Abstract: A calendar-based image asset organizer, including a user interface for designating at least one date range, an image date reader for determining a date associated with an image, and an image query manager for identifying images having an associated date within the designated at least one date range. A method and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A calendar-based image asset organizer, including a user interface for designating at least one date range, an image date reader for determining a date associated with an image, and an image query manager for identifying images having an associated date within the designated at least one date range. A method and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an implantable device for the closure and/or repair of a spinal defect (e.g., posterior annular defects) and/or preventing recurring herniation. An implantable medical device, in some embodiments, may be coated or impregnated with a releasable pharmaceutical compound. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to compositions that include one or more pharmaceutical compounds. In addition, some embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for making and using compositions and medical implants. A spinal implant may include, for example, a scaffold having a substantially planar surface; and a plurality of tails, each of which has a first end that is attached to the scaffold and a second end that is configured and arranged to be threaded through a respective perforation in a vertical body, wherein the scaffold comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for treating a degenerative intervertebral disc disorder comprising implanting a disc stabilization device into a subject and administering at least one therapeutic agent which promotes healing of the disc to the subject. The invention also includes methods of promoting healing of damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs comprising decreasing the load of the disc through a disc stabilization device and inhibiting the inflammatory process. Also described are hydrogels for use in combination with extradiscal stabilization devices, as intradiscal stabilization devices, as drug carriers, and as combinations thereof.

Abstract: A perfume composition effective in reducing or preventing malodours comprises at least 1.0% by weight of one or more materials having a fruity note; and at least 0.5% by weight of at least one material having an amber note and selected from group A and/or from group B below, wherein the total amount of material having an amber note and material having a fruity note in the composition is at least about 3% by weight if no amber material from group B is present, or at least about 25% by weight if no amber material from group A is present, and where materials from both groups A and B are each present in an amount of at least 0.1% w/w the total amount of amber and fruity materials together is at least 3% by weight where the total weight percentage of group A materials, WA, is equal to or greater than 0.5% or the total amount of amber and fruity materials together is at least 3+22*(0.5?WA) % by weight where WA is less than 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: A method for repairing a facet joint of a human vertebra having a joint capsule surrounding the facet joint. In the method, a synthetic elastic material is introduced into the facet joint. The synthetic elastic material can be a solid, swellable polymer that expands when hydrated upon being placed in the facet joint. The invention includes the implant and the method of making the implant.

Abstract: A method for contrast enhancement for digital images, including filtering an original image having original color values, to generate a filtered image, receiving parameters for a response curve, the response curve being a function of color value that is user-adjustable, deriving local multipliers by applying the response curve to the filtered image, multiplying the original color values by the local multipliers, thereby generating a contrast-enhanced image from the original image. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described.

Abstract: A computer system is provided comprising a software application. The software application comprises a host application and an integrable software component integrated with the host application for implementing controls in the host application. The software component is arranged to control access to functions of the host application on the basis of data supplied by a user and data stored in an external database.

Abstract: A method for contrast enhancement for digital images, including filtering an original image having original color values, to generate a first filtered image corresponding to bright color values, and a second filtered image corresponding to dark color values, deriving local highlight multipliers by applying a highlight response curve to the first filtered image, the highlight response curve being a function of color value that increases from a response value of one, corresponding to a color value of zero, to a response value greater than one, corresponding to a maximum color value, deriving local shadow multipliers by applying a shadow response curve to the second filtered image, the shadow response curve being a function of color value that decreases from a response value greater than one, corresponding to a color value of zero, to a response value of one, corresponding to a maximum color value, deriving local offset values by applying an offset curve to the first filtered image, and processing the original i

Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in both fusion and non-fusion situations. The spinal implant includes an implant rod and fasteners for coupling or fastening the implant rod to the affected regions of the spine via the pedicles of the affected vertebrae). The implant rod includes a flexible portion and rigid end portions. The fasteners couple the end portions of the rod to the pedicles in the affected level. The flexible portion can take a variety of shapes, such as non-helical, multi-curve springs. One may combine several implant rods to provide an overall implant for more than one level of the spine. The implant can allow desired motion while tending to limit undesirable motion, thus protecting areas of the diseased or injured spine, such as the nucleus pulposus or anulus fibrosis. Furthermore, the implant can provide a combination of rigid and flexible support, as desired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to P-superfamily conopeptides, to DNA encoding precursors of the P-superfamily conopeptides and to the precursor peptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: A calendar-based image asset organizer, including a user interface for designating at least one date range, an image date reader for determining a date associated with an image, and an image query manager for identifying images having an associated date within the designated at least one date range. A method and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system for operation and visualization of multiple content filters, including a plurality of filter interfaces for setting parameters of corresponding content filters that filter a catalog of assets, each content filter having a lock status being in a locked or an unlocked state, and each filter interface having a display generator for rendering a user interface display, wherein at least one such user interface display for a content filter is dependent upon the lock status of another content filter, and a lock processor for setting the lock status of at least one content filter. A method and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed &tgr;-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to P-superfamily conopeptides, to DNA encoding precursors of the P-superfamily conopeptides and to the precursor peptides.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for transfer of workpieces such as stacks of sliced sausage from a band conveyor into the cavities of a molded package, the latter being advanced transversely of the movement of the band conveyor. The device utilizes a system of stems protruding between the bands of the band conveyor to raise the product upwardly from the band conveyor, whereupon a shuttle engages two workpieces by two finger systems having spring-loaded transverse fingers moving transversely of the movement of the band conveyor. The stems are then lowered below the level of the band conveyor. The shuttle is shifted to a position above the particular packaging cavities, whereupon a plunger strikes each workpiece in a downward direction, whereby the spring-loaded, normally generally horizontal fingers of the finger systems are forced to swing downwardly into open position to allow discharge of the workpieces.