Abstract: The present invention relates to peptidomimetic compounds useful as protease inhibitors, particularly as serine protease inhibitors and more particularly as hepatitis C NS3 protease inhibitors; intermediates thereto; their preparation including novel stereoselective processes to intermediates. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and to methods for using the compounds for inhibiting HCV protease or treating a patient suffering from an HCV infection or physiological condition related to the infection. Also provided are pharmaceutical combinations comprising, in addition to one or more HCV serine protease inhibitors, one or more interferons exhibiting anti-HCV activity and/or one or more compounds having anti HCV activity and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and methods for treating or preventing a HCV infection in a patient using the compositions. The present invention is also directed to a kit or pharmaceutical pack for treating or preventing HCV infection in a patient.

Abstract: Method and system for expanding the memory capacity of devices that use flash memory cards. In one aspect, a memory card expander assembly includes an adaptor shaped to be connected to a memory card slot of a host device, and a receptacle assembly in communication with the adaptor and operative to be attached to the host device. The receptacle assembly includes an expanded memory card slot operative to connect to a memory card such that the host device can communicate with the connected memory card when the adaptor is connected to the memory card slot.

Abstract: A Flash memory card system is disclosed. The Flash memory card system comprises a Flash memory wireless host adapter and a Flash memory bus wireless device. The Flash memory wireless host adapter comprises a Flash memory card connector and a Flash memory controller coupled to the Flash memory card connector. The Flash-52 memory card signals are converted to standard Flash memory internal bus signals by the Flash memory controller. The host adapter further comprises a Flash memory wireless module coupled to the Flash memory controller for receiving and transmitting the standard Flash memory bus signals wirelessly. The Flash-51 memory bus wireless device comprises a Flash memory bus wireless device adapter coupled to a Flash memory. The device adapter is paired to the wireless module for receiving and transmitting the standard Flash memory bus signals wirelessly. A host device storage capacity utilizing the Flash memory card system is expanded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptidomimetic compounds useful as protease inhibitors, particularly as serine protease inhibitors and more particularly as hepatitis C NS3 protease inhibitors; intermediates thereto; their preparation including novel steroselective processes to intermediates. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and to methods for using the compounds for inhibiting HCV protease or treating a patient suffering from an HCV infection or physiological condition related to the infection. Also provided are pharmaceutical combinations comprising, in addition to one or more HCV serine protease inhibitors, one or more interferons exhibiting anti-HCV activity and/or one or more compounds having anti HCV activity and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and methods for treating or preventing a HCV infection in a patient using the compositions. The present invention is also directed to a kit or pharmaceutical pack for treating or preventing HCV infection in a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with sulfonic acid groups and a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species and substituent groups which increase the water-solubility, and optimize the optical properties of the dyes. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.

Abstract: A Flash memory controller is disclosed. The Flash memory controller comprises a host interface, a Flash memory interface, controller logic coupled between the host interface, the controller logic handling a plurality of voltages. The controller also includes a mechanism for allowing a multiple voltage host to interface with a high voltage or a multiple voltage Flash memory. A multiple voltage Flash memory controller in accordance with the present invention provides the following advantages over conventional Flash memory controllers: (1) a voltage host is allowed to interface with multiple Flash memory components that operate at different voltages in any combination; (2) power consumption efficiency is improved by integrating the programmable voltage regulator, and voltage comparator mechanism with the Flash memory controller; (3) External jumper selection is eliminated for power source configuration; and (4) Flash memory controller power source interface pin-outs are simplified.

Abstract: Fluidic methods and devices for conducting parallel chemical reactions are disclosed. The methods are based on the use of in situ photogenerated reagents such as photogenerated acids, photogenerated bases, or any other suitable chemical compounds that produce active reagents upon light radiation. The present invention describes devices and methods for performing a large number of parallel chemical reactions without the use of a large number of valves, pumps, and other complicated fluidic components. The present invention provides microfluidic devices that contain a plurality of microscopic vessels for carrying out discrete chemical reactions.

Abstract: A management hub is disclosed. The management hub comprises an interface; a master hub controller coupled to the interface; a plurality of ports coupled to the master hub controller; a microcontroller coupled to the master hub controller; and hub setting switch and a slave hub controller coupled to the microcontroller and the plurality of ports. The management hub also includes a memory device coupled to the microcontroller, the memory device including a hidden drive information partition and a hidden drive organizer partition for managing and identifying information in various drives coupled to the plurality of ports, wherein when the management hub is first connected to a host system the drives are displayed in an inactive state.

Abstract: A computer readable medium including executable instructions to analyze radio frequency (RF) tag information includes executable instruction to access cross-enterprise RF tag information, identify a product transition based upon the cross-enterprise RF tag information, and define a new product path based upon the product transition, where the new product path defines product pedigree information. Additional executable instructions authenticate a user, secure product information, supply product pedigree information corresponding to the product information, and verify the pedigree of the product based upon the product pedigree information.

