Abstract: A secure card adapter provides for writing of highly secure, single transaction information on a machine-readable medium of a card structure in accordance with a format that may be downloaded from an external data source. The card structure may be, for example, an existing access authorization card or an existing credit card containing account-specific information which can be read and stored in memory of the secure card adapter. Once such account-specific information is read from an existing access authorization or credit card, secure transaction information can be written, together with the account specific information in accordance with the downloaded format information on another card structure to provide a universal access authorization and/or credit card. Thus the secure card adapter provides an enhanced degree of security through an existing or transitional communication infrastructure.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining an alternative representation of an optimization model reduces model input through compact representation of model parameters. Model generation is performed at varying levels of complexity (approximation) depending on pre-defined, business approved thresholds. The computer receives a set of functions representing a set of events where each function includes sets of first and second axis coordinate values. Each of the functions are transformed to a compacted function which includes a set of pieces including an anchor point, break points, and slopes. Successive pieces having the same slope value are removed. Alternate optimization models are generated based on the set of pieces representing a compacted function and on a predetermined accuracy value.

Abstract: A deliverable four dimensional (4D) intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning method is disclosed, for delivery using a linear accelerator with a dynamic multi-leaf collimator (DMLC). A 4D computed tomography (CT) scan is used for segmenting tumor anatomy on a reference phase of periodic motion of the tumor. Deformable registration of the 4D CT data is used to generate corresponding anatomical structures on other phases. Preferably, the collimator for each beam position is aligned using the gross tumor volume (GTV) centroid motion corresponding to the periodic motion of the tumor, as determined from the two dimensional (2D) projection of a given beam position. A deliverable IMRT plan is created on the 4D CT image set in which the MLC leaf positions and beam on/off status can vary as a function of respiratory phase by solving a four dimensional optimization problem. The mechanical constraints of the MLC leaves are included in the optimization.

Abstract: Recombinant Mycobacterium strains with improved vaccinal properties for use as vaccinating agents are provided. The parent strains of the recombinant Mycobacterium strains are selected for their potent immunogenicity. The Mycobacterium strains do not display antibiotic resistance, and do not exhibit horizontal transfer to gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: An object is to easily store a data required for actuating a portable terminal, which is used in association with an identification data of a user, while maintaining the security. The present invention comprises a data reading/writing device having a function of reading out data stored in a memory medium of a portable terminal and a function of writing, to the memory medium, an applicable data which is required for the portable terminal; and a data collation device for collating an identification data which is peculiar to a user of the portable terminal, which is read out from the memory medium by the data reading/writing device, with a user registration data which is registered in advance, and for outputting a writing command to the data reading/writing device only when the data are consistent. The data reading/writing device writes the applicable data to the memory medium on condition that there is an input of the writing command.

Abstract: A method and system estimates future software support requirements based on statistical models of previous observations of support requests, either for the same product or for a different product having features previously identified as correlated with features of a new product. The estimates include an estimated volume of support requests and an estimated type of support requests. The estimated types include the activity occurring at the time of the failure, an identifier as to whether a defect in the software was previously known, and the like. The estimates are used to estimate and allocate support resources prior to support requests being received, and prior to a software product being released.

Abstract: Systematic use of infrared imaging characterizes marks made on items and identifies the particular marking tool with better accuracy than use of visual imaging. Infrared imaging performed in total darkness eliminates shadows, glint, and other lighting variations and artifacts associated with visible imaging. Although normally used to obtain temperature measurements, details in IR imagery result from emissivity variations as well as thermal variations. Disturbing an item's surface texture creates an emissivity difference producing local changes in the infrared image. Identification is most accurate when IR images of unknown marks are compared to IR images of marks made by known tools. However, infrared analysis offers improvements even when only visual reference images are available.

Abstract: A multiple phase buck converter or boost converter, or buck-boost converter has an inductor in each phase. The inductors are inversely coupled. In a first embodiment, the converter includes a toroidal magnetic core with inductors extending under and over opposite sides of the toroidal magnetic core. The coupled inductors are thereby inversely coupled and have a relatively low ohmic resistance. In a second embodiment, the converter comprises a ladder-shaped magnetic core (i.e. having parallel sides, and connecting rungs). In this case, the inductors extend under the sides, and over the rungs. Each inductor is disposed over a separate rung. The ladder-shaped magnetic core is preferably disposed flat on a circuit board. Inverse coupling and low ohmic resistance are also provided in the second embodiment having the ladder structure.

