Abstract: A cationic star polymer is disclosed of the general formula (1): I?P?]w???(1), wherein w? is a positive number greater than or equal to 3, I? is a dendritic polyester core covalently linked to w? independent peripheral linear cationic polymer chains P?. Each of the chains P? comprises a cationic repeat unit comprising i) a backbone functional group selected from the group consisting of aliphatic carbonates, aliphatic esters, aliphatic carbamates, aliphatic ureas, aliphatic thiocarbamates, aliphatic dithiocarbonates, and combinations thereof, and ii) a side chain comprising a quaternary amine group. The quaternary amine group comprises a divalent methylene group directly covalently linked to i) a positive charged nitrogen and ii) an aromatic ring.

Abstract: A method of identifying an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell in a sample which may contain such cells, the method comprising identifying the cell or cells within the sample that express podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL) on their surface. A method of isolating an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell from a sample containing such cells, the method comprising isolating the cell or cells within the sample that express PODXL on their surface. Typically, the methods use an antibody which binds to PODXL. Undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells isolated by the method may be useful in cell therapy. Also, in particular, compositions of cells differentiated from a human embryonic stem cell but which composition has been depleted of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells are provided which are useful in cell therapy.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting binding of a DNA-binding protein to a target recognition sequence. The method comprises mixing in a reaction buffer a first set of metal nanoparticles, a second set of metal nanoparticles and a DNA-binding protein to form a mixture, and detecting the aggregation state of the mixture of metal nanoparticles. Each set of metal nanoparticles has a conjugated double-stranded DNA molecule having a single-stranded overhang at one end. The single-stranded overhangs of each set of DNA-conjugated metal nanoparticles are complementary to each other such that annealing of the complementary overhangs results in formation of the target recognition sequence that specifically binds the DNA-binding protein. The reaction buffer comprises an ionic species in a concentration sufficient to result in aggregation of the metal nanoparticles upon annealing of the first and second single-stranded overhang.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a circuit arrangement may be provided including a data cell. The circuit arrangement may further include a first transistor and a second transistor. The first controlled electrode of the first transistor and the first controlled electrode of the second transistor may be coupled to the first electrode of the data cell. The second controlled electrode of the first transistor may be configured to electrically connect to a first reference voltage such that the first electrode of the data cell is electrically connected to the first reference voltage when the first transistor is activated. The second controlled electrode of the second transistor may be configured to electrically connect to a second reference voltage, such that the first electrode of the data cell is electrically connected to the second reference voltage when the second transistor is activated.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a magnetoresistive device is provided. The magnetoresistive device includes a free magnetic layer structure having a variable magnetization orientation, and a synthetic antiferromagnetic layer structure including at least three ferromagnetic layers arranged one over the other and antiferromagnetically coupled, each ferromagnetic layer having a fixed magnetization orientation, wherein the free magnetic layer structure and the synthetic antiferromagnetic layer structure are arranged one over the other. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming a magnetoresistive device is also provided.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a storage controller configured to control storage of data in a pre-determined area of a storage medium may be provided. The storage controller may include a memory configured to store a write pointer, a reclaim pointer, and a wrapped around pointer. The write pointer may indicate a location of the storage medium to write incoming data. The reclaim pointer may indicate a location of the storage medium to perform a space reclamation. The wrapped around pointer may indicate a location of the storage medium where writing is to continue if writing of data reaches an end of the pre-determined area.

Abstract: There is presently provided a stimulus-responsive polymer comprising a biodegradable polymer backbone and a stimulus-responsive pendant group attached to the biodegradable polymer backbone, wherein the biodegradable polymer backbone comprises a poly(amino ester) or a poly(amido amine), the poly(amido amine) optionally comprising a disulfide linkage in the backbone.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 45 to about 70 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 90 to about 140 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 45 to about 70, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent radical comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 47%.

