Abstract: A method facilitating a transaction between a camera-phone user and a business entity. The business entity produces a printed medium indicating a transaction. The printed medium includes a barcode that includes direct contact data for communicating with the business entity. The barcode further includes specific transaction data relating to the transaction in the printed medium. Using the digital camera feature, the user captures a digital image of the barcode. The camera-phone is programmed to decode the digital image to retrieve the direct contact data and the transaction data embedded in the barcode. The camera-phone then automatically initiates a direct communication with the business entity via the mobile communications device using the decoded direct contact data. Once communications are established, the camera phone further transmits the transaction data derived from the barcode to further facilitate the transaction.

Abstract: A method facilitating a transaction between a camera-phone user and a business entity. The business entity produces a printed medium indicating a transaction. The printed medium includes a barcode that includes direct contact data for communicating with the business entity. The barcode further includes specific transaction data relating to the transaction in the printed medium. Using the digital camera feature, the user captures a digital image of the barcode. The camera-phone is programmed to decode the digital image to retrieve the direct contact data and the transaction data embedded in the barcode. The camera-phone then automatically initiates a direct communication with the business entity via the mobile communications device using the decoded direct contact data. One communications are established, the camera phone further transmits the transaction data derived from the barcode to further facilitate the transaction.

Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.

Abstract: A multi-service platform system (100) includes a switch node (102, 104) coupled to receive a DS3 signal (114, 116), wherein the DS3 signal is translated to a packet-based signal (115) at the switch node. A packet switched backplane (110) couples the switch node and a plurality of payload nodes (106, 108), wherein data from the DS3 signal is distributed to one or more of the plurality of payload nodes via the packet switched backplane.

Abstract: A method and system for providing services to a mobile phone user, who needs directions to a desired destination. When the user calls a call center, the call center obtains the location of the mobile phone user from the communications network using a triangulation method. Based on the user's location, the operator at the call center verbally responds to the user with appropriate directions. Advantageously, the service is provided to the brand loyal customers who wish to locate a specific retail establishment such as a gas station or restaurant.

Abstract: A device for determining a neutral point on a golf club head. The device comprises a base. A calibration block is attached to the base. The calibration block comprises an index dial and the index dial comprises a neutral indicator. A head aligner is rotatably attached to the base opposite to the calibration block. The head aligner comprises a groove aligner and a sole plate. When the sole plate is in contact with a club sole of the golf club head and the groove aligner is aligned with a club groove of the golf club head the neutral point is aligned with the neutral indicator.

Abstract: Methods, nucleic acid sequences, and transformed duckweed plant or duckweed nodule cultures for the expression and the secretion of biologically active polypeptides from genetically engineered duckweed are provided. Expression of recombinant polypeptides in duckweed is improved by modifying the nucleotide sequence of the expression cassette encoding the polypeptide for improved expression in duckweed. Recovery of biologically active polypeptides from duckweed is improved by linking the biologically active polypeptide to a signal peptide that directs the secretion of the polypeptide into the culture medium. Methods of producing recombinant monoclonal antibodies having effector function, and antibodies produced by these methods are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition and method which to treat diseases and to enhance a regulated immune response. More particularly, the present invention is drawn to compositions that are based on dendritic cells modified to express an inducible form of a co-stimulatory polypeptide.

Abstract: A quantum cryptographic key distribution system (100) includes a first quantum cryptographic device (105b) and a second quantum cryptographic device (105a). The first quantum cryptographic device (105b) is designated as a slave device and stores shared secret bits. The second quantum cryptographic device (105a) is designated as a master device and selects a block of the shared secret bits and notifies the slave device of the selected block of the shared secret bits for using in cryptographically protecting data sent between the first (105b) and second (105a) quantum cryptographic devices.

Abstract: A system transports a key between a first node (505) at one end of a path (500) through a quantum cryptographic key distribution (QKD) network to a second node (525) at an opposite end of the path (500), where the QKD network includes multiple nodes. The system transmits secret bits between the multiple nodes of the QKD network using quantum cryptographic mechanisms. The system reserves (530), from the first node (505), portions of the transmitted secret bits at each intermediate node along the path between the first (505) and the second node (525). The system transports a key between the second node (525) and the first node (505) using the reserved portions (555, 560, 565, 575) of the transmitted secret bits.

