Abstract: A glucagon analogue containing a lactam bridge between a Lysine introduced at position 13 and a Glutamic Acid introduced at position 17, optionally including C-terminal extensions and optionally including a second side-chain/side-chain staple beginning at or C-terminal to residue 20. The second staple may also be an (i, i+4) lactam bridge, an (i, i+3) disulfide bridge between D-Cysteine and L-Cysteine or an (i, i+7) disulfide bridge between L-Cysteine and L-Cysteine. A fusion protein containing an N-terminal lactam-stabilized glucagon analogue as above and a C-terminal single-chain insulin (SCI) analogue wherein the C domain of the SCI contains 4-11 residues is also disclosed herein. A method of treating a patient with diabetes mellitus comprises the subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or oral administration of a physiologically effective amount of the glucagon analogue or glucagon-SCI fusion protein is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining a scan sequence for magnetic resonance imaging—MRI. The method comprises: receiving an indication of one or more selected imaging parameters for the MRI; and based on the selected imaging parameters, determining the scan sequence usable by an MRI apparatus to perform the MRI, wherein determining the scan sequence comprises configuring the scan sequence to modulate gradient noise arising from the MRI apparatus during the MRI to deliver a first audible signal to the patient, wherein the first audible signal is configured to perform auditory stimulation of slow wave activity in the patient.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of assessing the quality of a database mapping. Fields of a source file are mapped to fields of a target database using a database mapping. A sampled subset of the records in the source file are converted to records in the target database using the field mappings, wherein the quality of the records in the source file is presumed to be high. A data validator is selected from a plurality of different data validators, wherein the selection is made based at least in part on the purpose of the target database. A sampled subset of the converted records are tested with the selected data validator to determine the quality of the database mapping.

Abstract: There is provided a method for analyzing data collected from network nodes, the method executed by a server connected to at least one website and at least one consumer node, comprising: identifying a transaction request at a website hosted by a web server, the transaction requested by an entity associated with a consumer node; identifying at least one key person associated with the entity; collecting, from a plurality of network nodes, metadata associated with the at least one key person; analyzing the metadata to create at least one characteristic of the at least one key person; generating a dynamic transaction standing based on the at least one characteristic; determining whether the dynamic transaction standing satisfies a transaction requirement associated with the transaction request; and transmitting, to a node associated with the at least one key person, at least one offer when the dynamic transaction standing satisfies the transaction requirement.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method for graphically indicating and allocating conference resources. The method includes providing a location-resource data hierarchy, the location-resource data hierarchy having at least one collection of rooms, the at least one collection of rooms having at least one room, the at least one room having an associated location and an associated booking schedule, and displaying at least one room indicator associated with the at least one room in a room-collection view, wherein the at least one room indicator is displayed in accordance with the booking schedule of the corresponding at least one room.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of assessing the quality of a database mapping. Fields of a source file are mapped to fields of a target database using a database mapping. A sampled subset of the records in the source file are converted to records in the target database using the field mappings, wherein the quality of the records in the source file is presumed to be high. A data validator is selected from a plurality of different data validators, wherein the selection is made based at least in part on the purpose of the target database. A sampled subset of the converted records are tested with the selected data validator to determine the quality of the database mapping.

Abstract: A computerized stored library of a plurality of database mappings is provided. Each database mapping represents the manner in which fields of a source database maps to fields of a target database. When a source database needs to be mapped to a target database, one or more of the database mappings are selected from the library and used to perform a mapping. Data transformations may be performed on one or more of the fields of the source database during the mapping.

Abstract: A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is installable in an opening of a workpiece and includes an outer member and a fastener. The fastener is movable through a passageway of the outer member. The fastener includes a mandrel and a stem. The mandrel is dimensioned to radially expand the outer member. The stem has an expansion portion and a propping portion. The expansion portion radially expands the outer member after the outer member has been expanded by the mandrel. The propping portion keeps the expanded outer member in an installed expanded configuration. The outer member and fastener are installed in a single operation to reduce installation time.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for preparing a document for editing. The document includes a first graphical object and at least one variable field or property in a second graphical object that is associated with a property of the first graphical object. The first graphical object has a plurality of properties. A user interface display screen is provided that allows a user to design a document that includes a plurality of graphical objects. Then, a document is created on the user interface display screen. A first graphical object and a second graphical object are added to the document. At least one variable field or property in the second graphical object is identified. The identified field or property in the second graphical object is associated with a property of the first graphical object. In this manner, a document is prepared for editing.

