Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for auditably authenticating the histories of events (e.g. temperature levels) experienced by objects (e.g. pharmaceutical products, foodstuffs, etc.) during storage in repositories such as warehouses and movable shipping vehicles. The method involves a) sensing an event experienced by an object; b) recording an event signal that defines the sensed event; c) transmitting a temporally ordered series of said event signals to a data storage apparatus, said data storage apparatus being operable to store said temporally ordered series of said event signals; and d) safeguarding the aforesaid data storage apparatus against alteration of said stored series of event signals. The safeguarding may be done by selecting a data storage apparatus which is unalterable, such as a write-once-only CD-R disc. Such use of an unalterable medium (e.g.

Abstract: A method of forming an air gap within a semiconductor structure by the steps of: (a) using a sacrificial polymer to occupy a space in a semiconductor structure; and (b) heating the semiconductor structure to decompose the sacrificial polymer leaving an air gap within the semiconductor structure, wherein the sacrificial polymer of step (a) is a copolymer of bis [3-(4-benzocyclobutenyl)] 1,n (n=2-12) alkyldiol diacrylate (such as bis [3-(4-benzocyclobutenyl)] 1,6 hexanediol diacrylate) and 1,3 bis 2 [4-benzocyclobutenyl (ethenyl)] benzene. In addition, a semiconductor structure, having a sacrificial polymer positioned between conductor lines, wherein the sacrificial polymer is a copolymer of bis [3-(4-benzocyclobutenyl)] 1,n (n=2-12)alkyldiol diacrylate and 1,3 bis 2 [4-benzocyclobutenyl(ethenyl)] benzene.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sequential authentication of a user that employ one or more error rates characterizing each security challenge. According to one aspect of the invention, a user is challenged with at least one knowledge challenge to obtain an intermediate authentication result; and the user challenges continue until a cumulative authentication result satisfies one or more criteria. The intermediate authentication result is based, for example, on one or more of false accept and false reject error probabilities for each knowledge challenge. A false accept error probability describes a probability of a different user answering the knowledge challenge correctly. A false reject error probability describes a probability of a genuine user not answering the knowledge challenge correctly. The false accept and false reject error probabilities can be adapted based on field data or known information about a given challenge.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising a plurality of activities comprising, for a shaft of an electric motor, the shaft comprising a runout sensing area: determining an electrical runout value for the runout sensing area; rotating the shaft; and/or heating the runout sensing area of the shaft sufficient to reduce the electrical runout value.

Abstract: Code coverage analysis for uncompiled code, such as scripts, is performed by instrumenting the scripts with log statements, executing the scripts, and analyzing the scripts. The log statements are appended to discrete blocks of the scripts during the instrumenting and are executed when the corresponding scripts are executed. The log statements cause logs to be written to a log file when the corresponding blocks are executed. The log file is subsequently compared to the original scripts to determine what portion and percentages of the code have been executed. Code coverage data is presented in a variety of formats to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for prohibiting unauthorized access of data that is stored on storage drives. Multiple logical partitions are generated. A different unique randomizer seed is associated with each one of the logical partitions. In response to one of the logical partitions needing to access a storage drive, the logical partition transmits a seed to the storage drive. The transmitted seed is associated with the one of the logical partitions. A transmitting one of the logical partitions is unable to transmit a seed that is other than a seed that is associated with the transmitting one of the logical partitions. The storage drive utilizes the transmitted seed to randomize and de-randomize data for the one of the logical partitions. Data randomized for one of the logical partitions cannot be de-randomized for a different one of the logical partitions.

Abstract: A method and computer program product are provided for monitoring integrity of a railroad train and determining passage of the train relative to a plurality of virtual blocks defined by wireless transmissions along a section of track over which the train travels. The virtual blocks provide safeguards for the travel of the train relative to other trains on the section of the track when there is a shared use of the section of track. In aspects thereof, the method allows collecting data useful for evaluating conditions that may affect train integrity from at least one sensing device at a end of train location. The method further allows collecting data at a head-of-train location, with the data collected at the head-of-train corresponding to the type of data collected at the end-of-train location. The data collected at the end-of-train and at the head-of train location is processed to determine whether the entire train has cleared a respective one of the virtual blocks.

Abstract: This invention concerns methods for determining whether an agent preferentially binds to at least one allelic variant of L-SIGN. The invention is also directed to agents that preferentially bind to at least one allelic variant of L-SIGN. The invention also provides methods and agents for treating and preventing disorders associated with infection by pathogens, including hepatitis C virus, that bind to particular L-SIGN allelic variants. The invention further provides methods for predicting the resistance or susceptibility of a subject to pathogen infection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for regulating fluid pressure are described. A fluid regulator with relatively large passages and a high-pressure reserve may improve performance when the regulator is used in a sustained sequence. A smaller area stem piston may make the regulated pressure more independent of the input pressure.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising a plurality of activities comprising, for a shaft of an electric motor, the shaft comprising a runout sensing area: determining an electrical runout value for the runout sensing area; rotating the shaft; and/or heating the runout sensing area of the shaft sufficient to reduce the electrical runout value.

