Abstract: A satellite radio receiver includes a display that displays information regarding one or more channels that are not currently being listened to. For a music channel, this information may include the name of the artist, the song title, time left in the song, etc. For a news channel, this information may include the news currently being discussed, the name of the news program, the time remaining, etc. For a sports channel, this information may include the name of the channel, a description of the sporting event, the time remaining, etc. The preferred embodiments include different ways to select which channels are “favorites” and therefore displayed on the display. One way is to keep track of which channels are most frequently listened to, and to display information regarding those channels.

Abstract: A process for prereforming natural gas containing higher hydrocarbons and methane, includes providing a reactor having a nickel catalyst; providing steam, hydrogen, and natural gas containing higher hydrocarbons and methane to the reactor; adding an oxidant to the feedstock, wherein the oxidant provides oxygen in an amount less than the amount required to partially oxidize all higher hydrocarbons to a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen; reacting the oxidant with higher hydrocarbons; and forming a gaseous mixture containing methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, steam and hydrogen substantially free of higher hydrocarbons and oxygen. The gaseous mixture can be reformed. An apparatus for performing the process includes a reactor; a feedstock source containing steam, hydrogen, and natural gas comprising higher hydrocarbons and methane; an oxidant source; valves and pipes connecting the natural gas source, the oxidant source and the reactor; and a nickel-containing catalyst within the reactor.

Abstract: The invention consists of two circular attaching structures and a flexible tether connected between both structures. The invention can be constructed of various materials. One attaching structure, the “Loop” allows any common cigarette lighter to be secured to the invention. It consists of a loop of flexible material that will secure the lighter when inserted. The other attaching structure, the “Band” allows attachment to other objects. The item consists of a band of flexible material with a means to securely attach the opposite ends of the band, facilitating the creation of a loop of variable size that will accommodate many objects. The Loop is also constructed of a flexible material that allows a secure attachment to an object. The flexible tether can be of various lengths and materials that may stretch and/or twist. The tether connects the small loop with the lighter inserted, to the band that is attached to an object.

Abstract: A device and a method for creating and/or maintaining an obstruction free upper airway. The device is configured to fit under the chin of a subject adjacent to the subject's neck at an external location corresponding approximately with the subject's internal soft tissue associated with the neck's anterior triangle. The device is capable of exerting negative pressure on the surface of a subject's neck, displacing the soft tissue forward and enlarging the airway.

Abstract: A satellite radio receiver includes a display that displays information regarding one or more channels that are not currently being listened to. For a music channel, this information may include the name of the artist, the song title, time left in the song, etc. For a news channel, this information may include the news currently being discussed, the name of the news program, the time remaining, etc. For a sports channel, this information may include the name of the channel, a description of the sporting event, the time remaining, etc. The preferred embodiments include different ways to select which channels are “favorites” and therefore displayed on the display. One way is to select one or more channels that are assigned to preset buttons on the radio receiver. Another way is to keep track of which channels are most frequently listened to, and to display information regarding those channels.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of using terminal-phosphate-labeled nucleotides in the presence of a manganese salt to enhance their substrate properties towards various enzymes. Particularly described are methods of detecting a nucleic acid in a sample, based on the use of terminal-phosphate-labeled nucleotides as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases, in the presence of a manganese salt. Further provided are manganese complexes of terminal-phosphate-labeled nucleotides as well as terminal-phosphate-labeled nucleotides with new linkers with enhanced substrate properties.

Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel, and a double sided prism film disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight. The backlight includes a light guide having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and having a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. A plurality of first light sources is arranged along the first side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side. A plurality of second light sources is arranged along the second side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side. The second surface includes a regular array of linear prism or lenticular features.

Abstract: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A light source is disposed along only one of the first side or second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from either the first side or second side. Each segment light source is selectively turned on and off in a particular pattern.

Abstract: An energy-saving assembly of an elongate low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) and at least one elongate extension (2). The low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp includes a light-transmitting discharge vessel (10) enclosing, in a gastight manner, a discharge space (15) provided with a filling of mercury and a rare gas mixture. The rare gas mixture includes at least 50% by volume of krypton. The discharge vessel is provided with a luminescent layer (13). Electrodes (4a; 4b) are arranged in the discharge space for maintaining a discharge in the discharge space. The extensions are provided for connection to the low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp. The extension includes an inductance (3). The length of the low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp together with the length of the extension is adapted to fit a pre-determined mounting distance of tow-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamps.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method track the location of a vehicle during at least a portion of a period of the time associated with an economic transaction so that risks associated with the actual usage of the vehicle can be accommodated in the costs for the transaction. In particular, a determination is made during a time period associated with an economic transaction as to whether the vehicle is located at a location having an increased level of risk. Costs for the economic transaction are then adjusted based at least in part on the presence of the vehicle in a location with an increased level of risk. In one exemplary environment, car rental rates are adjusted based upon the actual usage of a rented vehicle. In another exemplary environment, insurance premiums are adjusted based upon the actual usage of an insured vehicle.

