Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing credit services is provided. The method includes establishing a first and second minimum levels of eligibility for a first and second set of financing options, respectively. The second set of financing options includes additional credit offer terms for mitigating risk. In response to receiving a request for a financing arrangement that includes the first set of financing options, the method includes performing an eligibility determination for a requester to ascertain which of the minimum levels of eligibility, if any, applies to the requester, and providing a response to the requester based upon results of the eligibility determination. The response includes one of: approving the request for the financing arrangement that includes the first set of financing options, offering the requester other financing arrangement that includes the second set of financing options, and declining the request.

Abstract: Autoband's distributed networking intelligence provides a novel architecture capable of dynamically reconfiguring communications pathways consisting of links whose transmission media are opportunistically and dynamically selectable. At least one constituent node in such automatically configurable transient pathways is mobile, for example, information (source) server, intervening router node(s), gateway server and/or client device. Additionally, Autoband's ad hoc communications pathways may seamlessly and dynamically integrate (i.e., “graft”) into standard fixed node networks such as terrestrial networks, other wireless networks or combinations thereof. These communications may consist of point-to-point or multicast links. An economic market-based approach further assures allocation of available network resources (i.e., bandwidth and processing) needed to achieve the most optimally resource efficient communications pathway configurations for the totality of communications.

Abstract: Using the MBGV GP, NP, and virion proteins, a method and composition for use in inducing an immune response which is protective against infection with MBGV in nonhuman primates is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful in and methods for producing populations of infectious, replication-defective alphavirus replicon particles that contain no replication competent alphavirus particles, as determined by passage on cells in culture. The compositions include helper and replicon nucleic acid molecules that can further reduce the predicted frequency for formation of replication-competent virus and can optimize manufacturing strategies and costs.

Abstract: A method and system for private shipping to anonymous users purchasing goods on a computer or communications network linking users with merchant web-sites for electronic commerce. In a preferred embodiment, a user is issued a proxy identity and the user's mailing address is received and encrypted. The proxy identity and encrypted mailing address are transmitted to a merchant, and decryption information is provided to a shipper. Upon receipt of the encrypted shipping address from the merchant, the shipper can use the decryption information to decrypt the address and generate a package label bearing the true shipping address of the user so that the merchant is prevented from electronically capturing the true identity of the user. The present invention provides for anonymity of a user when browsing and shopping, and integrates easily and simply with existing online infrastructures of banks or credit card issuers, and delivery companies.

Abstract: An inflatable life preserver, capable of being in an inflated state and an uninflated state, is disclosed. The life preserver includes a structural overshell which defines the size and shape of the life preserver in the inflated state and a gas retention bladder fitted within the overshell. The overshell bears the expansion force of a gas within the bladder in the inflated state. The overshell defines inflatable side portions which are confined to sides of at least a portion of a chest area of a wearer, when the life preserver is in an uninflated state, and, which extend laterally over the chest area of the wearer, when the life preserver is in an inflated state.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of substituted halogenated anilines from substituted halogenated 1-chlorobenzenes which comprisesa) reacting a substituted halogenated 1-chlorobenzene selectively with an imine in the presence of a transition metal catalyst complex and a base to form an N-aryl imine; b) hydrolyzing the N-aryl imine; andc) isolating the substituted halogenated aniline.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions and methods that may be used to administer safer (i.e., attenuated) alphavirus vectors (such as alphavirus vectors comprising a VEE virion shell) that retain improved immunogenicity as compared with other attenuated alphaviruses (e.g., the VEE 3014 mutant, described below). In particular embodiments of the invention, the alphavirus vector comprises VEE structural proteins comprising an attenuating mutation in the E1 glycoprotein. In other particular embodiments, the attenuating mutation is in the fusogenic region of the E1 glycoprotein. The present invention enables administration of lower dosages of a safer (i.e., attenuated) virus and, thus, can further reduce manufacturing costs. The present inventors have found that immunogenicity of alphavirus vectors may be influenced by a number of factors including species, site and route of administration.

