Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods related to the structure and function of the cellular polyadenylation and specificity factor 30 (CPSF30) binding site on the surface of the influenza A non-structural protein 1 (NS1). Specifically, critical biochemical reagents, conditions for crystallization and NMR analysis, assays, and general processes are described for (i) discovering, designing, and optimizing small molecule inhibitors of influenza A (avian flu) viruses and (ii) creating attenuated influenza virus strains suitable for avian and human flu vaccine development.

Abstract: A system is described that provides a full end to end test of a recorder system to assure that a failure of any one or more channels is quickly detected so that maintenance can be performed. The system causes the recorder to sequence all or some of its outputs so that they appear sequentially on one (or more to increase speed) video signal line. The testing system uses one (or possibly multiple) testing circuits to check the signal from each recorder channel as it appears in the sequence. If one or more channels are inoperative, they are identified and a maintenance needed alarm is generated. The sequence includes a pause or similar discontinuity so that the tester can synchronize to the sequence so that the specific identifier of a channel can be identified with the detected operating status. This identification is also possible from communication between the tester and the recorder.

Abstract: A multimedia keepsake and the systems for its production are provided. At a kiosk, or using any form of computerized network communication (e.g. a PDA), a gift giver may design a multimedia keepsake in a processor. It may include any or all of a personal image, a text message, and an audio recording, including a voice message. Although these may originate with the gift giver and be uploaded to the processor. The processor then assembles the multimedia keepsake under the gift giver's control. The completed keepsake may be delivered to the gift recipient in physical or electronic form. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a page of an album containing photographs may be provided with touch sensitive areas, so that a viewer may touch such areas and hear prerecorded sound recordings associated with the photograph. Touch sensors are preferably embedded in a cover of the album and aligned indicia are provided on an album page.

Abstract: A security system includes a perimeter sensor configured to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a first period of time upon sensing a security breach. An interior sensor is configured to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a second period of time upon sensing a security breach. The second period of time is shorter than the first period of time. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the perimeter sensor and the interior sensor. The controller is adapted, in response to the perimeter sensor entering into a fault condition, to reconfigure the interior sensor to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a third period of time upon sensing a security breach. The third period of time is longer than the second period of time.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay has a case, a main bimetal bending upon detection of an overload current, a release lever rotatably supported by an adjusting link and rotating according to a shifter displaced in response to the bending of the main bimetals, and a contact reversing mechanism for change-over contacts responsive to a rotation of the release lever. The main bimetal, release lever and contact reversing mechanism are disposed in the case. The contact reversing mechanism has a movable plate, and a reversing spring stretched between the other side of the movable plate and a spring support. The other end of the movable plate and the spring support is positioned opposite a support point. The release lever has a release lever supporting part, a reversing spring pushing part, a cam contact part, and a displacement input part, in which the release lever supporting part is pivoted on the adjusting link.

Abstract: A switching power supply has a full-wave AC rectifier circuit; a chopper circuit including an inductor, a capacitor smoothing current from the inductor, and a switching device for on-off control of the current fed to the capacitor. The rectifier circuit further has an input voltage detector circuit detecting chopper circuit input voltage; an output voltage error detector circuit detecting an error between an output voltage from the chopper circuit and a set voltage; a current control signal generator circuit generating a current control signal in-phase with an input voltage detection signal having a waveform similar to the input voltage detection signal and an amplitude proportional to an output voltage error signal; a current detector circuit detecting inductor current flow; a frequency setting circuit; an oscillator circuit; and a switching control circuit switching the switching device based on oscillation circuit signal, the current control signal, and the current detection signal.

Abstract: The system for damping oscillations in a structure according to the invention provides two masses that can be controlled to rotate at the frequency of oscillation of the structure and in opposite directions about axes of rotation transverse to the direction of the oscillations. The masses have individually controllable moments of inertia, and when their moments of inertia are equal a harmonic linear force is generated. The phases of the rotating masses can be individually controlled whereby the direction of the resulting harmonic linear force can be controlled. The moments of inertia can be controlled by shifting their centres of gravity relative to the respective axes of rotation.