Abstract: Methods of amplification, purification and detection of nucleic acid sequences especially RNA are described. One aspect of the method involves the hybridisation and subsequent ligation of a nucleic acid structure to the nucleic acid sequence desired to be manipulated. The methods require that the nucleic acid structure comprises a double stranded region and a single stranded region. The single stranded region is complementary to the RNA sequence of interest. The double stranded region may also contain additional functionalities which are then used subsequently in the method.

Abstract: The present invention describes terminal phosphate blocked nucleoside polyphosphates that are stable at high temperature and their use in nucleic acid amplification and analysis. Current invention further describes charge modified terminal phosphate blocked nucleoside polyphosphates for improved incorporation and direct loading of nucleic acid sequencing reactions onto separating media.

Abstract: This invention presents a new cDNA amplification method. RNA is first converted to cDNA. The synthesis of cDNA can include a promoter tagged oligonucleotide, and then this cDNA is ligated to form circles (or possibly concatemers). This is then amplified using a Phi29 DNA polymerase based rolling circle and strand displacement amplification. The invention allows for RNA promoter sequences to be attached to the cDNA to facilitate additional amplification through the generation of RNA from the amplified cDNA. The resulting product can then be used to make materials for gene expression studies or other RNA analysis procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are sprayable insect repellent compositions that provide improved skin feel through the incorporation of a powder ingredient. The powder is essentially permanently suspended in the composition by a thickener (e.g. carbomer thickener) so that no shaking to resuspend settled out powder is necessary immediately before the composition is applied to the skin. This is achieved in an aerosol or spritz spray formulation, while avoiding clogging problems. One composition contains ethanol, DEET or picaridin, carbomer thickener, a neutralizer, corn starch powder, water, and gas propellant.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for collaborating application programs executing on a client such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). A shared database on the client is obtained and used as a common launch parameter stack. One or more program entry records are stored in the database and the last program entry record stored is identified as the top of the stack. Each program entry record may include information regarding an application launched on the client. When the last program identified on the stack has completed execution, the last program entry record is popped off of the stack. Thereafter, control is returned to an application that corresponds to the new program entry record on the top of the stack.

Abstract: A braking module includes a braking load, an input terminal, an output terminal, and control logic. The input terminal is adapted to receive a motor drive signal. The control logic is adapted to receive a motor enable signal, couple the output terminal to the input terminal responsive to the motor enable signal being asserted, couple the output terminal to the braking load responsive to the motor enable signal being deasserted, and prevent the coupling of the output terminal to the input terminal responsive to a temperature of the braking module exceeding a predetermined disable set point. A method for controlling a motor includes coupling a drive lead carrying a motor drive signal to a motor lead of the motor responsive to a motor enable signal being asserted. The motor lead is coupled to a braking load responsive to the motor enable signal being deasserted.

Abstract: The present invention describes terminal phosphate blocked nucleoside polyphosphates that are stable at high temperature and their use in nucleic acid amplification and analysis. Current invention further describes charge modified terminal phosphate blocked nucleoside polyphosphates for improved incorporation and direct loading of nucleic acid sequencing reactions onto separating media.

Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.

Abstract: Some engine applications place spatial constraints on heat exchangers, such as oil coolers. In such a case, a heat exchanger having an oblong rather than a circular cross section can satisfy spatial constraints, and with certain internal geometry, may permit improved heat rejection performance while potentially enabling a cost reduction through a reduction in materials. The heat exchanger has a housing which defines a heat exchanging cavity within which a tube bundle is positioned. The tube bundle is made up of a plurality of tubes in a hexagonal packing pattern that are supported by a plurality of baffles. The tube bundle and the housing define a serpentine flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The serpentine flow path includes a plurality of segments that are generally perpendicular to the tubes, and these segments are separated by flow direction changing windows.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an analyte sample is provided that includes the steps of: (a) anchoring the analyte to a nucleic acid template of known sequence; (b) conducting a DNA polymerase reaction that includes the reaction of a template, a non-hydrolyzable primer, at least one terminal phosphate-labeled nucleotide, DNA polymerase, and an enzyme having 3??5? exonuclease activity which reaction results in the production of labeled polyphosphate; (c) permitting the labeled polyphosphate to react with a phosphatase to produce a detectable species characteristic of the sample; (d) detecting the detectable species. The method may include the step of characterizing the nucleic acid sample based on the detection. Also provided are methods of analyzing multiple analytes in a sample, and kits for characterizing analyte samples.