Abstract: One example embodiment includes a method for creating an avatar from an image. The method includes receiving an image including a face from a user. The method also includes constructing a 3D model of the face from the image. The method further includes animating the 3D model. The method additionally includes attaching the 3D model to an animated character.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for automatically identifying coordinates of facial features in digital images. The facial images are detected and pupil coordinates are calculated. First, face identification method is applied. Then, the centers of the pupils are identified. The image is rotated, scaled and the portion of the image is cut out so that the pupils are located on the horizontal line and are located at fixed coordinates. Subsequently an original image with facial features can be identified.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for face recognition in digital images containing portraits or images of human faces. The facial images are detected and pupil coordinates are calculated. A facial image is converted into a black and white image. A rectangle containing the face is identified. Then, pupil coordinates are determined. A rectangle of a pre-defined size is cut out from the image so the pupils are located at pre-defined coordinates. External lighting effects are reduced and an image template is generated by calculating sets of values of different image points.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a method for creating an avatar from an image. The method includes receiving an image including a face from a user. The method also includes constructing a 3D model of the face from the image. The method further includes animating the 3D model. The method additionally includes attaching the 3D model to an animated character.

Abstract: A device (1) for housing a scientific sample comprising at least one sample well (2) and an on-board buffering substance (3) wherein the onboard buffering substance (3) at least partly surrounds the sample well (2). The on-board buffering substance (3) may be in the form of a matrix, such as a gel-like matrix. The device (1) may further comprise an insulating means. Also described is a substance for use in culturing and/or assaying a sample whereby the substance provides atmospheric and thermal buffering. The invention further provides a lid for a single-well or multi-well sample plate, the lid being configured to facilitate delivery of a sample through the lid into a well, and for sealing the well. The lid comprises moveable portions (52, 53) that have at least one orifice (54, 57) formed through the moveable portions (52, 53) such that a conduit is formed by alignment of the orifices (54, 57) of both the lid portions (52, 53).

Abstract: A device comprising a plurality of sample wells wherein the device has a plurality of compartments, each compartment surrounding at least one well. The compartments are defined by compartment wall means. The compartment wall means may be associated with at least one well or the compartment wall means may be associated with a group of wells. The compartment may house an environmental buffering system.

Abstract: A device (1) for housing a scientific sample comprising at least one sample well (2) and an on-board buffering substance (3) wherein the onboard buffering substance (3) at least partly surrounds the sample well (2). The on-board buffering substance (3) may be in the form of a matrix, such as a gel-like matrix. The device (1) may further comprise an insulating means. Also described is a substance for use in culturing and/or assaying a sample whereby the substance provides atmospheric and thermal buffering. The invention further provides a lid for a single-well or multi-well sample plate, the lid being configured to facilitate delivery of a sample through the lid into a well, and for sealing the well. The lid comprises moveable portions (52, 53) that have at least one orifice (54, 57) formed through the moveable portions (52, 53) such that a conduit is formed by alignment of the orifices (54, 57) of both the lid portions (52, 53).

Abstract: A method for quantitatively and qualitatively determining the presence of a macromolecule comprises providing nanoparticles in a buffered solution, adding a test sample to the buffered nanoparticle solution, and measuring the difference between the buffered nanoparticles in the presence and absence of the test sample. The nanoparticles are preferably less than 100 nm in size.

Abstract: Therapeutic drug delivery and diagnostics systems comprise biologically active compounds associated with particulate carriers of less than 20 nm. These systems can be utilised for targeted modification of growth, development and functions, such as gene expression, protein synthesis, intracellular energy production and transport mechanisms in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The systems are also applicable for controlled modification of structural and functional properties of extracellular components and tissue constituents. The characteristics of a biological site are evaluated and an entity is provided which is dependent on the site characteristics. The entity comprises nanoparticles of less than 20 nm. A probe comprising nanoparticles of less than 5 nm is also provided.

Abstract: The invention refers to mechanical engineering and can be used for reducing the level of vibrations and noise caused by pulsations of the fluid flow generated by a rotor sliding-vane machine. A method of generating a surgeless fluid flow by rotating the rotor of the rotor sliding-vane machine, separating the fluid in the transfer cavities from the inlet cavity by the vanes, transference the transfer cavities to the outlet cavity of the machine, merging them with the outlet cavity followed by the fluid displacement characterized by that the volumes of the transfer cavities and fluid pressure in them are varied in the process of the transference so that the mentioned pressures are substantially equalized with the outlet pressure by the moment when the transfer cavities are merged with the outlet cavity. A rotor sliding-vane machine with a working chamber in the annular groove on the face of the rotor comprising vanes in the vane chambers and force chambers of variable volume.

Abstract: The invention refers to mechanical engineering and can be used as a high pressure rotor sliding-vane machine with surgeless delivery capable to work both as a pump and as a hydro motor. The objective of the present invention is to overcome the origins generating the high dissipative losses of power and to increase the reliability of machine by creating the means of hydrostatic balancing of the rotor and sliding sealing. Said means are resistant to the wear of the machine elements and to the working fluid contamination and are compatible with the means of overcoming cavitation in vane chambers.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Abstract: The invention can be used for reversible pulsationless rotor high-pressure machines which can operate in pump and in motor mode. The inventive machine comprises a working chamber and an additional working chamber, separating jumpers and regulating elements. Said regulating elements are connected to each other with the aid of a cinematic link in such a way that the motion of one regulating element initiates the motion of another regulating element. Working cavity of said working chambers are arranged in an axial direction oppositely to each other and connected to each other by means of channels. A mechanism setting an axial relative position of displacers is embodied in such a way that it always provides a sliding contact of at least one displacer with each regulating element. Said invention makes it possible to extent the functional capabilities of similar rotor machines and improve the operational parameters thereof.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.