Abstract: A computer system and method is disclosed for mining current and archived address data in order to identify a preferred address for each service point in a territory. The data mining system may start in response to the presentation of a candidate address for matching. The set of mined data may be prioritized by clustering like characteristics, building similarity matrices, and by constructing dendrograms with nodes joined according to common characteristics. A computer system and method for maintaining a central database of preferred addresses is also disclosed. Selected address data gathered in a queue may be scored by characteristic, grouped by consignee location, and staged for processing. The scored queue of data may be prioritized by clustering like characteristics, building similarity matrices, and by constructing dendrograms.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a Radio Frequency (RF) transaction using a proxy code, which is permanently assigned to the RF identification device (RFID) transaction account number. An account issuer permanently assigns the proxy code to a transaction account correlated to the RFID transaction device. The proxy code is uploaded onto the transaction device for later use in completing a transaction request. During transaction completion, the proxy code is provided to a merchant system in lieu of any sensitive transaction account information. Since the proxy code is permanently assigned, the number need not be changed or updated once uploaded into a payment device or merchant system. Since the proxy code contains no sensitive information, the sensitive information related to the transaction account is secured from theft where the merchant system internal security measures may fail.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to weight measurement methods and systems, and more specifically, to weight measurement methods and systems for material in a dynamic vacuum material transfer or other system utilizing differential conveying fluid pressure. The invention determines a corrected weight of a batching tank. The invention includes measuring and logging weights and pressures while the batching tank is being evacuated and determining the density of the air in the batching tank at one or more pressures. While material is being transferred into the vessel the invention measures the weight and pressure of the batching tank and calculates the corrected weight based on logged weights, logged pressures, and the density of the material added to the batching tank.

Abstract: Aqueous wellbore treatment fluids having improved thermal stability are provided. The wellbore treatment fluids comprise at least one polysaccharide and an effective amount of at least one polyacrylamide to maintain its stability at a temperature greater than about 250° F. A formate compound is not required to achieve high-temperature stability in the fluid. Thus, the fluid is less expensive than conventional polymer-containing aqueous wellbore treatment fluids. The aqueous fluid may serve as, for example, a drilling fluid in the wellbore and thus may be circulated through the wellbore without being concerned that it could become unstable due to exposure to relatively high downhole temperatures.

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 financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: A network may include a first set of routers at a first level of a multi-protocol label switched tunneling hierarchy and a second set of routers at a second level of the multi-protocol label switched tunneling hierarchy, the second set of routers connected to the first set of routers in a partially meshed topology. The network may also include a hierarchical segmented label switched path. The hierarchical segmented label switched path may include a forwarding adjacency label switched path including a subset of the first set of routers, and a label switched path coupled to the forwarding adjacency label switched path, the label switched path including a subset of the second set of routers.

Abstract: A card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method is provided. The machine is operate to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader of the machine. The machine enables a user to perform banking operations responsive to account indicia read from the card. Such banking operations may include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. While a user operates the machine to dispense cash or perform other banking operations, the machine may further permit at least one portable wireless device to wirelessly access the machine to purchase and wirelessly receive digital information such as music and/or video files from the machine.

Abstract: Sealant compositions comprising an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material and methods of using the same to service a wellbore are provided. In one embodiment, the sealant composition can be used in a wellbore and includes an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material. The sealant composition can have a pH of from about 7 to about 14. In other embodiments, the pH increasing material includes a base-producing material. The base-producing material can include alkali and alkali earth metal carbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal bicarbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydroxides, alkali and alkali earth metal oxides, alkali and alkali earth metal phosphates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydrogen phosphates, alkali and alkaline earth metal sulphides, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of silicates, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of aluminates, water soluble or water dispersible organic amines, polymeric amine, amino alcohols, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides, for the first time, the finding that the manganese superoxide dismutase Val16Ala polymorphism is significantly associated with prognosis for cancer patients treated with chemotherapeutic drug therapy. The alanine allele is a novel biomarker that predicts poor response and poor outcome to chemotherapeutic drug cancer therapy. Conversely, the valine allele predicts a good response and a good outcome to chemotherapeutic drug cancer therapy. Therefore, a genotype assay can be used to determine which alleles a subject is carrying, and subsequently this information can be used to determine if chemotherapeutic drug therapy is appropriate, and to customize therapy according to the patient's MnSOD genotype.

