Abstract: A simplified TV viewer response system coupled to a telephone system enables a viewer/subscriber to respond to television displays by dialing a special code less than six digits. The code is routed to an enhanced services server. The server captures the dial string including the caller ID, checks the caller ID against a subscriber/viewer profile and maps the caller ID to the cable company providing service to the viewer/subscriber. The server delivers the response to the cable television company which processes the response according to the selected items or choices in the TV screen. Several special dialing codes of limited digits expedite viewer/subscriber selections. Each code includes a special character to route the dialing string to the server. The system provides sound recognition of viewer/subscriber selections.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes a network, a first application running on a first Host computer system (First Host) (102) coupled to the network, and a second application running on a second Host computer system (Second Host) (122) coupled to the network. The first application issues an Extended PING command (300) for sending an Extended ECHO message (380) from the First Host (102) into the network and directed to the second application in the Second Host (122). The second application in the Second Host (122), in response to receiving the Extended ECHO message (380), issues an Extended PING command (300) for sending an Extended ECHO reply message (380) into the network and directed to the first application to measure the full loop-back network latency of communicating a message application-to-application across the network.

Abstract: Evaluation of a sample for the presence and qualitative nature of a microorganism can be performed in a single vessel by combining a natural abundance DNA sample with a sequencing mixture containing a primer pair, a thermally stable polymerase such as ThermoSequenase™ which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending nucleic acid polymer at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleotides, nucleotide triphosphate feedstocks, and a chain terminating nucleotide triphosphate. The mixture is processed through multiple thermal cycles for annealing, extension and denaturation to produce a product mixture which is analyzed by electrophoresis.

Abstract: A method for providing privately viewable data in a publically viewable display comprises the steps of: generating a sequencing pattern; generating a data signal having interspersed frames of private data among frames of masking data according to the sequencing pattern; providing the data signal to the publically viewable display; and, opening and closing shutters in a set of active glasses in accordance with the sequencing pattern. In one embodiment, the sequencing pattern can correspond to alternating displays of the private data and the masking data. In an alternative embodiment, the sequencing pattern can correspond to combined left eye/right eye images of the private data. In the preferred embodiment, the masking data can be a fill pattern, for example, random data or a screen saver image. However, in another embodiment, the masking data can be a derivation of the private data.

Abstract: This concerns a method and system for using virtual trading stamps to conduct commerce on public data networks such as the Internet. Virtual trading stamp offers are distributed through the network to network users. These offers are presented on viewable pages of material and may have ancillary or no relevance to other information presented on the same pages. Offers may be presented in the form of icons having the appearance of trading stamps. Sponsors of such offers arrange for their distribution with hosts of what are termed cool sites on the networks (e.g. operators of popular or frequently “surfed” sites). A page transmitted from a cool site may contain plural offers from one or more sponsors. Each offer/icon is linked to a program applet designed to establish network contact with a stamp server when the respective icon is selected (“clicked on”) by a viewer.

Abstract: Samples are tested for mutations in the BRCA1 gene using a hierarchical approach. First, each sample is amplified in one or more multiplex PCR amplification reactions. Each multiplex PCR reaction produces a mixture of amplified fragments. The sizes and amounts of these fragments are evaluated and compared to standard values reflecting the sizes and amounts of fragments produced when the same multiplex amplification is performed on the wild-type BRCA1 gene. Differences between the observed fragment sizes and/or amounts and those for the wild-type gene are indicative of a mutation with the BRCA1 gene of the sample. Next, one or more of the exons of the BRCA1 gene are sequenced, preferably only for those samples where no mutation was detected by analysis of the multiplex PCR fragments. The sequencing procedure can be performed by amplification and sequencing of the multiplex amplification mixture.

Abstract: A method whereby in an individual showing evidence of dysregulation of elements of the Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction (PMD), which is defined as the dysregulation of the metabolism of insulin, glucocorticoids, leptin, resistin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &ggr; (PPAR&ggr;), this regulation is improved when that person receives an appropriate administration of (−)-hydroxycitric acid. The potassium salt of (−)-hydroxycitric acid is a preferred form of the compound, followed by the sodium salt, then by the amide and other salt forms and derivatives of the acid. The regulation of Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction over any given period of time may be improved with a controlled release form of (−)-hydroxycitric acid. Controlled release can be used to provide a sustained and modulated amount of the active to the body as desired and therefore to regulate the use of the compound as Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction regulative agent.

