Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols including one or more selectable symbols. The gaming device displays the selectable symbols on the reels when a triggering event occurs and enables the player to pick at least one of the selectable symbols appearing on the reels. The gaming device provides a value symbol or a wild symbol associated with the picked symbol when the player picks one of the selectable symbols. If the picked symbol reveals a value symbol, the gaming device provides a value associated with the value symbol to the player. If the picked symbol includes a wild symbol, the gaming device displays a wild symbol in at least one symbol position of the reel including the picked symbol. The gaming device evaluates any symbol combinations on the reels and provides an award associated with the wining symbol combinations to the player.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method of fabricating the same are provided. Included are an active circuit, and a metal layer disposed, at least partially, above the active circuit. Further provided is a bond pad disposed, at least partially, above the metal layer. To prevent damage incurred during a bonding process, the aforementioned metal layer may define a frame with an outer periphery and an inner periphery.

Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A video poker game that uses additional cards to enhance the value of some or all winning card combinations (“Reward Cards”). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two Reward Cards are added the traditional fifty-two card deck of playing cards. These Reward Cards do not help form any winning poker hands, but only enhance the value of some or all of the winning poker hands formed using the traditional fifty-two cards in the deck. A single Reward Card would double the payouts; two Reward Cards would quadruple the payouts. As a result, a preferred embodiment offers awards up to four times the traditional awards; maintains the full values of the underlying pay table; minimally impacts traditional poker strategy; and results in an overall return to the player of 99.2948% using a preferred pay table.

Abstract: A system for predicting blood glucose values in a patient includes a remote wireless non-invasive spectral device, the remote wireless non-invasive spectral device generating a spectral scan of a body part of the patient. Also included are a remote invasive device and a central processing device. The remote invasive device generates a constituent value for the patient, while the central processing device predicts a blood glucose value for the patient based upon the spectral scan and the constituent value.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method of fabricating the same are provided. Included are an active circuit, and a metal layer disposed, at least partially, above the active circuit. Further provided is a bond pad disposed, at least partially, above the metal layer. To prevent damage incurred during a bonding process, the aforementioned metal layer is meshed.

Abstract: An automated method for modeling spectral data includes accessing a set of spectral data, corresponding to each of a plurality of samples, each set having associated therewith at least one independently measured constituent value (201).Data transforms are applied to the set of spectral data to generate, for each sample, a set of transformed and untransformed spectral data, which with its associated constituent values, is divided into a calibration sub-set (231) and a validation sub-set (232). One or more of a partial least squares, principal component regression, neural net, or a multiple linear regression analysis is applied to the calibration data sub-sets to obtain corresponding modeling equations for predicting the target substance amount in a sample. The modeling equation with the best correlation between the spectral data in the validation sub-set and the corresponding constituent values in the validation sub-set is identified, preferably as a function of the SEE and SEP.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols including at least one replicator symbol. The replicator symbol includes at least two of the same symbols in a single symbol position on the reels. The replicator symbol may include any suitable number of the same symbols. The replicator symbol thereby increases the likelihood that a player will obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels and also an award in a game. In one embodiment, a winning symbol combination includes at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol positions on a payline associated with the reels. In another embodiment, the winning symbol combination at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol position in at least one symbol position on a plurality of paylines associated with the reels.

Abstract: An individualized modeling equation for predicting a patient's blood glucose values is generated as a function of non-invasive spectral scans of a body part and an analysis of blood samples from the patient, and is stored on a central computer. The central computer predicts a blood glucose value for the patient as a function of the individualized modeling equation and a non-invasive spectral scan generated by a remote spectral device. If the spectral scan falls within the range of the modeling equation, the predicted blood glucose level is output to the patient. If the spectral scan falls outside the range of the modeling equation, regeneration of the model is required, and the patient takes a number of noninvasive scans and an invasive blood glucose level determination. The computer regenerates the individualized modeling equation as a function of the set of spectral scans and corresponding blood glucose values.

