Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator includes a comb drive and a deformable connector. The comb drive has a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate. The capacitor plates have teeth capable of inter-digitating. The deformable connector is configured to apply a mechanical restoring force to the first capacitor plate. The deformable connector is configured to restore the first capacitor plate to be at an equilibrium rest position in response to no control voltage being applied across the capacitor. The comb drive is more engaged at the equilibrium rest position than at a mechanical stability threshold of the comb drive. The capacitor plates are disengaged at the equilibrium rest position.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator includes a comb drive and a deformable connector. The comb drive has a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate. The capacitor plates have teeth capable of inter-digitating. The deformable connector is configured to apply a mechanical restoring force to the first capacitor plate. The deformable connector is configured to restore the first capacitor plate to be at an equilibrium rest position in response to no control voltage being applied across the capacitor. The comb drive is more engaged at the equilibrium rest position than at a mechanical stability threshold of the comb drive. The capacitor plates are disengaged at the equilibrium rest position.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator includes a comb drive and a deformable connector. The comb drive has a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate. The capacitor plates have teeth capable of inter-digitating. The deformable connector is configured to apply a mechanical restoring force to the first capacitor plate. The deformable connector is configured to restore the first capacitor plate to be at an equilibrium rest position in response to no control voltage being applied across the capacitor. The comb drive is more engaged at the equilibrium rest position than at a mechanical stability threshold of the comb drive. The capacitor plates are disengaged at the equilibrium rest position.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, simulating traffic loads in a packetized communication network. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an initial arrival generator that generates an initial arrival for a simulated user session at an independent time from a previous user session arrival and (2) a subsequent arrival generator, associated with the initial arrival generator, that generates a number of connections to be associated with the simulated user session as an independent variable and, if the number of connections is greater than one, generates a mean connection interarrival time for the simulated user session and a plurality of timings of subsequent arrivals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming device and method disclosed herein provides a player one or more modifiers to apply to different components or characteristics of a game. In one such embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to selectively apply or associate a plurality of modifiers to a single game component or apply the plurality of modifiers across the plurality of game components. For each game component with at least one applied modifier, the gaming device disclosed herein modifies said game component based on each applied modifier. The gaming device generates any awards based on any modified game components and any unmodified game components and provides any generated awards to the player.

Abstract: The use of diluent to reduce non-specific drug binding (NSB) provides a simple, flexible and biocompatible way to reduce chemical entity (such as drugs, drug candidates and other small molecules) NSB so that bioassay results may more closely predict the behavior of these compounds in vitro. Additionally, the use of diluent as the chemical entity diluent enhances the predictive nature of data emanating from high throughput drug assays such as Caco-2 drug transport assays, plasma protein drug binding assays, PAMPA assays, permeability assays, and drug solubility assays. The diluent is made by either filtering a selected plasma through an ultrafiltration membrane having nominal molecular weight cutoff of about 30 kD, preferably about 10 kD or below or by selectively adding individual components of a plasma or serum that do not contribute to non-specific binding.

Abstract: The use of diluent to reduce non-specific,drug binding (NSB) provides a simple, flexible and biocompatible way to reduce chemical entity (such as drugs, drug candidates and other small molecules) NSB so that bioassay results may more closely predict the behavior of these compounds in vitro. Additionally, the use of diluent as the chemical entity diluent enhances the predictive nature of data emanating from high throughput drug assays such as Caco-2 drug transport assays, plasma protein drug binding assays, PAMPA assays, permeability assays, and drug solubility assays. The diluent is made by either filtering a selected plasma through an ultrafiltration membrane having nominal molecular weight cutoff of about 30 kD, preferably about 10 kD or below or by selectively adding individual components of a plasma or serum that do not contribute to non-specific binding.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator includes a comb drive and a deformable connector. The comb drive has a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate. The capacitor plates have teeth capable of inter-digitating. The deformable connector is configured to apply a mechanical restoring force to the first capacitor plate. The deformable connector is configured to restore the first capacitor plate to be at an equilibrium rest position in response to no control voltage being applied across the capacitor. The comb drive is more engaged at the equilibrium rest position than at a mechanical stability threshold of the comb drive. The capacitor plates are disengaged at the equilibrium rest position.

Abstract: An efficient parallel event simulation method is implemented by simulating blocks of M edge events, where M is approximately equal to e logeN, and N being the number of interconnected processing elements. Following a simulation iteration, each processing element shares information with adjacent processing elements that relates to events that the processing elements simulated which may affect the simulation of events at the neighbor processing elements. When the communication reveals that the information that is shared by a neighbor processing elements is different from the information that the processing element assumed, then the arriving information is kept and the simulation process is repeated. In executing the repeated simulations of a block, the same random variable values are employed. When all of the processing elements find that the arriving shared information is the same as the information already known to the receiving processing element, simulation of the block ends.

