Abstract: Compositions and kits for inhibiting an allergic response against an allergenic protein are disclosed. The compositions comprise a eukaryotic cell expression vector containing nucleotide sequences encoding an allergenic protein or a polypeptide that comprises an antigenic epitope of said allergenic protein; and an allergenic protein or a polypeptide that comprises an antigenic epitope of the allergenic protein. The kits comprise a first container which comprises a eukaryotic cell expression vector containing nucleotide sequences encoding an allergenic protein or a polypeptide that comprises an antigenic epitope of the allergenic protein and a second container which comprises an allergenic protein or a polypeptide that comprises an antigenic epitope of said allergenic protein.

Abstract: A method for estimating vegetation growth relative to an object of interest is disclosed. A target vegetation is identified from a second sensing dataset. A corresponding target vegetation is identified in a first sensing dataset, the first sensing dataset collected at a time before the second sensing dataset. A first statistic is attributed to the corresponding target vegetation based on a distance of one or more points of the corresponding target vegetation in the first sensing dataset relative to the object of interest. A second statistic is attributed to the target vegetation based on a distance of one or more points of the target vegetation in the second sensing dataset relative to the object of interest. An encroachment rate is determined from a comparison of the first statistic and the second statistic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for avoiding collisions of moving vehicles in an environment that utilizes a position and rotational orientation system to track vehicle locations within a preconfigured operational zone, the method comprising using position tracking data to calculate a predicted trajectory and safety zone of each vehicle for a predetermined prediction time period and determining potential areas of intersection with vehicles to predict collisions.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to dermatological devices and methods in which one or more skin characteristics, such as the melanin index, are determined by analyzing radiation backscattered from a skin region illuminated by at least one, and preferably, two or more wavelengths, e.g., in a range of about 600 nm to about 900 nm. In many embodiments, the radiation is coupled to the skin via a waveguide, and an optical sensor is employed to ascertain contact between the waveguide (e.g., a waveguide surface adapted for contact with the skin) and the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and formulations comprising the compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are useful in modulating lyn kinase activity. In particular, the compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful for treating or preventing a disease or disorder including cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, a disorder of glucose metabolism, metabolic syndrome (i.e., Syndrome X), a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, septicemia, a thrombotic disorder, type II diabetes, obesity, pancreatitis, hypertension, renal disease, inflammation, or impotence.

Abstract: A system and method for the automatic generation of a website. The website is created upon a user request, where the user provides identification information that is used to search an information database. The information will provide a reference to a code that relates to a template that is used to specify the layout, style and content of the website that is to be generated, and the website is then generated in accordance with the structure of the template, based on content contained in the information database. The user may engage the system and method by means of e-mail or a dedicated website or other such suitable means.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating a transaction between at least one user, at least one merchant, at least one associate is provided. The method includes the steps of the associate processing device transferring into the user processing device a first merchant link for a first merchant Web site on a first merchant processing device. The first merchant link is framed with associate information. The user selects the first merchant link. The associate processing device transfers into the user processing device information regarding a first product from the first merchant Web site. The user selects the first product to purchase. The user provides purchase information for purchasing the first product. The user processing device transfers the purchase information to the associate processing device. The associate processing device adds promotional information to the purchase information responsive to the user identification value.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a vehicle. The method includes the steps of establishing a first wireless connection between a first portable wireless device and a vehicle communications system thereby creating a data transfer network between the first portable wireless device and the vehicle communications system, monitoring, by the vehicle communications system, at least one sensor for a specific vehicle activity, and if the specific vehicle activity occurs, sending a notification via the wireless connection from the vehicle communications system to the first portable wireless device via the data transfer network.

Abstract: A light energy delivery head is provided which, in one aspect, mounts laser diode bars or other light energy emitters in a heat sink block which is adapted to cool both the emitters and a surface of a medium with which the head is in contact and to which it is applying light energy. In another aspect, various retroreflection configurations are provided which optimize retroreflection of back-scattered light energy from the medium. The size of the aperture through which light energy is applied to the medium is also controlled so as to provide a desired amplification coefficient as a result of retroreflection.

