Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the corrosion of a metal surface contacted by an aqueous acid solution. The methods combine a corrosion inhibiting composition with the aqueous acid solution, wherein the corrosion inhibiting composition comprises a reaction product of an alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone with a primary or secondary amine. The metal surface is then contacted with the aqueous acid solution comprising the corrosion inhibiting composition, thereby inhibiting corrosion thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing prepaid cash alternatives and resolving exceptions related to the sale of prepaid cash alternatives such as traveler's cheques or prepaid cards. Reports of sales may be reviewed to identify exceptions, and information explaining the exceptions may be made available electronically. Sellers may be notified of exceptions by e-mail, which may include a link or address to information explaining the exceptions. The information may be provided in real time through a secure site on a network, such as the Internet. A company may contract with business partners to sell the prepaid cash alternatives to customers, and the business partners may report the sales to the company via reports. After being notified of exceptions, business partners may provide corrected information or new information to resolve the exceptions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and a method of levelling hair color especially lighter colored hair or including lightened streaks or bleached streaks or bleached as a whole and after certain period of time contrast—difference in color—between the re-growth and formerly lightened parts is clearly visible. The first objective of the present invention is an aqueous composition for levelling hair color comprising at least one fatty acid salt, preferably an in-situ formed ammonium salt, and one or more amphoteric surfactants at a total concentration between 5 and 30% by weight, calculated to total of the composition, and has a pH between 5 and 12. Further the use of the composition for levelling hair color and the method of levelling hair color are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for increasing the immunogenicity of a tumor antigen thus allowing treatment of cancer, as well as a vaccine that increases the immunogenicity of a viral antigen, thus allowing treatment of viral infection, including immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides a fusion protein comprising a viral chemokine fused to either a tumor antigen or viral antigen which is administered as either a protein or nucleic acid vaccine to elicit an immune response effective in treating cancer or effective in treating or preventing viral infection.

Abstract: An automatic banking machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and a cash dispenser. The automated banking machine carries out banking transactions related to user accounts based on information read from cards. The automated banking machine provides a printed receipt for transactions conducted. The machine carries out transactions when operatively connected to a source of AC power and a transaction network. The machine also carries out certain exception instructions when disconnected from its power source and/or network connection.

Abstract: The funding and administration of a long term investment and/or retirement trust for a minor child or minor children are facilitated by the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method for the real-time, interactive, dynamic modeling and goal-solving for the pre-funding of a retirement benefit account specific to a minor child. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method for the input of user variables specific to the requirements necessary for the real-time production of trust documents necessary and specific to the purpose of establishing a funded pre-retirement trust for a minor child.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for content assembly is provided by which an automation playlist of media events is created, a relationship is defined between the media events, the media events are merged into a composite media event and published.

Abstract: An Object Customization and Management (OCM) system is configured to identify an object for creating a website based on a business objective. The OCM system includes a customizing module configured to determine qualitative attribute categories for a plurality of objects operable to be used in websites. The module assigns the plurality of objects to the qualitative attribute categories. The OCM system also includes a data management module configured to receive a request for one of the plurality of objects to be used to achieve the business objective. This module also matches the business objective with one of the qualitative attribute categories, and selects an object in the matched qualitative attribute category for the request.

Abstract: A device for a wave-powered generator which is provided with at least one energy generator and lines for transferring energy to a consumer, the wave-powered generator comprising a main module provided with a running rod which is substantially vertical in its longitudinal extent, several supporting devices arranged around a portion of the running rod and arranged for sliding or rolling movement on surface portions extending in the longitudinal direction of the running rod, at least one sheave which is arranged to roll on the running rod, and transmission means which are arranged to translate the rotating motion of the at least one sheave into rotation of the drive shaft of the at least one generator; and a first float which is floatingly disposed in an area affected by waves and which is connected to the running rod by a primary driving line substantially of tensile strength.

