Abstract: Therapeutic compositions and methods for treatment of late-onset Gaucher disease are described herein. The compositions comprise compounds having activity as pharmacological chaperones for mutant forms of the beta-glucocerebrosidase. Methods of treatment involve providing therapeutically effective amounts of such compositions to subjects in need thereof.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 17, 2014
Publication date:
August 21, 2014
Applicants:
The Hospital for Sick Children, McMaster University
Inventors:
Don J. Mahuran, Michael B. Tropak, Justin D. Buttner, Jan E. Blanchard, Eric D. Brown
Abstract: Described are methods and compositions for treating cancer that include a dopamine receptor (DR) antagonist such as thioridazine and a chemotherapeutic agent. Optionally, the chemotherapeutic agent is a DNA synthesis inhibitor such as cytarabine or a microtubule inhibitor such as paclitaxel or docetaxel. The methods and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia.
Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a switched reluctance machine having a rotor excitation. In one example embodiment, the switched reluctance machine comprises a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be disposed inside or outside the stator. The rotor is spaced from the stator, and the rotor and the stator are concentrically disposed. The rotor has a plurality of rotor poles having an excitation source, where the excitation source comprises at least one adjustable parameter. The excitation source is provided by a permanent magnet. The dimensions and various other parameters associated with the permanent magnets are adjustable.
Abstract: Intra-enterprise wireless handset (WH) calls between WHs operating in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are established directly between the WHs via a call connection that is maintained within the LAN without being routed through the cellular network (CN). This eliminates the cost of placing and maintaining calls through the CN for intra-enterprise calls, and also enables use of capabilities that are available in the enterprise telecomm equipment. Upon detection of a trigger condition, if and when it is more likely that a complete vertical handover (VHO) may be needed, the call connection between the WHs in the LAN is replaced by one that is routed through the CN. Thereafter, a VHO may occur (if at all) upon detection of a radio handover condition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 27, 2007
Date of Patent:
June 10, 2014
Assignees:
BlackBerry Limited, McMaster University
Inventors:
Vytautas Robertas Kezys, Terence D. Todd
Abstract: The present invention provides a tiled optical fiber display device structure which includes a light emitting diode (LED) backlit liquid crystal display (LCD). Light from the LCD enters an array of optical fibers that directs the light to a viewing screen. The optical fibers eliminate the use of energy absorbing color filters in conventional LCD's, and also enable the seamless tiling of multiple display modules.
Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a double-rotor switched reluctance machine. In one example embodiment, the double-rotor switched reluctance machine comprises an interior rotor, an exterior rotor spaced from the interior rotor and coaxially and concentrically disposed outside the interior rotor, and at least one stator disposed concentrically with the interior rotor and the exterior rotor. The interior rotor, the exterior rotor and the at least one stator are disposed within one machine set to provide an interior switched reluctance machine and an exterior switched reluctance machine. The interior switched reluctance machine and the exterior switched reluctance machine can operate as two motors, two generators, or a motor and a generator simultaneously.
Abstract: A method of controlling nematode response in a microfluidic environment is provided comprising exposing the nematode to an electric field that induces a nematode response. In one embodiment, a method of sorting a group of nematodes based on a selected parameter is provided comprising the step of exposing the nematodes to an electric field that induces a differential response among the nematodes based on the selected parameter, wherein the differential response functions to separate the nematodes based on the selected parameter. Devices useful to achieve these methods are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 15, 2011
Date of Patent:
April 22, 2014
Assignee:
McMaster University
Inventors:
Ravi (Ponnambalam) Selvaganapathy, Bhagwati Gupta, Pouya Rezai
Abstract: Technologies are generally described for automatically optimizing an efficiency of camera placement, numbers, and resolution in multi-camera monitoring and surveillance applications. In some examples, a fraction of a total area may be monitored at a higher resolution than the rest. Employing techniques such as combinatorial state Viterbi technique or combinatorial state trellis technique, a minimum number of cameras that provide the coverage at the needed resolution may be selected. Similarly, a number of points may be covered with at least a predefined number of cameras. For example, a subject of interest may be tracked in a public area, where specific camera(s) may be used to image the subject's face at a higher resolution than the background.
Abstract: Methods and devices for automatically determining a suitable bit-width for data types to be used in computer resource intensive computations. Methods for range refinement for intermediate variables and for determining suitable bit-widths for data to be used in vector operations are also presented. The invention may be applied to various computing devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphic Processing Units), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), etc.
