Abstract: A computer assisted method for evaluating inventory is provided. The method includes receiving case composition information and case cost information for a case at a store where the case composition information identifies an item of the case and the case cost information identifies cost of the case. An item cost of the item is calculated using the case composition information and case cost information and the item cost is stored in memory. Consumer code information is received for the item and the item cost of the item is retrieved. Inventory cost data is generated using the item cost.

Abstract: A method for refreshing memory is provided. The method comprises determining when a first memory of a plurality of memories is not being accessed and sending a refresh opportunity command from a master refresh controller to one of a plurality of local refresh controllers when the first memory is not being accessed, wherein the one of a plurality of local refresh controllers controls only the first memory. The method further comprises determining when the first memory needs refreshing and refreshing the first memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bounded minimal latency for network resources without synchronization are provided. In one embodiment, a method for managing data traffic between nodes in an asynchronous network comprises: receiving a data request message at a first port of network switch; storing information about the data request message in a memory at the network switch; forwarding the data request message to a producer node; receiving a data message at a second port of the network switch; determining whether the data message is responsive to the data request message; when the data message is responsive, forwarding the data message from the network switch; and when the data message is not responsive, blocking the data message from being forwarded from the network.

Abstract: A communication network is provided. The network includes a least one switch and a plurality of ports. Each port is in communication with the at least one switch. At least one of the ports is configured to introduce a time delay after each transmission of a frame based at least in part on a maximum transmission rate of the at least one port and its allocated transmission rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved multiple-port memory are provided. In one embodiment, a processing system comprises: at least one processing core; a peripheral bus; and a memory for storing digital data, the memory divided into a first and a second partition of memory segments. The memory includes a first port coupled to the peripheral bus providing read access and write access only to the first partition, wherein the first partition stores peripheral data associated with one or more peripheral components coupled to the peripheral bus; a second port coupled to the at least one processor providing read-only access to only the second partition, wherein the second partition stores executable code for the at least one processing core; and a third port coupled to the at least one processor providing read access and write access to the entire first partition and the second partition.

Abstract: Syringes and methods of using are described which protect the syringe barrel cavity from contaminants. A syringe is formed with an end cap contaminant shield having an extension wall that is mated with the rearward end opening of the syringe barrel cavity. Alternatively, the end cap contaminant shield can be provided with a flat design without the extending wall and is bonded or molded to the rearward end terminus of the syringe barrel. The end cap contaminant shield designs are provided with an opening defining the shape of the cross-section of the plunger shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bounded minimal latency for network resources without synchronization are provided. In one embodiment, a method for managing data traffic between nodes in an asynchronous network comprises: receiving a data request message at a first port of network switch; storing information about the data request message in a memory at the network switch; forwarding the data request message to a producer node; receiving a data message at a second port of the network switch; determining whether the data message is responsive to the data request message; when the data message is responsive, forwarding the data message from the network switch; and when the data message is not responsive, blocking the data message from being forwarded from the network.

Abstract: A system and method for managing financial data for a store that enables management to track and monitor the actual cost of items sold in each store of an enterprise. The system tracks the number, type and cost of each case received at a store within an enterprise and calculates a cost for each item capable of being produced using the components of the cases. The system receives information regarding items sold by the store and retrieves a cost for the items sold. The system may use the cost and retail sales information to generate financial data. The system may also be used to determine the costs associated with the store inventory.

Abstract: A method for initializing a chain of non-initialized data collectors is disclosed. The chain of non-initialized data collectors are coupled to a controller. In a first step communication between the controller and each data collector in the chain of non-initialized collectors is disabled, except for an active non-initialized data collector, The active non-initialized collector is coupled to the controller and any remaining non-initialized data collectors. Next, the active non-initialized data collector is initialized by assigning an identification number to the active non-initialized data collectors. The active non-initialized collector becomes an initialized data collector. Then, communication is restored between the initialized data collector and a next active non-initialized data collector in the chain of non-initialized data collectors. The method repeats until all non-initialized data collectors are initialized.

Abstract: A communication network is provided. The network includes a least one switch and a plurality of ports. Each port is in communication with the at least one switch. At least one of the ports is configured to introduce a time delay after each transmission of a frame based at least in part on a maximum transmission rate of the at least one port and its allocated transmission rate.

Abstract: A filter, an apparatus and a method for preventing and/or reducing the formation of tarnish on objects that contain a metal are provided; for example, objects containing silver, copper and/or brass. The apparatus comprises a device that circulates the air in an enclosed space through particulate and adsorbent filters to reduce the amount of tarnishing agents present in said enclosure.

