Abstract: The disclosure includes a composition including a poly(L-glutamic acid) and a NIRF dye. It also includes a method including providing to a plurality of cells an imaging agent including poly(L-glutamic acid), a NIRF dye and then imaging the cells to detect the imaging agent. It further includes a dual functional contrast agent including an MRI agent conjugated with an optical imaging agent. A method of detecting cancer is provided including injecting a dual functional contrast agent into a patient and performing both an MRI and an optical scan. The presence of the agent may indicate cancer. A method of detecting cancer by injecting PG-DTPA-Gd-NIR813 into a patient, then detecting the presence or absence of Gd in a cell or tissue of the patient and detecting the presence or absence of NIR813 in a cell or tissue of the patient is provided. The presence of Gd and NIR813 may indicate cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a non-invasive method for determining the presence or absence of cancerous cells in the skin and deeper tissue levels. The system includes a portable handheld laser coupled with a spectroscopy system to produce real-time material analysis of the presence of cancerous cells without sample preparation. The system focuses a high peak power laser pulse onto a targeted material to produce a laser spark or micro-plasma. Elemental line spectra emission is created, collected and analyzed by a spectrophotometer. The line spectra emission data is quickly displayed on a laptop computer. “Eye-safe” Class I lasers provide for practical in-situ laser plasma spectroscopy applications such as detection of cancerous skin tissues. The emission data can be used to detect changes in the levels of a series of elements that are associated with cancerous cells versus normal skin cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compounds and their use to treat cell proliferative diseases such as cancer. Compounds of the present invention display significant potency as inhibitors of Jak2/STAT3 pathways and downstream targets and inhibit the growth and survival of cancerous cell lines.

Abstract: A Random Access Error Detection and Correction unit (RAEDAC) that incorporates a bit-wise error detection and correction unit (BEDAC) in a memory system. In one embodiment, a word-wise error detection and correction unit (WEDAC) operates in coordination with a BEDAC that performs a bit-wise parity calculation. In another embodiment, a WEDAC operates in coordination with a full bit-wise BEDAC that calculates bit-wise check bits. The RAEDAC may be applied to create a multi-dimensional EDAC where, for example, the memory is partitioned into a stack of planes, and a stack-wise error detection and correction unit (SEDAC) is implemented.

Abstract: A plurality of gas turbine components or other articles are manufactured from a plurality of metallic-alloy workpieces using a manufacturing apparatus having a metalworking apparatus, and an annealing apparatus wherein the individual workpieces are annealed by single-workpiece annealing and not by large-batch annealing. A workpiece flow of the plurality of workpieces is established sequentially through the metalworking apparatus and the annealing apparatus.

Abstract: A FireNet security system in which trustworthy networks, called BlackNets, each comprising One (1) or more client computers, are protected by FireBreaks against attacks from untrustworthy networks, called RedNets. All incoming transactions from the RedNet are examined by the FireBreak to determine if they violate any of a plurality of protection rules stored in a local protection rules database. Any transaction found to be in violation is discarded. Valid transactions are forwarded to the BlackNet. If an otherwise valid transaction is found to be suspicious, the FireBreak will forward to a FireNet Server relevant information relating to that transaction. If the FireNet Server verifies that the transaction is indeed part of an attack, the FireNet Server will create new protection rules suitable to defend against the newly identified source or strategy of attack. Periodically, all FireBreaks in the FireNet system will transfer, directly or indirectly, all new rules.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include information services, methods and systems to facilitate gathering and management of information by home users and professional users of information gathering, processing, and distribution services, and user interfaces through which users communicate with information services. In one embodiment of the present invention, a central information gathering, processing, and distribution service provides a simple, but robust and highly functional, interface to remote home users and professional users to allow the home users and professional users to continuously receive updated information gleaned from continuous searching of the Internet and other information sources by the information service. The interface allows users to define, refine, and stably store interests that define information searches continuously carried out, on behalf of the user, by the information gathering, processing, and distribution service.

Abstract: A folding play yard which includes a generally horizontal upper frame comprised of members including end sections pivotally connected to latches for maintaining the end sections in horizontal alignment when the play yard is deployed. A lower frame is comprised of a vertically moveable central release mechanism and diagonal braces extending from said release mechanism to lower ends of vertical members. Lower side members each having end sections connected to a central hinge may also be provided Vertical members join the upper and lower frames. Latch release means such as cables are connected to the latches and extend to anchors in the vertical members, whereby upward movement of the release mechanism and ends of the diagonal braces tightens the latch release means and releases the latches for folding.

Abstract: A system, computer program and method for developing a graphical user interface (GUI) in a computer program. The invention allows developers to control the properties of interface components according to the state of a program during execution. According to the invention, a GUI development environment may be configured to provide a GUI builder for creating the GUI, display an interface component with at least one interface component property to be instantiated in the GUI, display a property interface to input at least one value for the interface component property in response to an event detectable by the computer program during GUI program execution, and automatically generate GUI program code effectuating the value for the interface component property in response to the event detectable by the computer program during GUI program execution.

