Abstract: A crib is provided having a plurality of sides, at least one side being made of a flexible material. One or more sides may be retractable. The retractable side may have a first edge and a second edge each being captured in a track. The crib also includes at least one locking mechanism and an actuating mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism. When the actuating mechanism is actuated, the retractable side moves along the track from a locked first position where the retractable side is fully extended into a second position where the retractable side curves under the base or rolls up into a spool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for performing wavelet transforms, post transform processing and inverse wavelet transforms whereby hardware complexity is reduced and processor performance is enhanced by performing the forward and inverse wavelet transformations and post transform processing in variable precision arithmetic. Optimal decreases in the operational arithmetic precision of different wavelet scale coefficients, multiplication and weighting operations, and other operations, results in reduced computational complexity, increased speed, and in some cases better signal to noise ratios.

Abstract: A sizing center for and a method of sizing different styles of window coverings includes at least two sizing mechanisms disposed on a sizing center in which each sizing mechanism is adapted to size a different style of window covering. Each window covering includes a color marking. At least two measuring scales are disposed on the sizing center, each measuring scale being associated with a sizing mechanism and having a different color, and each color associated with a sizing center being associated with a color marking of a window covering.

Abstract: A system and method for installing and removing a flow restrictor assembly in a shower, while prevents tampering with the flow restriction system thus installed. Tampering is prevented by concealing the flow restrictor assembly behind a shower wall, attached directly to a water supply line. The system further prevents tampering by concealing the tool-hole necessary for its removal behind a flow restrictor disk, so that there are no visible means of removing the flow restrictor assembly. The flow restrictor assembly threads onto a showerhead arm and the flow restrictor assembly with the attached showerhead arm threads directly into the water line. When the showerhead arm is unthreaded, the flow restrictor assembly remains connected to the water line by an external screw thread. The flow restrictor must be removed to reveal the tool-hole which may only then be engaged by a tool for removal.

Abstract: A method for packet telephony includes receiving over a packet communication network (22) a first message originating from a first end-user (32A) in a first aggregating organization (28) to place a call to a second end-user (32D) in a second aggregating organization (30). Responsively to the first message, respective values are assigned to one or more security attributes that are indicative of a likelihood that the call is a spam call. A second message is transmitted over the packet communication network toward the second end-user, the second message containing at least one of the respective values that was assigned to at least one of the security attributes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for providing payments over a wireless connection. Instant messaging services—such as mobile text messaging—addressed to a command interpretation and processing system are utilized in conjunction with a checkout procedure on a mobile device to enable a user making a payment to simply define and confirm the amount of his or her payment, and the recipient. The checkout procedure can be completed with SMS, Mobile Web, Mobile App or IVR implementation. Previously Registered as well as new unregistered users are supported. The payer, through his or her mobile device, interacts with a system for managing mobile payment transactions that validates the sender and recipient of the funds, the presence of funds in a transacting account and other fraud management and authentication checks, and effects a settlement.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a device comprising (1) an array of electromagnetic elements comprising coils, metal cores, and metal core heads, and (2) a controller that is adapted to control a current for one or more coils individually, to vary the current for said one or more coils individually, to reverse the current for one or more coils individually, and to generate a specific magnetic flux distribution and gradient across two or more coils; wherein the metal core head is at one end of the coil and the metal core head has a geometry to create a desired magnetic flux, intensity and gradient, in a region of interest between two adjacent coils; further wherein the device is functionally coupled to a fluidic device to concentrate and transport magnetic particles in a fluid without fluidic movement of the fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for installing and removing a flow restrictor assembly in a shower, while prevents tampering with the flow restriction system thus installed. Tampering is prevented by concealing the flow restrictor assembly behind a shower wall, attached directly to a water supply line. The system further prevents tampering by concealing the tool-hole necessary for its removal behind a flow restrictor disk, so that there are no visible means of removing the flow restrictor assembly. The flow restrictor assembly threads onto a showerhead arm and the flow restrictor assembly with the attached showerhead arm threads directly into the water line. When the showerhead arm is unthreaded, the flow restrictor assembly remains connected to the water line by an external screw thread. The flow restrictor must be removed to reveal the tool-hole which may only then be engaged by a tool for removal.

Abstract: A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder's mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions can be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions can be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or “widget.” The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.