Abstract: HCA Supplementation improves wound healing and immunomodulation/immunoregulation, including improving depressed immune function and also reducing excessive immune activity such as is found in elevated humoral immunity linked to allergies and autoimmune diseases. The benefits of HCA are especially pronounced with the use of the preferred salt of the acid, potassium hydroxycitrate, and may be further potentiated by the use of a controlled-release form of the compound.

Abstract: A method whereby in an individual showing evidence of dysregulation of elements of the Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction (PMD), which is defined as the dysregulation of the metabolism of insulin, glucocorticoids, leptin, resistin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &ggr; (PPAR&ggr;), this regulation is improved when that person receives an appropriate administration of (−)-hydroxycitric acid. The potassium salt of (−)-hydroxycitric acid is a preferred form of the compound, followed by the sodium salt, then by the amide and other salt forms and derivatives of the acid. The regulation of Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction over any given period of time may be improved with a controlled release form of (−)-hydroxycitric acid. Controlled release can be used to provide a sustained and modulated amount of the active to the body as desired and therefore to regulate the use of the compound as Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction regulative agent.

Abstract: A system and method to implement callback for unanswered telephone calls in a Distributed Information System (DIS) adapted for telephony. A calling station and a called station are each connected to the DIS through a local and remote service provider, respectively, each provider including a voice gateway and callback server. A telephone call originated at the calling station by a calling party is processed by the local service provider and the local callback server generates a control message which accompanies the telephone call. The remote service provider processes and connects the telephone call if answered by the called party and sends a message to delete the control message from the local callback server. If the telephone call is unanswered the remote callback server stores the control message and waits for the called party to initiate a return call. When the return call is initiated, the remote callback server sends a message to the local callback server to extend the return call to the calling party.

Abstract: A method for making the potassium and sodium salts of (−)-hydroxycitric acid and mixtures thereof workable, non-hygroscopic and non-reactive in acidic media by encasement in hydrophobic and acidophobic polymers. The calcium and magnesium salts of (−)-hydroxycitric acid likewise can be rendered nonreactive in acidic media. The resulting products are suitable for tableting, encapsulation and use in other dry media for weight loss, appetite suppression, improvements in fat metabolism and postprandial lipemia and other pharmaceutical purposes. Further, the products of this invention can be made nonreactive as components of acidic liquid drink mixes and snack bars and can be used in the production of controlled release administration formats.

Abstract: (−)-Hydroxycitrate (HCA) supplementation constitutes a novel means of reducing the loss in bone mineral content such as that usually found in osteoporosis and the related loss in bone quality (protection against the corticoid-induced loss in non-mineral bone components). Similarly, HCA supplementation constitutes a novel means of reducing stress-induced bone loss and of reducing other forms of bone loss induced by glucocorticoid-related mechanisms. The discovery that HCA has bone loss-moderating effects allows for the creation of novel and more efficacious approaches to preventing osteoporosis and for maintaining normal bone metabolic functioning even in the face of diet and exercise habits which are less than ideal and in the face of chronic stress. Furthermore, this discovery makes possible the development of adjuvant modalities which can be used to improve the results realized through the employment of conventional anti-osteoporosis/bone protective remedies.

Abstract: A caller-controlled barge-in telephone service, managed by telephone systems, intercepts telephone calls directed to instantly busy telephone lines predesignated as objects of this service, and: 1) verifies that the called line is a respectively predesignated object of this service and that the caller is entitled to invoke the service relative to that line; and 2) forms a bridging connection between the caller and parties to a telephone call instantly busying the called line. Verification that a caller is entitled to the service can be implemented by playing a voice announcement requesting the caller to speak or key in an authorization code. If the caller fails to respond or returns an invalid code, the caller is either disconnected or transferred to a voice mail service. Disconnection of the caller may be preceded by a voice announcement (e.g. a spoken “goodbye”).

Abstract: Sequencing of a selected region of a target nucleic acid polymer in a natural abundance DNA sample can be performed in a single vessel by combining the sample with a sequencing mixture containing a primer pair, a thermally stable polymerase such as Thermo Sequenase™ which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending nucleic acid polymer at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleotides, nucleotide feedstocks, and a chain terminating nucleotide. The reaction mixture also includes an unconventional nucleotide and an appropriate enzyme for degradation of nucleic acid polymers containing the unconventional nucleotide. The mixture is processed through multiple thermal cycles for annealing, extension and denaturation to produce a product mixture which is analyzed by electrophoresis.

