Abstract: In a system of object detection, a color detector detects at least one image region in an input image having a color specifically pertinent to the object under detection, thereby obtaining an object width. A dynamic down-sampling unit adaptively performs down-sampling on the detected image region using a generated down-sampling factor according to the object width. An image feature generator receives the down-sampled image and accordingly generates image features for describing the object under detection, and a cascade of classifiers then operates on the image features.

Abstract: A system of image stereo matching includes at least one stereo matching unit (SMU) each receives a first view and a second view of a view pair, according to which the SMU generates a first depth map for the first view. The system also includes a backward tracer operable to receive the first depth map, according to which a second depth map for the second view is derived.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel cytoprotective derivatives of avicin D, including those of the formula: wherein the variables are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising these derivative compounds. Methods and intermediates useful for making the derivatives, and methods of using the derivatives and compositions thereof, including for the treatment of cancer, are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is presented, being configured for example as a vertical field effect transistor. The device comprises an electrically-conductive perforated patterned structure (102) which is enclosed between a dielectric layer (105) and an active element (106) of the electronic device (100). The electrically-conductive perforated patterned structure (102) comprises a geometrical pattern defining an array of spaced-apart perforation regions (108) surrounded by continuous electrically conductive regions (110). The pattern is such as to allow the active element (106) of the electronic device (100) to be in direct contact with said dielectric layer (105) aligned with the perforation regions (108). A material composition of the device (100) and features of said geometrical pattern are selected to provide a desired electrical conductance of the electrically-conductive perforated patterned structure (102) and a desired profile of a charge carriers' injection barrier along said structure (102).

Abstract: A TeraMOS sensor based on a CMOS-SOI-MEMS transistor, thermally isolated by the MEMS post-processing, designed specifically for the detection of THz radiation which may be directly integrated with the CMOS-SOI readout circuitry, in order to achieve a breakthrough in performance and cost. The TeraMOS sensor provides a low-cost, high performance THz passive or active imaging system (roughly in the range of 0.5-1.5 THz) by combining several leading technologies: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)-Silicon on Insulator (SOI), Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and photonics. An array of TeraMOS sensors, integrated with readout circuitry and driving and supporting circuitry provides a monolithic focal plane array or imager. This imager is designed in a commercial CMOS-SOI Fab and the MEMS micromachining is provided as post-processing step in order to reduce cost.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the enteral treatment of autoimmune disease such a multiple sclerosis with polypeptide therapeutics. Enteral therapeutics comprise monomeric alpha-MSH polypeptides such as ACTH. Therapeutic formulations of the invention may be used to reduce the incidence or severity of autoimmune disease. For instance methods for the oral treatment of multiple sclerosis with alpha-MSH and ACTH are described.

Abstract: A method includes receiving from multiple transducers respective signals including reflections of a transmitted signal from a target. An image of the target is produced irrespective of sparsity of the received signals, by computing transducer-specific frequency-domain coefficients for each of the received signals, deriving, from the transducer-specific frequency-domain coefficients, beamforming frequency-domain coefficients of a beamformed signal in which the reflections received from a selected direction relative to the transducers are emphasized, and reconstructing the image of the target at the selected direction based on the beamforming frequency-domain coefficients.

Abstract: Dominant negative (DN) variants of transcriptional enhancer factor 1-related (RTEF-1) are described. DN RTEF-1 polypeptides may be directly targeted to cells or delivered in nucleic acid expression vectors to alter cellular transcription. Methods for inhibiting VEGF production and thereby treating angiogenic disorders such as cancer are described. For example, in certain aspects, DN RTEF-1 may be used to treat angiogenic disorders of the eye such as age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Abstract: The present invention provides HIV-derived lentivectors which are safe, highly efficient, and very potent for expressing transgenes for human gene therapy, especially, in human hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as in all other blood cell derivatives. The lentiviral vectors comprise promoters active to promote expression specific to cell types or tissues. Further, promoters are providing that are amenable to control by activators, enhancers, or repressors. These vectors are in a self-inactivating configuration for biosaftey. Additional promoters are also described. The vectors can also comprise additional transcription enhancing elements such as the wood chuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element, without any decrease in the specificity or control exerted by the promoters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for regenerating connective tissue by administering a scaffold comprising collagen fibers extracted from a soft coral. The length of the soft coral collagen fibers following stretching by about 15% is identical to the length of the fibers prior to stretching.