Abstract: The Location Enhanced Information Deliver System Architecture (LEIA) customizes the information that is displayed to an information recipient based on optimizing a match between information purveyors, such as advertisers, and the information recipients who are local to an information delivery system. The present location enhanced information delivery system presents the information most suited to the real current audience, as measured by location information systems, rather than to a static predicted audience. While the preferred embodiment discloses a beaconing-style wireless technology, the system concept is easily extensible both to other location-information systems, such as license-plate scanning with cameras, and to utilizing the location-information for private displays of information in addition to public displays of information.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and reagents for detecting the binding of protein targets to nucleic acid ligands. Using Universal Protein Stains (UPS), proteins bound by nucleic acid ligands may be labeled with a detectable moiety. The methods and reagents are particularly useful for the detection of protein targets bound to multiplexed arrays of nucleic acid ligands. The present invention also provides novel methods for the multiplexed evaluation of photocrosslinking nucleic acid ligands. The methods allow one simultaneously to: (1) evaluate the performance (dynamic range) of a plurality of photocrosslinking nucleic acid ligands; and (2) assess the specificity of each photocrosslinking nucleic acid ligand for its cognate target protein. Photocrosslinking nucleic acid ligands with the most desirable properties can then be selected for use in diagnostic and prognostic medical assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new solution to reliable communication between automobiles and other communications devices. It relies on multiple available wireless bands and the addition of significant memory buffering to automobiles. The memory buffering is used to enable a new communications model for messages that we call Mobile Message Memory Queues (M3Qs). A significant benefit of the disclosed invention is the ease in which it can be incorporated into an automobile.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides TC-83 VEE-derived replicons, alphaviral replicon particles and immunogenic compositions containing TC-83 alphaviral replicon particles which direct the expression of at least one antigen when introduced into a suitable host cell. The TC-83 VEE-derived ARPs described herein are improved in that they are subject to a lower vector-specific immune response than prior art ARPs.

Abstract: An end plate for closing off the end of an arch shape cross section corrugated stormwater chamber, which receives water for dispersal beneath the surface of the earth, has a dished portion which projects outwardly from the end of a chamber to which it is attached, preferably by means of a flange which engages the corrugations of the chamber. Ribs inside the end plate add strength.

Abstract: Provided herein methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, is at risk of developing, having, or experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease, and methods of treating subjects who are identified by the current methods of being at risk for cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotien A-I related biomolecules in a bodily sample from the subject. Also, provided are kits and reagents for use in the present methods. Also provided are methods for monitoring the status of cardiovascular disease in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with cardiovascular disease. Such method comprising determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related molecules in bodily samples taken from the subject over time or before and after therapy.

Abstract: An inflatable life preserver, capable of being in an inflated state and an uninflated state, is disclosed. The life preserver includes a structural overshell which defines the size and shape of the life preserver in the inflated state and a gas retention bladder fitted within the overshell. The overshell bears the expansion force of a gas within the bladder in the inflated state. The overshell defines inflatable side portions which are confined to sides of at least a portion of a chest area of a wearer, when the life preserver is in an uninflated state, and, which extend laterally over the chest area of the wearer, when the life preserver is in an inflated state.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to an immunogenic composition and method of enhancing immunogenicity and protective immunity induced by any subunit or whole organism vaccine or combination of vaccines comprising administering to the subject a priming immunization preparation containing an antigen or fragment thereof, said preparation being selected from the group consisting of: a recombinant virus expression system; a recombinant protein antigen or a recombinant polypeptide; a synthetic peptide; a polynucleotide vector; a whole organism or extract and combinations thereof; and a boosting immunization of at least one alphavirus replicon containing an antigen or fragment thereof. The inventive subject matter further relates to an immunogenic composition and method of inducing an immune response that activates both cellular and humoral arms of the immune system.

Abstract: A removable door check device for holding a vehicle door hinge in an opened position includes a body, first and second leg portions extending from the body and disposed coplanar to the body, a protrusion portion extending from the body in a direction perpendicular to the body. In addition, a door hinge that includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part, a hinge pin passing through the first and second hinge parts and a removable door check device. The first and second hinge parts are pivotable about the hinge pin between an opened and a closed position. The removable door check device of the hinge is disposed on the hinge pin exterior to the first and second hinge parts engaging the second hinge part in the opened position.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to an immunogenic composition and method of immunizing a subject against malarial disease comprising administering to the subject a priming immunization preparation comprising alphavirus replicons expressing a gene encoding a malarial antigen or combination of malarial antigens and subsequently administering to the subject a boosting immunization preparation comprising the malarial antigen(s) or an expression system containing the antigen(s). The inventive composition and methods result in a robust induction of humoral and cellular immune system responses, including CD8+, CD4+ and antibody responses.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate communication between an associated bus, such as employs a standard bus protocol, and a connector to which a removable SFF device can be attached. A desired operating mode is selected based on the device attached at the connector, such as either to pass the protocol between the bus and device generally unchanged or to implement suitable protocol conversion for such communication. Thus, by configuring the SFF device to appear as device currently supported by the bus, the SFF device can operate at the connector with native operating system support.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door hinge with a hinge axis includes a first hinge part and a second hinge part. The first hinge part has a first arm and a second arm axially spaced from the first arm with the hinge axis passing through the first arm and the second arm. The second hinge part includes a continuous strip of material having a first end, a second end, and a bent section between the first end and second end. The bent section is disposed between the first arm and second arm about the hinge axis. The first end has a first section and the second end has a second section. The first section and second section are parallel and fixed relative to each other.