Abstract: The present invention features a decorative article for an automotive glazing. An interior layer, an exterior layer in side by side relation with the interior layer, and a vinyl layer with a decorative pattern are arranged so that the vinyl layer is disposed between the interior and exterior layers. A ceramic pattern layer is disposed on the interior layer opposite the vinyl layer. The ceramic pattern layer has light reflecting background for enhanced illumination of the decorative pattern of the vinyl layer.

Abstract: A system for providing for display/dispensing of a nutritional supplement useful in mitigating the deleterious effects of over-imbibation at a location convenient to guests at an overnight accommodation, and can include providing same in guest rooms and can include providing for adding a cost of use of same to the cost of accommodation.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a porous metal catalyst (44) on a substrate (42) for nanotube (84) growth in an emissive display. The method comprises depositing a metal (44) onto a surface of a substrate (12) at an angle (?) to the surface, depositing a metal catalyst (72) onto the metal (44), and forming nanotubes (84) on the metal catalyst (72).

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for constructing, transmitting, and authenticating a password utilized by an authentication device to authenticate an access device. The authentication device receives the password from the access device, authenticates the access device if the password matches stored information, and returns an acknowledgment message that includes an index value associated with a stored character set. The access device constructs and transmits the password. The access device receives from a user, a plurality of predefined characters forming a User ID. The access device also receives the acknowledgment message and index value from the authentication device. The index value is used to identify a character set from a plurality of character sets stored in a lookup table. The access device integrates the User ID and the identified character set to generate a password, and transmits the password to the authentication device.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and authenticating a password to protect a computer system from unauthorized access. The characters of the password are placed in data packets by an access device. Prior to sending the packets, the device inserts a predefined number of blank packets between each of the character-carrying packets. The number of blank packets is retrieved from a number sequence that is shared between the access device and an authentication device. The authentication device determines whether the received set of password characters matches a stored set of password characters, determines whether the received number of blank packets between the received character-carrying packets matches a predefined number of blank packets, and positively authenticates the access device only if both conditions are met.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with a system for producing a bus-type header-type field from a point-to-point data-type field are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a logic configured to identify that a point-to-point transaction includes non-memory-data information encoded in a data flit, a logic configured to extract the non-memory-data information from the data flit, and a logic configured to produce a header-type field for a bus-type transaction produced by the virtual bus interface from the point-to-point transaction.

Abstract: A self-sealing closure device adapted to selectively seal an extra-ocular end of a cannula. The closure is designed to prevent the flow of fluids through the cannula in the absence of an instrument being positioned within the cannula. The elastic closure includes a first portion that extends at least partially around an outside surface of the extra-ocular end of the cannula and a second portion that extends at least partially within the extra-ocular end of the cannula. A passageway extends through the second portion of the closure and is selectively sealed by a septum having multiple elastic flaps. The flaps are selectively moveable to control the movement of fluids through the elastic closure.

Abstract: A corporeal drainage system including a fluid receptacle. The fluid receptacle in one embodiment is disposable and may be manipulated to generate a negative fluid pressure. The fluid receptacle in another embodiment is reusable and includes features to enable the insertion of a disposable bag therein. A pump may be integral to the fluid receptacle, the pump including a pair of unidirectional check valves. A catheter connection system is described, which facilitates connection between a fluid flow conduit and an implanted catheter. Methods of producing active and passive siphon systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A client device, system, and method for constructing a two-factor password utilized by an authentication device to authenticate an accessing computer. The client device connects to the accessing computer through an input/output (I/O) port such as a USB connection. When a user desires to access a network, he enters a user ID, which is sent from the accessing computer to the client device. The client device includes a client application, which retrieves a second factor from an internal database, and combines the user ID and the retrieved second factor to form the two-factor password. The two-factor password is sent to the accessing computer, which transmits it to the authentication device. The accessing computer is authenticated only if both the user ID and the second factor match a user ID and second factor stored in the authentication device.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease, at risk for Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention contemplate novel compositions and methods for the treatment of such patients. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates proteins and protein variants that function by depolymerizing or preventing the polymerization of amyloid plaques believed to play a role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method and financial arrangement for financing (or refinancing) and operating a business project are provided. They are designed to better allocate the risks inherent in setting up and operating the business project and optimize the benefits of the project for all of the involved parties—lenders, sponsors, investors, operators and consumers and/or end users of the project. This novel method and financial arrangement provide additional security for lenders and investors of the project, while, at the same time, providing benefits and incentives to consumers and/or end users of the project. As an illustrative example, an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a power plant project. Among many potential benefits, the present invention may provide a solution for overcoming the current disarray in the power industry.

Abstract: A sheath has a cannulated portion having a wall with an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A valve is formed within wall. The valve has a first position occluding fluid flow through the sheath and a second position permitting fluid flow through the sheath.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting assembly includes a channel plate and a bracket for securely receiving the signal testing unit. The channel plate is securely mounted adjacent to a surface of a vehicle and includes a plurality of channels that extend through the plate. The bracket includes a housing for receiving the testing unit and one or more clips. Each clip engages a channel in the channel plate to mount the bracket to the channel plate. In addition, each clip includes at least one finger that includes an engaging portion. The clip is removably engaged into one of the channels by positioning the engaging portion of each finger adjacent the back side of the channel plate such that the bracket is positioned adjacent the front side of the channel plate. In one embodiment, the finger is spring biased.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent polyester staple fiber and a spun yarn comprising cotton and a bicomponent polyester staple. The fiber of the invention exhibits unexpectedly good crimp and cardability properties, and the yarn has unusually high stretch characteristics and excellent uniformity.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: A method for preparing a semiconductor substrate surface (28) for semiconductor device fabrication, includes providing a semiconductor substrate (20) having a pure Ge surface layer (28) or a Ge-containing surface layer (12), such as SiGe. The semiconductor substrate (20) is cleaned using a first oxygen plasma process (14) to remove foreign matter (30) from the surface (28) of the substrate (20). The substrate surface (28) is next immersed in a hydrochloric acid solution (16) to remove additional foreign matter (30) from the surface (28) of the substrate (20). The immersion step is followed by a second oxygen plasma etch process (18), passivate the surface with a passivation layer (34), and provide for an atomically smooth surface for subsequent epitaxial or gate dielectric growth.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to assist in the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) from microarray hybridization data. Data from hybridization protocols run on microarrays often have variations in the data resulting from variations in hybridization conditions and efficiencies and variations in optical intensities. An algorithm is described to screen the results to identify those data points most likely to be real SNPs as opposed to variations in the hybridization or sensing data.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for optimizing nucleic acid detection assays for use in basic research and clinical research. Specifically, the invention provides a method for empirically optimizing nucleic acid probes by testing them with samples containing genomic DNA with variations in copy number in different regions of the genome. The invention enables the optimization of probes for any hybridization based assay including microarrays, bead-based assays, genotyping assays and RNAi assays.

Abstract: An optical measuring device having multiple optical paths between one or more light emitters and one or more light detectors and/or providing at least two sets of wavelength of light along at least one path, with a final measurement being produced as a combination of measurements of the sets of wavelengths of light taken along one or more of the optical paths.

Abstract: A run-flat support ring, which is a component mounted upon a rim inside a tire to extend the distance the tire may travel at reduced or zero inflation pressure, is provided having an internal fin design that improves the rolling resistance of the support ring without sacrificing the overall load bearing and handling characteristics. Certain embodiments may also include one or more features that improve the process of mounting the support ring onto a rim and better tolerate variations, within manufacturing tolerances, in the respective diameters of the rim and the support ring.