Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for determining a rank of a query value. Specifically, the method comprises receiving a rank query request, determining, for each of the at least one remote monitor, a predicted lower-bound rank value and upper-bound rank value, wherein the predicted lower-bound rank value and upper-bound rank value are determined according to at least one respective prediction model used by each of the at least one remote monitor to compute the at least one local quantile summary, computing a predicted average rank value for each of the at least one remote monitor using the at least one predicted lower-bound rank value and the at least one predicted upper-bound rank value associated with the respective at least one remote monitor, and computing the rank of the query value using the at least one predicted average rank value associated with the respective at least one remote monitor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to liquid crystal display and electro-optical devices having faster switching times, a wider viewing angle, continuous gray level, improved transmittance of the clear state, approximately no threshold voltage and low power consumption. The aspects of the invention are achieved by a liquid crystal device comprising an orthogonal nematic, smectic or columnar liquid crystal phase, which is uniaxial in absence of electric field, but becomes biaxial when electric field is applied normal to the director (in between electrodes for planar alignment, or in-plane electric field in case of homeotropic alignment). This electric field induced biaxiality (EFIB) mode is provided using any dielectric orthogonal nematic, smectic or columnar bent-core liquid crystal phase. The nature of the switching is dielectric (not piezoelectric) and does not involve variation of layer spacing variation, so as to be mechanically much more stable than prior systems.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein A, B, W, Y, Z, and R1 have any of the meanings defined in the specification and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I, and therapeutic methods for treating cancer using compounds of formula I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for providing aphid resistance in plants. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for using aphid resistant germplasm for breeding soybean aphid resistant soybean plants, including but not limited to cultivars, varieties, lines and methods of breeding the same for commercial use, the breeding methods further involving identifying and using genetic markers for aphid resistant traits.

Abstract: A method for electronically cleansing a virtual object formed from acquired image data converted to a plurality of volume elements is provided. The present method allows individual volume elements, or voxels, to represent more than one material type. The method includes defining a partial volume image model for volume elements representing a plurality of material types based, at least in part, on the measured intensity value of the volume element. The material mixture for each of the volume elements representing a plurality of material types can be estimated using the observed intensity values and the defined partial volume image model. The volume elements representing a plurality of material types can then be classified in accordance with the estimated material mixture. For electronic colon cleansing, the method includes removing at least one classification of volume elements when displaying the virtual object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biosensor comprising living cells that express a chemosensor, or receptor, on their surface. When grown on a microarray comprising electrodes, the cells can be induced, by binding of a ligand to the receptor, to secrete a molecule. This secretion event is detected with millisecond temporal resolution via electrochemical oxidation of the secreted molecule on the electrode which is voltage-clamped slightly above its redox potential. The current so generated is indicative of the amount of the ligand bound to the receptor.

Abstract: This invention provides the identification of a truncation polymorphism of the mdr1 gene that is linked to ivermectin sensitivity in subjects, such as collies. Also provided are methods for detecting drug transport sensitivity in a subject, and animal models and in vitro cell systems using cells from animals having an mdr1 truncation.

Abstract: One implementation provides a method to provide information associated with a previously designed component having a geometry that is similar to a geometry of a source component. In this implementation, the method includes obtaining a first set of coefficients for a non-invertible representation of the geometry of the source component, and comparing the first set of coefficients to a second set of coefficients for a non-invertible representation of the geometry of the previously designed component. If the first set of coefficients matches the second set of coefficients according to a threshold of similarity, the method further includes providing a search result associated with the previously designed component.

Abstract: Methods for treating aligning substrates produces uniform alignment of liquid crystals in at least two modes. The method is based on the treatment of liquid crystal aligning substrates with a collimated or partially collimated plasma beam. In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of bombarding an aligning substrate with at least one plasma beam from a plasma beam source at a designated incident angle to align the atomic/molecular structure or the surface profile of the aligning substrate in at least one aligned direction.

Abstract: The invention includes an ion mobility spectrometer having a liquid filled drift chamber. The chamber has an ionization region partitioned from and an ion separation region by a reversible ion-migration block. An electrical field within the chamber allows ions to migrate toward the electrode collector. Passage of ions from the ionization region is triggered by reversing the block allowing ions to migrate into the ion separation region. The invention includes a method of ion mobility analysis in liquid phase. Ions are mobilized to migrate through a drift liquid and are detected at an end of a drift chamber. The invention also includes a method of generating ions in a sample. A sample containing molecules in a first solvent is introduced into a second solvent through a charged capillary where the electrically charged sample is electro-disperses to ionize the molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing the sodium salt of the novel thiol derivative of vitamin B12, N-acetyl-L-cysteinylcobalamin (Na[NACCbl]). The method involves carrying out the reaction in aqueous solvent with a relatively small excess of ligand reactant, specifically from one to less than four molar equivalents. The cobalamin derivative formed is precipitated from the aqueous solvent, preferably by the addition of a precipitate inducing solvent. This provides a product in acceptable purity without the need for an additional chromatographic purification step.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating external beam radiation therapy delivered to a subject include: (a) placing at least one wireless implantable sensor in a first subject at a target location; (b) administering a first dose of radiation therapy into the first subject; (c) obtaining radiation data from the at least one wireless implantable sensor; and (d) calculating a radiation dose amount received by the first subject at the target location based on the radiation data obtained from the at least one wireless sensor during and/or after exposure to the first administered dose of radiation to determine and/or verify a dose amount of radiation delivered to the target location.

