Abstract: A two-dimensional blur kernel is computed for a digital image by first estimating a sharp image from the digital image. The sharp image is derived from the digital image by sharpening at least portions of the digital image. The two-dimensional blur function is computed by minimizing an optimization algorithm that estimates the blur function.

Abstract: A method results in a system configuration wherein positioning a plurality of spargers reduces noise levels caused by fluid passing through the plurality of spargers. The method includes providing the plurality of spargers, each sparger having a center line access and an outer diameter measurement. Each of the plurality of spargers is positioned in a manner such that a ratio of the distance between the center line access of each sparger to the outer diameter measurement of each sparger is greater than a pre-determined ratio value. A greater ratio results in a reduction of noise emitted.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating data representative of at least one intermediary transition image between a first image and a second image in the encoded domain is disclosed. Cinematic transitions can be created between encoded still images and frames from video sequences. For each corresponding location within the first and second image, a transform coded value is calculated for the at least one intermediary image using the transform encoded data of the first and second images without transform decoding the transform encoded data. The transform coded values can be fully encoded using a compression protocol and transmitted to a device for decoding and display of the cinematic transition.

Abstract: A rotor for a wind turbine comprising a plurality of radial blades and a ring-shaped aerofoil diffuser connecting the outer tips of the blades. Also disclosed is a wind turbine comprising said rotor and further comprising a nacelle and a mounting means adapted to allow rotation of the turbine and rotor about a directional axis perpendicular to the rotational axis, thus allowing the turbine to be oriented in the optimum direction depending on wind conditions. A furling means is disclosed to effect a change in orientation depending on wind speeds.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein, which are useful as inhibitors of PKC-theta and are thus useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of PKC-theta, including immunological disorders and type II diabetes. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.

Abstract: A local bi-gram model object recognition system and method for constructing a local bi-gram model and using the model to recognize objects in a query image. In a learning phase, the local bi-gram model is constructed that represents objects found in a set of training images. The local bi-gram model is a local spatial model that only models the relationship of neighboring features without any knowledge of their global context. Object recognition is performed by finding a set of matching primitives in the query image. A tree structure of matching primitives is generated and a search is performed to find a tree structure of matching primitives that obeys the local bi-gram model. The local bi-gram model can be found using unsupervised learning. The system and method also can be used to recognize objects unsupervised that are undergoing non-rigid transformations for both object instance recognition and category recognition.

Abstract: A content-based image retrieval technique for sharing image information between images. In the present image information sharing technique digital photographs containing relevant comments and links to web pages are supplied by a set of authors. A user of the image information sharing technique takes a digital picture of something that interests them, such as, for example, a poster, a product, a painting, and uploads it to an image information sharing server. The image information sharing technique then matches the photo to an image in an image information sharing database. The comments and web links associated with the matched photo are subsequently sent to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are carbonyl compounds of Formula: (I) as described herein. Compounds as modulators of his-tone deacetylase (HDAC), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods of treating disease using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing access to electronic works over a network. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention offers a user access to electronic copies of works, such as songs, albums, movies, or music videos, over a network. The user responds to the offer by requesting to access to a particular work. Before such a request is granted, the present invention may verify that the user is authorized to access to the work. In one embodiment, the user verifies that they are authorized to access an electronic copy of the work by demonstrating that they possess a physical copy of the work. In another embodiment, the user verifies that they are authorized to access an electronic copy of the work by demonstrating that they ordered or purchased a copy of the work. If a user's authorization is verified, the user may then be provided with access to an electronic copy of the work by such techniques as downloading or streaming.

Abstract: An access tower comprises a movable wheeled base (10) to which is mounted one end of a scissor lift mechanism (12), the other end of which supports a working platform (14). The scissor lift (12) can be actuated to displace the working platform (14) between a fully retracted or stowed condition and a fully extended or deployed condition.