Abstract: An improved probabilistic lane assignment method for detected objects in the scene forward of a host vehicle. Road/lane model parameters, preferably including an angular orientation of the host vehicle in its lane, are estimated from host vehicle sensor systems, taking into account measurement uncertainty in each of the constituent parameters. A probabilistic assignment of the object's lane is then assessed based on the road/lane model parameters and object measurements, again taking into account measurement uncertainty in both the road/lane model and object measurements. According to a first embodiment, the probabilistic assignment is discrete in nature, indicating a confidence or degree-of-belief that the detected object resides in each of a number of lanes. According to a second embodiment, the probabilistic assignment is continuous in nature, providing a lateral separation distance between the host vehicle and the object, and a confidence or degree-of-belief in the lateral separation distance.

Abstract: A crib is provided having a plurality of sides, at least one side being made of a flexible material. One or more sides may be retractable. The retractable side may have a first edge and a second edge each being captured in a track. The crib also includes at least one locking mechanism and an actuating mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism. When the actuating mechanism is actuated, the retractable side moves along the track from a locked first position where the retractable side is fully extended into a second position where the retractable side curves under the base or rolls up into a spool.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic and therapeutic targets for pulmonary disease, in particular, fibrotic lung disease. The inventors have found that a genetic variant MUC5B gene is associated with increased expression of the gene, increased risk of developing a pulmonary disease, and an improved prognosis and survival among those developing the pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Hydrazino, oxyamino and carbonyl-based monomers and methods for incorporation into oligonucleotides during enzymatic synthesis are provided. Modified oligonucleotides are provided that incorporate the monomers provided herein. Immobilized oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide conjugates that contain covalent hydrazone or oxime linkages are provided. Methods for preparation of surface bound oligonucleotides are provided. Methods for the preparation of oligonucleotide conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: An unique personal identification number (PIN) is issued when a promotional product is purchased. The consumer receives a receipt with information on how to redeem the PIN with a mobile communication device and qualify for a reward. An MSP (mobile service provider) is able to track the consumer's redemption actions to the consumer's mobile telephone number when the consumer redeems the PIN. In another example, the consumer is able to redeem a generic coupon at a point of sale (POS), redeem a PIN by electronically scanning a mobile phone at the POS, and then use the PIN to obtain rewards. A method, system and software product for issuing and redeeming PINs are described.

Abstract: A method of lane marker detection and detection fitting is provided for lane tracking. A lane marker is modeled and split into left and right steps. A filter response is calculated from a cumulative row sum, and normalized for filter pixel size, lane marker brightness and road brightness. A lane marker response is peak detected for positive and negative peaks and checked for having a magnitude above a threshold and being a local peak in a five point neighborhood. A Hough transform is extended to multiple planes to use lane marker features to determine a best line. Lane marker features include a mean and variance of lane marker brightness, lane marker width, lane marker parallelism to a host vehicle direction of travel, and consistence with a predicted lane marker characteristic. A closest lane marker line to a host vehicle is identified, and refitted to account for any curvature.

Abstract: A method of screening a subject for a serotonergic neurotransmission dysregulation disorder comprises detecting the presence or absence of an Tph2 mutation in the subject; and then determining that the subject is at increased risk of a serotonergic neurotransmission dysregulation disorder due to the presence or absence of the Tph2 mutation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to identify polymorphisms at the human TLR4 locus, as well as methods to identify individuals at risk of indications that increase their morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting the extent of DNA damage in a subject suspected of having DNA damage wherein the damage results in the formation of aldehyde moieties in DNA comprising, obtaining a DNA sample from the subject, combining the DNA sample with a fluorescent, chromogenic, pro-fluorescent or pro-chromogenic hydrazine compound to from a fluorescent DNA, detecting the presence of the fluorescent DNA by monitoring the fluorescent emission and quantitating the fluorescent emission thereby determining the extent of DNA damage in the subject.

Abstract: Hydrazino, oxyamino and carbonyl-based reagents and methods for incorporation into oligonucleotides during their solid phase synthesis are provided. Modified oligonucleotides are provided that incorporate the reagents provided herein. Immobilized oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide conjugates that contain covalent hydrazone or oxime linkages are provided. Methods for preparation of surface bound oligonucleotides are provided. Methods for the preparation of oligonucleotide conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: A sizing center for and a method of sizing different styles of window coverings includes at least two sizing mechanisms disposed on a sizing center in which each sizing mechanism is adapted to size a different style of window covering. Each window covering includes a color marking. At least two measuring scales are disposed on the sizing center, each measuring scale being associated with a sizing mechanism and having a different color, and each color associated with a sizing center being associated with a color marking of a window covering.