Abstract: A system and method for automatic segmentation of a structure of interest of an ear are disclosed, where the structure of interest includes the facial nerve and chorda tympani. In one embodiment, the method combines an atlas-based approach with a minimum cost path finding algorithm. A structure model is constructed from a plurality of preoperative image volumes to have a centerline of the structure of interest in an atlas with each point along the centerline being associated with expected values for characteristic features, and used to create a spatially varying cost function that includes geometric information. A three-dimension minimum cost accumulating path is computed using the cost function, which is used to extract the centerline of the structure of interest. The centerlines are then expanded into the full structures using a level-set algorithm with a spatially-varying speed function, so as to segment of the structure of interest.

Abstract: A method including monitoring data associated with a plurality of non-operating room patients and simultaneously displaying data associated with each of the plurality of non-operating room patients in a single display. The method further includes determining whether an alert should be generated for a patient from the plurality of non-operating room patients at least partially based on data associated with the patient, the determining being further based on a comparison of a potential priority of the alert being at least partially based on the data associated with the patient; and generating an alert in substantially real-time for the patient, if it is determined that an alert should be generated for the patient. The method still further includes displaying the patient's specific data in a single screen in response to a request for the patient's data.

Abstract: A system and methods for converting data for an object of interest, which is characterized by a function ƒ, between a digital form and an analog form. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of locally selecting a plurality of data sample points in the order of N, N being an integer, wherein the data sample points are in a first form of data type, performing a transformation in a shift invariant space to the locally selected data sample points to obtain a new data set that is in a second form of data type different from the first form of data type, and reconstructing the object of interest ƒ from the new data set. In one embodiment, the first form of data type is one of the the digital form and the analog form, and the second form of data type is one of the digital form and the analog form that is different from the first form of data type. In other words, the first form of data type can be in digital form, and the corresponding second form of data type is in analog form, and vice versa.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides derivatives of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are characterized by substantially reduced cyclooxygenase inhibiting activity, yet retain the ability to interact with and modulate the activities of other polypeptides such as the class of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARs) and ?-secretase. Also provided are methods of using the derivatives to treat pathological disorders.

Abstract: Transgenic, non-human animal model of cancer, methods of making such animals and methods of using such animals to screen test compounds are provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for securing an anchor in a target area of the skull of a patient, wherein the anchor has a shaped surface, a top and a base. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a driver having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween forming a bore therein along a longitudinal axis, where the bore is configured to allow the anchor to be received therein, a first inner surface formed inside the bore proximate to the first end, wherein the first inner surface is formed with a shape that is complimentary to the shaped surface of the anchor, and a second inner surface formed inside the bore and between the first inner surface and the second end, wherein the second inner surface is formed with a shape that is different from that of the first inner surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a target of interest of a living subject.

Abstract: In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for NMR measurements of an arbitrarily shaped region of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of applying a broad bandwidth of RF pulses to the arbitrarily shaped region of interest to obtain a corresponding spectrum, wherein substantially entire range of chemical shifts in the spectrum is excited from the arbitrarily shaped region of interest, interleaving a plurality of radial k-lines in radial k-space per excitation with non-selective refocusing pulses and obtaining spatial localization for the spectrum of the arbitrarily shaped region of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is directed live, attenuated coronavirus vaccines. The vaccine comprises a viral genome encoding a p59 protein having at mutation at a specific tyrosine residue, and may include other attenuating mutations. Such viruses show reduced growth and pathogenicity in vivo.

Abstract: The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a target of various therapeutic agents used in the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. The present invention provides novel forms of SERT that lacks high affinity recognition of specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The present invention therefore provides a novel target for use in screening and model development that can aid both the discovery of new medications and the discovery of novel pathways impacted in parallel with SERT blockade. Such novel targets can help identify new SSRI's with unique modifications and lead to discovery of pathways that secondarily support the therapeutic activity of these agents.

