Patents by Inventor Ashraf Ismail
Ashraf Ismail has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20200141864Abstract: The present disclosure presents methods and systems for the spectral identification of microorganisms using reflection infrared spectroscopy. A background spectrum is acquired to measure a water vapor level of an ambient atmosphere in the absence of a sample. The sample containing the microorganism is brought into contact with an infrared reflective substrate, the sample has intact microbial cells. Spectral data is acquired from the sample using reflection infrared spectroscopy no more than a predetermined time after having acquired the background spectrum. The background spectrum and the spectral data are combined thereby producing modified spectral data. The microorganism is characterized using the modified spectral data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Ashraf A. ISMAIL, Jacqueline SEDMAN, Pierre LEBEL
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Publication number: 20190369015Abstract: The present disclosure presents methods and systems for the spectral identification of microorganisms using disposable or recyclable transflection and internal reflection infrared substrates. A background spectrum to measure a water vapor level of an ambient atmosphere in the absence of a sample is acquired. The sample containing the microorganism is brought into contact with a disposable infrared internal reflection substrate. The sample has intact microbial cells. Spectral data is acquired from the sample using internal reflection infrared spectroscopy or transflection infrared spectroscopy no more than a predetermined time after having acquired the background spectrum. The background spectrum and the spectral data are combined thereby producing modified spectral data. The microorganism is characterized using the modified spectral data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Ashraf A. ISMAIL, Jacqueline SEDMAN
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Publication number: 20190178793Abstract: The present disclosure presents methods and systems for the spectral identification of microorganisms based on controlled water activity. The water content of a sample is fully retained and no drying treatments are applied prior to spectral acquisition. Spectral acquisition of the sample is immediately preceded by a measurement of a water vapor level in the ambient atmosphere around the sample through a background spectrum. The spectral data and the background spectrum are combined and the combined data is used for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Ashraf A. ISMAIL, Pierre LEBEL, Jacqueline SEDMAN
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Publication number: 20170167973Abstract: A rapid method for characteterizing and identifying micsoorganisims using Focal-Plane Array (FPA)-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is disclosed. Multi-pixels spectral images of unknown microorganisms spectra are analyzed and compared to spectra of reference microorganisms in databases. The method allows rapid and highly reliable identification of unknown microorganisms for the purpose of medical diagnosis, food and environmental control.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Ashraf Ismail, Jonah Prevost Kirkwood, Jacqueline Sedman, Andrew Ghetler, Tom Pinchuk, John Austin, Lorraine Gour
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Patent number: 9551654Abstract: A rapid method for characterizing and identifying microorganisms using Focal-Plane Array (FPA)-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is disclosed. Multi-pixels spectral images of unknown microorganisms spectra are analyzed and compared to spectra of reference microorganisms in databases. The method allows rapid and highly reliable identification of unknown microorganisms for the purpose of medical diagnosis, food and environmental control.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignees: MCGILL UNIVERSITY, HEALTH CANADAInventors: Ashraf Ismail, Jonah Prevost Kirkwood, Jacqueline Sedman, Andrew Ghetler, Tom Pinchuk, John Austin, Lorraine Gour
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Publication number: 20140011742Abstract: A process for treating a protein before hydrolytic digestion, the process comprising exposing the protein to at least one cycle of microwave irradiation to produce a microwave treated protein containing one or more bioactive peptides. Further hydrolyzing the microwave treated protein to release at least one of the one or more bioactive peptides. A pharmaceutical composition, supplement and food product including the microwave treated protein or the one or more released bioactive peptides.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2011Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: MCGILL UNIVERSITYInventors: Jacqueline Sedman, Ashraf A. Ismail, Ahmed I. Gomaa
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Patent number: 8140490Abstract: There is disclosed a data processing system implemented method, a data processing system, and an article of manufacture for directing a data processing system to maintain a database table associated with an initial maintenance scheduling interval. The data processing system implemented method includes selecting a randomizing factor, and selecting a new maintenance scheduling interval for the database table based on the initial maintenance scheduling interval and the selected randomizing factor.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ashraf Ismail Aboulnaga, Peter Jay Haas, Sam Sampson Lightstone, Volker Gerhard Markl, Ivan Popivanov, Vijayshankar Raman
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Patent number: 7951853Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial agents, methods for the production of these agents, and the use of these agents. The antimicrobial agent of the present invention includes a water-soluble polymer and oligodynamic metal ions which interact with counter-ions of the polymer such that the metal ions are bound to corresponding counter-ions. The water-soluble polymer controls a sustained release of the metal ions. The oligodynamic metal ions preferably include small size metal particles (e.g., nano-sized silver particles) that interact to the water-soluble polymer as well as metal ions derived from one or more water-soluble oligodynamic metal compositions (e.g., metal sulfates and/or metal nitrates). The agent may also include one or more acids, including organic acids (such as sulfates, carboxylic acids, amines, hydroxyls, nitrates, and phosphates) and/or non-organic acids (such as boric acid and dioctylborate).Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Smart Anti-Microbial Solutions, LLCInventors: Ashraf A. Ismail, Leonard Pinchuk, Orley R. Pinchuk, David Pinchuk
