Abstract: High-frequency ultrasound imaging can be performed with greater quality and suppressed grating lobes by using methods and systems for effectively reducing the temporal length of transmit grating lobe signals in received ultrasound echoes. Systems and methods are provided for improved high-frequency ultrasound imaging. In various aspects, the method of shortening the time domain of grating lobe signals comprises splitting an array of N transmit elements into K sub-apertures. In further aspects, the grating lobes are suppressed by performing signal processing of the shortened grating lobe signals. In certain aspects, the signal processing method comprises weighting the samples by a calculated phase coherence factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assessing airway variability in airway responsiveness or asthma by measuring the variation of resistance (Rrs) by a forced oscillation technique utilizing either a single or a plurality of input frequencies during a plurality of respiratory cycles of a patient; calculating the statistical variability of the Rrs for the patient; and, correlating the statistical variability of the Rrs of the patient to a standard curve to quantify the degree of asthma of the patient. The invention also enables the effectiveness of a bronchoactive agent to be measured.

Abstract: An implantable bone-conduction hearing actuator based on a piezoelectric element, such as a unimorph or bimorph cantilever bender, is described. Unlike other implantable bone conduction hearing actuators, the device is subcutaneous and once implanted is entirely invisible. The device excites bending in bone through a local bending moment rather than the application of a point force as with conventional bone-anchored hearing aids.

Abstract: A high frequency ultrasound analog beamformer comprises a linear array of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices formed on a single crystal piezoelectric substrate, such as a PMN-PT single crystal piezoelectric substrate. Each SAW device comprises ultrasound input and output electrode structures separated by a variable delay structure. The beamformer further comprises a delay controller operably connected to each variable delay structure to control the delay of each SAW device to dynamically focus signals received at each input electrode.

Abstract: A toroidal engine that can be powered by a fuel/air mixture or by a compressed gas source. The toroidal engine uses one-way bearings to transfer torque generated in a toroidal chamber directly to a drive shaft. Pairs of pistons are mounted on two crank assemblies, which are concentric with the drive shaft. One-way bearings allow the crank assemblies to turn, one at a time, in one direction only. The crank assemblies are directly coupled to the drive shaft, which eliminates the need for complex gear and linkage arrangements. A system can be used with the toroidal engine to alternately stop the crank assemblies at a pre-determined position and to time the ignition of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention described herein relates to aqueous extracts of Cordyceps sinensis for use as an immunosuppressant agent.

Abstract: Early dental caries detection is carried out by a method that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Raman spectroscopy to provide morphological information and biochemical specificity for detecting and characterizing incipient carious lesions found in extracted human teeth. OCT imaging of tooth samples demonstrated increased light back-scattering intensity at sites of carious lesions as compared to the sound enamel. Raman microspectroscopy and fibre-optic based Raman spectroscopy are used to characterize the caries further by detecting demineralization-induced alterations of enamel crystallite morphology and/or orientation. OCT imaging is useful for screening carious sites and determining lesion depth, with Raman spectroscopy providing biochemical confirmation of caries. The combination is incorporated into a common probe operable without movement to scan the tooth surface and to provide an output for the dentist.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and system for reducing the PAPR. The method involves (i) intentionally inserting error(s) into the time or frequency domain and (ii) employing various bit mapping schemes to provide a significant reduction in the PAPR. An embodiment of the error insertion of the method involves intentionally inserting symbol error(s) into the quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) symbol stream before applying discrete Fourier transform in OFDM. The method trades off the coding gain of the system for the PAPR reduction of the OFDM signals and does not require transmission of side information. It further has reduced complexity and improved bit error rate (BER) performance when used with a typical non-linear amplifier as compared to alternative existing methods (Gray coding, tone injection, tone reservation, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of assessing damage on a joint that includes energizing the joint, detecting the vibration of the joint using one or more signal generating sensors, processing the signal(s), and applying a damage index to the processed signal(s), wherein the damage index incorporates a processed control signal generated by a sensor(s) at or near the joint when the joint was healthy, i.e., in a substantially undamaged state. Another aspect of the present invention provides a pipeline that includes at least two pipe segments, at least one joint connecting the two pipe segments, and at least one signal generating sensor affixed to the pipeline that is capable of detecting vibration at or near the joint, at least one signal processor that is capable of EMD processing the signal, and an output device (e.g., computer monitor, LED display, a light bulb, an electronic alarm, or other sound or light generating device).

