Abstract: A method and system for optimizing surface coverings having user input representative of a construction project, floor plans representative of the project including optional configurations of the plans, user input for selection from a plurality of the plans and options and creating data points representative of one of the plans, merging the plan and options into a set of data points representative of a final plan set, determining room surface selections from user input, deriving contiguity data from the surface areas representative of the surface selections; and optimizing price of floor materials for selected criteria based on pre-determined rules. The system and method weights traffic flow based on room configurations and determines optimal cuts of materials to minimize seams. Further, the system packs the cut materials optimally to fit standard sheet material such as carpet and vinyl.

Abstract: A method includes describing the thread configurations of a volume of well-ordered electronic message transmissions (EMT) and utilizing the thread configuration data to conduct selective searches of the EMT volume. An apparatus includes a thread processor and a query manager. The thread processor analyzes the EMT threads and records the thread configuration data. The query manager utilizes the thread configuration data to conduct selective searches of the EMT volume.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for building an index. A new indexi+1 is built and an anchor text tablei+1 and a duplicates tablei+1 are output using a storei, a delta store, and previously generated global analysis computationsi, wherein the previously generated global analysis computationsi include an anchor text tablei, a rank tablei, and a duplicates tablei. New global analysis computationsi+1 are generated using the anchor text tablei+1, the duplicates tablei+1, and the previously generated global analysis computationsi.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to persist external index data in a database are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes maintaining a database including a first data table that is configured to store data in a database format and a second data table that is configured to store index data. The index data represents an index of a first portion of the first data table, and the index maintained externally to the database by an index manager. The method also includes generating a data update representing a modification to the first data table and communicating the data update to the index manager. The method further includes receiving index update data from the index manager representing a modification to the index as a result of the data update and applying the index update data to the second data table.

Abstract: A method includes describing the thread configurations of a volume of well-ordered electronic message transmissions (EMT) and utilizing the thread configuration data to conduct selective searches of the EMT volume. An apparatus includes a thread processor and a query manager. The thread processor analyzes the EMT threads and records the thread configuration data. The query manager utilizes the thread configuration data to conduct selective searches of the EMT volume.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing costs associated with life settlement transactions include an initial economic evaluation and a targeted but abbreviated verification of information provided by a potential customer and gathering of additional information, followed by a conditional offer for those policies that satisfy the economic criteria (e.g., face value of policy, stated life expectancy, etc.) and for which the abbreviated verification is positive. The verification and additional information may be performed by one or more of following: 1) a query of a prescription database in which the identity and use of the prescription drugs identified by the customer are determined; 2) a questionnaire filled out by a physician treating the patient for a particular illness; and 3) a telephone inquiry of the insured. If the additional information and verification are consistent with the initial information, the life settlement is completed.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to antibodies with increased ADCC activity. Methods of producing such antibodies are also provided. The antibodies of the invention are produced in mammary epithelial cells, such as those in a non-human transgenic animal engineered to express and secrete the antibody in its milk. The antibodies or compositions comprising the antibodies can be used to treat disease in which ADCC activity provides a benefit. In one embodiment, therefore, the antibodies or compositions comprising the antibodies can be used to treat cancer, lymphoproliferative disease or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for building an index. A new indexi+1 is built and an anchor text tablei+1 and a duplicates tableti+1 are output using a storesi, a delta store, and previously generated global analysis computationsi, wherein the previously generated global analysis computationsi include an anchor text tablei, a rank tablei, and a duplicates tablei. New global analysis computationsi+1 are generated using the anchor text tablei+1, the duplicates tablei+1, and the previously generated global analysis computationsi.

Abstract: This invention seeks to provide means by which transgenic plants harbour within their genome a chimaeric gene which when expressed produces a protein having a cytotoxic effect. Cytotoxicity is achieved by way of a protein or part thereof capable of blocking cellular protein synthesis, such as a maize ribosome inactivating protein or part thereof. The chimaeric gene may comprise a promoter operably linked to a sequence encoding a protein capable of blocking cellular protein synthesis such that the promoter is inducible at and/or adjacent to a target site.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods to diagnose and treat polycystic disorders by inhibiting the biological activity of a gene now correlated with appearance of this disorder. By way of illustrative only, the Tissue Growth Factor-alpha (TGF-?) gene is an example of such a gene. Also provided by this invention are compositions and methods to treat or ameliorate abnormal cystic lesions and diseases associated with the formation of cysts in tissue. The methods and compositions treat and ameliorate pathological cyst formation in tissue by inhibiting or augmenting gene expression or the biological activity the gene expression product, or its receptor.