Abstract: An image editing technique employing a layered representation of the image is presented. The image representation includes a main pixel color layer, a secondary pixel color layer, an alpha layer and a noise layer. Generally, the pixel values of one or more pixel locations of one or more of the layers of the image representation are manipulated to effect a change. Once changed, the layers are combined to produce a revised image.

Abstract: An image-wide matting technique that involves modeling an image using a layered representation is presented. This representation includes a main pixel color layer, a secondary pixel color layer, an alpha layer and a noise layer. The four-layer representation is generated using a statistical model. Once generated, this representation can be used advantageously in a number of image editing operations.

Abstract: Disclosed are substituted tricyclic heterocycle compounds of the formulas (I), (II) and (III) shown below, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are described herein, which are active as anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle mass comprising at least two particle populations arranged in a desired graded relationship, comprising: forming in a container a first layer of dry particles constituting a first particle population having a desired particle size distribution, superimposing on the first layer a second layer of dry particles constituting a second particle population having a desired particle size distribution, the second layer being in direct contact with the first layer at a contact interface, and causing the particle mass in the container to vibrate to cause a desired degree of migration of particles from one or both layers across the contact interface under the influence of force experienced by particles in the mass. The particle populations may have different physical and/or chemical properties, so that the particle mass is functionally graded for subsequent fusion into a functionally graded material such as a ceramic or ceramic/metal composite.

Abstract: A noise abatement device and method to direct flow in a predetermined manner to substantially reduce the aerodynamic noise and structural vibrations produced by steam entering an air-cooled condenser in a power generating system. The interactive flow between the spargers that produces the aerodynamic noise and structural vibrations is largely eliminated by prohibiting fluid flow through selected flow regions within the spargers. The spargers include a stack of disks with fluid passageways. The fluid passageways are interrupted with continuous and undivided regions of the sparger to direct radial flow away from adjacent spargers, substantially eliminating the interactive flow.

Abstract: A system and process for generating a two-layer, 3D representation of a digital or digitized image from the image and a pixel disparity map of the image is presented. The two layer representation includes a main layer having pixels exhibiting background colors and background disparities associated with correspondingly located pixels of depth discontinuity areas in the image, as well as pixels exhibiting colors and disparities associated with correspondingly located pixels of the image not found in these depth discontinuity areas. The other layer is a boundary layer made up of pixels exhibiting foreground colors, foreground disparities and alpha values associated with the correspondingly located pixels of the depth discontinuity areas. The depth discontinuity areas correspond to prescribed sized areas surrounding depth discontinuities found in the image using a disparity map thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are carbonyl compounds of Formula I as described herein. Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating disease states including, but not limited to cancers, autoimmune diseases, tissue damage, central nervous system disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, fibrosis, bone disorders, polyglutamine-repeat disorders, anemias, thalassemias, inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular conditions, and disorders in which angiogenesis play a role in pathogenesis, using the compounds of the invention. In addition, methods of modulating the activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are carbonyl compounds of having the structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, amide, ester, or prodrug thereof, Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating disease states including, but not limited to cancers, autoimmune diseases, tissue damage, central nervous system disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, fibrosis, bone disorders, polyglutamine-repeat disorders, anemias, thalassemias, inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular conditions, and disorders in which angiogenesis play a role in pathogenesis, using the compounds of the invention. In addition, methods of modulating the activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) are also disclosed.

Abstract: An online life science research environment and virtual community with a focus on design and analysis of biological experiments includes a life sciences laboratory system employing at least one networked computer system that defines a virtual research environment. Users access the system through a portal associated with the networked computer system(s). The virtual research environment has a data coupling mechanism by which the user designates a set of user-specified data for bioinformatics processing. A processor(s) associated with the networked computer system(s) performs bioinformatics services upon the user-specified data. In one embodiment, the data coupling mechanism enables transfer of the user-specified data to a memory space that is mediated or accessed by the processor performing the bioinformatics processing.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds of formula (I): 1