Abstract: A noble metal nanoparticle can be grown on a semiconductor substrate by contacting a predetermined region of the substrate with a solution including noble metal ions. The predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate can be exposed by applying a polymeric layer over the substrate selectively removing a portion of the polymeric layer. The nanoparticles can be prepared in a predetermined pattern. Nanowires having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined position can be grown from the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for playing a casino gaming device including a select and drag feature. In one embodiment, a player selects values for multiple positions or spots on a game of chance, such as a lottery style game. The player initially selects a value in one of the game positions. The player touches a touch-screen display or other input device located above the game position displaying the initially selected value, and then touches any other game position to copy the initially selected value into the other game positions. In one method, the player touches the touch-screen display located above the touch-screen display, and then drags the initially selected value across the remaining game positions with his finger to set the values for the remaining game positions to the initially selected value. This select and drag feature increases the rate of play for players selecting the same value for multiple game positions.

Abstract: It is an object to improve a conventional point that mounting an electronic component that requires a high current and heat radiation, such as an LED, together with other general electronic components on the same board has been difficult. To achieve this object, a different thickness lead frame partially having different thicknesses is used. On a thick portion of the different thickness lead frame, a special electronic component, such as an LED, for which a high current and heat radiation are required is mounted. Further, a thin portion of the different thickness lead frame is formed at a fine pitch, and general electronic components are mounted at a high density on the thin portion. Thus, unitization or modularization of electronic components for which a high current and heat radiation are required becomes possible.

Abstract: A device for measuring the wear of the contacts of a switchgear device is described. The switchgear device is of the open circuit breaker type with offset pole-shaft, and the movable contact is mounted on a sliding support. Measurement of the wear of the contacts is based on evaluation of the over-travel of the movable contact in the closed position when the latter slides in its support. This over-travel is determined by measuring the residual rotation of the pole-shaft, preferably by a contact-less magnetic rotation sensor.

Abstract: An antigen-dependent negative selection blood cell separation method is described. Rare circulating epithelial cells can be separated from blood by depleting erythrocytes from a blood sample. Erythrocytes are depleted by agglutination. The new method comprises the use of an agglutinating agent, such as an anti-glycophorin A or glycophorin B antibody, as glycophorin A or B are present on erythrocytes and not on the desired epithelial cells. With regular mixing, desired rare circulating epithelial cells do not become entrapped in the red cell agglutinate.

Abstract: A method for sending a notification message using a modified form of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) multicast notification system in a client-server architecture that otherwise allows only client initiated messages. The method includes: identifying information at a server that has potential for inclusion in a notification message, wherein the server is a Download and Configuration Management (DCM) engine; querying a database for one or more clients that have registered for a particular type of notification by a UDP broadcast processor; receiving identifiers for the one or more clients that have registered for the particular type of notification from the database; and sending notification to the one or more clients.

Abstract: Use of at least one strain of a microorganism and/or a metabolite thereof in the manufacture of a support for administration to a subject for modulating satiety signalling, wherein the support is a pharmaceutically acceptable support or a food product. Suitably, the at least one strain of a microorganism and/or a metabolite thereof may be administered to the subject for the treatment and/or prevention of excess weight and/or a disease caused by excess weight. Likewise, the at least one strain of a microorganism and/or a metabolite thereof is administered to the subject for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity and/or a caused by obesity. Preferably, the microorganism is a probiotic microorganism. Suitably the microorganism may be a lactic acid bacterium. Li one embodiment the microorganism is a strain of Lactobacillus spp. and/or Bifidobacterium spp., for example a strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. curvatus, L. salivarius and/or B. lactis.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses in a network gaming environment comprising a plurality of electronic gaming machines, having one or more in-game network devices. In particular an in-game switch is provided, which is configured to receiving an external IP address from a centrals DHCP server and to determine a scope of internal IP addresses associated with the one or more in-game network devices. Once the scope is determined, the in-game switch is configured to lease IP addresses from the address scope block to the associated in-game network devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses in a network gaming environment comprising a plurality of electronic gaming machines, having one or more in-game network devices. In particular an in-game switch is provided, which is configured to receiving an external IP address from a centrals DHCP server and to determine a scope of internal IP addresses associated with the one or more in-game network devices. Once the scope is determined, the in-game switch is configured to lease IP addresses from the address scope block to the associated in-game network devices.