Abstract: Methods for producing antibody-based therapeutics with enhanced ADCC activity are disclosed. The enhanced ADCC activity is attributed to oligomannose-type N-glycans on the antibodies and Fc fusion proteins of the invention. Also disclosed are methods of using such antibody-based therapeutics for targeted killing of cells in a mammal, including therapeutic methods of treating cancers, autoimmune diseases and other diseases.

Abstract: A method includes describing the thread configurations of a volume of well-ordered electronic message transmissions (EMT) and utilizing the thread configuration data to conduct selective searches of the EMT volume. An apparatus includes a thread processor and a query manager. The thread processor analyzes the EMT threads and records the thread configuration data. The query manager utilizes the thread configuration data to conduct selective searches of the EMT volume.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for processing a search request. One or more indexed levels of access control list information are stored in a search index for each document identified in the search index. An interim result set is generated by matching the one or more indexed levels of access control list information associated with each said document to one or more security groups associated with the search request. A final result set is generated from the interim result set by performing impersonation.

Abstract: A method for indexing a plurality of documents, that includes a plurality of duplicate documents, first identifies one or more duplicate groups of documents from among the plurality of documents. Then, one index of content for the duplicate group is created instead of indexing the content from every document within the duplicate group. However, in contrast to the content index, an index of metadata for each of the documents in the duplicate group is created. Thus the content of each duplicate group is indexed only once, while a search engine using such indexing techniques retains the capability to answer queries as if the duplicated content was indexed for each document of the group.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating or preventing bone degenerative disorders. The disorders treated or prevented include, for example, osteopenia, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteomyeloma, osteodystrophy, Paget's disease, osteogenesis imprerfecta, and bone degenerative disorders associated with chronic renal disease, hyperparathyroidism, high levels of endogenous thyrotropin, and long-term use of corticosteroids. The disclosed therapeutic methods include administering to a mammal a TSHR agonist in an amount effective to: (1) treat or prevent a bone degenerative disorder; (2) slow bone deterioration; (3) restore lost bone; (4) stimulate new bone formation; and/or (5) maintain bone mass and/or bone quality. TSHR agonists such as thyrotropin and its modified forms are provided along with other compounds, such as anti-resorptive agent and bone metabolic agents.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method and apparatus are disclosed for dynamically assigning a public network address for a private network host in response to a request generated external to the private network. A requesting host desiring access to a host with the private network queries a domain name server for the public network address of the private network host. Then, the domain name sever queries a network address translator of the private network, and receives a reply indicating a dynamically allocated public network address for the specified private network host. The requesting host can then use this returned public network address for communicating with the private network host. In this manner, a set of public addresses can be shared, with a public network address being dynamically allocated to a private network host in response to a request for access by a host external to the private network. Moreover, a public network address is assigned to a private network host for a limited period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for building an index in which global analysis computations and index creation are pipelined, wherein the global analysis computations share intermediate results.

Abstract: Modified proteinase inhibitors having enhanced inhibition efficacy when compared to the naturally occurring counterparts. Also provided are polynucleotide molecules encoding the modified proteinase inhibitors, vectors and other recombinant nucleic acid constructs, transgenic cells, and transgenic organisms that comprise the polynucleotide molecules. Further disclosed are methods for producing the modified proteinase inhibitors, and methods and compositions for increasing the resistance of a cell or an organism to proteolytic damages, particularly the damages caused by a pest or a pathogen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for improving resistance or tolerance of a plant to a pathogen, wherein the method comprises integrating a DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising at least two anti-pathogenic proteins or protein domains joined by at least one linker peptide, wherein the first anti-pathogenic protein or protein domain comprises Oc-I&Dgr;D86 or Oc-I and the second anti-pathogenic protein or protein domain comprises CpTI.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer, characterised in that it carries a covalently bound chromophoric marker. The antimicrobial polymer is preferably a cationic antimicrobial polymer, especially a poly(hexamethylenebiguanide). Also claimed are compositions containing the antimicrobial polymer, a method for treating a medium using the antimicrobial polymer and a method for detecting the antimicrobial polymer in a medium.