Abstract: A futon frame may include a seat platform and a back platform. The seat platform and the back platform may be nested together. The seat platform may have rails between which slats extend. The back platform having rails between which slats extend. A connector may be mounted on a rail of the seat platform to couple together the seat platform and the back platform in an assembled, non-nested condition. Recesses may be provided in two of the rails of the seat platform to accommodate a pair of stretcher rails.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid sequences comprising NF-?B binding sites derived from the MGMT promoter region and uses thereof as decoy molecules in the treatment of cancer and immune-related disorders. More particularly, the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences as well as to modified oligonucleotides (ODNs) comprising NF-?B binding sites derived from the MGMT promoter region, and uses thereof as decoy molecules for inhibiting NF-?B enhanced expression of MGMT. The invention further relates to compositions, kits and screening methods using the NF-?B binding sites of the invention or ODNs comprising the same for treating cancer and immune related disorders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing high transverse resolution voltage measurements in downhole logging tools utilized to determine the resistivity of an adjacent portion of a borehole wall. Two current electrodes 508 and 509 are energized by an excitation source to create an oscillatory electric field in a borehole wall. The voltage drop from each voltage electrode in a row of laterally spaced voltage electrodes 604 is measured relative to a shared voltage electrode 606 longitudinally spaced from the row of electrodes. The differential voltage is used in combination with a measured current flow to determine a resistivity value for the borehole. A second row of laterally spaced voltage electrodes 608 having electrodes laterally offset from the electrodes of the first row is included to provide high transverse resolution. A common mode voltage at the shared voltage electrodes is measured and utilized to minimize the resistivity measurement error.

Abstract: Antennas for wireless communications based on metamaterial (MTM) structures to arrange one or more antenna sections of an MTM antenna away from one or more other antenna sections of the same MTM antenna so that the antenna sections of the MTM antenna are spatially distributed in a non-planar configuration to provide a compact structure adapted to fit to an allocated space or volume of a wireless communication device, such as a portable wireless communication device.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods of remotely monitoring a plurality of individuals may include providing a plurality of monitoring objects, wherein each monitoring object is associated with the environment of one of the plurality of individuals. A sensor may be integrated into each monitoring object, wherein the sensor collects activity data for the individual associated with the monitoring object. The sensor data may be processed at each monitoring object to obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual associated with the monitoring object. The monitoring information obtained with each monitoring object may be transmitted over a network to a receiving object, wherein the receiving object may display a picture associated with the particular individual being monitored at the time that it displays information about that individual.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for remotely monitoring an individual may include providing a sensor integrated in a monitoring object at a first location where the monitoring object may be configured as a household item. The sensor may be associated with an environment of an individual at the first location and a network. The sensor data may be processed to obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual in the environment and the monitoring information may be transmitted over the network from the first location to a receiving object at a second location.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buyer registers for a buyer's shipping account and uses the shipping account to pay shipping costs associated with purchases made over the Internet. When a buyer purchases merchandise over the Internet from either a retailer's website or from an individual through an online auction, the buyer is capable of controlling the shipping process by logging on to their buyer's shipping account. Among other things, the buyer can use their shipping account to select the desired type of shipping service (overnight air or ground) and populate a shipping label with shipping information such as delivery address, return address, and preferred delivery time windows. Once the shipping label has been populated and verified, the shipping label is electronically transferred to the seller for use in shipping the package. The system and methods of the present invention allow the buyer greater control over the shipping process.

Abstract: In relation to an entity such as a business having customers, a determination is made of at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value associated with increasing customer satisfaction of at least one customer by a fixed increment relative to a satisfaction scale. Based on the at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value, decision support data corresponding to a plurality of customer satisfaction improvement techniques is then determined, which decision support data may be presented in any desirable manner such as on a display device.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in a wellbore composition, flowing the wellbore composition in the wellbore, and determining one or more fluid flow properties or characteristics of the wellbore composition from data provided by the MEMS sensors during the flowing of the wellbore composition. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in at least a portion of a spacer fluid, a sealant composition, or both, pumping the spacer fluid followed by the sealant composition into the wellbore, and determining one or more fluid flow properties or characteristics of the spacer fluid and/or the cement composition from data provided by the MEMS sensors during the pumping of the spacer fluid and sealant composition into the wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of administering an interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antagonist to a subject to treat an autoimmune disease. In particular embodiments, the IL-2R antagonist is an anti-IL-2R monoclonal antibody specific for one or more chains of the IL-2R, such as the alpha-chain, for example daclizumab. In other particular embodiments the autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis. In certain embodiments administration of interferon-beta is combined with administration of an antagonist of the IL-2R to provide significant clinical improvement in a subject with an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Equipment and a process for upgrading oil are provided to produce a refined oil lighter than a material oil by cracking the heavier material oil with the addition of hydrogen under relatively relaxed production conditions. An equipment for upgrading oil according to one aspect of the invention includes an emulsion making portion (10), a refinery tank portion (20), and a heating portion (30), and configured to make an emulsion (E) by emulsifying ionized alkaline water (A) in a material oil (O1) in the emulsion making portion (10), and to drop droplets (D) of the emulsion (E) onto the surface (S) of a heat medium (O2) in the refinery tank portion (20) heated by the heating portion (30).

