Abstract: A system for reducing undesired interference in a target zone is disclosed. The system comprises a set of M pickup sensors, a beam forming network coupled to the M pickup sensors, and a set of N injectors coupled to the beam forming network. The M pickup sensors pick up undesired signals in real time and generate M pickup signals, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1. The beam forming network comprises a set of M beam forming modules. Each of the M beam forming modules receives a respective one of the M pickup signals and generates N intermediate signals, N being an integer greater than 1. The N intermediate signals generated by each of the M beam forming modules are combined correspondingly with remaining intermediate signals generated by remaining M?1 beam forming modules to generate N interference signals. The N injectors receive and radiate the N interference signals to the target zone.

Abstract: A computational sensing array includes an array of sensing elements. In each sensing element, a first signal is generated from a transducer. A second signal is produced by a collection unit in response to receiving the first signal. The second signal may be modified, in a conditioning unit. A sensing element preprocessing unit generates a word representing the value of the modified second signal, and may produce an indication of change of the first signal. A current value of the word may be stored in a state holding element local to the sensing element, and a previous value of the word may be retained in a further state holding element local to the sensing element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing blood samples, and more specifically for performing a nucleated red blood cell (nRBC) analysis. The systems and methods screen a blood sample by means of fluorescence staining and a fluorescence triggering strategy, to identify nuclei-containing particles within the blood sample. As such, interference from unlysed red blood cells (RBCs) and fragments of lysed RBCs is substantially eliminated. The systems and methods also enable development of relatively milder reagent(s), suitable for assays of samples containing fragile white blood cells (WBCs). In one embodiment, the systems and methods include: (a) staining a blood sample with an exclusive cell membrane permeable fluorescent dye; (b) using a fluorescence trigger to screen the blood sample for nuclei-containing particles; and (c) using measurements of light scatter and fluorescence emission to distinguish nRBCs from WBCs.

Abstract: A computational sensing array includes an array of sensing elements. In each sensing element, a first signal is generated from a transducer. A second signal is produced by a collection unit in response to receiving the first signal. The second signal may be modified, in a conditioning unit. A sensing element preprocessing unit generates a word representing the value of the modified second signal, and may produce an indication of change of the first signal. A current value of the word may be stored in a state holding element local to the sensing element, and a previous value of the word may be retained in a further state holding element local to the sensing element.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes a housing and ring members for holding loose-leaf pages that are moveable relative to the housing between an open and closed position. An actuation system moves the ring members and includes hinge plates pivotally mounted on the housing and an actuator actuating pivoting movement of the hinge plates. A travel bar of the actuation system is moveable by the actuator between a locked position blocking pivoting movement of the hinge plates and an unlocked position allowing pivoting movement of the hinge plates. The actuation system is adapted to deform while moving the travel bar from the locked position toward the unlocked position to delay the pivoting motion of the hinge plates from the movement of the actuator.

Abstract: The disclosure provides vectors for treating cancers, method of producing such vectors and methods of use of the vectors.

Abstract: A ring mechanism has a housing and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Pivoting hinge plates are supported in the housing. Each ring includes a pair of ring members, at least one of which is mounted on a hinge plate and movable to open and close the rings. A travel bar carries a plurality of locking elements or wedges. The travel bar is secured to the housing in a manner that limits vertical movement of the travel bar while allowing the travel bar to translate between a locked position in which opening of the rings is blocked and an open position in which the rings are open. The travel bar is biased to remain in the locked position when it is in the locked position. The travel bar is free of forces tending to move the travel bar to the locked position when the travel bar is in the open position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to replication competent viral vectors for treating cell proliferative disorders. The disclosure further relates to the use of such replication competent viral vectors for delivery and expression of a heterologous nucleic acid in normal and diseased tissues and methods and compositions that facilitate such delivery and expression to tissues in vivo and in vitro. The disclosure further relates to replication competent retroviral vectors for these uses and in conjunction with methods and compositions that facilitate in vivo therapeutics.

Abstract: A photodetection circuit includes an avalanche photodiode and a mode switching circuit that may be configured to selectively switch an operating mode of the photodetection circuit between linear mode and Geiger mode. The photodetection circuit may further include a quenching circuit configured to quench and reset the avalanche photodiode in response to an avalanche event when the photodetection circuit is operated in Geiger mode. The photodetection circuit may additionally include an integration circuit configured to integrate photocurrent output by the photodiode and generate integrated charge units when the photodetection circuit is operated in linear mode. The photodetection circuit may also include a counter configured to count pulses output by the avalanche photodiode when the photodetection circuit is operated in Geiger mode and to count integrated charge units generated by the integration circuit when the photodetection circuit is operated in linear mode.