Abstract: Provided are antibodies comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of binding an MHC molecule being complexed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) peptide, wherein the antibody does not bind the MHC molecule in an absence of the complexed peptide, and wherein the antibody does not bind the peptide in an absence of the MHC molecule. Also provided are methods of using same for diagnosing HIV infection and treating AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting, prognosing and staging cancers, in particular cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. The methods of the invention comprise detecting specific protein markers in a tissue of interest, wherein the detected levels thereof may be indicative of pre-cancerous or cancerous tissue, or the stage or prognosis of a cancer. Further provided are methods of treating cancer, and cancer detection kits.

Abstract: Cell-targeted serine protease constructs are provided. Such constructs can be used in methods for targeted cell killing such as for treatment cell of proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). In some aspects, recombinant serine proteases, such as Granzyme B polypeptides, are provided that exhibit improved stability and cell toxicity. Methods and compositions for treating lapatinib or trastuzumab-resistant cancers are also provided.

Abstract: A robotic system for flexible needle steering under ultrasound imaging. A robot is used to steer the needle along a predetermined curved trajectory by maneuvering the needle base. The needle tip position is detected by an ultrasound sensor and the tracking error of the needle tip from a predetermined needle path is input to a controller which solves the inverse kinematic based on the needle position, and the needle and tissue properties. The control algorithm uses a novel method to detect the elastic properties of the tissue by analyzing tissue motion at the region in front of the needle tip. The inverse kinematic solution may be performed on a model of the needle as a flexible beam having laterally connected virtual springs to simulate lateral forces exerted by the tissue elasticity. The system is able to direct the needle to a target within the tissue while circumventing forbidden regions.

Abstract: A novel process of preparing a Grignard reagent is disclosed. The process is effected by electrochemically reacting a Grignard precursor with an electrode which comprises a metal for forming the Grignard reagent, in the presence an electrolyte solution that comprises a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). Electrochemical cells and systems for performing the process, and uses thereof in various applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A floorplanning method for an analog integrated circuit layout is disclosed. A first-type block is defined as a movable and deformable block with rectangle constraint, and a second-type block is defined as a fixed-size block without rectangle constraint. Each block in the floorplan is classified to the first-type or the second-type block. In a shape determination stage, a target shape is determined among candidates of the first-type block, the first-type block accordingly being modified to the target shape, resulting in at least one overlap in the floorplan. In an overlap elimination stage, neighboring blocks of each said overlap are analyzed, the overlap being then eliminated by utilizing surrounding space, resulting in unused space in the floorplan. In an enlargement stage, the unused space is utilized for enlarging the first-type block.

Abstract: The present invention concerns gp36 immunoreactive compositions for E. canis and gp 47 immunoreactive compositions for E. chaffeensis. In particular, epitopes for E. canis gp36 and E. chaffeensis gp 47 are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the immunoreactive compositions comprise tandem repeats having carbohydrate moieties.

Abstract: A method includes accepting an analog input signal including a sequence of pulses of a given pulse shape. The analog input signal is distributed to multiple processing channels (40) operating in parallel. The analog input signal is sampled by performing, in each of the multiple processing channels, the operations of: mixing the analog input signal with a different, respective modulating waveform to produce a mixed signal; filtering the mixed signal; and digitizing the filtered mixed signal to produce a respective digital channel output.

Abstract: A source driver adapted to drive a display panel is provided herein. The source driver includes a first output buffer, a detection module and a conversion module. The first output buffer enhances a first pixel signal and thereby outputs a first enhanced pixel signal. The detection module detects a rise time of the first enhanced pixel signal. The conversion module adjusts a driving capability of the first output buffer in response to the rise time for adjusting a slew rate of the first output buffer. Therefore, the first output buffer in the source driver can dynamically and automatically adjusts the slew rate of the first output buffer through a feedback mechanism composed of the detection module and the conversion module.

Abstract: A rotaxane consisting of a cucurbituril and an uncharged guest molecule, having low or null affinity therebetween is provided as well as processes for providing the same. Various uses as energy converters (“frictionless” molecular motors), biochips and biosensors using the same are also provided.