Abstract: A method for iteratively decoding a set of encoded samples received from a transmission channel is provided. A data signal indicative of a noise level of the transmission channel is received. A scaling factor is then determined in dependence upon the data signal and the encoded samples are scaled using the scaling factor. The scaled encoded samples are then iteratively decoded. Furthermore, a method for initializing edge memories is provided. During an initialization phase initialization symbols are received from a node of a logic circuitry and stored in a respective edge memory. The initialization phase is terminated when the received symbols occupy a predetermined portion of the edge memory. An iterative process is executed using the logic circuitry storing output symbols received from the node in the edge memory and a symbol is retrieved from the edge memory and provided as output symbol of the node. Yet further an architecture for a high degree variable node is provided.

Abstract: This invention is a game platform for the assessment and/or treatment of disorders of binocular vision, such as amblyopia. The game content is devised to maximize the possible therapeutic effects by leveraging advanced research in ophthalmology, as well as advanced display technology to render images independently to each eye. In particular, the game content engages both eyes at different levels of difficulty, forcing an amblyopic eye to work harder to regain its performance in the visual system. The invention herein described provides a mobile device, capable of interaction with an eye care specialist, for the assessment/treatment of binocular vision using innovative mechanisms for ensuring proper use thereof.

Abstract: Portable wireless devices are ubiquitous in modern society and many of these have integral sensors such as accelerometers, microphones, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that can collect data. This creates potential for intelligent applications to recognize the user, or aspects of the user and take appropriate action. According to embodiments of the invention there are presented techniques for representing such time series data which reduce the memory and computational complexity of performing the analysis and classifying the results. The techniques exploit time-delay embedding is to reconstruct the state and dynamics of an unknown dynamical system, Geometric Template Matching to build nonparametric classifiers, and algorithms to address the problem of selecting segments of data from which to build the time-delay models for classification problems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic green tea derived polyphenolic compounds, their modes of syntheses, and their use in inhibiting proteasomal activity and in treating cancers. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions useful in methods of inhibiting proteasomes and of treating cancers.

Abstract: An information difference between a left eye image and a right eye image is adjustable to achieve binocular vision in a patient having a deficiency of binocular vision. A source of image pairs is used along with a dichoptic display system to present a selected one of the image pairs as a right eye image to a patient's right eye and a left eye image to a patient's left eye. The difference at which a patients achieves binocular vision is a measure of a level binocular vision health or function, and continued exposure to the image pairs is therapeutic. The difference can be adjusted during therapy, and restoration of regular binocular vision is possible.

Abstract: Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs) allow forces within systems under observation to be probed from the piconewton forces of a single covalent bond to the forces exerted by cells in the micronewton range. The pendulum geometry prevents the snap-to-contact problem afflicting soft cantilevers in AFMs which enable attonewton force sensitivity. However, the microscopic length scale studies of cellular/subcellular forces parallel to the imaging plane of an optical microscope requires high sensitivity force measurements at high sampling frequencies despite the difficulties of implementing the pendulum geometry from constraints imposed by the focused incoming/outgoing light interfering with the sample surface. Additionally measurement systems for biological tissue samples in vitro must satisfy complex physical constraints to provide access to the vertical cantilever.

Abstract: The present invention provides protein-based biomarkers and biomarker combinations that are useful in qualifying Chagas disease status in a patient. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to classify a subject sample as infected with Chagas disease or non-infected. The biomarkers can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry.

Abstract: There is described a synthetic marker encoding data, the synthetic marker comprising an information payload represented by bits encoded along a spectrum, each of the bits having a priority level assigned thereto ranging from high to low, bits having lower priority levels being encoded along an end of the spectrum which is successively lost with progressively degrading marker viewing conditions compared to bits having higher priority levels.

