Abstract: The system includes automated methods for managing risk associated with investment products. A logic engine executes portfolio realignment and contract benefit calculations according to timing rules or event-based triggers. The investment product may provide a guaranteed withdrawal benefit option that allows for a variety of investment, payment, withdrawal, fee and termination options.

Abstract: Automated methods for managing risk associated with investment products is disclosed. A logic engine executes portfolio realignment and contract benefit calculations according to timing rules or event-based triggers. The investment product may provide a guaranteed withdrawal benefit option that allows for a variety of investment, payment, withdrawal, fee and termination options.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the purification, concentration and identification of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored proteins (GPI-APs) from a biological sample (cells, tissues and/or blood/serum) in a patient or subject, including a human patient or subject. A new method to separate GPI-anchored glycoproteins, a class of glycoproteins found in all animal cells and fluids including serum, from other glycoproteins and proteins for the purpose of identifying potential biomarkers for various diseases, including cancer, especially breast cancer, vaginal cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. The method uses the alpha-toxin from Clostridium septicum to separate GPI-anchored glycoproteins for identification and optionally quantification. The GPI-APs so obtained may be used to raise antibodies for inclusion in an immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis or the monitoring of therapy of cancer in a patient.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing vibrations of a variable speed rotating body. The method includes producing a signal that is proportional to an acceleration of the rotating body and producing a plurality of pulses. Each pulse represents a revolution of the rotating body and is indicative of a vibration sample at a rotational position of the rotating body. The signal is converted to a numeric value that is indicative of a vibrational amplitude of the rotating body. The plurality of pulses are converted to revolution time periods indicative of a rotational rate of the rotating body. The method also includes producing a harmonic vibrational amplitude at a harmonic of the rotational rate of the rotating body, and representing a phase of the harmonic vibrational amplitude relative to the rotational position of the rotating body.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing vibrations of a variable speed rotating body. The method includes producing a signal that is proportional to an acceleration of the rotating body and producing a plurality of pulses. Each pulse represents a revolution of the rotating body and is indicative of a vibration sample at a rotational position of the rotating body. The signal is converted to a numeric value that is indicative of a vibrational amplitude of the rotating body. The plurality of pulses are converted to revolution time periods indicative of a rotational rate of the rotating body. The method also includes producing a harmonic vibrational amplitude at a harmonic of the rotational rate of the rotating body, and representing a phase of the harmonic vibrational amplitude relative to the rotational position of the rotating body.

Abstract: Automated methods for managing risk associated with investment products is disclosed. A logic engine executes portfolio realignment and contract benefit calculations according to timing rules or event-based triggers. The investment product may provide a guaranteed withdrawal benefit option that allows for a variety of investment, payment, withdrawal, fee and termination options.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of calculating a value of a benefit for an annuity contract including a minimum contract accumulation value provision is disclosed. The method includes determining a current minimum contract accumulation value, determining a current value of the annuity contract investments, determining a predetermined reset percentage contained in the annuity contract, calculating the product of the current value of the annuity contract investments and the reset percentage and a fifth step of resetting the minimum contract accumulation value to the greater of the minimum contract accumulation value or the product of the current value of the annuity contract investments and the reset percentage.

Abstract: A dual manicure and pedicure support apparatus for supporting a user's hand or foot to facilitate care of fingernails or toenails. In one embodiment, a body member includes a generally planar base, an upper work surface, and a front work surface sloped for receiving a hand or a foot thereon. The body member includes a generally trapezoidal side-profile and is composed of flexible material. The upper work surface includes a plurality of holes and slots for storage of items utilized during a manicure or pedicure. The body member includes opposed sides curved inwardly to allow positioning between the user's legs during a manicure. The back side includes an enclosure covered by elastic netting for storage of utensils used in the manicure or pedicure. The body member is easily moved from between a user's legs for a manicure to a position for a pedicure without modifying the body member.

Abstract: An automated identification system comprises a first classification station which uses two laser sources and video imaging techniques to identify and distinguish between similar items such as, for example wooden cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Each laser produces a fan-shaped plane of light, perpendicular to the other, on front face of the door. The fan shaped planes of light produce a first profile stripe in the horizontal direction across the width of the door face and a second profile stripe in the vertical or length direction. A first video camera captures the image of the profile stripe across the width of the door. A second camera is used to capture the profile stripe in the vertical direction to determine whether the panel shape is square or cathedral shaped. A feature-based approach is used to process the captured profile stripes and compare them to a library of known profiles. A third camera, placed substantially parallel to the first camera captures the width measurement of the door.