Abstract: The present invention provides variant VEGF polypeptides which have been altered in their C-terminal heparin binding region to lower their heparin binding affinity. These variants have been found to act as receptor antagonists for VEGF receptors and antagonize angiogenesis. These variants are useful to treat diseases characterized by pathological angiogenesis.

Abstract: An analysis device obtains hash lists from databases of a server cluster. The analysis device determines repetitive hash values and repetitive data blocks. The analysis device deletes the repetitive data blocks from servers of the server cluster.

Abstract: An electrical charging system including a storing vessel for storing a diagnostic tool and a wireless charging system integrated with the storing vessel for wirelessly charging the diagnostic tool when the diagnostic tool is placed within the storing vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for administering a test using an electronic device. The electronic device is registered to a test-taker, where the registering includes receiving identifying information from the test-taker and associating the electronic device with the test-taker using the identifying information. The test is stored in encrypted form on the electronic device, and the test includes a test question. The test is decrypted prior to test administration. The test is administered to the test-taker via the electronic device, and the administering includes displaying the test question on the electronic device and receiving an answer to the test question on the electronic device. The administered test is removed from the electronic device after transferring the answer to a testing service.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling and processing vehicular traffic data and information, comprising: (a) transforming a spatial representation of a road network into a network of spatially interdependent and interrelated oriented road sections, for forming an oriented road section network; (b) acquiring a variety of the vehicular traffic data and information associated with the oriented road section network, from a variety of sources; (c) prioritizing, filtering, and controlling, the vehicular traffic data and information acquired from each of the variety of sources; (d) calculating a mean normalized travel time (NTT) value for each oriented road section of said oriented road section network using the prioritized, filtered, and controlled, vehicular traffic data and information associated with each source, for forming a partial current vehicular traffic situation picture associated with each source; (e) fusing the partial current traffic situation picture associated with each source, for generating a single co

Abstract: A method for generating a customized travel itinerary is disclosed. The method may comprise associating an individual with a travel sign based upon the results of a travel quiz; associating the individual with a travel location based upon the travel sign and a travel date; and associating the individual with an activity item based upon the travel sign. The method may additionally comprise receiving, by a mobile communication device, a travel itinerary comprising a plurality of travel locations; displaying, by the mobile communication device, a first travel location from the plurality of travel locations prior to a scheduled departure time for the first travel location; and displaying, by the mobile communication device, a second travel location from the plurality of travel locations prior to a scheduled departure time for the second travel location.

Abstract: A method and system provide interoperable electronic financial services using mobile communications devices and without the need for traditional banking systems like plastic cards, POS machines, branches and ATMs. A consumer can deposit and/or withdraw money from his account using his mobile device and with the help of a local agent without ever stepping inside a branch of a bank where the consumer has an account. The system uses the consumers ID and his mobile number to generate a PAN for the consumer, which is then used to route the transactions. The system uses indicators in the transaction to identify transaction purpose and thus enable appropriate interchange, clearing and settlement between participating entities. The system provides real-time feedback on the transactions and reduces costs by enabling an agent to service consumers of multiple banks and payment service providers.

Abstract: A card actuated automated banking machine (152, 198, 200) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a display (182), a check imaging device (186), and at least one processor (190). The machine is operative, responsive to receiving a check and certification data, to dispense cash in exchange for the check. The person presenting the check to the machine need not provide user identifying inputs through input devices of the machine in order to receive cash for the check. Furthermore, prior to accepting the check as a payment, the person can communicate with at least one computer (204) through at least one consumer interface device (208) to verify that the check is payable for the check amount.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration.

