Abstract: Combining nanosized particles of a source of desired dental restorative, repair or therapeutic materials with strengthening agents in various generally nanosized form such as whiskers, fibers, particles and the like in a resin matrix provides a highly strain resistant composite which more effectively releases the therapeutic agents. The utilization of nano sized particles of the therapeutic agent in the combination enables observation of significantly improved therapeutic results.

Abstract: A fan noise control apparatus is provided to facilitate the reduction of noise. According to the preferred embodiments, an acoustically transparent portion is provided to permit noise from one source to pass through to interact and cancel with another noise.

Abstract: Provided are a dynamic time warping device using speech recognition software, and a speech recognition apparatus using the same. The dynamic time warping device includes memory units for processing characterization vectors of a test pattern and a predetermined reference pattern using a FIFO queue, and a plurality of processing elements serially connected to each other, the plurality of processing elements multiplying a predetermined weight by a difference between the characterization vectors of the test and reference patterns, which are obtained by shifting them in the opposite directions, adding the multiplication result to matching cost values of adjacent nodes, and comparing the addition results to detect the smallest matching cost value. Accordingly, fast speech recognition can be realized by embedding speech recognition software using a dynamic time warping algorithm into hardware.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel genes encoding RIEG polypeptides. Therapeutics, diagnostics and screening assays based on these molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improvement on dynamic skyscraper delivery of continuous media programs, such as video, divides the channels used for the delivery of the video into leading and trailing groups. A cluster defining on transmission of a program can then be broken into mini-clusters in the leading group which may be freely matched to full clusters in the lower group with loosened alignment requirements. This decoupling provides more efficient allocation of bandwidth to on-demand consumer requests and permits strategic opportunities to merge requests with concurrently allocated bandwidth for similar programs.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that contrary to intuitive expectations, sensitivity and resolution of the data for image reconstruction can be increased by decreasing the absorption or scattering mean free path length of the imaging source energy. Methods are disclosed in this respect for enhancing sensitivity and resolution in the imaging of scattering target media (116). In one method, source energy wavelength is selected to optimize scattering and absorption of the energy while maintaining measurable and acceptable detector signals (112). In another aspect of the invention, the scattering target medium (116) is radially compressed and the imaging source wavelength is then adjusted in conjunction with the compression to improve sensitivity and resolution.

Abstract: Distributed valve simulated moving beds are described in which junctions located between successive columns interrupt the flow of process fluid between columns, and either transmit the process fluid through a zone bypass to a succeeding column within the same zone or, if the junction is located between zones, direct the process fluid to an input/output line that is dedicated to the particular zone that immediately follows the junction. At each step of the SMB's operation, the distribution of flows in each junction is modulated to accomplish movement of ports consistent with the SMB's design. Further described are simulated moving beds that contain one or more decoupled on-line regeneration zones. The regeneration zone is decoupled from the separation zones in the sense that it observes a step time (a “regeneration interval”) that is different than the step time observed by the separation zones of the SMB.

Abstract: A compound useful for in vivo imaging of organs and tumors is provided of formula: wherein is a cobalamin, is derived from a corrin carboxylic acid group of said cobalamin, Y is a linking group and X is a chelating group, optionally comprising a detectable radionuclide or a paramagnetic metal ion, and n is 1–3.

Abstract: A liquid-filled variable focus lens cell is disclosed. The liquid lens cell consists of four parts: a clear distensible membrane, a transparent wall member, liquid with a fixed volume stored in lens cell chamber, and an annular periphery sealing ring. The inner surfaces of the annular sealing ring are sealed with distensible membrane. The radius of the annular sealing ring is changeable, similar to a conventional iris diaphragm. By tuning the radius of the annular sealing ring, the stored liquid in the lens cell will be redistributed, thus change the curvature of the distensible membrane. Therefore, the liquid lens cell can cause light to converge or diverge. The liquid filled lens can be operated mechanically or automatically.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of an ATP binding cassette transporter and mutated sequences thereof associated with macular degeneration. Methods of detecting agents that modify ATP-binding cassette transporter comprising combining purified ATP binding cassette transporter and at least one agent suspected of modifying the ATP binding cassette transporter an observing a change in at least one characteristic associated with ATP binding cassette transporter. Methods of detecting macular degeneration is also embodied by the present invention.

