Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a biological entity. The method may include entering into a digital computer, at least a plurality of first input values associated with a first genetic element (e.g., mecA), a plurality of second input values associated with a second genetic element (femA), and a plurality of third input values associated with a third genetic element (e.g., orfX) associated with a plurality of samples. Each sample includes a first input value in the plurality of first input values, a second input value in the plurality of second input values, and a third input value in the plurality of third input values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying Methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a sample are used that are based on the fact that an MRSA positive sample should have roughly the same copy numbers of mecA, SCCmec, and a Staphylococcus aureus-specific target gene sequence. The systems and methods may further present the three assays simultaneously on a 2-D plot with each axis of the plot 120 degrees apart. According to one embodiment, a Y plot is used for the 2-D display. If a given sample has similar readings of mecA, SCCmec, and a Staphylococcus aureus-specific target gene sequence, the sample's measured copy numbers of mecA, SCCmec, and the Staphylococcus aureus-specific target gene sequence can plot close to the origin regardless of the sample's absolute assay readings. With the help of this transformation, a boundary function can be defined that can be used to distinguish MRSA-positive samples from MRSA-negative samples.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided for processing data from a particle analyzer. The method includes transforming data using at least one transform that provides: transformation according to a weighted combination of a first mathematical function and a logarithmic function for positive data values, such that the transformation corresponds to the first mathematical function for positive particle data values approaching zero, and to the logarithmic function for positive particle data values approaching infinity; and transformation corresponding to a second mathematical function for negative data values. The transformed data may be then output for display or storage. In another embodiment, the transforming involves substituting the particle data for an independent variable in the transform to directly obtain values to be plotted based on the input particle data values.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a biological entity. The method may include entering into a digital computer, at least a plurality of first input values associated with a first genetic element (e.g., mecA), a plurality of second input values associated with a second genetic element (femA), and a plurality of third input values associated with a third genetic element (e.g., orfX) associated with a plurality of samples. Each sample includes a first input value in the plurality of first input values, a second input value in the plurality of second input values, and a third input value in the plurality of third input values.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for the analysis of a blood sample are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of detecting and enumerating hard-to-ghost cells in a blood sample. Another embodiments is a method of analyzing reticulocytes in a blood sample. Methods of using blood count parameters are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for the analysis of particle analyzer data are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of analyzing immature reticulocytes in a blood sample, including the steps of: preprocessing the blood sample; measuring the blood sample by a detection including a reticulocyte-maturity measurement and a light scatter measurement; analyzing blood cell distribution patterns to identify a set of reticulocyte events; differentiating immature reticulocytes from mature reticulocytes using the reticulocyte-maturity measurement and the light scatter measurement; and reporting immature reticulocytes. The immature reticulocyte fraction may be one aspect that is reported.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided for processing data from a particle analyzer. The method includes transforming data using at least one transform that provides: transformation according to a weighted combination of a first mathematical function and a logarithmic function for positive data values, such that the transformation corresponds to the first mathematical function for positive particle data values approaching zero, and to the logarithmic function for positive particle data values approaching infinity; and transformation corresponding to a second mathematical function for negative data values. The transformed data may be then output for display or storage. In another embodiment, the transforming involves substituting the particle data for an independent variable in the transform to directly obtain values to be plotted based on the input particle data values.

Abstract: A system and method for paying a commission to an insurance agent is provided. The method comprises receiving a trail commission from an insurance company, the trail commission being related to or based on a premium paid by a consumer in connection with a product sold by the insurance agent. Next, the method comprises paying the insurance agent the commission in exchange for services provided to the consumer. The invention also comprises a system for paying a commission to an insurance agent. The system comprising an intermediate managing agent interposed between the insurance agent and an insurance company, the intermediate managing agent receiving a trail commission from the insurance company, the trail commission being related to or based on a premium paid by a consumer in connection with a product sold by the insurance agent, the intermediate managing agent further paying the insurance agent the commission in exchange for services provided to the consumer.

Abstract: The invention is a device, and a method of operating the device, for use in a wireless network, where the device may have to run on battery power, or other limited energy sources. The device saves battery power by employing two wireless radios. The primary radio is a fully featured unit that supports full network communications protocols. The secondary radio is a simple device, possibly of shorter or longer range, which is capable of rudimentary receipt, and possibly transmission, of simple communication. Such a secondary radio can be chosen to have significantly less power consumption than a fully featured radio. Thus the device can be operated, in a variety of novel schemes, with the secondary radio on and the primary radio off. The primary radio need only be turned on when full communication is required. Typically radio communication is the primary power draw in portable wireless devices, so the novel device can operate on less power than existing devices.

Abstract: A method of generating a markup language text template comprises identifying a variable text element in a source language text string and assigning a first predefined symbol to the variable text element, identifying a grammatical rule for the variable text element and assigning a second predefined symbol to the variable text element based on the identified grammatical rule, determining whether to assign supplemental information to the variable text element, wherein the first predefined symbol, the second predefined symbol, and the supplemental information if assigned represent a token, and repeating the identification of a grammatical rule, assignment of first and second predefined symbols, and determination of whether to assign supplemental information for remaining variable text elements in the source language text string so as to complete a markup language text template comprising one or more tokens.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a target language markup language (ML) text template comprise translating one or more words in a source language ML text template to one or more words in the target language so as to generate a target language ML text template, and defining a target language localized template for the target language ML text template using the translated words.

Abstract: A system and method for generating grammatically correct text in a target language based on one or more text templates and corresponding context in a source language comprises a software module configured to select one or more source language text templates and corresponding context in the source language. The system also includes a localization engine configured to obtain the selected one or more source language text templates and corresponding context in the target language from memory, apply the target language context to the one or more target language text templates, and apply one or more grammatical rules for the target language, thereby generating a grammatically correct text string in the target language. The system further includes a display configured to display the grammatically correct text string in the target language.

Abstract: A variable displacement bi-directional hydraulic motor 10 comprising a rotatable member 14 that has an axis of rotation and defines a plurality of cylinder bores, respective pistons 30 received in said bores and a yoke 34 provided with a bearing surface that is engaged by respective bearing members 32 carried at an end of the pistons that projects from the cylinder bores, said yoke being mounted for pivoting movement about a pivot axis to allow a swash angle of said bearing surface to be varied, whereby the displacement of the motor can be controllably varied and the direction of rotation of the motor can be changed and the arrangement being such that said bearing surface is inclined at a fixed angle in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said swash angle.

Abstract: A method of providing improved accuracy of the calculation of the long-term average arrival rate (AAR) of an ATM packet stream is disclosed. Using this method, accurate synchronization of a receiver clock to a network clock is achieved. The invention measures the variable time interval, T, required to complete the arrival of a known and fixed number of data packets, C. Using a predetermined and relatively large number of data packets, a time interval measurement is accurately measured to very precise values. Because the time interval measurement is triggered precisely by the arrival of the first data packet to the complete arrival of the last data packet in the session, there is no quantization error with respect to the first and last data packet. AAR is then calculated as (C*S)/T, where S is the number of samples per data packet.