Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supporting a patient during a medical procedure includes a bead bag (18) that is filled with compressible beads (20) and that forms a lower layer of the apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) also includes a layer of foam material (30) that is located above the bead bag and an air cell grid (36) that has a plurality of inflatable air cells (38). The air cell grid (36) forms an upper layer of the apparatus (10) and provides a soft surface upon which the patient lies. The bead bag (18), when subjected to a vacuum, becomes rigid for supporting the air cell grid (36) against the patient for helping to maximize a surface area of contact between the patient and the apparatus (10).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising lysophosphatidic acid analogs and methods of using such analogs as agonist or antagonists of LPA receptor activity. In addition the invention is directed to LPA receptor agonists that vary in the degree of selectivity at individual LPA receptors (i.e. LPA1, LPA2 and LPA3). More particularly the present invention is directed to LPA analogs wherein the glycerol is replaced with ethanolamine and a variety of substitutions have been linked at the second carbon atom.

Abstract: A method of forming electronics and microelectromechanical on a silicon carbide substrate having a slow etch rate is performed by forming circuitry on the substrate. A protective layer is formed over the circuitry having a slower etch rate than the etch rate of the silicon carbide substrate. Microelectromechanical structures supported by the substrate are then formed. The circuitry comprises a field effect transistor in one embodiment, and the protective layer comprises a heavy metal layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring heat dissipation of a target heating element includes a reference heating element for emitting heat; a control unit; and a pair of temperature measuring devices for measuring representative temperatures of the target and the reference heating element and transmitting to the control unit signals indicating the representative temperatures. The reference heating element has an outer configuration and sizes substantially identical to those of the target heating element. The control unit controls the reference heating element such that the representative temperature of the reference heating element becomes substantially identical to that of the target heating element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to supplementing the diets to sows during the periods of gestation, lactation, and breeding by feeding L-carnitine and chromium. The supplementation enhances pork productivity by increasing the number of pigs born alive in the subsequent reproductive cycle. Sow diets of this invention include L-carnitine and L-carnitine salts and trivalent chromium salts, such as chromium picolinate and chromium nicotinate. L-Carnitine is generally added to the swine feed formulation in the amount of from about 20 to about 1500 ppm, and the trivalent chromium salt is generally added to the swine feed formulation in the amount of from about 20 ppb to about 1000 ppb. The invention also relates to supplemented sow diets and feed supplement formulation.

Abstract: A protectant mixture for use in preserving biological materials comprising at least one polyhydroxy compound, and phosphate ions; a preservation medium comprising a biological material, at least one polyhydroxy compound, and phosphate ions; methods of preserving the preservation medium; and the resulting preserved biological material composition.

Abstract: A variable frequency power system with a power source having a rotating output and a speed control to regulate rotational speed of the rotating output. A generator coupled to and driven by the rotating output of the power source, whereby the speed control of the power source directly controls output power frequency of the generator due to control of rotational frequency of the rotating output. A voltage regulator connected between the generator and the motor regulates output voltage from the generator to the electrical motor load. A system controller controls output power frequency of the generator. The system controller interfaces with the speed control of the power source and configured to monitor generator output and operational conditions of the electrical motor load. The system controller adjusts the speed control based on generator output and operational conditions of the electrical motor load.