Abstract: Retroviral and retroviral-like polynucleotides, and vectors, proteins, and antibodies derived therefrom, that are useful for the introduction of genetic information into soybeans and other plant species.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols. The symbols include at least one bonus payline symbol. In a game, the gaming device or player spins the reels to indicate symbols on the reels. After the reel stops spinning, the gaming device evaluates the symbols indicated on the paylines associated with the reels to determine if any winning symbol combinations are indicated on the paylines. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations indicated on the paylines. The gaming device then forms at least one bonus payline with any bonus payline symbols indicated on the reels and evaluates the symbols indicated on the bonus payline to determine if the bonus payline indicates any winning symbol combinations. A bonus award associated with any winning symbol combinations is provided to the player.

Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: Retroviral and retroviral-like polynucleotides, and vectors, proteins, and antibodies derived therefrom, that are useful for the introduction of genetic information into soybeans and other plant species.

Abstract: Retroviral and retroviral-like polynucleotides, and vectors, proteins, and antibodies derived therefrom, that are useful for the introduction of genetic information into soybeans and other plant species.

Abstract: An automated method for modeling spectral data is provided, wherein the spectral data generated by one of diffuse reflectance, clear transmission, or diffuse transmission. The method includes accessing a set of spectral data, the set of spectral data including, corresponding spectral data for each of a plurality of samples, the spectral data for each of the plurality of samples having associated therewith at least one constituent value, the at least one constituent value being a reference value for a target substance in the sample which is measured by a independent measurement technique. A plurality of data transforms are applied to the set of spectral data to generate, for each sample, a set of transformed and untransformed spectral data.

Abstract: A video poker game that uses additional cards to enhance the value of some or all winning card combinations (“Reward Cards”). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two Reward Cards are added the traditional fifty-two card deck of playing cards. These Reward Cards do not help form any winning poker hands, but only enhance the value of some or all of the winning poker hands formed using the traditional fifty-two cards in the deck. A single Reward Card would double the payouts; two Reward Cards would quadruple the payouts. As a result, a preferred embodiment offers awards up to four times the traditional awards; maintains the full values of the underlying pay table; minimally impacts traditional poker strategy; and results in an overall return to the player of 99.2948% using a preferred pay table.

Abstract: A slot machine that provides enhanced awards for consecutive spins with winning symbol combinations of any type (“Consecutive Wins”). Enhanced may be defined as any award in addition to the award indicated by the game's base level award schedule. Enhanced awards may include: any type of award (e.g., credits or free spins); any amount of award (e.g., ten times the base level award or five free spins); any combination of awards (e.g., credits and a free spin); and any schedule of enhancement (e.g., five times the base level credits for the first three consecutive wins and ten times the base level credits for any additional consecutive wins). Following any loss, the game returns to the base level award schedule.

Abstract: An individualized modeling equation for predicting a patient's blood glucose values is generated as a function of non-invasive spectral scans of a body part and an analysis of blood samples from the patient, and is stored on a central computer. The central computer predicts a blood glucose value for the patient as a function of the individualized modeling equation and a non-invasive spectral scan generated by a remote spectral device. If the spectral scan falls within the range of the modeling equation, the predicted blood glucose level is output to the patient. If the spectral scan falls outside the range of the modeling equation, regeneration of the model is required, and the patient takes a number of noninvasive scans and an invasive blood glucose level determination. The computer regenerates the individualized modeling equation as a function of the set of spectral scans and corresponding blood glucose values.

Abstract: Shaft enveloping counterweight (10) includes an external weight (12) attached to the outside (23) hollow shaft (22). An internal weight plug (14) is attached to the inside (25) of hollow shaft (22) so that hollow shaft (22) is enveloped by and between the external weight (12) and the internal weight plug (14). In a preferred embodiment, a cap (16) includes a top (24) and a base (26) wherein the base (26) is connected to the internal weight plug (14) and the top (24) is connected to the base (26) and forms and overhanging lip (28). Base (26) is also connected to external weight (12). Further, wrap (40) covers grip core (18), external weight (12), and base (26).