Abstract: A system for transferring real-time video data over a network comprises a video source, a video encoder for encoding and compressing video data supplied by the video source and a first network interface controller for transmitting compressed video data on the network. Furthermore a second network interface controller for receiving compressed video data from the network, a video decoder for decoding the video data received by the second network interface controller, and an image processor for processing and/or displaying the decoded video data from the video decoder are provided. The network controllers are configured for transmitting and receiving data in a continuous data stream which is synchronized with a clock signal and in a format which prescribes a pulse sequence of individual bit groups of which at least one is used for video data.

Abstract: A method for generating timing constraint systems, where the constrained object is a digital circuit, is provided, where the constraints are generated for the use of a digital logic optimization (synthesis) tool. The synthesis tool is used to optimize the circuit, under the applied constraints, so that the circuit exhibits certain desirable timing properties, while at the same time minimizing hardware cost and various other properties. The particular class of timing constraints generated by the disclosed invention is useful when the circuit is to be retimed after optimization. Typically, the joint use of the described invention and retiming results in improvements in the overall cost/performance tradeoff curve of the design.

Abstract: A communication system, network, interface, and port architecture are provided for transporting data across a network. The network can be arranged by connecting the ports in a daisy chain fashion to achieve a ring architecture or topology. The network forwards data according to a specific network protocol. A first port forwards frames having a preemptive acknowledge field before the payload. A second port receives these frames, stores them in a frame buffer and modifies the preemptive acknowledge field according to its available frame buffer capacity. Said first port controls its data flow according to the modified preemptive acknowledge field.

Abstract: A method for producing a S-nitrosylated species is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a deoxygenated, alkaline aqueous solution comprising a thiol and a nitrite-bearing species; (b) acidifying the solution by adding acid to the solution while concurrently mixing the solution (e.g., by vigorously stirring the solution) to produce the S-nitrosylated species; and (c) isolating the S-nitrosylated species. The nitrite-bearing species can be, for example, an inorganic nitrite, such as an alkali metal nitrite, or an organic nitrite, such as an alkyl nitrite (e.g., ethyl nitrite, amyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite or t-butyl nitrite). The thiol is preferably a thiol-containing polysaccharide, a thiol-containing lipoprotein, a thiol-containing amino acid or a thiol-containing protein, and more preferably a thiol-containing polysaccharide such as thiolated cyclodextrin. In many preferred embodiments, the S-nitrosylated species is insoluble in the acidified solution, precipitating upon formation.

Abstract: Method for performance rating of a business entity using a server computer and one or more remote client computers linked to the server computer by a communication network, the method including defining performance metrics related to performance of the business entity; defining desired weighting for each metric; obtaining performance data for the business entity for each metric; defining a rating scale for each metric, wherein the rating scale for at least one performance metric is determined based on statistical data derived from a plurality of comparative business entities; comparing the performance data for the business entity to the rating scale for each metric; and deducing a performance rating for the business entity on the basis of the comparison between the performance data and the rating scale, and the desired weighting, for each metric.

Abstract: A method for obtaining diagnostic information about a region of a living being, the region having a medical device with a radiopaque portion disposed therein. An X-ray beam having a first energy level in excess of the K-absorption edge of the radiopaque portion of the medical device is directed at the region to obtain a first image information and radiographically locate the medical device within the living being and an X-ray beam having second energy level at or below the K-absorption edge is applied to the region to obtain a second image information.

Abstract: Systems and methods to select a vehicle component are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives first configuration data defining a first vehicle assembly configuration, category data defining a component category, and component data defining a vehicle component. The system stores the configuration data and the category data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the component data satisfies a selected vehicle assembly configuration definition and whether the component data satisfies a selected component category definition. The system outputs a representation of the vehicle component if the component data satisfies the selected vehicle assembly configuration definition and the selected component category definition thereby automatically selecting the component.

Abstract: A communication system, network interface, and communication port is provided for interconnecting a network of multimedia devices. The multimedia devices can send streaming and/or non-streaming data across the network. The network accommodates all such types of data and assigns data types to time slots or frame segments within each frame to ensure streaming data maintains its temporal relationship at the receiver consistent with the transmitter. A signaling byte is preferably used to keep track of an amount by which isochronous streaming data occupies a frame segment.

Abstract: A communication system, network interface, and communication port is provided for interconnecting a network of multimedia devices. The multimedia devices can send streaming and/or non-streaming data across the network. The network accommodates all such types of data and assigns data types to time slots or frame segments within each frame to ensure streaming data maintains its temporal relationship at the receiver consistent with the transmitter. A signaling byte is preferably used to keep track of an amount by which isochronous streaming data occupies a frame segment.

