Abstract: It is provided a method for providing a service guide in a network providing a plurality of multicast services, said network comprising at least one client device connected to an intermediate a first device, wherein a subset of said plurality of multicast services is being multicast to said at least one client device via said intermediate first device, and the service guide provides a list of the plurality of multicast services in a second order; and at the side of a client device, the method comprises the steps of determining a list of the plurality of multicast services in a first order, wherein the order is changed from the second order to the first order based on the multicast services of the subset; and presenting said list of multicast services in said first order.

Abstract: A method for determining location information used in an electronic device of a communication system including a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: transmitting a position request signal via a plurality of communication networks of the communication system; receiving a position response signal with respective location information from at least one electronic devices of the plurality of electronic devices; and determining position information of the electronic device by the received position response signal; wherein the position request signal is transmitted successively to the plurality of networks in a specific order among said networks until the location information of the electronic device is determined based on the location response signal.

Abstract: Described is a method for the delivery of a therapeutic agent to a mammal, particularly a human person, comprising (i) the administration of ultrasound particles that undergo a physical change when subjected to ultrasound; (ii) the administration of the therapeutic agent in an ultrasound dosage form allowing release of the therapeutic agent to be affected by the application of ultrasound, (iii) the application of ultrasound so as to affect a physical change in at least some of the ultrasound particles, and (iv) the application of ultrasound so as to stimulate release of the therapeutic agent. According to the invention the ultrasound particles are subjected to detection of their acoustic responses via echoes and/or emissions. The information thus obtained is processed and the processed information is used to adapt or adjust the ultrasound-mediated delivery of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: It provides a method for multicast group management. The apparatus determines a request for joining a multicast service derived during establishment of a connection for carrying multicast service between a first device and a second device, and it sends a message indicative of joining said multicast service based on the request for joining if the multicast service is not available in said network device. As a consequence, it reduces the messages exchanged in unreliable wireless connection so as to reduce the probability of service interruption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of synthesizing acoustically active biodegradable hollow spheres with a size below 1 micron. By using water soluble organic solvents and pegylated polymers, direct precipitation of these spheres is facilitated leading to a fast and convenient preparation route.

Abstract: A pre-examination patient information gathering system comprises an electronic user interface (30, 130) including a display (32) and at least one user input device (34, 36), and an electronic processor (50) configured to present an initial set of questions (54) to a patient via the electronic user interface, receive responses to the initial set of questions from the patient via the electronic user interface, construct or select follow-up questions (68) based on the received responses, present the constructed or selected follow up questions to the patient via the electronic user interface, and receive responses to the constructed or selected follow up questions from the patient via the electronic user interface. A physiological sensor (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80) may be configured to autonomously sense a patient physiological parameter as the patient interacts with the electronic user interface.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound tracking system (10) includes a first and second plurality of tracking elements ((14, 16, 18),(20,22,24)), a tracking generator (26), and a system controller (28). The first plurality of tracking elements (14, 16, 18) is disposed in a first position and orientation with respect to each another and with respect to an energy emission surface (30) of a therapeutic ultrasound probe (12). The second plurality of tracking elements (20,22,24) is adapted to be coupled to a patient (42) in a second position and orientation with respect to each other and with respect to a target region of the patient which is to receive a therapeutic treatment. The tracking generator (26) emits tracking energy for use in connection with the first and second plurality of tracking elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for content delivery, including receiving content from a first network, moving into a coverage area of a second network, performing a handover, receiving content from the second network and dropping any duplicate content packets. Also described are a method and apparatus for content delivery including receiving content from a first network, performing a handover, receiving content from a second network, determining if any content is missing and requesting the missing content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for performing a handover in a content delivery system, including performing the handover from a first network to a second network at a protocol layer determined based on whether a content stream identification file used by said first network is paired with a content stream identification file used by said second network. Also described are a method and apparatus for performing a handover in a content delivery system, including performing the handover from a first network to a second network at a protocol layer determined based on whether a same content stream identification file used by the first network is used by the second network. Further described are a method and apparatus for performing a handover in a content delivery system, including performing the handover from a first network to a second network at one of an application layer, a network layer and a media access control layer.

Abstract: A method for generating Electronic Service Guide, comprising steps of: obtaining user information from a user in a digital video broadcasting network; generating a first Electronic Service Guide as a function of the user information, wherein the first Electronic Service Guide lists services provided by the digital video broadcasting network and associated with the user information; and sending the first Electronic Service Guide to the user.

Abstract: A method for reporting state information is provided. The receiver device receives a service, which is encoded in at least two layers over a communication channel, through a subset of said at least two layers; it measures a channel quality parameter; and in response to the channel quality parameter reaching a predetermined threshold value, it receives the service through a modified subset of the at least two layers as a function of the measured channel quality parameter and transmitting state information of the receiver device. Thus, the signal overhead is reduced.

Abstract: Models for the systemic inflammatory response to infection, which involve the use of immunocompromised animals, and methods of using the models are described. These models can be used in identifying analytes or biomarker panels that can be used in staging or monitoring sepsis. The models can also be used for predicting an animal's disease outcome or in providing a prognosis for sepsis patients. Further, the invention relates to methods for evaluating potential treatments for sepsis.

Abstract: A magnetic dispersion medium is used in a magnetic writing screen toy. The dispersion medium is attracted to the underside of the screen when a magnetic tipped pen is passed over the upper surface of the screen. A user can create drawings and figures. The dispersion medium is non-toxic, creates lines having good contrast and can be easily erased without permanently forming black marks on the screen. The dispersion medium works well in temperature ranges between ?20° C. to 45° C.

Abstract: A magnetic dispersion medium is used in a magnetic writing screen toy. The dispersion medium is attracted to the underside of the screen when a magnetic tipped pen is passed over the upper surface of the screen. A user can create drawings and figures. The dispersion medium is non-toxic, creates lines having good contrast and can be easily erased without permanently forming black marks on the screen. The dispersion medium works well in temperature ranges between −20° C. to 45° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to accomplish noninvasive subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) in the cavity of the heart, in other organs, and in major blood vessels. Diagnostic ultrasound provides noninvasive, real-time cross-sectional images and parameter estimations without ionizing radiation and without the disadvantages and risks of invasive methods of imaging and measurement. SHAPE is a non-invasive, direct, and accurate method for pressure estimation utilizing sub-harmonic or ultraharmonic signals from contrast agents. In light of the advantages of diagnostic ultrasound, SHAPE provides an economical alternative, a safe avenue, and an earlier timetable for assessing the clinical condition of patients, especially critically ill patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to accomplish noninvasive subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) in the cavity of the heart, in other organs, and in major blood vessels. Diagnostic ultrasound provides noninvasive, real-time cross-sectional images and parameter estimations without ionizing radiation and without the disadvantages and risks of invasive methods of imaging and measurement. SHAPE is a non-invasive, direct, and accurate method for pressure estimation utilizing sub-harmonic or ultraharmonic signals from contrast agents. In light of the advantages of diagnostic ultrasound, SHAPE provides an economical alternative, a safe avenue, and an earlier timetable for assessing the clinical condition of patients, especially critically ill patients.