Abstract: To provide collaborative hosting of applications, the present invention first generates a virtual operating system image consisting of operating system code, application code, runtime code and supporting data repositories. The virtual operating system image may then be sent to and deploying on a physical computer or computer terminal at another location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to establish or configure a mode of operation for computing devices through the use of affinity groups, policy guidelines, and priority graphs. An affinity group is a group of peer devices identified by a network to which a target device is connected as being similar to the target device. Policy guidelines are parameters describing mode or configuration policies for a group of users and reflecting users' identified needs and requirements. A priority graph is a decision tree, which may or may not be graphically represented, describing hierarchically the organization of policies governing the mode or configuration of device operation and capturing the relative priorities of different policies. A key aspect of the present invention involves the sharing of information within an affinity group.

Abstract: In order to reduce power dissipation requirements, obtain full potential transistor performance and avoid power dissipation limitations on transistor performance in high density integrated circuits, transistors are operated in a sub-threshold (sub-Vth) or a near sub-Vth voltage regime (generally about 0.2 volts rather than a super-Vth regime of about 1.2 volts or higher) and optimized for such operation, particularly through simplification of the transistor structure, since intrinsic channel resistance is dominant in sub-Vth operating voltage regimes. Such simplifications include an underlap or recess of the source and drain regions from the gate which avoids overlap capacitance to partially recover loss of switching speed otherwise caused by low voltage operation, an ultra-thin gate structure having a thickness of 500 ? or less which also simplifies forming connections to the transistor and an avoidance of silicidation or alloy formation in the source, drain and/or gate of transistors.

Abstract: A one-time-programmable-read-only-memory (OTPROM) is implemented in a two-dimensional array of aggressively scaled suicide migratable e-fuses. Word line selection is performed by decoding logic operating at VDD while the bit line drive is switched between VDD and a higher voltage, Vp, for programming. The OTPROM is thus compatible with and can be integrated with other technologies without a cost adder and supports optimization of the high current path for minimal voltage drop during fuse programming. A differential sense amplifier with a programmable reference is used for improved sense margins and can support an entire bit line rather than sense amplifiers being provided for individual fuses.

Abstract: Further compression of data allowing economical storage of data for extended periods of time in high-speed access memory is performed in reduced time by performing further compression during transcoding in the transform domain and without restoring image data to its original image data form. The reduction in processing time is achieved by exploiting the large number of zero-valued quantization transform coefficients and not changing quantized transform coefficients at zig-zag scan positions where non-zero coefficients are rare during range reduction of the entropy decoded quantized transformed data. The range can be restored by computation or estimation of an altered quantization table which is stored with the further compressed quantization values. Further advantages accrue from use of JPEG packed format for the data during transcoding.

Abstract: A method to identify women who are at risk for preterm delivery due to premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is provided. The method entails detecting the presence of SERPINH1 gene variants that express low levels of the gene product, heat shock protein Hsp47. The occurrence of a T (rather than C) at a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site at position ?656 of the SERPINH1 gene promoter, together with the absence of a 12 base pair deletion at positions ?694 to ?683 of the promoter, result in an increased risk of PPROM. The method enables medical professionals to identify those at risk, and to provide suitable therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: A method for instance-based sentence boundary determination optimizes a set of criteria based on examples in a corpus, and provides a general domain-independent framework for the task by balancing a comprehensive set of sentence complexity and quality constraints. The characteristics and style of naturally occurring sentences are simulated through the use of semantic grouping and sentence length distribution. The method is parameterized so that it is easily adapts to suit a Natural Language Generation (NLG) system's generation.

Abstract: A Managing component supply for complex products is achieved by monitoring the delivery performance of component suppliers and optimizing the times at which orders are placed. Supply delivery performance targets are set for each supplier, and component order times are optimized by 1) optimizing safety stock for each component, 2) calculating optimal times to place supply orders in order to maintain the safety stock level, and then 3) iterating safety stock calculations in order to minimize overall inventory costs and maximize supply availability. The process takes into account supply lead times, component costs, and target tolerances for delays in the assembly of components. The effects of changes in supply lead time performance on assembly schedules are projected for planning purposes.