Abstract: This invention relates to methods for predicting replication capacity of a virus based on genotype and identifying targets for antiviral therapy by identifying mutations associated with altered replication capacity. The methods are useful, for example, for identifying previously unknown interactions among viral molecules or between viral molecules and host cell molecules that are essential to viral infection and/or replication. By identifying such interactions, novel targets for antiviral therapy can be identified. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for determining that an HIV has an altered replication capacity. In certain embodiments, the method comprises detecting a mutation in a codon of gag that is selected from the group consisting of 437, 439, 441, 442, 454, 478, 479, and 484.

Abstract: The present invention is a call routing system for use in directory assistance. The call routing system employs a primary call routing device configured to receive directory assistance calls from callers at a first directory assistance system, and determines, for each of the calls, whether they will be handled by the first directory assistance system, or by a second directory assistance system among a plurality of directory assistance systems. A secondary router is also provided, configured to route the calls within the first directory assistance system to the primary call routing device. The secondary router has a default call distribution logic, such that if the primary call routing device is off-line, the secondary call router routes the calls among the first directory assistance system and the plurality of directory assistance systems according to the default distribution logic.

Abstract: A surface treating article including a surface treating member and a fastener including a fiducial. The present invention also provides a preferred method of making a surface treating article that includes to a method of sensing the location of a fasteners on a surface treating web and thereafter cutting the surface treating web around the fastener to provide a surface treating article.

Abstract: A method and system of improving the efficiency of electronic point-of-sale check processing. An electronic payment system infrastructure is positioned at a point-of-sale to support a process by which the MICR data from a paper check is converted into a fully electronic ACH transaction and entered into the banking system for a more rapid, and lower cost clearing process.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating a topical description of text by receiving the text containing input words; stemming each input word to its root form; assigning a user-definable part-of-speech score to each input word; assigning a language salience score to each input word; assigning an input-word score to each input word; creating a tree structure under each input word, where each tree structure contains the definition of the corresponding input word; assigning a definition-word score to each definition word; collapsing each tree structure to a corresponding tree-word list; assigning a tree-word-list score to each entry in each tree-word list; combining the tree-word lists into a final word list; assigning each word in the final word list a final-word-list score; and choosing the top N scoring words in the final word list as the topic description of the input text.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for and method of applying labels, printing images, or scanning a feature on the surface of a substrate. The mechanism (1) comprises a read/write/apply means (4) for reading, writing or applying the information, carried and located relative to a predetermined position by a robotically actuated device. The device comprises a mounting member (5), a support member (6) relatively movable with respect to the mounting member (5) and carrying the said means (4), and at least three pairs of extendable arms (7,8,9) extending between and pivotally mounted on the members (5,6). The arrangement is such that one arm in each of said pairs of arms (7,8,9) cooperates with an arm from another pair of arms. Extension and/or retraction of the arms (7,8,9) causes movement and/or rotation of the support member (6) relative to the mounting member (5), whereby the said means (4) may be located relative to the predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for ensuring that the correct container (10) containing a replenishment fluid is connected to a vessel (26) for that fluid. The container carries one component (18) of a pair of axially engageable members (20). The other (28) is carried by the vessel (26, 27), notably around the necks extending therefrom, so that the members (20, 30) have to engage and nest so as to allow the necks of the container and the vessel to engage fully and thus mount the container on the vessel, one of the members (18, 28) being a moveable fit upon the container (10) or vessel (26), preferably by virtue of being a snap fit thereon, so that the member can be rotated to align its projections (20) with the recesses (30) on the other member.