Abstract: Novel compositions for modulating acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC) function comprising ASIC?, ASIC?, and BNC1 and derivatives thereof; methods for modulating ASIC function and methods for treating cognitive disorders and for memory enhancement using the novel compositions of the invention; and a method for increasing synaptic plasticity are described.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus including a thin film resistor. The thin film resistor includes a resistive component, a body, and a reactant. The resistive component includes a nickel-composite material. The body has a predetermined, sturdy shape. The body carries the resistive component. The reactant manipulates the body to enable the resistive component to adhere to the body.

Abstract: In a first object the present invention provides a method for the inspection of the quality of the sealing of a packages and more specifically the method of the present invention allows the on-line inspection of the air-tightness of a package. Said method comprising the following steps of (i) acquiring the noise signal generated by the sealing equipment during the sealing of the package, (ii) analyzing the signal in order to determine the values of at least one physical parameter characterizing the noise signal and (iii) deciding on the quality of the sealing by comparing the determined value to a reference value for said physical parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to assemblies for bonding molecules comprising bondable functional groups, which are present on a solid supporting material as individual molecular functional groups or multiple identical functional groups. Said assemblies are characterised in that the density of the individual functional groups or multiple functional groups on the solid supporting material is between 104 and 1010 individual or multiple functional groups per cm2 and that there are no additional bondable functional groups within a selected distance d from any individual bondable functional group or multiple functional group for at least 95% and in particular at least 99% of the individual or multiple functional groups.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for encoding multimedia contents, and a method and a system for applying multimedia contents are provided. The method for applying multimedia contents includes: storing an MAF file in a database, the MAF file including a header with location information that provides the location of media data, at least one single track with media data and metadata compatible with a predetermined standard, utilization data representing information for media application method; and browsing or sharing the MAF file stored in the database. The media metadata compatible with the predetermined standard is at least one of media player metadata and a media album metadata. Accordingly, even when the user does not have a specific application or a function for applying metadata, general-purpose multimedia content files can be effectively used by effectively browsing or sharing the multimedia content files.

Abstract: A system of delivering a closely controlled volume of a solution carrying a bioactive agent and depositing the solution on a surface of a medical/dental implant in preparation for placing the implant in a patient. The system includes one or more dispensers (cylinders) each terminating in a nozzle, and a plunger (piston) for each dispenser. Each dispenser is filled with the desired volume of solution by common movement of the plungers in an upward direction while the dispenser nozzles are connected to an adapter unit having a single nozzle immersed in the solution. The dispenser nozzles are then removed from the adapter and placed in mating hubs on a domed lid portion of a dosing chamber.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatic image registration includes providing a previously aligned image pair, extracting a first number of samples of features from the previously aligned image pair, and extracting a second number of samples of features from an observed image pair. The method further includes determining a Euclidean minimum spanning tree of a union set of the samples of features from the previously aligned image pair and the observed image pair, determining a similarity measure of the observed image pair based on the Euclidean minimum spanning tree, estimating a gradient of the similarity measure, wherein a gradient estimate is used to update transformation parameters applied to register the observed image pair, and outputting a registration of the observed image pair, wherein the registration of the observed image pair is one of displayed and stored on a storage media.

Abstract: An open air cycle machine includes a compressor, a pair of heat exchangers, an expander, and a bypass system that can selectively recirculate the expanded, cooled airflow prior to entering the compartment being cooled. One of the heat exchangers is regenerative, and the bypass system directs the expanded airflow through the regenerative heat exchanger to further cool the compressed airflow prior to entering the expander. The bypass system includes a bypass duct and a mixer, and the mixer has a valve and a controller.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for detecting the presence or absence of a mutation associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats, particularly domesticated cats, and more particularly Maine Coon cats. The methods include detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the feline MYBPC gene, and identifying feline subjects that have or are at risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A method for measuring the performance of fund managers. The method comprises collecting quantitative performance data on the fund managers within a predefined service sector, comparing the quantitative performance of the fund managers against a chosen benchmark over a predefined period, calculating the probability of randomly selecting an outperforming fund manager from the group of fund managers and determining the probability of selecting a number of fund managers in a recommended shortlist who have outperformed the benchmark. The method is particularly applied in circumstances where a shortlist of fund managers has been created by a consultant for recommendation to fund trustees as it allows for an objective analysis of the consultant's recommendations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Viterbi decoder and a Viterbi decoding method in a register exchange method. The Viterbi decoder receives an encoded bit sequence of a convolutional encoding method from a channel, generates an expanded encoded bit sequence by cyclically adding a part of the encoded bit sequence or the entire encoded bit sequence to the encoded bit sequence more than one time, performs a Viterbi decoding operation in a register exchange method, and generates decoded data. In addition, the Viterbi decoder selects an end bit sequence corresponding to the number of the unit of encoded bits among the decoded data, rearranges an order of the end bit sequence, and generates final decoded data.