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for managing meetings and allocating and reconciling expenditures. Scheduling information for a plurality of meetings is stored in a database. A plurality of budgets is stored in the database, each of the budgets being associated with and defining budget items for one of the plurality of meetings. Transaction data are received describing a plurality of expenditures made using at least one transaction account, wherein the transaction data comprise an amount expended for each of the plurality of expenditures. A selection of an expenditure, from the plurality of expenditures, and a selection of a meeting related to the selected expenditure from the plurality of meetings are accepted from a user. An allocation of at least a portion of the amount of the selected expenditure to a budget item for the selected meeting is accepted.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for tracking one or more items. The method may include periodically detecting, by a sensor device, sensor information of the one or more items, and periodically transmitting, by the sensor device, the sensor information. The method may also include determining if the one or more parties is authorized to receive the sensor information. The method may also include transmitting the sensor information to the one or more authorized parties. The method may further include determining if the one or more parties is authorized to receive the sensor information and the periodically transmitting the sensor information to the one or more authorized parties based on a set of one or more permissions that grants or restricts access of the one or more parties to the sensor information based on the set of one or more permissions.

Abstract: The present invention is integrated tax return preparation systems and methods that provide a taxpayer with options related to review and signing of a tax return by a tax professional. The integrated systems and methods are computer-based and web-based online tax return preparation systems and tax software used by taxpayers to prepare their own electronic tax returns. Communications with a tax professional and various forms of automated electronic communications are supported so that taxpayers that prepare their own tax returns using a self-preparation tax product may have them reviewed and signed by a tax professional. Signature and review service options that are available from a retail tax preparation service and typically available to only customers of the tax preparation service are also provided to taxpayers who prepare their own tax returns using an online tax preparation system or tax software.

Abstract: A surface covering installation tool and method of use to provide improved safety and efficiency for surface covering installation. The surface covering installation tool is a tool that includes a handle, a mandrel, and a support member. A user inserts the mandrel into rolled surface covering and then pulls the rolled surfaced covering using the handle causing the surface covering to unroll.

Abstract: A gap-filler for a patient-support apparatus comprises a barrier panel, a first coupler coupled to the barrier panel and a second coupler coupled to the barrier panel and configured to engage a siderail of the patient-support apparatus such that the gap-filler is movable relative to the siderail as the siderail moves between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in at least a portion of a sealant composition, placing the sealant composition in an annular space formed between a casing and the wellbore wall, and monitoring, via the MEMS sensors, the sealant composition and/or the annular space for a presence of gas, water, or both. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in a wellbore composition, placing the wellbore composition in the wellbore, and monitoring, via the MEMS sensors, the wellbore and/or the surrounding formation for movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acid-soluble cement compositions that comprise cement kiln dust (“CKD”) and/or a natural pozzolan and associated methods of use. An embodiment includes a method of cementing comprising: placing an acid-soluble cement composition in a subterranean formation, wherein the acid-soluble cement composition comprises a hydraulic cement, a component selected from the group consisting of CKD, pumicite, and a combination thereof, and water; allowing the acid-soluble cement composition to set; and contacting the set acid-soluble cement composition with an acid to dissolve the set acid-soluble cement composition.

Abstract: Tracking and management data for a survey distribution and response lifecycle is disclosed. The system generates and links tracking data for both the distribution and the response, generates indicators that include the tracking data, and encodes the indicators so that the indicators are detectable as the indicators traverse various events and locations throughout the lifecycle. A detailed audit trail of each event in the distribution and response lifecycle is constructed using data matching methods and various statistics regarding the lifecycle, such that the response habits of customers are formulated enabling an operation to more efficiently forecast, plan and conduct operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication instrument mounting apparatus comprising a mounting bracket having one or more mounting members shaped to engage the rear portion of a communication instrument. The mounting bracket of the present invention provides mounting sleeves for receiving mounting members. Such sleeves may be utilized to releasably attach the mounting bracket of the present invention directly to a mounting surface and/or a conventional input junction box. The mounting member of the present invention provides walls defining at least one cavity through which input cables may be inserted. In one embodiment, the cavity of the present invention has a generally rectangular configuration and is positioned upon the mounting bracket so as to be adjacent to one or more attachment ports of the instrument. The relative positioning of the cavity allows cables to be connected and/or disconnected in a convenient manner.