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Patent number: 7831592Abstract: An autonomic tool that supervises the collection and maintenance of database statistics for query optimization by transparently deciding what statistics to gather, when and in what detail to gather them. Feedback from data-driven statistics collection is simultaneously combined with feedback from query-driven learning-based statistics collection, to better process both rapidly changing data and data that is queried frequently. The invention monitors table activity and decides if the data in a table has changed sufficiently to require a refresh of invalid statistics. The invention determines if the invalidity is due to correlation between purportedly independent data, outdated statistics, or statistics that have too few frequent values. Tables and column groups are ranked in order of statistical invalidity, and a limited computational budget is prioritized by ranking subsequent gathering of improved statistics.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Volker G. Markl, Peter Jay Haas, Ashraf Ismail Aboulnaga, Vijayashankar Raman, Felix Endres
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Publication number: 20080228831Abstract: There is disclosed a data processing system implemented method, a data processing system, and an article of manufacture for directing a data processing system to maintain a database table associated with an initial maintenance scheduling interval. The data processing system implemented method includes selecting a randomizing factor, and selecting a new maintenance scheduling interval for the database table based on the initial maintenance scheduling interval and the selected randomizing factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINESInventors: Ashraf Ismail Aboulnaga, Peter Jay Haas, Sam Sampson Lightstone, Volker Gerhard Markl, Ivan Popivanov, Vijayshankar Raman
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Publication number: 20080213394Abstract: An antimicrobial agent includes a metal ion in a hydrophilic polymer binder or carrier. The metal ion is preferably a silver ion and the hydrophilic polymer preferably comprises a sulfonated polyurethane or sulfonated polystyrene. According to a method of the invention, the antimicrobial agent is dissolved in dimethyl acetamide DMA, applied to paper by spraying, squeegee or the like and dried in an oven to flash off the solvent. The antimicrobial agent can be applied to other products by spraying and/or dipping and then drying to flash off solvent. According to another embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobial agent includes a water soluble polymer, at least one organic acid (e.g., one or more carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, formic acid, citric acid, malefic acid, ascorbic acid, salicyclic acid), and oligodynamic metal ions which react with counter-ions of the polymer such that the metal ions are bound to corresponding counter-ions, and the polymer controls a sustained release of said metal ion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2005Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Louis J. Tullo, Leonard Pinchuk, Ashraf A. Ismail, Orley R. Pinchuk, David Pinchuk
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Publication number: 20080132418Abstract: A rapid method for characterizing and identifying microorganisms using Focal-Plane Array (FPA)-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is disclosed. Multi-pixels spectral images of unknown microorganisms spectra are analyzed and compared to spectra of reference microorganisms in databases. The method allows rapid and highly reliable identification of unknown microorganisms for the purpose of medical diagnosis, food and environmental control.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2005Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Ashraf Ismail, Jonah Prevost Kirkwood, Jacqueline Sedman, Andrew Ghetler, Tom Pinchuk
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Publication number: 20080133454Abstract: An autonomic tool that supervises the collection and maintenance of database statistics for query optimization by transparently deciding what statistics to gather, when and in what detail to gather them. Feedback from data-driven statistics collection is simultaneously combined with feedback from query-driven learning-based statistics collection, to better process both rapidly changing data and data that is queried frequently. The invention monitors table activity and decides if the data in a table has changed sufficiently to require a refresh of invalid statistics. The invention determines if the invalidity is due to correlation between purportedly independent data, outdated statistics, or statistics that have too few frequent values. Tables and column groups are ranked in order of statistical invalidity, and a limited computational budget is prioritized by ranking subsequent gathering of improved statistics.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2004Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: VOLKER G. MARKL, PETER JAY HAAS, ASHRAF ISMAIL ABOULNAGA, VIJAYSHANKAR RAMAN, FELIX ENDRES
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Patent number: 7363324Abstract: There is disclosed a data processing system implemented method, a data processing system, and an article of manufacture for directing a data processing system to maintain a database table associated with an initial maintenance scheduling interval. The data processing system implemented method includes selecting a randomizing factor, and selecting a new maintenance scheduling interval for the database table based on the initial maintenance scheduling interval and the selected randomizing factor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ashraf Ismail Aboulnaga, Peter Jay Haas, Sam Sampson Lightstone, Volker Gerhard Markl, Ivan Popivanov, Vijayshankar Raman