Abstract: The instant invention involves the use of a combination of preparatory steps in conjunction with mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight detection procedures to maximize the diversity of biopolymers which are verifiable within a particular sample. The cohort of biopolymers verified within such a sample is then viewed with reference to their ability to evidence at least one particular disease state; thereby enabling a diagnostician to gain the ability to characterize either the presence or absence of said at least one disease state relative to recognition of the presence and/or the absence of said biopolymer.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system of popping popcorn. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises a popcorn popper, a popped popcorn hopper and a dispensing mechanism in communication with the hopper. By actuation, the dispensing mechanism dispenses one or more servings from the hopper. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a dosing mechanism to provide sequential doses of unpopped corn to the popper to make a plurality of batches of popped popcorn. In another aspect of the invention, a sensor sensing when popped popcorn in the hopper exceeds a pre-determined level or amount and instigates a signal to actuate the dosing mechanism to fill the hopper. In a system according to the invention, a self-contained cabinet includes the popper, hopper, dispensing mechanism and dosing mechanism, as well as a control circuit and actuators to operate the dosing mechanism and dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for assisting in the scheduling of a meeting. A user who desires to schedule a meeting simply inputs the relevant meeting parameters. In response, the computer evaluates a number of possible meeting times by comparing the input constraints against a predetermined set of suitability criteria. Based on this evaluation, the system identifies suggested meeting time(s), and also may identify rooms suitable for each meeting time. The system also calculates an estimated desirability for each suggested meeting time based on its compliance with the suitability criteria. The suggested meeting time(s) and a visual indicator of desirability for each time are then displayed. In addition, the raw free-busy data for each attendee may still be displayed. When the user selects a suggested meeting time, an electronic meeting request is automatically populated with the meeting time and a suitable place associated with the suggested meeting time.

Abstract: End user sorting and filtering of data extracted for report processing can be performed. That is, data can be filtered or sorted subsequent to the execution of underlying queries performed to extract data from a data source. A user can sort or filter data by selecting a set of data values using a filter or sort control attached to a header or to a data field. The scope of effect of the filter or sort within the report may be specified. That is, a specified filter or sort may act locally or may apply globally. Filtering or sorting may apply to other regions of data linked to the filtered or sorted data region according to the specified scope of the filter. A filter or sort may apply to each row of data in the data set, to each row of data in the data region, to each instance of a group or to one or more sets of data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and device for detecting non-nutritive sucking events produced by an infant; patterns comprising such events (i.e., rhythmic sucking patterns, or RSPs); and relating said events and/or RSPs to performance of a disposable absorbent article worn by the infant. The frequency and/or amplitude and/or other characteristics of non-nutritive sucking changes in response to liquid insults introduced to a disposable absorbent article. Accordingly, changes to RSPs offer detectable and measurable indicia of an infant's perception of the performance of a disposable absorbent article. Furthermore, such information may be used to support and/or substantiate marketing communications to consumers, or to guide selection and/or management of research-and-development programs.

Abstract: A shared memory packet switching device includes: a shared memory providing a shared memory space; an input logic unit associated with at least one receive port, and being operative to determine whether the associated receive port is saturated by determining whether a number of packets received via the associated receive port and currently stored in the shared memory exceeds a drop threshold value; a packet routing control unit operative to determine a destination one of the transmit ports for each of the received data packets; and an output logic unit associated with at least one of the transmit ports, the output logic unit being communicatively coupled with the packet routing control unit, and being operative to determine whether the associated transmit port is congested by determining whether a number of packets currently stored in the shared memory that are to be transmitted via the associated transit port exceeds a congestion threshold value, and also being operative to generate an associated output full

Abstract: A series resistance heating cable comprises a heating element extending longitudinally along the cable. The element comprises a material having a positive temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A test system includes a terminal host and a to-be-tested circuit board. The terminal host generates a trigger signal. The to-be-tested circuit board includes a system chip, a memory and a processor. The system chip receives the trigger signal from the terminal host and generates an interrupt. The memory stores a test program code corresponding to the interrupt. The processor receives the interrupt and executes the test program code corresponding to the interrupt stored in the memory to generate a test result. The system chip transmits the test result to the terminal host.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (100) for enhancing security and session persistence can include the steps of authenticating (102) a user within a proximity of a first client device (19), sending (104) authentication data from a wireless scanning device (14) to a security server (16), and initiating (108) a client session at the first client device. Note, authentication data will be sent (106) from the security server to the application server. The method can further automatically log off (110) the user upon leaving the proximity and save the client session at an application server and further automatically authenticate and log-on (114) the user to the client session when entering a proximity of at least one among the first or a second client device. The method can detect (112) the presence of the user using an RFID scanner that detects an RFID tag from a badge held by the user.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of monitoring expression of a plurality of genes in a cell or small population of cells. Preferred methods entail contacting an array of probes with a population of nucleic acids derived from a population of fewer than 1000 cells then determining the relative hybridization of the probes to the population of nucleic acid as a measure of the relative representation of genes from the cells. The invention further provides methods of classifying cells. These preferred methods entail determining an expression profile of each of a plurality of cells then classifying the cells in clusters determined by similarity of expression profile. The invention further provides methods of monitoring differentiation of a cell lineage. These preferred methods entail determining an expression profile of each of a plurality of cells at different differentiation stages within the lineage. These cells can then be classified into clusters determined by similarity of expression profile.