Abstract: Described herein is a particle detection system capable of spatially resolving the interaction of particles with a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Using a specific electromagnetic beam cross sectional shape and orientation, the detection sensitivity of a particle detection system can be improved. Also provided are methods for detecting and sizing particles in a manner that has low background signal and allows for spatially resolving the scattering or emission of electromagnetic radiation from particles.

Abstract: Various methods for visualization of output from a liquid-liquid chromatographic instrument are provided. One or more analytes detected by a liquid-liquid chromatographic instrument are visualized by providing a data set comprising a plurality of data points corresponding to one or more analytes detected by the instrument, wherein the data points comprise at least one parameter related to a K-value or a parameter from which a K-value can be determined. A K-value is calculated for at least a portion of the data set, and at least a portion of those K-values transformed by a reciprocal transformation to generate output data having a transformed K-value, wherein the transformed K-value is a real number for all K undergoing the transformation, thereby ensuring that all analytes detected by the instrument are plotted in a single chromatogram. The output data is provided to a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-combustible, sound-absorbing facing (30) having an air flow resistivity of between 80 and 3,000 Rayls and a weight per unit area of between 20 and 1,000 g/m2 and to a laminate (10) comprising the facing (30) and a substrate (20) wherein superimposing the facing (30) on the substrate (20) forms the laminate (10) having good sound absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: Provided are a method, an apparatus, and a program for processing a mammographic image, whereby the file size of the mammographic image can be remarkably reduced while retaining the original breast portion sufficient for diagnosis. A controlling unit divides an original mammographic image into a breast portion and a background portion based on a predetermined value (whether each pixel value of the original mammographic image is greater or smaller than a predetermined value). It determines the breast boundary line between the breast portion and the background portion (operation S2). It shifts and expands the breast portion upward, downward and forward to result in a secondary boundary line, wherein the breast portion side of the secondary boundary line has a size larger than that of the breast portion (operation S3).

Abstract: A method of detecting a neurodegenerative disease includes (a) a standardization step of creating a first image by applying anatomical standardization to a brain nuclear medical image; (b) a conversion step of creating a second image by converting the pixel value of each pixel of an image based on the first image into a z score or a t value; (c) an addition step of calculating the sum of the pixel values of individual pixels in a predetermined region of interest in the second image; and (d) a detection step of obtaining the results of the detection of the neurodegenerative disease through an operation of comparison of the sum with a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, materials and kits for analyzing DNA samples from bovine to determine whether the animal is a recessive carrier of a genetic mutation that is associated with tibial hemimelia. DNA-containing samples are analyzed by genetic testing to determine whether or not a deletion mutation is present in one of the alleles that encodes Aristaless-like4 (ALX4) protein, wherein the deletion mutation is associated with tibial hemimelia.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for particle detection and analysis using two-dimensional optical imaging to access enhanced detection sensitivity and expanded sensing functionality relative to conventional point and array detection-based optical particle counters. Methods and systems of the present invention provide a two-dimensional optical imaging-based particle sensing platform wherein system components and specifications are selected to generate reproducible and readily identifiable signals, including particle detection signatures, from optical scattering or emission from particles provided to the system. Systems and methods of the present invention are capable of accurately and sensitively detecting, identifying, and characterizing (e.g., determining the size of) particles in liquid phase or gas phase samples.

Abstract: Provided are rigid contact lenses having high oxygen permeability and methods to make the same. The rigid contact lenses comprise a polyacetylene. Also provided are methods of making rigid high oxygen permeability contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like, having a micro-optical moiré magnification arrangement having a motif image that consists of a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of micromotif elements (28) that is planar or applied on a curved surface, and a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of microfocusing elements (24) that is planar or applied on a curved surface, for moiré-magnified viewing of the micromotif elements (28) of the motif image, the arrangement of micromotif elements (28) and/or the arrangement of microfocusing elements (24) exhibiting, in the planar case, no symmetry axis in the plane of the arrangement in its periodic or at least locally periodic regions.

Abstract: The present invention broadly provides methods and systems for detecting, identifying, and characterizing conditions, including diseases and other disorders in human or other animal subjects, by analyzing fluorescence from endogenous flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) fluorophors present in biological materials and samples. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to conditions of the human breast including cancers such as carcinoma. Methods and systems are provided for detecting, locating, and characterizing tumors and precancerous tissue via nonlinear optical imaging techniques capable of accurately characterizing fluorescence intensities and fluorescent lifetime parameters from endogenous FAD fluorophors present in a test tissue sample.

Abstract: Provided is pants having a body-shaping function including; an elastic fabric included in the pants, and having a boundary that is partially fixed on the pants to elastically support hips of a wearer; and a hip-up band fixed on the elastic fabric to push the hips up so as to make contours of the hips more voluminous or compression bands on lower side portions of the elastic fabric in order to compress thighs of the wearer so as to make the thighs look thin, or a pair of pads having predetermined thicknesses and disposed on the elastic fabric to make the hips of the wearer look more attractive. Therefore, since the elastic fabric is integrally fixed in the pants for shaping the hips, the conventional girdle is not required. In addition, since the girdle in the pants only compresses the hips, it does not affect blood circulation around the belly, and is easily wearable. Also, the contours of the hips look more attractive due to the pads.

