Abstract: A system and method for detecting airborne agents. The system includes a semiconductor ultraviolet optical source configured to emit an ultraviolet light, a controller configured to generate a pseudo-random code for emission of the ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, a telescope configured to focus the ultraviolet light to a distance from the source and to receive elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and a sensor configured to detect the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals. The method generates a pseudo-random code and emits at least one wavelength of ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, transmits the modulated ultraviolet light pulses to a distance from the source, receives elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and detects the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals.

Abstract: A point of issuance cracking device for producing and recording intentionally created unique crack patterns in a brittle material layer of portable consumer devices and methods of using same for authentication are disclosed. When a conductive material is used for the brittle material layer, the electromagnetic field (EMF) signature of the intentionally created cracks can be detected, stored and compared for the purposes of the authenticating the portable consumer device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for implementing a loyalty program on a network-wide level. The system associates UPC and SKU data on a network level to reward consumers and/or to analyze the data for a variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and/or analyses relating to consumer spending behaviors or patterns, for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the network may comprise any number of participants, including consumers (such primary and supplementary members of an aggregate consumer account), retailers (and any of their employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like. In accordance with one aspect, the system enables participation by supplementary members who are associated with a primary member and, in this manner, facilitates the tracking of supplementary member purchasing behavior, reward points earning behavior, and reward points redemption behavior.

Abstract: Various techniques can be used to improve classification of colon polyps candidates found via computed tomographic colonography computer aided detection (CTCCAD). A polyp candidate can be classified as a true positive or a false positive. For example, a two-dimensional projection image of the polyp can be generated from a three-dimensional representation and classified based on features of the projection image. An optimal viewpoint for the projection image can be found via techniques such as maximizing viewpoint entropy. Wavelet processing can be used to extract features from the two-dimensional projection image. Feature extraction can use a piecewise linear orthonormal floating search for locating most predictive neighbors for wavelet coefficients, and support vector machines can be employed for classification. The techniques can be useful for improving accuracy of CTCCAD techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, systems, and computer program products pertaining to obtaining, providing, and using dynamic card verification values for portable consumer devices, such as credit cards and debit cards. An exemplary method comprises receiving, at a server, a request for a device verification value for a portable consumer device associated with a user; obtaining, at the server, a datum indicative of a device verification value for a portable consumer device; and sending, from the server, the datum to at least one of a phone number or network address of a personal communication device associated with the user.

Abstract: An air-based vertical launch system is described by means of which ballistic missile defense can be achieved effectively from a large aircraft. A method for ensuring safe missile egress is proposed. A method for ensuring that the missile strikes the ballistic missile payload section is also proposed. Together, the air basing method employing vertical (or near-vertical) launch and semi-active laser guidance yield an affordable and operationally effective missile defense against both tactical and long-range ballistic missiles. The affordability of missile defense is enhanced by the ability of an aircraft equipped with a vertical launcher to simultaneously carry out several defensive and offensive missions and to provide other capabilities such as satellite launch at other times.

Abstract: A high pressure mister cooling system having an electric fan, a high pressure pump mounted on the fan, an eccentric on the fan motor shaft, and mister nozzles mounted on the fan guard. A pump shaft is reciprocated by the eccentric when the fan is operated. A pump body includes a pump piston and bore, an inlet valve that opens when supply pressure exceeds 20 psi, a pump outlet valve that opens when pump pressure exceeds 120 pounds, and a pressure limiting valve that opens when pump pressure exceeds 1000 pounds. Water flows only when an inlet supply is attached and the fan is operating, and outlet pressure to the mister nozzles is controlled at about 1000 psi.

Abstract: A method and system for identification of microorganisms in a sample. The method includes processing the sample to produce at least one group of biomarker molecules from at least one microorganism in the sample, tandem mass-analyzing biomarker fragment ions from the at least one group of biomarker molecules to obtain a sample biomarker tandem mass spectrum of the biomarker, and identifying the microorganism in the sample based on a comparison of the sample biomarker tandem mass spectrum to an experimentally-derived reference tandem mass spectrum (stored in the reference library) from a known microorganism. The system includes a sample processing unit configured to process the sample and produce at least one group of biomarker molecules from at least one microorganism in the sample. The system includes a mass-analyzer for tandem mass analysis biomarker fragment ions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for permanent shaping of human hair used both for the permanent waving of human hair with an excellent waving effect as well as for the straightening of curled hair. The object of the present invention is a process for permanent shaping hair wherein a composition comprising at least one reducing agent is applied onto hair and after processing of 1 to 30 min at a temperature of 20 to 45° C. rinsed off from hair and an intermediate composition comprising at least one ubichinone of the formula where n is a number between 1 and 10, and at least one salt and at least one oxidizing agent is applied onto hair and after processing of 10 seconds to 10 min and without rinsing off a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent is applied and rinsed off from hair after a processing time of 1 to 30 min and at a temperature of 20 to 45° C.

