Abstract: Food components including a triacylglycerol component and a bulking agent are provided. The triacylglycerol component typically has a melting point of about 100 to 120° F. and constitutes about 20 to 35 wt. % of the food components. The food component can be formed by heating a composition which includes the triacylglycerol component and bulking agent under conditions sufficient to form an outer layer having certain desired physical characteristics. Food products incorporating the food components are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a harvester of influenza virus from fertilized chicken eggs in a continuous manner comprising a control panel, a connector having three openings, a pipette, a peristaltic pump, and a sample reservoir. In another embodiment, the harvester comprises a pipette gun having a retrieving button and an aspiration button instead of the control panel. The present invention is also directed to a method of harvesting the influenza virus using the pipette gun.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel MDCK-derived adherent non-tumorigenic cell lines that can be grown in the presence or absence of serum. The cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of vaccine material (e.g., viruses). More specifically, the cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of influenza viruses in general and ca/ts influenza viruses in particular. The invention further provides methods and media formulations for the adaptation and cultivation of MDCK cells such that they remain non-tumorigenic. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for the production of vaccine material (e.g., influenza virus) in the novel cell lines of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the optimization and production of influenza viruses, e.g., ca influenza B strains, in eggs and host cells suitable as influenza vaccines are provided.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and at least one rotatable reel. The reel comprises a reel strip arranged about the periphery of a cage. The reel strip comprises an alterable film for displaying a plurality of symbols. The gaming machine further comprises a controller operative to alter the appearance of at least one of the plurality of symbols displayed on the film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing a score associated with a document is presented. Statistics relating to scores assigned to a set of training documents not relevant to a topic are determined. Scores represent a measure of relevance to the topic. After the various statistics have been collected, a score assigned to a testing document is normalized based on those statistics. The normalized score is then compared to a threshold score. Subsequently, the testing document is designated as relevant or not relevant to the topic based on the comparison.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the optimization and production of refrigerator-temperature stable virus, e.g., influenza, compositions are provided. Formulations and immunogenic compositions comprising refrigerator-temperature stable virus compositions are provided.

Abstract: A gaming terminal and method of playing a wagering game. The terminal including a wagering game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The wagering game provides the player with an option to accept an invitation immediately redeemable for playing the wagering game or an invitation to a wagering game opportunity redeemable at a subsequent gaming session.

Abstract: A gaming machine system comprises a plurality of multimedia output devices, including audio, visual, and/or tactile devices strategically mounted around a casino. The multimedia devices may be used to present celebratory sights, sounds, and/or other sensations throughout the casino when a player achieves a winning outcome. The celebratory sights, sounds, and/or other sensations increase the overall level of stimuli in the casino, thereby helping to create a celebratory atmosphere. In some embodiments, the celebratory multimedia stimuli are communicated to certain gaming machines in the casino based on a triggering event that occurred at a remote gaming machine. The gaming machines may be the same type and/or brand, or they may be different types and/or brands such that the same celebratory stimuli are used to promote multiple types and/or brands of gaming machines. The celebratory stimuli may also be customized specifically for a gaming machine, a player(s), or a casino.

Abstract: There is described herein methods and apparatuses for the placement of offerings in gaming systems, wherein such is paid for by the purveyors of the placed offering. For example, according to one example embodiment of a method according to the inventive subject matter illustrated herein, a gaming system manufacturer enters into a placement agreement with a provider of a product, service, or message (generally sometimes referred to herein as a “placement”), wherein the agreement calls for the provider to pay the gaming system manufacturer for the placement in the game. The manufacturer produces the gaming system including a desired offering or message. For example, this may be at least in part a trademark owned by a provider of an offering. The gaming system with the placement is provided to a casino for play by gambling customers. Gambling customers or others in turn play the gaming system and view the product placement.

Abstract: An alignment mechanism for establishing line-of-sight alignment between a transmitter (100) and a receiver (102) has, a laser pointer (300) that emanates a laser beam along a line-of-sight to illuminate the receiver (102) with a bright spot. An unmodulated reflector (304) at the receiver (102) reflects the emanated laser beam for return path transmission toward the laser pointer (300) to confirm alignment of the line-of-sight with the receiver (102). The transmitter (100) is aligned substantially along the line-of-sight and is fixed in position. A shutter in the form of a chopping wheel (400) modulates the emanated laser beam. The receiver (102) is linked to a communications apparatus (500) having an external antenna (502).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a calcaneus within a fracture walker is disclosed. The apparatus includes a locating device that has a notch formed therein, and an insole covering the locating device whereby the ankle forms a depression in the insole adjacent the notch when force is applied through the ankle on the insole.

