Abstract: A method selectively either (a) plays a media file accessed from a computer on a remote display device connected to a media adapter or (b) masquerades uncompressed pixel-level computer display screen graphics data as a media stream supported by the media adapter to cause the display device to substantially clone or extend what appears on at least a portion of a local display screen attached to the computer. The method senses when a user enters an input signifying a desire by the user to play a media file on the computer. If said input is not sensed, then the method performs a masquerading process to process, compress, and package the display screen graphics data as a media stream and then transmits the media stream to the media adapter. If said input is sensed, then the method transmits the media file to the media adapter.

Abstract: Isolated HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides obtained from the HIV-1 isolate HAM112 are claimed, as well as (a) antigen constructs comprising fusions of one or more of each of HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides and HIV-1 Group M env polypeptide and (b) further antigen constructs containing additional Group O sequences and especially the gp41 IDR of isolate HAM112. Also claimed are polynucleotide sequences encoding the above, expression vectors comprising the same, host cells transformed thereby, and immunoassay methods and kits utilizing the antigen constructs of the invention.

Abstract: Isolated HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides obtained from the HIV-1 isolate HAM112 are claimed, as well as (a) antigen constructs comprising fusions of one or more of each of HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides and HIV-1 Group M env polypeptide and (b) further antigen constructs containing additional Group O sequences and especially the gp41 IDR of isolate HAM112. Also claimed are polynucleotide sequences encoding the above, expression vectors comprising the same, host cells transformed thereby, and immunoassay methods and kits utilizing the antigen constructs of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for communicating between a glucose meter and a computing system are described. One method includes automatically initiating a communication session with a computing system over a communication link. The method also includes automatically sending data from the glucose meter to the computing system via the communication link.

Abstract: A glucose test strip is disclosed. The test strip includes an insertion portion and an exposed portion. The exposed portion of the test strip is arranged to accept a blood sample from a patient. The test strip includes a calibration identifier accessible to a calibration identifier access device in a glucose meter via an interface residing at least partially within the insertion portion. The calibration identifier includes a calibration code for calibrating the glucose meter to the test strip.

Abstract: Isolated HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides obtained from the HIV-1 isolate HAM112 are claimed, as well as (a) antigen constructs comprising fusions of one or more of each of HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides and HIV-1 Group M env polypeptide and (b) further antigen constructs containing additional Group O sequences and especially the gp41 IDR of isolate HAM112. Also claimed are polynucleotide sequences encoding the above, expression vectors comprising the same, host cells transformed thereby, and immunoassay methods and kits utilizing the antigen constructs of the invention.

Abstract: A casino craps table layout is provided with unique wagering opportunities. There are specific wagering areas for placing a wager on at least one of two new wagering opportunities. These new wagering opportunities are selected from the group consisting of a) a wager that the next roll of the dice will be a hard 4, 6, 8 or 10 and b) a wager that the next roll of the dice will be a pair of numbers. Another new wagering opportunity is a placed wager for any specific number (e.g., 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10).

Abstract: A thermal pack unit or compress is formed by adhesively securing two relatively thin pieces together. The first piece is a plastic sheet having one or more interconnecting channels or grooves formed in a surface thereof to form a path for the circulation of the thermal fluid. The second piece is a relatively thin sheet of non-resilient bendable metal which is secured over the channeled surface of the plastic sheet for sealing the top portion thereof so the fluid inputted at one end of the channeled space is able to flow or circulate therethrough and then be outputted from an outlet in the channeled space. The metal sheet is bendable so that the pack unit can be readily conformed to a given contour of the human body such as the irregular areas about the eyes, nose and ears of a person and the characteristics of the metal insure that the contoured shape will be retained to aid in keeping the pack unit positioned while in use.

Abstract: A pack unit or compress is formed in two halves each containing one or more channels and the halves are arranged face-to-face with a separator sheet covering the channels almost to their blind ends. The cold or, if desired, hot thermal fluid may flow through all of the channels in one of the halves simultaneously and then around the edge of the separator sheet in the blind ends of the channels and then through the channels of the opposite half to exit from the outlet end thereof. The unit may be appropriately contoured to closely fit a selected portion of the anatomy and can be used to continuously apply a uniformly cold compress to patients whose skin surfaces have recently undergone plastic surgery, skin grafting or the like to reduce swelling and to slow down the tendency of the newly-applied skin to die before the flow of blood begins.