Abstract: A relatively simple and inexpensive method to increase the operational lifetime of semiconductor laser diode elements and light emitting diodes (LEDs) is disclosed. The semiconductor laser diode element is placed in contact with a non-electrically conductive, chemically inert liquid. Preferably the liquid is a perfluorinated liquid. This results in a dramatically increased operational lifetime for the semiconductor laser diode element by preventing damaging heat build up to vulnerable areas of the laser diode element, such as the p-n junction. This method can work with the liquid being either static or flowing. The disclosed method can be used when the semiconductor laser diode element is used either as a laser itself or when it is used to optically pump another lasing element. The liquid can also be in contact with the lasing element, collimating lens, sub-mounts, or thermoelectric coolers in a lasing assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a system, methods and compositions for attaching architectural panels to a building surface, such as a wall. In certain embodiments, the system comprises panels, each with upper, lower and side interlocking members. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower interlocking members form a modified tongue and groove joint, with a 45 degree angle interface, while the side interlocking members form a ship lap joint. The upper and lower interlocking members may be designed to press the panels against the building surface and to hide the locations of screws or other attachment devices when the interlocking members are engaged. The system provides a stronger and more secure attachment of panels to a building surface, while eliminating the problem of having to disguise the location of the attachment devices where such devices are inserted directly through the surface of the panel.

Abstract: A system which cyclically applies and reduces a load on a test specimen and which can use an apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a load adjusting section having a fluidic mechanical muscle that contracts and extends in length to cyclically apply and reduce a load; (c) a load train section for subjecting a test specimen to the load; and (d) a lever arm configured to apply and reduce the load from the loading adjusting section to the load train section. The system and apparatus can be used in a method for cyclically applying and reducing a load on a test specimen to thereby subject the test specimen to tensile testing and can also comprise a mechanism for decoupling at least a portion of the load from the test specimen when the load is reduced.

Abstract: An improved toy football having a plurality of fins dimensioned to stabilize the toy football while in flight, to provide for a controlled throw, and to reduce drag so that the toy football may be thrown farther than prior art toy footballs. An improved toy football for use at night or in areas where there is little light. A method for increasing throwing distance of a toy football.

Abstract: A method and software tool for performing an operation on a graphic object in a display of overlapping graphic objects in a data processing system are provided. The method comprises the steps of detecting the position of a pointer on the display; displaying to a user an indication of potential target objects of the operation which coincide with the pointer position; detecting a selection of one of the indicated potential target objects as the target object; and performing the operation on the selected object. In the case where the target object is not the outermost layer of the graphic objects on the display, the method may also comprise temporarily making the selected target object visible during performance of the operation on the target object by making the overlying objects transparent. Thus embodiments of the invention avoid the need to rearrange the layers of the objects and achieve manipulation of an obscured object in a single mouse operation.

Abstract: A plastic disruption and homogenization device. The device has rotor that is axially disposed within a stator. The stator and the rotor have several teeth to aid the disruption and homogenization process. The device consists of plastic material that allows the rotor to rotate smoothly without the use of bearings.

Abstract: A plastic disruption and homogenization device. The device has rotor that is axially disposed within a stator. The stator and the rotor have several teeth to aid the disruption and homogenization process. The device consists of plastic material that allows the rotor to rotate smoothly without the use of bearings.

Abstract: An extruder-mixer has a plurality of rotor rings provided on the downstream end of a motor driven extruder shaft mounted for rotation in a conventional heated barrel or stator. The rings comprise a plurality of spaced driven rotor rings spaced apart from each other and a plurality of non-driven but rotatable floating rings interleaved between each pair of driven rotor rings. Both rings have parallel upstream and downstream faces between which polymer flow passageways extend so that the polymer melt moves downstream first through one type of ring followed by movement through the other type of ring and the viscosity of the melt causes the rotatable floating rings to be rotated by the driven rings at a slower speed than the driven rings so that shearing force on the melt effects mixing of the melt.

Abstract: A feedscrew for an extruder or molding apparatus has an elongated body with a helical thread formed thereon defining a first channel "A ". At the start of a mixing section, a channel "B " is cut in the center of the channel "A " and both channels are of the same pitch. The channels start at the same depth, but the channel A decreases in depth to a minimum and the channel B increases in depth to a maximum. The channel B then decreases in depth to a minimum and the channel A increases in depth to a maximum where the channels are again at the same depth. This channel within a channel configuration is repeated along the mixing section. The purpose of the arrangement is to compress and decompress the material being fed through the assembly to obtain the desired mixing action for low shear homogenization of the viscous plastic polymer.

Abstract: A check valve for use in controlling the flow of thermoplastic material in an injection molding apparatus includes a valve body having an axially extending chamber formed therein with an inlet opening and an outlet opening through which the material can flow. An poppet is slidably movable in the chamber between a valve closed position and a selected valve open position. The poppet has an inlet end with a conical shape and the chamber has a complementary taper portion adjacent the inlet opening, the inlet end and the taper portion sealingly cooperating for preventing flow of material through said chamber when said poppet is in the valve closed position. An adjusting ring is positioned in the chamber for selective movement between a minimum open position and a maximum open position, the adjusting ring being externally threaded for threadably engaging an internal thread formed in the chamber.