Abstract: A virtual object for use in an object oriented environment; the virtual object comprising at least a user-sensible aspect and further comprising at least a functional aspect; the said user-sensible aspect being encapsulated as a user-sensible encapsulation, separately from the functional aspect, which is encapsulated as a functional encapsulation.

Abstract: A logic circuit consists of a first transistor network and a complementary second transistor network connected at a central node. The central node serves as a first logic output. Each of the transistor networks is also connected to a respective root. A third transistor network is connected between an intermediate node of one of the transistor networks and the network's respective root. For a nonhomogeneous graft, the third transistor network has a complementary structure to the transistors between the intermediate node and the central node, is of the opposite transistor type as the given transistor network, and has equivalent inputs relative to the transistors between the intermediate node and the central node.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the subjective state of mind of a human subject presented with a test audible or visual stimulus. An electroencephalogram (EEG) recording unit is connected to the human subject, recording the subject's EEG when presented with one or more test stimuli. The recorded EEG signal is then transformed to a 3-D map in order to visualize the brain areas that were active when presenting the test stimuli. The given 3-D map of the test stimuli is then compared with reference 3-D maps of neutral and subjectively significant stimuli.

Abstract: A method for discovering association rules in a distributed database that includes a plurality of partitions associated with respective computing nodes includes generating a candidate association rule defining an association relationship between itemsets in the distributed database. At each node among at least a subset of the nodes, an asynchronous fully-distributed majority voting process is applied to assess a correctness of the candidate association rule.

Abstract: A simplified and inexpensive method for the in-vitro identification, isolation and culture of human vasculogenic progenitor cells is provided. The method and the progenitor cells provided herein can be used for in-vitro vascular engineering, treatment of congenital and acquired vascular and hematological abnormalities, for evaluation and development of drugs affecting vasculo- and angiogenic processes, and for further investigation into tissue differentiation and development.

Abstract: A twisted wire actuator, whereby the shortening of the length of a wire or a bundle of wires, as it is twisted, is used to control the motion of an actuated element, achieving sub-micron motion resolution. The control can be performed robotically. The high resolution can be achieved without the use of gears, sliders, or high precision lead screws, thus enabling a simplified actuation system and eliminating sources of friction. The use of wires operating in opposing directions and having oppositely directed rotations significantly reduces the non-linearity effect inherent in twisted wire actuation, resulting in a system having a good level of motion linearity as a function of control input impulse. The use of multiple twisted wires attached to the actuated element at different angles, enables the implementation of robotic systems with multiple degrees of freedom. Several experimental actuators verify these results.

Abstract: A complementary logic circuit contains a first logic input, a second logic input, a first dedicated logic terminal, a second dedicated logic terminal, a first logic block, and a second logic block. The first logic block consists of a network of p-type transistors for implementing a predetermined logic function. The p-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection. The outer diffusion connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first dedicated logic terminal, and the first network gate connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first logic input. The second logic block consists of a network of n-type transistors which implements a logic function complementary to the logic function implemented by the first logic block. The n-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection.

Abstract: A logic circuit consists of a first transistor network and a complementary second transistor network connected at a central node. The central node serves as a first logic output. Each of the transistor networks is also connected to a respective root. A third transistor network is connected between an intermediate node of one of the transistor networks and the network's respective root. For a homogeneous graft, the third transistor network has a complementary structure to the transistors between the intermediate node and the central node, is of the same transistor type as the given transistor network, and has inverted inputs relative to the transistors between the intermediate node and the central node. The third transistor network (the graft network) provides a second logic output to the logic circuit.

Abstract: A method of designing a transmissive optical element for converting a profile of a light beam from a predetermined input profile to a predetermined output profile is disclosed. The method comprises: calculating a stationary function of a predetermined cost functional selected such that the stationary function satisfies a mapping condition for mapping the predetermined input profile into the predetermined output profile, thereby providing a mapping function. The method further comprises utilizing the mapping function for calculating surface properties of at least a first surface and a second surface of the transmissive optical element.

