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft.

Abstract: A delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising: at least one nosepiece unit (21) for insertion into one nasal cavity of a subject and comprising a nosepiece (25) for fitting to the respective nostril of the subject; and at least one delivery unit (23) which is operative to deliver a substance through the at least one nosepiece unit into the one nasal cavity of the subject, wherein the at least one delivery unit includes a substance supply unit (27) for delivering a substance and an actuation unit (29) which is operable to actuate the substance supply unit, either automatically or manually, in response to nasal exhalation or at least attempted nasal exhalation by the subject.

Abstract: Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location.

Abstract: A reader for reading computer-generated individualized holograms which are written into a storage medium, having a light source for generating a light beam, a recording means for acquiring image data generated by the light beam by illuminating the individualized hologram, and display means for displaying the display data generated from the image data, wherein all the components are combined in a portable handheld unit.

Abstract: As compared to conventional electrodes, the electrode configurations disclosed herein minimize irritation and damage to the skin when they are placed in contact with a patient's body over extended of time. The electrodes are formed from a conductive substrate coated with a thin dielectric material, and a plurality of open spaces pass through the electrodes. Those open spaces are distributed and sized to permit moisture on the surface of the patient's body to escape when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body. One intended use for the electrodes is for treating tumors by applying an AC electric field with specific frequency and field strength characteristics over an extended period of time.