Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating social networks, such as text, video, or audio chat sessions, around recorded media. More specifically, a social network server operates to logically divide the recorded media into a number of time slices, which may be thought of as sliding time windows. When a user within a time slice desires to join a social network during playback of the recorded media, the social network server operates to either add the user to a pre-existing social network associated with the time slice or establish a new social network between the user and additional users within the time slice. As a result, the user may have meaningful social interactions with other users that are at similar points during playback of the recorded media.

Abstract: A system and associated method permit remote monitoring of subsurface structure for purposes of early detection and location of hidden anomalies, e.g., water seepage in levees. Anomalies may be due to sand boils or displacement of underlying soil. Representative systems provide continuous monitoring via two complementary means: parallel pairs of ported (leaky) coaxial cables and a fiber optic cable, each pair of coaxial cables associated with a fiber optic cable. A fiber optic system, with associated light source, processor and display, together with an RF system, provides data to a remote location via telemetry or cellular phone, or both. The fiber optic cable(s) allow monitoring of displacement and vibrations within the structure. The ported coaxial cables, with associated RF source, using the same processor, display and telemetry used with the fiber optic sub-system, provide data for monitoring moisture change correlated to changes in the dielectric constant of surrounding material.

Abstract: A drain fitting comprising a cage having a plurality of apertures extending through the cage; a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit extending at least partially through the cage; and a base cap attached to the cage, the outlet located within the base cap wherein the conduit includes an internal surface that extends from the inlet to the outlet, the internal surface increasing the velocity of the water substantially the length of the internal surface as the water passes from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A limb protection device and a method for applying the limb protection device to a user. The device comprises: an enclosure for enclosing the limb section; and at least one flexible cuff integral with and away from which the enclosure extends, the cuff defining an opening into the device and having a tapered profile arranged to allow, in use, the selection of an appropriately sized opening into the device, whereby the appropriately sized opening in the cuff is selected to stretch around and compress against that part of the user's limb extending therethrough in use, to prevent the ingress of matter into or egress of matter out of the device immediately at the device opening. The device may protect a section of a user's limb.

Abstract: A coreless induction furnace includes a crucible for holding a material to be heated. An induction coil is wound about the crucible. A frame supporting the crucible and the induction coil is wound about the crucible. An induction coil loading arrangement includes at least one clamping assembly for providing a leveraged axial force to an upper side of the induction coil.

Abstract: A gate drive for an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) includes a control and protection module coupled to a collector terminal of the IGBT, an optical communications module coupled to the control and protection module, a power supply module coupled to the control and protection module and an output power stage module with inputs coupled to the power supply module and the control and protection module, and outputs coupled to a gate terminal and an emitter terminal of the IGBT. The optical communications module is configured to send control signals to the control and protection module. The power supply module is configured to distribute inputted power to the control and protection module. The control and protection module outputs on/off, soft turn-off and/or soft turn-on signals to the output power stage module, which, in turn, supplies a current based on the signal(s) from the control and protection module for charging or discharging an input capacitance of the IGBT.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of subjects for the purpose of reducing serum LDL, VLDL, triglycerides and fatty acids, by administering agents which reduce the activity of the bile acid pathway component SHP. Methods and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such agents are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the weight of plant seed, which comprises preparing a genetically modified plant in which gibberellin content has been manipulated in the seed of the plant.

Abstract: A Fizeau or other interferometer is used to provide high resolution, in-situ calibration of an external angle measurement system such as widely spaced high stability plane mirror interferometers (HSPMIs)). The calibrated measurement system then measures mechanical tilt during shearing. The tilt data is used to correct the sheared data, preferably before computation of the rotationally invariant (RI) terms. Alternatively, the data may be used to compute the spurious quadratic term and correct after integration.

Abstract: An “implant and forget” device for interacting with biota after a pre-established time period. Preferably, the biota are fauna and more particularly fish. In select embodiments, the device comprises packaging enclosing an apparatus for timing interaction via opening the packaging. In select embodiments of the present invention, the device is a sealed capsule inserted in fish. Embodiments of the present invention are implanted in triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to facilitate control of aquatic weeds in bodies of water. When the carp have been in the water for a pre-established approximate period of time, toxins in the device are dispensed via long term bioerosion of the sealed opening in the packaging. Otherwise, the carp may destroy all vegetation and harm the aquatic environment for other aquatic life. Several alternative bioerodible seal configurations are provided as embodiments.

