Abstract: Power reduction and voltage adjustment techniques for computing systems and processing devices are presented herein. In one example, a method includes executing a voltage characterization service for a processing device of a computing apparatus to determine at least one supply voltage for the processing device, the voltage characterization service comprising a functional test that exercises the processing device at iteratively adjusted voltages in context with associated system elements of the computing apparatus. During execution of the voltage characterization service, the method includes monitoring for operational failures of at least the processing device, and responsive to the operational failures, determining at least one resultant supply voltage.

Abstract: Thermal reduction and voltage adjustment techniques for computing systems and processing devices are presented herein. In a first example, a method of operating a voltage control system for a processing device includes operating the processing device in a computing assembly at a selected performance level, the processing device supplied with at least one input voltage at a first voltage level. The method includes monitoring thermal information associated with the computing assembly, and when the thermal information indicates a temperature associated with the computing assembly exceeds a threshold temperature, adjusting the at least one input voltage level supplied to the processing device to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level and continuing to operate the processing device at the selected performance level.

Abstract: Mutations that affect mRNA splicing often produce multiple mRNA isoforms containing different exon structures. Definition of an exon and its inclusion in mature mRNA relies on joint recognition of both acceptor and donor splice sites. The instant methodology predicts cryptic and exon skipping isoforms in mRNA produced by splicing mutations from the combined information contents and the distribution of the splice sites and other regulatory binding sites defining these exons. In its simplest form, the total information content of an exon, Ri,total, is the sum of the information contents of its corresponding acceptor and donor splice sites, adjusted for the self-information of the exon length. Differences between Ri,total values of mutant versus normal exons that are concordant with gene expression data demonstrate alterations in the structures and relative abundance of the mRNA transcripts resulting from these mutations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus that treats waste water, in particular waste water containing surfactants and including grey water, for local reuse. According to the invention, the process comprises a) collecting waste water in a reservoir; b) injecting gas into waste water from the reservoir to form bubbles in the waste water; c) separating the bubbles, and any entrained contaminants, from the waste water; d) drying the separated bubbles and returning any water recovered from the dried bubbles to the waste water undergoing treatment; e) optionally repeating steps b) to d) to achieve the desired purification of the waste water; and f) collecting the purified waste water. The invention provides a robust process and a mechanically simple apparatus that does not require regular replacement of chemicals or filters, yet is capable of treating waste water locally, and in particular grey water for household reuse.

Abstract: A method for determining genes in breast cancer that are stable in copy number, expression and sequence in tumors from nearly all patients. Certain stable genes are targets of standard chemotherapy. The effectiveness of therapies that act upon these targets depends on maintaining the stability and integrity of these genes in tumors. Mutations in these targets result in poor response to therapies that target these gene products. In the instant invention, ordinarily stable gene targets are characterized as either normal or mutant for the purpose of determining whether to include or exclude particular drugs as potential treatments.

Abstract: The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to implantable devices for the treatment of syndesmosis injuries. Embodiments include a first anchor attachable to a first bone, the first anchor being coupled to a flexible component, the flexible component in turn being coupled to a base component. The base component may be rigid, and may be externally threaded for engaging with a second anchor. Position of the second anchor may be adjusted by rotating the second anchor with respect to the base component, thereby adjusting relative position of the two bones. An assembly may be created in which an outer tube contains the flexible component and the base component inside the outer tube, and at its distal end the outer tube may engage the first anchor so as to allow transmission of torque. The outer tube may be withdrawn proximally after implantation of the first anchor. The bones may be a tibia and a fibula.

Abstract: A method is described for the automatic validation of DNA sequencing variants that alter mRNA splicing from nucleic acids isolated from a patient or tissue sample. Evidence the a predicted splicing mutation is demonstrated by performing statistically valid comparisons between sequence read counts of abnormal RNA species in mutant versus non-mutant tissues. The method leverages large numbers of control samples to corroborate the consequences of predicted splicing variants in complete genomes and exomes for individuals carrying such mutations. Because the method examines all transcript evidence in a genome, it is not necessary a priori to know which gene or genes carry a splicing mutation.