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Publication number: 20070098806Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial agents, methods for the production of these agents, and the use of these agents. The antimicrobial agent of the present invention includes a water-soluble polymer and oligodynamic metal ions which interact with counter-ions of the polymer such that the metal ions are bound to corresponding counter-ions. The water-soluble polymer controls a sustained release of the metal ions. The oligodynamic metal ions preferably include small size metal particles (e.g., nano-sized silver particles) that interact to the water-soluble polymer as well as metal ions derived from one or more water-soluble oligodynamic metal compositions (e.g., metal sulfates and/or metal nitrates). The agent may also include one or more acids, including organic acids (such as sulfates, carboxylic acids, amines, hydroxyls, nitrates, and phosphates) and/or non-organic acids (such as boric acid and dioctylborate).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Ashraf Ismail, Leonard Pinchuk, Orley Pinchuk, David Pinchuk
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Publication number: 20070092632Abstract: The present invention is a method for increasing the digestibility of a food protein by subjecting the food protein to a single-cycle of ultra high pressure. Food proteins of the instant invention find application in nutraceutical, nutritional food, nutritional product or dietary supplement compositions for providing a protein source to a subject with a protein deficiency. In particular embodiments, the food protein is a whey protein useful in preventing or treating diseases or conditions associated with glutathione deficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2005Publication date: April 26, 2007Inventors: Stan Kubow, Larry Lands, Laurie Chan, Charles Rohlicek, Ashraf Ismail, Hosahalli Ramaswamy, Pedro Alvarez, Vijay Grey
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Publication number: 20070087023Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial agents, methods for the production of these agents, and the use of these agents. The antimicrobial agent of the present invention includes a water-soluble polymer and oligodynamic metal ions which interact with counter-ions of the polymer such that the metal ions are bound to corresponding counter-ions. The polymer controls a sustained release of the metal ions. The metal ions preferably include small size metal particles (e.g., nano-sized silver particles) that interact to the water-soluble polymer as well as metal ions derived from one or more water-soluble oligodynamic metal compositions (e.g., metal sulfates and/or metal nitrates). The agent may also include one or more acids, including organic acids and/or non-organic acids. In another aspect, antimicrobial agents that include a polymer and oligodynamic metal ions are used to treat or prevent citrus canker.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: April 19, 2007Inventors: Ashraf Ismail, Leonard Pinchuk, Orley Pinchuk, David Pinchuk
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Publication number: 20060136499Abstract: There is disclosed a data processing system implemented method, a data processing system, and an article of manufacture for directing a data processing system to maintain a database table associated with an initial maintenance scheduling interval. The data processing system implemented method includes selecting a randomizing factor, and selecting a new maintenance scheduling interval for the database table based on the initial maintenance scheduling interval and the selected randomizing factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Inventors: Ashraf Ismail Aboulnaga, Peter Jay Haas, Sam Sampson Lightstone, Volker Gerhard Markl, Ivan Popivanov, Vijayshankar Raman
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Patent number: 5889683Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for controlling and extending the performance of lubricating fluids, such as lubricating oils. The method comprises simultaneous detection of multiple additives and contaminant levels in the lubricating fluids and measured input of selected additives to the lubricating fluids. The additive and contaminants levels are simultaneously and quantitatively determined using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, and any drop in additive levels below pre-specified limits automatically triggers corrective action whereby a computer-controlled delivery system is employed to replenish the depleted additives. The system can also be employed to detect irreversible degradation of the lubricating fluids and direct the degraded fluids to a holding area where they may undergo treatment or disposal and add new fresh lubricating fluids.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1996Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Inventors: Ashraf A. Ismail, Frederick R. Van De Voort, David Pinchuk
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Patent number: 5578499Abstract: The present invention relates to an homogeneous immunoassay system for the determination of an antibody or an antigen in a sample which consists of an interferometric signal emitted from an infrared source, a waveguide coated with an antibody or an antigen and having at least one region immersed in an aqueous sample, whereby the corresponding antigen or antibody can be complexed on the surface of the waveguide, a detector adapted to measure the interferometric signal after its propagation through the waveguide, and a measuring device to take the Fourier transform of the interferometric signal for determining the degree of attenuation of the interferometric signal at a wavelength corresponding to an absorption characteristic of an infrared label incorporated into the antigen-antibody complex, whereby determining the concentration of antigen or antibody in the sample.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1994Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of LearningInventor: Ashraf A. Ismail