Abstract: The invention relates to estimating the global motion between frames of a motion-compensated inter-frame encoded video sequence, directly from the motion vectors encoded within the frames. For any particular frame, a motion estimation is determined from motion vectors direct from the frame's anchor frame to the frame in question. This motion estimation is then checked against pre-determined criteria, and where the criteria are not met, re-estimation along a different route is performed, using the bi-directional motion vectors contained within B-frames. A panoramic image generating method and system which makes uses of the global motion estimations thus obtained is also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reversibly binding chitin binding domain (CBD) to a chitin or equivalent substrate under non denaturing conditions. CBD is modified preferably by a mutation to achieve this change in properties. In one embodiment, an aromatic amino acid residue located in the binding cleft of the CBD was altered resulting in reversible binding affinity for substrate in select conditions. Creating a modified CBD with an altered binding affinity for substrate provides new uses for CBD not previously possible with unmodified CBD which binds irreversibly to chitin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reversibly binding chitin binding domain (CBD) to a chitin or equivalent substrate under non denaturing conditions. CBD is modified preferably by a mutation to achieve this change in properties. In one embodiment, an aromatic amino acid residue located in the binding cleft of the CBD was altered resulting in reversible binding affinity for substrate in select conditions. Creating a modified CBD with an altered binding affinity for substrate provides new uses for CBD not previously possible with unmodified CBD which binds irreversibly to chitin.

Abstract: Audio/Visual data is classified into semantic classes such as News, Sports, Music video or the like by providing class models for each class and comparing input audio visual data to the models. The class models are generated by extracting feature vectors from training samples, and then subjecting the feature vectors to kernel discriminant analysis or principal component analysis to give discriminatory basis vectors. These vectors are then used to obtain further feature vector of much lower dimension than the original feature vectors, which may then be used directly as a class model, or used to train a Gaussian Mixture Model or the like. During classification of unknown input data, the same feature extraction and analysis steps are performed to obtain the low-dimensional feature vectors, which are then fed into the previously created class models to identify the data genre.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reversibly binding chitin binding domain (CBD) to a chitin or equivalent substrate under non denaturing conditions. CBD is modified preferably by a mutation to achieve this change in properties. In one embodiment, an aromatic amino acid residue located in the binding cleft of the CBD was altered resulting in reversible binding affinity for substrate in select conditions. Creating a modified CBD with an altered binding affinity for substrate provides new uses for CBD not previously possible with unmodified CBD which binds irreversibly to chitin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reversibly binding chitin binding domain (CBD) to a chitin or equivalent substrate under non denaturing conditions. CBD is modified preferably by a mutation to achieve this change in properties. In one embodiment, an aromatic amino acid residue located in the binding cleft of the CBD was altered resulting in reversible binding affinity for substrate in select conditions. Creating a modified CBD with an altered binding affinity for substrate provides new uses for CBD not previously possible with unmodified CBD which binds irreversibly to chitin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reversibly binding chitin binding domain (CBD) to a chitin or equivalent substrate under non denaturing conditions. CBD is modified preferably by a mutation to achieve this change in properties. In one embodiment, an aromatic amino acid residue located in the binding cleft of the CBD was altered resulting in reversible binding affinity for substrate in select conditions. Creating a modified CBD with an altered binding affinity for substrate provides new uses for CBD not previously possible with unmodified CBD which binds irreversibly to chitin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for extracting the luminance and chrominance values of pixels encoded according to MPEG or JPEG encoding using a forward discrete cosine transform (DCT). The invention applies theoretical work to mathematically analyse the forward DCT used in MPEG encoding to derive a set of equations which directly relate a pixel value in an encoded image to one or more of the DCT coefficients obtained via the forward DCT transform in the usual image encoding process. These predetermined equations are used in the invention to allow for extremely fast and computationally efficient extraction of pixel values directly from the DCT coefficients of an encoded pixel block, without having to undergo an inverse DCT transform. The invention is expected to be of use in any application where it is desirable to extract original images from MPEG and JPEG encoded versions in a fast and efficient manner.

Abstract: A new type of transgene system is disclosed which allows efficient protein expression in a target host such as a plant, but avoids the undesirable result of the migration of the transgene into related host system and/or to the environment via the pollen. The methods described herein may also be applied to the expression of virtually any protein of interest (e.g. a toxic protein) in eukaryotic (yeast, insect, mammalian cells, etc.) and prokaryotic (E. coli, etc.) organisms.

