Abstract: Novel isolated vascular tissue-specific plant polynucleotide promoter sequences are provided, together with genetic constructs comprising such polynucleotides. Methods for using such constructs in modulating the transcription of DNA sequences of interest are also disclosed, together with transgenic plants comprising such constructs.

Abstract: A method for determining whether an individual is at an increased risk for myocardial infarction, comprising screening for the presence of Factor II and Factor XIII alleles associated with myocardial infarction. Also provided are kits and primers that specifically hybridize adjacent to the allele-specific regions of the Factor II and Factor XIII genes.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring and analyzing the bets at a plurality of locations at a plurality of tables is provided. The system includes a gaming table with a raised platform, underneath which is positioned a video camera for each of the wagering locations on the table. The video cameras one each table are coupled together into a multiplexer, and the multiplexers from the plurality of tables are coupled together and into a central computer. The system and method thus eliminate the labor intensive and often inaccurate technique of tracking the gambling habits of patrons at the gaming tables.

Abstract: A media processing system is provided including a DRAM that includes a plurality of storage locations for storing digital data being processed by said media processing system, said digital data including video data that is compressed in a standardized format, a system for processing said digital data that includes said standardized format compressed video data to produce compressed video images and image data, a system for decoding said standardized format compressed video images to generate full motion video pixel data, a system for sharing said DRAM between said processing means and said decoding means, and a system for producing a full motion video signal from said full motion video pixel data. The media processing system may also have a system for multiplying or combining a first pixel by a second pixel in a single clock cycle.

Abstract: Keys (e.g., decryption key, authentication key) are stored in a non-volatile memory of a display unit. The keys are retrieved in encrypted form into an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit decrypts the keys and uses the keys. As the keys are available in decrypted form only within the integrated circuit and potentially only during use, the keys may not be available to unauthorized third parties.

Abstract: A probe device having a contact probe including a film, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on the film with each wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the film so as to form contact pins, and a metal layer provided on the film. In one embodiment, the contact probe device includes first and second contact probes connected to each other, the first contact probe including a first film, and a plurality of first wiring patterns formed on the first film, each first wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the first film so as to form contact pins. The second contact probe includes a second film, and a plurality of second wiring patterns formed on the second film. The plurality of second wiring patterns are connected to the plurality of first wiring patterns, and the second contact probe is formed separately from the first contact probe.

Abstract: A heavy-duty demolition shear with a replaceable shearing tip has a lower jaw and an upper jaw piviotally connected to the lower jaw. The upper jaw has primary and secondary shear blades. A replaceable shearing tip is mounted to the upper jaw. The replaceable shearing tip has two L-shaped sections which engage the upper jaw between them. The replaceable shearing tip engages the upper jaw on at least three seats. The replaceable shearing tip is connected to the upper jaw by socket-head cap-screws.

Abstract: A probe device having a contact probe including a film, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on the film with each wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the film so as to form contact pins, and a metal layer provided on the film. In one embodiment, the contact probe device includes first and second contact probes connected to each other, the first contact probe including a first film, and a plurality of first wiring patterns formed on the first film, each first wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the first film so as to form contact pins. The second contact probe includes a second film, and a plurality of second wiring patterns formed on the second film. The plurality of second wiring patterns are connected to the plurality of first wiring patterns, and the second contact probe is formed separately from the first contact probe.

Abstract: A probe device having a contact probe including a film, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on the film with each wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the film so as to form contact pins, and a metal layer provided on the film. In one embodiment, the contact probe device includes first and second contact probes connected to each other, the first contact probe including a first film, and a plurality of first wiring patterns formed on the first film, each first wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the first film so as to form contact pins. The second contact probe includes a second film, and a plurality of second wiring patterns formed on the second film. The plurality of second wiring patterns are connected to the plurality of first wiring patterns, and the second contact probe is formed separately from the first contact probe.

Abstract: A probe device having a contact probe including a film, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on the film with each wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the film so as to form contact pins, and a metal layer provided on the film. In one embodiment, the contact probe device includes first and second contact probes connected to each other, the first contact probe including a first film, and a plurality of first wiring patterns formed on the first film, each first wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the first film so as to form contact pins. The second contact probe includes a second film, and a plurality of second wiring patterns formed on the second film. The plurality of second wiring patterns are connected to the plurality of first wiring patterns, and the second contact probe is formed separately from the first contact probe.

