Abstract: Medical imaging often involves the collective use of information presented in multiple images of an individual, such as images generated through different imaging modalities (X-ray, CT, PET, etc.) The use of a composite of these images may involve image registration to adjust for the variable position and orientation discrepancies of the individual during imaging. However, registration may be complicated by soft tissue deformation between images, and implementations (particularly pure software implementations) of the mathematical models used in image registration may be computationally complex and may require up to several hours. Hardware architectures are presented that apply the mathematical techniques in an accelerated manner, thereby providing near-realtime image registration that may be of particular use for the short timeframe requirements of surgical environments.

Abstract: Provided is a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, which binds specifically to an epitope within the sequence KPGAKKDTKDSRPKL (Sequence ID No. 2) of AGR2. Such monoclonal antibodies are of prognostic and diagnostic utility in the investigation of cancer, particularly metastatic cancer. The antibodies described may also be used in prognosis or diagnosis of inflammatory diseases. Also provided are kits and solid supports comprising such antibodies, as well as the therapeutic use of antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing artificial implants, comprising 1) acquiring the pre-operation three dimensional volume image and the post-operation three dimensional volume image of the operation portion, thereby respectively producing the pre-operation target image and the post-operation target image including the target; 2) aligning the pre-operation target image with the post-operation target image so as to generate the aligned image; 3) acquiring the difference image of the incised part in the target based on the aligned image; 4) building the three dimensional model of mold points of the incised part based on the difference image; and 5) manufacturing the artificial implant having the same shape with the incised part based on such three dimensional model of mold points.

Abstract: Providing a remote control technique capable of realizing the achievement of constraints and the certain following of a target value even with a network in which delay, loss, distortion, or the like may occur. In a remote control system, an area setting unit of a client-side control unit sets at least two areas representative of a group of states of an target object, which changes over time by feedback control. A state-evaluation information sending unit sends, to the host-side control unit, state evaluation information obtained by evaluating the state of the target object based on the area set by the area setting unit. A target value setting unit of the host-side control unit sets a target value such that the state of the target object changes in the area set by the area setting units. Moreover, a target value updating unit updates the target value based on the state evaluation information received from the client-side control unit.

Abstract: A resonant power conversion apparatus includes a transformer T1 having a primary winding n1, a secondary winding n2, a tertiary winding n3, and a reset winding nR, a series circuit of switches S1 and S2, a capacitor Cr1 and diode D1 to the switch S1, a capacitor Cr2 and diode D2 to the switch S2, a series circuit of the winding n1 and a diode Dn1, a series circuit of the winding nR and a diode DR, a reactor Lr connected between a connection point of the switches S1 and S2 and a connection point of the windings n2 and n3, a switch S10 connected between the DC power source and the winding n2, a switch S20 connected between the DC power source and the winding n3, and a controller 10 configured to perform a zero-voltage switching operation of the switches S1 and S2.

Abstract: An agent for magnetic resonance studies, the agent comprising hyperpolarized 15N labelled N2O in solution or liquid 15N—N2O.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for managing a health care plan is disclosed. The method may include accepting input characterizing a service management objective; accepting input representing a message for a client; and affecting the client's behavior with respect to the service management objective by presenting by electronic communication the message to the client according to a schedule.

Abstract: A variable-focus liquid lens is provided. The liquid lens includes a membrane and a fluid. The membrane is made of a transparent elastomer, and the fluid fills a predetermined space to contact at least a lens surface of the membrane. The membrane and the fluid are respectively made of materials repulsive to each other, for example, hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials or oleophilic and oleophobic materials. Accordingly, a repulsive force between the fluid and the membrane can prevent the absorption or leaking of the fluid into/through the membrane.

Abstract: Methods for generating highly enriched Th1/Tc1 and Th2/Tc2 functions are described. In particular, the generation of these functions are attained by the addition of an immune suppression drug, rapamycin or a rapamycin derivative compound. In addition to enhanced purity of T cell function, the T cells generated in rapamycin also express molecules that improve immune T cell function such as CD28 and CD62L. Such rapamycin generated functional T cell subsets may have application in the prevention or treatment of GVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the treatment of autoimmunity, or the therapy of infection or cancer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting the expression and/or activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) genes in a cancer cell, tissue or tumor. More particularly, the methods disclosed herein relate to inhibition of HIF-1 activation in a tumor, increasing sensitivity of a tumor cell to radiation and/or chemotherapy, delaying tumor growth, inhibiting tumor blood vessel growth, inhibiting inflammatory responses in a cell through the use of compositions that prevent the nitrosylation of HIF-1, and methods for screening for new inhibitors of HIF-1 activiation. Additionally, the compositions disclosed herein relate to compositions that can be employed in, and are identified by, the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The invention provides an antifouling hydrogel comprising an effective amount of antifouling polymer modified with a compound containing catechol functional groups to yield a modified antifouling polymer comprising at least one catechol functional end group; and an effective amount of at least one oxidizing reagent, wherein the at least one oxidizing reagent reacts with the modified antifouling polymer to provide a modified antifouling polymer comprising at least one oxidized catechol end group, wherein an antifouling hydrogel is provided. Methods of synthesis, methods of use and kits of the antifouling hydrogel are also provided.

