Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for causing a computing device to process a check payment from a user using a debit card by: receiving debit card information from the user; sending the information to a payment platform via a network connection; exchanging the debit card information with an ATM network at a bank and receiving a response including a bank account and a bank routing number; making a fraud potential determination; returning a success flag if fraud is not suspected and an error message if fraud is suspected; storing the returned bank account and bank routing number in a database if fraud is not suspected; requesting the user to write their signature on a digitization pad in operation and storing the signature in the database; and creating a check image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for causing a computing device to create and deliver a person-to-person, person-to-business, business-to-business, or business to person electronic virtual check, by: receiving check payment information from a Payor sent using a mobile phone application; merging the check payment information with a next check image to create an electronic virtual check image; and sending the electronic virtual check image to a Payee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for causing a computing device to create and deliver a person-to-person, person-to-business, business-to-business, or business to person electronic virtual check, by: receiving check payment information from a Payor sent using a mobile phone application; merging the check payment information with a next check image to create an electronic virtual check image; and sending the electronic virtual check image to a Payee.

Abstract: Anti-IFNAR1 monoclonal antibodies with neutralizing activities against the anti-viral cytopathic effects of various type I interferons are provided.

Abstract: Methods, software, and systems for authenticating electronically accessible sites are described. In general, the development involves querying an identified user connected to an electronically accessible third party vendor site (e.g., a website) for a codebook identifier that corresponds to a codebook having a plurality of identification units, each of which includes a first identifier and a second identifier, and a keystone identifier; following receipt of the codebook identifier, querying the user with a variable image challenge comprised of the keystone and the first identifier for at least one identification unit in the codebook; and prompting the user to enter the second identifier for each identification unit displayed in the image challenge to form a one time passcode. Following entry of a passcode that corresponds to the image challenge, the authenticity of the user is confirmed to the vendor site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a carbon electrode, suitable for use as an anode in an aluminum reduction cell, which comprises mixing an aggregate, comprising a mixture of particulate shot coke, and a particulate carbonaceous material other than shot coke with coal tar pitch or petroleum pitch or a combination of these pitches at an elevated temperature to form a paste wherein said aggregate comprises a combination of butts, coarse, and fine particles and said particulate shot coke may comprise a majority of said coarse particles or fine particles, and said paste comprises from about 80 to about 90%, by weight, of said aggregate and from about 10 to about 20%, by weight, of said pitch; forming said paste into a solid body; and baking said solid body at an elevated temperature to form said carbon electrode.

Abstract: A device for attaching an ornament to a vehicle and method for using and manufacturing such a device. The device includes a backbone with an ornament attached to the front of the backbone. The device also includes one or more straps attached to the backbone. Each of the straps have at least two unattached ends which are used to attach the backbone to a vehicle.

Abstract: Anti-IFNAR1 monoclonal antibodies with neutralizing activities against the anti-viral cytopathic effects of various type I interferons are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a carbon electrode, suitable for use as an anode in an aluminum reduction cell, which comprises mixing an aggregate, comprising a mixture of particulate shot coke, and a particulate carbonaceous material other than shot coke with coal tar pitch or petroleum pitch or a combination of these pitches at an elevated temperature to form a paste wherein said aggregate comprises a combination of coarse, medium, and fine particles and said particulate shot coke may comprise a majority of said fine particles, and said paste comprises from about 80 to about 90%, by weight, of said aggregate and from about 10 to about 20%, by weight, of said pitch; forming said paste into a solid body; and baking said solid body at an elevated temperature to form said carbon electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of treating hepatitis virus infection, particularly hepatitis C virus infection. The invention provides methods of treating a hepatitis virus infection, involving administering a first form and a second form of IFN-? to provide a multiphasic pharmacokinetic profile. The multiphasic antiviral agent serum concentration profile that is achieved effects an initial rapid drop in viral titer, followed by a further decrease in viral titer over time, to achieve a sustained viral response. The invention further provides compositions that are effective in achieving a multiphasic IFN-? profile. Compositions of the invention comprise at least a first form of interferon-? (IFN-?) that has a first pharmacokinetic profile and a second form of IFN-? that has a second pharmacokinetic profile, where the second form of IFN-? has a longer mean residence time than that of the first form of IFN-?.

Abstract: Celecoxib, a COX-2 specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, is provided in combination with DFMO for the prevention and/or treatment of cancers. Provided with the present invention are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions that include a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, celecoxib, together with an effective amount of difluoromethylornithine.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pull tab tickets, lottery tickets and other articles and the articles to be dispensed thereby are set forth. The device includes one or more carousels removably retaining magazines containing tickets to be dispensed. The carousels are indexed to position a magazine for dispensing the article. After the patron has paid for the ticket, a dispensing mechanism pulls the article from the magazine and dispenses it. Each article has at its margin a slot which cooperates with a rod in the magazine to hold the articles in the magazine. When dispensed, the article is pulled from the rod.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the synthesis of alpha-amino acid by first contacting the condensation product of an aldehyde or ketone and an amine or amide with a protic or Lewis acid solvent and carbon monoxide to form an intermediate reaction product, and then hydrolyzing the intermediate to yield a product comprising the alpha-amino acid. The reaction rate and product yield can be increased by the addition of a Group 1B metal oxide catalyst in the first step.