Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes receiving a request from a client access module to access loan information from a loan system, wherein the request is initiated by a selected one of a client and a participant. A processor determines whether the request is initiated by the participant and retrieves loan information associated with the request. The retrieved loan information is communicated through the client access module to the participant if the request is initiated by the participant.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for determining the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample. The method involves providing a nucleic acid microarray having one or more probes that represent at least a substantial portion of the whole genomic DNA or RNA of the microorganism, hybridizing a labeled DNA or RNA preparation derived from the sample to the microarray, washing the microarray, and observing the presence or absence of a hybridization signal at the position where the one or more probes are located to determine the presence or absence of the microorganism in the sample.

Abstract: A library of query templates and a dictionary that relates keywords to more abstract concepts are first prepared on a computer system. Each template contains one or more typed variables. A query is then generated by entering into the system one or more keywords. Each keyword is abstracted to a concept. Advantageously, each concept may be further refined, for example, by additional abstraction, or by picking one concept from several candidates, or by successive abstraction and rejection of different keywords until an acceptable concept is found. Next, for the concepts that are obtained, the system finds all query templates are then instantiated with those concepts or with the keywords used to form the concepts. The user then selects the most appropriate query from among the instantiated query templates. The invention may be practiced in formulating queries to access any set of information sources.

Abstract: A library of query templates and a dictionary that relates keywords to more abstract concepts are first prepared on a computer system. Each template contains one or more typed variables. A query is then generated by entering into the system one or more keywords. Each keyword is abstracted to a concept. Advantageously, each concept may be further refined, for example, by additional abstraction, or by picking one concept from several candidates, or by successive abstraction and rejection of different keywords until an acceptable concept is found. Next, for the concepts that are obtained, the system finds all query templates are then instantiated with those concepts or with the keywords used to form the concepts. The user then selects the most appropriate query from among the instantiated query templates. The invention may be practiced in formulating queries to access any set of information sources.