Abstract: Ceramic nanofibers contain nanosize metal catalyst particles on the surface thereof. The catalyst-ceramic nanofibers when supported as by larger fibers form a medium that effectively catalyze various reactions as in fluid flow processes.

Abstract: A flame retardant thermoplastic polymer composition, having a major amount of a thermoplastic polymer and a flame retardant additive comprising a phosphinic acid salt, a zinc salt and a melamine salt, in an amount effective to provide flame retardance to said polymer, and a low Tg glass containing phosphorous, tin and fluorine, in an amount sufficient to reduce the shear viscosity of the composition to less than about 10 Pa·s at a shear rate of about 10,000/sec and a temperature of 280° C., as measured by ASTM D-3835 is provided. Also provided is a flame retardant composition comprising phosphinic acid salt, a zinc salt, a melamine salt and the low Tg glass and a process for forming the flame retardant thermoplastic polymer composition by incorporating the flame retardant composition into the molten polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for acute myeloid leukemia, in particular, a method for using CFH or ApoH in patient sera as biochemical diagnostic markers to determine complete remission in acute myeloid leukemia. In accordance with this invention, CFH and ApoH are identified as a novel biochemical marker for understanding the biological mechanism and responsiveness to disease in AML patients after induction chemotherapy, and can be used as a biochemical marker for evaluating the prognosis of disease in patients after induction chemotherapy.

Abstract: A structure and method for forming a relatively thin diffusion barrier/seed bilayer for copper metallization in an electronic device is disclosed. A single layer of an alloy is formed over a dielectric (and possibly the copper layer). The alloy includes a copper platable metal (e.g., ruthenium) and a nitride forming material (e.g., tungsten) and nitrogen. The alloy layer is annealed, and the alloy naturally segregates into two layers. The first layer is a barrier layer including the nitride forming material and nitrogen. The second layer is a seed layer including the copper platable metal.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preventing a respiratory infection by administering an effective amount of an agent for regulating ICAM-1 expression. Also provided is a composition for the prevention of respiratory infection including an agent which regulates ICAM expression. method of preventing RSV infection by administering an effective amount of an agent that interferes with the binding of RSV to ICAM-1. A method of preventing RSV infection by administering an effective amount of an agent that down regulates the expression of ICAM-1, thereby decreasing RSV binding to ICAM-1 is also provided. There is provided a method of treating RSV infection by administering an effective amount of an agent for down regulating ICAM-1 expression. A method of blocking RSV-ICAM-1 interaction by administering an effective amount of agents for blocking ICAM sites of binding is provided. Also provided is a compound for blocking RSV-ICAM-1 interaction including an agent for blocking ICAM sites of binding.

Abstract: [Object] Providing a solidified ceramic body with an improved mechanical strength, wherein the solidified ceramic body is fabricated by activating ceramic powder through mechanochemical treatment and solidifying the activated ceramic powder through alkali treatment. [Method of Solution] Activated ceramic powder having mechanochemically amorphized surfaces is obtained by grinding ceramic powder which is composed of silicic acid and/or silicate at least at surfaces thereof (grinding process). Inorganic fibers and/or plastic fibers are added to the activated ceramic powder and are mixed with the activated ceramic powder (mixing process), and a solidified ceramic body is obtained by adding alkali water solution containing alkaline metal hydroxide and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to the powder (alkali treatment process).

Abstract: A pixel and an illuminating device thereof are provided. The pixel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a transistor, a first switch, a second switch and a capacitor. One end of the OLED is electrically connected to a first voltage. A first source/drain of the transistor is electrically connected to a first potential point. The first switch is electrically connected between a second source/drain of the transistor and a second potential point, and is controlled by a first driving signal. The second switch is electrically connected between the second source/drain of the transistor and a gate of the transistor, and is controlled by a second driving signal. The capacitor is electrically connected between the gate of the transistor and a data line. The first driving signal and the second driving signal are used to alternately enable/disable the first and the second switches, so as to drive the pixel.

Abstract: There is provided a novel optical sensor utilizing a surface plasmon resonance technique which is capable of detecting a substance to be detected with high sensitivity independently of a wavelength of irradiated light and is capable of obtaining information, other than a refraction index, on the substance to be detected. At the center of a surface of a metallic film 2 which is formed on a substrate and has no aperture, a circular depression 4 with a diameter of 0.1 to 250 nm is formed and with the depression 4 defined as a center, a plurality of depressions 3 are concentrically formed at intervals of 450 to 530 nm.