Abstract: A method of reconstructing a cell using a raw image of a biological probe array is described that comprises (a) assigning an intensity value to a reconstructed cell of a reconstructed image, where each reconstructed cell comprises a plurality of reconstructed pixels; (b) determining a weighted intensity value for each reconstructed pixel in the reconstructed cell using the intensity value of the reconstructed cell and a weight value; (c) determining an error value for each reconstructed pixel using the weighted intensity value and a raw intensity value corresponding to a pixel in the raw image; (d) updating the intensity value of the reconstructed cell using the error value; and (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) until convergence, wherein the intensity value for the reconstructed cell is representative of light emitted from a corresponding probe feature on the biological probe array.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically processing accounts receivable (AR) check transactions via a location-base device associated with a merchant. The location-base device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, can be configured to perform various functions that facilitate processing of AR checks. Such functions may include improved user interface, an ability to handle a repetitive input parameter, an ability to handle multiple merchant identifiers, an ability to generate multiple receipt types, an ability to edit check transactions, an ability to manage throughput of the device, and an ability to allow scanning of different types of checks so as to allow subsequent processing of the scanned checks to be different based on the type of the check. The location-base device configured in one or more of the foregoing manner facilitates a check authorization process performed by a check processing service.

Abstract: A system and method for processing prepaid financial transactions. The system and method describe the utilization of one or more remote terminals that are adapted to acquire transaction information from a user and transmit a first signal indicative of the transaction information. The remote terminal is further adapted to receive a second signal indicative of authorizing information that is delivered to the user. In addition, an authorizing host is adapted to receive the first signal transmitted by the one or more remote terminals. In one aspect, the authorizing host routes the first signal including the transaction information to an exchange host for approval of the financial transaction, and the exchange host transmits the second signal including the authorizing information to the remote terminal via the authorizing host.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to sub-microelectronic circuitry, and more particularly to nanometer-scale articles, including nanoscale wires which can be selectively doped at various locations and at various levels. In some cases, the articles may be single crystals. The nanoscale wires can be doped, for example, differentially along their length, or radially, and either in terms of identity of dopant, concentration of dopant, or both. This may be used to provide both n-type and p-type conductivity in a single item, or in different items in close proximity to each other, such as in a crossbar array. The fabrication and growth of such articles is described, and the arrangement of such articles to fabricate electronic, optoelectronic, or spintronic devices and components.

Abstract: This invention relates to anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds, especially to certain p-(sulfonyl)phenyl amino derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods for their use, and methods for preparing these compounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a small diameter continuous hydraulic conduit or capillary tube down a well bore is presented. The methods and apparatus allow either the injection of chemicals to enhance production of oil and gas, or to provide a conduit for production up through the small diameter tubing in marginal wells, into a hanger below a well valve to permit its removal from below the valve if the valve should be required to be closed and its reinsertion without pulling the tubing from the well bore.

Abstract: The present inventions provide a floating type decanter apparatus that controls the decanting operation through the use of air.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for handling Input/Output (I/O) requests. A bus enables communication with an initiator, target device and device controller, wherein the device controller accesses the target device to execute I/O commands directed to the target device. An I/O request command is received to access the target device. The initiator is configured to transmit at least one data request on the bus to one memory address in a predefined address window of the device controller. The device controller is enabled to claim the data request to the memory address in the predefined address window from the initiator on the bus to execute the data request against the target device.

Abstract: A trading card game (10) includes a first card (212) having only one immovable section (234). The game (10) also includes a second card (314) including a first section (352) and a second section (354). The second section (354) can be slidable relative to the first section (352) so that the second card (314) moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a portion of the second section (354) is unexposed to the players. In the second position, the portion of the second section (354) is exposed to the players, and influences the outcome of at least a portion of the game (10).