Abstract: A wire wound flexible shaft has layers of wire wound one upon another, with a dry film of lubricant bonded to the outer surfaces of a number of the outer layers; or if desired, to the outer surfaces of all layers of the shaft. The lubricant is applied by preheating the partially completed flexible shaft to a temperature substantially above 212° F. but below the decomposition temperature of the lubricant. A liquid medium comprising a carrier and particles of the lubricant is sprayed onto the shaft surface, causing the liquid to vaporize and the lubricant particles to be deposited on the shaft. One or more successive wire layers may then be wound onto the partially completed shaft and the spraying step repeated. Thereafter the shaft is heated to cause the lubricant particles to bond to the adjacent wire layers and to reduce internal stresses in the shaft.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game includes conducting a wagering game at a gaming terminal, and receiving inputs from a player that relate to a profile of the player. The inputs exclude a player's true identity. The method includes comparing the player inputs with a plurality of player-profile data sets to match the player inputs with a particular player-profile data set. In response to this comparison yielding a matched player-profile data set, the method includes activating one or more personalized attributes at the gaming terminal associated with the matched player-profile data set. The method can be practiced within a gaming system comprising a database, a controller, and at least one gaming terminal. The database stores the player-profile data sets. Each data set is associated with and maintains anonymity of a respective player. An input device at the gaming terminal receives player-profile inputs for comparison to the player-profile data sets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating a patron with wagering game play at a gaming machine in a server-based gaming network is disclosed. The method includes associating a unique patron identification with the patron, establishing a patron account for the patron where the patron account is identified by the unique patron identification, associating the gaming machine with a universal personal identifier device for receiving a universal personal identifier having a patron identification where the universal personal identifier device is capable of detecting and transmitting the patron identification, receiving the patron identification, comparing the patron identification to the unique patron identification, and enabling collection of patron accounting data resulting from wagering game play if the patron identification matches the unique patron identification.

Abstract: A portable communications subscriber unit operates as a data transfer terminal as well as an analog cellular telephone M-ES. Two modes of operation, an analog cellular communication mode and a Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) mode, are available in the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit distinguishes between paging signals indicative of a CDPD mode of communication and those indicative of an analog cellular mode of communication. The subscriber unit automatically preempts CDPD communications in favor of analog cellular communications such as those carried out in an AMPS system. The present inventive method enables the subscriber unit to remain registered in the CDPD communication system using a CDPD “sleep mode” while performing activities on the AMPS system. Another aspect of the present invention facilitates the automatic switching of subscriber unit displays to correspond to the communication system with which the unit is presently communicating.

Abstract: An intonation training device for training musicians in just intonation. As disclosed, the device is a pocket-sized portable device with an audio output and a user interface which includes an LCD display and a device such as a push button for selecting an item from a menu. When the device is turned on, the LCD display indicates a key and the device emits a sustained pure chord in the key. In a preferred embodiment, the pure chord is a perfect fifth in the just scale for the key. To train his or her intonation, the user then plays a sequence of notes in the key, adjusting his or her intonation while playing to eliminate beats between the note being played and the chord being emitted by the training device. In other embodiments, the device may emit a third in the just scale for the key. The user can use the menu item selection device to select another key and the training device then continuously emits the chord in the just scale for that key. The selected key appears in the LCD display.

Abstract: A system and method for processing information transport elements, such as ethernet packets, at interfaces to a forwarder. Modules that implement processing logic are allocated per interface and per direction (i.e., inbound or outbound). At any given interface, a series of modules would be used to process inbound packets; likewise, a set of modules would be used to process outbound packets. For inbound packets, the modules allocated for inbound processing are executed when the packet is received from the interface, before sending the packet on to the forwarder. For packets that are outbound from the forwarder, the modules allocated for outbound processing are applied when the packet is sent by the forwarder, prior to any other processing, e.g., queuing to hardware. To assign modules to different interfaces at a forwarder, a registration process is performed during the system start-up process, or dynamically at runtime.

Abstract: A system and method for processing information transport elements, such as ethernet packets, at interfaces to a forwarder. Modules that implement processing logic are allocated per interface and per direction (i.e., inbound or outbound). At any given interface, a series of modules would be used to process inbound packets; likewise, a set of modules would be used to process outbound packets. For inbound packets, the modules allocated for inbound processing are executed when the packet is received from the interface, before sending the packet on to the forwarder. For packets that are outbound from the forwarder, the modules allocated for outbound processing are applied when the packet is sent by the forwarder, prior to any other processing, e.g., queuing to hardware. To assign modules to different interfaces at a forwarder, a registration process is performed during the system start-up process, or dynamically at runtime.

Abstract: Food components including a triacylglycerol component and a bulking agent are provided. The triacylglycerol component typically has a melting point of about 100 to 120° F. and constitutes about 20 to 35 wt. % of the food components. The food component can be formed by heating a composition which includes the triacylglycerol component and bulking agent under conditions sufficient to form an outer layer having certain desired physical characteristics. Food products incorporating the food components are also provided.