Abstract: The invention relates to a device of ocular iontophoresis for delivering active substances, comprising a reservoir having an outer wall and a hollow body at least partly delimited by the outer wall, wherein the hollow body is capable of receiving an electrical conductive medium and active substances contained in the medium and has an outlet defining a surface, so-called “application surface”, intended to receive a determine part of an eyeball surface, the application surface being at least partly limited by an outer line concave towards the optical axis of the eyeball, wherein the outer wall extends from the outer line with a global outwardly with respect to the said optical axis.

Abstract: A system includes wireless network devices and a terminal device. The wireless network devices include a base station and plural repeater devices for routing data. The terminal device runs a network protocol to establish a presence in a wireless network that includes the wireless network devices. The terminal device enters a low-power mode when not communicating over the wireless network.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for diagnosing increased risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject, based on the presence or absence of polymorphisms in the D36 gene.

Abstract: A system and method are described for aligning a data axis of one or more circular data-bearing tracks on an annular surface region of a magnetic media-bearing disk, with a spin axis of a spindle of a spinstand or a disk drive. The data axis is perpendicular to the surface region of the disk and the data tracks are concentric with respect to a data axis.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular implantable medical device that is used deliver materials or energy into a patient's physiology, or from one region of a patient's physiology to another. The device includes a port element with a passageway therethrough for directing and anchoring a conduit element in a desired location. Both elements can be adjusted during placement to maximize the safety, comfort, and efficacy of use. In one embodiment, the port element is comprised of two components such that the passage way is formed after the components are assembled. This modularity enables a large diameter section of the conduit to be advanced past the port location, and the port to be assembled about a smaller proximal section of the conduit, thereby establishing full contact between the port and conduit elements to anchor the device in an optimal position.

Abstract: A device for the operation of a valve (5) to the combustion chamber (6) of a combustion engine, wherein the combustion engine comprises a cylinder, a piston (3) displacably arranged in the cylinder (2), and a combustion chamber (6) delimited by the cylinder (2) and the piston (3), and said valve (5), and wherein the device comprises a valve actuator (7) that comprises an actuator chamber (8), an actuator piston (9) displacably arranged in the latter and arranged to drive the valve (5), and a communication channel (11) through which a pressure fluid is conducted into the combustion chamber (8) for the driving of the actuator piston (9) and, thereby, the valve (5) in a direction in which the valve (5) is opened. The communication channel (11) extends from the combustion chamber (6) to the actuator chamber (8), and said pressure fluid comprises fluid pressurized by the pressure in the combustion chamber (6).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptides comprising a leptin sequence and methods for their use in preventing ObR signaling in a leptin-responsive cell. A leptin peptide of the present invention binds to but does not activate ObR signaling in a leptin-responsive cell, thereby inhibiting the up-regulatory effects of leptin on ObR signaling in the leptin-responsive cell. Administration of the peptide effectively prevents embryo implantation in a mammal to which the peptide has been administered. Also disclosed herein is a method for identifying a peptide antagonist of ObR, wherein the peptide comprises a leptin sequence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a skimmer basket lifting tool that enables a user to engage and remove a skimmer basket for cleaning without having to contact the debris accumulated within the basket. The skimmer basket lifting tool comprises a lifting handle which has both a proximal and a distal end, a base portion, including an attachment point for engaging the distal end of the lifting handle, and a pair of opposed skimmer basket crossbar engagement elements extending downward from the base portion. The opposed crossbar engagement elements are oriented such that rotation of the base portion, following insertion of the base portion into a skimmer basket housing, results in reversible engagement of the opposed crossbar engagement elements with the skimmer basket crossbar. This reliable, reversible engagement enables the skimmer basket to be lifted from the skimmer basket housing.

Abstract: Methods of using probes and probe sets for the detection of high grade dysplasia and carcinoma in cervical cells are described. Methods of the invention include hybridizing one or more chromosomal probes to a biological sample obtained from a subject and detecting the hybridization pattern of the chromosomal probes to the sample to determine whether the subject has high grade dysplasia or carcinoma. Methods of the invention also include preliminary screening the cells for a marker associated with a risk for cancer, and preferably involves screening for HPV infected cells by in situ hybridization using an HPV probe mixture.

Abstract: An endoscopic illumination tester is provided for testing illumination quality of a light source. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an optical bridge that is removably interlockable with the light source. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an integrating sphere that is removably interlockable with the optical bridge. The endoscopic illumination tester may further engage a light guide connectable between the optical bridge and the light source. An endoscope may be inserted between the optical bridge and the integrating sphere.