Abstract: Samples are tested for mutations in the BRCA1 gene using a hierarchical approach. First, each sample is amplified in one or more multiplex PCR amplification reactions. Each multiplex PCR reaction produces a mixture of amplified fragments. The sizes and amounts of these fragments are evaluated and compared to standard values reflecting the sizes and amounts of fragments produced when the same multiplex amplification is performed on the wild-type BRCA1 gene. Differences between the observed fragment sizes and/or amounts and those for the wild-type gene are indicative of a mutation with the BRCA1 gene of the sample. Next, one or more of the exons of the BRCA1 gene are sequenced, preferably only for those samples where no mutation was detected by analysis of the multiplex PCR fragments. The sequencing procedure can be performed by amplification and sequencing of the multiplex amplification mixture.

Abstract: Nucleic acid polymers are sequenced by obtaining forward and reverse data sets for forward and reverse strands of a sample nucleic acid polymer. The apparent base sequences of these forward and reverse sets are determined and the apparent sequences are compared to identify any deviations from perfect complementarity. Any such deviation presents a choice between two bases, only one of which is correct. A confidence algorithm is applied to the peaks in the data sets associated with a deviation to arrive at a numerical confidence value for each of the two base choices. These confidence values are compared to each other and to a predetermined threshold, and the base represented by the peak with the better confidence value is assigned as the “correct” base, provided that its confidence value is better than the threshold. The confidence value takes into account at least one, and preferably more than one of several specific characteristics of the peaks in the data set that were not complementary.

Abstract: A method for searching for data in a data network comprising hyperlinked pages comprising the steps of (1) receiving an initial set of network addresses for pages in the data network; (2) receiving a non-negative integer, N, specifying a chain length; (3) receiving a set of at least one search argument comprising search criteria; and (4) performing a search wherein all pages linked to said initial set of addresses by a chain of distance less than or equal to N are examined for compliance with the search criteria, and all pages meeting such criteria are returned as successful objects of the search. According to optional embodiments, the foregoing method can be implemented as a computer readable medium with instructions for performing the above steps, as an application program, or a browser resident at an end user's computer system. It is also possible to implement as a special purpose information handling system.

Abstract: In a search engine server, a method for searching for data in a data network comprising hyperlinked pages comprising the steps of (1) receiving an initial set of network addresses for pages in the data network; (2) receiving a non-negative integer, N, specifying a chain length; (3) receiving a set of at least one search argument comprising search criteria; and (4) performing a search wherein all pages linked to said initial set of addresses by a chain of distance less than or equal to N are examined for compliance with the search criteria, and all pages meeting such criteria are returned as successful objects of the search. According to optional embodiments, the foregoing method can be implemented as a computer readable medium with instructions for performing the above steps, as an application program, or a browser resident at an end user's computer system. It is also possible to implement as a special purpose information handling system.

Abstract: Sequencing of a selected region of a target nucleic acid polymer in a natural abundance DNA sample can be performed in a single vessel by combining the sample with a sequencing mixture containing a primer pair, a thermally stable polymerase such as Thermo Sequenase™ which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending nucleic acid polymer at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleotides, nucleotide feedstocks, and a chain terminating nucleotide. The reaction mixture also includes an unconventional nucleotide and an appropriate enzyme for degradation of nucleic acid polymers containing the unconventional nucleotide. The mixture is processed through multiple thermal cycles for annealing extension and denaturation to produce a product mixture which is analyzed by electrophoresis.

Abstract: In a reduction process, data in portion buffers are selectively sampled at different sampling rates proportional to their assigned weights. For instance, portions assigned highest weights could be sampled at a reference rate corresponding to the repetition frequency of the originally received frames, portions assigned lowest weights could be sampled at {fraction (1/10)}th the reference rate, and portions assigned weights intermediate the lowest and highest ones could be sampled at rates less than the reference rate but more than {fraction (1/10)}th the reference rate. Accordingly, sampled portions assigned less than highest weights, but containing data representing objects in motion, could be subject to reproduction with less clarity than sampled portions assigned highest weight.