Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preparing a peptide having an N-terminal histidine, and compositions comprising a plurality of peptides prepared by the methods. The methods disclosed herein reduce racemization of the N-terminal histidine in the peptides during the synthesis process, thereby improving the yield and purity of the peptide compositions. Exemplary peptides that can be manufactured with the methods include Exenatide, Lixisenatide, and Liraglutide.

Abstract: A system for dynamic collage layout generation comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: receive a plurality of pictures to arrange into a collage, calculate pairwise distances between the plurality of pictures, arrange the plurality of pictures into one or more groups based on the pairwise distances between the plurality of pictures, calculate a group arrangement cost based on an aspect ratio of the one or more groups, determine an arrangement of the one or more groups based on the group arrangement cost, and place the pictures in a collage layout based on the arrangement of the one or more groups. The disclosure also includes similar methods and computer program products.

Abstract: Implementations relate to sharing images and image albums over a communication network. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method includes determining that a shared album data structure is accessible by a device and includes references to album images. The device determines one or more suggested images from a collection of stored images associated with a user, based on determining sharing scores for the stored images. The sharing scores are based on comparing one or more characteristics of the stored images to one or more corresponding characteristics of the album images. The method includes causing display of the one or more suggested images by the device, receiving a selection of at least one selected image of the suggested images based on received user input, and causing an update of the shared album data structure with the at least one selected image to be accessible over a communication network by recipient users.

Abstract: A setting method of a sale matchmaking system for business categories is provided. The setting method includes the following steps. Firstly, customized business category information of a service business category is received. Then, an input field and a description of the input field from the customized business category information are searched. Then, in response to the searching of the service business category, the input field and the description is displayed.

Abstract: Implementations relate to image feature detection and masking in images based on color distributions. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method to determine a mask for an image includes determining a spatial function for a detected feature depicted in the image, the function indicating pixels of the image relative to an estimated feature boundary. A respective color likelihood distribution is determined for each of multiple regions of the image based on one or more distributions of color values in the regions, including a feature region and a non-feature region. A confidence mask is determined based on the spatial function and one or more of the color likelihood distributions. The confidence mask indicates, for each of multiple pixels of the image, an associated confidence that the pixel is a feature pixel. A modification is applied to pixels in the image using the confidence mask.

Abstract: A sale matchmaking method is provided. The sale matchmaking method includes following steps. Firstly, in response to a specification of service requirement transmitted from a portable electronic device, the specification of service requirement is compared with the specifications of several service providers in a database. Then, several service providers whose specifications match the specification of service requirement (referred as specification matching providers hereinafter) are chosen from the service providers. Then, the specification of service requirement is transmitted to the specification matching providers. Then, in response to the tender information of tenderers, the tender information is transmitted to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying an image by applying an effect to an image are described. The effects include a pop effect, a light adjustment, or a color adjustment to an image. The methods and systems include providing a user slider to for applying an effect to the image. The methods and systems further include determining a first portion of the image including a face and creating a protection mask to protect the face in the first portion during image modification. The protection mask may include an enhancement threshold for modifying the first portion of the image. The modification of the image may include modifying the second portion of the image differently than the first portion of the image. A method for enforcing different resolutions of a same input image to produce similar visual results is also described.

Abstract: A method of selectively etching a semiconductor device and manufacturing a BSI image sensor device includes etching a doped silicon substrate with an HNA solution for a predetermined time duration to obtain an etching solution having a concentration C1 of nitrite ions, etching the semiconductor device using the obtained etching solution. Etching the semiconductor device requires an initial concentration C0 of nitride ions that is lower than C1. The HNA solution comprises a hydrofluoric acid (HF), a nitric acid (HNO3), and a acetic acid (CH3COOH). The BSI image sensor device will have a uniform thickness when etched using the thus obtained etching solution.

Abstract: A method of selectively etching a semiconductor device and manufacturing a BSI image sensor device includes etching a doped silicon substrate with an HNA solution for a predetermined time duration to obtain an etching solution having a concentration C1 of nitrite ions, etching the semiconductor device using the obtained etching solution. Etching the semiconductor device requires an initial concentration C0 of nitride ions that is lower than C1. The HNA solution comprises a hydrofluoric acid (HF), a nitric acid (HNO3), and a acetic acid (CH3COOH). The BSI image sensor device will have a uniform thickness when etched using the thus obtained etching solution.

Abstract: A leveling spacer system includes a multiple plates, multiple spacers and multiple knobs. The spacers are threadedly connected to the knobs to clamp the panel members, and the plates are used to connect the spacers and the knobs together with so as to clamp more panel members. The plates and the knobs are located on the top of the panel members, and the spacers are located at the underside of the panel members. When the panel members are leveled, the knobs are removed, and the necks on the spacers are broken to finish the leveling of the panel members.

Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.

Abstract: An amine-free composition and process for cleaning post-chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) residue and contaminants from a microelectronic device having said residue and contaminants thereon. The amine-free composition preferably includes at least one oxidizing agent, at least one complexing agent, at least one basic compound, and water and has a pH in the range from about 2.5 to about 11.5. The composition achieves highly efficacious cleaning of the post-CMP residue and contaminant material from the surface of the microelectronic device without compromising the low-k dielectric material or the copper interconnect material.

Abstract: A wrench includes a wrench body provided with a hollow mounting hole which is mounted on a workpiece which has a plurality of outer sides and a plurality of corners. The mounting hole of the wrench body is provided with a plurality of locking edges and a plurality of receiving grooves. Thus, the receiving grooves of the wrench body receive the corners of the workpiece to prevent the wrench body from contacting the corners of the workpiece, so that the corners of the workpiece will not be rubbed when the wrench body drives the workpiece. In addition, the locking edges of the wrench body press and provide a force to drive the outer sides of the workpiece so that the wrench body can be used to drive the workpiece whose corners have been worn out, without producing slip during operation.

Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.

Abstract: A lock is disclosed including magnetic and mechanical locking features. The mechanical lock means operates in response to an attempt to force open the lock. The mechanical lock means includes a pin and at least one locking element; the mechanical lock means operates by engagement of the at least one locking element with a recess.

Abstract: In an approach for sampling a distribution of segmentations of an image, the segmentations are based on a level set function. For each sample of the distribution, the sampling includes the following, for each of multiple iterations: randomly selecting a set of locations of the level set function, determining a domain of allowed perturbations of the level set function at the selected set of locations, and randomly accepting a perturbation of the level set function according to a criterion corresponding to a biased distribution over the domain of allowed perturbations of the level set function, wherein the bias is selected to increase a probability of accepting the perturbation. The sampling also includes determining the sample of the distribution of segmentations according to a perturbed level set function determined in a final iteration of the multiple iterations for the sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating a payment collection process by enabling a patient to pre-authorize payment for future medical services not covered by the patient's healthcare payer. Rather than sending a statement to a patient instructing the payment to remit an outstanding balance, a practice management system automatically applies electronic funds for the patient's outstanding balance in accordance with terms of a contract executed between the patient and the medical practice at the time of service. By including contract terms such as a predefined maximum charge amount and limited contract duration, patients may feel that their electronic account information is safe and that they will be billed only for what they owe. Additionally, medical practices may have better assurance that remittance for medical services will be paid promptly by patients under the terms of the contract.