Abstract: Methods for diagnosing altered neuropathology in an animal are disclosed, wherein said methods comprise imaging brain, spinal cord, or other neural tissue of the animal, analyzing the appearance of the tissue, and determining whether the appearance of the tissue is altered relative to corresponding unaltered tissue. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing spongiform encephalopathies in an animal, wherein said methods comprise imaging brain, spinal cord, or other neural tissues of the animal, analyzing the appearance of vacuoles in the tissue, and determining whether the appearance of the vacuoles in the tissue is altered relative to corresponding spongiform encephalopathy-free tissue. Also disclosed are automated methods for diagnosing altered neuropathy and spongiform encephalopathies.

Abstract: A device for discriminately illuminating a sample (22) to be viewed with excitation light (70). For example, an image taken with a CCD (10) provides feedback which is used to modulate the output of an excitation light source (40), thereby allowing a sample (22) to be viewed within the optimal range of detection for the particular CCD device (10) being used, despite the potential of wide dynamic ranges of sample luminescence.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing altered neuropathology in an animal are disclosed, wherein said methods comprise imaging brain, spinal cord, or other neural tissue of the animal, analyzing the appearance of the tissue, and determining whether the appearance of the tissue is altered relative to corresponding unaltered tissue. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing spongiform encephalopathies in an animal, wherein said methods comprise imaging brain, spinal cord, or other neural tissues of the animal, analyzing the appearance of vacuoles in the tissue, and determining whether the appearance of the vacuoles in the tissue is altered relative to corresponding spongiform encephalopathy-free tissue. Also disclosed are automated methods for diagnosing altered neuropathy and spongiform encephalopathies.

Abstract: In a method capable of notifying and buffering predetermined events in a program, a first program is broadcast on a first channel. While broadcasting the first programs, it is determined whether a predetermined event occurs in a second program broadcast on a second channel. If the predetermined event occurs in the second program, related contents of the predetermined event are buffered and a notification message is displayed on the first channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable media having programs for classifying sports video. In one embodiment, a method includes: extracting, from an audio stream of a video clip, a plurality of key audio components contained therein; and classifying, using at least one of the plurality of key audio components, a sport type contained in the video clip. In one embodiment, a computer readable medium having a computer program for classifying ports video includes: logic configured to extract a plurality of key audio components from a video clip; and logic configured to classify a sport type corresponding to the video clip.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable media having programs for analyzing video. In one embodiment, a method includes: detecting a plurality of whistle sounds in an audio stream of a video; and determining a video content based on a plurality of properties corresponding to the plurality of whistle sounds. In one embodiment a computer readable medium having a computer program for analyzing video includes: logic configured to generate a plurality of whistle sound patterns; logic configured to detect a whistle sound in a video; and logic configured to analyze the video using the whistle sound.

Abstract: A device for discriminately illuminating a sample (22) to be viewed with excitation light (70). For example, an image taken with a CCD (10) provides feedback which is used to modulate the output of an excitation light source (40), thereby allowing a sample (22) to be viewed within the optimal range of detection for the particular CCD device (10) being used, despite the potential of wide dynamic ranges of sample luminescence.

Abstract: The present invention provides three-dimensional hydrogel structures patterned by a treated micropattern mold. The treated mold is capable of transferring the inverse of its micropattern to a hydrogel by contact during formation or polymerization of the structure from a precursor. The treated micropattern mold surface allows the mold to be separated from the hydrogel without collapsing the structure or irreparably damaging its micropattern. The transferred micropattern may yield individual features and/or interconnected channels in the hydrogel. The invention also provides a hydrogel network fabricated by interfacing at least two hydrogels in which one or more of the hydrogels may be a micropatterned structure. Micropatterned hydrogel structures can also be specifically aligned to interconnect their patterns. Structures or networks of the invention comprise hydrogels that can adhere together by chemically bonding and/or mechanically entangling.

Abstract: An instrument to acquire and methods to obtain three-dimensional (3D) images from a series of two-dimensional (2D) images which are obtained without moving the relative positions of the target, the detector, or the focusing lens is disclosed. The 2D images consist of one centered image obtained with the aperture at the center of optical system, and at least two directional images obtained with apertures at off-axis locations. The images can be obtained simultaneously or sequentially. The blurred 2D images are sectioned by computational method using point spread function of the optical system resulting in a set of decoupled 2D layers of the 3D object. The layered images are then sharpened by deconvolution using point spread function. The 3D reconstructed image is displayed. This technique provides fast data acquisition and fast image reconstruction and eliminates problems associated with motion, phototoxicity and photobleaching.