Abstract: A transmitting/receiving apparatus of down-link data using an automatic repeat request (ARQ) scheme and a method thereof in a wireless communication system is provided. In order to send an ARQ feedback message between a base station and a terminal without a radio resource allocation process in a wireless communication system, when the base station receives down-link data from the terminal of the base station, the base station stores the number list of the transmitted frames and periodically detects the list and automatically allocates radio resources for up-link without an additional process when the list is larger than a predetermined frame. The radio resource allocation request process can be omitted because a radio resource is automatically allocated during the up-link period after the base station transmits the down-link traffic. Thus, the response speed of an ARQ feedback acknowledgement message is enhanced, thereby enhancing a down-link transmission speed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coating and a method of applying such coating that may include nanocrystals of a transition metal compound embedded in an amorphous phase or layered structure of transition metal compounds with an amorphous phase. The transition metal compound may be selected from the group consisting of metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal silicides and combinations thereof. The amorphous matrix may include a ceramic.

Abstract: Non-contact reflectometry for testing a signal path is described. The technique includes using capacitive coupling to inject a test signal into the signal path and extract a response signal from the signal path. Reflectometry techniques are used to determine characteristics of the signal path from the response signal. The technique is compatible with performing testing of a signal path carrying an operational signal.

Abstract: A method and system for differentiating a vessel and a nodule within an image. The method and system first identifies a complex object in the image and then identifies portions of the complex object as a vessel or a nodule using a distance transform based method. A simplex object is identified in the image and the simplex object is identified as a vessel or a nodule using compactness values. Complex objects are analyzed using features in a distance transform map to identify a) nodule parts and b) vessels that are attached to or pass through the nodule parts.

Abstract: Apparatus, device, and methods for fragmenting high molecular weight molecular ions, such as peptides or proteins, by treating the ions with predetermined wavelengths of light are described. Vacuum ultraviolet radiation as a source of predetermined wavelengths of laser light is described in one embodiment. A device (50) is described having a sample, such as a peptide, protein, protein digest, and the like enters through inlet (55) and is irradiated with a first source of light (60), which illustratively may be a laser light. The first source of laser light is illustratively at a wavelength and energy sufficient to convert molecules in the sample into molecular or precursor ions.

Abstract: A method and mobile device that self-terminates a media service if an out-of-coverage condition is detected. The media service operates on top of a connectionless peer-to-peer packet-based transport protocol. The out-of-coverage condition may relate to the mobile device itself or to a remote mobile device engaged in the media service. The loss of coverage by the remote mobile device may be detected by observing whether the remote mobile device has failed to send any data packets for more than a predetermined period of time. If an out-of-coverage situation is detected, then the method or device initiates service cancellation or release.

Abstract: A cassette for controlling the flow of IV fluid from a patient to a source. The cassette preferably includes, along the fluid passage through the cassette, first and second membrane-based valves on either side of a pressure-conduction chamber, and a stopcock-type valve. The stopcock valve is preferably located downstream of the second membrane-based valve, which is preferably located downstream of the pressure-conduction chamber. The stopcock control valve preferably has two rigid cylindrical members with complementary surfaces, wherein one member includes a tapered groove defined on its complementary surface. The two complementary surfaces define a space therebetween, instead of having an interference fit, and a resilient sealing member is disposed in this space.

Abstract: Biologically active 19-nor vitamin D analogs substituted at C-2 in the A-ring with an ethylidene or an ethyl group. These compounds have preferential activity on mobilizing calcium from bone and either high or normal intestinal calcium transport activity which allows their in vivo administration for the treatment of metabolic bone diseases where bone loss is a major concern. These compounds are also characterized by high cell differentiation activity.