Abstract: A method for tracking particles and life forms in three dimensions and in time. The present invention applies a numerical reconstruction approach to digital in-line holographic microscopy images in order to generate a time sequence hologram representing the trajectory of objects such as particles and life forms. By subtracting consecutive (in time) holograms of a particle sample volume and then adding the resulting differences, a final hologram is constructed that contains the time evolution of the object trajectory free from spurious background interference effects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immunocontraceptive vaccine composition comprising a teleost homolog of zona pellucida (TH-ZP), together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, for reducing or preventing fertilization in a fish, and a method for its use. Also disclosed is immunocontraceptive vaccine composition comprising an antigen from an inner perivitelline layer (IPVL), together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, for reducing or preventing fertilization in a bird, and a method for its use.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, novel compositions useful for the treatment of the cytopathogenic effects of an enveloped virus in mammals have been discovered by extraction and purification from the spikes of Prunella vulgaris. In particular, invention compositions comprise a lignin-carbohydrate complex as an active ingredient for inhibition of viral infection in a mammal. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, it has been discovered that invention compositions are effective agents for the prophylaxis and therapy in mammals of diseases caused by enveloped viruses, e.g., herpes simplex virus. Methods for producing invention compositions and uses therefor are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in which preferably R3, R4 and R6 are each hydrogen; X is C═O or CH2; and R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C12)alkyl, (C3-C8)cycloalkyl and (C1-C12)alkyl (C6-C14)aryl; or R7 and R8 when taken together form a (C2-C7)alkylene group; or —NR7R8 together forms a (C2-C14)heterocyclic or substituted (C2-C14)heterocyclic. Such compounds modulate the activity of serine hydrolases and can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided humanized fish insulin genes. Humanized insulin the present invention encode human insulin alpha and/or beta chains while using fish-preferred codons and regulatory sequences. These humanized genes are thus expressible in fish islet cells. Also provided are transgenic fish having islet cells containing and capable of expressing humanized insulin genes. These islet cells (Brockmann Bodies) can be xenotransplanted into subjects having diabetes. In this manner normoglycemia can be achieved in the recipient of the islets.

Abstract: We report the first cloning and expression, from a mammalian source, of proteins capable of catalyzing choline- and ethanolaminephosphotransferase reactions (hCEPT1 and hCEPT2). Both coding regions predict highly hydrophobic proteins of 43-46.5 kDa with several predicted membrane spanning domains. A CDP-alcohol phosphotransferase motif, DG(x)2AR(x)8G(x)3D(x)3D, has been identified in both hCEPT1 and hCEPT2 choline- and ethanolamine-phosphotransferases (and several other lipid synthesizing enzymes that catalyze the formation of a phosphoester bond by the displacement of CMP from a CDP-alcohol by a second alcohol). Site-directed mutagenesis was used to differentiate the residues responsible for choline- versus ethanolamine-phosphotransferase activity. Mutation of glycine 156 of hCEPT1 abolished ethanolaminephosphotransferase activity, while cholinephosphotransferase activity remained intact.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in which preferably R3, R4 and R6 are each hydrogen; X is C═O or CH2; and R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C12)alkyl, (C3-C8)cycloalkyl and (C1-C12)alkyl(C6-C14)aryl; or R7 and R8 when taken together form a (C2-C7)alkylene group; or —NR7R8 together forms a (C2-C14)heterocyclic or substituted (C2-C14)heterocyclic. Such compounds modulate the activity of serine hydrolases and can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A holographic microscope is described along with a method for numerically reconstructing a holographic image. The method uses a coordinate transformation of the Kirchhoff-Helmholtz equation to remove the non-linear component from the phase factor. The intensity distribution in the transformed coordinate system is then interpolated on an equidistant point grid and Fast-Fourier-Transforms are used to compute the result.

Abstract: A method of removing ammonium ions or amines from contaminated water includes treating the water with sodium tetraphenylborate under acidic conditions. Advantageously, the tetraphenylborate is immobilized on polymer beads and the water is contacted with the beads or passed through a bed of the beads.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound of formula I: 1

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, fibroproliferative disease or condition characterized by such symptoms as increased levels of c-Jun homodimers, increased heterodimerization of c-Jun with another signaling peptide, increased levels of phosphorylated c-Jun, or increased presence of Jun kinase are treated by administering to the subject an amount of a compound effective to ameliorate one or more of the symptoms of the disease or condition, for example, an antiproliferative or antifibrotic agent. Preferred compounds for administration according to the invention are antisense c-Jun oligonucleotides and compounds that block c-Jun phosphorylation, such as pentoxifylline, or a functional derivative or metabolite thereof. Also provided by the present invention are in vitro tests for identifying whether a test compound is useful for treatment of a subject afflicted with such a disease and kits useful for conducting such assays.