Abstract: A set of one or more positional control parameters includes at least one of a geographic limit, a velocity limit, and a direction of travel limit. A control list identifies at least one feature in a mobile device. The at least one feature may be associated with at least one of the positional control parameters.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary method includes establishing a secure packet-switched connection for exchanging predefined signaling messages between network elements associated with distinct network domains, determining and implementing at least one media exchange technology for transporting media between the network domains, exchanging signaling and media border processing information between the network domains, exchanging access device information between the network domains, determining and implementing at least one service policy associated with the network domains, and providing a packet-switched network-to-network interconnection interface configured for peering at least one session between the network domains based on the predefined signaling messages, media exchange technology, signaling media border processing information, access device information, and service policy.

Abstract: Memory tool deployment method, system, and apparatus include a landing ring fit on a pipe deployed in a well. A drop-off tool has a landing collar and has a tool string with one or more memory tools. The drop-off tool is connected to a wireline and is deployed through the pipe in the well with the wireline. The drop-off tool is landed on the landing ring on the pipe so that the memory tools extend beyond the pipe. The wireline is released from the drop-off tool and is removed from the pipe so that logging operations can be performed. After logging, the wireline is redeployed in the pipe in the well and is reconnected to the drop-off tool to retrieve the memory tools from the pipe.

Abstract: A method for creating a digital certificate for a user issued by a reliant party, where the reliant party relies on an established cryptographic infrastructure by a registration or certificate authority is described. The registration authority, typically a large financial or credit institution, has already performed the initial overhead steps necessary for a digital authentication system using a chip card. These steps include minting and distributing the chip card, establishing that the key pair and card are given to the right person, and creating the certificate library. The reliant party leverages this cryptographic infrastructure to issue its own digital certificate and certificate chain to a user already having a chip card from the registration authority. Consequently, a user can have additional digital certificates issued to him without having his chip card modified in any way. All additional digital certificates created for a user are stored at a user-specific memory are in a remote certificate library.

Abstract: A system for facilitating transactions among consumers and providers of travel-related services includes a technology provider and a host in communication with an agent and a provider of travel-related services. The technology provider is configured for operating independently from any provider of travel-related services. The host is configured for receiving a request from the agent, retrieving one or more displays from the technology provider, presenting the displays to the agent, and facilitating a transaction among the consumer and the provider of travel-related services. A display comprises an information content such as available inventory from a predefined carrier within a predefined time period. The display may be configured for excluding content, for example, in accordance with a predefined editing criteria. The format may be configured for presenting information in accordance with one or more predefined ranking criteria, which may be a discriminatory criteria, such as an identity of a carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling the Blow out preventer (BOP) used in well drilling operations comprising: BOP control unit, master control panel connected to the BOP unit for acquisition of data and processing the said data, comprising an input module, an output module and analog I/P module; a plurality of slave panels connected to master panel through the connecting means comprising input module, output module for controlling the BOP control unit; wherein the said slave panel is a programmable logic controller(PLC) for controlling BOP control unit.

Abstract: A patient helper apparatus that is attachable to a hospital bed is provided. The apparatus includes a bracket that is mountable on the hospital bed, a support arm rotatably mountable on the bracket, and a handle assembly that can be gripped by a patient.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a fluid sample by XRF includes the steps of: depositing the fluid sample onto a substrate, exposing the sample and the substrate to an x-ray emission, generating a first analytical signal responsive to the x-ray emission, providing an operable first reference material having a first extended position above the substrate and in communication with the x-ray emission, periodically extending the first reference material to its first extended position, generating a first calibration signal, providing an operable second reference material having a first extended position below the substrate and in communication with the x-ray emission, and periodically extending the second reference material to its first extended position and generating at least one second calibration signal. The first and second calibration signals are compared with predetermined values. The first and second reference materials also have second retracted positions.

Abstract: A modular patient room includes a plurality of modular wall panels or units having various configurations. In some embodiments, the modular wall units have water dispensers. Headwall units having water dispensers are also disclosed. The water dispensers are configured to filter water or to sterilize water.

Abstract: Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by disrupting the processing of the viral Gag capsid (CA) protein (p24) from the CA-spacer peptide 1 (SP1) protein precursor (p25) is disclosed. Amino acid sequences containing a mutation in the Gag p25 protein, with the mutation resulting in a decrease in the inhibition of processing of p25 to p24 by dimethylsuccinyl betulinic acid or dimethylsuccinyl betulin, polynucleotides encoding such mutated sequences and antibodies that selectively bind such mutated sequences are also included. Methods of inhibiting, inhibitory compounds and methods of discovering inhibitory compounds that target proteolytic processing of the HIV Gag protein are included. In one embodiment, such compounds inhibit the interaction of the HIV protease enzyme with Gag by binding to Gag rather than to the protease enzyme.