Abstract: Mycobacterial proteins from culture filtrate or cytosol are disclosed as being useful B cell antigens for early diagnosis of mycobacterial disease, particularly in humans. These proteins include four that had not previously been recognized as B cell antigens (LppZ protein encoded by Mtb gene Rv3006; SodC protein encoded by Mtb gene Rv0432; BfrB protein encoded by Mtb gene Rv3841 and TrxC protein encoded by Mtb gene Rv3914). Antigenic compositions include these proteins and/or peptide fragments thereof, in various combinations with each other or with one or more of a set of 10 additional Mtb proteins known to be antigens (in particular early antigens. Methods and kits for using these antigenic composition for early diagnosis of mycobacterial infection and disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retraction device including at least one pair of opposed retraction members, with each retraction member being capable of operably engaging the tissue to be retracted. A drive mechanism is operably engaged with at least one of each pair of retraction members for separating one of each pair of retraction members from the other to retract the tissue. A measuring device is operably engaged with at least one of the drive mechanism and one of each pair of retraction members, for determining and/or controlling a magnitude and/or rate of a force and/or strain imparted to the tissue by the drive mechanism via the retraction members as the tissue is being retracted. Associated devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus and methods for separating particles in a fluid stream by size. In one illustrative embodiment of an apparatus for separating such particles, a housing is provided, which defines a channel for a fluid stream containing particles. A suction channel is provided, which terminates at a suction port. The suction port is positioned adjacent to the fluid stream. A blowing channel terminating at a blowing port is also provided. The blowing port is positioned adjacent to the suction port such that the suction port is positioned in between the fluid stream and the blowing port. The blowing port and the suction port are configured to create a low pressure region and thereby redirect the first fluid stream towards the low pressure region.

Abstract: The present invention describes the adjuvant activity of mutants of LT-IIa and LT-IIb enterotoxin which lack ganglioside binding activity. The adjuvant activity of the LT-IIb(T13I) mutant is comparable to that of the wild type LT-IIb. The adjuvant activity of LT-IIa(T34I) mutant is also described which exhibits a late onset adjuvant activity. These mutants are useful for enhancing immune response to antigens.

Abstract: The ?-trefoil protein human fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is made up of a six-stranded anti-parallel ?-barrel closed off on one end by three ?-hairpins, thus exhibiting a three-fold axis of structural symmetry. The N- and C-termini ?-strands hydrogen bond to each other and are postulated from both NMR and X-ray structure data to represent a structurally-weakened region of the ?-barrel. Val mutations within the N- and C-termini ?-strands are shown to stabilize the structure and to increase van der Waals contacts by filling local cavities present within this region. Mutations that increase van der Waals contacts between both the N- and C-termini ?-strands are generally associated with significant reductions in the unfolding kinetics, and also increase the cooperativity of unfolding. Surprisingly, several mutant polypeptides herein disclosed greatly exceed the wild-type polypeptide in ability to stimulate human fibroblasts to proliferate.

Abstract: An imaging system for capturing a sequence of images from a target at ultra-high framing rates is disclosed. The imaging system includes an illumination system operable to emit at least first and second light pulses at first and second wavelengths, respectively. The first and second light pulses sequentially illuminate the target whereupon at least first and second propagated light pulses emanate from the target. The system also includes at least first and second image sensors operable to receive the first and second propagated light pulses, respectively, to thereby capture the sequence of images from the target. Various exemplary embodiments of the imaging system and associated method are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a bifunctional chelator for lanthanide. The method comprises the steps of providing a starting material which has an amino and carboxyl group; protecting the amino with an amino protecting group and the carboxyl with a carboxyl protecting group to produce a protected compound; reacting the protected compound with cyclen to generate a monoalkylated cyclen; reacting the monoalkylated cyclone with an activated compound to generated tetra-alkylated cyclone; removing the amino protecting group with a first protecting group removal reagent; and removing the carboxyl protecting groups with a second protecting group removal reagent to yield a bifunctional chelator having three more carboxyl groups and one or more amino groups.

Abstract: A new and distinct lily plant substantially as shown and described, characterized by 1) stem thickness supported by flower crown (8 to 10 mm in diameter); (2) straight stems with even leaf distribution from bottom to top (more than 50 leaves per plant); (3) flower crown compact (around 36 cm); and flat with pericel lengths variable in length (1 to 8 cm); (4) flower sizes large (9-16 cm long 20-25 cm wide at open stage); (5) continuous blooms for two to four weeks; (6) coloration of leaves uniform from bottom to top; (7) height of plant around 40 cm; and (8) orange flowers.