Abstract: A method for determining genes in breast cancer that are stable in copy number, expression and sequence in tumors from nearly all patients. Certain stable genes are targets of standard chemotherapy. The effectiveness of therapies that act upon these targets depends on maintaining the stability and integrity of these genes in tumors. Mutations in these targets result in poor response to therapies that target these gene products. In the instant invention, ordinarily stable gene targets are characterized as either normal or mutant for the purpose of determining whether to include or exclude particular drugs as potential treatments.

Abstract: Mutations that affect mRNA splicing often produce multiple mRNA isoforms containing different exon structures. Definition of an exon and its inclusion in mature mRNA relies on joint recognition of both acceptor and donor splice sites. The instant methodology predicts cryptic and exon skipping isoforms in mRNA produced by splicing mutations from the combined information contents and the distribution of the splice sites and other regulatory binding sites defining these exons. In its simplest form, the total information content of an exon, Ri,total, is the sum of the information contents of its corresponding acceptor and donor splice sites, adjusted for the self-information of the exon length. Differences between Ri,total values of mutant versus normal exons are consistent with the relative abundance of these exons in distinct processed mRNAs.

Abstract: Devices and methods that mitigate reperfusion injury (RI) in a clinically practical manner so as to avoid significantly increasing time to reperfusion. In general, these systems and methods involve an antegrade approach to deliver a fluid to the myocardium at risk of RI before, during and after reperfusion is established by a percutaneous coronary intervention such as aspiration and stenting.

Abstract: A method for determining radiation exposure from chromosome abnormalities present in a specimen by determining the location or locations of the centromere of each chromosome in a cell in an image of a metaphase cell by segmentation of an accurately drawn chromosome centerline followed by selection of a longitudinal cross-section with the minimum width or intensity or width and intensity; counting the number of centromeres in each chromosome in each cell; computing the frequency of dicentric chromosomes in a population of cells; and determining the radiation dose by comparing the computed frequency of dicentric chromosomes with a previously determined dose-response curve from a calibrated source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus that treats waste water, in particular waste water containing surfactants and including grey water, for local reuse. According to the invention, the process comprises a) collecting waste water in a reservoir; b) injecting gas into waste water from the reservoir to form bubbles in the waste water; c) separating the bubbles, and any entrained contaminants, from the waste water; d) drying the separated bubbles and returning any water recovered from the dried bubbles to the waste water undergoing treatment; e) optionally repeating steps b) to d) to achieve the desired purification of the waste water; and f) collecting the purified waste water.

Abstract: A method for determining radiation exposure from chromosome abnormalities present in a specimen by determining the location or locations of the centromere of each chromosome in a cell in an image of a metaphase cell by segmentation of an accurately drawn chromosome centerline followed by selection of a longitudinal cross-section with the minimum width or intensity or width and intensity; counting the number of centromeres in each chromosome in each cell; computing the frequency of dicentric chromosomes in a population of cells; and determining the radiation dose by comparing the computed frequency of dicentric chromosomes with a previously determined dose-response curve from a calibrated source.

Abstract: Baroreflex activation is achieved by providing suitable control signals to a baroreflex activation device. A method comprises establishing a therapy interval within the therapy interval, establishing a plurality of dose intervals, and generating an electrical output signal. The electrical output signal has a time dependence such that the average electrical power applied to the baroreflex activation device differs between first and second portions of at least some dose intervals. Another method comprises establishing a series of therapy interval portions, during at least some therapy intervals, establishing a plurality of burst intervals, and generating an electrical output signal. The electrical output signal has a time dependence such that the average electrical power applied to the baroreflex activation device differs between first and second portions of the therapy intervals and also differs between first and second portions of at least some burst intervals.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to implantable devices for the treatment of syndesmosis injuries. More specifically, the various embodiments include systems, devices, and methods for implantation of an implantable device having at least one bone anchor for treating such injuries.

Abstract: The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber.

Abstract: The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber.

Abstract: A monitoring device is provided to monitor a patient. The monitoring device includes at least one lead having an electrode. The lead is positioned proximate a location within the patient's body, and the lead is adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity. The monitoring device also includes a control system coupled to the at least one lead to receive a signal representative of the cardiac electrical activity.

Abstract: A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway in a frontal sinus of a patient includes forming an artificial passageway into the frontal sinus of the patient with a tool. An elongate member having an inflation member thereon is inserted through the passageway. The inflation member is positioned with the constricted sinus passageway and the inflation member is expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted sinus passageway.