Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a photoluminescent article comprising at least one host material and at least one color tunable photoluminescent dye. In certain embodiments, the emission spectrum of the at least one tunable photoluminescent dye may be dependent on the supramolecular architecture of the material. The photoluminescent emission spectrum of the dye is capable of being shifted by subjecting the article to an external stimuli such as, but not limited to, a mechanical deformation, a temperature change, aging of the article, a pressure change, exposure to a chemical compound. In specific embodiments, the color tunable photoluminescent dye is an oligo(phenylene vinylene) compound, such as, but not limited to, 1,4-Bis-(?-cyano-4-methoxystyryl)-benzene, 1,4-bis-(?-cyano-4-methoxystyryl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene, and 1,4-bis-(?-cyano-4-(2-ethylhexyloxystyryl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene and 2,5-bis-(?-cyano-4-methoxystyryl)-thiophene.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic accessory control system that resides externally of the endoscope. The system comprises the endoscopic accessory with a working end to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, a control sheath extending proximally external to the endoscope and a control handle joined to the proximal end of the control sheath. The control handle is slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the endoscope shaft and is configured to permit grasping of both the shaft and the handle. With the control handle and endoscope shaft grasped with one hand, the other hand of the user is left free to manipulate the endoscope distal tip controls. Additionally, the external arrangement of the control sheath leaves the working channel of the endoscope free for use of accessories or operations.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a wiring harness that connects a telematics device to a host vehicle. One embodiment of the wiring harness may include: 1) a cable featuring a plurality of wires; 2) a first connector featuring a snap-on adaptor that attaches to a connector core with a pin configuration that mates with a diagnostic scan tool; 3) a second connector that connects to an in-vehicle diagnostic system; and 4) a third connector that connects to the telematics device. A wiring kit embodiment and method embodiments for coupling a telematics device to a host vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: When using systems that use the principle of absorption for the production of cold there is a great delay between the starting of the installation and the production of cold. This delay is due to the necessary time for the production of vapour. According to the invention a storing device of cooling liquid under pressure is proposed that is used instead of the vapours produced by a boiler (1) when starting the installation. This storing is done in a receiver (4) commanded by two valves, one called upstream valve (3) and the other called downstream valve (5). According to the invention the method consists in storing cooling liquid under pressure in a receiver and using this liquid under pressure when starting the installation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle cooling and depolluting device designed for conditioning said vehicle passenger compartment and for cooling its cylinder block (22). The elements of the device are connected through a main tube (25) containing an antifreeze liquid. The device also comprises a temperature and pressure control valve (17), to maintain a constant pressure in the cylinder block (22) and located downstream of the cylinder block (22), a ventilated water-air exchanger (6) enabling a motor vehicle passenger compartment to be cooled, a ventilated water-air exchanger (1) enabling a motor vehicle engine compartment to be cooled, at least a cold water tank (3) for cooling upon start-up of the motor vehicle and located between the ventilated water-air exchanger (6) and the evaporator (24) and a solenoid valve (9) for controlling the temperature inside the motor vehicle passenger compartment and located downstream of the ventilated water-air exchanger (6).

Abstract: Provided are techniques for the adjustment of antenna transmission weighting values in a communications system that utilizes multiple transmit antennas. A first signal is transmitted on a first multiplex channel via the multiple transmit antennas using a set of transmission weighting values. A second signal is transmitted on a second multiplex channel (different than the first channel) via the multiple transmit antennas using a set of perturbation weighting values. Then, a response that indicates at least one of: whether the set of perturbation weighting values should be added to the set of transmission weighting values and whether the set of perturbation weighting values should be subtracted from the set of transmission weighting values is received from a receiver of the first and second signals. Finally, a new set of transmission weighting values is generated based on the received response.

Abstract: A device for measuring near forward scatter caused by particulate matter in a fluid is disclosed. The device comprises, according to various embodiments, a transceiver and a reflector. The transceiver includes a light source and a detector. The reflector is positioned opposite the transceiver so that at least a portion of the fluid is present between the transceiver and the reflector. The reflector includes a front portion facing the transceiver. Optical energy from the light source incident upon the reflector is reflected towards the transceiver as a return beam of optical energy, wherein the detector senses primarily optical energy of the return beam that is scattered over a range of near forward angles by particulate matter in the fluid.

Abstract: Truncated aggrecanase proteins and nucleotides sequences encoding them as well as processes for producing them are disclosed. Additionally, aggrecanases with amino acid mutations that lead to increased stability and expression levels in comparison with wild-type or native aggrecanases are also disclosed. Aggrecanases of the invention are especially useful for development of compositions for treatment of diseases such as osteoarthritis. Methods for developing inhibitors of the aggrecanase enzymes and antibodies to the enzymes for treatment of conditions characterized by the degradation of aggrecan are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for filtering an input signal containing wanted signal components and unwanted signal components, wherein the signal is modeled as a set of polynomials. Polynomials from the set are identified to model the unwanted signal components. These unwanted signal components are removed from the input signal by removing the polynomials identified as modeling the unwanted signal components from the set of polynomials to thereby leave in the input signal only the wanted signal components. According to an alternative, polynomials from the set are identified to model the wanted signal components, and the polynomials identified as modeling the wanted signal components are outputted as an estimate of the wanted signal components substantially free from the unwanted signal components. According to another aspect, a weighting factor indicative of signal strength is determined for each polynomial and these weighting factors are summed to provide an estimate of the strength of the input signal.

