Abstract: A user interface device including a touchpad behind a protection plate, behind which the touchpad can freely shift with respect to the protection plate, along an axis perpendicular to the protection plate.

Abstract: An approach for call failover to a packetized voice session is described. Impending signal failure is detected on a cellular link supporting a cellular call with a user device. A failover procedure is initiated in response to the detection, wherein the failover procedure includes detecting presence of a wireless data connection, and terminating the cellular call and concurrently activating a voice call application to establish a packetized voice session over the wireless data connection with the user device.

Abstract: Link for a wristwatch, characterised in that it comprises a central core connecting a lower wing and an upper wing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing cell populations enriched for stable, regulatory T cells (Tregs). In particular, the invention relates to methods for culturing T cells such that the final culture is enriched for stable, regulatory T cells. It also relates to methods for stabilizing regulatory T cells. Also provided are compositions enriched for stable, regulatory T cells, which are useful for treating individuals in need of such treatment. The methods and compositions disclosed herein can also be used to treat an individual suffering from an immune-mediated disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for protecting a debt. The systems and methods provide techniques for providing a set-amount loan to a customer, collecting a premium payment for the protection of a debt associated with the set-amount loan, receiving information about a debt excusing event that has occurred to the customer, and terminating at least a portion of the debt associated with the set-amount loan.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations, such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation, include a laser device. A first portion of a subterranean formation can be characterized, the first portion being at a first location. A first orientation of an aperture can be selected based on the characteristics of the first portion of the subterranean formation. A laser beam can be used to create the aperture having the first orientation. A second portion of the subterranean formation can be characterized, the second portion being at a second location different from the first location. A second orientation, different from the first orientation, can be selected based on the characteristics of the second portion of the subterranean formation. The laser beam can be moved to the second location and can be used to form the aperture having the second orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems that include presenting signals corresponding to a time-series of traffic on links of a network to a band-pass filter to obtain band-limited signals, the band pass filter centered substantially about a frequency corresponding to traffic to be tracked, determining coherence values of the band-limited signals, and, based on a comparison of the coherence values to a threshold, forming at least one map of the routing of the traffic based on the corresponding links.

Abstract: A variable flow resistance system can include a vortex device, with resistance to flow of a fluid composition through the vortex device being dependent on a rotation of the fluid composition at an inlet to the vortex device. Another system can include a second vortex device which receives a fluid composition from an outlet of a first vortex device, a resistance to flow of the fluid composition through the second vortex device being dependent on a rotation of the fluid composition at the outlet. Another system can include a first vortex device which causes increased rotation of a fluid composition at an outlet thereof in response to an increase the fluid composition velocity, and a second vortex device which receives the fluid composition from the outlet, a flow resistance through the second vortex device being dependent on the rotation of the fluid composition at the outlet.

Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Abstract: An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.

Abstract: Images of a plurality of checks to be presented for payment may be captured through the use of a check sleeve. The check sleeve includes check-holding mechanism to hold one or more checks in place in the sleeve, and contains various types of markings or other features that allow an image of the sleeve to be oriented, and to allow the portion of the image that represents a check to be distinguished from portions of the image that do not represent a check. One or more algorithms may be used to distinguish check from non-check portions of the image, and to orient the image. The check sleeves may have one or more barcodes imprinted thereon, which may encode various types of information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for building a trait model for essay evaluation are provided. At least one evaluated essay is received. A plurality of features pertaining to one or more traits from the at least one evaluated essay are identified and extracted. The one or more traits comprise writing errors, discourse, or vocabulary usage. A plurality of vector files based upon the plurality of features are created. A trait model for essay evaluation based upon the plurality of vector files is built. The trait model is evaluated, where the evaluation includes mapping features of a new essay to the trait model by navigating a multi-branched decision tree. At each branch of the decision tree, a value associated with the features of the new essay is used to determine how to proceed through the trait model.

Abstract: In some embodiments, multiple heterogeneous information technology service management (ITSM) applications of different IT service partners (customers and service providers) are integrated via a service process integration grid employing a set of standard workflows and associated standard transaction types and data structures. Once a service partner's workflows and data structures have been mapped to the standard grid workflows and data structures, integration with a first and new service partners is relatively fast and convenient. Analysis of real-life ITSM applications led to the development of particular standardized workflows classified according to whether they are initiated by service provider or customer, and according to whether they do or do not include ownership-transfer transactions allowing a service partner (customer or provider) to transfer ownership of the service process to its counterpart for further action by the counterpart.

Abstract: Bike comprising a first frame element extending from one end carrying a front wheel housing to a lower end, a second frame element extending to a lower end rigidly fixed to the first lower end, a rear fork comprising a chainstay extending from the first element to a spindle support and a seat stay extending from the spindle support to the second element, a crankset having a lateral chainring, a rear wheel driven by a sprocket inside the fork, a belt engaged with the chainring and the sprocket. The chainstay has a major portion arranged below a straight line passing through the lower ends of the chainring and of the sprocket. The belt extends through the triangle formed by the second frame element, the chainstay and the seat stay, which form an irremovable assembly.

Abstract: Methods for synthesis and manufacture of polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines at high yield are provided. The methods involve reaction of a hydrazide group on one reactant with an aldehyde or cyanate ester group on the other reactant. The reaction proceeds rapidly with a high conjugation efficiency, such that a simplified purification process can be employed to separate the conjugate product from the unconjugated protein and polysaccharide and other small molecule by-products.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling an electronic device (5) using a wireless mobile device (1) having a display (3), and video capturing unit (4), the method comprising successive steps of: establishing a video call between said mobile device and a remote server (6) such that said remote server receives video images captured by said mobile device; performing image recognition to identify an electronic device in said captured video; detecting motion of said video capturing unit; and transmitting a control signal to said electronic device based on the motion of the video capturing unit.

Abstract: A testing device is provided that may be attachable and detachable from a smoke detector. The testing device may have a rod that pushes a testing button on the smoke detector. The testing device may have a light detector which will actuate the rod to push the testing button if the light from an appropriate remote control or other light source is directed onto it, in order to verify that the smoke detector is operating properly without manually pushing the testing button. The testing device may store a unique identifier (ID) and generate and transmit data pertaining to results of the testing of the smoke detector.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of inducing epithelial cell growth. The method includes administering an effective amount of a K-type CpG oligonucleotide, thereby inducing epithelial cell growth. The epithelial cell can be in vivo or in vitro. Methods are also provided for inducing wound healing in a subject. The methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one K-type CpG ODN.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining an HCC subtype in a subject comprising a) obtaining a sample from the subject, b) assaying the sample to detect the expression of 1 or more biomarkers, and c) correlating the expression of the biomarkers with an HCC subtype in a subject. The invention further provides methods of detecting HCC stem cells in a sample. Additionally, the invention provides methods and compositions for treating subjects with HCC that take advantage of the biomarkers associated with HCC stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a set of Extensible Authentication Protocols (EAPs) that can serve Confidentiality, Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (CAAA) issues at an affordable cost. According to one embodiment of the invention, a system and method is provided to generate random sequences (through prime numbers) which can be used in the authentication process of certificateless extensible authentication protocols (EAPs) for mobile and wireless communications. The invention also provides a light weight security with better performance in comparison to the lower layer chip level security provided by 2G, 3G or 4G applications.