Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of use to enhance reprogramming of mammalian cells. Certain compositions and methods of the invention are of use to enhance generation of induced pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming somatic cells. Certain compositions and methods of the invention are of use to enhance reprogramming of pluripotent mammalian cells to a differentiated cell type. Certain compositions and methods of the invention are of use to enhance reprogramming of differentiated mammalian cells of a first cell type to differentiated mammalian cells of a second differentiated cell type. The reprogrammed somatic cells are useful for a number of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that enhances or contributes to reprogramming mammalian cells. Certain of the inventive compositions and methods relate to inhibiting histone methylation.

Abstract: The invention provides micro-optical and fiber based solutions to the problem of reflective telescopes with secondary or tertiary obscurations, and further, it ameliorates secondary or tertiary obscurations in compact reflective fiber-coupled telescopes configured as optical transmitters. One solution uses a custom hollow optical fiber and lens system to generate an annular beam that would not be obscured by the telescope secondary obscuration. Another solution uses a fiber coupled micro-axicon lens assembly to achieve the same result.

Abstract: A hand-held device, such as a remote control, has a time-limited feature, such as backlight illumination, that is caused to be activated upon the occurrence of a triggering event sensed by a triggering sensor, such as a motion sensor. The hand-held device functions to disable and/or downwardly adjust a time period during which the time-limited feature will be allowed to be active upon a future occurrence of a triggering event in response to the device determining that a predetermined number of trigger events sensed via the triggering sensor are false trigger events. The time-limited feature may be disabled by disabling the triggering sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with client-side production in a personal computer environment of low bandwidth images and audio. A series of low bandwidth still images along with a “script” and audio data is sent over a network in a client/server architecture or is read from a compact disk or other memory. A “director” module residing in a client personal computer uses the “script” to tell the computer how to execute a sequence of “moves” on the still images. These moves include cuts, dissolves, fades, wipes, focuses, flying planes and digital video effects such as push and pull. Moves within a still image occur in real time, and are relatively smooth and continuous as compared to prior art network video. Low bandwidth is achieved because most of the production is done at the client location without relying upon slow, bandwidth-limited downloading of conventional network video formats.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention are directed toward determining the effectiveness of advertising in a virtual universe. Specifically, under the present invention, a visit by an avatar to a region of the VU that includes targeted advertising content is registered. Then, the following avatar attributes are determined: a proximity to the target advertising content by the avatar; an avatar directionality of the avatar with respect to the target advertising content; a camera directionality of a camera object associated with the avatar; and a time with respect to which the avatar may be exposed to the target advertising content in the region. Thereafter, at least one score is assigned to the visit, the proximity, the directionality, and the time. An effectiveness score is then calculated based on the at least one score. The overall effectiveness of the target advertising content is then calculated based on the at least one score.

Abstract: The present invention provides various approaches for disseminating emergency broadcasting messages or other messages of importance (hereinafter “alerts”) within virtual world environments such that interested virtual world residents can be made aware of matters of importance based on their physical world locations (e.g., without respect to the locale of their current virtual world presence).

Abstract: Hydrogels, methods of preparing hydrogels, and ophthalmic lenses comprising hydrogels are described. Fully hydrated embodiments of the hydrogels have relatively high water content and oxygen permeability, along with relatively low modulus of elasticity. Embodiments of the hydrogels in substantially dehydrated condition are adapted to lathe cutting at or above room temperature. Embodiments of contact lenses made with the silicone hydrogels have low on-eye water loss.

Abstract: Enhancements to a drill motor include a bearing pack assembly, a balancing piston, a recording transducer package (RTP), and a latch rod assembly for a drill motor to improve performance and reliability of a drill motor. The bearing pack assembly includes a bearing housing coupled to an end cap and a drive shaft extending into the end cap and the bearing housing. The bearing pack assembly also includes a thrust bearing disposed within the bearing housing, wherein the thrust bearing separates the drive shaft and the bearing housing, and a bearing sleeve disposed within the bearing housing, wherein a radial bearing is placed between the bearing sleeve and the drive shaft. The balancing piston includes a first and second hydrodynamic seal. The recording transducer package is self powered and gathers data from a plurality of sensors in the downhole tool.

