Abstract: Lottery tickets and lottery gaming systems and methods providing such lottery tickets, wherein the lottery tickets each have a connected symbol set path feature including a plurality of connected symbol sets along a bonus award path, a plurality of player symbols, and potential awards that can be won based on the symbol sets and the connected symbol sets along the bonus award path and the player symbols.

Abstract: A heat-retention material for a garment is provided having a solar-transmitting shell fabric, a solar-transmitting insulation layer, and a solar-absorbing lining fabric. The solar-absorbing lining fabric includes a plurality of heat-retention elements coupled to a lining fabric, such as having a weighted average thermal emittance of less than 0.8 (or 80%). The heat-retention elements include a low thermal emittance layer and a high solar absorptance layer.

Abstract: Lottery tickets and lottery gaming systems and methods providing such lottery tickets, wherein the lottery tickets each have multiple combinations of boards and player symbol sets, wherein each of the multiple combinations includes two different boards and one player symbol set for both boards, and each of the board/player symbol set combination includes a first award associated with the first one of the boards of that combination a second award associated with a second one of the boards of that combination.

Abstract: Lottery tickets and lottery gaming systems and methods providing such lottery tickets, wherein the lottery tickets each have a connected symbol set path feature including a plurality of connected symbol sets along a bonus award path, a plurality of player symbols, and potential awards that can be won based on the symbol sets and the connected symbol sets along the bonus award path and the player symbols.

Abstract: Methods for controlling pathogenic plant nematodes using organic soil amendments applied to soil and/or plants, methods of improving the performance and/or improving the health of a ruminant animal and methods of decreasing nematodes in a ruminant animal are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for validation and certification of digital assets using a blockchain are provided. An example method includes, using a hash function to generate at least one hash of at least one digital asset, the digital asset being associated with a plurality of digital assets, storing the hash to a database, determining that the plurality of digital assets have been digitally certified by an authorized user, in response to the determination, storing a record on the blockchain, the record including the hash of the digital asset associated with the plurality of digital assets, and upon receiving a request to verify authenticity of the digital asset, determining a further hash of the digital asset, and determining whether the hash stored on the blockchain matches the at least one further hash to selectively verify the authenticity of the digital asset.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for controlling pathogenic plant nematodes using organic soil amendments applied to soil and/or plants. The disclosure also relates to a method of improving the performance and/or improving the health of a ruminant animal and to a method of decreasing nematodes in a ruminant animal.

Abstract: Storage unit priority based on configuration information may be determined, for example, by a processor analyzing configuration information associated with the storage units to create a priority order associated with the storage units. The configuration information associated with each storage unit may be standardized for comparison to the configuration information associated with the other storage units. The processor may perform an action related to the storage units according to the priority order.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide and maintain secure financial transaction conducted with a credit card or other cashless payment mechanism at a vending machine or other potentially unattended vending or point of sale device. Encapsulated card readers providing end-to-end encryption capabilities encrypt transaction data for secure transmission to a transaction host or server. Pre-authorization transaction data checking maintains account numbers in a secure encrypted format further enhancing security. Protection mechanisms that guard against, and provide warnings of equipment tampering, while also providing a visual indication to customers regarding the security of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting search results from multiple sources are provided. In some aspects, a search query is received. The search query is provided to multiple search engines. Multiple search results corresponding to the search query are received from the multiple search engines. The multiple search results are sorted according to an order. At least a portion of the multiple search results are presented. The presented search results are selected based on the order.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to storage unit priority based on configuration information. For example, a processor may analyze configuration information associated with the storage units to create a priority order associated with the storage units. The configuration information associated with each storage unit may be standardized for comparison to the configuration information associated with the other storage units. The processor may perform an action related to the storage units according to the priority order.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide and maintain secure financial transaction conducted with a credit card or other cashless payment mechanism at a vending machine or other potentially unattended vending or point of sale device. Encapsulated card readers providing end-to-end encryption capabilities encrypt transaction data for secure transmission to a transaction host or server. Pre-authorization transaction data checking maintains account numbers in a secure encrypted format further enhancing security. Protection mechanisms that guard against, and provide warnings of equipment tampering, while also providing a visual indication to customers regarding the security of the system.