Abstract: Thermally stable catalyst for heterogeneously catalyzed oxidation in the presence of hydrogen chloride and/or chlorine, comprising nanoparticulate core of a ruthenium compound with surrounding gas- and liquid-pervious shell of zirconium oxide or titanium oxide.

Abstract: A method of determining one or more minimum rheological properties of a particle laden fluid is disclosed. The method includes determining one or more rheological properties of the fluid at a first shear rate, determining the settling velocity of the particles at the first shear rate, and obtaining a transport index for the fluid, the transport index indicating a relationship between the settling velocity and the one or more rheological properties.

Abstract: A method and system for querying travel-related data wherein a computer-readable storage medium comprises one or more programming instructions for: receiving a request for flight information; searching a plurality of Global Distribution System (GDS) databases or at least one airline database directly in accordance with the request; sending at least one result from the plurality of GDS databases corresponding to the request, the at least one result including at least one of an available flight upgrade or an available flight award; and sending at least one result from the plurality of GDS databases corresponding to the plurality of requests for alerts related to availability of a seat upgrade, availability of a flight upgrade, and/or availability of further flight rewards.

Abstract: Methods of assessing genomic instability in breast cancer tissue by measuring the expression level of genes CDKN2A, SCYA18, STK15, NXF1, cDNA Dkfzp762M127, p28 KIAA0882, MYB, Human clone 23948, RERG, HNF3A, and ACADSB or a nucleic acid sequence comprising about 90% or greater sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 21 in breast cancer tissue, an array suitable for use in such methods, and related methods and compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed dielectric logging tools and methods employ three or more receive horn antennas positioned between at least two transmit antennas, which can also be horn antennas. The logging tools can operate in the range between 100 MHz and 10 GHz to provide logs of formation permittivity, formation conductivity, standoff distance, and electrical properties of material in the standoff gap. Logs of water-saturated porosity and/or oil movability can be readily derived. The presence of additional receive antennas offers a significantly extended operating range, additional depths of investigation, increased measurement accuracy, and further offers compensation for tool standoff and mudcake effects. In both wireline and logging while drilling embodiments, at least some disclosed dielectric logging tools employ a set of three axially-spaced receive antennas positioned between pairs of axially-spaced transmit antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating glass sheets for tempering. The apparatus including a heating furnace having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, a conveyor in the furnace for carrying glass sheets in the longitudinal furnace direction, and an arrangement for circulating and heating convection air. The arrangement includes nozzle enclosures provided with jet orifices for blasting heated convection air towards the conveyor. The nozzle enclosures lengthwise of the furnace are disposed at an acute angle relative to the glass traveling direction. The angle is at least 2 degrees, preferably 2-10 degrees, most preferably about 3-5 degrees.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, and a push handle that is coupled to the frame and that is gripable to maneuver the patient support apparatus along a floor. The patient support apparatus also has a brake handle that is coupled to the push handle and that is movable to brake at least one of the casters. A pedal arrangement for the patient support apparatus is also disclosed. The pedal arrangement includes first and second side pedals and a center pedal supported by the first and second side pedals.

Abstract: Improved methods of placing and/or diverting treatment fluids in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: introducing a diverting material into a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore to reduce or prevent the flow of fluid into a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a first fluid into a second portion of the subterranean formation having a higher fluid flow resistance than the first portion of the subterranean formation; allowing the diverting material to be removed from the subterranean formation after at least a portion of the first fluid has been introduced into the second portion of the subterranean formation; and introducing a second fluid into the first portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A smart card transaction allows a consumer to load value onto a smart card and to make purchases using a smart card with a mobile telephone handset over the telecommunications network. For loading, the system includes: a mobile telephone handset including a card reader; a gateway computer; a funds issuer computer; and an authentication computer. The mobile telephone handset receives a request from a user to load a value onto the smart card. The handset generates a funds request message which includes the value and sends the funds request message to a funds issuer computer. The funds issuer computer debits an account associated with the user. Next, the handset generates a load request message with a cryptographic signature and sends the load request message to an authentication computer which authenticates the smart card. The handset receives a response message which includes a cryptographic signature and an approval to load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for organic acid biosynthetic enzymes in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of, for example, organic acid biosynthesis and secretion in plants. In particularly preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the combinatorial expression of citrate synthase (CS) and/or malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and/or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in plants to modify, for example, organic acid synthesis and secretion.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the distributed generation of power from a plurality of vehicles is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes determining location information for the plurality of vehicles, determining that a demand for power in a first portion of the power grid has reached a power threshold, determining that the location information associated with a set of the plurality of vehicles satisfies a similarity threshold with the first portion of the power grid, and transmitting a request to a first group of vehicles in the set of vehicles to discharge power. In addition, the method may include receiving a response from at least some of the electric vehicles to which a request was transmitted, and determining whether to request the discharge of power from additional vehicles in the set of the plurality of vehicles based, at least in part, on the number of responses containing a confirmation of the discharge of power.