Abstract: The invention provides bipolar articles (e.g., batteries and capacitors) with new architectures and methods of making and using the same. Articles are provided with interpenetrating anode and cathode structures that allow for improved power density, and arbitrary form factors that allow for formation in substantially any desired shape. The articles are useful for embedding or integral formation in various electronic devices to provide more efficient use of space in the devices. The articles optionally include self-organizing bipolar structures.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus includes a gantry having a rotary portion and a stationary portion. At least one radiation source and at least one anti-scatter grid are mounted on the rotary portion of the gantry and positioned opposite each other. A detector device is mounted on the stationary portion of the gantry. The detector device may include a plurality of detector sensors arranged in the form of a generally circular ring surrounding the periphery of the rotary portion. Alternatively, the detector device may include a plurality of flat panel detectors arranged in a generally circular geometry.

Abstract: A porous balloon or other catheter structure is formed by creating specific size pores for delivering an agent to a body lumen. The pores can be created by passing matter or energy through the surface of the catheter structure, as by a laser or a projectile. In the case of a laser, the catheter structure can be reversed so that the inner surface becomes the outer surface to convert diverging pores into converging pores. In the case of projectiles, a pore size can be achieved by selecting an appropriate size and shaped projectile to obtain the desired characteristic. Alternatively, a material to make the catheter structure can include impurities that can be removed once the catheter structure is set, leaving pores where the material formed around the impurities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for identifying one or more objects within an image. The techniques include receiving an image that includes at least one object; identifying a plurality of edge pixels in the image, an edge pixel being a pixel that borders two contrasting areas of the image, the plurality of edge pixels including both inner edge pixels and outer edge pixels; and finding a substantially connected component correlated with each object, the substantially connected component comprising a set of the edge pixels that are connected by traversing substantially only edge pixels.

Abstract: An implant for use in biological/biomedical applications may be prepared by subjecting a substrate to a gas-plasma treatment. The substrate may be a biocompatible material, including metals, ceramics, and polymers. More specifically, the substrate may be a bioresorbable polymer. The gas-plasma treatment may include subjecting the substrate to a plasma formed by a reactive gas. The gas-plasma treatment may be performed for a chosen duration at a radio frequency within a temperature range, a pressure range, and a supplied energy range. The substrate may be exposed to living cells, such that some of the living cells become coupled to the substrate. Gas-plasma treatment parameters may be chosen such that the living cells coupled to the treated substrate produce more of a cellular product than living cells coupled to an untreated substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program apparatus, implementing techniques for processing a formatted computer-readable source document to create a style sheet. The techniques include partitioning the formatted text into multiple groups of words; deriving an element style a predefined element that is assigned to two or more groups of words; and creating an electronic document including a style sheet defining the element style.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for applying tension to vertical conveyor belts. A combination of force stabilizing devices, force adjusting devices, movable plates and pivoting levers allows adjustment of the tension applied to the vertical conveyor belt. The levered tensioning allows the vertical conveyor belt to positioned in closed proximity with another conveyor or object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject a Francisella bacterium that includes an alteration in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the mglA, iglA, iglB, iglC, or iglD gene of the bacterium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laser system with a frequency comb generator for generating a comb of optical frequencies having an offset frequency and a plurality of equidistant modes. The laser system further preferably includes at least one stabilizer for stabilizing the frequency comb onto a certain offset frequency and/or onto a certain mode spacing. The laser system further includes an optical amplifier for amplifying the frequency comb coupled out of the frequency comb generator, the amplification factor of this amplifier being variable; and the amplifier is followed by a Raman medium for generating a Raman shift of the frequency comb.

Abstract: In one embodiment a new method to address configuring a logical design and libraries of design elements with additional information is proposed that may be used to create a physical design from that logical design. Logical designs may be generic, while physical design libraries are normally targeted towards specific technology. Consequently, there can be a mapping from the cells in a logical library to cells which correspond to their implementation in a physical library. In one embodiment, annotations required to map from logical design to physical design may be stored in a separate design view. In one embodiment the user can modify the physical mapping attributes of cells, instances, and occurrences in the logical design and save the modifications back to the physical configuration view.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the fluid pressure of, with a sensor of a tire pressure management system disposed without, a tire that prevents overinflation of same. The method of monitoring a fluid pressure of a tire with a sensor, disposed in conduit assemblies for conducting fluid to or from the tire, of a tire pressure management system includes providing a pulse of compressed fluid to the conduit assemblies, unless a counter exceeds a count, the fluid in the conduit assemblies thereafter having a conduit pressure. The pulse has a duration that corresponds to a ratio defined by a first predetermined amount divided by a second predetermined amount.