Abstract: A method for estimating the location and orientation of a mobile robot with respect to landmarks whose positions are given using a sensor for measuring bearings of the landmarks with respect to the robot, where bias errors are present. The method comprises using the sensor to obtain bearings the landmarks. The location and orientation of the robot with respect to the landmarks is estimated, based on the measured bearings, and bias errors associated with the measured bearings are corrected to obtain corrected bearings. A correction function is used to finds the minimal sum of squared errors between measured bearings and the corrected bearings. The location and the orientation of the robot is determined to be where the sum of squared errors between measured bearings and the corrected bearings is minimal.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically ranking product reviews according to review helpfulness. Given a collection of reviews, the method employs an algorithm that identifies dominant terms and uses them to define a feature vector representation. Reviews are then converted to this representation and ranked according to their distance from a ‘locally optimal’ review vector. The algorithm is fully unsupervised and thus avoids costly and error-prone manual training annotations. In one embodiment a Multi Layer Lexical Model (MLLM) approach partitions the dominant lexical terms in a review into layers, creates a compact unified layers lexicon, and ranks the reviews according to their weight with respect to unified lexicon, all in a fully unsupervised manner. When used to rank book reviews, it was found that the invention significantly outperforms the user votes-based ranking employed by Amazon.

Abstract: A method of generating pancreatic progenitor cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) differentiating stem cells under conditions such that at least a portion of the cells express glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) so as to generate GLUT2-expressing cells; and (b) enriching for the GLUT2-expressing cells so as to generate a population of GLUT2 enriched cells, wherein at least 80% of the population of GLUT2 enriched cells express GLUT2, thereby generating pancreatic progenitor cells. Isolated populations of cells generated according to the method, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The internal propagation of radiation between a radiation source and radiation detector mounted within a sensor package is prevented by the use of an optical isolator. The optical isolator is formed by the combination of a baffle mounted between the source and detector and a groove formed in an upper surface of the sensor package between the source and detector. A bottom of the groove is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the baffle.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a first part and a second part. The first part includes a memory controller for accessing a memory, at least one first cache memory and a first directory. The second part includes at least one second cache memory configured to request access to said memory. The first directory is configured to use a first coherency protocol for the at least one first cache memory and a second different coherency protocol for the at least one second memory.

Abstract: In a data storage and retrieval system wherein data is stored and retrieved in pages, said data comprising connected nodes arranged such that each page stores only complete nodes, said connected nodes being connected via a plurality of overlapping tree structures, a method of minimizing page retrieval in the face of changing relationships between nodes comprising: selecting at least two of said overlapping tree structures; incrementally adjusting a page node structure dynamically based on real time workload, separately according to each selected tree structure, to form modified partitions for each tree structure, each modified partition being so as to minimize page faults; for each modified partition calculating a modification gain to indicate which partition has provided a greater minimization of page faults; and selecting the tree structure and modified partition corresponding to the best modification gain.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a novel composition which acts as a barrier to noxious agents while adding self-detoxifying catalytic treatments to neutralize the noxious and harmful warfare agents when applied for example on a fabric, or other solid support.

Abstract: Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component, notably common acne, are treated with topically applicable pharmaceutical compositions containing about 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously formulated into topically applicable gels, preferably aqueous gels, creams, lotions or solutions.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of degenerative diseases and disorders.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which produces at least 1 W/m2 two photon emission power per area, when operating at one or more temperatures greater than 20 K.

Abstract: Polymeric foams and elastomer/hydrogel bicontinuous composite structures derived from high internal phase emulsions and possessing shape-memory characteristics are disclosed, as well as processes for forming the same and uses thereof in, for example, manufacturing of various articles.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an array of daisy chained image sensors, with each image sensor including a pixel array. A host is coupled to an image sensor at an end of the array and is configured to insert identification codes. The identification codes include embedded data values to thereby indicate specific parts of the image data, and a set of identification codes comprising a first identification code to identify a start of a data stream and a second identification code to identify an end of the data stream.

Abstract: A video frame buffer may enable a high resolution image sensor video stream to be transmitted on a standard communication link at a high frame rate. The buffer may include an image stream input for receiving image frames from the image sensor, and a memory for buffering image frames. A frame processor manipulates portions of each image frame before passing the modified image frame to the memory which selectively buffers the frames before outputting the frames to a communication output. The video frame buffer may be implemented in a FPGA along with a DDR SDRAM memory. The communication link may be a USB2 communication link.

Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for safe and effective treatment of telangiectasia or a symptom associated with telangiectasia in a subject are described. The methods involve topically applying to an affected skin area a topical composition comprising about 0.3% to about 10% by weight of brimonidine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for use in promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration following tissue injury in a subject.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preventing or treating a dermatologic condition including, inter alia, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis, in a subject, the method includes the step of administering to said subject a compound comprising a lipid or phospholipid moiety bound to a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer, or polymer, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a pharmaceutical product thereof, in an amount effective to treat the subject suffering from a dermatologic condition.

Abstract: A novel regime or regimen for the treatment of acne related diseases and particularly acne vulgaris includes administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of Differin gel 0.3% (adapalene) in association or combination with a combined clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel product such as DUAC®.

Abstract: A sensor for a touch screen operates to detect a touch and any associated movement thereof on the screen and determine a required control function for a device on which the touch screen is mounted. The sensor includes integrated control logic. The sensor operates to identify the existence of a feature associated with the touch and movement on the screen. The feature is processed by the logic to determine the location of the touch and any associated movement thereof on the touch screen. The feature location and any associated movement are converted by the logic into an output from which the control function can be derived by the device.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymers having the general formula I as defined herein, A-L-B??Formula I as well as crosslinked polymers having the general formula III: B?-L?-A?-A?-L?-B???Formula III and methods of preparing the polymers, wherein A is a dihydroxyphenyl moiety; A?-A? is a pair of crosslinked dihydroxyphenyl moieties; B, B? and B? are each a biopolymer; and L, L? and L? are each a linking moiety. Further provided are crosslinked adhesives prepared from the polymers, methods of generating same by oxidizing a polymer, and uses thereof. Further provided are kits comprising an adhesive and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Provided is a process for controlling heavy metal (e.g., mercury) emission in S02-containing flue gas, comprising passing a stream of the flue gas (2) through a wet scrubber (1) where it is brought into contact with a liquid absorbent (8) comprising an ionic liquid, an oxidizer (11) and polar protic organic solvent, wherein the amount of said organic solvent is adjusted such that the SO2 absorption is minimized while operating said wet scrubber at a temperature lower than the normal working temperature that would be used in the absence of said solvent. The process may be preceded by an initial stage where a fluoride-containing liquid is used for reducing the amount of sulfur dioxide in the flue gas stream; the sulfur dioxide can be subsequently desorbed from the fluoride-containing liquid upon the addition of a polar solvent.