Abstract: A method for the ligation of expressed proteins which utilizes inteins, for example the RIR1 intein from Methanobacterium thermotrophicum, is provided. Constructs of the Mth RIR1 intein in which either the C-terminal asparagine or N-terminal cysteine of the intein are replaced with alanine enable the facile isolation of a protein with a specified N-terminal, for example, cysteine for use in the fusion of two or more expressed proteins. The method involves the steps of generating a C-terminal thioester-tagged target protein and a second target protein having a specified N-terminal via inteins, such as the modified Mth RIR1 intein, and ligating these proteins. A similar method for producing a cyclic or polymerized protein is provided. Modified inteins engineered to cleave at their C-terminus or N-terminus, respectively, and DNA and plasmids encoding these modified inteins are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for performing correspondence estimation between pixels of a stereo image pair to obtain matching information for corresponding pixels in each image. To perform a match for a particular pixel in a first image firstly an adaptive curve is constructed about the pixel, being a sequence of connected pixels with similar intensity values to the pixel being matched. The adaptive curve thus constructed is then used as a matching element within the second image to find a matching pixel representative of the same 3D scene point in the second image to the particular pixel. By performing matching in this manner for every pixel in an image, accurate disparity maps can be obtained which are then used in a known image synthesis algorithm to produce novel images of a scene of improved quality.

Abstract: Improved methods for purification, detection or characterization of molecules have been described in embodiments of the present invention. The improved methods rely on the ability to create a carrier reagent which is capable of (i) binding to a matrix either specifically or non-specifically; and (ii) forming a covalent linkage with any ligand having a nucleophilic group or a thioester as a result of a simple reaction which does not require a variety of chemical reagents or sophisticated chemistry. The covalent linkage between the carrier and the ligand relies on the chemical reaction between a thioester and a nucleophilic group. The carrier should either contain a reactive thioester which if it is a protein should be at the C-terminal end of the protein or a reactive nucleophilic group which if it is a protein should be at the N-terminal end and should preferably be a cysteine or selenocysteine.

Abstract: A new type of transgene system is disclosed which allows efficient protein expression in a target host such as a plant, but avoids the undesirable result of the migration of the transgene into related host systems and/or to the environment via the pollen. The methods described herein may also be applied to the expression of virtually any protein of interest (e.g. a toxic protein) in eukaryotic (yeast, insect, mammalian cells, etc.) and prokaryotic (E. coli, etc.) organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining a sequence of intensity measures corresponding to each of a sequence of video frames, the method being used particularly but not exclusively for selection of videos according to user preferences and for providing highlights from a video sequence.

Abstract: Laser welding is used to attach a laser-transparent component portion to an absorbing component portion at a laser weld joint area. The transparent component portion includes a first weld surface and a first taper locking surface formed opposite from the first weld surface. The absorbing component portion includes a second weld surface and a second taper locking surface formed opposite from the second weld surface. Prior to laser welding, the first and second taper locking surfaces cooperate to force and lock the first and second weld surfaces into abutting engagement at a predetermined pressure. A laser beam is then directed toward the first and second weld surfaces to permanently attach the component portions together. The first and second taper locking surfaces maintain the predetermined pressure during the laser welding process.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reversibly binding chitin binding domain (CBD) to a chitin or equivalent substrate under non denaturing conditions. CBD is modified preferably by a mutation to achieve this change in properties. In one embodiment, an aromatic amino acid residue located in the binding cleft of the CBD was altered resulting in reversible binding affinity for substrate in select conditions. Creating a modified CBD with an altered binding affinity for substrate provides new uses for CBD not previously possible with unmodified CBD which binds irreversibly to chitin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the in vitro or in vivo cyclization of protein or peptide sequences. Also disclosed is a method of fusing polypeptide sequences while bound to a solid support These protein manipulation techniques relied on the trans-splicing activity of a split intein such as the naturally occuring split intein form the DnaE gene of Synechocysil sp. PCC6803 (Ssp DnaE intein). The cyclization procedures required the fusion of C- and N-terminal intern splicing domains to the N- and C-termini, respectively, of a target protein (Ineinc-target protein-InteinN). Cyclization in vivo occurred post-translationally when the two complementary intein splicing domains ligated the N- and C-terminus of the target protein. In vitro cyclization also utilized and InteinC-target protein-InteinN precursor protein, in which the intein domains were fused to a chitin binding domain (CBD). Protein expression was conducted under conditions that favored the accumulation of precursor protein.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a method and system for processing an image recorded by an imaging device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to modified proteins and methods of their production. The modified proteins comprise a controllable intervening protein sequence (CIVPS) inserted into or adjacent a target protein, the CIVPS being capable of excision from or cleavage of the modified protein under predetermined conditions in cis or in trans, i.e., increase in temperature, exposure to light, unblocking of amino acid residues by dephosphorylation, treatment with chemical reagents or deglycosylation. If desired, the modified protein can be subjected to these conditions. The CIVPS may also be inserted into a region that substantially inactivates target protein activity. The CIVPS may be used in a number of applications including purification of the target protein in a one-step protocol.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for making .alpha.-olefins. In the chain growth reaction step of the process a jet loop reactor is used to fully use high pressure ethylene, and two or more stages of the chain growth reaction is used to raise the selectivity of C.sub.6-10 olefins.