Abstract: A multilevel stage of a bidirectional AC power converter, comprising: a set of switches in series, a set of capacitors in series, the set of capacitors being in parallel with the set of switches; a number of sets of diodes in series; a center tap along the set of switches in series; and a pair of taps, respectively after the first and before the last switch of the set of switches in series; wherein each node between respective capacitors is connected to a node between respective diodes. A converter first stage for a 3-level converter has 6 switches, two capacitors, and two diodes, with the junction between diodes connected to the junction between capacitors, and the diode legs between switches 2-3 and 4-5. The center tap is between switches 3-4, and the pair of taps between switches 1-2 and 5-6.

Abstract: Cardiac Output (CO) has traditionally been difficult, dangerous, and expensive to obtain. Surrogate measures such as pulse rate and blood pressure have therefore been used to permit an estimate of CO. MEMS technology, evolutionary computation, and time-frequency signal analysis techniques provide a technology to non-invasively estimate CO, based on precordial (chest wall) motions. The technology detects a ventricular contraction time point, and stroke volume, from chest wall motion measurements. As CO is the product of heart rate and stroke volume, these algorithms permit continuous, beat to beat CO assessment. Nontraditional Wavelet analysis can be used to extract features from chest acceleration. A learning tool is preferable to define the packets which best correlate to contraction time and stroke volume.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for multi-modal or multimedia image retrieval are provided. Automatic image annotation is achieved based on a probabilistic semantic model in which visual features and textual words are connected via a hidden layer comprising the semantic concepts to be discovered, to explicitly exploit the synergy between the two modalities. The association of visual features and textual words is determined in a Bayesian framework to provide confidence of the association. A hidden concept layer which connects the visual feature(s) and the words is discovered by fitting a generative model to the training image and annotation words. An Expectation-Maximization (EM) based iterative learning procedure determines the conditional probabilities of the visual features and the textual words given a hidden concept class. Based on the discovered hidden concept layer and the corresponding conditional probabilities, the image annotation and the text-to-image retrieval are performed using the Bayesian framework.

Abstract: A reaction method comprising combining a carbonyl-substituted arylboronic acid or ester and an ?-effect amine in aqueous solution at a temperature between about ?5 C to 55 C, and a pH between 2 and 8 to produce an adduct. A process is also provided comprising: contacting a boron compound having a boron atom bonded to a sp2 hybridized carbon conjugated with a cis-carbonyl, the boron having at least one labile substituent, with an ?-effect amine, in a solvent for a time sufficient to form an adduct, which may proceed to further products.

Abstract: Peptide nucleic acids containing thymidine and 2-aminopyridine (M) nucleobases formed stable and sequence selective triple helices with double stranded RNA at physiologically relevant conditions. The M-modified PNA displayed unique RNA selectivity by having two orders of magnitude higher affinity for the double stranded RNAs than for the same DNA sequences. Preliminary results suggested that nucleobase-modified PNA could bind and recognize double helical precursors of microRNAs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising the compound having the structure: or a salt of the compound; 4-amino-2-[19F]-fluorobenzoic acid or a salt of 4-amino-2-[19F]-fluorobenzoic acid; and at least one acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A breath-enhanced jet nebulizer is configured with a low liquid retention reservoir and a narrow liquid delivery passage to efficiently and efficiently aerosolize small drug volumes with minimal waste. Aerosol particles are directed through aerosol passage for delivery, although larger liquid particles are directed away from the aerosol outlet and recycled to the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A checkpointing method for creating a file representing a restorable state of a virtual machine in a computing system, comprising identifying processes executing within the virtual machine that may store confidential data, and marking memory pages and files that potentially contain data stored by the identified processes; or providing an application programming interface for marking memory regions and files within the virtual machine that contain confidential data stored by processes; and creating a checkpoint file, by capturing memory pages and files representing a current state of the computing system, which excludes information from all of the marked memory pages and files.

Abstract: Oral compositions and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The oral compositions comprise a first component comprising at least one Eh-raising compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a second component comprising at least one zinc compound, an anti-microbial agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated particle having a core particle that is fully coated by a dual-layer coating that includes an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic composition and an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic polymer. The core particles are added to a hydrophilic solution and mixed together. The hydrophobic polymer is then added to form a mixture. The mixture is sonicated to coat the particles and the coated particles are separated and dried to form meta-stable coated particles.

Abstract: A membrane-based assembly and process for cooling and/or de-vaporizing a gas. The assembly and process can provide sensible cooling and/or dehumidification of air, and can be contained within a single, integrated apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides complexes of Zn2+ of formulae (la) and (IIa) that are useful for treating cancer, as well as compositions and kits comprising such complexes.

Abstract: The present application provides a system or kit for printing tempered chocolate. The system includes a first heated vessel for maintaining chocolate therein untempered, and a second heated vessel in fluid communication with the first heated vessel for maintaining chocolate therein within the range of about 84 degrees Fahrenheit and about 92 degrees Fahrenheit and tempered with about 0.5% to about 3% type V crystals. The system further includes a syringe pump configured to pump tempered chocolate and a nozzle. The system further includes a three-way valve for selectively coupling the syringe pump and the second vessel, or the nozzle and the syringe pump, in fluid communication to direct the tempered chocolate from the second vessel through the nozzle. The system further includes a control system for controlling the system such that the chocolate flowing from the nozzle includes greater than about 3% type V crystals.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated particle having a core particle that is fully coated by a dual-layer coating that includes an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic composition and an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic polymer. The core particles are added to a hydrophilic solution and mixed together. The hydrophobic polymer is then added to form a mixture. The mixture is sonicated to coat the particles and the coated particles are separated and dried to form meta-stable coated particles.

Abstract: Synthetic disaccharide hydrocarbons (DSHs) that reactive bacterials swarming motility and inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. A library of DSHs were tested in several experiment for the impact on various Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations and compared against existing compounds to determine efficacy and utility. Certain DSHs were also to determine the ability to clear bacteria in a mouse pneumonia model.

Abstract: Disclosed are sensor assemblies and a Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) system. A sensor assembly includes at least one a motor configured to vibrate a sensing optode at a first frequency. A system includes a plurality of sensor assemblies and a controller for processing signals from the sensor assemblies.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for isolating a ventilator from one or more patients in which the delivery conditions of gas delivered to an isolation device from a ventilator may drive the delivery of breathing-gas delivered to one or more patients, the breathing-gas having the same or different delivery conditions. In one embodiment, an isolation device may have a housing and a movable partition. The movable partition may be joined to the housing, The movable partition may have a patient side on a first side of the partition and an actuating side on a second side of the partition. The isolation device may include an inlet pressure regulator on the actuating side and/or an exhaust pressure regulator on the patient side. These regulators may alter the delivery conditions (including, but not limited to, pressure and volume) of breathing-gas delivered to a patient.