Abstract: Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

Abstract: A communications network which is capable of effectively and efficiently handling fading between mobile wireless user terminals of a packet-switched network with minimal overhead and packet loss, and a method for using the same. The communications network employs an origination mobile terminal and surrounding macroscopic mobile terminals and/or surrounding fixed infrastructure. Communication is established between the origination mobile terminal and surrounding macroscopic mobile terminals and/or surrounding fixed infrastructure. The communication is established via modified request to send (RTS) and clear to send (CTS) messages, wherein the modified messages provide for an additional two sets of k unicast addresses where k equals the maximum number of routes available per route entry in the origination mobile terminal's route table.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently and effectively simulating hardware-in-the-loop testing of a wireless communications network. The system and method employs an optical matrix-vector multiplier (MVM) for performing optical signal processing to simulate radio frequency (RF) signal propagation characteristics in a mobile wireless communications network. Specifically, the system and method employs an optical modulator, which is adapted to modulate optical energy with signal energy, such as radio frequency (RF) signal energy, propagating from a first group of transceivers of the network to form a vector of optical signals. The optical matrix-vector multiplier (MVM) receives the vector of optical signals, and has a matrix of optical channel weights which are modifiable in accordance with desired parameters to represent at least on parameter of the wireless network. The optical MVM is further adapted to output signals based on the received vector of optical signals and the optical channel weights.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for improving the detection of signals obscured by either correlated Gaussian or non-Gaussian noise plus additive white noise. Estimates from multichannel data of model parameters that describe the noise disturbance correlation are obtained from data that contain signal-free data vectors, referred to as “secondary” or “reference” cell data. These parameters form the coefficients of a multichannel whitening filter. A data vector to be tested for the presence of a signal passes through the multichannel whitening filter. The filter output is then processed to form a test statistic. The test statistic is compared to a threshold value to decide whether a signal is “present” or “absent.” The method is effective in detecting targets without knowledge of the non-Gaussian noise statistics.

Abstract: A high precision fiber array connector and its cost-effective method of manufacture are disclosed. Extreme accuracy is achievable in a process for molding the connector faceplate. It is this faceplate which retains the fibers of the array at requisite lateral and angular tolerances. Additionally mechanical, magnetostatic, and electrostatic methods of fiber positioning and insertion into the connector faceplate are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the detection of signals obscured by either correlated Gaussian or non-Gaussian noise plus additive white Gaussian noise using Estimates from multi-channel data of model parameters that describe the noise disturbance correlation are obtained from data that contain signal-free data vectors, referred to as “secondary” or “reference” cell data. These parameters form the coefficients of a multi-channel whitening filter. A data vector to be tested for the presence of a signal passes through the multi-channel whitening filter. The filter's output is then processed to form a test statistic. The test statistic is compared to a threshold value to decide whether a signal is “present” or “absent”. Embodiments of the apparatus and method include estimating the signal amplitude both implicitly and explicitly and calculating test statistics for signal detection in both Gaussian and non-Gaussian noise.

Abstract: Processing methods and associated hardware architectures for the spatio-temporal processing of phased array sensor signals are disclosed. The processing method employs a joint spatio-temporal domain processing approach. The disclosed method is an optimal estimation scheme which exhibits significantly reduced computational burden. Suppression of interference sources at angles-of-arrival other than the desired signal is achieved implicitly. The associated system architecture provides not only the ability to achieve good joint angle-Doppler estimates, but offers the ability to easily trade the relative performance in each domain. The disclosed approach emphasizes the use of multiple hypothesis testing with spatio-temporal whitening filters.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and associated system for the detection of various physiological features in multichannel sensor data. Truth data organized in the form of a vector sequence is used to generate a multichannel state variable model for data that is known to lack physiological features of interest. Such state variable models are obtained using one or more of a host of system identification algorithms. Upon identification of the model parameters, a multichannel inverse filter is derived from the model parameters. The inverse filter can be used to whiten or decorrelate components of sensor data sequences that are not associated with the physiological features of interest. The unwhitened output of the inverse filter then represents the physiological features of interest that can be extracted from the concomitant white noise. On this basis, a number of such filters can be produced for a variety of undesired physiological feature components of the data that occur separately or in combination.

