Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating play of a casino table game at a casino gaming table system which includes a casino gaming table and at least one handheld device. At least a portion of operations or activities relating to the casino game may be performed at a first handheld device. Examples of such operations may include electronically dealing a first card to a first player via the first handheld device, displaying a representation of the first card to the first player via a display at the first handheld device, etc. In at least one embodiment, an association between a selected handheld device and the first player station may be created and used for subsequent game play activities to enable the selected handheld device to be operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the features of a selected handheld device may be enabled/disabled based on the detection of one or more conditions or events.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is described that includes receiving a conditioned bitstream that includes a digital insertion location and primary network packets that contain compressed video data. The digital insertion location includes replaceable network packets. The method also includes receiving a second bitstream that includes replacement compressed video data. The method also includes determining a location of the digital insertion location. The method further includes adjusting the bitrate of the replacement compressed video data to create adjusted replacement compressed video data. The method further includes providing timestamp information with the replacement compressed video data. The method additionally includes packetizing the adjusted replacement compressed video data and timestamp information into replacement network packets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide formation and management of intelligent application clusters in a storage area network. Disk arbitration mechanisms ensure that a cluster is owned by a single member. In the event of a network partition, each cluster member involved arbitrates to gain ownership of a cluster. High availability mechanisms allow monitoring of system resources and effective failover capabilities.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of scribing a solar cell structure to create isolated solar cells. The methods involve scanning and high frequency dithering of a laser beam across a solar cell structure such that the beam creates a stepped scribed line profile. In certain embodiments, a structure including an absorber layer sandwich between two contact layers is provided. The scanned dithered laser beam ablates all of these layers on one part of the scribe line while the back contact layer on another part of the scribe line, leaving an exposed back contact layer. The scribe electrically isolates solar cell structures on either side of the scribe line from each other, while providing a contact point to the back contact layer of one of solar cell structure for subsequent cell-cell interconnection.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing or inhibiting net beta-amyloid peptide production and/or amyloid plaque formation. The methods and compositions involve administering a netrin-1 polypeptide or netrin-1 therapeutic to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides new and novel devices and methods for administering lithium (Li) ions to a mammalian subject, especially delivery of the lithium (Li) ions to a body component for example across a body or tissue surface such as skin or a mucosal membrane, or for the delivery of the lithium ions directly to bodily fluids in a controllable and reproducible manner. In certain embodiments the device comprises a donor electrode that is a donor of the lithium ions; a protective architecture that is ionically conductive to the lithium ions, configured for application to a skin surface and positioned to isolate said donor electrode from the skin surface; and a counter electrode configured for application to the skin surface, where said counter electrode is operably coupled to said donor electrode.

Abstract: A diffraction grating structure having ultra-high density of grooves comprises an echellette substrate having periodically repeating recessed features, and a multi-layer stack of materials disposed on the echellette substrate. The surface of the diffraction grating is planarized, such that layers of the multi-layer stack form a plurality of lines disposed on the planarized surface of the structure in a periodical fashion, wherein lines having a first property alternate with lines having a dissimilar property on the surface of the substrate. For example, in one embodiment, lines comprising high-Z and low-Z materials alternate on the planarized surface providing a structure that is suitable as a diffraction grating for EUV and soft X-rays. In some embodiments, line density of between about 10,000 lines/mm to about 100,000 lines/mm is provided.

Abstract: Methods of improving the uniformity and adhesion of low resistivity tungsten films are provided. Low resistivity tungsten films are formed by exposing the tungsten nucleation layer to a reducing agent in a series of pulses before depositing the tungsten bulk layer. According to various embodiments, the methods involve reducing agent pulses with different flow rates, different pulse times and different interval times.

Abstract: Gaming devices dispense tickets which are unrelated to a player's success on a particular game played on a gaming device or to the player's credits on a credit meter or other “cash out” indicator. The gaming devices provide gaming awards and also provide tickets. Other methods provide tickets during the play of wagering games. Still other embodiments comprise lottery terminals which dispense tickets other than those purchased by a lottery patron or won on a purchased lottery ticket.

Abstract: Bispecific single chain antibody molecules are disclosed which may be used to advantage to treat various forms of cancer associated with the overexpression of members of the EGFR protein family.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) is configured to run a persistence game having one or more recordable persistence states transferable to another EGM.

Abstract: The invention provides a lysis reagent and method for preparing a test sample for use in an assay, wherein the method yields a homogeneous lysis mixture suitable for use in automated pipetting systems without the need for a centrifugation step. The lysis reagent includes a glycol and non-specific animal immunoglobulins. Other aspects of the invention include related immunoassays and test kits.

Abstract: A wager gaming machine having software and components allowing for automatic powering on and off (also referred to as remote out-of-band power control) bypassing the need for human operator intervention is described. The gaming machine has a master gaming controller and a network interface. The interface includes an input port supporting a TCP/IP connection which can be used by another network component having the gaming machine's IP address. The gaming machine may also include a Web server operating on the input port. The Web server may receive HTTP messages on the input port even when the gaming machine is powered off. Thus, the machine is capable of receiving an HTTP message at the input port instructing the machine to power on. The gaming machine may also contain a manageability engine processor for executing an active management system software component. This component implements the Web server on the gaming machine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for improving optofluidic microscope (OFM) devices. One technique that may be used employs surface tension at a hydrophobic surface to passively pump the fluid sample through the fluid channel. Another technique uses electrodes to adjust the position of objects in the fluid channel. Another technique computationally adjusts the focal plane of an image wavefront measured using differential interference contrast (DIC) based on Young's interference by back propagating the image wavefront from the detection focal plane to a different focal plane. These techniques can be employed separately or in combination to improve the capabilities of OFM devices.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating configuration of a gaming machine, and for facilitating authentication testing of selected components of a gaming machine. In at least one embodiment, configuration of the gaming machine may be effected via the use of a gaming machine configuration device. When the presence of a gaming machine configuration device is detected, configuration indicia stored on the configuration device may be accessed and used to determine at least one configuration parameter relating to configuration of the gaming machine. Configuration or reconfiguration of the gaming machine may then be implemented using the at least one configuration parameter. In at least one embodiment, authentication of the gaming machine component may be effected via the use of a gaming machine authentication device.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for selectively allowing light to pass through a substantially transparent substrate or blocking the light, at least to some degree. Some embodiments provide a plurality of reflective vanes that can be positioned in at least two positions. According to some such implementations, when the vanes are in an open position, incident light is allowed to pass through the window. The light may reflect from two or more vanes before passing through the window. When a sufficient voltage is applied between vane electrodes and other electrodes, the vanes are pulled down, reflecting back at least some of the incident light. The voltage may be controlled according to detected temperature, ambient light intensity, etc.

Abstract: Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements.

Abstract: A cathode that contain nanostructures that extend into the organic layer of an OLED has been described. The cathode can have an array of nanotubes or a layer of nanoclusters extending out from its surface. In another arrangement, the cathode is patterned and etched to form protruding nanostructures using a standard lithographic process. Various methods for fabricating these structures are provided, all of which are compatible with large-scale manufacturing. OLEDs made with these novel electrodes have greatly enhanced electron injection, have good environmental stability.