Abstract: Issuing a debit card associated with only non-personally identifying information includes communicating among an input device, a network coupling, and a card dispenser. The input device is configured to receive a new account request. The new account request includes only non-personally identifiable information. The network coupling is configured to send the new account request to an acquirer processor and to receive an approval response from the acquirer processor. The card dispenser is configured to dispense a debit card to the user based on the approval response received from the acquirer processor. The debit card includes only non-personally identifiable information. The non-personally identifiable information includes the account number.

Abstract: A well plate (1) for holding samples of a bodily fluid during analysis thereof, typically in an analytical apparatus, comprises a plate (2) having a plurality of first wells (3) extending downwardly therefrom for holding a sample during optical analysis of the sample, and a plurality of second wells (4) for holding samples during mechanical analysis of the samples. A plurality of holding wells (8) are provided for initially receiving and holding samples of the bodily fluid to be analysed so that samples of relatively accurate size can be pipetted from the holding wells (8) to the first and second wells (3,4).

Abstract: A choked-flow orifice gas gauge proximity sensor for sensing a difference between a reference surface standoff and a measurement surface standoff is disclosed. Unlike existing proximity sensors, the gas gauge proximity sensor of the present invention replaces the use of a mass flow controller with a choked flow orifice. The use of a choked flow orifice provides for reduced equipment cost and improved system reliability. A gas supply forces gas into the proximity sensor. The gas is forced through the choked flow orifice to achieve sonic conditions at which time the mass flow rate becomes largely independent of pressure variations. The flow of gas proceeds from the choked flow orifice into a sensor channel system. A mass flow sensor within the sensor channel system monitors flow rates to detect measurement standoffs that can be used to initiate a control action.

Abstract: A dispenser having a faceplate that can be removed and attached to the housing of the dispenser without the use of tools. The dispenser may have a track system. The track system may be positioned in or removed from the dispenser without the use of any tools. The dispenser, including the housing and/or the track system, may be curved. The faceplate may be angled away from the surface upon which the dispenser is positioned. The faceplate may also be curved away from the housing to form an interior surface in the faceplate. The interior may have features for desired dispensing characteristics.

Abstract: A vacuum-driven gas gauge proximity sensor for sensing a difference between a reference surface standoff and a measurement surface standoff is disclosed. Unlike existing proximity sensors, the vacuum-driven gas gauge proximity sensor uses a vacuum to reverse the traditional flow of gas through a proximity sensor, such that gas flows inward across measurement and reference standoffs through measurement and reference nozzles. The conditioned ambient gas that is vacuumed into the reference and measurement nozzles flows through reference and measurement channels that are coupled at a junction into a single channel. The single channel is coupled to the vacuum that is used to evacuate the conditioned ambient gas through the proximity sensor. A bridge channel couples the reference and measurement channels. A mass flow sensor along the bridge channel monitors flow rates to detect measurement standoffs that can be used to initiate a control action. A pump-driven liquid flow proximity sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-ventilating shoe assembly including an upper having an outer layer, a porous middle layer, and an inner layer; and a sole including an outsole; is provided with one or more passageways or chambers connecting between the outsole and the porous middle layer of the upper. One or more external vent openings are in fluid communication with the one or more passageways or chambers. Cooling ambient air is moved by convection and by a pumping action from the external vent openings through the passageways or chambers up through the porous middle layer of the upper, and optionally, the insole, providing cooling and reducing moisture in the cavity containing the wearer's foot.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustable shoe footbed system which allows for varying the width of a shoe. The footbed system consists of an upper member and a set of detachable lower members of various thicknesses. The effective width of a shoe can be varied by the proper choice of lower member.

Abstract: An adapter for a cup dispenser that can be used to replace flexible diaphragms so as to improve wear characteristics. Each adapter is preferably interchangeable with other adapters sized to accommodate other different cup sizes and shapes. The adapter includes two or more rows of preferably offset restrictions to stage and separate cups for easy dispensing. The invention also comprises a cup dispenser incorporating such an adapter and a method of interchanging a flexible diaphragm with such an adapter.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing and providing responses to keyword search queries and other queries. One of a plurality of memory devices for storing a query answer is selected based on a hash value of the query. The hash value is used to select a permutation for ordering the memory devices. One or more memory devices for storing the query answer are selected based on the ordering. Additionally, stored query answers are updated based on comparing a storage time to one or more threshold values.