Abstract: A restricting device is positioned in the flow duct leading from the main inlet to the cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner and is movable between a restrictive position, in which it serves to restrict the cross-section of the discharge outlet, and an open position, in which it restricts the cross-section of the discharge outlet to a lesser extent. The restricting device is movable by the passage of debris along the flow duct.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a customer-specific marketing plan includes obtaining customer-specific information in response to a series of queries, weighting the customer-specific information in accordance with a predetermined weighting system, and generating date-specific marketing plan, that includes tools and other aspects.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns N-thiolated ?-lactam compounds of formula A, wherein R1is a hydrocarbon group having 1-8 carbon atoms; R3 is an organothio group; and R4 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycloalkenyl, and analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and amides thereof. The subject invention also concerns methods for inducing tumor cell death or inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, and methods for inducing DNA damage, inhibiting DNA replication, activating p38 MAP kinase, or activating caspase cascade activation, or releasing cytochrome C from mitochondria into the cytoplasm in a tumor cell. Methods for treating cancer using N-thiolated ?-lactam compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are further disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for prognosis, diagnosis, staging and determining disease progression in human cancer patients related to expression levels of one or a plurality of genes or genetic loci that are differentially deleted, amplified, expressed or amplified and over-expressed in chemotherapeutic drug resistant tumor cells.

Abstract: A network switch having a hybrid switch architecture, which is scalable to increase connectivity, buffering, and bandwidth by using multiple shared-memory switch fabrics and multiple crossbar switch fabrics. Each of the crossbar switch fabrics is coupled to each of the shared-memory switch fabrics. The shared-memory switch fabrics are configured to store and retrieve packets. The crossbar switch fabrics are configured to distribute and re-collect packets to and from each of the shared-memory switch fabrics. The network switch having a hybrid switch architecture distributes packets from a crossbar switch fabric to the multiple shared-memory switch fabrics to share the distributed packets among the multiple shared-memory switch fabrics.

Abstract: A recirculation system for circulating distillate during gas fuel operation so as to reduce or eliminate distillate carbon formation. The recirculation system keeps the distillate's temperature below the carbon formation limit by circulating the distillate back to a storage tank to cool the distillate due to a volume of the storage tank compared to the volume of the recirculation system. The recirculating flow also exercises the flow dividers' gears without having to perform fuel transfers. Further, the system evacuates air from the liquid fuel lines to further decrease the likelihood of carbonaceous residue forming on any interior surfaces that are actually exposed to distillate.

Abstract: The present inventions provide a floating type decanter apparatus that controls the decanting operation through the use of air.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically processing accounts receivable (AR) check transactions via a location-base device associated with a merchant. The location-base device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, can be configured to perform various functions that facilitate processing of AR checks. Such functions may include improved user interface, an ability to handle a repetitive input parameter, an ability to handle multiple merchant identifiers, an ability to generate multiple receipt types, an ability to edit check transactions, an ability to manage throughput of the device, and an ability to allow scanning of different types of checks so as to allow subsequent processing of the scanned checks to be different based on the type of the check. The location-base device configured in one or more of the foregoing manner facilitates a check authorization process performed by a check processing service.

Abstract: A method of passivating the surface of a substrate to protect the surface against corrosion, the surface effects on a vacuum environment, or both. The substrate surface is placed in a treatment environment and is first dehydrated and then the environment is evacuated. A silicon hydride gas is introduced into the treatment environment, which may be heated prior to the introduction of the gas. The substrate and silicon hydride gas contained therein are heated, if the treatment environment was not already heated prior to the introduction of the gas and pressurized to decompose the gas. A layer of silicon is deposited on the substrate surface. The duration of the silicon depositing step is controlled to prevent the formation of silicon dust in the treatment environment. The substrate is then cooled and held at a cooled temperature to optimize surface conditions for subsequent depositions, and the treatment environment is purged with an inert gas to remove the silicon hydride gas.

Abstract: A system for use with electric equipment includes a first input/output (I/O) device configured to couple to the electric equipment, a monitor coupled to the first I/O device and configured to determine information regarding the electric equipment, a second I/O device configured to communicate with a communication network, a memory that stores a computer-executable program configured to be executed by a computer to provide a computer interface for providing indicia of the information regarding the electric equipment, the computer interface being in a format that is distinct from a network browser format, and an interface-provisioning device configured to convey the computer-executable program toward the computer via the second input/output device and the communication network.

Abstract: A wind turbine is provided having a lidar wind speed measurement apparatus for achieving wind control. The lidar apparatus is arranged to scan the area in front of the wind turbine so as to generate a measurement of the wind speed across the wind field. The lidar apparatus may be located in the hub of the wind turbine and the look direction inclined away from the rotational axis so that rotation of the hub ensures scanning. Preferably the lidar apparatus has a plurality of look directions so as to increase the scanning rate. This may be achieved by having a number of dedicated lidar systems and/or by using multiplexed lidars. Measurement of the wind field allows improved control of the wind turbine giving efficiency and reduced wear benefits.