Abstract: The invention described herein is directed to a method and associated system for the detection of various physiological conditions using multichannel sensor data. Truth data organized in the form of a vector sequence is used to generate a multichannel state variable model for a given known physiological condition. Such state variable models are obtained using one or more of a host of system identification algorithms. Upon identification of the model parameters, a multichannel inverse filter is derived from the model parameters. The inverse filter can be used to whiten or decorrelate sensor data sequences that are associated with the given physiological condition. The degree of whitening is a measure of the match of an unknown physiological condition with that physiological condition represented by the data used to generate the filter. On this basis, a number of such filters can be produced for a variety of physiological conditions.

Abstract: A noise-canceling biological sound monitoring system provides electronic noise cancellation at the pickup head by using a primary transducer to sense anatomy sounds and a secondary sensor as a noise monitor. The system philosophy emphasizes the capability to provide the medical practitioner with an improved signal-to-noise ratio while at the same time maintaining the character of the sound to which the practitioner is accustomed. Various embodiments of the system include a device for use as an amplifying aid with conventional stethoscopes and a system which provides telemetry of sound to a remote receiver for listening, analysis or recording.

Abstract: A monitoring system for use with an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is disclosed which is capable of recording alarm and other events associated with the operation of the EAS system. A preferred embodiment includes a monitor device having alarm detection capability, an alphanumeric keypad for event code entry by cognizant employee personnel, memory for storage of event data and employee identification, and means for downloading the data to a portable reader or a central processor. The monitoring system will allow store managers and electronic article surveillance manufacturers to audit the performance of installed EAS systems. Further it will provide store managers with a means of recording and thereby assessing whether store employees are responding appropriately to EAS events.

Abstract: A channelized mass transfer membrane (MTM) is disclosed which has improved ion separation characteristics when employed in electrodialysis cells. The MTM exploits the unexpected ion separation ability of channelized membrane geometries. A major improvement of the disclosed invention is the use of tubular channels formed by means of hollow fibers which limit the directions in which ions can diffuse. The chief embodiments of the MTM exploit either the formation of capillary voids in solid material or the use of hollow fibers to form capillary channels. Additional levels of MTM porosity are achieved by filling of the channels with microporous material. Means are disclosed for cooling the MTM and adaptation of the MTM hydraulic resistance.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF)-excited waveguide laser of improved efficiency is disclosed. Features which contribute to efficiency include a constriction in the RF cavity cross section which effects an intense, uniform electric field in the gas discharge region, discontinuities in the electrode surfaces bounding the discharge gap region which defeat longitudinal resonances in the RF cavity and thereby provide longitudinal uniformity in the gap region electric field, and dielectric tube(s) for confining gas in the discharge gap region. Additional versions of the invention include open-loop and closed-loop frequency tuning of the laser RF cavity and modular RF cavities which can be connected to achieve higher optical output power.

Abstract: A pulse train in the presence of random noise and other pulse trains is identified by controlling pixels in a raster display in accordance with incoming signals; using the raster display to modulate a laser beam with the pulses; Fourier-transforming the modulated beam, then performing a Cartesian to polar coordinate transformation on the Fourier-transformed beam; inverse Fourier transforming the coordinate-transformed beam, and passing the result through a line spatial filter and focusing the filtered beam on a one-dimensional detector array.

Abstract: A control loop for matching the frequency of an incoming electromagnetic beam controls a local oscillator with two feedback loops including a coarse loop employing an optical frequency shifted beam to generate a coarse control voltage in nanoseconds and a fine loop employing a fast lock loop filter to generate a fine control signal that provides loop convergence on the order of a microsecond.