Abstract: An integrated infusion management system provides for stable support of components attached to the system, even when the system is mobile. The system is optionally a mobility assist or walker for a patient who is attached to any number of medical components. A central trunk connects to a two-sided base that does not interfere with patient motion. The trunk may be angled with respect to vertical and oriented to support medical components in a configuration that is tip-resistant. The system is optionally deployable to facilitate conversion between a compact storage configuration and a stable deployed configuration. In an embodiment, additional deployable features include holding arms for holding various medical components, wheels, mobility arms and handles. Also provided is a novel wheel system with deployable wheels and methods associated with providing compact storage of any one or more of the systems presented herein.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to isolate Rf gene, particularly Rf1 gene derived from radish, and identify its structure. The present invention provides a protein involved in restoration of a cytoplasmic male sterile individual to fertility which has 14 or more pentatricopeptide repeat (hereafter may be abbreviated to PPR) motifs, wherein a group of the motifs is divided into 3 or more blocks, each of the individual blocks has at least 2 or more PPR motifs, and the block in a carboxyl terminal (C terminal) side has 4 PPR motifs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of choroid plexus cells and/or choroid plexus conditioned media for enhancing the growth, survival and/or maintenance of function of non-choroid plexus cells grown in long term or short term culture.

Abstract: A solar collector tracking system is provided for maintaining orientation of multiple solar collectors to the sun to provide optimal focusing of solar radiation on a receiver. The system includes a local controller circuit board that contains a sun-tracking algorithm to control the movement of multiple solar collectors to keep them optimally focused on the sun. The system also comprises a separate motor controller for each collector in data line connection with the local controller, and a motor for each collector in power connection with its motor controller. This isolates the local controller from the motor and protects the circuit board against power surges. The local controller allows effective field maintenance using field-replaceable components. Its circuit board is preassembled in a rugged, weather-proof cabinet to minimize the time and work required to prepare and install it in the field. The typical service life of this durable local controller is expected to be 30 years.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided as one for creating a fused image automatically and with high overlapping accuracy. An image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes (a) a voxel normalization step of equalizing voxel sizes and numbers of voxels in respective effective fields of view of a first 3D image based on a plurality of first tomographic images obtained from an arbitrary part of a subject and a second 3D image based on a plurality of second tomographic images obtained from the same part, thereby creating a first normalized 3D image corresponding to the first 3D image and a second normalized 3D image corresponding to the second 3D image; and (b) a fused image creation step of creating a fused image, using the first normalized 3D image and the second normalized 3D image.

Abstract: Disclosed are chelating agent-conjugated ?-MSH peptide derivatives, preparation methods thereof, and compositions for use in a diagnosis or treatment of a melanoma tumor containing the same as an active ingredient. The novel ?-MSH peptide derivatives conjugated with chelating agent according to the present invention are highly selective to the melanocortin-1 receptor which is ?-MSH receptor expressing in melanoma tumor and their labeling rate of a radioactive isotope is high. Also, they remain in kidney shortly and have high taking rate of the melanoma tumor. Therefore, with the aforesaid reasons, they may be effectively used for early diagnosis or treatment of melanoma tumor.

Abstract: There is provided a transposable element comprising at least four inverted repeats, at least two of which are each inverted in relation to another, the element comprising DNA for insertion into a host genome, the DNA being located between two pairs of opposing repeats excisable by a transposase in situ to leave said DNA without flanking transposon-derived repeats in the host genome. Also provided is a transposable element comprising at least three inverted repeats, at least one of which is inverted in relation to the others, wherein at least one non-terminal repeat is a minimal repeat. Both these elements allow for greater efficiency of insertion of nucleotide sequences into the genome.

Abstract: An implantable adjustable body tissue cuff, apparatus and method. The cuff is an elastomeric strap of biocompatible non-conductive material. The strap's tail and head provide adjustable length fastening by a) the tail being formed with longitudinally spaced, laterally paired locking projections and the head being formed with one or more locking apertures; or b) the tail being formed with longitudinally spaced locking apertures and the head being formed with one or more laterally paired locking projections. The locking projection shape allows for passage through the locking aperture, while restricting movement in a reverse direction. The cuff accommodates devices such as tissue stimulators or recorders, with conductive elements attached, imbedded, or printed on the strap body. The cuff is intra-operatively adjusted to optimize placement and contact between conductive elements and body tissue, without tissue damage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Gardenia augusta plant named ‘PIIGA-I’, characterized by its large, single white flowers that are produced from spring to frost, lustrous, dark green foliage, compact rounded growth habit, and cold hardiness to USDA Hardiness Zone 6b.