Abstract: Data indexing using polyarchical indexing codes and automatically generated expansion paths. For a piece of data, an indexing code is received relating to a particular categorization or other indexing parameter. Based upon the indexing code, one or more expansion sets of codes are retrieved and applied to the piece of data. The expansion sets of codes may include indexing codes that relate to hierarchical levels of indexing. The expansion sets of codes may also include different expansion paths through the hierarchical levels of indexing. The polyarchical codes may include multiple cross-categorization of the data across the same or different levels of categories. They may also include multiple expansion paths in different directions across hierarchical levels of categories or indexing.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting mud pulse signals in a downhole environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mud pulser system includes a valve (32), a wire (26) comprising shape memory alloy (SMA), and operable to have a first shape at a first temperature and a second shape at a second temperature; a thermal energy source (18) to heat the wire (26) from the first temperature to the second temperature; and a valve poppet (32) coupled to the wire, wherein the valve poppet is extended to close the valve when the wire is in the first shape and wherein the valve poppet is retracted to open the valve when the wire is in the second shape.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting casing is provided. In one example, a method for detecting drill casing in a downhole environment includes the steps of generating a plurality of plots of a magnetic field vector (MIN) at a series of depths; and monitoring the plots to detect proximity to the well casing.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of use in reprogramming somatic cells. Compositions and methods of the invention are of use, e.g., for generating or modulating (e.g., enhancing) generation of induced pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming somatic cells. The reprogrammed somatic cells are useful for a number of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a pluripotent state and/or enhances the speed and/or efficiency of reprogramming. Certain of the compositions and methods relate to modulating the Wnt pathway.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flame-resistant garment having an outer shell fabric comprising 5 to 40 parts by weight of a polybenzobisoxazole fiber and 60 to 95 parts by weight of a polypridobisimidazole fiber having an inherent viscosity of greater than 20 dl/g.

Abstract: This invention concerns a flame-resistant garment having an outer shell fabric comprising 50 to 95 parts by weight of a polypyridobisimidazole fiber having an inherent viscosity of greater than 20 dl/g and 5 to 50 parts by weight of polybenzimidazole fiber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fabric useful in apparel and garments comprising an intimate blend of staple fibers, the blend of fibers comprising 55 to 95 parts by weight of a polypyridobisimidazole fiber having an inherent viscosity of greater than 20 dl/g and a tensile modulus of greater than 120 GPa (820 gpd); and 5 to 45 parts by weight of a flexible fiber having a tensile modulus of less than 10 GPa (70 gpd).

Abstract: The invention concerns a flame-resistant garment having an outer shell fabric comprising 50 to 95 parts by weight of a polybenzobisoxazole fiber and 5 to 50 parts by weight of a polypridobisimidazole fiber having an inherent viscosity of greater than 20 dl/g.

Abstract: The invention concerns flame retardant fabrics made from mixtures of polypyridobisimidazole fibers with cellulose fibers that have been treated to make them flame retardant and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: This invention concerns a flame-resistant garment having an outer shell fabric comprising 5 to 50 parts by weight of a polypyridobisimidazole fiber having an inherent viscosity of greater than 20 dl/g and 50 to 95 parts by weight of polybenzimidazole fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a multi-purpose piping system that provides water to both domestic uses and to fire sprinklers, the apparatus comprising: piping having an inlet and an outlet; a detector, located between the inlet and outlet, that distinguishes between a fire sprinkler water flow and a domestic use water flow; and a drain connection located between the inlet and the outlet. A multipurpose piping system using the apparatus in a system incorporating at least one fire sprinkler, the piping system also supplying at least one other use in the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inducing a CD8+ CTL response to a molecule in an individual deficient in CD4+ T cells comprising administering to the individual art hsp or a portion of an ATP binding domain of an hsp joined to the molecule. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating HIV in an individual deficient in CD4+ T cells comprising administering to the individual an hsp or a portion of an ATP binding domain of an hsp joined to the molecule. Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of inducing a CD4+ independent CTL response in an individual comprising administering to the individual a portion of an ATP binding domain of an hsp joined to the molecule. The present invention also relates to a method of inducing a CD8+ CTL response in an individual comprising administering to the individual a portion of an ATP binding domain of an hsp joined to the molecule.