Abstract: A machine-implemented method of assisting medical evidence collection for adjudication of a medical disability request is described. In some embodiments, the method includes providing an electronic medical record of a patient, the electronic medical record includes evidence of at least one claimable medical disability condition and locating in the electronic medical record at least one keyword associated with the at least one claimable medical disability condition. In some embodiments, the method further includes processing an inference rule associated with the at least one claimable medical disability condition, such that the evidence of the at least one claimable medical disability condition is identified in the electronic medical record and outputting, to a computer-readable medium, information indicative of (1) the evidence of the at least one claimable medical disability condition, and (2) a location of the evidence in the electronic medical record.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diversification of nucleic acid sequences by use of a nucleic acid molecule containing a region of sequence that acts as a template for diversification. The invention thus provides nucleic acid molecules to be diversified, as well as those which act as the template region (TR) and in concert with the TR for directional, site-specific diversification. Further provided are methods of preparing and using these nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides for test surfaces and methods for calibration of surface profilometers, including interferometric and atomic force microscopes. Calibration is performed using a specially designed test surface, or the Binary Pseudo-random (BPR) grating (array). Utilizing the BPR grating (array) to measure the power spectral density (PSD) spectrum, the profilometer is calibrated by determining the instrumental modulation transfer function (IMTF).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for determining the metabolism of one or more sugars and/or fatty acids, and applications thereof. Such applications include determining the rate of glycogen synthesis and glycolysis, which are believed to be early markers for predicting elevated risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Other applications include methods for screening drugs that effect sugar and/or fatty acid metabolism. The methods are useful for at least partially characterizing drugs for desirable or undesirable (toxic) characteristics. Drugs that are at least partially characterized using the methods of the invention can then be further developed in pre-clinical testing and clinical trials. Such drugs may be found to be useful in treating obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders of metabolism.

Abstract: The disclosure provides method and compositions for visualizing protein turnover. In particular, the disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for measuring the age of particular proteins or the dynamics of localized protein translation.

Abstract: Tubular objects having two or more concentric layers that have different properties are joined to one another during their manufacture primarily by compressive and friction forces generated by shrinkage during sintering and possibly mechanical interlocking. It is not necessary for the concentric tubes to display adhesive-, chemical- or sinter-bonding to each other in order to achieve a strong bond. This facilitates joining of dissimilar materials, such as ceramics and metals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a slot array antenna comprising a quartz layer and a silicon layer, wherein the quartz and silicon layers are matched to suppress microwave modes, and a metal layer adjacent to the silicon layer comprising offset cuts.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a circuit for adaptive phase noise cancellation for a fractional-N PLL. A preferred embodiment employs a split loop filter architecture. Two loop filter halves separately drive half-sized parallel varactors in a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and also drive a differential-input lowpass frequency selective circuit, e.g., a differential-input integrator in a least mean squared (LMS) feedback loop. The output of the differential-input lowpass frequency selective circuit controls the gain matching of a phase noise cancellation path to minimize phase noise arising from quantization error associated with the sequence of divider modulus values in the fractional-N PLL. The two varactor capacitances add together in the VCO tank, so the VCO frequency depends on the common-mode loop filter voltage and is relatively insensitive to differential-mode voltage.

Abstract: Power-efficient, pulsed driving of capacitive loads to controllable voltage levels, with particular applicability to LCDs. Energy stored in a portion of the capacitive load is recovered during a recovery phase. Time-varying signals are used to drive the load and to recover the stored energy, thus minimizing power losses, using processes named adiabatic charging and adiabatic discharging.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for suppressing the expression of a targeted gene using mRNA-cDNA duplexes. The invention further provides novel methods and compositions for generating amplified mRNA-cDNA hybrids, whose quantity is high enough to be used for the invention's gene silencing transfection. This improved RNA-polymerase chain reaction method uses thermocycling steps of promoter-linked double-stranded cDNA or RNA synthesis, in vitro transcription and then reverse transcription to amplify the amount of mRNA-cDNA hybrids up to two thousand folds within one round of the above procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment and prophylaxis of weight disorders. Such methods entail administering to an individual a therapeutically or prophylactically effective dosage regime of a hypocretin or an agonist thereof, and monitoring the condition of the individual responsive to the administering.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture provide the ability to utilize fingertip tracking technology during the course of a medical examination. A sensor is mounted on a fingertip of a finger of a first person. Such a sensor is communicatively coupled to a computer to record measurements. The sensor is calibrated using a known target. The finger having the sensor is then engaged to perform a medical examination directly on a second person. Measurements are obtained from the sensor on the fingertip during the medical examination. Data is obtained (e.g., via calculations or interpolation) based on the measurements.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cancer diagnostic method based upon DNA methylation differences at specific CpG sites. Specifically, the inventive method provides for a bisulfite treatment of DNA, followed by methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (Ms-SNuPE), for determination of strand-specific methylation status at cytosine residues.

Abstract: This invention provides novel polydentate selective high affinity ligands (SHALs) that can be used in a variety of applications in a manner analogous to the use of antibodies. SHALs typically comprise a multiplicity of ligands that each bind different region son the target molecule. The ligands are joined directly or through a linker thereby forming a polydentate moiety that typically binds the target molecule with high selectivity and avidity.

Abstract: Indium oxide nanowires are used for determining information about different chemicals or Biologics. Chemicals are absorbed to the surface of the nanowires, and cause the semiconducting characteristics of the Nanowires to change. These changed characteristics are sensed, and used to determine either the presence of the materials and/or the concentration of the materials. The nanowires may be between 10 and 30 nm in diameter, formed using a comparable size particle of catalyst material. The nanowires may then be used as part of the channel of a field effect transistor, and the field effect transistor is itself characterized.

Abstract: There is disclosed 103 novel methylation-altered DNA sequences (“marker sequences”) that have distinct methylation patterns in cancer, compared to normal tissue. In many instances, these marker sequences represent novel sequences not found in the GenBank data base, and none of these marker sequences have previously been characterized with respect to their methylation pattern in human cancers including, but not limited to those of bladder and prostate. These 103 sequences have utility as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic markers in the treatment of human cancer, and as reagents in kits for detecting methylated CpG-containing nucleic acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided that incorporate multiple pharmacophores and are useful in the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: A speaker enclosure having a substantially seamless rigid outer skin, a middle sound absorbing layer, and a substantially seamless inner skin results in a lightweight speaker having sound absorbing characteristics. The speaker enclosure is comprised of two basic parts, a box section and a baffle section where each of these sections include a rigid outer skin, the middle sound absorbing layer and a seamless inner skin and are made according to the same method. The outer skin is formed from a layer of sheet molding compound, the middle sound absorbing layer includes pieces of honeycomb material, and the inner skin is formed from a layer of sheet molding compound. The layers of material are placed into a mold and then cured through vacuum bagging and heating thereby producing a strong, lightweight speaker enclosure made of materials which attenuate the transmission and retransmission of errant sound waves in the enclosure thereby reducing distortion of the sound signal produced by the speaker.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the increased risks for recurrence of certain cancers and the likelihood of successful treatment with one or both of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The methods comprising determining the type of genomic polymorphism present in a predetermined region of the gene of interest isolated from the subject or patient. Also provided are nucleic acid probes and kits for determining a patient's cancer risk and treatment response.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic diseases or conditions with antimicrobial agent compositions and formulations administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disease or condition, through direct application of these compositions and formulations onto or via perfusion into the targeted auris structure(s).