Abstract: Compositions and methods for the regulation of sleep and circadian rhythms are provided. The compositions are nutritional supplements containing melatonin and one or more vitamins that enhance the effectiveness of melatonin. Preferred vitamins include folic acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), cobalamin (vitamin B12) or pyridoxine (vitamin B6). The compositions beneficially and advantageously regulate sleep when administered to an individual and are administered to a human or animal suffering from an irregular sleep or circadian rhythm or are administered in anticipation of the development of such an irregularity.

Abstract: The automatic measurement of evoked compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds of the auditory nerve; that is, a neural response, concurrently with the performance of psychophysics measurements of a prosthetic hearing implant recipient. During the fitting process, a stimulus signal comprising two components is applied to each stimulation channel. One signal component is configured to elicit an ECAP neural response, referred to herein as a neural response signal component. The other component is configured to elicit a response to a psychophysics stimulation, referred to herein as a psychophysics signal component. Indications of the psychophysics measurement and the concurrently obtained neural response measurements are provided to the user. For the psychophysics measurement, this includes the selected characteristics of the psychophysics signal component since the results of the applied stimulation is a recipient behavioral or auditory response.

Abstract: Diagnosis means, in the form of a software tool, for on-site diagnosis of a sound processor of an implanted prosthesis. The diagnosis means assesses hardware components and programming functions of the sound processor and accesses and assesses patient data stored in the sound processor. An activity log or report based on the assessment is available. Updated data and functions pertaining to a patient are retrieved and applied to the diagnosis means. The diagnosis means can replace the patient data and/or programming functions of the sound processor in the event of patient data corruption or programming function error in the sound processor. A method of on-site diagnosis of a sound processor and a process for diagnosis and repair of a sound processor of an implanted prosthesis are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods effective for eliciting an immune response for preventing or reducing infection or improving clinical outcomes caused by Bacillus anthracis are provided. The compositions include a naturally occurring or synthetic protein, peptide, or protein fragment containing all or an active portion of an antigenic epitope associated with anthrax toxin proteins optionally combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The preferred antigenic epitopes correspond to immunogenic regions of protective antigen, lethal factor or edema factor, either individually or in combination. In addition, methods and compositions containing antibodies for reducing the effects of anthrax toxins are described. The methods involve administering to a human or animal the compositions described herein in a dosage sufficient to elicit an immune response or treat the anthrax infection.

Abstract: Adjustable and modular systems, devices and methods for accurately cutting or resecting bones during surgery, particularly in preparation for installing joint implants during arthroplasties, including, but not limited to, preparation of femur or tibia during knee arthroplasties, such as total knee arthroplasty. The embodiments of the present invention provide solutions for adjusting a position of the cutting guides, or structures for guiding or directing the implements for resecting a patient's bone tissue, such as saws. The systems and devices comprise an adjustor for adjusting the cutting guide's position at the patient's bone in at least one degree of rotational freedom and in at least one degree of translational freedom.

Abstract: Sintered porous materials comprising high melt-flow rate polymers are described, as are methods of making and using the same. Specific materials comprise a high melt-flow rate polymer and a thermally conductive material.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for screening for compounds that act to modulate insect growth. Bioassays including cell culture and/or transgenic insects engineered with various components of the ecdysoid receptor (EcR) and/or the farsenoid-X receptor (RXR) systems to identify compounds that act as insecticides and/or hormone receptor activators are described. Also described are compounds, and compositions, identified as being putative insecticides based upon their ability to activate EcR and/or FXR mediated transcription.

Abstract: A double-sided engaging element for a slide fastener, comprising a central elevated portion elevated from a coupling base surface; and a pair of right and left projecting portions formed to project from a body portion toward the central elevated portion and to be elevated from the coupling base surface, wherein a central elevated portion of a mating element is detachably coupled in a dent surrounded by the central elevated portion, the right and left projecting portions and a stepped surface. A dimension (T0) between inside elevation startup edges of the right and left projecting portions is set smaller than a dimension (R0) between right and left elevation startup edges of the central elevated portion, and a first missing portion is formed on an outside corner of an end portion of each of the right and left projecting portions opposing the central elevated portion.