Abstract: A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is installable in an opening of a workpiece and includes an outer member and a fastener. The fastener is movable through a passageway of the outer member. The fastener includes a mandrel and a stem. The mandrel is dimensioned to radially expand the outer member. The stem has an expansion portion and a propping portion. The expansion portion radially expands the outer member after the outer member has been expanded by the mandrel. The propping portion keeps the expanded outer member in an installed expanded configuration. The outer member and fastener are installed in a single operation to reduce installation time.

Abstract: Messages are automatically sent on behalf of dead persons to live recipients. An administration computer receives and stores message information from a plurality of live customers. The message information for each customer includes identity data of the customer, identity data of one or more recipients who are to receive one or more messages from the customer after the customer dies, message data to be sent to the one or more recipients, wherein the message data is the one or more messages, and message sending instructions including timing information regarding when to send the one or more messages after the customer dies. A life/death customer status file is maintained in the administration computer regarding the plurality of customers who previously stored message information in the administration computer. The life/death customer status file is periodically updated by comparing its entries to a current decedent file.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for preparing a document for editing. The document includes a first graphical object and at least one variable field or property in a second graphical object that is associated with a property of the first graphical object. The first graphical object has a plurality of properties. A user interface display screen is provided that allows a user to design a document that includes a plurality of graphical objects. Then, a document is created on the user interface display screen. A first graphical object and a second graphical object are added to the document. At least one variable field or property in the second graphical object is identified. The identified field or property in the second graphical object is associated with a property of the first graphical object. In this manner, a document is prepared for editing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for preparing a document for editing. The document includes a first graphical object and at least one variable field or property in a second graphical object that is associated with a property of the first graphical object. The first graphical object has a plurality of properties. A user interface display screen is provided that allows a user to design a document that includes a plurality of graphical objects. Then, a document is created on the user interface display screen. A first graphical object and a second graphical object are added to the document. At least one variable field or property in the second graphical object is identified. The identified field or property in the second graphical object is associated with a property of the first graphical object. In this manner, a document is prepared for editing.

Abstract: A stent having a body capable of visualization under X-ray fluoroscopic techniques. The stent body includes radiopaque strut members. The stent body can also have a radiopacity gradient along the length of the stent body.

Abstract: Production data is prepared for a print job wherein the production data includes an electronic document defined by a page description language (PDL). The electronic document is stored in a PDL image file. First, a still image proxy of the PDL image file is created, Next, one or more graphical objects are inserted into an image display of the still image proxy and properties of the inserted graphical objects are recorded. The recorded properties of the inserted graphical objects are then used to revise or rebuild the PDL image file so as to match the PDL image file to the inserted graphical objects.

Abstract: A computerized stored library of a plurality of database mappings is provided. Each database mapping represents the manner in which fields of a source database maps to fields of a target database. When a source database needs to be mapped to a target database, one or more of the database mappings are selected from the library and used to perform a mapping. Data transformations may be performed on one or more of the fields of the source database during the mapping.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation and use of stem cells from amniote species (potentially any animal with an umbilical cord, including humans). More particularly the invention relates to obtaining stem cells that are at least multipotent and may be totipotent or nearly totipotent and are envisaged to have a variety of end uses. The cells of the present invention are immunosuppressive and may be used to inhibit the immune response in a subject.

Abstract: A document editing environment is provided that varies based on the type of user. One of a plurality of different types of security levels are assigned to different users who edit documents. A document editing environment is defined for a plurality of different types of documents based at least upon the security level assigned to a user who edits the document. The defined document editing environment is then provided to the user for use in editing a document.