Abstract: A probe device having a contact probe including a film, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on the film with each wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the film so as to form contact pins, and a metal layer provided on the film. In one embodiment, the contact probe device includes first and second contact probes connected to each other, the first contact probe including a first film, and a plurality of first wiring patterns formed on the first film, each first wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the first film so as to form contact pins. The second contact probe includes a second film, and a plurality of second wiring patterns formed on the second film. The plurality of second wiring patterns are connected to the plurality of first wiring patterns, and the second contact probe is formed separately from the first contact probe.

Abstract: An occluder, for use in a body passageway, includes a catheter and a blood flow blocking/tissue capturing element comprising structural members which define openings therebetween. The blocking/capturing element is positioned near the distal end of the catheter. The blocking/capturing element has a radially compressed insertion state and a radially expanded blocking state. The occluder also includes an actuator associated with said catheter to move said blood flow blocking element from said compressed state to said expanded state. The blood flow blocking element may have a generally funnel surface extending out from said distal end of said catheter when the blood flow blocking element is in said radially expanded blocking state. A proximal surface may be provided on the capture element, the proximal surface extending out from the distal end of the elongate tubular member wherein the tissue is captured along the proximal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allowing color adjustments in display devices is disclosed The apparatus comprises a multi-resolution structure for providing color adjustments; and an interpolator for interpolating at least one offset of the multi-resolution structure. An apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention uses a combination of color look-up tables with different levels of resolution, followed by interpolation to provide a display process which has high resolution but utilizes minimal memory. In so doing, memory is used for high-resolution areas only where needed. The multi-resolution structure is a very good approximation to the theoretical mapping table in the areas where it is needed. At the same time, since the high resolution areas are localized, a significant reduction in memory storage is possible.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a connector is provided for connecting any combination of an analog video source to either an analog display or a digital display or a digital video source to either an analog display or a digital display. Some preferred connectors have a serial differential digital interconnect that is pin/connector compatible with analog VGA or DB15. Some implementations of the invention provide a system and method for determining the inherent digital versus analog capability of a video source and a video display and configuring a connector according to the determination. Some implementations provide real-time display image quality assurance. Some embodiments provide a digital monitor with digital data streams having more than 8 bits per color, e.g., 10 bits or 12 bits per color.

Abstract: A software application for recommending workforce resource allocation in a communication center based on requirements of events represented in a communication-center queue has a first interface for accessing information from the queue; a second interface for accessing information from a data source about workforce availability and state information; a processing component for processing queue information and workforce information; and a message generation and delivery component for generating a workforce allocation recommendation based on processing results and sending the recommendation to a target entity. In a preferred embodiment, the application periodically accesses the queue and the data source to obtain the most recent information for processing and generates periodic recommendations based on real-time requirements of events and availability states of resources, the recommendations sent ahead of time before the resources are required.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a method of minimizing buffer requirements, in a packet based multimedia system having a multimedia source device coupled to a multimedia display device by way of a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the display device and the source device and vice versa and a unidirectional main link arranged to carry multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to the multimedia display device is disclosed. Interspersing special characters that allow the display device to distinguish each bit of pixel data included in the data packets thereby requiring only a small FIFO type buffer unit.

Abstract: There is provided an electric connection-inspection device which does not impair a freedom of selection of using materials from a viewpoint of restriction in terms of product's function with the aptitude of electric features of electric resistance and physical properties of internal stress, and restriction in terms of manufacture as to the appropriation or not of employment of a plating method, and which has a fine construction provided with the excellent durability that an electrode element is hard to adhere and coagulate.

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 the video data in the form of a number of main link characters at a link character clock rate that is independent of the native stream rate such that video data and the link character clock are asynchronous to each other.

Abstract: In a system having a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between a video source and a video display and vice versa and a unidirectional main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the video source to the video display, a method of establishing a stable main link. The method is carried out by performing a link training session carried out over the auxiliary channel to establish the stable main link, prior to starting transmission of multimedia data packet streams from a video transmitter to a video receiver over the main channel.

Abstract: A packet based closed loop video display interface with periodic status check capability arranged to couple a multimedia source device and a multimedia sink device that includes an adjustable, high speed main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to the multimedia sink device. A bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to provide a number of support functions useful for main link set up and supporting main link operations such as periodically sending a status check of the multimedia display device to the multimedia source device such that the closed loop created by combining the adjustable, high speed main link with a very reliable auxiliary channel allows for robust operation of the display interface over a variety of main link conditions.