Abstract: Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes offer error correction at rates approaching the link channel capacity and reliable and efficient information transfer over bandwidth or return-channel constrained links with data-corrupting noise present. LDPC codes also offer error correction performance approaching channel capacity exponentially fast in terms of the code length, linear processing complexity, and parallelism that scales with the code length. They also offer challenges relating to the decoding complexity of the binary error-correction codes themselves and error floors limiting achievable bit-error rates. A new Relaxed Half-Stochastic (RHS) decoding algorithm is presented that reduces decoding complexity for high decoding throughput applications. The RHS algorithm uses an approach based on stochastic decoding algorithms but differs significantly from the conventional approaches of LDPC decoder implementation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automata unit, a tool for designing circuitry and/or checker circuitry, and a method for manufacturing hardware circuitry. The automata unit includes an input unit for receiving assertions using Boolean expressions, an automata generator for translating the assertions into automata, and an automata adaptor. The automata generator uses a dual layer symbolic alphabet for representing the assertions, and the automata adaptor adapts automata algorithms so as to support the symbolic alphabet in the generated automata. The tools for designing circuitry and checker circuitry rely on the automata unit, and further include an assertion unit and either a circuit generator or a checker generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool comprising a handle and a tip, which provides amplified tactile feedback to a user regarding the material with which the tip of the tool is in contact. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided to the user via the handle of the tool, in the form of movements which correspond at least partially to those experienced by the tip of the tool as it interacts with the material. The tool optionally provides audio and/or visual feedback regarding the material. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A patient care management system for assisting a physician in monitoring drug use by a patient. The system receives drug dispensation data for a drug, on the basis of which the system determines drug supply availability data. The drug supply availability data is indicative of periods of time during which the drug was available in non-duplicate supply, or in oversupply, or in insufficient supply. The periods of time are displayed with respect to a common time base. Each degree of supply availability is visually displayed via a graphical user interface using, e.g., a color coded scheme, so as to be distinguishable by a user. This allows a physician to rapidly assess over-consumption or compliance problems. Plural drugs may be monitored on a single display screen. The system may also be adapted to allow an prescribing physician to assess refill compliance, hospitalization periods and prescription drug costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a anti-proliferative target for designing chemotherapeutic agents, which comprises a EIF4A protein having an amino acid sequence, as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the presence of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) or predicting the risk of developing HSP in a human subject, comprising detecting the presence or absence of a defect in a gene encoding a polypeptide comprising the sequence of FIG. 9 (SEQ ID NO: 19), in a nucleic acid sample of the subject, whereby the detection of the defect is indicative that the subject has or is at risk of developing HSP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the ideal time for and outcome of reproductive health procedures including in vitro fertilization by establishing a correlation between the successful outcome of said procedure and the spectra of a body fluid obtained using a chosen analytical modality for a population of patients, acquiring for a patient a spectrum of the body fluid of the patient using said chosen modality.

Abstract: Semiconductor micro- and nanotubes allow the incorporation of ordered structures such as quantum wells and quantum dots into them providing the potential for ultralow threshold micro- and nanoscale lasers for use in applications such as future ultrahigh-speed photonic systems as well as quantum information processing. According to the invention a means of manufacturing these with high reproducibility, low processing complexity, and at high densities is provided. Also provided is a means of releasing these micro- and nanotubes with low stress and a method of “pick-and-place” allowing micro- and nanotubes to be exploited in devices integrated on substrates that are either incompatible with the manufacturing technique or where the area of substrate required to manufacture them is detrimental to the cost or performance of the circuit.

Abstract: Methods, reagents and kits are described for the diagnosis of a female reproductive condition, based on the detection of an alteration in a NALP7-encoding nucleic acid or a NALP7 polypeptide, relative to a corresponding wild-type NALP7-encoding nucleic acid or NALP7 polypeptide.

Abstract: Amongst the candidates for very high efficiency solid state lights sources and full solar spectrum solar cells are devices based upon InGaN nanowires. Additionally these nanowires typically require heterostructures, quantum dots, etc which all place requirements for these structures to be grown with relatively few defects. Further manufacturing requirements demand reproducible nanowire diameter, length etc to allow these nanowires to be embedded within device structures. Additionally flexibility according to the device design requires that the nanowire at the substrate may be either InN or GaN. According to the invention a method of growing relatively defect free nanowires and associated structures for group III—nitrides is presented without the requirement for foreign metal catalysts and overcoming the non-uniform growth of prior art non-catalyst growth techniques. The technique also allows for unique dot-within-a-dot nanowire structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to epilepsy. More particularly, the present invention relates to idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and to the identification of three genes mapping to chromosome 2, which show mutations in patients with epilepsy. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences, and protein sequences of these loci (SCNA) and to the use thereof to assess, diagnose, prognose or treat epilepsy, to predict an epileptic individual's response to medication and to identify agents which modulate the function of the SCNA. The invention also provides screening assays using SCN1A, SCN2A and/or SCN3A which can identify compounds which have therapeutic benefit for epilepsy and related neurological disorders.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising GM-CSF and IL-15 is described. The fusion protein has unexpected immune suppressive properties and is useful in a variety of therapeutic applications.