Abstract: A system and method for providing starter credit card products to selected customers of a credit card issuer is disclosed. Methods, systems and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention enable a credit card issuer to identify a group of customers that may not eligible to obtain standard credit card products offered by the credit card issuer. The credit card issuer may rank these customers and present offers for starter credit card accounts with adjusted account parameters tailored to these customers. The credit card issuer monitors the activities of each starter card account during a trial period to determine whether each respective account has met predetermined criteria. Based on the results of the monitor process, the credit card issuer may adjust the parameters associated with each starter credit card account.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising a support plate together with a first and a second cover is provided. One or more electrical components are mounted on the support plate. The first cover is located on and connected to a first surface of the support plate. The first cover is configured and positioned to cover and thereby define a first sealed cavity over the, or each, respective component. The second cover is located on and connected to a second, opposing, surface of the support plate. The second cover is configured to define a second sealed cavity and is positioned to, at least partially, overlap a region of the support plate covered by the first cover.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing efficient use of peer cache space in large scale file distributions. A peer computer receives a download plan for a requested file. The download plan specifies a number of peer servers where the file is stored, a minimum number of peer servers required to store the file, and a saturation level for the file in the zone. When the peer computer downloads the file from one or more peer servers listed in the download plan, the peer computer determines whether the file is required to be cached at the peer computer by comparing the minimum number of peer servers in the plan required to store the file against the number of peer servers listed in the plan. If the minimum number required to store the file is greater the number of peer servers listed in the plan, the peer computer caches the file.

Abstract: A reaction plate includes a welded plastics planar laminate consisting of an aperture plate and a film, the aperture plate having at least one planar surface and a plurality of apertures in the planar surface of the apertured plate and the film being attached to the planar surface of the apertured plate around the or each aperture by welding. The welding is preferably laser or transmission welding. A method of forming such reaction plates using diode laser welding. An apparatus is provided for handling such reaction plates including performing polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) or primer extensions therewith.

Abstract: A bag includes a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface and an elongate aperture through the panel. A handle strip having a handle carrying part is disposed adjacent the panel inner surface with the carrying part inserted through the aperture. Extension parts of the handle strip depending from the carrying part are located adjacent the panel inner surface and one or both of the extension parts are folded over and heat sealed to each other and to the inner surface of the bag. The folded extension acts to provide a reinforcing strip and to seal the aperture.

Abstract: A joint hand and hand-holdable electronic device holdable article for being releasably retained on the device, the article having (i) device-retaining means for releasably retaining the article to the device; and (ii) hand-receiving means for releasably receiving a user's hand in abutment whereby the article receives the hand in a non-grip balanced stress-free manner. Use of the article with preferably a tablet computer or display hand-holdable device prevents or reduces ache, stress and other discomfort to the hand.

Abstract: A method of establishing a DC bias in front of at least one electrode in a plasma operating apparatus by applying an RF voltage with at least two harmonic frequency components with a controlled relative phase between the components, where at least one of the higher frequency components is established as an even multiple of the lower frequency component.

Abstract: A redundant image storage system for archiving an image data file within at least two picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), said system including coupled source and destination PACS networks. The source PACS network stores and transmits the image data file. The destination PACS is associated with a Remote Archive Locations record and a Source PACS Archived flag. The destination PACS network receives the image data file from the source PACS network, stores the image data file and determines whether the image data file should be stored back on the source PACS network and if not then sets the value of the Source PACS Archived flag to be true. The destination PACS network only sends the image data file to the source PACS network for storage if the Source PACS Archived flag is false.

Abstract: Spray apparatus comprising at least one nozzle (14), a source of spray chemical connected via pipework (12) to the at least one nozzle (14), a high pressure fluid system (20) connected to the at least one nozzle (14) via a pressure reducing means (26) adjacent the at least one nozzle whereby low pressure fluid is fed to the at least one nozzle together with spray chemical to produce an atomised spray output.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a coil wire assembly in the pocket of an electronic assembly such as, for example, a sensor. The retaining assembly comprises a cover which is snap-fitted over the pocket to retain and prevent the movement of the coil assembly in the pocket. In one embodiment, the ends of the coil wire assembly are retained in respective grooves formed in the cover and also in respective grooves formed in respective terminals which extend into the pocket.

Abstract: A motorcycle transmission (100) utilizes a shift fork (45), a shift collar (30) including a plurality of engagement teeth (30c) and a collar rib (30a) and a gear (34) (or one of the other six gears). The engagement teeth (30c) drive the teeth (34a) of the gear (34). A trap door (49), in combination with a threaded retainer (55), reduces axial play in shafts (37) and (75).

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments provide a computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code for automatically replicating a file. A request to download a file is received from a requester. The location of the requester and of each server on the network is mapped. A determination of whether a copy of the file exists on a content server associated with the requester, based on the location of the requester and the location of the content server, is made. In response to a determination that a copy of the file does not exist on a content server associated with the requester, a content server associated with the requester to which to replicate the file based on the location of the requester and the location of the content server is determined. The requester is notified of the determined content server. The file is replicated to the determined content server.

Abstract: A bag includes a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface and holes through the panel. A handle strip having a handle part is disposed adjacent the panel outer face, and a reinforcing strip, which can be separate from or an extension to the handle strip, is disposed adjacent the panel inner face. An area of the reinforcing strip is sealed to an area of the handle strip at the hole and is sealed also to the inner face of the panel.

Abstract: Spray apparatus of the kind having a liquid feed line connecting a supply of spray liquid and at least one spray nozzle, a return line from the spray nozzle to the supply and a pump for moving spray liquid from the supply to the at least one spray nozzle and for returning spray liquid from the at least one spray nozzle to the supply when the liquid is not being sprayed, characterised in that the liquid return line serves as at least a portion of the feed line when spraying.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for distributing files. A configurable threshold is set. A notification of a file to upload is received. An entry for the file is created in a database. A determination as to whether the size of the file is less than the configurable threshold is made. Responsive to a determination that the size of the file is greater than or equal to the configurable threshold, the file is copied to a plurality of servers, and the entry in the database is updated by adding the locations of the plurality of servers. Responsive to a determination that the file is less than the configurable threshold, the file is stored in a storage, and the entry in the database is updated with the location of the file.

Abstract: An NIR (near infra red) spectrum is obtained from a cereal grain sample and processed to deduce characteristics related to possible weather damage, for the purpose of assessing sample quality. In addition or alternatively, cereal grain is subjected to a compression test, for example to obtain data below the yield point of the shell of the grain, to determine state of any weather damage. An embodiment includes data processing to assess weather damage from data of NIR spectrum analysis and/or data from compression test analysis; a cross correlation is relevant where either of the NIR and compression tests alone are not sufficiently decisive.

Abstract: A through the hole rotary position sensor which incorporates a single ring magnet with a central aperture. The rotating shaft whose angular position is to be sensed is received in the central aperture. The through the hole rotary position sensor includes a pair of pole pieces which extend around the circular magnet. Magnetic flux responsive elements are disposed adjacent the pole pieces. In order to shield the sensor from undesirable magnetic flux influences through the rotatable shaft, an internal shunt ring is provided around the exterior of the rotatable shaft. The circular magnet, pole pieces, magnetic flux responsive element, optional shunt rings and shunt discs are carried by a non-magnetic housing.

Abstract: A temperature control device is disclosed for a metering head of a paper machine. The control device includes a metering head fabrication, the fabrication defining an internal cavity. In use of the metering head, the cavity is filled with a liquid. A displacement tube is disposed within and extends along the cavity for optimizing a flow of the liquid along the boundaries of the cavity for permitting accurate temperature control of the metering head.