Abstract: The invention relates to methods for diagnosis of tuberculosis in an animal, the methods comprising determining the presence or absence of, or an immune response to a group of antigens comprising (i) the group consisting of Rv3616 antigen, MPB70 antigen, MPB83 antigen, and ESAT 6 antigen; or (ii) at least seven of the antigens of the group consisting of Rv3616 antigen, MPB70 antigen, MPB83 antigen, ESAT 6 antigen, CFP10 antigen, ? crystalline 2 antigen, PE35 antigen, and PPE68 antigen. Also provided is a method for the diagnosis of the presence of tuberculosis in a reservoir animal e.g. a badger, said method comprising determining the presence or absence of, or an immune response to Rv3616 antigen, MPB70 antigen, and MPB83 antigen. Kits for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A drug delivery balloon (10) has a drug thereon in the form of crystalline particles (12), the drug having a predetermined size distribution. Optionally marker particles (14, 16) are also provided. A texturized coating (18), a cap layer (20) and/or other methods may be used to increase particle loading capacity of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that enables the preparation of fully cooked farinaceous products with sensory properties that are comparable to those of fried products, but having a substantially lower fat content than their fried counterparts. More particularly, the invention relates a method of preparing a fully cooked farinaceous food product, said method comprising the successive steps of: preparing a farinaceous dough or batter by mixing flour, water and optionally one or more other bakery ingredients; dividing the dough or batter into one or more portions; and cooking said one or more portions by exposing them (i) for in total 20-600 seconds to infrared radiation, more than 50% of the energy content of said infrared radiation stemming from infrared radiation having a wavelength in the range of 0.7-10 ?m and (ii) for in total 20-600 seconds to impingement with hot air having a temperature of at least 150° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising at least two chemically different fluorophores, providing a donor and an acceptor respectively, connected together by at least one linker moiety and bonded to a binder moiety.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airfoil for a third stage nozzle guide vane having an external surface with first and second sides. The external surface extends spanwise between a hub and a tip and streamwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil. The external surface includes a contour substantially defined by Table 1 as listed in the specification.

Abstract: Visual interaction with an analytics-driven model view composition application. The application includes a data-model binding component that binds input data to model parameters, an analytics solver component that solves for remaining unknown model parameters, and a view composition component that generates a view composition using the model parameters. In one visual interaction, various solutions of the model are provided in alternative views of various view compositions in a single integrated composition. In another interaction, regardless of whether there are multiple view compositions illustrated in a single integrated view, there might be visual prompts in the view composition that suggest an adjustment to make that might move the value of a particular model parameter in a desired direction.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is separated from a gas stream using a supported carrier liquid membrane having a selected concentration of carrier species, the method being especially suitable for use in anaesthesia under conditions of periodic flow.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method that can include: sending software to a first information device and to a second information device, the software adapted to cause display of information regarding user-selected items; receiving an identifier of a selected item; and providing the identifier to the software on the second information device.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method that can include: sending software to a first information device and to a second information device, the software adapted to cause display of information regarding user-selected items; and providing content to the software running on the second information device, the software adapted to cause the content to be rendered via the second information device.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided, which include a nanoparticle-derived inorganic layer disposed over a least a portion of structure that includes a substrate, and optionally, a therapeutic-agent-containing layer disposed over at least a portion of the substrate. In some embodiments, the inorganic layer is a nanoporous inorganic layer. Other aspects of the invention comprise methods for forming such medical device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing three-dimensional image data to render an image from a viewpoint within or beyond an occluding region of the image data are disclosed. According to one method, a set of three-dimensional image data is accessed. The image data includes image data for a surface of interest and image data for a region occluding the surface of interest from a desired viewpoint. The viewpoint may be within or beyond the occluding region. A plurality of rays is cast from the viewpoint to the surface. Along each ray, an occlusion determination is made independent from a volume rendering transfer function definition to render voxels within the occluding region as transparent or partially transparent. The volume rendering transfer function is applied along a portion of each ray outside of the occluding region to render voxels defining surface of interest as visible. The voxels that define the surface are displayed as visible.

Abstract: An implantable or insertable medical device is provided which includes as components: (a) a substrate component comprising a depression that is at least partially filled with a therapeutic agent-containing material that comprises a first therapeutic agent, and (b) a pre-formed filter insert disposed in the depression such that it regulates transport of chemical species between the depression and the exterior of the device upon implantation or insertion of the device in vivo.

Abstract: An implantable or insertable medical device is provided which includes as components: (a) a substrate component comprising a depression that is at least partially filled with a therapeutic agent-containing material that comprises a first therapeutic agent, and (b) a particulate composition disposed in the depression such that it regulates transport of chemical species between the depression and the exterior of the device upon implantation or insertion of the device into a subject.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for generating a graphical image of at least part of an object provided within a hierarchically divided region of space from a plurality of stored graphical representations, of the differently sized sub-regions of the space is described. The method comprises: determining a viewing distance between the object and a viewpoint from which the object is being viewed; and using the determined viewing distance to select, from the plurality of stored graphical representations, a graphical representation of a sub-region of the space in which at least part of the object resides, the size of the selected sub-region corresponding to the calculated viewing distance and determining the level of detail of the graphical image of at least part of the object to be generated. The method has particular application in the computer games field where creating three-dimensional simulations of the world and objects within it is highly desirable.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a tank includes a cap shell and a cylindrical insert connected by a lost motion connection defining a first stop and a second stop for relative axial movement. A dome extends inwardly from the cylindrical insert and includes an orifice defining a valve seat. A stem includes a mating edge for engaging the valve seat. The mating edge abuts the valve seat and displaces the dome axially to seal the orifice at the first stop, and is spaced from the valve seat to at the second stop. Opening the valve allows vapor to vent from the tank along a tortuous path defined through an aperture and between the cap shell and the cylindrical insert. The aperture is open or sealed with the valve depending on the relative position of the cap shell and cylindrical insert.

Abstract: A terminal for presenting menu information and advertising information to consumers at an outlet for goods or services, such as a take away food bar. The two types of information are preferably displayed by different software subsystems on different screens, with the menu information being displayed on a touchscreen. Advertising information is preferably displayed in advance of expected menu information.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.