Abstract:
Methods and associated apparatuses for imaging a target. An echo sequence image of the target is acquired and a log spectrum of at least a portion of the echo sequence image is computed. A point spread function is estimated by one of two methods. According to the first method, a low-resolution wavelet projection of the echo sequence log spectrum is used as an estimate of the log spectrum of the point spread function. According to the second method, an outlier-resistant wavelet transform of the echo sequence log spectrum is effected, followed by soft-thresholding and an inverse wavelet transform. Under both methods, a frequency domain phase of the point spread function also is estimated, the relevant portion of the echo sequence image is deconvolved using the estimated point spread function.
Abstract:
An isolated molecule which comprises an antibody specifically bindable with a binding affinity below 20 nanomolar, preferably below 10 nanomolar, to a human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I being complexed with a HLA-restricted antigen and optionally further comprises an identifiable or therapeutic moiety conjugated to the antibody.
Abstract:
Propargylamine, propargylamine derivatives including N-propargyl-1-aminoindan and analogs thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disorders and diseases.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a mechanical structure which provides motion in six degrees of freedom, which comprises: (a) a main plate; (b) a base; (c) at least three supporting structures, each comprising a lower, bridge-like section supported by the base, and an upper section connected to said bridge section and to said main plate, wherein: (I) said bridge-like structure comprising two supporting plates, two intermediate plates, and one middle plate, all being serially connected one to another by means of four transversal hinges; (II) each pair of said supporting plates being slidable in linear displacement parallel to the base; (III) said upper section comprising two plates, a lower plate connected to said middle plate by means of a hinge transversal to said lower plate but longitudinal with respect to said middle plate, and an upper plate connected to said lower plate by means of a longitudinal hinge and to said main plate by means of a transversal hinge; (d) At least six linear motors connected each to a corresponding supporting plate, for applying a force thereon in order to effect a linear displacement of said plate; and (e) control means for determining the linear displacement of each linear motor.
Abstract:
A method for improving CdZnTe-based gamma-ray detectors is presented. A CdZnTe detector/crystal is exposed to acoustic waves. After exposure to acoustic waves, the CdZnTe gamma-detector gains higher resistivity and exhibits better spectral resolution and greater sensitivity. Further, when a batch of detectors is made according to the method of the present invention, the properties of the crystals are more homogenous, allowing for cheaper and more standardized detectors.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions suitable for modulating angiogenesis in a mammalian tissue are provided. Further provided are methods suitable for inhibiting metastasis and fibrosis in a mammalian tissue.
Abstract:
A method of efficiently extracting the pull-in parameters of an electrostatically activated actuator. The actuator is modeled as an elastic element. For each of a plurality of deformations of the elastic element, a corresponding voltage is calculated. The highest such voltage is the pull-in voltage of the actuator. The corresponding deformation is the pull-in deformation of the actuator. Each deformation is defined by fixing a displacement of one degree of freedom of the elastic body and calculating corresponding equilibrium displacements of all the other degrees of freedom without the application of any external mechanical forces to ensure equilibrium. The actuator is altered to optimize whichever pull-in parameter is relevant to the desired application of the actuator.
Abstract:
A medical anchor device for implantation into a bone of a patient includes a staple having a leading, bone-boring tip for self-tapping a hole, a trailing, driven end for receiving implanting force to self-tap and implant said staple into the bone of a patient, and an attached suture thread. The staple has a longitudinal axis which passes through the tip and the driven end, the longitudinal axis changing shape upon implantation of the staple into a bone. A method of treating a patient includes ejecting and implanting the staple comprising a suture thread secured thereto into a bone by self-tapping a hole in the bone and securing the suture thread to a portion of the body's anatomy.
Abstract:
A converter for use with a constant speed vehicle cruise control system including a speedometer for generating a self speed signal representative of the self speed of the vehicle and a speed adjustment control responsively coupled to the speedometer for maintaining the self speed of the vehicle at a preset speed. The converter adapts the control system to a constant distance system, and comprises a rangefinder for generating a distance signal corresponding to the distance of the vehicle from a front vehicle, and a distance-dependent speed adjustment device coupled to the rangefinder and to the speedometer for generating a synthetic-speed signal corresponding to the set speed required for maintaining a predetermined distance between the two vehicles. A selector switch allows either the self speed or synthetic-speed signals to be connected to the speedometer of the cruise control system.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for analyzing the electrical activity of the heart by Body Surface Potential Mapping (BSMP) in which an array of electrodes are applied over the thoracic region of a subject's body for producing measurements of the electrical signals generated in the thoracic region, and the measurements are processed for indicating certain electrical events in the subject's body. The array of electrodes are utilized to measure only the times of crossing of the electrical signals over a preset threshold.