Abstract: A communication system, network, interface, and port architecture are provided for transporting different types of data across a network. The network can be arranged by connecting the ports in a daisy-chain fashion to achieve a ring architecture or topology. The network forwards data according to a specific network protocol, and nodes among the network can use a recovered clock from the bitstream to drive the transmitter and create a synchronous network even thought the network can receive Ethernet packets which are typically targeted for an asynchronous network. Non-compliant data, such as Ethernet data, can be sent as packets within a frame structure. The frame is synchronized to Ethernet coding violations used to signal the beginning of each frame, and each packet can be immediately followed by a packet coding violation. The frame and packet coding violations are represented as a sequence of 4B/5B codes that are not valid codes and, therefore, not present as Ethernet encoded data.

Abstract: A digital list mode multichannel analyzer (MCA) built around a programmable FPGA device for onboard data analysis and on-the-fly modification of system detection/operating parameters, and capable of collecting and processing data in very small time bins (<1 millisecond) when used in histogramming mode, or in list mode as a list mode MCA.

Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.

Abstract: A therapeutic medical article is provided which comprises a medical article, a precursor compound and an activator compound. The medical article is adapted, upon administration to a patient, to release the precursor compound and the activator compound such that the activator compound interacts with the precursor compound and converts the precursor compound into activated form for local delivery. Specific examples of precursor and activator compound pairs include: (a) a nitrosothiol precursor and a nitric oxide donor, (b) plasminogen and plasminogen activator, and (c) fibrinogen and thrombin.

Abstract: A blanket of fibrous building insulation is provided, for in situ cutting to correspond to spacings between studs or like building members between which the insulation is to be applied. The blanket includes a layer of fibrous insulation material and a facing material adhered thereto. An adhesive provides the adhesion between the two layers. Perforations in the facing material provide openings allowing some of the adhesive to bleed into the perforations to be visible from the opposite side whereby a plurality of perforations provide guidelines for cutting the blanket to desired sizes for installation between structural building members.

Abstract: A therapeutic medical article is provided which comprises a medical article, a precursor compound and an activator compound. The medical article is adapted, upon administration to a patient, to release the precursor compound and the activator compound such that the activator compound interacts with the precursor compound and converts the precursor compound into activated form for local delivery. Specific examples of precursor and activator compound pairs include: (a) a nitrosothiol precursor and a nitric oxide donor, (b) plasminogen and plasminogen activator, and (c) fibrinogen and thrombin.

Abstract: A portable radioactive-material detection system capable of detecting radioactive sources moving at high speeds. The system has at least one radiation detector capable of detecting gamma-radiation and coupled to an MCA capable of collecting spectral data in very small time bins of less than about 150 msec. A computer processor is connected to the MCA for determining from the spectral data if a triggering event has occurred. Spectral data is stored on a data storage device, and a power source supplies power to the detection system. Various configurations of the detection system may be adaptably arranged for various radiation detection scenarios. In a preferred embodiment, the computer processor operates as a server which receives spectral data from other networked detection systems, and communicates the collected data to a central data reporting system.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting and receiving a sequence of bits, and the methodology for transferring that sequence of bits are provided. The communication system includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. Within the transmitting circuit is a scrambler that comprises a shift register, an enable circuit, and an output circuit. The shift register temporarily stores n bits within the sequence of bits, and the enable circuit enables the shift register to store bits that arise only within the payload section of a frame. The output circuit includes a feedback, and several taps within the n stages to scramble logic values within the sequence of n bits output from the shift registers thus effectively preventing in most instances the sequence of bits from exceeding n number of the same logic value. Within the receiving circuit is a descrambler also having a shift register, an enable circuit, and an output circuit. The descrambler recompiles the scrambled data back to its original form.

Abstract: A communication system, network, interface, and port architecture are provided for transporting different types of data across a network. The network can be arranged by connecting the ports in a daisy chain fashion to achieve a ring architecture or topology. The network forwards data according to a specific network protocol, and any incoming data that follows that protocol will be sent onto the network. If the incoming data protocol does not match the network protocol, then the incoming data is not sent immediately to the network, but instead is sent to an input pin of a device upon the network specifically designed to receive that incoming data. The network, therefore, has ports that support both compliant and non-compliant incoming data, and the devices that produce such data.

Abstract: Medical devices, particularly stents, suitable for drug delivery and including a sugar, sugar derivative, inorganic ionic salt, polysaccharide, amino acid, amino acid derivative, polypeptide, surfactant, or combination thereof, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for obtaining diagnostic information about a region of a living being, the region having a medical device with a radiopaque portion disposed therein. An X-ray beam having a first energy level in excess of the K-absorption edge of the radiopaque portion of the medical device is directed at the region to obtain a first image information and radiographically locate the medical device within the living being and an X-ray beam having second energy level at or below the K-absorption edge is applied to the region to obtain a second image information.