Abstract: A hybrid vehicle transmission including a double-rotor electric machine, two planetary gear sets, an input shaft, and an output shaft, where the input shaft, the output shaft, and a first rotor of the double-rotor electric machine are each coupled to a member of the first planetary gear set, the output shaft and a second rotor of the double-rotor electric machine are each coupled to a member of the second planetary gear set, and a member of the second planetary gear set not coupled to the output shaft or the second rotor is selectively coupled to the first rotor via a first torque transfer device, and selectively coupled to a transmission housing via a second torque transfer device.
Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for an aircraft may include a drive shaft, the drive shaft, an internal combustion engine to selectably drive the drive shaft, a propeller coupled to the drive shaft and an electric motor having a stator and a rotor and operable to selectably drive the drive shaft. The drive shaft may extend through the electric motor. The rotor may be coupled to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft and the rotor is a flywheel for the internal combustion engine.
Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of generating catalytic nucleic acid probes useful for detecting microorganisms such as bacterial pathogens. In one embodiment, the catalytic nucleic acid probes are fluorogenic DNAzymes. The disclosure also relates to catalytic nucleic acid probes and methods of using the probes for detecting microorganisms.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 8, 2012
Publication date:
January 2, 2014
Applicant:
McMaster University
Inventors:
Yingfu Li, M. Monsur Ali, Sergio D. Aguirre
Abstract: Described are methods of treating a cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a dopamine receptor (DR) antagonist. The DR antagonist may be a phenothiazine derivative, such as thioridazine or chlorpromazine. Optionally, the cancer is acute myeloid leukemia. Also described are methods for identifying subjects with cancer, methods for providing a prognosis for a subjects with cancer and/or subjects likely to be responsive to therapy with DR receptor antagonists. Methods for identifying cancer stem cells and chemotherapeutic compounds that are DR receptor antagonists as also provided.
Abstract: A wireless access point supports data rates and advertises an indication of a minimum data rate for advertisement. Those of the supported data rates that are less than the minimum data rate for advertisement are reserved for limited use. A mobile station that requests to communicate with the wireless access point at one of the one or more supported data rates that are reserved for limited use is informed by the wireless access point how much time communications with the wireless access point at one or more of the one or more supported data rates reserved for limited use will be permitted.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 2010
Date of Patent:
November 26, 2013
Assignees:
BlackBerry Limited, McMaster University
Inventors:
Terence Douglas Todd, Vytautas Robertas Kezys, Mohammed Nawaf Smadi
Abstract: A self-reinforced masonry block comprises a main body having opposed substantially parallel stacking surfaces and at least one tubular cell defined therethrough from one stacking surface to the other. At least one confining reinforcement is embedded in the main body to surrounding a corresponding cell. Each confining reinforcement extends substantially entirely along the longitudinal length of its corresponding cell and terminates inwardly of the stacking surfaces. The self-reinforced masonry blocks may be used in construction of a grout-filled, vertically reinforced masonry block wall, with the self-reinforced masonry blocks being used for those portions of the wall where the grouted cells are prone to crushing due to high levels of compressive stress, and conventional unreinforced masonry blocks being used for other portions of the wall. A method for making the self-reinforced masonry blocks is also described.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 14, 2011
Publication date:
September 26, 2013
Applicant:
McMaster University
Inventors:
Hamid Toopchinezhad, Robert Drysdale, Michael Tait
Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided, including an internal combustion engine, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a gearset connecting the internal combustion engine to the drivetrain gear, a first electric machine connected to the gearset, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the drivetrain gear and the gearset. In a compound mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the gearset. In a split mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the drivetrain gear.
Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system including a differential gear set, a planetary gear set coupled to the differential gear set, an engine coupled to the planetary gear set to transfer power between the engine and the planetary gear set, a first electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a first clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the first clutch, to transfer power between the first electric machine and the planetary gear set, and a second electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a second clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the second clutch, to transfer power between the second electric machine and the planetary gear set.
Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided. The powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, a first gearset connected to the internal combustion engine, a first electric machine connected to the first gearset, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a second gearset connecting the first gearset to the drivetrain gear, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the first electric machine, the first gearset, and the second gearset. In a first mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first electric machine. In a second mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first gearset. In a third mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the second gearset.
Abstract: If a handoff by a mobile station currently associated with a particular access point is probable, then the particular access point sends an activation alert to one or more other access points. An access point receiving the activation alert that is in a low-power state enters a higher-power state. An access point receiving the activation alert that is in a higher-power state, remains in that higher-power state.
Abstract: A method of determining risk of heart failure in a mammal is provided comprising the steps of measuring in a biological sample obtained from a mammal the level of each of IL-6, MCP-1, IL-10, VEGF, and EGF biomarkers in the sample, wherein a positive result of at least three of said biomarkers is indicative of a risk of heart failure in the mammal.