Abstract: A software reference tool and method enables users to easily understand XML and other file types, including proprietary file types, and that provides the user the capability to map from one file type to another by using system templates that correspond to each file type. The data mapped from one file type to another has been pre-programmed or selected by the user to include only the data elements that are key to the transaction involved.

Abstract: A software reference tool and method enables users to easily understand XML and other file types, including proprietary file types, and that provides the user the capability to map from one file type to another by using system templates that correspond to each file type. The data mapped from one file type to another has been pre-programmed or selected by the user to include only the data elements that are key to the transaction involved.

Abstract: The present invention may generally be thought of as a software reference tool that enables users to easily understand XML and other file types, including proprietary file types, and that provides the user the capability to map from one file type to another by using system templates that correspond to each file type. The data mapped from one file type to another has been pre-programmed or selected by the user to include only the data elements that are key to the transaction involved.

Abstract: System, method and program for generating a trigger program that updates an entry in a dependent column in a table in response to a request to update a corresponding entry in a parent column in the table. A trigger program template is provided. The trigger program template includes program steps which indicate a type of update to an entry in an unspecified parent column which triggers an update to a corresponding entry in an unspecified dependent column. The trigger program template also indicates a type of the unspecified dependent column to update upon the update to the entry in the unspecified parent column. The table is automatically scanned to identify one or more dependent columns of the type.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a chemical mechanical polishing system includes a platen having a first surface adapted to couple a polishing pad thereto. The first surface includes a generally circular center portion and an annular portion surrounding the generally circular center portion. The generally circular center portion encloses an area and has an attachment surface area that is less than the area enclosed by the generally circular center portion. The attachment surface area is adapted to couple an inner portion of the polishing pad to the platen. According to one embodiment of the invention, a chemical mechanical polishing system includes a platen having a first surface coupling a polishing pad thereto. The first surface includes a generally circular center portion and an annular portion surrounding the generally circular center portion.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting granular data store changes in a computing environment. Data values stored in a first relational database are changed. Each data value is stored in a row and a column of the first relational database. Rows (i.e., changed rows) including the changed data values are identified. Changed rows are propagated to a second relational database. Columns including the changed data values are identified in the second relational database. The types of changes associated with the changed data values are identified. Filters optionally filter out one or more of the changed data values from further processing. At least one data value of the changed data values, along with their types of changes, are transformed into a language neutral format included in packaged data to be sent in response to a client requesting the at least one data value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system (100) for conditioning multi-component slurries utilized in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of semiconductor wafers (140). The system provides a first slurry component (108), and a second slurry component (120). A conditioning component (102) has first and second inlets, and an outlet operatively coupled to a dispensing system (138). First and second flow control components (116, 126) are operably intercoupled between the first and second inlets and the first and second slurry components, respectively. The system further provides a megasonic energy source (106), adapted to generate an energy field (118) across the conditioning component. A conveyance component (114) conducts the slurry components from the inlets through the energy field, and delivers a final mixture (136) of multi-component slurry to the outlet.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hermetically sealed window assembly. A first windowpane is provided, as is a first sealing member having inner and outer edges. The inner edge is positioned against the windowpane and pressed against it with sufficient force to produce a first contact pressure along a first junction. The junction is heated to produce a first temperature. The contact pressure and temperature are maintained until a diffusion bond is formed between the member and the windowpane. A second windowpane is provided, as is a second sealing member having inner and outer edges. The inner edge is positioned against the windowpane and pressed against it with sufficient force to produce a second contact pressure along a second junction. The junction is heated to produce a second temperature. The contact pressure and temperature are maintained until a diffusion bond is formed between the member and the windowpane.