Abstract: Five-Helix protein, which comprises the three N-helices and at least two, but not three, of the three C-helices of the trimer-of-hairpin structure of HIV gp41, separated by linkers, such as amino acid residue linkers, is disclosed. Six-Helix protein, which includes the three N-helices and the three C-helices of the trimer-of-hairpin structure of HIV gp41, separated by linkers, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Inhibitors of HIV membrane fusion and a method of identifying drugs or agents which inhibit binding of the N-helix coiled-coil and the C helix of HIV gp41 envelope protein.

Abstract: A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.

Abstract: A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.

Abstract: A method for charging for a service in a telecommunications/data network, in particular UMTS mobile radio network, transactions which relate to debits being transmitted to a debiting system on network elements which implement a debiting interface, by means of an adapted transmission protocol, a hot-billing protocol which supports a termination message of the debiting system being used as the transmission protocol, a network element which is involved in the debiting transaction transmitting a message to the debiting system both at the start and at the end of the service and the service being timed in the debiting system in parallel with the execution of the service and debiting being carried out in response to the measurement result.

Abstract: Described are the crystal structure of the ?-helical domain of the gp41 component of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein which represents the core of fusion-active gp41, methods of identifying and designing drugs which inhibit gp41 function and drugs which do so.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for billing a communication service to be provided by a service network, whereby service user access to the service network is achieved by means of an access network connected to the service network. In order to be able to bill the communication services to be provided by such a service network in a simple and reliable manner a service usage request is assigned a code, the service usage request and the code are transmitted from the access network to the service network, a desired service corresponding to the service usage request is provided by the service network using the access network, at least one service-billing message, including the code is sent to a billing unit by the service network and the service billing messages and the access billing messages are recognized by means of the code occurring together with the service usage request and billed together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering a communication terminal with a service network which organizes a communication service. Within this context, in a preliminary step, a logon IP address which was assigned to the communication terminal when the communication terminal logged onto the access network is received by the service network and is stored therein for the respective user of the communication terminal. When a first registration message sent by the communication terminal is received a token is transmitted to the communication terminal using a transport message, the token having been produced by the service network from the logon IP address and a random number using an encryption method, and token data associated with the token having been stored in the service network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deducting for services provided in a computer network. The aim of the invention is to be able to deduct for services in a manner that is simple and reliable for a service provider and for a service user. To this end, the invention provides that during the use of a service by a service user residing within in a first telecommunications network, a deduction message, which is provided with an identifier of the service user, is transmitted by a service provider node of the computer network to a clearing facility of another telecommunications network, which can be connected to the computer network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for billing chargeable services using a prepaid account managed in a communication network for a communication terminal that is registered in said network. To bill the chargeable services, at least one billing message is transmitted by a payment request device to an account management device of the prepaid account via a signalling system of the communication network that controls the establishment of a communication link. The payment request device (ZAE) provides the billing message (VN) with an address for the communication terminal (KEG) and said message is routed to a device exchange (CSCF1) that is assigned to the communication terminal (KEG). The exchange determines an identification address for the account management device (KFE) based on the address of the communication terminal (KEG) and the billing message (VN) is routed to the account management device (KFE).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are arranged to provide an early comparison scheme for a pipelined ADC stage with a delay circuit. The pipelined ADC includes an amplifier that is biased by a precision bias circuit. The delay circuit includes inverting stages, where each inverting stage includes one or more current sources. The delay circuit is configured to provide a latch signal in response to a clocking signal for the pipelined ADC stage. The latch signal is utilized by one or more comparators for early evaluation of the output of the pipelined ADC stage. The current sources in the delay circuit may also be biased by the precision bias circuit such that variations in amplifier performance are tracked by variations in the performance of the delay circuit. Process, temperature, and power supply related variations in the timing may be minimized by the biasing arrangement of the amplifiers and the delay circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a card game such as Blackjack provides a player with at least one additional option for playing the card game. For example, a Blackjack player who has made an initial bet and was dealt an unfavorable starting hand may be provided with at least one additional option, such as making a bust insurance bet or mortgaging a round of play. If the player makes a bust insurance bet, he will receive a payout if he then busts upon drawing an additional card. If the player selects a mortgaging option, he agrees to play the current round of play or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule that is unfavorable for the player in exchange for receiving an advantage during the current round of play.

