Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple layer composite structures and structures containing components made of multiple layer composite structures, comprising dispensing layers of composite material, trimming each layer to its final shape as it is being dispensed, and positioning it properly with respect to prior layers in the part lay-up.

Abstract: The persistent binding of STP SAS addresses to SATA devices is disclosed so that SATA devices can be moved to different insertion points (ports) within a SAS expander and still properly receive I/O requests. When a SATA device is inserted into the SAS expander, it is interrogated to obtain information about the attached device. This information may be combined using a hashing function to obtain a unique ID for the SATA device. A table can be used to assign a STP SAS address to the Phy connected to the device based in the unique ID. In this manner, the same STP SAS address will be assigned to the Phy connected to a particular SATA device, regardless of where the device is connected to the SAS expander.

Abstract: Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to an isolated protease, and cleaning compositions containing the same. In some embodiments, the protease may comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to the wild type Streptomyces 1AG3 protease. Isolated nucleic acid encoding the subject protease, recombinant nucleic acid containing the same and host cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid are also provided.

Abstract: A relaxed metal pitch architecture may include a bit line and a first active area string and a second active area string. The bit line may be directly coupled to the first active area string and to the second active area string. The relaxed metal pitch architecture may be applied to a non-volatile memory structure.

Abstract: A system for tracking currency bills comprises a currency scanning device. The scanning device includes a sensor that retrieves currency identification characteristic information of each bill processed. The currency identification characteristic information permits the unique identification of each bill processed. The system further comprises a customer identification means and means for associating each processed bill with the customer depositing the bill. Means for identifying the customer (or customer account) associated with a particular processed bill after the deposit transaction has been completed is also included in the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic plant-optimized nucleic acid molecule having a Norwalk virus capsid protein coding nucleotide sequence, and nucleic acid constructs, host cells, expression systems, and plants having the plant-optimized Norwalk virus nucleic acid molecule. The present invention also relates to a method of producing Norwalk virus capsid protein virus-like particles in a transgenic plant or transgenic plant seed transformed with a plant-optimized nucleic acid molecule encoding Norwalk virus capsid protein. The plant or a component thereof can be administered to a subject under conditions effective to immunize the subject against disease resulting from infection by a Norovirus, including Norwalk virus. An oral vaccine for immunization of a subject against Norwalk virus infection is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the selection of a collection of relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms across a genome to design a nucleic acid probe array. As such, the invention relates to diverse fields impacted by the nature of genetics, including biology, medicine, and medical diagnostics.

Abstract: A blanking panel includes a main body extending from a first end to a second end and adapted to cover a rack having at least two posts, a fastener portion at the end of each of the first and the second ends, and an alignment member at the end of each of the first end and the second end, the alignment feature including a first pin and a second, removable pin such that the main body can be alternatively attached to a square hole with the removable pin intact, or attached to a round hole with the removable pin removed and the first pin extending through the hole.

Abstract: Systems and methods subscriber profile management to facilitate seamless roaming of mobile devices from one network to another. A subscriber profile management system is provided that includes a time to live (“TTL”) generator that generates a TTL limit for a subscriber based on usage characteristics of the subscriber. The subscriber profile management system further includes an administration module that administers TTL limits, TTL limit database that store TTL limits, a subscriber profile database that stores subscriber profiles, a usage measurement database that stores usage measurements, and a TTL limit reference module that administers TTLs when a subscriber profile and TTL limit are transmitted. The invention further includes a series of methods that support seamless roaming capabilities of a subscriber throughout visited networks without the need to continually make proxy calls to re-authenticate a subscriber.

Abstract: A call-handling system and its method of operation are disclosed. The call-handling system comprises a communication system and a call center. The communication system receives a call, and in response, transfers a query. The call center receives and processes the query to select a packet address of a call center resource at the call center. The call center transfers a response indicating the selected packet address of the call center resource. The communication system receives the response indicating the selected packet address of the call center resource and transfers the call to the call center in voice packets having the selected packet address of the call center resource. The call center receives the voice packets having the selected packet address of the call center resource and routes the voice packets to the call center resource based on the selected packet address.

