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: Compositions and methods for transport or release of therapeutic and diagnostic agents or metabolites or other analytes from cells, compartments within cells, or through cell layers or barriers are described. The compositions include a membrane barrier transport enhancing agent and are usually administered in combination with an enhancer and/or exposure to stimuli to effect disruption or altered permeability, transport or release. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions include compounds which disrupt endosomal membranes in response to the low pH in the endosomes but which are relatively inactive toward cell membranes (at physiologic pH, but can become active toward cell membranes if the environment is acidified below ca. pH 6.8), coupled directly or indirectly to a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. Other disruptive agents can also be used, responsive to stimuli and/or enhancers other than pH, such as light, electrical stimuli, electromagnetic stimuli, ultrasound, temperature, or combinations thereof.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Liquid and/or particle-shaped impurities are precipitated from a stream of gas, for example, from a stream of gas that originates from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine and is directed to the engine's intake side. The stream of gas is passed through a gas discharge section between two electrodes. The stream of gas is passed between an emission electrode which is formed by electrode tips and an opposing electrode at a distance therefrom. A direct voltage which exceeds the breakdown voltage is applied to the electrodes using a direct current high voltage source, and the current which occurs over the gas discharge section between the electrodes is limited. A stable low energy direct current plasma is formed in the space between the two electrodes. The impurities are electrically charged and attracted to the opposing electrode by means of electrical field forces.

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: In one aspect, the present invention provides chemoprotectant compositions that each comprise at least two of the chemoprotectants disclosed herein. The chemoprotectant compositions of the invention are useful, for example, for ameliorating at least one adverse effect of chemotherapy. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of ameliorating at least one adverse effect of chemotherapy, the methods each comprising the step of administering to a subject undergoing chemotherapy an amount of a chemoprotectant composition that is effective to ameliorate at least one adverse effect of the chemotherapy.

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.