Abstract: A system for treating a selected dermatological problem and a head. The head may include an optical waveguide having a first end to which EM radiation appropriate for treating the condition is applied. The waveguide also has a skin-contacting second end opposite the first end, which is in contact with the skin, and has a reflection aperture which is substantially as great as the radiation back-scatter aperture from the patient's skin. The portion of the back-scattered radiation entering the waveguide is substantially internally reflected therein, with a reflector being provided. The reflector may be angle dependent so as to more strongly reflect back scattered light more perpendicular to the skin surface than back scattered radiation more parallel to the skin surface. The head may also have a mechanism for forming a reflecting chamber under the waveguide and drawing a fold of skin therein.

Abstract: A peptide analogue which is not more than 50 amino acids in length, and which is capable of being recognized by a T cell receptor that recognizes an epitope comprising sequence 62PQPELPY68 (SEQ ID NO:1), and fusion proteins, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits comprising the same, are provided herewith. Also provided are methods of diagnosing coeliac disease, or susceptibility to coeliac disease, in an individual comprising contacting a sample from the individual with a peptide analogue and determining in vitro whether T cells in the sample recognize the peptide analogue.

Abstract: A malware-protection method and a malware-protection system for protecting a computer from malware infection by preventing infected files from executing on the computer before they can do harm. The malware-protection method employs a number of techniques and relies on multiple layers of protection to identify trusted files, prevent execution of untrustworthy files, accurately detect corrupted files, analyze questionable files, and quarantine files. The malware-protection system includes a client-based verification, detection, blocking, and quarantine application that interacts and coordinates protection methods with application-verification servers, scan servers, definition-update servers, and policy servers to deliver intelligent malware protection as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) service. All users of the malware-protection system benefit from the detection of malicious files by any other user.

Abstract: The invention relates to prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for protecting individuals against metastatic colorectal cancer and for treating individuals who are suffering from metastatic colorectal cancer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein include metamaterials that exhibit negative permittivity and negative permeability at optical frequencies, methods for preparing such materials, and devices prepared from same.

Abstract: A method is described for detecting an unauthorized service message in a communications network. The method comprising the steps of: receiving a signaling message associated with a supplementary service (SS) message and/or a unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) message from a first network node, the signaling message comprising identification information of the sender of the SS message and/or USSD message and first location information of the first network node; requesting second location information of the first network node from the a second network node serving the sender of the SS message and/or USSD message; and, comparing the first location information with the second location information in order to determine whether the SS message and/or USSD message is authorized or not.

Abstract: Digital images or the charge from pixels in light sensitive semiconductor based imagers may be used to detect gamma rays and energetic particles emitted by radioactive materials. Methods may be used to identify pixel-scale artifacts introduced into digital images and video images by high energy gamma rays. Statistical tests and other comparisons on the artifacts in the images or pixels may be used to prevent false-positive detection of gamma rays. The sensitivity of the system may be used to detect radiological material at distances in excess of 50 meters. Advanced processing techniques allow for gradient searches to more accurately determine the source's location, while other acts may be used to identify the specific isotope. Coordination of different imagers and network alerts permit the system to separate non-radioactive objects from radioactive objects.

Abstract: An armor repair kit including repair putty and a scrim having a plurality of ceramic constituents attached thereto and methods for using a repair putty, scrims and kits to repair damaged armor are described herein.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating a transaction between at least one user, at least one merchant, at least one associate is provided. The method includes the steps of the associate processing device transferring into the user processing device a first merchant link for a first merchant Web site on a first merchant processing device. The first merchant link is framed with associate information. The user selects the first merchant link. The associate processing device transfers into the user processing device information regarding a first product from the first merchant Web site. The user selects the first product to purchase. The user provides purchase information for purchasing the first product. The user processing device transfers the purchase information to the associate processing device. The associate processing device adds promotional information to the purchase information responsive to the user identification value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing mercury emissions are provided herein. The methods, generally, include the steps of burning a heavy metal containing fuel source and introducing sorbent materials and introducing one or more halogen compounds into the combustion chamber and/or exhaust stream to remove the heavy metal.