Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a multidirectional swipe key for a virtual keyboard of a touch sensitive computing device. The multidirectional swipe key can be used to translate one or more swipe gestures started from the key into cursor movement (or directional input). The characteristics of the multidirectional swipe key gestures, such as the swipe direction and/or swipe length, may affect the resulting cursor movement (or directional input). The multidirectional swipe key may be configured such that held swipe gestures cause continual cursor movement (or directional input). The multidirectional swipe key may also be configured such that dragging the gesture to make a longer swipe accelerates cursor movement (or directional input) and vice versa.

Abstract: A compound of formula I wherein Ar1 is a bicyclic aryl or heteroaryl, which may be optionally substituted; X and Y are each independently a group of formula II: -L1-Ar2-L2-Ar3-Q-(CH2)n-NR1R2 L1 and L2 are each independently selected from NR3, C2H2, CH2, —O—, —S— and a bond; Ar2 and Ar3 are independently optionally substituted C5 or C6 aryl or heteroaryl; Q is selected from NH(C?O), NR3, S, O; n is an integer from 1 to 5; R1 and R2 are optionally substituted and are independently hydrogen, C1-7 alkyl, C3-20 heterocyclyl, or C5-20 aryl, or R1 and R2, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring having from 3 to 8 ring atoms; R3 is H or C1-7 alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of storing data using one or more nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided herein are prebiotic compositions comprising a combination of oligosaccharides such as sialyated oligosaccharides and fusocylated oligosaccharides, and uses thereof in stimulating the proliferation of beneficial intestinal micro biota, for example, of bifidobacteria, and/or in decreasing the abundance of enteric pathogens. The prebiotic compositions can further contain a probiotic, which can be a population of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, Bacteriodes fragilis, Bacteriodes thetaiotaomicron, Enterococcus faecalis (pro biotic strains thereof), Staphylococcus epidermides, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, or related bacteria having similar functions.

Abstract: An absorption spectroscopy instrument with a light source for providing a beam of light, a modulator to produce a modulated beam of light, a high finesse optical cavity, means for injecting the modulated beam of light off-axis into the high finesse optical cavity and a detector positioned to receive and measure light exiting through said optical cavity. The detector may be a highly sensitive and high bandwidth detector. The modulator may be a one or two-tone modulator having means, such as a plurality of RF synthesizers, for modulating the light source by one or two tones. If one tone of applied modulation is used, the frequency is larger than the absorption bandwidth of the target chemical. In the case where two tones are used, the first frequency is larger than the absorption bandwidth of the target chemical and the second frequency is small relative to the first frequency.

Abstract: The invention is directed compositions and methods related to bacterial cells physically associated with ceramide-like glycolipids. The invention allows for delivery of ceramide-like glycolipid adjuvants directly to the same cells that become infected with a bacterial vaccine. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: The present invention relates to bifunctional compounds, the bifunctional compounds for use in molecular imaging and therapy, methods of molecular imaging using the bifunctional compounds and kits including the bifunctional compounds for use molecular imaging. The bifunctional compounds have a tripodal hydroxypyridinone chelating portion and may be conjugated to a targeting group so that the compounds target specific cells or tissues in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides novel surface coat proteins of Clostridium spp. spores, and nucleic acids encoding such proteins. The invention extends to various uses of these nucleic acids and proteins, as antigens for use in vaccine design and construction, and to vaccines per se, and in diagnostic test kits and methods for the detection of Clostridium spp. infections. In addition, the nucleic acids and proteins can be used as potential targets for therapeutic drugs for the prevention or treatment of Clostridium spp. infections.

Abstract: The application relates to a bilateral hearing assistance system comprising first and second hearing assistance devices a processing unit, which in a NORMAL mode of operation processes an input audio signal based on configurable processing parameters and provides a processed electric stimulation signal. The system further includes one or more stimulation units for—in a TEST mode delivers first and second electric TEST stimulation signals to output units of said first and second devices respectively. The application further relates to a method of fitting a bilateral hearing assistance system to a particular user. The disclosure provides a measure allowing an improved fitting of bilaterally implanted Cochlear Implant users. The system further includes an evaluation unit configured to analyze the recorded physiological response of the user and to provide an objective measure of the user's perception of said TEST stimulation signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of a target molecule is disclosed which includes a conductive nanostructure, a non-conductive polymer coating on at least a portion of the nanostructure, and a cavity formed in the polymer coating having a shape corresponding to the shape of the target molecule. A property of the nanostructure depends on the presence of the target molecule at the cavity.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising agents having cardiac protective activity isolated from epicardial progenitor cells and derivatives thereof, and methods for the use of such compositions.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a content selecting mode in electronic touch screen devices. The content may be, for instance, text, graphics, images, files, and/or other consumable content. The user can engage the mode with a combination of gestures and touch points on the touch screen. The combination may include, for example, one or two initial touch points at a desired starting location of the target content, followed by a dragging gesture with two or more touch points moving from that location to the desired end location of the target content, wherein content between the starting and end locations is highlighted or otherwise selected. In one example case, if the initial touch includes multiple touch points then selecting of the target content may commence immediately, while a single initial touch point causes selecting to commence after a brief hold or the addition of another touch point at the starting location.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a subject's predisposition for pulmonary infection in a CF subject by detecting a pulmonary infection genetic marker. Pulmonary infection markers have been identified in the IL-1 gene cluster and may be useful in predicting CF disease progression and assessing a CF subject's response to therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The electrical conducting elements define, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea. At least one of the electrical conducting elements is divided into a plurality of discrete sections extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The discrete sections are selectively and separately actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes geometry of a two-fluid heat exchanger to provide higher energy efficiency than conventional heat exchangers. The geometry is based upon sequential branching of nearly circular passages in sets, followed by some deformation and twisting of the sequential branches that intermingle flow passages of one fluid with flow passages of another fluid. The flow passages gradually vary in dimension from larger branching at fluid entrance and exit to smaller branching in the middle section of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is substantially symmetric, with the sequential branching in the first half being mirrored as serial regrouping in the second half. The present disclosure also provides stacking methods and layered manufacturing methods for fabricating the three-dimensional geometry of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a content selecting mode in electronic touch screen devices. The content may be, for instance, text, graphics, images, files, and/or other consumable content. The user can engage the mode with a combination of gestures and touch points on the touch screen. The combination may include, for example, multiple initial touch points within a given content block, followed by a dragging gesture that moves the touch points into or otherwise within the given content block, wherein the entire content block is then highlighted/selected. The initial touch points may touch, for instance, any piece of content within that block and the subsequent dragging gesture moves those initial touch points toward another piece of content within that block. As the drag continues into other blocks, so does selecting. The techniques can be used, for example, to select entire sentences or paragraphs or other content blocks.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically providing a digital image rating of photo retouching. The method includes the step of receiving at a computer, including a processor, a first set of pixel data of an original image and a second set of pixel data of a retouched image. The method also includes using the processor to determine a plurality of geometric statistics and a plurality of photometric statistics from the first and second sets of pixel data. The method further includes the step of using the processor to quantify a rating of the retouched image based upon the geometric statistics and photometric statistics to indicate deviation of the retouched image from the original image. A system is also provided to perform the steps.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides semiconductor substrates having submicronsized surface features generated by irradiating the surface with ultra short laser pulses. In one aspect, a method of processing a semiconductor substrate is disclosed that includes placing at least a portion of a surface of the substrate in contact with a fluid, and exposing that surface portion to one or more femtosecond pulses so as to modify the topography of that portion. The modification can include, e.g., generating a plurality of submicron-sized spikes in an upper layer of the surface.