Abstract: A disposable glove for a hand of a human wearer that comprises a blend of polyisoprene and another non-latex glove material. The glove provides a fit and feel comparable to a latex glove, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Abstract: The use of diluent to reduce non-specific drug binding (NSB) provides a simple, flexible and biocompatible way to reduce chemical entity (such as drugs, drug candidates and other small molecules) NSB so that bioassay results may more closely predict the behavior of these compounds in vitro. Additionally, the use of diluent as the chemical entity diluent enhances the predictive nature of data emanating from high throughput drug assays such as Caco-2 drug transport assays, plasma protein drug binding assays, PAMPA assays, permeability assays, and drug solubility assays. The diluent is made by either filtering a selected plasma through an ultrafiltration membrane having nominal molecular weight cutoff of about 30 kD, preferably about 10 kD or below or by selectively adding individual components of a plasma or serum that do not contribute to non-specific binding.

Abstract: The combination of a supported UF membrane having low non-specific binding (NSB) and high protein retention of the tested chemical entity (CE) in a device that is SBS complaint. The membrane is heat sealed to form one or more integral wells that are used to reduce NSB and improve protein retention and provides a simple, flexible way to reduce CE, such as drug and drug candidate (and other small molecule) NSB so that drug binding studies may more closely predict the behavior of these compounds in vivo.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing, illustratively, voice data over an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), Internet Protocol (IP) or other communications network where the voice data is preferentially encoded at a high fidelity level, formed into transport cells or packets, and multiplexed onto a communications channel with, optionally, data traffic. In response to network congestion or buffer over utilization, the voice data is encoded at a medium or low fidelity level to reduce the amount of encoded data necessary to represent the voice data.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, simulating traffic loads in a packetized communication network. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an initial arrival generator that generates an initial arrival for a simulated user session at an independent time from a previous user session arrival and (2) a subsequent arrival generator, associated with the initial arrival generator, that generates a number of connections to be associated with the simulated user session as an independent variable and, if the number of connections is greater than one, generates a mean connection interarrival time for the simulated user session and a plurality of timings of subsequent arrivals.

Abstract: An evaporation control device for a multiwell plate system that reduces the evaporation from the plate such as during centrifugation. Preferably it substantially conforms to the shape and size of the plate system. A first design is a sheet material interposed between the adjacent surface so f the plates. A second is a cover that has a skirt that extends downward from the top of the plate system to at least a point below the filter plate/collection plate interface. Preferably, the cover has a skirt that extends down to approximately the bottom of the collection plate and is formed of thin plastic that even more preferably has been vacuum formed into shape. A third embodiment is a combination of the two control devices.

Abstract: The combination of a supported UF membrane having low non-specific binding (NSB) and high protein retention of the tested chemical entity (CE) in a device that is SBS complaint. The membrane is heat sealed to form one or more integral wells that are used to reduce NSB and improve protein retention and provides a simple, flexible way to reduce CE, such as drug and drug candidate (and other small molecule) NSB so that drug binding studies may more closely predict the behavior of these compounds in vivo.

Abstract: An algorithm for improving signals between two or more mirrors is described. The algorithm is used to determine the initial voltages for improved signal transmission and is also used to maintain improved transmission. The algorithm utilizes random jump when the signal is too low. The step sizes and bounding boxes for the algorithm can be determined from modeling. One by-product of the algorithm is the determination of the hill shape. This information can be used in a subsequent accelerated retraining procedure. An a priori quadratic approximation of the hill's shape is used to reduce the number of measurements used for retraining.

Abstract: The use of diluent to reduce non-specific drug binding (NSB) provides a simple, flexible and biocompatible way to reduce chemical entity (such as drugs, drug candidates and other small molecules) NSB so that bioassay results may more closely predict the behavior of these compounds in vivo. Additionally, the use of diluent as the chemical entity diluent enhances the predictive nature of data emanating from high throughput drug assays such as Caco-2 drug transport assays, plasma protein drug binding assays, PAMPA assays, permeability assays, and drug solubility assays. The diluent is made by either filtering a selected plasma through an ultrafiltration membrane having nominal molecular weight cutoff of about 30 kD, preferably about 10 kD or below or by selectively adding individual components of a plasma or serum that do not contribute to non-specific binding.

Abstract: A method and system for secure transactions. The method and system comprise a security co-processor and an interface for interfacing the security co-processor to a host computer system. The method and system wherein secure transaction processing is performed locally in the security co-processor and non-secure transaction processing is performed in the host computer system. The method and system further include means for providing trusted input coupled to the security co-processor. In addition, the method and system include a second interface coupled to the security co-processor for receiving sensitive data from a smart card, and a trusted display coupled to the security co-processor for providing true transaction information. One advantage of the method and system in accordance with the present invention is that transactions are protected from unauthorized intrusion and, in addition, participation is proven so that transactions cannot be repudiated.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a random number is disclosed. The method and system include providing at least one oscillator, providing a sampler, and providing a sample control. The sampler is coupled to the at least one oscillator. The sampler is for sampling the at least one oscillator to provide at least a portion of the random number. The sample control is coupled to the sampler and is for controlling the sampler to sample the at least one oscillator at an interval which is based on a portion of a previous random number provided using the at least one oscillator.