Abstract: Devices for excluding aneurysms and treating atherosclerotic disease, for intra-aneurysmal occlusion, and devices for preventing distal emboli. The devices are generally pliable and collapsible thin film devices which can be delivered via a microcatheter into the desired location where they are deployed and undergo either a shape memory phase transformation or in situ polymerization to assume the stable configuration of a permanent endoluminal prosthesis. Prior to being caused to assume their final shape, the devices remain soft, collapsible and pliable to ensure atraumatic delivery through the vascular system. Upon reaching the endoluminal defect in the vessel, the device is extruded from the microcatheter. Devices are also provided for retrieving clots.

Abstract: Devices for excluding aneurysms and treating atherosclerotic disease, for intra-aneurysmal occlusion, and devices for preventing distal emboli. The devices are generally pliable and collapsible thin film devices which can be delivered via a microcatheter into the desired location where they are deployed and undergo either a shape memory phase transformation or in situ polymerization to assume the stable configuration of a permanent endoluminal prosthesis. Prior to being caused to assume their final shape, the devices remain soft, collapsible and pliable to ensure atraumatic delivery through the vascular system. Upon reaching the endoluminal defect in the vessel, the device is extruded from the microcatheter. Devices are also provided for retrieving clots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a game provides a player with at least one option for playing at least one round of the game in accordance with at least one advantage and/or disadvantage. For example, a player may agree to play a current round of play and/or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a card game such as Blackjack provides a player with at least one additional option for playing the card game. For example, a Blackjack player who has made an initial bet and was dealt an unfavorable starting hand may be provided with at least one additional option, such as making a bust insurance bet or mortgaging a round of play. If the player makes a bust insurance bet, he will receive a payout if he then busts upon drawing an additional card. If the player selects a mortgaging option, he agrees to play the current round of play or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule that is unfavorable for the player in exchange for receiving an advantage during the current round of play.

Abstract: Devices for excluding aneurysms and treating atherosclerotic disease, for intra-aneurysmal occlusion; and devices for preventing distal emboli. The devices are generally pliable and collapsible thin film devices which can be delivered via a microcatheter into the desired location where they are deployed and undergo either a shape memory phase transformation or in situ polymerization to assume the stable configuration of a permanent endoluminal prosthesis. Prior to being caused to assume their final shape, the devices remain soft, collapsible and pliable to ensure atraumatic delivery through the vascular system. Upon reaching the endoluminal defect in the vessel, the device is extruded from the microcatheter. Devices are also provided for retrieving clots.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for electronically creating, customizing, integrating, and distributing an electronic customer relationship management (eCRM) system for e-businesses. The method calls for the distribution of a hosted product to one or more first-level e-business entities which, in turn, customize and resell the product to one or more second e-business entities. The invention achieves its objectives by providing electronic modules that allow interaction, customization, and integration at various stages within the distribution process.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for: transmitting an offer for a credit card, the offer for the credit card comprising an offer for a first reward in exchange for each consumer of a group of consumers accepting a respective credit card, the group comprising a number of consumers that is greater than a predetermined number of consumers, the first reward comprising a first monetary amount, and the first reward to be donated to a beneficiary identified by the group; an offer for a second reward in exchange for the group transferring at least a predetermined aggregate amount of funds to the respective credit cards; and an offer for a third reward in exchange for: each consumer of the group of consumers making a respective minimum payment within a first predetermined period of time, and each consumer charging at least a predetermined minimum charge amount within a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a card game such as Blackjack provides a player with at least one additional option for playing the card game. For example, a Blackjack player who has made an initial bet and was dealt an unfavorable starting hand may be provided with at least one additional option, such as making a bust insurance bet or mortgaging a round of play. If the player makes a bust insurance bet, he will receive a payout if he then busts upon drawing an additional card. If the player selects a mortgaging option, he agrees to play the current round of play or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule that is unfavorable for the player in exchange for receiving an advantage during the current round of play.