Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for implementing enhanced expertise and evidence based decision making in knowledge-based applications. Expertise and evidence based decision making operations include differentiating between an average user and an expert user, and using real time feedback from expert users to update and embed expert knowledge into a predefined baseline command sequence model for a given task or problem.

Abstract: A method for applying ultrasound to activate a cavitation enhancing agent in the presence of a therapeutic compound and a microbial biofilm is provided. The ultrasound energy causes the cavitation enhancing agent to cavitate in the ultrasound field. The cavitation of the resultant bubble causes fluid streaming and shear forces at and near the biofilm, causing enhanced penetration of the therapeutic compound into the biofilm, and resulting in improved efficacy of the therapeutic compound against the biofilm. The method further includes cavitation enhancing agents which can be loaded with oxygen gas or combined with microbubbles which carry oxygen gas, which further potentiate antibiotic efficacy against the biofilm.

Abstract: Capreomycin sulfate and CPZEN-45, which act in non-identical manners to treat tuberculosis infection, are combined into particles by spray drying thereby giving an intimate mixture for combination drug therapy. The spray dried combination powder is prepared in an aerodynamic particle size range (such as 1-5 ?m) suitable for pulmonary delivery when delivered from an inhaler.

Abstract: The medical devices of the present disclosure are filled reservoirs such as a cylinder comprised of a polymer film which contains a reservoir of active agent, plus excipient, in some cases, for disease prevention, treatment, and/or contraception. The polymer film is permeable to the active agent after subcutaneous implantation of the device into a body. The cylinder is comprised by the lamination of one or two polymer films which are ultrasonically welded to contain the drug material. The use of an ultrasonic welding process enables sealing of the polymer films to create the closed cylinder. The medical device is useful for long term disease prevention, such as prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to isolated human autoantibodies and assays and kits for detecting human autoantibodies reactive with at least one natriuretic peptide or natriuretic peptide fragment in a test sample.

Abstract: At a remote location, audio-visual data is received and processed to produce processed audio-visual data. The processed audio-visual data is communicated to a central location using a programmable logic controller communication protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high-speed autofocus and tilt of an inspection surface in a microscope system. The method and apparatus herein described projects an array of spots, lines, circles, grids or other shapes on the surface to be adjusted. The superposition of the array on the surface is imaged by a CCD camera and captured for subsequent analysis. Analysis of the captured image determines both the distance and angle through which the surface must be adjusted to bring it into the focal plane of the optical system. Focus and tilt error is estimated by comparing image dilation and distortion with calibrated data.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a multimedia server to dynamically adjust the data rate that is streamed over an error-prone bandwidth-varying wireless network to a mobile multimedia client in a client-server architecture. The method enables multimedia applications to efficiently utilize the available (yet time-varying) wireless channel bandwidth and helps prevent interruption in the streaming due to client buffer underflow and packet loss due to network buffer overflow, hence significantly improving the multimedia streaming performance.

Abstract: Acridinium sulfonylamides and isomers, such as phenanthridinium sulfonylamides, may be employed in applications including chemiluminmescent immunoassays. Methods for synthesis of these compounds include contacting an amine with a sulfonylhalide to form a sulfonamide and acylating with an activated carboxylic acid of an acridine or isomer thereof. The N-sulfonyl-9-acridinium carboxamide and isomers may be conjugated to antigens, haptens, antibodies, and nucleic acids for use in chemiluminescent assays.

Abstract: Acridinium sulfonylamides and isomers, such as phenanthridinium sulfonylamides, may be employed in applications including chemiluminmescent immunoassays. Methods for synthesis of these compounds include contacting an amine with a sulfonylhalide to form a sulfonamide and acylating with an activated carboxylic acid of an acridine or isomer thereof. The N-sulfonyl-9-acridinium carboxamide and isomers may be conjugated to antigens, haptens, antibodies, and nucleic acids for use in chemiluminescent assays.