Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel active leakage power reduction technique, referred to as the dynamic power cutoff technique (DPCT). The DPCT method of the present invention can reduce active leakage, standby leakage, and dynamic power by applying the dynamic power cutoff technique to a circuit. In the method and system for dynamic power cutoff for active leakage reduction in circuits of the present invention, a switching window is determined for each gate, during which a gate makes its transitions. For example, the switching window can be determined by static timing analysis. Then, the circuit is optimally partitioned into different groups based on the minimal switching window (MSW) of each gate. Finally, power cutoff transistors are inserted into each group to control the power connections of that group. Each group is turned on only long enough for a wavefront of changing signals to propagate through that group.

Abstract: A flexible stent structure includes a plurality of axially spaced strut portions defining generally tubular axial segments of the stent and constructed to be radially expandable. A helical portion is interposed axially between two strut portions and has a plurality of helical elements connected between circumferentially spaced locations on the two strut portions. The helical elements extend helically between those locations and the length of a helical element is sufficient so that, when the stent is in a radially expanded state, it can simultaneously withstand repeated axial compression or expansion and bending.

Abstract: When there is a defect area in a specific recording layer, recording of information is continued and reduction in a recording rate is restrained. In an optical recording method for recording information on a multilayer optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers by irradiating the recording layer with a beam spot, any recording layer is set as an escape recording layer. When a defect area is detected while information is recorded on another recording layer except for the escape recording layer, the beam spot moves to the escape recording layer to continue recording the information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical device for use in orthodontics. The inventive device has a base (2) which is cemented onto a tooth (1) and a cap or closure element (3) which is mounted on the base (2). According to the invention, the device has the following functional characteristics: an orthodontic wire insertion groove which is provided on the cap or closure element instead of at the base of the bracket as is usual; the adjustment of the wire by means of a pull mechanism which is provided on the cap or closure element; a self-closing system for the wire; an aesthetic, functional design with minimum friction on soft tissues (lips); customization of the torque and the tip, such that suitable values can be applied according to the requirements of each case and treatment phase; and minimization of the time required to adjust arcs in the mouth.

Abstract: A system and method for indication of temperature exposures beyond a set of predetermined limits employs the salts of weak acid-strong base or of a strong acid-weak base compound as reactants. A device includes a housing and capsule. A first reactant and a liquid are included within the capsule. The liquid is chosen such that it expands upon freezing. The capsule is sized such that when the liquid freezes and expands, the capsule fractures. A second reactant is provided within the housing. The location of the second reactant and the method of attaching (if any) the second reactant to the housing may take various forms. When the liquid within the capsule freezes, it expands and fractures the capsule. Upon thawing, the reactant within the capsule escapes and mixes with the reactant located outside the capsule. A second embodiment is a time-temperature indicator. A flexible housing is used, allowing the user to manually deform the housing to fracture a capsule enclosed therein.

Abstract: A cushion comprises a resin body with a spring structure having permeability comprising a three-dimensional structure including voids at a predetermined bulk density, the three-dimensional structure being obtained by contacting, entwining, and gathering adjacent ones of random loops or curls of continuous filaments made from a thermoplastic resin in such a manner as to allow the resulting structure to have a layered structure in which layers composed of filaments having a high bulk density as superficial layers are formed on a front and a rear of the resin body in a lengthwise direction, and a layer composed of the filaments having a low bulk density as a core layer is interposed between the superficial layers; and a speaker incorporated in the resin body or disposed on one of the superficial layers of the resin body.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which enable the joining of two materials via ultrasonic welding, including materials normally considered incompatible in traditional ultrasonic welding techniques. The system permits ultrasonic welding of a first material to a second material, the second material including material types normally considered incompatible with the first material and includes an abrader for altering the surface of the material/s to be joined. A first pressure device is operative to vary the position of the abrader and thereby vary the abrasion applied to the materials. An ultrasonic source provides acoustic energy to a weld interface between the materials. A second pressure device is operative to vary the force applied to the interface between the materials while a sensor senses the weld interface temperature.

Abstract: A composition for performing a polynucleotide amplification reaction at low temperature, including a polynucleotide amplification reaction mixture into which is incorporated a sufficiently high concentration of a low molecular weight compound selected from the group consisting of amides, sulfones, sulfoxides and diols, to accomplish the amplification at the low temperature. In another embodiment, a composition for enhancing a polynucleotide amplification reaction, including a polynucleotide amplification reaction mixture into which is incorporated a low molecular weight diol in an amount effective to enhance the polynucleotide amplification.

