Abstract: A method and device for determining the depth and fluorophore concentration of a fluorophore concentration below the surface of an optically absorbing and scattering medium suitable for use in fluorescence-based surgical guidance such as in tumor resection is described. Long-wavelength stimulus light us used to obtain deep tissue penetration. Recovery of depth is performed by fitting measured modulation amplitudes for each spatial frequency to precomputed modulation amplitudes in a table of modulation amplitudes indexed by optical parameters and depth.

Abstract: A pathogen detection and display system is configured to discover and display the location of substances of interest, particularly pathogens that can spread infection. The detection and display system can be used in healthcare facilities on surfaces, medical equipment and devices, patients, and staff, for example.

Abstract: A computer readable media, a method, and a system registering a third party application providing an available communication system between a local user and a remote user identity, storing information related to the available communication system in a first database, obtaining contact information for the remote user identity from the third party application, determining a communication type for the third party application, pairing the remote user identity with a contact, and updating a graphical representation of contact information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biomolecule conjugate having one or more functionalized biomolecules wherein the biomolecule is functionalized with one or more reactive sites, and at least one polymer capable of undergoing a polymer growth reaction, wherein the polymer is attached to at least one of the reactive sites of the functionalized biomolecule and wherein the polymer envelopes the functionalized biomolecule to form a reversible nanoparticle structure which protects the biomolecule by dynamically collapsing to preserve the biomolecule when an adverse environmental stimulus is present. A method of protecting a biomolecule from environmental conditions is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biomolecule conjugate having one or more functionalized biomolecules wherein the biomolecule is functionalized with one or more reactive sites, and at least one polymer capable of undergoing a polymer growth reaction, wherein the polymer is attached to at least one of the reactive sites of the functionalized biomolecule and wherein the polymer envelopes the functionalized biomolecule to form a reversible nanoparticle structure which protects the biomolecule by dynamically collapsing to preserve the biomolecule when an adverse environmental stimulus is present. A method of protecting a biomolecule from environmental conditions is also provided.

Abstract: A method of scheduling maintenance on mechanical equipment includes monitoring the mechanical equipment with a sensor and collecting diagnostic information provided by the sensor with a local controller associated with the mechanical equipment. The diagnostic information relates to an operational characteristic of the mechanical equipment. The method also includes generating an alarm with the local controller in response to the collected diagnostic information, transferring the alarm from the local controller to a remote monitoring system, assigning an alarm value to the alarm using one of the local controller and the remote monitoring system, referencing a maintenance schedule for the mechanical equipment to ascertain a scheduled maintenance timeframe, and one of generating a work order and not generating the work order for the mechanical equipment based on the alarm value and the scheduled maintenance timeframe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosis of inflammatory disorders, and in non-limiting embodiments, of inflammatory disorders associated with elevated interleukin-1? (“IL-1?”), based on increased levels of follistatin-like protein 1 (“FSTL-1”). In particular non-limiting embodiments, the invention further provides for methods of identifying subjects with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (“SOJIA”) who are at increased risk for developing macrophage activation syndrome (“MAS”) comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1. In additional non-limiting embodiments, the invention provides for methods of identifying subjects with Kawasaki disease who are at increased risk of developing aortic aneurysms comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1.

Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A method of scheduling maintenance on mechanical equipment includes monitoring the mechanical equipment with a sensor and collecting diagnostic information provided by the sensor with a local controller associated with the mechanical equipment. The diagnostic information relates to an operational characteristic of the mechanical equipment. The method also includes generating an alarm with the local controller in response to the collected diagnostic information, transferring the alarm from the local controller to a remote monitoring system, assigning an alarm value to the alarm using one of the local controller and the remote monitoring system, referencing a maintenance schedule for the mechanical equipment to ascertain a scheduled maintenance timeframe, and one of generating a work order and not generating the work order for the mechanical equipment based on the alarm value and the scheduled maintenance timeframe.

Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for generating a synthetic echocardiographic image. The method comprises first obtaining, for a plurality of pathologically similar reference hearts, a reference echocardiographic image of each reference heart at end-systole and at end-diastole. Next, the coupled epicardial and endocardial borders are identified in each echocardiographic image. An epicardial/endocardial border pair is then modeled from the identified borders. The method then locates a plurality of predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The predetermined features are then located in the subject echocardiographic image from the location of the predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The modeled epicardial/endocardial border pair is then mapped onto the subject echocardiographic image relative to the location of the predetermined features in the subject echocardiographic image.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively analyzing digital images of approximately elliptical body organs, and in particular, echocardiographic images is provided. In particular, methods are disclosed for obtaining short-axis apical four-chamber views of a heart, and particularly for obtaining high-quality automated images of particular regions of the heart muscle, as viewed along its long axis.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively analyzing digital images of approximately elliptical body organs, and in particular, echocardiographic images is provided. In particular, methods are disclosed for obtaining short-axis apical four-chamber views of a heart, and particularly for obtaining high-quality automated images of particular regions of the heart muscle, as viewed along its long axis.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for generating a synthetic echocardiographic image. The method comprises first obtaining, for a plurality of pathologically similar reference hearts, a reference echocardiographic image of each reference heart at end-systole and at end-diastole. Next, the coupled epicardial and endocardial borders are identified in each echocardiographic image. An epicardial/endocardial border pair is then modeled from the identified borders. The method then locates a plurality of predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The predetermined features are then located in the subject echocardiographic image from the location of the predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The modeled epicardial/endocardial border pair is then mapped onto the subject echocardiographic image relative to the location of the predetermined features in the subject echocardiographic image.

Abstract: A method for generating a synthesis echocardiographic image comprises first obtaining, for a plurality of pathologically similar reference hearts, a reference echocardiographic image of each reference heart at end-systole and at end-diastole. Next, the coupled epicardial and endocardial borders are identified in each echocardiographic image. An epicardial/endocardial border pair is then modeled from the identified borders. The method then locates a plurality of predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The predetermined features are then located in the subject echocardiographic image from the location of the predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The modeled epicardial/endocardial border pair is then mapped onto the subject echocardiographic image relative to the location of the predetermined features in the subject echocardiographic image.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively analyzing digital images of approximately elliptical body organs, and in particular, echocardiographic images. In a first preferred embodiment, the invention automatically determines the center-point of an elliptical organ and a search region for border discrimination by finding the maximum value produced by a series of circular arc filters applied to the image data. In a second preferred embodiment, a pair of elliptical arc filters are used to make a first approximation of the positions of the right and left epicardium so that matched elliptical filters can be used to estimate the anterior epicardial position. The estimated position of the anterior epicardial, together with the posterior epicardial position, determines the center-point of the left ventricle. The positions of the organ borders are then approximated by generating amplitude distributions along each of a number of circular segments based on the center-point.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel blowing agents comprising a blend of (A) perfluoro- or partially fluorinated-(cyclo)alkanes and (B) one or more of hydrogenated chlorofluorocarbons, hydrogenated fluorocarbons and a low boiling (cyclo)alkane. These blowing agents perform as well as the conventionally used CFC's but are user friendly and do not have the adverse effect of depletion of the ozone layer. These blowing agents are particularly suited for use in producing foams from synthetic polymers and resins, especially phenolic foams of very low and stable thermal conductivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for cracking waste polymers in a fluidized bed reactor to produce vaporous products comprising primary products which can be further processed, eg in a steam cracker to produce olefins, characterized in that the vaporous products are treated to generate a primary product substantially free of a high molecular weight tail having molecular weights >700 prior to further processing. The removal of the high molecular weight tail minimizes fouling and prolongs the lifetime of the reactors used for further processing.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically determining quantitative characteristics of organ images, especially echocardiographic images. A diagnostic image is obtained and then a center point for the approximately curvilinear bounded organ is determined by repeatedly filtering the image with a set of circular arc filters until a maximum value for the filter set is obtained, whereupon parameters of cardiac wall motion, wall thickness and area change fraction may be determined to detect ischemic or other organ abnormality.