Abstract: A method of bounding an anatomical object of interest in a 3-dimensional volume image includes displaying an image of at least a portion of the object, selecting a plurality of points in the displayed image, at least a first and second point of the plurality of points spanning the object, forming a non-rectilinear surface bounding the plurality of points, identifying a seed point within the surface and extracting a plurality of statistical values corresponding to image voxels disposed proximate the seed point, and classifying image voxels within the surface into a first class and a second class based on the plurality of statistical values.

Abstract: A method of collecting information regarding an anatomical object of interest includes displaying an image characterized by a first region and a second region, wherein the first and second regions are mutually exclusive and the object is displayed within the second region, selecting first and second points spanning the object in the displayed image, at least one of the points being within the first region, and extracting a plurality of statistical values from image voxels, lying on a line segment between the first and second points, that correspond to the object.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for labeling an anatomical point associated with a lesion in an organ such as a lung. The method includes: a segmentation of a vessel tree anatomical structure starting from an autonomously determined initial image point; labeling the vessel segments of the vessel tree segmentation with segment labels based on a priori anatomical knowledge, thereby creating an individualized anatomical model; receiving a user-specified image point having a location from a user and locating a nearby vessel structure; tracking along the vessel structure in a direction towards a root of a parent vessel tree until a prior labeled vessel segment is encountered in the anatomical model, and assigning the label of the encountered prior labeled vessel segment from the anatomical model as an anatomical location label of the user-specified image point.

Abstract: A method of image segmentation includes receiving a set of voxels, segmenting the set of voxels into a foreground group and a background group, and classifying voxels of the foreground group as either lesion voxels or normal anatomy voxels. The method also includes blocking the normal anatomy voxels and performing a second segmentation on voxels of the background group and the lesion voxels, the second segmentation forming a stage two foreground group comprising the lesion voxels and a portion of the voxels of the background group. The method further includes classifying voxels of the stage two foreground group as either stage two lesion voxels or stage two normal anatomy voxels.

Abstract: The invention provides dye mixtures for application to human hair, the dye mixtures comprising polyphenolic materials, these materials being obtained from botanical sources. Preferably, the botanical source is fruit, especially fruit selected from blackcurrants, blackberries, blueberries, bilberries, cranberries, grapes, chokeberries, Saskatoon berries, sea-buckthorn, mulberries acai, cherries, red cabbage and/or figs. Preferably, the polyphenolic materials comprise anthocyanin compounds which, most preferably, are aglycone anthocyanidins or glycosylated anthocyanins of the formula (III): wherein R1 and R2 are, independently, H, OH or OCH3, R3 is OH (aglycone anthocyanidins) or a glycosyl group (glycosylated anthocyanins), and x is a counter-ion. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of these dye mixtures and for the use of the dye mixtures in the semi-permanent coloration of human hair.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting symptoms of a subject with celiac disease is provided that includes administration of monoclonal-, or polyclonal-, monomeric, dimeric, or polymeric IgA. Joining secretory component to the IgA limits oral administration degradation. Formulating agents are mixed with the monomeric, dimeric, or polymeric IgA to yield a dosing form of a capsule, tablet, and a suppository. The therapeutic is amenable to enrobement directly through microencapsulation or the dosing form is coated with an enteric coating.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting symptoms of a subject with celiac disease is provided that includes administration of monoclonal-, or polyclonal-, monomeric, dimeric, or polymeric IgA. Joining secretory component to the IgA limits oral administration degradation. Formulating agents are mixed with the monomeric, dimeric, or polymeric IgA to yield a dosing form of a capsule, tablet, and a suppository. The therapeutic is amenable to enrobement directly through microencapsulation or the dosing form is coated with an enteric coating.

Abstract: A triangle musical instrument that may be played using a single hand. The triangle is formed such that a percussionist is able to grasp the triangle in one hand and shake it in a back-and-forth motion to produce the familiar triangle musical instrument sound. Openings formed in the sides of the instrument allow the percussionist to mute the sounds.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a first object from a bounding object within a digital image identifies pixels between first and second endpoint pixels. A volume of interest is defined spanning at least a portion of the object. Pixels within the volume of interest are partitioned into a first subset of pixels that are neither the first object nor bounding object pixels and second subset of pixels that are not contained in the first subset. A spatially varying two-phase segmentation process segments the first object from the bounding object within the second subset of pixels according to the location of each subject pixel within the second subset relative to pixels in the first subset of pixels. The first object segmentation is refined according to the subject pixel location relative to the segmented bounding object and to the first subset of pixels. A segmented image is formed according to the refined segmentation.