Abstract: An automated payment system for processing payment by a customer to a company. The payment system includes a document scanning system which has an input receptacle adapted to accept a document. After receiving an authorization agreement from the customer, the scanner acquires at least one image from the document. Also provided is a first computer adapted to receive images from the document scanning system. Adapted to communicate information represented by the image, a first communication link couples the document scanning system and the first computer. The payment system also includes a second computer adapted to receive images which is in communication with the first computer via a second communication link. The second communication link is adapted to communicate images and payment information.

Abstract: There is described an authentication system in which during an enrolment process a distinctive characteristic of a subject being enrolled is measured to generate a reference number representative of the subject. Authentication data is then generated using the reference number, and the authentication data is stored for use in a subsequent verification process. During verification, the representative characteristic of the subject being verified is re-measured to generate a test number representative of the subject being verified and the authentication data during enrolment is retrieved. The authentication system then checks for equality between the test number and the reference number using the retrieved authentication data. If the test number and the reference number are equal, then the authenticity of the subject is verified, otherwise the authenticity is denied.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of fibrosis, including liver fibrosis, via administration of FXR agonists are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of macrocyclic compounds, which are useful as cysteine protease inhibitors. Also provided are novel intermediates and methods of preparing the compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The compounds and compositions are useful in methods of treating or preventing one or more diseases associated with cysteine protease activity, particularly those associated with calpain activity.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides compositions and methods for biocompatible biomaterials with improved control of microorganisms, improved biocompatibility, lower toxicity, and reduce vCJD transmission potential. These combined benefits cascade to provide improved efficacy, improved patient compliance and improved performance, while limiting clinical complications in treatment.

Abstract: A system is provided for intercepting signals transmitted between a target served by a fiber optic network and a subscriber. A network is described having a phone switch at a central office configured to receive signals for transmission to and from a target, such as the target of a criminal investigation. A signal received at the central office is assigned to an analog circuit, and a monitoring device configured to intercept and monitor the signal is installed along the analog circuit at a location that allows the monitoring of communications without notifying the target that he is under surveillance. After the signal has been monitored, it is converted to a digital signal for transmission. A method is also provided for intercepting a signal transmitted between the target served by a fiber optic network and a subscriber, such that a monitoring device may be installed without alerting the target.

Abstract: A method of assigning a physical address to a tape-based data storage device is provided. The method includes receiving a first initialization signal from a system controller at an input port associated with a first tape-based data storage device and prohibiting communication at an output port associated with the first tape-based data storage device. The method further includes providing a first confirmation signal to the system controller in response to receiving the first initialization signal and receiving an instruction from the system controller to enable communication at the output port associated with the first tape-based data storage device in response to the first confirmation signal. The method also includes determining a physical address associated with said first tape-based data storage device based on the instruction from the system controller, the physical address enabling communication at the output port of the first tape-based storage device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of predicting the size of a dog that will be attained in adulthood, comprising typing the nucleotide(s) present for a single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) marker present in the genome of the dog at a position equivalent to position 201 in one or more of the sequences identified in Table 1, and/or at one or more positions which are in linkage disequilibrium with any one of these positions, and thereby predicting the size of the dog that will be attained in adulthood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment used to manufacture PV cells or modules. In some embodiments, a support structure is provided that provides support for substrates used in the manufacture of PV cells or modules. The support structure provides support for the substrate at the edge, allows access to the rear of the substrate and is composed of materials that do not contaminate the substrate during processing.

Abstract: In a graphical user interface displayed in an electronic display of a computing device, a first device profile and second device profile are presented, the first and second device profiles each comprising at least one device parameter used to configure a medical device of a subject. A user input control is presented to select one of the first or second device profiles to provide a selected device profile. A probabilistic outcome of the subject corresponding to the selected device profile is then presented.