Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a computer-based method for determining a set of equity-indexed crediting parameters C for a selectable-term equity-indexed deposit product also having a set of profitability requirements R, a principal amount P, an account value A, a maximum term T, a set of lock-in formulas F, a selected term T?, an immediate credit I, and a guaranteed rate G, with R, P, A, T, C, and F determined at the time of product purchase and T?<=T determined by the purchaser after the time of purchase and I and G determined by the seller at T? according to the set of formulas F, with the immediate credit I being added to the account value A at time T? and interest being credited to the account value A at the rate G from time T? to time T.

Abstract: A system and method implemented as a software tool for generating alpha matte sequences in real-time for the purposes of background or foreground substitution in digital images and video. The system and method is based on a set of modified Poisson equations that are derived for handling multichannel color vectors. Greater robustness is achieved by computing an initial alpha matte in color space. Real-time processing speed is achieved through optimizing the algorithm for parallel processing on the GPUs. For online video matting, a modified background cut algorithm is implemented to separate foreground and background, which guides the automatic trimap generation. Quantitative evaluation on still images shows that the alpha mattes extracted using the present invention has improved accuracy over existing state-of-the-art offline image matting techniques.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to use of adult Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) and genetically engineered ASC for the treatment of cancer. In particular, the present invention generally relates, in part to a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising engineered ASCs which have been modified to express a gene encoding at least one anti-cancer agent. In some embodiments, an anti-cancer agent is a pro-apoptotic agent. In some embodiments an anti-cancer agent is an agent which inhibits the expression of an oncogene.

Abstract: The invention provides for automatically identifying the location of a displayed video window based upon a characterization of selected portions of the image for realness based upon a distribution of luminance values for the selected portions. The image is then searched mathematically for a large rectangle of realness, and if found, a similar operation is performed in a smaller rectangle around each of the edges of the large rectangle, in turn, zooming in to a resolution of one pixel, thus identifying the position of the edge. This process can be repeated as often as necessary in order to maintain a fix on the edges of the video window.

Abstract: A long range, high intensity spotlight for human incapacitation and control that uses an incoherent collimated constant light source of sufficient intensity and focus to cause temporary incapacitation of a person for a period of time when illuminated by the beam without causing permanent physical harm. The high intensity spotlight comprises a head portion at one end having a window opening and a handle portion connected to the head portion and containing electronic circuitry and thermal air management for controlling operating temperature of the lamp. A paraboloid reflector is mounted in the head portion to face the window opening, and a high intensity electric arc Xenon lamp is adjustably mounted within the reflector so that the electrode gap is located as close as possible to the focus of the reflector. An adjustable mounting base allows the position of the reflector to be adjusted until the optimum focus is reached. A properly positioned cathode wire feed optimizes the lamp performance.

Abstract: Described in this application is a zero-backlash preload gear assembly. The assembly is specifically described for use with a positioning system in order to significantly reduce or eliminate mechanical error and improve tolerances. Furthermore, the assembly allows for infinite positioning of a work surface in order to facilitate improved efficiency of an automated system.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell device, e.g., solar cell, solar panel, and method of manufacture. The device has an optically transparent substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. A first thickness of material (e.g., semiconductor material, single crystal material) having a first surface region and a second surface region is included. In a preferred embodiment, the surface region is overlying the first surface of the optically transparent substrate. The device has an optical coupling material provided between the first surface region of the thickness of material and the first surface of the optically transparent material. A second thickness of semiconductor material is overlying the second surface region to form a resulting thickness of semiconductor material.

Abstract: A method includes collecting cost data indicative of production systems using machinery on or in conjunction with natural resource management using an onboard computer of the machine, collecting environmental data using the onboard computer, the environmental data indicative of environmental conditions associated with use of the machine and/or management and production of a natural resource, collecting machine and/or natural resource data using the onboard computer, the machine data indicative of operation of the machine and production of the natural resource, and performing an analysis of at least one of cost data or revenue data using the environmental data and the machine data, the analysis performed using the onboard computer or a computer remotely connected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the use of a particle accelerator beam to form thin films of material from a bulk substrate. In particular embodiments, a bulk substrate having a top surface is exposed to a beam of accelerated particles. Then, a thin film of material is separated from the bulk substrate by performing a controlled cleaving process along a cleave region formed by particles implanted from the beam. To improve uniformity of depth of implantation, channeling effects are reduced by one or more techniques. In one technique, a miscut bulk substrate is subjected to the implantation, such that the lattice of the substrate is offset at an angle relative to the impinging particle beam. According to another technique, the substrate is tilted at an angle relative to the impinging particle beam. In still another technique, the substrate is subjected to a dithering motion during the implantation. These techniques may be employed alone or in combination.

Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.

