Abstract: An interactive reporting tool allows the user to define, modify, and selectively execute a sequence of queries in an interactive manner. A sequence of queries is entered into rows of an interactive query code table. When the user selects a given row i or a cell in a given row i, then the data table is updated to show the results of the queries 1 through i, such that the user effectively can step through the queries in any order (i.e., sequential or non-sequential, forward or backward) to see the results of each step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable, extended-release, pharmaceutical formulations comprising a nalbuphine ester prodrug homogenously dissolved in a solution comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable oil and an oil-miscible retaining solvent, as well as manufacturing processes and medical uses of the formulations. The invention further provides methods for adjusting the duration of action of the formulations by varying the ratio of the pharmaceutically acceptable oil and the oil-miscible retaining solvent.

Abstract: A method of forming a TAMR (thermally assisted magnetic recording) write head that uses weakly plasmonic materials that are mechanically strong and thermally stable to create plasmon near field energy. The replacement of highly plasmonic materials like Au with a weakly plasmonic material like Rh avoids the thermal deformations of softer metals like Au. To maintain the performance of the head, it includes pre-focusing structures that concentrate plasmon energy as it moves towards the air bearing surface (ABS). A waveguide blocker at the distal end of the waveguide enhances the plasmons at the interface between the blocker and the dielectric material at the distal end of the waveguide. A pair of symmetrically disposed optical side shields (OSS) are formed to either side of the pole tip and a weakly plasmonic optical field enhancer of sharply defined line-width further strengthens the optical field at its point of application.

Abstract: Code and data versioning allows developers to work on code and data without affecting production code and data and without affecting the development activities of other developers. Code and data being worked on by a developer are associated with a task. The system automatically determines the dataset to use for a given development task from among a production dataset, a latest dataset, or a temporary dataset associated with the development task so that development code does not have to be modified to read from a specific dataset.

Abstract: A sequence of queries is divided into stages, where each stage involves one pass over the data, such that the sequence of queries can be executed using the minimum number of passes over the data. The sequence of queries may be processed into a functional dependency graph that represents the relationships between query parameters (signals) and query operations, and the functional dependency graph then may be processed to divide the queries into a number of successive stages such that each stage includes queries that can be executed based on data that exists prior to execution of that stage. A sequence of queries may, and often does, require that one or more intermediate values or datasets be generated using an aggregate function.

Abstract: An interactive reporting tool allows the user to define, modify, and selectively execute a sequence of queries in an interactive manner. A sequence of queries is entered into rows of an interactive query code table. When the user selects a given row i or a cell in a given row i, then the data table is updated to show the results of the queries 1 through i, such that the user effectively can step through the queries in any order (i.e., sequential or non-sequential, forward or backward) to see the results of each step.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid development and deployment of reusable analytic code for use in computerized data modeling and analysis is provided. The system includes a centralized, continually updated environment to capture pre-processing steps used in analyzing big data, such that the complex transformations and calculations become continually fresh and accessible to those investigating business opportunities. The system incorporates deep domain expertise as well as ongoing expertise in data science, big data architecture, and data management processes. In particular, the system allows for rapid development and deployment of analytic code that can easily be re-used in various data analytics applications, and on multiple computer systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable, extended-release, pharmaceutical formulations comprising a nalbuphine ester prodrug homogenously dissolved in a solution comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable oil and an oil-miscible retaining solvent, as well as manufacturing processes and medical uses of the formulations. The invention further provides methods for adjusting the duration of action of the formulations by varying the ratio of the pharmaceutically acceptable oil and the oil-miscible retaining solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pH sensing apparatus that includes a flexible polymer substrate, one or more amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes disposed on the flexible polymer substrate, and a reference electrode corresponding to each amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. Each reference electrode is disposed on the flexible polymer substrate in close proximity to the corresponding amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. The amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes provide a potential in reference to the reference electrodes that varies according to a pH of a substance contacting the amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes and the reference electrodes.

Abstract: A method of using parametrical representations in modeling and animation is disclosed. This method is built directly on the inherent properties of parametric curves. Parametric curves are constructed and associated with geometric models, while at the same time the properties are used to represent the underlying mechanism of deformation. This method includes the steps of building parametrical representations on a geometric model, associating vertices of the model with different ones of the parametrical representations to effect movement thereof, and animating movement of the vertices to simulate relative motion therebetween. The invention discloses a method in which simulation of object interaction and object deformation can be integrated into a unified framework through skeletal trees. The method preprocesses a graphic object and segments the object into a number of contexts at surface slope and curvature discontinuities. Then, control points are generated to represent these contexts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pH sensing apparatus that includes a flexible polymer substrate, one or more amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes disposed on the flexible polymer substrate, and a reference electrode corresponding to each amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. Each reference electrode is disposed on the flexible polymer substrate in close proximity to the corresponding amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. The amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes provide a potential in reference to the reference electrodes that varies according to a pH of a substance contacting the amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes and the reference electrodes.