Abstract: A unique object navigation system, user interface, and method that facilitate faster and smoother navigation of objects are provided. For example, the system can generate a plurality of objects that can be rendered on a display space that spans a single page in length, thereby mitigating the need to navigate through multiple pages. The system can determine the length of the page according to the number of objects generated. To view off-screen objects, an infinite scroll component can be employed. The amount of scroll space needed to view the plurality of objects can be determined in part by the length of the page and/or by the number of objects. The objects can also be viewed in a film strip format that is infinitely scrollable. The film strip view allows a view of the objects to be maintained while also viewing a selected object in greater detail at the same time.

Abstract: A choked-flow orifice gas gauge proximity sensor for sensing a difference between a reference surface standoff and a measurement surface standoff is disclosed. Unlike existing proximity sensors, the gas gauge proximity sensor of the present invention replaces the use of a mass flow controller with a choked flow orifice. The use of a choked flow orifice provides for reduced equipment cost and improved system reliability. A gas supply forces gas into the proximity sensor. The gas is forced through the choked flow orifice to achieve sonic conditions at which time the mass flow rate becomes largely independent of pressure variations. The flow of gas proceeds from the choked flow orifice into a sensor channel system. A mass flow sensor within the sensor channel system monitors flow rates to detect measurement standoffs that can be used to initiate a control action.

Abstract: A vacuum-driven gas gauge proximity sensor for sensing a difference between a reference surface standoff and a measurement surface standoff is disclosed. Unlike existing proximity sensors, the vacuum-driven gas gauge proximity sensor uses a vacuum to reverse the traditional flow of gas through a proximity sensor, such that gas flows inward across measurement and reference standoffs through measurement and reference nozzles. The conditioned ambient gas that is vacuumed into the reference and measurement nozzles flows through reference and measurement channels that are coupled at a junction into a single channel. The single channel is coupled to the vacuum that is used to evacuate the conditioned ambient gas through the proximity sensor. A bridge channel couples the reference and measurement channels. A mass flow sensor along the bridge channel monitors flow rates to detect measurement standoffs that can be used to initiate a control action. A pump-driven liquid flow proximity sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: We describe a method to manipulate the phenotype of stem cells, preferably pluripotential stem cells including nucleic acids and vectors used in said methods.

Abstract: Electrostatic printing processes utilize corona-charging units. When those units wear out or become faulty, they need to be replaced. This embodiment provides a tool that can be used to remove a faulty electrode wire assembly from the unit. This same tool when loaded with a new wire assembly can insert a new wire assembly into the emptied corona charging unit, sometimes referred to as a dicorotron unit. The tool, therefore, is used both to remove or insert a wire assembly from or into a dicorotron unit.

Abstract: A system and apparatus that removes and collects non-functional wire assemblies from dicorotron units is described. It has a removal tool mounted on the top of a storage box. The removal tool has an open top and bottom, the open bottom is aligned with an opening in the top of the box to permit a dislodged wire assembly to fall therethrough.

Abstract: A vaccine for the treatment or prophylaxis of C. difficile associated disease comprises a C. difficile gene or a C. difficile peptide/polypeptide or a derivative or fragment or mutant or variant thereof which is immunogenic in humans. The gene encodes a C. difficile surface layer protein, SlpA or variant or homologue thereof. The peptide/polypeptide is a C. difficile surface layer protein, SlpA or variant or homologue thereof. The vaccine may comprise a chimeric nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting artificially generated load on a search system. The system may include a load monitoring component for monitoring a current load for comparison with an expected load. The system may additionally include an abnormality detection component for detecting an abnormality when the monitored load exceeds an expected amount by a predetermined threshold. The system may further include an analysis component for determining if the monitored load is an artificial load.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing and providing responses to keyword search queries and other queries. One of a plurality of memory devices for storing a query answer is selected based on a hash value of the query. The hash value is used to select a permutation for ordering the memory devices. One or more memory devices for storing the query answer are selected based on the ordering. Additionally, stored query answers are updated based on comparing a storage time to one or more threshold values.