Abstract: A tire bead locking tool is provided. The tool may include a body; a first jaw connected to the body; a second jaw pivotally connected to the body and located to oppose the first jaw; a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the first and second jaws in a relative position with respect to each other; and a resilient member attached to one of the first and second jaws and located between the first and second jaws. A method of manufacturing may also be provide. The method may include: forming a body; forming a pair of jaws on the body wherein at least one of the jaws pivots with respect to the body; attaching a resilient member to at least one of the jaws; and forming a locking mechanism that can selectively lock the jaws in a position; and extending a handle further from the jaws than the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving an input from a call center agent indicating a symptom of a quality of an electronic communication between the agent and a caller. Identifying a cause of the quality of the electronic communication based on the input. And, sending instructions to adjust the cause of the quality of the electronic communication.

Abstract: A person monitoring system is operable to predict the onset of an adverse condition of a person. The system receives first information corresponding to a feature of a person support apparatus and second information corresponding to a physiological characteristic of the person. The system calculates a condition score as a function of the first and second information. In some instances, the system alerts a caregiver if the condition score exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the person monitoring system alerts a caregiver when a person supported on a person support apparatus is regaining consciousness by monitoring one or more of a change in position, a heart rate, and a respiration rate. A person monitoring system that monitors a person's quality of sleep and presents information concerning the quality of sleep to one or more interested parties is also disclosed.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a frame and a support surface cooperating with the frame to support a person. The person support apparatus also has a sensor coupled to one of the frame and the support surface. The sensor detects at least one characteristic associated with the person. A controller is coupled to the sensor. In response to at least one of a condition of the frame, a condition of the support surface, a position of the person, or a condition of the person, the controller operates to control the sensor by at least one of changing a gain of the sensor and changing a manner in which a signal from the sensor is filtered. In some instances, the controller turns the sensor off.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly includes a downhole tool and an anchor. The anchor is positionable at a downhole work site and includes a wet-connect port for engaging a battery pack. The tool operates until the battery runs low on power, when a low battery power alert is activated. The tool may be anchored at the work site while the battery is disconnected and retrieved to the surface for replacement. One or more charged batteries are then deployed and connected to the tool without having to remove the tool from the worksite or reposition the tool. The tool may be coupled to a wireline cable or a slickline cable or coiled tubing having a conductive wire for delivering low-voltage power to the tool. While the low-voltage power may not be adequate to operate the tool at full load, the power may be used to charge the tool during downtime.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for risk management in a supply chain. The system is configured to maintain a supply chain repository storing an original buffer level, and a master plan. Further, the system is configured to monitor each stage associated with the supply chain to identify at least one of a short term disruption or a long term disruption associated with a stage of the supply chain. Further, the system is configured to resolve the short term disruption by updating the original buffer level of an inventory or by revising the current plan and at least one of the set of future plans associated with the supply chain. Further, the system is configured to resolve the long term disruption in the supply chain using a set of problems and a set of solutions stored in a historical database.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling dynamic capacity planning are disclosed. In an embodiment, a plurality of operational inputs are configured to forecast a demand volume and generate a dynamic capacity planning schedule. For example, said plurality of operational inputs include raw data received from a server. Further, historical data is processed based on said plurality of operational inputs to create a plurality of contextual data elements. Furthermore, said demand volume is forecasted and said dynamic capacity planning schedule is generated using at least a part of the historical data and a current capacity planning requirement, said current, capacity planning requirement is being generated dynamically by said server. In addition, said dynamic capacity planning schedule is rendered based on said forecasted demand volume and said rendered dynamic capacity planning schedule is clustered into a plurality of work reports associated with said plurality of contextual data elements.

Abstract: A technique for energy sample forecasting of heating, venting and air conditioning-refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems is disclosed. In an example, a first expected energy sample of a HVAC-R system at a first time period is forecasted by modelling actual energy samples of the HVAC-R system at previous time periods using a statistically-based seasonal-autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model. Further, an anomaly is detected at the first time period when deviation between the first expected energy sample and an actual energy sample at the first time period is greater than a dynamic context sensitive threshold. Also, an expected energy sample at next time period is forecasted by modelling a second expected energy sample of the HVAC-R system at the first time period using the statistically-based SARIMA model upon detecting anomaly. The second expected energy sample is forecasted by modelling the actual energy samples at the previous time periods using a physical model.