Abstract: A sequence for distributing at least one of a plurality of code packages to the at least one facility according to different states of a fixed state machine is set. The at least one of the plurality of code packages is maintained in at least one staging area in a valid, dormant mode while the fixed state machine is stopped. Pursuant to a resumption of the fixed state machine at a subsequent time, a current code package is swapped with the at least one of the plurality of code packages in the at least one staging area to activate the at least one of the plurality of code packages.

Abstract: A system for reducing undesired interference in a target zone is disclosed. The system comprises a set of M pickup sensors, a beam forming network coupled to the M pickup sensors, and a set of N injectors coupled to the beam forming network. The M pickup sensors pick up undesired signals in real time and generate M pickup signals, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1. The beam forming network comprises a set of M beam forming modules. Each of the M beam forming modules receives a respective one of the M pickup signals and generates N intermediate signals, N being an integer greater than 1. The N intermediate signals generated by each of the M beam forming modules are combined correspondingly with remaining intermediate signals generated by remaining M?1 beam forming modules to generate N interference signals. The N injectors receive and radiate the N interference signals to the target zone.

Abstract: A silicon alignment pin is used to align successive layer of component made in semiconductor chips and/or metallic components to make easier the assembly of devices having a layered structure. The pin is made as a compressible structure which can be squeezed to reduce its outer diameter, have one end fit into a corresponding alignment pocket or cavity defined in a layer of material to be assembled into a layered structure, and then allowed to expand to produce an interference fit with the cavity. The other end can then be inserted into a corresponding cavity defined in a surface of a second layer of material that mates with the first layer. The two layers are in registry when the pin is mated to both. Multiple layers can be assembled to create a multilayer structure. Examples of such devices are presented.

Abstract: Substantially enriched mammalian lung endothelial and epithelial progenitor cell populations are provided. Methods are provided for the isolation and in vivo differentiation of such lung progenitor cells. The progenitor cells are obtained from lung tissue, including fetal and adult tissues. The cells are useful in transplantation, for experimental evaluation, and as a source of lineage and cell specific products, including mRNA species useful in identifying genes specifically expressed in these cells, and as targets for the discovery of factors or molecules that can affect them.

Abstract: A silicon alignment pin is used to align successive layers of components made in semiconductor chips and/or metallic components to make easier the assembly of devices having a layered structure. The pin is made as a compressible structure which can be squeezed to reduce its outer diameter, have one end fit into a corresponding alignment pocket or cavity defined in a layer of material to be assembled into a layered structure, and then allowed to expand to produce an interference fit with the cavity. The other end can then be inserted into a corresponding cavity defined in a surface of a second layer of material that mates with the first layer. The two layers are in registry when the pin is mated to both. Multiple layers can be assembled to create a multilayer structure. Examples of such devices are presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a calcium receptor-active compound and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the composition has a controlled dissolution profile. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition, as well as a method of treating a disease using the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A quiet zone generation technique is proposed for interference mitigation for a receive antenna by injecting the very interference signals via iterative processing, generating quiet zones dynamically for receive (RCV) antennas. The receive antenna may feature multiple receiving apertures distributed over a finite area. Optimization loops consist of four cascaded functional blocks; (1) a pick-up array to obtain the interference signals, (2) element weighting and/or repositioning processors, (3) an auxiliary transmit (XMIT) array with optimized element positions, (4) a diagnostic network with strategically located probes, and (5) an optimization processor with cost minimization algorithms. To minimize interferences between transmit (Tx) and receiving (Rx) apertures in limited space of an antenna farm for communications and/or radar applications are very tough problems.

Abstract: Methods of treating or ameliorating metabolic diseases using a PLA2G12A polypeptide or PLA2G12A mutant polypeptide are provided. In various embodiments the metabolic disease or disorder is type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia elevated glucose levels, elevated insulin levels and diabetic nephropathy.

Abstract: A multi-step silicon etching process has been developed to fabricate silicon-based terahertz (THz) waveguide components. This technique provides precise dimensional control across multiple etch depths with batch processing capabilities. Nonlinear and passive components such as mixers and multipliers waveguides, hybrids, OMTs and twists have been fabricated and integrated into a small silicon package. This fabrication technique enables a wafer-stacking architecture to provide ultra-compact multi-pixel receiver front-ends in the THz range.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods of treating a dialysis patient that is hyporesponsive to erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA) comprising administering soluble ferric triphosphate (SFP) composition and administering a dose of ESA that is significantly reduced compared to the dose of ESA required by a dialysis patient that is hyporesponsive to ESA that has not received SFP.

Abstract: The disclosure describes replication competent retroviral vectors (RCR) for gene therapy and gene delivery. The RCR includes an IRES sequence having 5-6A's in A-bulge of the bifurcation region.