Abstract: Novel differential-phase shift keying optical receivers are taught based on multi-symbol differential phase shift keying detection (DPSK) aided by decision feedback (DF) from the decision bits in earlier symbol intervals. In accordance with the invention, the DF is directed to an optical front-end comprising multiple Delay Interferometers (DIs) with multiple delays T, 2T, . . . , where T is the DPSK symbol duration. In one embodiment, the DF bitstream is applied to electronically switch the polarity of DI outputs prior to additive combination and hard detection. In other embodiments the DF is applied to active phase-shifting electrodes incorporated in the DIs. In additional embodiments the DF is applied to modified DI devices which not of the conventional Mach-Zehnder asymmetric two-arms type, but rather comprise either three or more arms with appropriate couplings, or two arms, one of which comprises a recirculating delay line with delay T.

Abstract: A method of repairing a long bone having a defect is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) mechanically fixating the long bone or portions thereof; and (b) filling the defect with a biodegradable scaffold impregnated with growth factors and/or osteoprogenitor cells and awaiting for osteointegration to take place.

Abstract: An antibody fragment and methods of utilizing same are provided. The antibody fragment includes an antigen binding region capable of binding an extracellular portion of a P-glycoprotein thereby at least partially inhibiting drug efflux activity in multidrug resistant cells.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: A complementary logic circuit contains a first logic input, a second logic input, a first dedicated logic terminal, a second dedicated logic terminal, a first logic block, and a second logic block. The first logic block consists of a network of p-type transistors for implementing a predetermined logic function. The p-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection. The outer diffusion connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first dedicated logic terminal, and the first network gate connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first logic input. The second logic block consists of a network of n-type transistors which implements a logic function complementary to the logic function implemented by the first logic block. The n-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: There is provided a simplified and inexpensive method for the in-vitro identification, isolation and culture of human vasculogenic progenitor cells. The method and the progenitor cells isolated thereby can be used for in-vitro vascular engineering, treatment of congenital and acquired vascular and hematological abnormalities, for evaluation and development of drugs affecting vasculo- and angiogenic processes, and for further investigation into tissue differentiation and development.

Abstract: A graphical data-compressor for compressing received arbitrary graphical data for subsequent transmission; where the graphical data-compressor comprises an input for receiving the received arbitrary graphical data, the input being linked to an analyzer for analysis of the received arbitrary graphical data into constituent geometrical parts, the analyzer being linked to an analytic scene describer, for description of said constituent geometrical parts as an analytic description of the received arbitrary graphical data, the analytic scene describer being linked to a transmitter, the transmitter being for transmission of the analytic description.

Abstract: A 3D scanning device comprises: a digital light encoding unit comprising a digital micromirror device for encoding a rapidly changing shape signal onto a light beam directed to an object, a shape of said signal being selected such that distortions thereof by a contoured object reveal three-dimensional information of said contour; a detector synchronized with said digital light processing unit for detecting reflections of said light beam from said object, and a decoder for determining a 3D shape of said object from distortions of said signal in said detected reflections.

Abstract: An apparatus for the generation of anionic and neutral particulate beams is described. The apparatus comprises a duct defined by walls having an inner surface capable of sustaining a temperature above an electron emission temperature of the surface, so as to negatively charge electrically neutral particles being passed through the duct when the surface is heated to the temperature; a heating element for heating the inner surface to the temperature; and an acceleration electrode for ion-optically controlling and manipulating the negatively charged particles into the anion beam. The apparatus may further comprise a protection electrode defining a protected region, which substantially prevent emitted electrons from escaping the protected region. Moreover, a system for analyzing substances ejected from a surface of a sample bombarded with an anion beam generated by the apparatus is described. The system further comprises a detector for detecting the substances once ejected of the surface.

Abstract: A method of coloring a plurality of cells using a predetermined fill-color, the cells occupying a region in a grid of cells thereby defining a plurality of region-cells, the method comprising: (a) dividing the grid into a plurality of elementary-regions, each comprising at least one cell; (b) visiting one elementary-region at a time and determining, for each cell of the elementary-region, whether the cell is a region-cell; (c) writing color data in at least one region-cell of each elementary-region using a color selected from a color-space so as to store information in the elementary-region, the information directing a backtracking path in the region, thereby providing a mapped elementary-region; and (d) using the information for visiting all the mapped elementary-regions along the backtracking path and for writing color data using the fill-color in each region-cell of each of the mapped elementary-region along the backtracking path; thereby coloring all the region-cells by the fill-color.