Abstract: A system tool that provides dispatchers in power grid control centers with a capability to manage changes. Included is a user interface and a plurality of scheduler engines. Each scheduler engine is configured to look ahead at different time frames to forecast system conditions and alter generation patterns within the different time frames. A comprehensive operating plan holds schedules generated by the plurality of scheduler engines. A relational database is coupled to the comprehensive operating plan. Input data is initially received from the relational database for each scheduling engine, and thereafter the relational database receives data from the scheduling engines relative to forecast system conditions.

Abstract: Methods are provided that enable dispatchers in power grid control centers to manage changes. A comprehensive operating plan is provided with multiple, security constrained economic dispatch engines 1, 2 and 3. The scheduler engines are security constrained unit commitments and economic dispatch sequences with different look-ahead periods. The comprehensive operation plan is configured to integrate scheduler engines into a unified scheduling system. The comprehensive operating plan includes a repository of all operating plans in a multi-stage decision process.

Abstract: Method and system for expanding the memory capacity of devices that use flash memory cards. In one aspect, a memory card expander assembly includes an adaptor shaped to be connected to a memory card slot of a host device, and a receptacle assembly in communication with the adaptor and operative to be attached to the host device. The receptacle assembly includes an expanded memory card slot operative to connect to a memory card such that the host device can communicate with the connected memory card when the adaptor is connected to the memory card slot.

Abstract: A decision-support tool is provided to evaluate operational and financial performance for dispatchers in power grid control centers associated with utility systems. A scheduler engine is coupled to a comprehensive operating plan that applies after the fact analysis for performance metrics, root-cause impacts and process re-engineering. A relational database is coupled to a data archiver that captures actual system and resource conditions and then supplies the system and resource conditions to the relational database. The scheduler engine receives the actual system and resource conditions from the relational database and processes it to calculate system performance.

Abstract: A system tool merges different load forecasts for power grid centers. A plurality of load forecast engines are coupled to a load forecast interface and a relational data base that saves load forecast engine data as an input through the load forecast interface. A comprehensive operating plan is coupled to the load forecast engines and the relational database. The comprehensive operating plan is configured to integrate individual load forecasts into a composite load forecast to present a comprehensive, synchronized and harmonized load forecast. A program interface provides access to the composite load forecasting schedule.

Abstract: A method is provided that enables dispatchers in power grid control centers to manage changes by applying multi-interval dispatch. A multi-stage resource scheduling engine and a comprehensive operating plan are used. Multiple system parameter scenarios are coordinated.

Abstract: A method is provided for merging different load forecasts for power grid centers. Area load forecasts are accepted from load forecast engines. A relational database saves load forecast engine data. A comprehensive operating plan integrates individual load forecasts into a composite load forecast to present a comprehensive, synchronized and harmonized load forecast.

Abstract: A system tool provides dispatchers in power grid control centers with a capability to manage changes. A user interface and a plurality of scheduler engines are provided. A comprehensive operating plan has multiple dispatch engines that are security constrained unit commitments and economic dispatch sequences with different look-ahead periods. The comprehensive operating plan is configured to integrate the dispatch engines into a unified scheduling system. The comprehensive operating plan has a data structure for capturing scheduling data, transaction scheduling, load forecast and time series data. The comprehensive operating plan is configured to coordinate scheduling data to and from power grid system applications and present a comprehensive, synchronized and harmonized view of scheduling data to at least one of, applications, power grid system operators and other stakeholders for power grid system operations.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating operational and financial performance for dispatchers in power grid control centers associated with utility systems. A comprehensive operating plan is provided that applies after the fact analysis for performance metrics, root-cause impacts and process re-engineering. after the fact analysis of past events and practices is performed. Actual system and resource conditions are captured. the system and resource conditions are supplied to a relational database. A scheduler engine receives the actual system and resource conditions from the relational database and processes it to calculate system performance.

Abstract: A Flash memory controller includes a host interface, a Flash memory interface, controller logic coupled between the host interface, the controller logic handling a plurality of voltages. The controller also includes a mechanism for allowing a multiple voltage host to interface with a high voltage or multiple voltage Flash memory. A multiple voltage Flash memory controller in accordance with the present invention provides the following advantages over conventional Flash memory controllers: (1) a voltage host is allowed to interface with multiple Flash memory components that operate at different voltages in any combination; (2) power consumption efficiency is improved by integrating the programmable voltage regulator, and voltage comparator mechanism with the Flash memory controller; (3) External jumper selection is eliminated for power source configuration; and (4) Flash memory controller power source interface pin-outs are simplified.