Abstract: An electronic junction of the present invention comprises: (a) a first conductive component comprising: (i) a substrate having a contact surface; and (ii) at least one layer of molecular units having first and second ends, wherein at least one layer of molecular units is attached through their first ends to the contact surface through a type of association selected from the group consisting of: covalent bonding and strong electronic coupling; and (b) a second conductive component in electrical contact with the second ends of at least one layer of molecular units, the second conductive component comprising at least one metal and at least one metal oxide, wherein at least one conductive component in electronic junction has an electrical property that changes in response to a stimulus.

Abstract: An isolated solely pollen-specific promoter derived from Arabidopsis comprise a nucleotide sequence of Arabidopsis PLA2-? gene. The novel promoter has specific roles in particular organs and at particular developmental stages, such as in mature flowers, and can be used in the production of hybrid seeds using male sterility techniques.

Abstract: The linear equalizer is implemented utilizing second-order statistics, assuming two classes that have normal distributions, which improves the convergence speed and performance significantly. The idea and teaching of the present invention is also extended with equalization viewed as a multi-class classification problem. Furthermore, the idea and teaching of the present invention is extended to blind equalization.

Abstract: The present invention discloses eight new reduced dimensionality (RD) triple resonance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments for measuring chemical shift values of certain nuclei in a protein molecule. The RD 3D HA,CA,(CO),N,HN NMR experiment and the RD 3D H,C,(C-TOCSY—CO),N,HN NMR experiment are designed to yield “sequential” connectivities, while the RD 3D H??,C??,CO,HA NMR experiment and the RD 3D H??,C??,N,HN NMR experiment provide “intraresidue” connectivities. The RD 3D H,C,C,H—COSY NMR experiment, the RD 3D H,C,C,H-TOCSY NMR experiment, and the RD 2D H,C,H—COSY NMR experiment allow one to obtain assignments for aliphatic and aromatic side chain chemical shifts, while the RD 2D HB,CB,(CG,CD),HD NMR experiment provide information for the aromatic side chain chemical shifts. In addition, a method of conducting suites of RD triple resonance NMR experiments for high-throughput resonance assignment of proteins and identification of the location of secondary structure elements are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel C-glycoside of isopropylthiogalactoside (IPTG), isobutyl-C-galactoside (IBCG), is described. IBCG may be used as an IPTG substitute for increased induction of protein expression of plasmid-based genes for the production of recombinant proteins under the control of the lac promoter. IBCG offers the advantage over IPTG of being stable at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for selecting a shock profile for a defibrillator based on patient discomfort to a plurality of different defibrillating shocks include delivering a first defibrillating shock having an associated first shock profile to a patient, and measuring the associated physical displacement of a selected region in the patient. A second defibrillating shock having an associated second shock profile is delivered to the patient, and the associated physical displacement of the selected region in measured. One of the first or second shock profiles is selected based on which shock profile has the lesser amount of measured physical displacement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling crown gall disease in plants using an effective quantity of ?-proteobacteria that produces trifolitoxin (TFX). The present invention also provides a biocontrol agent for use in the above method, and a plant coated with the biological control agent. The biocontrol agent is characterized as a biologically pure culture of an ?-proteobacteria strain that produces TFX, or an ?-proteobacteria strain genetically engineered to produce TFX. The ?-proteobacteria strain employed may include any one of the many strains of Agrobacterium capable of producing crown galls, including Agrobacterium vitis and, in particular, A. vitis F2/5. The ?-proteobacteria strain employed may be genetically engineered to produce TFX by introducing a genetic construct into the Agrobacterium so as to cause the Agrobacterium to carry and express the tfx operon from Rhizobium.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a bone block, a bone-tendon-bone assembly and method of tendon reconstruction in which at least one tendon replacement is extended between two bone blocks and fixed within each of two bone tunnels in the bones of a joint using interference screws. Each bone block has a central through going bore and at least one substantially parallel channel longitudinally cut in the exterior of the bone block body in which the ligament replacements are seated. One end of each bone block has a rounded recess leading from the central bore to the exterior parallel channel.

Abstract: A method of delivering intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is disclosed. An intensity profile for the treatment of a patient is provided which spans a prescribed field width and includes a discrete profile having intensity values at each of a plurality of sample points bounded by the prescribed width. The prescribed width is compared to a maximum field width provided by the radiation treatment system. The intensity profile is split into a plurality of intensity profile portions, each having respective widths less than the maximum width if the prescribed width is greater than the maximum width. The prescribed field is also divided into a plurality of different profile portion split arrangements. A monitor unit (MU) efficiency is calculated for each of the arrangements. One of the arrangements is selected for delivery by the system using a leaf sequencing method.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to identify polymorphisms at the human TLR4 locus, as well as methods to identify individuals at risk of indications that increase their morbidity and mortality.