Abstract: Amino acid functionalized polymers useful for graft copolymerization prepared by reacting a mixture containing, for chain transfer, a thio-substituted amino acid and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: An apparatus (180) for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) comprises a contact lens (40) including an inner surface (42) contoured to a surface portion (34) of an eye (36) and a sensor (10) disposed in the contact lens. The sensor (10) comprises a contact surface (14) for making contact with the surface portion (34) of the eye (36). The contact surface (14) includes an outer non-compliant region (16) and an inner compliant region (18) fabricated as an impedance element that varies in impedance as the inner compliant region changes shape. The sensor (10) further comprises a region of conductive material (38) electrically coupled to the impedance element of the compliant region (18) and responsive to an external signal for energizing the impedance element so that the IOP may be determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polymer devices impregnated with semiochemical attractants for termites. The materials for delivering the semiochemicals are preferably cellulose-free. Devices of the subject invention are placed in soil and provide a slow-release and permeation of the semiochemicals into the adjacent soil so that termites tunneling in the vicinity are directed toward the chemical sources. Because the semiochemicals are impregnated in the polymer, the device also protects the semiochemicals so that they do not degrade rapidly under field conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the subject invention comprises a durable station housing, preferably with a removable bait, wherein the body of the station housing itself is impregnated with a semiochemical attractant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent including a variable porosity, tubular structure having pores defined by structural surfaces. The tubular structure has a low porosity region in proximity to or at either end of the tubular structure, where the low porosity region is less porous than other regions located on the tubular structure and fully or partially obstructs passage of fluid. Any arcuate path that starts at one point within the low porosity region and goes around the perimeter of the tubular structure to stop at the same point within the low porosity region must have at least a portion that is outside of the low porosity region. Also disclosed is a method of modifying blood flow within and near an opening of an aneurysm in a blood vessel by deploying one or more stents of the present invention near an opening of the aneurysm in a blood vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods of attenuating expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic cell with dsRNA, identifying nucleic acid sequences responsible for conferring a particular phenotype to a cell, alleviating pest infestation in plants, and altering gene expression in an undifferentiated stem cell or the differentiated progeny thereof. Transcription of the RNA, which will form the dsRNA, is terminated by one or more terminators sequences, thereby increasing the efficiency of inhibition.

Abstract: A gas permeable, carbon based, nanocomposite membrane comprises a nanoporous carbon matrix comprising a pyrolyzed polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles of carbon or an inorganic compound disposed in the matrix. The matrix is prepared by pyrolyzing a polymer, and nanoparticles of the particulate material are disposed in the polymer prior to pyrolysis. The particles may be disposed in a precursor of the polymer, which precursor is subsequently polymerized, or in the polymer itself.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing a probe geometry for spectroscopic measurement in a turbid medium. According to one method, a probe geometry comprising one emitting entity for emitting electromagnetic radiation into a turbid medium and at least on collecting entity for collecting the electromagnetic radiation that has interacted with the turbid medium is selected. A simulation is performed with inputs of the probe geometry and a plurality of sets of optical property values associated with the turbid medium to generate output comprising optical parameter values measured by the probe geometry for each set of input optical property values. The measured optical parameter values are input to an inversion algorithm to produce corresponding optical properties as output.

Abstract: The invention relates to Factor H gene polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with an elevated or a reduced risk of AMD. The invention provides methods and reagents for diagnosis and treatment of AMD.

Abstract: Terminals 10 operate under the control of a computer program. An instruction made by a reproduction/stop switch BL1 causes a data inputting portion BL2 to input streamed moving picture data in which a plurality of moving picture data sets respectively representative of moving picture items shot from respectively different viewpoints, are combined. The data inputting portion BL2 then writes the input moving picture data into a reproduction buffer BL3 successively. A rendering processing portion BL4 successively converts the moving picture data stored in the reproduction buffer BL3 to rendering data for rendering on a display unit 18, and then successively writes the converted data into a rendering buffer BL5. A display controlling portion BL7 successively retrieves, from the rendering buffer BL5, only rendering data corresponding to a viewpoint selected by a viewpoint switch BL6, and writes the retrieved data into a display buffer BL8 that controls display on the display unit 18.

Abstract: Elastographic images provide visualization in two or three dimensions of RF ablation lesions to guide in the ablation process. Compression may be applied using the RF probe. A similar technique may be applied to in vivo imaging of soft tissue without ablation.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis. The peptides are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route. In addition, the peptides inhibit osteoporosis. When administered with a statin, the peptides enhance the activity of the statin permitting the statin to be used at significantly lower dosages. In certain embodiments, the peptides range in length from about 10 up to about 30 amino acids, comprise at least one class A amphipathic helix, and protect a phospholipid against oxidation by an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A method for enhanced power saving on DCF based wireless networks is disclosed. The method divides a beacon transmitting section in an Announcement Traffic Indication Message (hereinafter, referred to as “ATIM”) window period defined by IEEE standard 802.11 according as there is a data packet to be sent or not and allows a terminal that has received the beacon to go to a doze state immediately according to beacon reception timing, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calix[4]arene-nucleoside hybrids containing calix[4]arene moieties and calix[4]arene-oligonucleotide hybrids as a DNA hairpin structure mimics synthesized by using the calix[4]arene-nucleoside as a key building block. Calix[4]arene-nucleoside and calix[4]arene-oligonucleotide hybrids of the present invention can effectively recognize DNA or RNA through triplex formation by bonding between calix[4]arene containing cavity and biologically active substance.