Abstract: A gaming system having one or more reconfigurable gaming machines and reconfigurable gaming displays is disclosed herein. Each gaming machine includes three reconfigurable video screens, wherein the reconfigurable first video screen displays a first game located on the gaming machine, and wherein the second reconfigurable video screen and the third reconfigurable video screen display pay tables associated with the first game, artwork associated with the first game, or combinations thereof. The one or more gaming machines are reconfigurable to display a second game on the three reconfigurable video screens in response to receiving a reconfiguration command and downloading the second game from a server via a network so that the second game is displayed on the first reconfigurable video screen, and wherein the second reconfigurable video screen and the third reconfigurable video screen display pay tables associated with the second game, artwork associated with the second game, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method of managing computer sessions are provided. The preferred method opens a session (such as for access to a database) and creates a token that includes a session opening time and a measure of the session duration. If the token is used within a predefined time window before the end of the session, the session is extended by updating the token to reflect a new session duration. The time window and duration of a session extension may be adjusted according to usage patterns of the system. The session may be extended recursively. The token expires when the last of the session extensions expires.

Abstract: A certified distribution stored on a computer-readable medium for use in a stochastic information system includes stochastic data providing a series of trials for at least one uncertain variable such that the series of trials maintains the relationship between the trials of each of the at least one uncertain variable, and a digital imprimatur associated with the stochastic data to certify the stochastic data. A distribution database includes a database stored on a computer-readable medium and a communications interface operable to receive a database query, to determine a result set of the at least one stochastic models satisfying the database query, and to respond to the database query. The database includes at least one stochastic model providing a series of trials for at least one uncertain variable such that the series of trials maintains the relationship between the trials of each of the at least one uncertain variable.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the preparation of a compound including the step of interesterifying in the presence of an enzyme catalyst (a) a first triglyceride compound and (b) a second triglyceride compound.

Abstract: A golf club head having a striking wall having a front surface, and a rear surface, a top surface, and a sole portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, the sole portion having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper surface and a lower surface. The intersection of the upper surface and the rear surface defines an interior sole line. The intersection of the upper surface and the rearward end defines a trailing edge. A region on the upper surface includes variation of the height of the trailing edge or exterior sole line relative to the height of the interior sole.

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system, which includes a gas bottle having nitrogen dioxide in air, converts nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide and employs a surface-active material, such as silica gel, coated with an aqueous solution of antioxidant, such as ascorbic acid. A nitric oxide delivery system may be used to generate therapeutic gas including nitric oxide for use in delivering the therapeutic gas to a mammal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by mounting a support system to the head of the patient so that the support system is aligned with a target tissue of the first ear; applying a therapeutic agent to the first ear by energizing an iontophoresis electrode supported by the support system; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that provides game.pjay in a tournament in exchange for monetary input per game played. The gaming system includes: a game server, a plurality of game units, and a tournament administration controller. Each game unit including one or more display screens, a monetary input device, a player input device, and a processor that is implemented as part of a control system and connected to the game server via a casino gaming network. Each game unit is a game of chance or other game that does not rely primarily on the skill of the player. The casino-based game units enable the play of linked wheel games. The tournament administration controller enables an operator to designate tournament characteristics.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmubedaz’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with bronze ray floret with a dark center and prolific branching; natural season flower date September 21 (week 39) blooming for a period of 5 weeks.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmuperfect’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with pink ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date September 14 (week 38); blooming for a period of 5 weeks.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmurover’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with dark red ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date October 5 (week 41); blooming for a period of 4 weeks.