Abstract: One or more price metrics are generated by retrieving, from a database, one or more price data sets representing a specified time period. Each of the retrieved price data sets includes at least a parameter value, a quoted cost, and a selling unit of measure for at least one item, and is responsive to a product specification data set that includes at least one parameter value and a unit of measure for each of one or more items. In at least one embodiment, a combined item price total is divided by a combined item unit total to generate a metric price per unit for each item in the product specification data set. In another embodiment, a summed individual metric price per unit is divided by the number of individual metric prices to generate an overall metric price per unit for each item in the product specification data set.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated liver stage Plasmodium polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-48 and immunogenic derivatives thereof. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the liver stage Plasmodium polypeptides of the invention, compositions comprising one or more liver stage Plasmodium polypeptides of the invention, methods for inducing an immune response against the liver stage Plasmodium polypeptides, and methods for treating and diagnosing liver stage malaria.

Abstract: The invention provides crosslinked porous biomaterials and methods for forming crosslinked porous biomaterials. The crosslinked porous biomaterials of the invention comprise a biocompatible polymer scaffold defining an array of pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all the pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores. The invention also provides implantable devices comprising a layer of a biomaterial, and methods for promoting angiogenesis in and around an implantable biomaterial.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing section contribution characteristic data to achieve accurate measurements by compensating for unwanted phosphor output variations that occur at specific sections of phosphor on a rotating high intensity phosphor point source element. Phosphor grain size, density, blend homogeneity, or illumination gap variations may cause the unwanted variations. Based on the section contribution characteristics, excitation energy compensation may provide a stable output illumination spectrum or computational compensation may correct measurements for effects arising from predictable output illumination spectrum variations. The section contribution characteristic data may comprise section wavelength intensity profile data and/or section efficiency data, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the sections may be on the order of the size of the phosphor grains and may be characterized and compensated.

Abstract: A ground anchor, including a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, ground piercing members depending from the lower surface of the body, the ground piercing members being adapted to engage an underlying ground surface and prevent movement of the body along such ground surface, ballast positioned on or in the body, the ballast being sufficient to maintain the ground piercing members engaged with the ground surface when under load, and means for securing an anchor line to the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sales or customer support using a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service; wherein the at least partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for camera pan vector estimation, are disclosed. A camera model is provided for representing motion vectors based on a plurality of parameters. A distribution of the motion vectors is generated. A cluster in the distribution of motion vectors is identified. A center of mass of the identified cluster is determined. The camera pan vector is provided based upon the determined center of mass.

Abstract: A plug has a plug body having an upper face and a lower face and a deformable member having opposed pipe engagement ends. A support structure is carried by the plug body and spaced from the lower face. The support structure supports the opposed pipe engagement ends of the deformable member. An actuator extends outward from the lower face of the plug body and is connected to the deformable member. The actuator adjusts the distance of a central portion of the deformable member from the lower face of the plug body to cause the engagement ends to move between a retracted release position and an extended engagement position. The actuator is actuated from the upper face of the plug body.

Abstract: A system includes a central controller to transmit a plurality of synchronization codes through a transmission medium and a plurality of satellite controllers, each satellite controller configured to recognize one or more synchronization codes of the plurality of synchronization codes, each satellite controller comprising a synchronous clock signal generator to generate a synchronous clock signal each time the satellite controller recognizes the one or more synchronization codes of the plurality of synchronization codes.

Abstract: An assembly for placing an insert into communication with an analytical chemical instrument having a first portion of tubing and a second portion of tubing includes a clamp arm assembly having first and second opposable clamp arms and a first fitting subassembly in communication with the first portion of tubing and configured to engage a first portion of an insert, wherein the first fitting subassembly is received within the first clamp arm. The assembly further includes a second fitting subassembly in communication with the second portion of tubing and configured to engage a second portion of the insert, wherein the second fitting subassembly is moveably received within the second clamp arm and biased in a direction toward the first fitting subassembly. Further included is an actuator assembly configured to move the second clamp arm toward the first clamp arm to secure the insert between the first and second fitting subassemblies.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting surface height measurements for optical aberration is provided. Heights determined by an autofocus tool, which may depend on surface feature angles in a focus region of interest (ROI) and on the ROI location in the field of view, are corrected based on a novel error calibration. Error calibration data includes height corrections for different feature angles in images, and for multiple locations in a field of view. Height corrections are determined by weighting and combining the angle dependent error calibration data, e.g., based on a gradient (edge) angle distribution determined in the ROIs. When Z-heights are determined for multiple ROIs in a field of view, storage of image data from particular images of a global image stack may be efficiently controlled based on determining early in processing whether a particular image is a sufficiently focused “near-peak” focused image or not.

Abstract: There is provided a novel compound that inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and/or the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and exhibits anti-tumor activity. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (1) having various substituents that inhibits PI3K and/or mTOR and exhibits anti-tumor activity: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Ra, Rb, Rc, and X each have the same meaning as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A method for estimating the start time of an electronic pulse generated in response to a detected event, for example the start time for pulses received in response to photon detection in positron emission tomography, includes providing a detector that detects an external event and generates an electronic analog pulse signal. A composite reference pulse curve is calculated to represent analog pulse signals generated by the detector. Upon receiving an analog pulse signal, it may be filtered, and then digitized, and normalized based on the area of the digital signal. Using at least one point of the normalized digital pulse signal, the composite reference pulse curve shape is used to estimate the pulse start time.

Abstract: An encoder configuration comprises a dual-modulation scale track pattern that provides a first intensity modulation component for producing periodic signals, and a second intensity modulation component for producing a long-range absolute signal. The dual-modulation scale track pattern increases the range-to-resolution ratio of the encoder without the use of additional scale tracks that would increase the width of the encoder components. The long-range signal may be encoded in the dual-modulation scale track pattern either by varying certain dimensions of pattern elements included in the scale track or by superimposing a layer including an optical density variation along on the track on pattern elements of similar areas. In either case, the net offset and/or amplitude levels of the associated signals are modified along the scale track. These modified offset and/or amplitude levels provide the basis for the long-range absolute signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having absorbing and luminescence wavelengths at relatively longer wavelength side of the visible area, and having thermal stability, which acts as a dye and/or a luminescence material and has practical utility therefor, and a production method thereof.