Abstract: In accord with the present invention, a method is defined for an intelligent system to analyze potentially damaging information, and send special signals to users in real time, so as to alert potential victims and discourage predators. The present invention defines a method to intelligently process messages that are being sent through online chat sessions, so as to alert potential victims and discourage predators or pedophiles. The method uses intelligent systems that are loaded with a set of rules. By analyzing the messages against these rules, potentially damaging messages can be captured. Then, instructions can be triggered by the intelligent systems. As a result, graphic outputs will be displayed to alert potential victims and discourage predators. The services can be offered in real time.

Abstract: The present invention, a method for a customizing and determining how a multimedia character or avatar is animated. The method provides a user with interaction with the avatar that involves animation of the face of the multimedia character. In addition, the method further comprises offering the multimedia character or avatar with a default setting for a mechanism of muscle movement and interacting with the mechanism of muscle movement. Further, the method is preferably used in a stand-alone mode and with multimedia communication, such as Internet, email and wireless applications. Furthermore, the method comprises a set rules and intelligent systems for analyzing, displaying and capturing messages and alerting the user to these messages in real time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pH sensing apparatus that includes a flexible polymer substrate, one or more amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes disposed on the flexible polymer substrate, and a reference electrode corresponding to each amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. Each reference electrode is disposed on the flexible polymer substrate in close proximity to the corresponding amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. The amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes provide a potential in reference to the reference electrodes that varies according to a pH of a substance contacting the amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes and the reference electrodes.

Abstract: In accord with the present invention, a method is defined for an ordinary computer user to customize an avatar, so as to determine how the avatar is animated afterwards. The animation method used is preferably intuitive and simple so that ordinary computer users can learn and manipulate avatars easily and efficiently. Interaction with the virtual character can preferably involve animation of its face. Preferably the invention comprises the steps of offering an avatar a default setting of a mechanism of muscle movement, and a user interacts with the mechanism of muscle movement so as to customize the avatar. The method is preferably used in stand-alone application and multimedia communication, such as Internet, email and wireless applications. Users are able to be creative in the process of animation, thus may reveal personal flavors and personality traits through an avatar.

Abstract: A method of deactivation after software being activated online is provided, including: online-activated software sending a deactivation request message and its license key to a network server; the request being validated by the server inquiring its file system; if the request being valid, the server changing the status of the license key into “deactivated” or deleting the license key and its associate information in its file system and sending a deactivation permission message to the software; after receiving the deactivation permission message the software deleting or modifying local activation information promptly to ensure the software cannot run in activated status any more. By this method, an activated software user could initiatively deactivate the software on its current hardware device and then activate the software on another hardware device. The method of the invention enables user to transfer the software license to another hardware device initiatively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pH sensing apparatus that includes a flexible polymer substrate, one or more amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes disposed on the flexible polymer substrate, and a reference electrode corresponding to each amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. Each reference electrode is disposed on the flexible polymer substrate in close proximity to the corresponding amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. The amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes provide a potential in reference to the reference electrodes that varies according to a pH of a substance contacting the amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes and the reference electrodes.

Abstract: In accord with the present invention, a method is defined for an ordinary computer user to customize an avatar, so as to determine how the avatar is animated afterwards. The animation method used is preferably intuitive and simple so that ordinary computer users can learn and manipulate avatars easily and efficiently. Interaction with the virtual character can preferably involve animation of its face. Preferably the invention comprises the steps of offering an avatar a default setting of a mechanism of muscle movement, and a user interacts with the mechanism of muscle movement so as to customize the avatar. The method is preferably used in stand-alone application and multimedia communication, such as Internet, email and wireless applications. Users are able to be creative in the process of animation, thus may reveal personal flavors and personality traits through an avatar.

Abstract: A method of using parametrical representations in modeling and animation is disclosed. This method is built directly on the inherent properties of parametric curves. Parametric curves are constructed and associated with geometric models, while at the same time the properties are used to represent the underlying mechanism of deformation. This method includes the steps of building parametrical representations on a geometric model, associating vertices of the model with different ones of the parametrical representations to effect movement thereof, and animating movement of the vertices to simulate relative motion therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus, thermal storage system and method for heat exchange using a tube-type heat exchanger. A rod or rods are propelled to moves over the inner surface of the tube. The moving rod is in contact with a first process liquid which is adjacent the inner surface as a falling film or by flooding the interior of the tube. The flooded mode is particularly useful where the tube is non-vertical or the heat exchanger is used to make an ice slurry for HVAC systems serving high-rise buildings. Multiple such rod and tube assemblies are operated simultaneously using a drive plate powered to execute an orbital motion in a plane generally orthogonal to the rods. In one form the plate is coupled via a crank to equiangularly space spaced rods in each tube. This form of orbital drive allows the use of a device to develop an auxiliary radial force, such as spring mounts extending between a central, rotating shaft mounted in each tube and the rod or rods for that tube.