Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus to implement a m=n Non-Blocking Minimal Spanning Switch, where n=the total number of data input signals and m=the total number of data output signals and m=the number of crossbar connections in each switch. Data is input to the switch as a plurality of frames, whereby each crossbar connection contains a framer which detects framing patterns in the data. Skewed data is re-aligned and buffered so that the data output by each crossbar connection is equal and identical, thus any crossbar connection may be used to ensure a connection, eliminating the possibility of data interrupts.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating (promoting or inhibiting) growth of a tissue, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, and/or neuron. The present invention also provides methods of screening compounds that modulate activity of an ActRII protein and/or an ActRII ligand. The compositions and methods provided herein are useful in treating diseases associated with abnormal activity of an ActRII protein and/or an ActRII ligand.

Abstract: An interactive television system with programming-related links is provided. The system may include user television equipment on which interactive program guide and non-program-guide applications may be implemented. Information that is displayed in a display screen for a non-program-guide application may be related to programming. A display screen or overlay for programming that is related to the information may be displayed when a user selects the displayed information. The display or overlay for the programming may include advertisements, video, graphics, options, or programming descriptions. The display screen or overlay may have been displayed by the program guide application.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for inhibiting immune responses. The disclosure also provides methods and compositions for inhibiting graft rejection and promoting or prolonging graft survival.

Abstract: Division can be performed in a programmable integrated circuit device by computing a relatively small number of bits of the inverse of the divisor, and then programming multipliers in a specialized processing block of the device to perform multiplication of the dividend and the inverted divisor. The specialized processing block is constructed to be able to be programmed to support such asymmetric multiplication by providing programmable shifting of partial products, so that the partial products can be shifted one number of bits for symmetric multiplication and a different number of bits for asymmetric multiplication. The process is performed recursively, by chaining a plurality of the specialized processing blocks, so that the result converges notwithstanding the relatively low precision of the inverted divisor.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate. The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which reduces or removes the effectiveness of commercial skip systems such as presently found in VCRs, PVRs, etc. which are designed to delete commercials from signal material upon playback of a previously recorded version of the signal material. In an embodiment, the effectiveness of the commercial skip system is reduced or removed by adding a flat field of selected signal level to active line portions of video lines of the signal material. Other embodiments modify the normal fade to black signal indicative of a commercial to provide a fade to non-black signal. In further embodiments, a fade to non-black signal is inserted in an overscan area of the signal picture. Still further embodiments modify audio signals or selected signals in the horizontal blanking interval which may be used in commercial skip systems to detect the presence of commercials.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for collecting and directing light from a source via a light guide and modulated display assembly in an efficient manner through the design and use of prismatic optical structures, diffusers and/or light redirectors.

Abstract: A high-speed differential comparator circuit is provided with an accurately adjustable threshold voltage. Differential reference voltage signals are provided to control the threshold voltage of the comparator. The common mode voltage of the reference signals preferably tracks the common mode voltage of the differential high-speed serial data signal being processed by the comparator circuit.

Abstract: A media-on-demand (MOD) portal application allows users to view and access from a single display interface MOD content provided by multiple media providers, such as vendors and service providers. The MOD portal application may provide grid display screens showing program listings of available media content. The grids may include rows and columns, where each row and each column includes program listings associated with a particular category. In one illustrative grid, each row includes programming from a single media vendor and each column includes programming of a particular genre. A media guidance application is also provided which automatically determines if a user does not watch an MOD program the user has ordered. The media guidance application may automatically make the unwatched program available to the user at a later time, for example by automatically recording the program or by allowing the user to access the program at the later time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of treating fibrotic or fibroproliferative disorders. Conjoint therapies are provided comprising the combination of one or more fibrocyte suppressors and one or more profibrotic factor antagonists or anti-fibrotic agents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for signal analysis using orbits of a chaotic system are provided. For example, a multiresolution analysis may be constructed and cupolets may be used to approximate arbitrary signals and compress images. Cupolets may be phase transformed to produce compact cupolets that are well-suited for producing sharp changes in signals, or to produce compact cupolets that are more oscillatory and have less or no sharp global maximum amplitudes. Alternatively, cupolets may be phase transformed to allow for optimal or near optimal adjustment to fit a signal.

Abstract: Novel crystals of a pyrrolidylthiocarbapenem derivative having excellent stability is provided. According to the present invention, a crystal of (+)-(4R,5S,6S)-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-methyl-7-oxo-3[[(3S,5S)-5-(sulfamoylaminomethyl)p yrrolidin-3-yl]thio]-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid having a diffraction pattern in powder X-ray diffraction having main peaks at diffraction angles (2?) of about 13.04, 14.98, 15.88, 16.62, 20.62, 21.06, 22.18, 23.90, 26.08, 28.22 and 28.98 (degrees) and a crystal of said compound having a diffraction pattern in powder X-ray diffraction having main peaks at diffraction angles (2?) of about 6.62, 13.04, 15.44, 16.58, 17.64, 20.88, 23.26, 25.02 and 25.52 (degrees) are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for message-based distributed computing systems and execution of message-based distributed applications on such systems. The present invention provides a Distributed Application Platform (DAP). The DAP architecture is “distributed” because functions of an application may be performed by processes within a single node, spread across nodes in a network, or spread across processor cores within CPUs. Some embodiments of the DAP provide efficient programming constructs, called sets. A set is a data structure describing an N-dimensional space. Each spatial location is either empty or holds a member. The set construct allows automatic extraction and processing of members with a single query, and makes programming an application for a distributed, parallel, or single computer environment easier for a user. In some embodiments, the DAP may be a message-based distributed computing system.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to methods of identifying and treating individuals with protein tyrosine kinase associated disorders that have, or may, become resistant to treatment with a kinase inhibitor such as imatinib due to a gain-of-function mutation in KIT tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel sirtuin-modulating compounds and methods of use thereof. The sirtuin-modulating compounds may be used for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, diseases or disorders related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer, and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benfit from increased mitochondrial activity. Also provided are compositions comprising a sirtuin-modulating compound in combination with another therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule system with a user interface which allows a user to control access to television programs by time, rating, content, and/or channel. Furthermore, the user may set a limit on pay-per-view (PPV) spending to limit the purchase of PPV programs.

Abstract: A programmable integrated circuit device is programmed to normalize multiplication operations by examining the input or output values to determined the likelihood of overflow or underflow and then to adjust the input or output values accordingly. The examination of the inputs can include an examination of the number of adder stages feeding into the inputs, as well as a count of leading bits ahead of the first significant bit. Adjustment of an input can include shifting the mantissa by the leading bit count and adjusting the exponent accordingly, while adjustment of the output can include shifting the mantissa by the sum of the leading bit counts of the inputs and adjusting the exponent accordingly. Or the output can be examined to find its leading bit count and the output then can be adjusted by shifting the mantissa by the leading bit count and adjusting the exponent accordingly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.

Abstract: The methods and systems for estimating cardiac ejection fraction, cardiac contractility, and ventricular end-diastolic volume on a beat-by-beat basis include observing arterial blood pressure waveforms to determine ventricular compliances for a pressure-volume loop in the ventricle. Uncalibrated or calibrated cardiac ejection fraction may be calculated from estimates of stroke volume and the ventricular compliances. Cardiac contractility may be calculated from estimates of a ventricular compliance. Uncalibrated or calibrated ventricular end-diastolic volume may also be calculated from estimates of stroke volume and the ventricular compliances. A set of calibration parameters for calibrating cardiac ejection fraction or ventricular end-diastolic volume may be estimated in a least-squares manner.