Abstract: A method for reconstructing a digital image including: obtaining gradient data of the digital image, estimating the wavelet decomposition of the digital image based on the gradient data, performing a synthesis and smoothing operation on decomposed gradient data to provide an estimate of pixel intensities from the wavelet decomposition and outputting a reconstructed digital image.

Abstract: A currency-operated liquid dispensing machine includes removable and replaceable containers such as carboys or bags that can be drained sequentially or in parallel. The containers are coupled to a furcated passage having an outlet. Such a vending machine dispenses metered quantities of water in response to an amount paid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for determining whether a human subject is infected with T. pallidum and isolated polypeptide fragments of T. pallidum proteins Tp92, Tp0453, and Gpd that can be used in the methods and kits of the invention.

Abstract: A fault detection system using field current and rotor search coil voltage harmonics is provided. The technology is capable of detecting an inter-turn fault unambiguously and rapidly in a synchronous machine. The internal asymmetry of the machine that has adversely affected the earlier fault diagnosis results has, for the first time, been shown as an advantage.

Abstract: A photonic material comprising a core and an envelope is provided for use in telecommunications, diagnostics, imaging and other applications. In its simplest form, the core comprises at least one nanoparticle. The nanoparticle comprises an inorganic material and at least one luminescent ion, wherein the inorganic material is suitably selected to bind the luminescent ion. The envelope comprises a suitably selected organic stabilizing layer that overlays the core. The core and envelope may have a shell located between them.

Abstract: Embodiments of a photonic link having low residual carrier, for use in transmitting information between an electronic signal source and an electronic signal receiver is provided. The photonic link comprises a transmitter, which uses angle modulation, and two threshold optical frequency discriminators that are biased to provide large even-order distortion, an optical signal receiver and at least one transmission fiber to transmit complementary modulated signals between the transmitter and the optical signal receiver, whereby the optical signal receiver reconstructs the complementary modulated signals into the electronic information for acceptance by the electronic signal receiver. Exemplary methods of transmitting information are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a photonic link having low residual carrier, for use in transmitting information between an electronic signal source and an electronic signal receiver are provided. One exemplary photonic link comprises a transmitter, which has two non-linear threshold electronic to optical converters that are biased to provide large even-order distortion, an optical signal receiver and at least one optical transmission path to transmit complementary modulated signals between the transmitter and the optical signal receiver, whereby the optical signal receiver reconstructs the complementary modulated signals into the electronic information for acceptance by the electronic signal receiver. Exemplary methods of transmitting information are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified proaerolysin (PA) peptide. In some examples, the proteins include a prostate-specific protease cleavage site and can further include a prostate-tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. In other examples, the proteins include a furin cleavage site and a prostate tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. Methods of using such peptides to treat prostate cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous soluble, lanthanide rich nanoparticle for investigative use, such as NMR, MRI, CT, PET, and GdNCT is provided. The nanoparticle is synthesized from a mixture comprising lanthanide ions and coated with a suitably selected organic ligand such that the resultant nanoparticle is soluble in aqueous solutions. A method of collecting nuclear magnetic resonance information on a sample or a subject is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus includes one or more “communicators” that are worn, carried by, or otherwise associated with a person or location in an environment. Each communicator includes a synchronizable clock and a transmitter configured to transmit a message including a respective time stamp that is based on a time determined by the synchronizable clock. The message can be transmitted acoustically or in another manner such as by RF signal, optical signal, etc. The clock can be synchronized based on, e.g., a standard clock, another synchronizable clock associated with one or more transceivers, or a selected transceiver. The time stamp can be digital or analog, and can be configured to permit estimation of distance and bearing between synchronized communicators.

Abstract: A training device for measuring the impact of an athlete on the training device is provided. The training device comprises a striker module, a display module and a communication system. The striker module comprises a front, a back, and a detector. The front comprises a flexible material, and is connected to the back to define a space. The detector comprises at least two components, one mounted on the front and the other on the back, such that upon flexing of the front, the components approach one another. The communication system sends information from the detector to the display module. A method of assessing an athlete's impact is also provided.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that express antimicrobial CEMA and/or CEMA-related peptides are disclosed. In certain embodiments, these plants have enhanced, broad-spectrum pathogen resistance and are useful as agricultural or horticultural crops. In other embodiments, the plants are used to produce large quantities of the CEMA and/or CEMA-related peptides.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that express temporin peptides are disclosed. In certain embodiments, these plants have enhanced, broad-spectrum pathogen resistance and are useful as agricultural or horticultural crops. In other embodiments, the plants are used to produce large quantities of the temporin peptide.

Abstract: A method for block-based motion estimation, the flexible triangle search (FTS) algorithm is provided. The FTS is based on the simplex algorithm for optimization adapted to an integer grid. The proposed algorithm is highly flexible because of its ability to quickly change its search direction and to move toward the target of the search criterion. Motion estimation in a search window is in relation to a reference window. The motion estimation comprises searching. Searching is comprised of the steps of expanding, translating, contracting and reflecting. A system for block-based motion estimation is also provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and a method of effecting localized electroporation in a relatively small target area and for introducing foreign matter into cellular material in which the target area is located. The cellular material may be in vitro, in ovo or in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for creating recombinant agfA fimbrin genes and performing chromosomal gene replacements within Salmonella, creating Salmonella strains which carry the recombinant agfA genes at the native position in the chromosome. One embodiment of the invention is exemplified by the expression of a model epitope (PT3) obtained from the GP63 protein of Leishmania major, by formation of recombinant agfA genes encoding PT3 fusion proteins recombined at 10 different sites throughout the agfA gene. These fusions are shown to be expressed in the thin aggregative fimbriae on the surface of bacterial cell. The agfA fimbrin of Salmonella (CsgA for E. coli) provides a flexible and stable vehicle for the expression of foreign epitopes in enterobacteriaceae and the subsequent thin aggregative fimbriae (curli) expression product provide an ideal organelle for presentation of the foreign epitopes at the cell surface.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that express dermaseptin peptides are disclosed. In certain embodiments, these plants have enhanced, broad-spectrum pathogen resistance and are useful as agricultural or horticultural crops. In other embodiments, the plants are used to produce large quantities of the dermaseptin peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides promoters from Douglas-fir genes encoding metallothionein-like proteins. Also provided are deletions and variants of such promoters. The promoters are useful for, among other things, directing developmental-specific expression of transgenes.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that express dermaseptin and/or temporin peptides are disclosed. In certain embodiments, these plants have enhanced, broad-spectrum pathogen resistance and are useful as agricultural or horticultural crops. In other embodiments, the plants are used to produce large quantities of the dermaseptin and/or temporin peptides.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that express antimicrobial CEMA and/or CEMA-related peptides are disclosed. In certain embodiments, these plants have enhanced, broad-spectrum pathogen resistance and are useful as agricultural or horticultural crops. In other embodiments, the plants are used to produce large quantities of the CEMA and/or CEMA-related peptides.