Abstract: Protein antigens from Streptococcus pneumoniae are disclosed, together with nucleic acid sequences encoding them. Their use in vaccines and in screening methods is also described.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting the frequency acquisition of a synthesized signal in a non-synchronous communications receiver. The method accepts a non-synchronous communication signal having an input data signaling frequency, and compares the input data signaling frequency to a synthesized signal frequency. In response to the comparing, a difference signal pulse is generated. More explicitly, the difference signal is generated at a rate responsive to the difference between the input data signaling frequency and the synthesized signal frequency. The method counts synthesized signal pulses occurring simultaneously with the difference signal pulse. If the counted synthesized signal pulses exceed a threshold (before the disappearance of the difference signal pulse), it is determined that the input data signaling frequency is about equal to the synthesized signal frequency, and a lock signal is generated.

Abstract: A battery control module monitors discharge voltages associated with a traction battery of an automotive vehicle. The battery control module cycles the traction battery at a discharge-voltage dependent charge/discharge profile to generate heat within the traction battery.

Abstract: A network helper is provided that assists verifiers in executing a puzzle-based protocol for authentication of a token. A token stores a secret key and one or more puzzle-generating algorithms. The helper stores a plurality of puzzles associated with a particular token. When requested to do so by a verifier, the helper provides a plurality of pseudorandomly selected puzzles for the token to a verifier. The puzzles are encoded with information that is used between the verifier and token to establish a secured symmetric key. The verifier selects one or a few of the encoded puzzles and breaks them by a brute force attack. Because the helper does not know which puzzles have been selected, it has to break all puzzles to attempt to figure out the symmetric key. However, if a large number of puzzles are utilized, say millions, then breaking all of them becomes a computationally prohibitive task.

Abstract: A puzzle-based protocol is provided that allows a token and verifier to agree on a secure symmetric key for authentication between the token and verifier. A token stores a secret key and one or more puzzle-generating algorithms. The verifier independently obtains a plurality of puzzles associated with the token, pseudorandomly selects at least one of the puzzles, and solves it to obtain a puzzle secret and a puzzle identifier. The verifier generates a verifier key based on the puzzle secret. The verifier sends the puzzle identifier and an encoded version of the verifier key to the token. The token regenerates the puzzle secret using its puzzle-generating algorithms and the puzzle identifier. The token sends an encoded response to the verifier indicating that it knows the verifier key. The token and verifier may use the verifier key as a symmetric key for subsequent authentications.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for producing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel by combining the fuel with a gas comprising both oxygen and steam, and passing the resulting mixture through a plasma generated by a microwave plasma generator between opposed electrodes. At least one of the electrodes defines a duct for outflow of gaseous material from the vicinity of the plasma, and the gas mixture emerging from the outflow duct contains hydrogen. The fuel undergoes partial oxidation and steam reforming, the reactions being initiated by the plasma rather than by a catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the treatment of water containing a percentage of dissolved gases to recover at least some of the gases, such as methane gas, from the water. The apparatus comprises a feed pipe having an inlet and an outlet in flow communication with a separation chamber. The chamber has a gas outlet and a water outlet for discharging separated gases and water respectively. A means for stimulating the formation of bubbles, such as an ultrasound transducer, is associated with the feed pipe. The invention also relates to a method of treating water containing dissolved gases including positioning a tube having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being positioned below the outlet in the water and using at least one device to stimulate formation of gas bubbles in water in the tube to cause an upward flow of water in the tube.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining a frequency ratio in a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit feedback path. The method accepts a reference signal having a predetermined first frequency and a PLL output signal having a non-predetermined second frequency. The reference signal cycles are counted, creating a first binary count. Likewise, the PLL output signal cycles are counted, creating a second binary count. The second binary count is sampled at an interval responsive to the first binary count, and a right-shifted second binary count is supplied as a ratio of the second frequency divided by the first frequency. More explicitly, the sampling is performed when a first binary count sampling threshold of 2n first frequency cycles is reached. Then, the radix point in the second binary count is shifted n number of radix places to the left.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatic frequency acquisition maintenance in a clock and data recovery (CDR) device. In an automatic frequency acquisition (AFA) mode, the method uses a phase detector (PHD) to acquire the phase of a non-synchronous input communication signal having an initial first frequency. In the event of a loss of lock/loss of signal (LOL/LOS) signal being asserted, a frequency ratio value is retrieved from memory. Using a phase-frequency detector (PFD), the reference signal, and the frequency ratio value, a synthesized signal is generated. In response to using the PFD to generate the synthesized signal and the LOL/LOS signal being deasserted, a rotational frequency detector (RFD) is used to generate a synthesized signal having a frequency equal to the frequency of the input communication signal. With the continued deassertion of the LOL/LOS signal, the PHD is enabled and the phase of the input signal is acquired.