Abstract: Probe sets and methods of using probes and probe sets for selectively detecting high grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma or low grade dysplasia from biologic samples are described. Methods of the invention include contacting a biological sample obtained from a subject with a set of chromosomal probes to selectively detect an esophageal carcinoma or precursor lesion in the sample, if any, under conditions for specifically hybridizing the probes to their nucleic targets present in the sample. The presence or absence of high grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma or low grade dysplasia is thereafter specifically determined from the hybridization pattern detected for the set of chromosomal probes to the biological sample.

Abstract: A method to achieve an accurate, extremely low power state classification implementation is disclosed. Embodiments include a sequence that matches the data flow from the sensor transducer, through analog filtering, to digital sampling, feature computation, and classification.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing esters of dicarboxyimidolevulinic acid and alkyl trans-4-oxo-2-pentenoate. This method includes two reaction steps, wherein the first step of said two reaction steps is a bromination of alkyl-levulinate, to obtain alkyl-(3 and 5)-bromolevulinate, and the second step of said two reaction steps is a synthesis of esters of dicarboxyimidolevulinic acid and alkyl trans-4-oxo-2-pentenoate, by reacting the alkyl-(3 and 5)-bromolevulinate obtained in said first step with dicarboxyimide anion.

Abstract: A collapsible container defined by a continuous rigid structure and an integrated internal truss system. The continuous rigid structure is preferably four-sided such that it defines four continuous surfaces of a cube. The continuous rigid structure is collapsible due to at least one scoring line defined on at least one surface thereof. The internal truss system includes at least one inelastic member that is threaded through the surfaces of the continuous rigid structure to form a symmetrical and unitary support. A liner may be integrally affixed to each of the four sides and additionally provides a fifth side that forms the bottom of the container. A protective cover may be secured to the exterior of the continuous rigid structure for protecting the contained materials against the elements. The cover can be selectively sealed for rendering the container of the present invention substantially impervious to the elements.

Abstract: Described are methods of improving glycemic control/improving insulin sensitivity by administering an inhibitor of serum response factor (SRF) activity, and methods of identifying new compounds for use in the described methods of treatment.

Abstract: Probe sets and methods of using probes and probe sets for the detection of cancer are described. Methods for detecting cancer that include hybridizing a set of chromosomal probes to a biological sample obtained from a patient, and identifying if cancer cells are present the sample. Also included are methods of selecting a combination of probes for the detection of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a nozzle insert for use in a drying machine of the type used in paper web drying. The nozzle insert of the present invention includes at least one intake having a central portion, wherein a pair of center vanes is disposed for directing airflow. The central portion is bounded by at least one turning vane adapted for directing airflow in a lateral direction. For each turning vane, there is at least one straightening vane adapted for curtailing swirling of the airflow. The vanes are oriented at optimal angles for directing the flow of the nozzle in a lateral direction, while permitting some air to penetrate the central portion through a series of ports. The intakes are bounded by a series of insulated bulkheads, which serve to direct airflow and contain heat-loss through thermal emission.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a pitch state estimator is provided. The pitch state estimator generates a pitch state signal for establishing the orientation used in the control of a ground-traversing vehicle. The vehicle has a support for supporting a load which is preferably a human passenger. In one embodiment, the pitch state estimator includes a pitch sensor connected to the vehicle producing a pitch signal representing an estimate of a pitch angle of the vehicle. The pitch angle is associated with a coordinate system referenced to gravity. The pitch state estimator also includes at least one inertial reference sensor connected to the vehicle producing an inertial orientation signal with respect to the vehicle. Further included is a state estimator module for receiving the pitch signal and the inertial orientation signal and calculating a pitch state signal from the inertial orientation signal and the pitch signal sensor.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting FGF signaling are described. Methods of the invention include contacting an FGF-responsive cell with exogenous heparan sulfate 6-O endosulfatase (Sulf1) in an amount effective to modify endogenous heparan sulfate, thereby inhibiting FGF signaling. Methods of the invention also include contacting an FGF-responsive cell with an exogenous Sulf1-modified compound, the exogenous Sulf1-modified compound being characterized by the ability to reduce binding of FGF2 or FGF4 to FGFR1. Compositions comprising exogenous Sulf1-modified compounds are also provided for use in conjunction with methods of the present invention.