Abstract: An insecticide of formula 1 1

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for distributing a key between nodes. The nodes are provided separate links for carrying messages versus keying information or material. The links for carrying messages couple the nodes to a messaging network, such as the Internet. In addition, the nodes are coupled together in a key distribution network by specialized links for carrying keying information or material. The links for keying information or material are configured to ensure the security of the keying information or material. The nodes that neighbor each other in the key distribution network establish respective pairwise keys. Once the pairwise keys are established, a set of non-neighboring nodes establish a shared key by communicating a sequence of bits through the messaging network. In order to ensure the security of the sequence of bits, the sequence of bits is encrypted based on the respective pairwise keys of neighboring nodes as it is forwarded in messages through the messaging network.

Abstract: We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells

Abstract: A system penalizes callers for annoying voice calls. The system identifies a caller (540) associated with a call to a called party in response to invocation of a feature activation code by the called party. The system records the occurrence of the feature activation code invocation (550) and notifies a billing entity (560) of the identity of the caller and the invocation of the feature activation code so that the billing entity can charge the caller for the call to the called party.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of apoptosis and programmed cell-death. More particularly, it relates to expression vectors, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for inhibiting cell-death using the expression vectors and/or pharmaceutical compositions. Yet further, the present invention also relates to methods of using the expression vector to screen for additional regulators of an anti-apoptotic gene.

Abstract: A method for creating and managing a computer network management agent that includes a Java development management kit (“JDMK”)-created object is provided. In one embodiment, the method a JDMK agent object configured to provide computer network management functions is created. Address, type, and object class information are provided for the JDMK agent object. The JDMK agent object is installed on the computer network. In another embodiment, the method of the invention includes communicating with the JDMK agent object over the computer network.

Abstract: A simulated fuel bed is provided for use in an electric fireplace. The simulated fuel bed has a first portion that is composed of a non-plastic material and formed to simulate a fuel source in a fireplace and a second portion that is composed of a plastic material and formed to simulate an ember bed for the fuel source. The second portion is formed to receive the first portion to resemble in combination a fuel source in an ember bed.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product can include a test performed by a computer to determine whether a requestor of resources is a human user or a computer software scripted agent. If the test is passed, then the computer of the present invention assumes that the requestor of resources is a valid human user and access to resources is granted. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system, method and computer program product for controlling access to resources. In an exemplary embodiment the method can include the steps of receiving a request from an entity; presenting the entity with a test; determining from the test whether or not the entity is an intelligent being; and granting the request only if the entity is determined to be an intelligent being.

Abstract: Software, systems, and methods for facilitating the development and implementation of computer network management software containing Java-based instructions is provided. In one aspect, the invention includes a system for implementing Java-based software network management objects configured to implement computer network management functions on a computer network. In one embodiment, the system of the invention includes a computer network management information server. The network management server performs communications using a first computer network management communications protocol. The system further includes a Java development management kit (“JDMK”) methods protocol adapter (“MPA”) that is configured to translate the first computer network management communications protocol into a JDMK communications protocol. A JDMK agent that is configured to communicate with the JDMK MPA using the JDMK communications protocol also is included.

Abstract: A communications apparatus (2) in a communications network (100 or 110) is provided for communication among a plurality of communication apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) routes messages for neighboring apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) includes a memory (4, 7 or 8), a processor (3) and a transceiver (6). The memory has a plurality of routing managers (12, 13, and 14) stored thereon, and each manager maintains at least one network table including one or more entries. The processor 3 selects at least one network table from those maintained by the plurality of routing managers (12, 13 and 14) that are stored in the memory (4, 7 or 8), based on an address indicator and/or on a type-of-service of a message. The processor 3 extracts network information from the selected network table or tables. The processor (3) also controls transmission of the message according to the extracted network information. The transceiver (6) transmits and receives messages.