Abstract: A device and methods for monitoring status of at least one cell, wherein the cell has a membrane forming a substantially enclosed structure and defining an intracellular space therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device includes a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, a second substrate supported by the first substrate, the second substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface, a body portion between the first surface and the second surface, a first side surface and an opposite second side surface, wherein the body portion defines a first passage between the first side surface and the second side surface and an opening on the first surface of the second substrate and in fluid communication with the first passage, and sidewalls positioned above the first surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A system for locating an acoustic source from an acoustic event of the acoustic source. In one embodiment, the system includes a sensor network having a plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes each located in a predetermined position encountering acoustic waves generated by an acoustic event passing proximate to the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes, where the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes are synchronized to a common time base such that when the acoustic event is detected, information of the acoustic waves from each of the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes is obtained and broadcasted through the sensor network. The system further includes a base station for receiving information of the acoustic waves broadcasted from the sensor network and processing the received information of the acoustic waves so as to locate the acoustic source of the acoustic event.

Abstract: In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for determining the position and orientation of an anchor attached to the skull of a patient from a topographic image of the anchor acquired therefrom. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of simulating an image of the anchor that matches the acquired topographic image of the anchor, determining the position and orientation of the anchor from the simulated image of the anchor, and determining the position and orientation of the anchor in the acquired topographic image of the anchor from the position and orientation of the anchor determined from the simulated image of the anchor. The simulating step comprises the step of modeling the anchor with an object that has a geometric shape simpler than that of the anchor.

Abstract: A novel GBS toxin receptor and methods for its preparation and use are provided. GBS toxin receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides and antibodies to GBS toxin receptor are provided, as well as detection, screening, and therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions involving such polynucleotides, polypeptides and antibodies.

Abstract: A method for depositing particles onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the method providing a plurality of particles in a solvent or a matrix of solvents to form a solution; freezing the solution to form a target having a surface; irradiating the target with a light of a wavelength in the infrared region which is resonant with a vibrational mode of the target so as to vaporize the particles in the target without decomposing the particles; and depositing the vaporized particles onto the substrate at a deposition rate to form a film of particles thereon, where the substrate is positioned such that the substrate and the target define a distance therebetween.

Abstract: A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. The method includes the steps of: (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are therapeutic and diagnostic methods using targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a target of interest of a living subject with reduction of power consumption. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of delivering a plurality of pulses to the target of interest in a substantially repeating pattern for a first period of time, T1, which is immediately followed by a second period of time, T2, during which no pulses are delivered to the target of interest, wherein the plurality of pulses is delivered such that any two neighboring pulses of the plurality of pulses are occurred in a third period of time, T3; and repeating the delivering step for a predetermined times, where T1 and T2 are in the order of milliseconds, and T1>T3 and T2?T3.

Abstract: A micro-mirror well. In one embodiment the micro-mirror well includes a plurality of planar mirrors arranged around an axis of symmetry and inclined to form a pyramid well, where each of the plurality of planar mirrors is capable of reflecting light emitting from an object of interest placed inside the pyramid well.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device. A layer of silicon dioxide is formed on a silicon carbide substrate and nitrogen is incorporated at the silicon dioxide/silicon carbide interface. In one embodiment, nitrogen is incorporated by annealing the semiconductor device in nitric oxide or nitrous oxide. In another embodiment, nitrogen is incorporated by annealing the semiconductor device in ammonia. In another aspect, the present invention provides a silicon carbide semiconductor device that has a 4H-silicon carbide substrate, a layer of silicon dioxide disposed on the 4H-silicon carbide substrate and a region of substantial nitrogen concentration at the silicon dioxide/silicon carbide interface.

Abstract: A method and system of compensation for intra-operative organ shift of a living subject usable in image guide surgery. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of generating a first geometric surface of the organ of the living subject from intra-operatively acquired images of the organ of the living subject, constructing an atlas of organ deformations of the living subject from pre-operatively acquired organ images from the pre-operatively acquired organ images, generating a second geometric surface of the organ from the atlas of organ deformations, aligning the second geometric surface of the organ to the first geometric surface of the organ of the living subject to determine at least one difference between a point of the first geometric surface and a corresponding point of the second geometric surface of the organ of the living subject, which is related to organ shift, and compensating for the intra-operative organ shift.