Abstract: A packet based display interface arranged to couple a multimedia source device to a multimedia sink device is disclosed that includes a transmitter unit coupled to the source device arranged to receive a source packet data stream in accordance with a native stream rate, a receiver unit coupled to the sink device, and a linking unit coupling the transmitter unit and the receiver unit arranged to transfer a multimedia data packet stream formed of a number of multimedia data packets based upon the source packet data stream in accordance with a link rate between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit.

Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides for calculating the sum of the luminance values of all pixels in each of a number of regions making up the whole image. A histogram is then created of all the sums of luminance at the end of each frame. The histogram is then rescaled such that the luminance range is normalized. Once the histogram has been created, an appropriate transfer function is created using the integrated luminance histogram for the frame. In this way detail within significant objects in the image are enhanced since the average luminance of objects in an image are weighted more than then the luminance of individual pixels providing a more realistic transfer function.

Abstract: A hammer for use in a rotatable hammermill assembly comprising a first end for securement within a hammermill assembly, wherein a rod hole is formed in the second end, wherein the rod hole is centered in the first end for engagement with and attachment to the hammermill assembly is disclosed. The hammer also has a second end for contact and delivery of momentum to material to be comminuted, wherein the second end includes at least two blades. A neck connects the first end to the second end. In some embodiments the thickness of the neck may be less than the thickness of the first end or of any of the blades. In some embodiments the rod hole is surrounded by one or more rod hole shoulders. In other embodiments a notch is positioned in the rod hole along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell device, e.g., solar cell, solar panel, and method of manufacture. The device has an optically transparent substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. A first thickness of material (e.g., semiconductor material, single crystal material) having a first surface region and a second surface region is included. In a preferred embodiment, the surface region is overlying the first surface of the optically transparent substrate. The device has an optical coupling material provided between the first surface region of the thickness of material and the first surface of the optically transparent material.

Abstract: A drying agent particularly suited for facilitating the drying of inks and paints includes a cobalt drier that is more than six percent cobalt by weight, and no more than fourteen percent cobalt by weight. In particular, the cobalt drier is twelve percent cobalt by weight. The drying agent can also include a manganese drier, tung oil, a water-activated drier, a two-way drier, and a lithographic overprint varnish. All ingredients can be present in the mixture at a concentration of one part by weight. The drying agent can be used with a variety of printing stock substrates, and may be used at significantly higher concentrations than prior art drying agents.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a silicon on substrate structure having smooth edge regions. The method includes providing a silicon donor substrate having a surface region and a backside region. A substrate thickness is provided between the surface region and the backside region. The method includes co-implanting a plurality of first particles through the surface region into a vicinity of a cleave region and a plurality of second particles through the surface region into the vicinity of the cleave region. The cleave region defines a thickness of material to be removed between the cleave region and the surface region. The surface region of the silicon donor substrate is joint to a handle substrate to form a coupled substrate structure. The coupled substrate structure is then processed using a thermal treatment process and placed into a cleaving chamber.

Abstract: A method for assembling nucleic acid sequence fragments is disclosed. The fragments are assembled using information about their relative position inferred by comparison of the fragments against a known sequence of a related nucleic acid (FIG. 3). Additionally, the method localizes fragments to bacterial artificial chromosomes (FIG. 1) and determines relative position of bacterial artificial chromosomes using sequence comparison information (FIG. 6). The method utilizes the information about relative orientation, mutual distance, fragment localization to bacterial artificial chromosomes, and relative position of bacterial artificial chromosomes to constrain the assembly process (FIG. 5), thus resulting in a more accurate assembly requiring fewer sequencing reactions.

Abstract: Positional Hashing, a novel method for detecting similarities between texts such as DNA sequences, amino acid sequences, and texts in natural language is disclosed. The method is particularly well suited for large-scale comparisons such as that of mutual comparisons of millions of sequence fragments that result from mammalian-scale sequencing projects and for whole-genome comparisons of multiple mammalian genomes. Positional Hashing is carried out by breaking the sequence comparison problem along its natural structure, solving the subproblems independently, and then collating the solutions into an overall result. The decomposition of the problem into subproblems enables parallelization, whereby a large number of nodes in a computer cluster or a computer farm are concurrently employed on solving the problem without incurring the quadratic time performance penalty characteristic of prior art.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has gangs of soil aerator tools. Each gang includes a set of integral multi-tine units mounted on a frame for rotation in unison. Each tine unit has a hub with tines. The hub has a first surface defining a first set of indexing receivers and a second surface defining a second set of indexing receivers. At least one indexing spacer separates each tine unit from the next tine unit. Keys of the indexing spacers assemble with selected ones of the first set of indexing receivers or the second set of indexing receivers to establish and maintain a predetermined pattern of rotational index positions among tine units in a group and groups in a gang. A method of rotationally indexing agricultural tools in an assembly. One method includes providing a shaft, tine units, and indexing spacers.