Abstract: A combination tissue apposition and suture capturing device (100) for performing endoscopic procedures typically in the gastro-esophageal tract. The device (100) is particularly adapted for forming multiple plications used in a gastroplasty procedure devised to cure or ameliorate gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The device includes a tissue sewing capsule (102) attached to the distal end of an endoscope having a needle (120) that is deposited in a capsule (102) distal tip cavity following the suturing of a tissue fold and retrieved to enable the suturing of a subsequent tissue fold without the need for multiple intubations. A suture clip delivery device (200) is also disclosed that is adapted to fit within the capsule (102) to enable suture (118) capture without the need for multiple intubations. The combination device eliminates the need for an overtube and maximizes the speed efficiency of the gastroplasty procedure. A method for using the combination device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to memory management methods and systems for object-oriented databases (OODB). In an embodiment, a database includes a plurality of memory-mapped file segments stored on at least one nonvolatile memory medium and not in main memory. An application program connects to the database. A fault handler associated with the database is registered with the operating system of the application program. The fault handler catches a segmentation fault that is issued for an object referenced by the application program and resident in the database. A file segment corresponding to the referenced object is found and mapped into main memory. The application program is restarted. Because data is transparently mapped into and out of the main memory without copying the data, objects may be read with near zero latency, and size restrictions on the database may be eliminated.

Abstract: Probiotic compositions derived from Lactobacillus casei ATCC number PTA 3945 are disclosed. More specifically, probiotic compositions containing prebiotic compositions including edible oils are provided. The probiotic/prebiotic compositions disclosed herein are packaged using a nitrogen purge instant bonding anaerobic encapsulation process to maintain high viability for extended periods.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an enantioenriched organic compound comprising the steps of: 1) generating from a starting racemic, non-enantiopure or achiral compound a first mixture comprising at least one fluorous-tagged compound and at least one other non-fluorous tagged compound, at least one of these two compounds being enantioenriched relative to the starting compound; 2) contacting a first non-fluorous phase including the first mixture with a fluorous phase at a first phase interface, the fluorous-tagged compound distributing between the first non-fluorous phase and the fluorous phase; and 3) contacting the fluorous phase with a second non-fluorous phase at a second phase interface. The method further includes the step of having a third compound in the second non-fluorous phase that reacts with the fluorous-tagged compound to produce a second compound and the step of generating the first mixture by chemical or enzymatic kinetic resolution of a racemic or non-enantiopure compound.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the reliability of parallel-coupled line filters. In one embodiment, a parallel-coupled line filter system is disclosed which comprises at least one open-line resonator, at least one defected ground structure arranged on opposite sides of the line resonator having a first lattice and a second lattice in a skew-symmetrical fashion and coupled through a slim gap, wherein the first and second lattices are formed on a ground plane.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing a banding material on the interior substrate of a tubular device, and the products formed therefrom. The tubular device is, generally, of relatively small diameter and comprises at least one band deposited from a first composition on the interior substrate. When the tubular device is a tubular capacitor and the band is a plating mask, the tubular capacitor comprises at least two electrodes deposited on the substrate in the presence of a deposited plating mask and comprises at least one conductive layer, deposited from a first composition, on the substrate and separated by the plating mask.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel modified erythropoietin (EPO) forms such as fusion proteins comprising a Fc portion of an Ig molecule and a target molecule having the biological activity of EPO. By selective altering of the amino acid sequences of the erythropoietin moiety as well as of the immunoglobulin moiety and the glycosylation pattern of erythropoietin fusion proteins with enhanced biological activity can be obtained. The invention relates also to novel nun-fused EPO molecules which have a pattern of cysteines or disulfide bonding which is distinct from human or animal EPO.

Abstract: A metallic composite coating, and methods for forming same, for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The composite coating comprises at least one metal or metallic tie layer formed on the surface of the device, followed by an electroless electrochemical cladding of one or more additional layers over the tie layer. One or more therapeutic or biologically active agents are co-deposited with at least one of the electroless electrochemical claddings.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions, organisms and methodologies employing a novel human gene encoding a protein that has sequence homology to a consensus sequence of calcineurin-like phosphoesterase family are disclosed. The novel protein is encoded by a human gene comprising 4 exons. The human gene is localized in the 10p15 locus of human chromosome 10. The sequence similarities between the novel human protein and the consensus sequence of calcineurin-like phosphoesterases indicate that the novel human protein may function as a calcineurin-like protein phosphatase.

Abstract: A smart antenna calibration system is disclosed for calibrating an antenna array having a plurality of antennas. Each antenna has a calibration coupler for providing a monitoring signal indicative of a signal passing through a transceiver associated thereof, and a processing unit including at least one signal splitter that splits at least one monitoring signal and a combiner array comprising one or more combiners for combining at least two split monitoring signals from first and second antennas to produce a first combined signal representing an in-phase sum and a second combined signal representing a quadrature sum. A power detector is in communication with the processing unit, which is configured to estimate a power level of the signal passing each of the first and second antennas and the in-phase power and quadrature power of the in-phase and quadrature sums for determining a phase difference of the signal on the antennas.

Abstract: A system is provided to improve frequency stability and system linearity in voltage controlled oscillators.