Abstract: A system, method and medium, for use in a medical-imaging environment, that acquires ultrasound image data for at least a portion of a body organ, utilizes data defining a reference plane for the body organ to define at least one other plane with respect to the reference plane, and displays ultrasound images corresponding to at least one of the reference plane and the data defining the at least one other plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to infectious DNA clones, infectious chimeric DNA clones of porcine circovirus (PCV), vaccines and means of protecting pigs against viral infection or postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) caused by PCV2. The new chimeric infectious DNA clone and its derived, avirulent chimeric virus are constructed from the nonpathogenic PCV1 in which the immunogenic ORF gene of the pathogenic PCV2 replaces a gene of the nonpathogenic PCV1, preferably in the same position. The chimeric virus advantageously retains the nonpathogenic phenotype of PCV1 but elicits specific immune responses against the pathogenic PCV2. The invention further embraces the immunogenic polypeptide expression products. In addition, the invention encompasses two mutations in the PCV2 immunogenic capsid gene and protein, and the introduction of the ORF2 mutations in the chimeric clones.

Abstract: A bat is disclosed having a metal handle portion with a knob end and a barrel receiving end, a wood barrel portion with a hitting portion and a fitting portion, and a connection assembly for joining the wood barrel portion with the metal handle portion, the connection assembly having optionally three components: an exterior sleeve, an interior sleeve, and/or a locking or roll pin. The interior sleeve is positioned over a fitting portion of the wood barrel portion prior to the fitting portion being inserted and pressure fit within a barrel receiving end of the metal handle portion. A hole is drilled through the barrel receiving end and the fitting portion of the wood barrel portion, wherein a locking or roll pin is inserted through and secured in the hole to lock the metal handle portion with the wood barrel portion.

Abstract: A modular interface connection system having a receiver and a test adapter. The receiver includes a non-circular torsion shaft for providing improved strength and ease of assembly and a cover for providing safety. The test adapter has a frame, a shield, and one or more bushings, which provides easy access to contacts, patchcords and modules in the test adapter for troubleshooting, repairs and maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment, inhibition and prevention of cancer by the administration of anti-C3b(i) antibodies. The invention also relates to the treatment, inhibition and prevention of cancer by the administration of IgM antibodies and/or complement components prior to the administration of anti-C3b(i) antibodies. The present invention further relates to the detection, imaging, diagnosis and monitoring of cancer utilizing C3b(i) specific antibodies.

Abstract: A power converter having a primary circuit (e.g. full bridge) and a secondary circuit (e.g. current doubler) has switches in the secondary circuit that are controlled by a drive circuit. The drive circuit is connected to a swing node in the primary circuit, and is powered by the swing node. The drive circuit has an isolation device such as a transformer to provide electrical isolation between the primary circuit and secondary circuit. The drive circuit provides a current source for driving the secondary switch gates, thereby reducing power consumption. The present drive circuit provides clean gate drive signals without noise and oscillations. The drive circuits of the invention are simple, and require only a few components.

Abstract: This invention relates to an over-expressing homologous antigen vaccine, a method of producing the same, and use of the vaccine for prophylaxis or treatment of vertebrates at risk of or suffering from disease caused by a pathogenic micro-organism. The vaccine is an attenuated or avirulent pathogenic micro-organism that over-expresses at least one homologous antigen encoded by at least one gene derived from the pathogenic micro-organism, and may also express a heterologous antigen.

Abstract: A permeameter having a hollow tube with a second tube slidably disposed within an internal chamber of the hollow tube, used in combination with one or more tables each of which correlates a specific rate of reading fall rate of water within the hollow tube with a unique soil hydraulic capacity of the soil being tested. The second tube has an air hole and a slot which are used in causing water contained in the hollow tube to seep into an auger hole. A reducing connector is secured to the bottom of the hollow tube which provides the means for maintaining the second tube within the internal chamber of the hollow tube. The second tube is secured in the extended position by a compression fitting attached to the reducing connector. A conventional measuring tape, having consecutive markings showing continuous ¼, ½, and 1 inch distances, is affixed to the outside surface of the hollow tube such that the numbers extend vertically along the length, or longitudinal central axis, of the hollow tube.

Abstract: Spiro[9,10-dihydroanthracene]-9,3′-pyrrolidine (SPAN) and derivatives thereof are provided as selective serotonin receptor antagonists. The compounds are selective, high affinity antagonists of 5-HT2 serotonin receptors. The compounds are useful as antidepressant and antianxiety agents.

Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube (10a) to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool (20a) is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc, thereby creating a cavity in the disc. A flowing substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon (40) is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowing substance to contain the flowing substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device capable of reacting an enzyme or other agent with a substantially purified polypeptide. In one embodiment of the present invention, the microfluic device comprises a plurality of reaction channels wherein the substantially purified polypeptide is delivered to a reaction channel. Once confined within the reaction channel, the substantially purified polypeptide engages the enzyme or agent and produces a reaction product. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction product is concentrated at a charged membrane prior to being removed from the microfluidic device. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of concentrating a positive analyte at a positively charged membrane and a negative analyte at a negatively charged membrane. Once concentrated, the analytes may be removed from the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A book bag for easy carrying and accessing includes a detachable wallet styled book assembly. The wallet has multiple pages with transparent sleeves so that information can be presented much as a conventional book. This book bag permits a particular subject area to be collated and presented as a book within a book bag. The book does not require removal from the book bag. The detachable wallet can be quickly and conveniently replaced with another so that updating new study material for students or others can be easily performed.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for early detection of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in a patient. The method comprises: (a) monitoring heart rate variability in the patient; and (b) identifying at least one characteristic abnormality in the heart rate variability that is associated with the illness. This method can be use to diagnose illnesses such as, but not limited to, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia and meningitis, as well as noninfectious illnesses. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for early detection of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in a patient.

Abstract: The invention compounds and methods for the treatment of motor disorders. In particular, the invention provides eicosanoid analogs which are effective in ameliorating motor disorders such as spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).

Abstract: Methods of treating a carbon foam precursor to facilitate subsequent foaming of the material at low pressures, which may be on the order of about 0.5 to 1.5 atmospheres, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the carbon foam precursor is subjected to partial devolatilization under controlled conditions with subsequent foaming being effected at low pressure. The carbon foam precursor may be one of various forms of coal including raw coal, coal extract mesophase pitch, synthetic mesophase pitch or petroleum based pitch. The prefoaming treatment of the carbon foam precursor may remove a portion of the internal blowing agent and may alter the fluidity of the carbon foam precursor matrix. In another embodiment, the precursor after being converted into a powder is subjected to oxidation prior to foaming.

Abstract: An improved low profile antenna of the PIPA style is formed from a single piece of useful conductive material and includes a first plate spaced apart from an elongated ground plate. The first and ground plates are interconnected by a shorting plate having a width less than that of either the first ground plate. A feed plate is interposed between the two plates and is either completely covered by the first plate or slightly exposed. Such antennas have extremely large bandwidth of up to about 50%.

Abstract: An aerially deployable position marking device includes an elongated housing, a handle secured to the housing, a ground engaging portion at or adjacent the lower end of the housing and at least one locating element which may take the form of visibility enhancing elements which are nonenergized, electrically energized, visibility enhancing devices or acoustic devices or energy releasing elements which release RF signals or other sources of energy as well as other types. Appropriate sources of energy and switch or switches may be provided.

Abstract: A copper foil for lamination to a dielectric substrate is coated with a laser ablation inhibiting layer having an average surface roughness (Rz) of less than 1.0 micron and an average nodule height of less than 1.2 micron that is effective to provide a lamination peel strength to FR-4 of at least 4.5 pounds per inch. The coated foil further has a reflectivity value of at least 40. The coated foil is typically laminated to a dielectric substrate, such as glass reinforced epoxy or polyimide and imaged into a plurality of circuit traces. Blind vias may be drilled through the dielectric terminating at an interface between the foil and the dielectric. The coated foil of the invention resists laser ablation, thereby resisting piercing of the foil by the laser during drilling.

Abstract: A preferred route may be determined from an origin location to a destination location. The determination is made by processing directed links (e.g., one-way edges) in a graph that includes one or more links and two or more nodes. The determination of a preferred route may include an estimate of the time required at one or more intersections along alternative. Individual routing preferences, such as a preference of a rural over an urban route, also may be considered. Techniques are described that may help reduce the time required to identify a preferred route, including the identification and removal of no outlet routes before processing the directed links and techniques using particular data formats.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for Edman degradation using a microfluidic system to identify and characterize peptides is disclosed. A microfluidic device comprises an entrance channel through which a substantially purified polypeptide is accepted, a reaction channel engaging the entrance channel wherein the substantially purified polypeptide is digested, producing a digestion product, a reagent reservoir engaging the reaction channel, the reagent reservoir capable of delivering a reagent to the reaction channel, and an exit channel extending from the reaction channel, wherein the digestion product travels through the exit channel upon leaving the reaction channel.