Abstract: A plurality of genes modulated by estrogen or other agents, such as hormones or combinations of hormones, in various types of tissue is described. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a plurality of genes, which demonstrates certain patterns of expression differing qualitatively or quantitatively, with and without exposure to estrogen and/or other hormone compositions. Methods of using these genes in identifying candidate agents that exert at least some of the biological effects of estrogen and/or other hormone, and pharmaceuticals and related therapies also is disclosed. The use of the plurality of genes in methods of monitoring, in gene chips and in kits also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a virtual peer for a peer-to-peer (P2P) content sharing system. In general, the virtual peer is a logical construct enabling a number of virtual peer members to appear as a single peer node in the P2P content sharing system. In operation, a sponsoring agent creates the virtual peer and registers the virtual peer with the P2P network. Once registered, the virtual peer appears as a new peer node in the P2P network. In order to provide efficient content sharing, the sponsoring agent operates to obtain metadata describing all or a portion of a number of digital assets shared by the virtual peer members and aggregate the metadata into a single collection of metadata, referred to herein as a metadata catalog, for the virtual peer and may cache all or a portion of the digital assets shared by the virtual peer members.

Abstract: An “implant and forget” device for interacting with biota after a pre-established time period. Preferably, the biota are fauna and more particularly fish. In select embodiments, the device comprises packaging enclosing apparatus for timing interaction via opening the packaging. In select embodiments of the present invention, the device is a sealed capsule inserted in fish. Embodiments of the present invention are implanted in triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to facilitate control of aquatic weeds in bodies of water. When the carp have been in the water for a pre-established approximate period of time, toxins in the device are dispensed via long term bioerosion of the sealed opening in the packaging. Otherwise, the carp may destroy all vegetation and harm the aquatic environment for other aquatic life. Several alternative bioerodible seal configurations are provided as embodiments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for programming a medical infusion pump are disclosed. One method includes displaying a meter having two or more locations, each of the two or more locations representing a corresponding parameter value programmable into the medical infusion pump. The method further includes displaying an indicator having a selectable positional relationship to the meter, the selected position corresponding to a parameter value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating a current condition of a medical infusion pump is disclosed. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store two or more color codes, each color code corresponding to a condition of the medical infusion pump and a color. The apparatus further includes a monitor. The apparatus also includes a programmable circuit in electrical communication with the memory and the monitor, the programmable circuit programmed to generate a graphical user interface displaying a color upon detection of a condition. The method includes, upon detecting a condition in the medical infusion pump, displaying a color on a monitor associated to the medical infusion pump.

Abstract: A coreless induction furnace includes a crucible for holding a material to be heated. An induction coil is wound about the crucible. A frame supporting the crucible and the induction coil is wound about the crucible. An induction coil loading arrangement includes at least one clamping assembly for providing a leveraged axial force to an upper side of the induction coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for modifying a profile of a user device prior to sending the profile to a destination server, wherein the destination server customizes content provided to the user device based on the modified profile. In general, the profile of the user device may include information identifying capabilities of the user device, user preferences, and demographic information regarding a user of the user device. At either the user device or a mediating server interconnecting the user device and the destination server, the profile of the user device is modified based upon one or more rules to provide the modified profile. The modified profile is then provided to the destination server, which customizes content provided to the user device based on the modified profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computerized method for a user to create an advertisement by displaying a plurality of advertising formats for selection by a user; displaying a template corresponding to a selected advertising format; displaying a plurality of product references for selection by the user; displaying on the template a selected product reference to create a proposed advertisement; and creating a preview of the proposed advertisement, all of which may be implemented using the Internet. The invention further relates to a computerized system for creating an advertisement that comprises a template database for storing advertising formats; a product database for storing product references; and a computer to access the databases.