Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for characterizing inhomogeneities in deformable target bodies. More particularly, the disclosure relates to methods and systems for axial-shear strain elastography (ASSE) and their use in analyzing inclusions such as but not limited to, tumors as well as directing cancer therapies such as HIFU.

Abstract: The present invention describes the method of making an ether sulfate surfactant solution hydrolytically stable by adding one or more alkalinity generating agents at levels greater than 0.05%. The surfactant solutions of the present invention have half-lives >8 months at 100° C. and find uses in EOR applications, environmental cleanups, detergent industry, and any other surfactant based high temperature applications.

Abstract: Examples of a system, method and computer accessible medium are provided to generate a predicate prediction for a distributed multi-core architecture. Using such system, method and computer accessible medium, it is possible to intelligently encode approximate predicate path information on branch instructions. Using this statically generated information, distributed predicate predictors can generate dynamic predicate histories that can facilitate an accurate prediction of high-confidence predicates, while minimizing the communication between the cores.

Abstract: A system and method for recognition of images may include the use of alignment markers. The image recognized may be a pattern from an array, a character, a number, a shape, and/or irregular shapes. The pattern may be formed by elements in an array such as an identification marking and/or a sensor array. More particularly, the system and method relate to discriminating between images by accounting for the orientation of the image. The size and/or location of alignment markers may provide information about the orientation of an image. Information about the orientation of an image may reduce false recognitions. The system and method of image recognition may be used with identification markings, biosensors, micro-fluidic arrays, and/or optical character recognition systems.

Abstract: The invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing antibody compositions having improved affinities for Bacillus anthracis antigens. The compositions have important thereapeutic and diagnostic applications, including treatment or detection of infection by Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract: A method and computer program are provided for handing off a mobile device in communication with a first wireless system having a first network address to one or more other wireless systems within communication range of the mobile device. The method and computer program include periodically monitoring by the mobile device of communications from the first wireless system and the other wireless systems, calculating a signal strength associated with each of the monitored communications, selecting one of the other wireless systems, and transferring communication to the selected wireless system upon detection of a predetermined threshold of the signal strength associated with the first wireless system.

Abstract: An acid gas such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a mixture thereof is removed from gaseous streams using aqueous absorption and stripping processes. By replacing the conventional stripper used to regenerate the aqueous solvent and capture the acid gas with a multipressure stripper (51) that combines acid gas compression with stripping, less energy is consumed. The multipressure stripper is a multistage flash (52, 55, 59) in which the total vapor flow from each stage is compressed and fed to the bottom of the previous flash stage at a higher pressure. In this process, the heat in the water content of the vapor exiting each stage is utilized at a higher pressure in the previous stage. The described stripping process generates the acid gas at a higher pressure without operating the stripper at a higher temperature, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the system.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide and other acid gases are removed from gaseous streams using aqueous absorption and stripping processes. By replacing the conventional stripper used to regenerate the aqueous solvent and capture the acid gas with a matrix stripping configuration, less energy is consumed. The matrix stripping configuration uses two or more reboiled strippers at different pressures. The rich feed from the absorption equipment is split among the strippers, and partially regenerated solvent from the highest pressure stripper flows to the middle of sequentially lower pressure strippers in a “matrix” pattern. By selecting certain parameters of the matrix stripping configuration such that the total energy required by the strippers to achieve a desired percentage of acid gas removal from the gaseous stream is minimized, further energy savings can be realized.

Abstract: Functional nanoparticles may be formed using at least one nano-lithography step. In one embodiment, sacrificial material may be patterned on a multi-layer substrate using an imprint lithography system. The pattern may be further etched into the multi-layer substrate. Functional material may then be deposited on multi-layer substrate and solidified. At least a portion of the functional material may then be removed to provide a crown surface exposing pillars. Pillars may be removed from multi-layer substrate forming functional nanoparticles.

Abstract: Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences that encode novel variants of mouse or human thyroid stimulating hormone-? proteins are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic applications to prevent, treat or reduce the severity of thyroid stimulating hormone-?-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention describes the synthesis and use of cleavable di-functional anionic surfactants for enhanced oil recovery applications and/or the use of sacrificial surfactants.

Abstract: Ceramic articles as functional biodegradable scaffolds with graded porosity are made by a process that includes a hardening step in which the liquid of a liquid-containing ceramic composition is extracted from the ceramic composition by exposing the ceramic composition to a solvent in which the liquid in the composition is soluble before the ceramic composition is solidified into the final ceramic article. An exemplary calcium phosphate porous ceramic article constructed in accordance with the process is useful as an implant to repair a bone defect.

Abstract: Inorganic solar cells having a nano-patterned p-n or p-i-n junction to reduce electron and hole travel distance to the separation interface to be less than the magnitude of the drift length or diffusion length, and meanwhile to maintain adequate active material to absorb photons. Formation of the inorganic solar cells may include one or more nano-lithography steps.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for delivering drugs for treatment of eye disease are described. For example, the methods, systems, and apparatus can be optionally used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. In some examples, an eye disease is treated by implanting a device comprising a sealed container into the diseased eye. A dosage of drug for treating the diseased eye is disposed within the sealed container. The dosage of the drug is selectively released from the sealed container of the implanted device into eye tissue. The released dosage treats the eye disease.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for managing a health care plan is disclosed. The method may include accepting input characterizing a service management objective; accepting input representing a message for a client; and affecting the client's behavior with respect to the service management objective by presenting by electronic communication the message to the client according to a schedule.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the link between oncogenic Ras and TSG101 and the negative effect of TSG101 on the expression of p21 in ovarian cancer. The present also discloses the use of TSG101 as a prognostic, diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target in cancer, especially ovarian cancer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for the combination of injecting charge in a material electrochemically via non-faradaic (double-layer) charging, and retaining this charge and associated desirable properties changes when the electrolyte is removed. The present invention is also directed to compositions and applications using material property changes that are induced electrochemically by double-layer charging and retained during subsequent electrolyte removal. In some embodiments, the present invention provides reversible processes for electrochemically injecting charge into material that is not in direct contact with an electrolyte. Additionally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to devices and other material applications that use properties changes resulting from reversible electrochemical charge injection in the absence of an electrolyte.

Abstract: The system and method may measure and monitor physiological changes in a body. In some embodiments, the system and method may measure the impedance at a site in the body. In some embodiments, the system and method identify, quantify, and localize leaks from a site following surgery. In an embodiment, the system includes a flexible conduit with one or more sensors. A flexible conduit shape may be selected to facilitate monitoring of physiological changes in a body and/or detection of leaks at a desired site. In an embodiment, contrast solution may be ingested by, injected in, and/or delivered to a patient. If a leak is present at a site, salt contrast solution may leak from a site and be detected by sensors in a flexible conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for policy enforcement in a virtualized or cloud environment. We break down the environment into layers, which are further sub-divided into security units. Each security unit has a security profile based on its own security properties and those of the layers below. The security profile also reflects the floor, ceiling and wall security properties. Each security unit has an agent which is used to establish communications with other security units. Such communication is mediated by a cloud trust broker which determines if the communication is permitted based on access control list or else retrieves the security profiles and applies pre-defined rules. If the communications are allowed the cloud trust broker runs a mutual authentication and key distribution protocol that results in the two security units obtaining a session key which they can then use for further communications which can proceed directly.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing chucking systems are described. Generally, a plurality of flow holes may be provided in an optical flat. A surface of the optical flat may be masked and patterned to provide a desired feature (e.g., pins or grooves). The surface may etched to produce the desired feature on the surface of the optical flat.