Abstract: A filter, an apparatus and a method is provided for preventing or reducing the oxidation of food. The apparatus comprises a device that circulates the atmosphere in an enclosed space through particulate and adsorbent filters to reduce the amount of oxidizing agents present in said enclosure.

Abstract: Live vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, dead vaccines, protein preparations for use in vaccines and OMVs for use in vaccines are free of CEACAM1-binding Opa, though max contain Opa variants that are antigenic but don't bind to CEACAM1.

Abstract: Syringes and methods of using are described which protect the syringe barrel cavity from contaminants. A first syringe is formed with a corrugated sheath which encloses the plunger and space between the rearward end face surface of the syringe barrel handle member and the forward face of the plunger handle member. A second syringe is formed with a syringe barrel having a straight segment and a corrugated segment having the forward face of the plunger handle member molded to the rearward terminus of the corrugated segment of the syringe barrel. A third syringe is formed from mating syringe barrel and plunger member walls. The walls of the mating syringe barrel and plunger member are concentric and slide relative to each other while maintaining an enclosure around the plunger shaft. A fourth syringe is formed from inner and outer concentric syringe barrel walls mating with the walls of a plunger member.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Syringes and methods of using are described which protect the syringe barrel cavity from contaminants. A first syringe is formed with a corrugated sheath or non-corrugated sheath which is positioned internal or external to the syringe barrel cavity. A second syringe is formed with a syringe barrel having a straight segment and a corrugated segment having the forward face of the plunger handle member molded to the rearward terminus of the corrugated segment of the syringe barrel. A third syringe is formed from mating syringe barrel and plunger member walls. The walls of the mating syringe barrel and plunger member are concentric and slide relative to each other while maintaining an enclosure around the plunger shaft. A fourth syringe is formed from inner and outer concentric syringe barrel walls mating with the walls of a plunger member. The mating walls are concentric and slide relative to each other while maintaining an enclosure around the plunger shaft.

Abstract: A method for initializing a chain of non-initialized data collectors is disclosed. The chain of non-initialized data collectors are coupled to a controller. In a first step communication between the controller and each data collector in the chain of non-initialized collectors is disabled, except for an active non-initialized data collector, The active non-initialized collector is coupled to the controller and any remaining non-initialized data collectors. Next, the active non-initialized data collector is initialized by assigning an identification number to the active non-initialized data collectors. The active non-initialized collector becomes an initialized data collector. Then, communication is restored between the initialized data collector and a next active non-initialized data collector in the chain of non-initialized data collectors. The method repeats until all non-initialized data collectors are initialized.

Abstract: A remote monitoring system for a mobile storage tank having a product container in which a remote telemetry unit gathers liquid level and head space pressure data and global position data. The remote telemetry unit effects a wireless transmission of a standard message structure containing the pressure and level data and the global position data. In addition, in case of a storage tank having a thermal shield fluid, pressure and level data for the shield fluid itself may also be in the standard data record as well as acceleration data from an accelerometer to indicate tank damage. If upset conditions of pressure and liquid level are reached in the thermal shield and/or product container, vapor may be vented in accordance with preset programming in order to attempt to reestablish liquid level and vapor pressure above set points.

Abstract: A distance-learning system includes a toolbar, which may be docked within a Web browser, that has a dynamically constructed menu system and facilitates providing, to distance-learning students, multiple technologies and/or integration of distance-learning activities with Web-based content. To dynamically construct the toolbar's menu structure, the toolbar may obtain profile information from one or more remotely located server computers. The profile information may be specific to an institution and/or an individual user. Menu items within the toolbar may include the following types of items: a hyperlink that, when activated, navigates a Web-pane pane of the browser; a terminal-server client to a remote machine or application; a Unix-shell client; an embedded browser; a local application; and an instance of a docked info bar. Within a Web browser's display, content for distance learning may be displayed in a Web-page pane while a student is performing distance-learning tasks in an embedded-application pane.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for capturing and processing user events that are associated with screen objects on a computer system. User events may be captured and recorded so that the user events may be reproduced either at the user's computer or at another computer. An event engine is instructed, through a user interface, to capture and to process a user event that is applied to a screen object. The event engine interacts with one or more application programming interfaces that are supported by the applications being monitored. User events may be processed by an event engine so that each user event is represented as an event entry in a file. The file may be a text file such as an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file, in which each user event is represented by a plurality of attributes that describe user actions, corresponding screen object, and application.