Abstract: A method of depositing items of value, the method comprising 1) receiving a tamper evident and coded container holding the items of value, the code relating to the content of the container; 2) verifying that the package has been received in an acceptable manner, and, if it has, 3) either incrementing an account with the value of the items of value in the container by reference to the code and without opening the container, or, if the account has previously been incremented, leaving the account unchanged.

Abstract: A system, method, and user device for restricting access to the content of media over a network. Biometric information is collected and compared against pre-stored biometric information of a user to authenticate the identity of the user. The user then requests access to the content of a medium. Access is permitted to the requested content if the content is identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server. Access is denied to the requested content if the content is not identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method for producing antipeptide cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by attaching a complex of a class I HLA and a peptide to antigen presenting cell(s) (APCs) present in a sample of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), optionally removing excess class I HLA/peptide complex, and incubating with proliferative cytokine. The invention further relates to a CTL obtainable by these methods and to a method of treating a subject by administering such a CTL to the subject.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for holding the frequency of a non-synchronous communication signal in a clock and data recovery (CDR) device frequency synthesizer. The method initially acquires the phase of a non-synchronous first communication signal having a first frequency, and divides a first synthesized signal by a selected frequency ratio value, creating a frequency detection signal having a frequency equal to a reference signal frequency. In response to losing the first communication signal and subsequently receiving a second communication signal with a non-predetermined second frequency, the frequency ratio value is retrieved from memory based upon the assumption that the second frequency is the same, or close to the first frequency. Using a phase-frequency detector (PFD), the reference signal, and the frequency ratio value, a second synthesized signal is generated having an output frequency equal to first frequency.

Abstract: A method of preparation of crystalline aripiprazole monohydrate includes the use of solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluid. Specifically, water is introduced to a stream of supercritical fluid which is then allowed to mix with a stream including a mixture including aripiprazole and a solvent. The mixing results in the substantially simultaneous dispersion and extraction of the aripiprazole from the mixture by the supercritical fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing formulation comprising monodisperse particles and particles, wherein the particles have a largest dimension which is at least 6 times larger than the largest dimension of the monodisperse particles, as well as to the use of these formulations for printing and to substances printed with these formulations.

Abstract: A generator controller for controlling a permanent magnet generator where each phase of the generator is connectable to a DC link via electrically controllable switches, the controller characterized by a data processor adapted to receive a measurement of generator current output and a demand current, and to form a current error between the demanded value and the measured generator current; derive a target voltage as a function of the current error; and form control signals for the electrically controllable switches as a function of the target voltage.

Abstract: Random number generation apparatus (2) is described that comprises a threshold detector (4) and an electrical noise generator (6). The electrical noise generator (6) has at least two channels (8a-8d) and each channel is arranged to generate an electrical noise signal. The threshold detector (4), which may comprise a digital input-output (DIO) card, is arranged to periodically compare this electrical noise signal with a threshold and to provide a binary data output that indicates whether the threshold has been exceeded. Each channel of the electrical noise generator comprises at least two amplifiers (10a-10c) electrically connected in series that preferably provide a gain of 50,000 or more. Use of the random number generation apparatus (2) for quantum cryptography applications is also described.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed allow authentication between two entities having agreed on the use of a common modulus N. The authentication includes generating a pseudorandom string value; generating a public key value based on the modulus N and the pseudorandom string value; generating a private key value corresponding to the public key value; receiving a verifier's public key value; generating a shared secret value based on the modulus N, the private key value and the verifier's public key value; calculating an authentication signature value using the shared secret value; and transmitting the authentication signature value for authentication. When the authentication signature is received, the public key value and the shared value are generated to calculate an authentication signature value. Thereafter, the authentication signature values are compared and authenticated.

Abstract: A virtual environment and real world environment are combined into a framework that facilitates large-scale social interaction in multi-player fantasy games played in both the real world and/or a virtual world. Such combination of real and virtual world features may blend geo-caching, orienteering, and other virtual gaming features to enable players to interact across the real and virtual environments. A real world player is also mapped into the virtual environment, thereby inserting the player's movements and actions into the virtual environment. Additionally, this feature enables interaction between players located in a real environment with characters found in a virtual environment. A player may use a mobile device that is configured to recognize the geo-location and orientation of the player and display a corresponding view of the virtual environment gaming landscape for the player.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with switch assembly input components that can have adhesives adhered to the side and/or bottom surfaces of support plates for retaining switches between the adhesives and the tops of the support plates. The switch assembly input components can include buttons with one or more absorption elements for receiving impact energy, reducing the impact energy, and transferring the reduced impact energy onto the switches.