Abstract: An add-on display module for a portable computer includes a mounting frame and a secondary display device framed in the mounting frame. The mounting frame is provided with fixing members. A first connector is provided on the primary display device of the portable computer and a second connector is provided on the secondary display device. The secondary display device is attached on a rear side of the primary display device of the portable computer by means of the mounting frame and electrically connected with the primary display device via the first connector and the second connector, so as to receive and display the image signal transmitted from the portable computer.

Abstract: An add-on display module for a portable computer includes a mounting frame and a secondary display device framed in the mounting frame. The mounting frame is provided with fixing members. A first connector is provided on the primary display device of the portable computer and a second connector is provided on the secondary display device. The secondary display device is attached on a rear side of the primary display device of the portable computer by means of the mounting frame and electrically connected with the primary display device via the first connector and the second connector, so as to receive and display the image signal transmitted from the portable computer.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for training a statistical parser by utilizing active learning techniques to reduce the size of the corpus of human-annotated training samples (e.g., sentences) needed is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the statistical parser under training is used to compare the grammatical structure of the samples according to the parser's current level of training. The samples are then divided into clusters, with each cluster representing samples having a similar structure as ascertained by the statistical parser. Uncertainty metrics are applied to the clustered samples to select samples from each cluster that reflect uncertainty in the statistical parser's grammatical model. These selected samples may then be annotated by a human trainer for training the statistical parser.

Abstract: An instrument to acquire and methods to obtain three-dimensional (3D) images from a series of two-dimensional (2D) images which are obtained without moving the relative positions of the target, the detector, or the focusing lens is disclosed. The 2D images consist of one centered image obtained with the aperture at the center of optical system, and at least two directional images obtained with apertures at off-axis locations. The images can be obtained simultaneously or sequentially. The blurred 2D images are sectioned by computational method using point spread function of the optical system resulting in a set of decoupled 2D layers of the 3D object. The layered images are then sharpened by deconvolution using point spread function. The 3D reconstructed image is displayed. This technique provides fast data acquisition and fast image reconstruction and eliminates problems associated with motion, phototoxicity and photobleaching.

Abstract: Apparatus for exciting a fluorescent or phosphorescent molecule applied to a specimen in a microscope, the molecule having a known excitation wavelength, comprises a semiconductor light source capable of emitting an output light within a preselected wavelength band correlated with the excitation wavelength of the molecule, an electronic controller coupled to the light source for controlling the intensity of the output light, and an optical system for converting the output light into an excitation beam having a pre-selected distribution of light flux suitable for illuminating the specimen. The semiconductor light source is preferably a light emitting diode or superluminescent diode. The subject invention provides for a fluorescence excitation illuminator having a long lifetime and relatively low cost. Intensity modulation or attenuation can be achieved electronically, without the need for shutters.

Abstract: The number of external column driver chip can be reduced to one in an active matrix liquid crystal display with column input multiplexing driving scheme. At least two sample and hold circuits are used for each column with alternate sampling and holding periods. Video signals are sampled and held at least twice during one line scanning time. These sample and hold circuits are all integrated in the driver chip.

Abstract: A redundant row select driver circuit system is provided for enhancing manufacturing yield and reducing manufacturing costs in the liquid crystal data displays. In particular, a row select driver circuit is provided with redundant subcircuits that can effectively replace any damaged subcircuit within the row select driver circuit. In addition, there is disclosed a capacitance compensating scheme to adjust the gray scale level in a damaged row select line with a break inside the display area. And finally, an enhanced diagnostic scheme is disclosed for testing of each row select driver subcircuits in a active matrix display having row select driver circuits connected to each end of row select lines.

Abstract: An LCD display having at least one redundant data driving circuit on a substrate that can be substituted for a defective data driving circuit on the substrate. These redundant subcircuits are exact copies of a column driving subcircuit except that some of the connecting points to the control and driving signal lines are not hardwired. That is, the connecting points are left as potential welding points. If a column driving circuit that is coupled to a particular input data line is damaged, then a redundant data driving subcircuit can be hardwired by welding the corresponding crossing points to compensate the damaged circuit. The damaged circuit is also disconnected (by using a laser cut or compatible methods) from the corresponding input data line and the internal data line as necessary.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating diseases characterized by hyperexcitability of neurons. An amount of a substituted pyrazinoylguanidine compound effective to regulate excitability of the neurons is administered. Substituted pyrazinoylguanidines having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is halogen and R.sup.1 is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, benzyl and optionally substituted benzyl are useful in the invention. The invention also discloses a method of treating neurons having hyperexcitable cell membranes.