Abstract: Chimeric parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) are provided that incorporate a PIV vector genome or antigenome modified to encode a chimeric glycoprotein incorporating one or more heterologous antigenic domains, fragments, or epitopes of a second, antigenically distinct HPIV. These chimeric viruses are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and are useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an immune responses against one or more PIVs, and, optionally against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric PIV genome or antigenome which includes a HPIV vector genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous genome segment(s) encoding one or more antigenic determinant(s) of a heterologous PIV to encode a chimeric glycoprotein.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for use with fracturing or fracing a wellbore using coiled tubing is described having a first packing element and a second packing element on a mandrel. The bottom hole assembly may be run into the wellbore such that the packing elements straddle the zone to be fraced. Also described is a timing mechanism to prevent the closing of dump ports before the bottom hole assembly may be flushed of the sand. A release tool is described that allows an operator to apply combination of force for a given amount of time to the coiled tubing to dislodge a bottom hole assembly without completely releasing the bottom hole assembly. Also disclosed is a collar locator capable of being utilized in a fracing process. Methods of using the above-described components are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ATM includes a currency note dispenser having a currency cassette, a note picker, a note transporter, and a note presenter. A cassette tambour door automatically opens during insertion of the cassette into the dispenser. The picker can pick notes through the opening. A spring loaded housing wall tab retains the picker shaft in mating connection with a drive pin. The transporter can move notes vertically and horizontally. The transporter includes belts between an idle shaft and a drive shaft. The idle shaft is vertically movable relative to a drive shaft to maintain belt tension. The transporter also includes convexly tapered rollers that automatically recenter a loose belt. A presenter gate is at a note dispensing outlet of the ATM. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The gate opens by moving a pin upward in an angled slot.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for identifying a customer in a commercial transaction using less than complete identifying information. A name for the customer is extracted from a credit card during a purchase transaction. A trade area for the point of sale location used to restrict a search of a demographic database to find a list of potential identity matches having names similar to the name on the credit card. A best match generator creates a profile of the expected purchaser of the products in the transaction. Using demographic information about each identity in the list of potential identity matches, each identity is compared to the profile and given a score. The highest scoring identity is then considered the best match. The best match identity is then assumed to be the identity involved in the transaction, and the customer database is updated to reflect this determination.

Abstract: A method for determining the composition of a fluid by using measured properties of the fluid. One embodiment of the method of the current invention generally comprises: selecting a fluid property that has a response to fluid composition that is linear, or can be approximated as linear; measuring the selected fluid property at a series of specific time intervals; and plotting the measured property as a function of the selected property. In effect, plotting the measured property as a function of fluid composition in an arbitrary set of units. This allows for a in-situ qualitative evaluation of fluid composition by measuring a fluid property that has a known linear relationship to fluid composition. Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises, establishing the endpoints of contamination and plotting the measured properties through these endpoints. Once the endpoints have been established a quantitative evaluation of the fluid composition can be performed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the sequential electroelution of biomolecules is described, the apparatus comprising a separation medium having an outlet, and a collector having at least a first receptacle and a second receptacle that can be sequentially brought into contact with the outlet of the separation medium by translating the first receptacle and the second receptacle in relation to the outlet of the separation medium, and the method comprising the steps of receiving a first substantially separated molecule in the first receptacle and translating the first receptacle and the second receptacle such that the second receptacle is brought into in contact with the outlet of the separation medium, receiving a second substantially separated molecule in the second receptacle, and repeating said steps to sequentially receive a desired number of substantially separated molecules.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for servicing landfill conduits are disclosed. These systems, methods, and apparatus employ structures which facilitate access to and the servicing of buried landfill conduits, for example, one or more buried landfill laterals. In one aspect, the systems include an enclosure, at least one inlet conduit passing into the enclosure, at least one outlet conduit passing out of the enclosure, and at least one service conduit having a valve and an access port positioned between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit. In another aspect, methods and portable apparatuses are provided for introducing high-pressure fluids or vacuum to a landfill conduit, for example, by means of the access port in the service conduit, to remove or dislodge obstructions. Conduits connected to blowers and pumps are used to introduce or withdraw fluids from the landfill conduits, for example, from predetermined locations within the landfill conduits identified by remote sensing devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems of dynamically aligning interests in a business relationship are disclosed. Some embodiments provide a method of profit sharing between business entities, comprising: determining a baseline cost for a service or product; determining a savings relative to that baseline cost; and allocating a portion of that savings to a provider of that service or product as an increased profit multiplier to a burdened cost of that service or product.