Abstract: LED module assemblies and luminaires that reduce thermal issues associated with LED lamp energy dissipation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optimized conduction path from the LED to the exterior of the luminaire is created through the use of heat pipes integrated into the LED module assembly and luminaire. In this embodiment, a significant reduction in thermal transfer to the interior of the enclosure may be implemented, while allowing maximum energy dissipation from the LEDs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a systematic relationship between a plurality of points include determining an estimated systematic relationship representative of the plurality of points according to an estimation function and based on a given set of measured points. The estimated systematic relationship having coordinate data and normal vector data associated with the given set of points and corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of points. Further, an adaptive sampling mechanism may automatically determine whether further measurements are required based on the estimated systematic relationship and based on predetermined measurement criteria. Additionally, a data verification device may remove inaccurate data from the estimation process.

Abstract: A system and method is described for internationalization of web pages by extracting translatable content from extensible mark-up language (XML), or similar data-centric meta-language representations of web pages or data used to build web pages. The extracted translatable content is stored in a translation task repository (TTR) accessible by the web developer and the translator. The XML representation is then modified to include selection control logic to select the appropriate translations for insertion into the final web page. The translator accesses the TTR to translate the appropriate content and saves the translations back to the TTR associated with the original translatable data. The translations are obtained from the TTR as selection cases for the selection control logic of the XML representation. As the XML is converted into the web source code, the selection logic and translations are embedded therein facilitating building the web site in multiple different languages.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring funds are disclosed that utilize a transfer card issued to a sender that enables the sender to transfer funds at independent host locations. The transfer card may be encoded with information about the sender and the intended receiver so that transfer forms are not required for each transaction. The receiver obtains the finds via a distribution center, wherein the personal identity of the receiver is verified before the funds are distributed.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for retrofitting fire hydrants with additional structure for reducing the potential that those with ill intent can foul municipal water supplies by introducing toxins or other materials into fire hydrants. Various embodiments include a replacement hydrant body having an enlarged diameter portion that can be installed to replace an existing hydrant body. The replacement hydrant body can include a secondary valve comprising a seat, biasing structure, and a restriction member to close off portions of the hydrant otherwise available for receipt of toxic or other materials when the fire hydrant nozzle cap is unscrewed and open.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing thin films of compound CIGS by means of electrodeposition. According to the invention, a surface-active compound, such as dodecyl sodium sulphate, is added to an electrolysis bath solution in order to promote the incorporation of gallium in the CIGS films.

Abstract: The present invention addresses many of the current limitations in sub-100 nm lithographic techniques by providing novel resists that achieve high sensitivity, high contrast, high resolution, and high dry-etch resistance for pattern transfer to a substrate. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a polymeric resist comprising an adamantyl component and a photoacid generating component.

Abstract: This invention provides certain compounds, methods of their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and their use in treating human or animal disorders. The compounds of the invention are useful as modulators of the interaction between the receptor for advanced glycated end products (RAGE) and its ligands, such as advanced glycated end products (AGEs), S100/calgranulin/EN-RAGE, ?-amyloid and amphoterin, and for the management, treatment, control, or as an adjunct treatment for diseases in humans caused by RAGE. Such diseases or disease states include acute and chronic inflammation, the development of diabetic late complications such as increased vascular permeability, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and retinopathy, the development of Alzheimer's disease, erectile dysfunction, and tumor invasion and metastasis.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for routing data of a declarative source expression to a destination. Declarative source expressions are analyzed at compile-time to discover variable properties. As such properties are discovered, a binding object is created and a list of watcher objects is generated associated with the particular variable properties. The watcher object includes a change event notification which is broadcast when a change in the property is detected. When a change event notification is received, a binding object, which is also automatically generated by the compiler, is executed causing the variable property to be read and the declarative source expression to be re-evaluated which propagates the property changes through the application.