Abstract: An interface and device architecture for a payment device. An interface between a payment application installed in a payment device and one or more value-add applications (such as loyalty programs, transit applications, etc.) that are also installed in the payment device. The API or interface design permits communications and data transfer between the payment application and one or more value-add applications. This reduces (and in some cases may prevent) the need for back-end server processing of data that may be relevant to both a payment transaction and to a function of the value-add application. Similarly, the same or another API or interface may enable communications and data transfer between a value-add application and the payment application.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: Real-time costing information is provided by a central knowledge base in communication with a database. The central knowledge base provides an application programming interface (API) through which queries are run on the content in the database. The database content includes a harmonized system (HS) module holding an HS tree unified across multiple countries, a tariffs module holding tariffs applicable to goods classified in the unified HS tree, and a freight rates module holding rules and data for calculating freight rates for a shipment of goods. A knowledge workbench includes a catalog harmonizer that enables goods in a catalog to be harmonized according to one or more countries' HS trees and the results to be stored in the database. An applications server provides applications for generating queries for costing information, such as landed cost estimates, analyzing the results.

Abstract: A method for controlling a contactless interface on a dual interface portable device are provided. The method allows for contactless enablement and disablement on both a temporary and semi-permanent basis, dependent on commands sent to the device by the issuer of the portable device. The commands are received through a terminal device and are transferred to the portable device during a contact transaction. Configuration data on the portable device is modified according to the received commands. An application on the portable device controls the transmission of data through the contactless interface dependent on the configuration data.

Abstract: Method and system to centrally monitor the quality of images of financial documents. Embodiments of the present invention can provide a way to monitor and evaluate the quality of images of financial documents stored for remote access by financial institutions. In some embodiments, a standard quality analysis of at least some of the images is performed, and, based on the quality analysis, suspect images are identified to a responsible entity. For at least some of the images, a decisioning result from the responsible entity is recorded in association with information identifying the images. The quality analysis can be applied based on exclusion criteria such as an amount threshold, certain routing information, etc. The suspect images can be identified by sending a quality results file to the responsible entity, and a decisioning result can be received in a decisioning results file.

Abstract: Leptin, leptin analogs, and leptin derivatives are used to treat patients with lipoatrophy. Leptin is effective against conditions of lipoatrophy for both genetic and acquired forms of the disease. A therapeutically effective amount of leptin can be administered in a variety of ways, including subcutaneously and using gene therapy methods. Methods of the present invention contemplate administration of leptin, leptin analogs, and leptin derivatives to patients having a leptin level of approximately 4 ng/ml or less before treatment.

Abstract: A lateral liner assembly provides for sealing of the junction between a lateral sewer line and a main sewer pipe. The lateral liner assembly includes a body portion attached to a collar portion. A flange assembly is secured to the collar to provide a rigid base for a seal. The seal supported on the flange seals against the inner surface of the main sewer pipe. The seal provides a desired water tight seal for the junction between the main sewer line and the lateral sewer line.

Abstract: The present invention provides settable compositions and methods of using settable compositions that comprise a hydraulic cement; a partially calcined kiln feed comprising SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, SO3, Na2O, and K2O; metakaolin; and water. The location to be cemented may be above ground or in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a wellbore composition comprising a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in the wellbore, placing a plurality of acoustic sensors in the wellbore, obtaining data from the MEMS sensors and data from the acoustic sensors using a plurality of data interrogation units spaced along a length of the wellbore, and transmitting the data obtained from the MEMS sensors and the acoustic sensors from an interior of the wellbore to an exterior of the wellbore. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a wellbore composition comprising a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in the wellbore, and obtaining data from the MEMS sensors using a plurality of data interrogation units spaced along a length of the wellbore, wherein one or more of the data interrogation units is powered by a turbo generator or a thermoelectric generator located in the wellbore.

Abstract: A system and a method for document image segmentation have been disclosed. Image segments are obtained by forming different clusters in a document image. The document image may include images of company logos, product marks or trademarks. The invention can perform image segmentation on any kind of complex colored image and can recognize logos, product-marks or trademarks which comprise text or graphics, wherein the text can be either of uniform font style or uneven font style such as fancy font styles, calligraphic styles or having different orientation.

Abstract: A first call is received at a reserved address and is forwarded based on the reserved address. A second call is placed to a designated address, and a message is played to the designated address.