Abstract: A digital image editing method includes receiving a three-dimensional volume image of an anatomical object of interest, wherein the volume image is characterized by first and second mutually exclusive segmentation classes. The method also includes deriving a two-dimensional slice image from the volume image, selecting a single point on the slice image within the second segmentation class, and defining a plane in response to the selection of the single point, the plane dividing the second segmentation class into a target portion corresponding to the object and a remainder portion.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the exchange of consumer data between consumers and providers is disclosed. The method includes collecting and storing consumer supplied data on a computer network, providing the consumer supplied data to one or more providers, providing consumer personal data to a provider having the highest bid, collecting the bid amount from the provider having the highest bid and providing a portion of the collected bid amount to the consumer.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) that are capable of acting as purine receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of making the compounds, are disclosed. The compounds and compositions can be used in treating or preventing disorders related to purine receptor hyperfunctioning.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tuning system for tuning a hand percussion instrument having a head and a shell. The tuning system comprises a rim, the rim secured to the head of the instrument, the rim comprising at least one receptacle, the receptacle positioned at outer periphery of the rim such that the receptacle body is below the plane of the rim, a side plate assembly, the side plate assembly secured to the shell of the instrument, a tuning rod, the tuning rod having a first end secured to the receptacle for varying the tension on the head, and the tuning rod having a second end secured to the side plate assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting musical instruments comprises a base, a bearing, the bearing secured to the base, a post, the post comprising a head, the head comprising a plurality of mounting flanges for mounting a musical instrument, and a body, the body fixedly connected to head at a first end, the body further rotatably engaged to the bearing at a second end.

Abstract: A triangle musical instrument that may be played using a single hand. The triangle is formed such that a percussionist is able to grasp the triangle in one hand and shake it in a back-and-forth motion to produce the familiar triangle musical instrument sound. Openings formed in the sides of the instrument allow the percussionist to mute the sounds.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting musical instruments comprises a base, a bearing, the bearing secured to the base, a post, the post comprising a head, the head comprising a plurality of mounting flanges for mounting a musical instrument, and a body, the body fixedly connected to head at a first end, the body further rotatably engaged to the bearing at a second end.

Abstract: A computer algorithm for grouping a derived spatial arrangement of wireless communication nodes. The wireless communication nodes form a wireless communication network and are configured to control the operation of luminaires in a lighting array. The position of each node in the communication network corresponds to the position of a particular luminaire in the lighting array. The algorithm divides the arrangement of nodes into a plurality of spatial groups, each of which is defined by a line which joins the group's member nodes together. The groups are ranked according to their statistical attributes and a number of groups are selected as control groups, such that the member nodes, and hence luminaires, of each control group may be controlled by a single switch or sensor.

Abstract: A link generator generates links to servable data to allow the servable content of a network server to be accessed using the links. Encoded links in a form suitable for an indexing agent are generated and used to access dynamically generated data in a database of the network server and to analyze same to determine query data for retrieving servable data from the database. A proxy server receives a request generated in response to selecting one of the encoded links, translates the request, and forwards it to the network server to access corresponding dynamically generated data.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I); wherein R1 is H or NHZ; R2 is optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl attached via a carbon atom; R3 is H; optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, or C3 C7 cycloalkyl, halogen; OH or OR, or R4 is H, optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, C3 C6alkenyl, C3-C6alkynyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, R5 is H or optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, C3-C6alkenyl, C3-C6alkynyl, or C3-C7 cycloalkyl; or R4 and R5 together form a 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic ring; and R10 is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl; are purine receptor, particularly adenosine receptor antagonists, useful for treatment of, inter alia, movement disorders such as Parkinsons disease.

Abstract: A method of segmenting a lesion (910) from normal anatomy in a 3-dimensional image comprising the steps of: receiving an initial set of voxels (520) that are contained within the lesion to be segmented; growing a region which includes the lesion from the initial set of voxels; identifying a second set of voxels (530) on a surface of the normal anatomy; determining a surface containing the second set of voxels which demarks a boundary (540) between the lesion and the normal anatomy; and classifying voxels which are part of the lesion.