Abstract: The use of azaxanthones for treating diseases associated with tumor cells which express one or more protein of S100 family, and in treating patients that have malignancies consisting of tumors of an epithelial or mesenchymel nature, where these compounds are effective in retarding the progression and/or metastasis of these tumors.

Abstract: The invention provides a new process for the preparation of polypyrrolinones (I) of various sizes which have found to be useful peptidomimetics. One aspect of the invention is a new process utilizing ?-amino-?-substituted-valerolactones as synthons. A second aspect of the invention is a process for the synthesis of polypyrrolinones using solid-phase techniques.

Abstract: The invention deals with lipophilic modified dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers that can encapsulate organic pollutants of a diversity of sizes and shapes and which are prepared following the modification of the functional groups present at the surface of the polymer. These functional polymers are characterized by the fact that their nanocavities do not have predetermined dimensions but their size and shape are affected by the size and shape of the pollutant they will encapsulate or otherwise they will be so-adjusted to it.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of phosphatidylserine of formula wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a saturated, mono-unsaturated or polyunsaturated acyl C10-C30, X=OH or OM where M=alkaline or alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium (including the inner salt) including the transphosphatidylation reaction between phosphatidylcholine of the general formula wherein R1 and R2 and X have the above specified meanings, R3=CH2—CH2—NH2 o CH2—CH2—N+(CH3)3 and Serine in D, L or racemic form catalized by the phospholipase D enzyme (PLD), characterized in that said reaction is carried out in a hydroalcoholic medium containing an aliphatic alcohol and in the presence of bivalent metal oxide.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing mixed greens. Greens are immersed in an aqueous solution containing phosphoric acid, calcium chloride and a natural antibiotic, dewatered from their surfaces, cooked and mixed in predetermined amounts. Following the application of a seasoning solution containing an organic acid and a natural antibiotic thereto, the mixed greens are vacuum packed and thermally sterilized. The mixed greens prepared according to the method can preserve their fresh texture senses for a long period of time.

Abstract: The method aims at obtaining from waste and more particularly from municipal solid waste (MSW) the energy contained therein at the highest level for industrial use by means of natural technologies and with low environmental impact. The method, denoted by the acronym NEW (Natural Energy from Waste) operates through the following process phases: a) aerobic digestion of the putrescible biological part to produce stabilized waste which is easy to handle, b) separation of a fraction rich in materials with a high heat value, c) storage of the residue, rich in biodegradable and inert substances, compacted into appropriate geometrical shapes in bioreactors which can be activated and sealed, d) activation of the bioreactors with water and their service in time during anaerobic digestion to supply biogas to be used for the production of energy, e) bio-stabilization and dehydration of the residual material of the anaerobic treatment with air, f) possible recovery of the materials produced in this way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified-release oral pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more active principles solubilized, suspended or embedded in a suitably formulated amphiphilicmatrix which, loaded in hydrophilic matrices, provides different release profiles.

Abstract: A touch sensitization glove (1), comprising a sensitizing layer (2) and an external cover (3). The sensitizing layer (2) further comprises a first film (10) coming into contact with an object, a second film (12) superposed on the first film (10), and an air inlet (14) leading air between the first film (10) and the second film (12). The second film (12) is allowed to slidably move on the first film (10). Thus, lubricant can be eliminated, and an advanced touch sensitization glove can be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system of physician economic performance evaluation in which the relative medical difficulty associated with patients admitted by a particular physician is determined and, given that measurement, judgments made concerning the relative amount of inpatient resources that the physician required. Also, one application of the present invention relates to a method for gainsharing of physician services using a surplus allocation methodology for rewarding physicians in relation to their performance. An incentive pool is determined from previous patient claims and payments made to physicians in advance, such as in a base year. Best practice norms are established for a plurality of classified diagnosis groups. In one embodiment of the present invention, the classified diagnosis related groups are adjusted for severity of illness to compensate for actual clinical challenges faced by individual physicians.

Abstract: The present invention differs from the prior art in that the present invention provides one or a network of passive or active radio frequency identification (RFID) transceivers and antenna elements in different numbers, in various network sizes, in different configurations and on various substrates. The RFID transceiver can be co-located with standard semiconductor devices, for cost-effective circuit design and non-destructive fabrication test and analysis of integrated circuits and printed circuit boards after fabrication, and to locate, track and identify the integrated circuit, printed circuit boards and products in which they are implemented. The RFID transceivers can be coupled to substrates containing matter in gas, liquid, or solid form, such as medical devices like breast implants, for effective monitoring of the substrates to ensure that the substrate is in an unaltered state and the matter is still contained securely within.