Abstract:
This invention relates to a method and system for modeling film grain noise. The film grain noise as modeled is applied to a video signal. Both the signal-dependent aspect 430 and the correlation aspect 440 of the film grain noise are taken into consideration, resulting in a more realistic modeling of film grain noise. Furthermore, the efficiency and the flexibility for modeling film grain noise are improved by use of the method and system according to this invention.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an isolated and substantially purified recombinant human arginase having sufficiently high enzymatic activity and stability to maintain Adequate Arginine Depletion in a patient. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the modified invention enzyme and method for treatment of diseases using the pharmaceutical composition.
Abstract:
Methods are described for using an arginine depleting agent such as arginase and derivatives thereof, which reduce physiological arginine levels, as radioprotectants to protect normal mammalian cells from DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation. Treatment can result in the protection of normal tissues in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and in protection from the hazardous effects of exposure to radiological dispersal devices or occupational and environmental ionizing radiation.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for treating cancer in a human patient by reducing the physiological arginine levels to below 10 μM in combination with administering an anti-neoplastic compound. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an arginine reducing compound, such as pegylated human arginase I, and an anti-neoplastic compound, such as 5-fluorouracil, for the treatment of malignancies in a human patient.
Abstract:
A carbonated beverage container includes a bottle having a flexible sidewall of generally circular cross section, a cap for closing a top opening of the bottle, pairs of coupling elements provided on diametrically opposite portions of the sidewall respectively and configured to be pushed towards each other and couple together, thereby partially collapsing the bottle and expelling a predetermined amount of air therefrom. A method of preserving the taste of carbonated beverage in a container is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for improving the specificity of nucleic acid amplification comprising incubating a nucleic acid molecule with a polymerase-Sso7 DNA binding domain conjugate and arginine, spermidine, or spermine. The present invention also provides reaction mixtures and kits for improving the specificity of nucleic acid amplification.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reactions. The invention encompasses hybrid polymerases that show increased processivity over wild type polymerases as well as decreased exonuclease activity. The invention also encompasses methods, compositions and kits for conducting nucleic acid synthesis and amplification reactions in which non-specific amplification of primers is reduced.
Abstract:
A system and method for obtaining personal data about registered users using gaming principles is described. A data storage component receives and stores one or more items of personal data for each registered user. Multiple messages authored by multiple registered users are generated and displayed to a user interface for each registered user. The user interface provides a means for one registered user to select and categorize a message authored by another registered user. Based upon the nature of this categorized response, the responding user or seeker either gains or loses an item of personal data about author-user. Competition among users at different levels is introduced by applying a sorting process that limits the messages displayed to a particular user. In addition, resource management tools can be applied to limit author-user messages and seeker-user responses. Further, user actions and messages are scored and rankings are provided to all users. A communications link, allowing direct communication among users, can be provided when one user is awarded a sufficient amount of personal information about another user.