Abstract: Credit applicants may apply for instant credit, and use an instant account number (“IAN”) to make purchases after the instant credit has been granted. Fraud control methods may be used in authorizing the instant credit. When the IAN is issued to purchase airline tickets, it can be ensured that the applicant's last name matches the passenger's last name for the airline ticket being purchased, and that the ticket will not be renamed or sold. When the IAN is issued in conjunction with a partner's loyalty or rewards program, the applicant's account information with the rewards program is captured. It is ensured that the applicant has some tenure with the partner and that data submitted by the applicant is consistent with data on file with the partner.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items can be provided to the machine in envelopes passed out of the machine to a user. An empty envelope in an envelope holding container (132) is passed through a transport (124) and presented to the user through an opening (244). The user can insert deposit items in the presented envelope. The envelope containing inserted deposited items can then be placed by the user back through the opening (244), causing it to be stored in a deposit-holding container (128). The machine also includes a printer that can print transaction indicia on a deposited envelope. A wiper comprising a resilient squeegee is able to remove excess ink from nozzles of the printer.

Abstract: An acid treatment composition is provided including a corrosion inhibitor, an antisludge agent, an alpha olefin sulfonate, and an alkyl diphenyloxide sulfonic acid or derivative, in a hydrochloric acid solution. More specifically, the composition includes an acetylenic alcohol, an alkylaryl sulfonic acid, an alpha olefin sulfonate, and an alkyl diphenyloxide sulfonic acid or derivative, in a hydrochloric acid solution. A method for treating a hydrocarbon well with these acid stimulation compositions is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for mitigating identity theft risk by restricting shipment of merchandise purchased with instant credit to a verified address. Customer authentication information associated with instant credit is identified. The customer authentication information is verified. Shipment of merchandise purchased with the instant credit is restricted to a verified address to mitigate identity theft risk.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for providing a merchant with a fraud score for a card not present transaction. A card not present transaction is detected. A fraud score is appended to a message that provides information about the card not present transaction. The message is transmitted to the merchant. In one example, the message is an authorization message. In another example the message is an address verification message.

Abstract: To improve sealing efficiency in a pump withdrawing liquid from a supply container (1) and to minimize the liquid residue in said container, the pump is designed to include a cylinder (5), a hollow plunger (6) configured within said cylinder, an external accessory pipe (7) configured at least partly within said plunger, and a feed pipe (8) configured at least partly within said external, accessory pipe, the internal feed pipe (8) being displaceable relative to the external accessory pipe (7) which in turn is displaceable relative to the hollow plunger (6).

Abstract: A method of creating a plan of projects to invest in for an investment program. The investment program is for a period of time, for example 5 years. A plurality of investment projects are defined. Each investment project has at least one resource requirement (e.g. a project cost and/or an effort requirement). At least one project benefit score is determined for each investment project. The project benefit score for an investment project indicates the benefit of performing the investment project. Resource constraints are defined for the investment program. The resource constraints comprise for each of a plurality of sub-periods of time (e.g. particular years) within the period of time of the investment program, at least one resource constraint which constrains the resource available for investing in projects for the sub-period. The resource requirements, project benefit scores and resource constraints are provided as inputs to a risk reduction procedure which determines a plan for the investment program.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating a subsidiary account with parental control of one or more spending limits. An exemplary system facilitates the provisioning of funds to a subsidiary account and the control of the spending of the subsidiary account by a parent through establishment or modification of one or more spending limits through various communication devices. Exemplary spending limits may be configured for modifying a spending capacity so as to affect an amount per transaction, per day, during a predetermined time period, at a particular merchant, at a particular chain of merchants, at a type of industry, in accordance with a predetermined rate of increase or decrease over time, number of transactions during any time period and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An encapsulation machine utilizes servo-driven components and a control system to control the encapsulation machine. Servomotors drive the fill supply mechanism, the die rollers and the casting drums. The control system uses a programmable controller to establish relationships between the servo and non-servo-driven components of the machine and a virtual gear to facilitate and automate the operation of the encapsulation machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport encoded asset data and content data, multiplexing the transport encoded content data with a plurality of NULL transport packets to provide “place holder” for the asset data transport packets, and replacing the NULL transport packets with asset data transport packets prior to transmitting the multiplexed transport stream to a set top box.

Abstract: The motivation of a participant in an incentive program is enhanced by enabling the participant to set goals, report performance related to the goals, and receive feedback on the achievement of the goals. The feedback includes report(s) and/or reward(s). Motivation is further enhanced by heuristically and dynamically adapting the goals according to performance.

Abstract: A system and method of damping fluid pressure waves in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, pressure waves are damped by positioning a dampener in the well during a perforating operation. The dampener may attenuate the pressure waves by absorbing the pressure waves, flowing the pressure waves through viscously damping material, generating complementary pressure waves, changing a material phase, or by a combination of these methods.