Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic bacteria. In particular, it relates to methods for treating or preventing functional GI disorders comprising administering Bifidobacterium longum, such as Bifidobacterium longum ATCC BAA-999.

Abstract: A system for incentivization of communications, comprising an incentivization engine and an auction service, and a method for using such a system for providing incentivization of user communications and user competition for incentives.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head including a trailing surface and a plurality of bond pads in a row, each of which is spaced by a gap from an adjacent bond pad along a width of the trailing surface. Each bond pad includes two side edges spaced from each other across a width of the bond pad, wherein a width of the gap between adjacent bond pads is defined by one side edge of each of two adjacent bond pads, and a top edge extending between the two side edges. The head further includes at least one solder dam including a nonwettable, electrically conductive solder material positioned adjacent to the top edge of at least one of the bond pads.

Abstract: The disclosed deployment testing system includes a test loader that loads and parses test objects and the antecedent test objects on which the selected test object depends, to prepare a test sequence. A database of test objects apply to one or more SUT and specify aspects of deployed SUT configuration that include hardware configuration, active connection of the SUT to other network devices, configuration of the actively connected network devices to accept access by the SUT, presence of files and applications in storage, and services running on the SUT; identify dependencies on antecedent test objects; specify test object features that extend object features found in the antecedent test objects; and override test parameter values in the antecedent test objects. A test executor obtains administrative credentials for accessing and testing a SUT and uses the test and antecedent test objects to verify the SUT; and a test reporter publishes tester results.

Abstract: An oral care composition and method are described in which the composition is free of an anionic surfactant and a fluoride source.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: Transaction and communication systems and methods are disclosed for vendors and promoters. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a deal manager system comprising transaction data associated with the promotional activities of one or more promoters, such as promoters registered with the deal manager system. The deal manager system can process the transaction data and provide compensation to promoters for their promotional activities based at least partly thereon. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the transaction data can be provided to one or more vendors. A vendor may direct that benefits or promotional material be provided to a subset of promoters based at least in part on the received transaction data. The deal manager system may include promoter contact information, and materials provided by the vendor may be conveyed by the deal manager system to certain promoters based on the same.

Abstract: Sensors are deployed within a for-hire vehicle (taxi, limousine, or shuttles, for example) to measure changes in the environment of the for-hire vehicle. The sensors transmit data to a computing system that processes the data to determine the severity of the change in the environment. The aggregate of the severity of the data is used to determine if remedial action should be taken against the driver or owner/operator of the for-hire vehicle. Remedial action may include issuing a citation, fining the driver, or disabling a meter located within the for-hire vehicle. In some embodiments, venues (hotels, airports, nightclubs, or entertainment venues, for example) may restrict the ability of for-hire vehicles to pick up passengers where the aggregate of the severity of the data indicates the drivers may be engaging in careless, reckless or overly negligent driving behavior.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a polyvinyl alcohol composition having higher amorphous polyvinyl alcohol polymer content and various end uses thereof.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring or control can include reconfigurable input and output channels. Such reconfigurable channels can include as few as a single terminal and a ground pin, or such channels can include three or four terminal configuration such as for use in four-terminal resistance measurements. Channel reconfiguration can be accomplished such as using software-enabled or firmware-enabled control of channel hardware. Such channel hardware can include analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion capability, including use of a digital-to-analog converter to provide field power or biasing. In an example, the interface circuit can provide a selectable impedance.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receive a user input; and based on the user input, provide an open instance of a first camera control application on a first apparatus as a corresponding open instance of an at least related camera control application on a second apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle charging station comprising: a container comprising an upper portion having an air duct, and a lower portion comprising a support structure, a smoke detector, a fire-suppressant inlet, and a charging/communications junction, wherein the upper portion is configured to mate with the lower portion to form a weather-tight enclosure around a vehicle, and wherein removal of the upper portion allows for loading/unloading of the vehicle into/out of the lower portion; and a resource control unit (RCU) comprising a processor, an environmental control unit (ECU), a fire-suppressant control manifold, and a charger, wherein the ECU is operatively coupled to the air duct, the fire-suppressant control manifold is operatively coupled to the fire-suppressant inlet, the charger is electrically coupled to the charging/communications junction, and the processor is communicatively coupled to the smoke detector, the charging/communications junction, the ECU, the charger, and the fire-suppressant control manifold.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receive a user input; and based on the user input, provide an open instance of a first camera control application on a first apparatus as a corresponding open instance of an at least related camera control application on a second apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a polyvinyl alcohol composition having higher amorphous polyvinyl alcohol polymer content, a process for making such a polyvinyl alcohol composition, and various end uses thereof.

Abstract: Contact lenses incorporating an array of non-coaxial lenslets with add power that create non-coaxial myopic defocus within the optic zone of the lens may be utilized to prevent and/or slow myopia progression. The positive, non-coaxial lenslets cover about twenty to eighty percent of the central pupil area to deliver positive foci of light in front of the retina to slow the rate of myopia progression.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include securing at least a portion of a first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of a second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead. Such methods may further include automatically translating the bead engaging portion of the tire spreader generally in an axial direction of the tire to displace the engaged portion of the second bead a desired distance to increase the distance between the opposing beads to form a widened interior cavity opening.

Abstract: A reversible ventilation slide inhibitor adapted to be positioned on a sliding member, including: a lockable body with first and second passages, a locking barrel located between the first and second passages capable of being rotated between a locked and unlocked position, and a reversible stop piece with first and second pins. Each of the pins adapted to be inserted into either of the passages, thereby making the reversible stop piece reversible between an active and an inactive position. The reversible stop piece in the active position abuts a sliding member, to prevent movement of the sliding member beyond a fixed point on a track on which the sliding member is adapted to slide. When in the inactive position allows the sliding member to bypass the reversible stop piece to an unrestricted opening distance.

Abstract: A method of element testing is disclosed that includes the steps of weighing a sample, pressing the sample between pads, applying microwave radiation to the sample and pads in the presence of a microwave susceptor material and ashing the pressed sample, adding the pads and the ashed sample to an acid, and forwarding filtrate from the pad-sample-acid mixture to a spectrometer.

Abstract: A starter strip for through-wall-flashing of a cement-based exterior finish and hard siding includes a flashing membrane and a body. The flashing membrane has an inner surface that includes first and second inner surface portions containing self-adhering adhesive. The first inner surface portion is configured to permanently attach to at least one wall substrate. The body includes a first vertical leg having an inner surface attached to the second inner surface portion of the flashing membrane. The first vertical leg includes upper and a lower portions. The body also includes a second vertical leg and an outwardly and downwardly projecting leg extending between the lower portion of the first vertical leg and the second vertical leg. The outwardly and downwardly projecting leg includes first and second pluralities of spaced apertures, configured to relieve cavity air pressure and drain water from the body, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic bacteria. In particular it relates to methods for treating functional GI disorders comprising administering Bifidobacterium longum, such as Bifidobacterium longum ATCC BAA-999.