Abstract: A two-dimensional retinal fundus image of the retinal fundus of an eye is processed by optic disc segmentation (2) followed by cup segmentation 4. Data derived from the optic disc segmentation (i.e. the output of the disc segmentation (2) and/or data derived from the output of the optic disc segmentation step, e.g. by a smoothing operation 3) and data derived from the out-put of the optic cup segmentation (i.e. the output of the cup segmentation (4) and/or data derived from the output of the optic disc segmentation, e.g. by a smoothing operation 5) are fed (6) to an adaptive model which has been trained to generate from such inputs a value indicative of cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) of the eye. The CDR is indicative of glaucoma. Thus, the method can be used to screen patients for glaucoma.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a mobile data offload method for associating a mobile client device with a wireless access point. The method may include transmitting a first authentication request from the mobile client device to the wireless access point via a first network being a Cellular Wide Area radio communication network; transmitting a second authentication request from the mobile client device to the wireless access point via a second network being a Short Range radio communication network or a Metropolitan Area System radio communication network; transmitting an authentication response from the wireless access point to the mobile client device via the second network upon receiving at least one of the first authentication request and the second authentication request at the wireless access point, and associating the mobile client device with the wireless access point upon receiving the authentication response at the mobile client device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a duty-cycled injection locked oscillator is provided for frequency shift keyed (FSK) signal transmissions. The oscillator includes a resonance LC tank and a first switching device. The first switching device is coupled to the resonance LC tank and injects an initial current pulse with a predetermined pulse magnitude into the resonance LC tank. The initial current pulse also fixes an initial phase of the duty-cycled injection locked free-running oscillator in response to the predetermined magnitude of the initial current pulse to enable fast settling of injection locking and high data rate operation of the duty-cycled injection locked oscillator. The oscillator also includes a second switching device, such as a differential pair of switching devices. The second switching device is coupled to the LC resonance tank for injecting a gated periodic reference signal having a duty cycle modified to reduce power of the reference signal by approximately seventy-five per cent.

Abstract: Thin films of ferroelectric material with a high mole fraction of Pb(A2+1/3B5+2/3)O3 substantially in a perovskite phase, wherein A is zinc or a combination of zinc and magnesium, and B is a valence 5 element such as niobium or tantalum, have been prepared. Typically, the mole fraction of Pb(A2+1/3B5+2/3)O3 in the ferroelectric material is >0.7. The method for preparing the thin films of ferroelectric material comprises providing a precursor solution containing lead, A2+, and B5+; modifying the precursor solution by addition of a polymer species thereto; applying the modified precursor solution to a surface of a substrate and forming a coating thereon; and (d) subjecting the coating to a heat treatment and forming the film in the perovskite phase. Optimal results have been obtained with PEG200 as the polymer species.

Abstract: We disclose a particle comprising a matrix coated thereon and having a positive charge, the particle being of a size to allow aggregation of primate or human stem cells attached thereto. The particle may comprise a substantially elongate, cylindrical or rod shaped particle having a longest dimension of between 50 ?m and 400 ?m, such as about 200 ?m. It may have a cross sectional dimension of between 20 ?m and 30 ?m. The particle may comprise a substantially compact or spherical shaped particle having a size of between about 20 ?m and about 120 ?m, for example about 65 ?m. We also disclose a method of propagating primate or human stem cells, the method comprising: providing first and second primate or human stem cells attached to first and second respective particles, allowing the first primate or human stem cell to contact the second primate or human stem cell to form an aggregate of cells and culturing the aggregate to propagate the primate or human stem cells for at least one passage.

Abstract: In a process of forming a hydrogel from a mixture comprising hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and a polymer comprising a crosslinkable phenol group, the gelation rate in the solution and the crosslinking density in the hydrogel can be independently adjusted or controlled by selection of the molarity of H2O2 and concentration of HRP in the solution when the molarity of H2O2 is limited to be within a range and the concentration of HRP is limited to be above a threshold. A method for determining the range and threshold is disclosed. The hydrogel may be used to grow cells, in which case, the molarity of H2O2 may be selected to affect the differentiation or growth rate of the cells in the hydrogel. Also, the hydrogel system may be used for sustained delivery of a therapeutic protein, for example in the treatment of liver cancer, fibrosis or hepatitis.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated antimicrobial peptide, wherein the peptide is a linear analog of hBD3 or a fragment thereof. In particular, there is provided a linear analog of hBD3 wherein the peptide has a reduced cytotoxicity to at least one cell compared to the wild type hBD3.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet. The apparatus comprises a processing compartment, which is defined by a reservoir and an immobilization member. The processing compartment is further adapted to accommodate a medium, which is immiscible with the liquid droplet, and of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet. The reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base. The immobilization member is arranged within the reservoir and comprises a surface that is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilization area. The predefined immobilization area within the patterned surface is of a higher surface energy than the medium. The liquid droplet is disposed onto the predefined immobilization area, whereby the liquid droplet is immobilized thereon via hydrophilic-hydrophilic or hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of writing to an optical data storage medium is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of data elements, each data element having one of a plurality of values, wherein each value of the plurality of values is associated with a wavelength, and forming, for each data element, a nanostructure arrangement on the optical data storage medium, the nanostructure arrangement configured to reflect light of the wavelength associated with the value of the data element in response to a light irradiated on the optical data storage medium. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of reading from an optical data storage medium and an optical data storage medium are also provided.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device having a magnetic junction including a first fixed magnetic layer structure, a second fixed magnetic layer structure, and a free magnetic layer structure, wherein the first second and free magnetic layer structures are arranged one over the other. The first second and free magnetic layer structures have respective magnetization orientations configured to orient in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by an interface between the free magnetic layer structure and either one of the first fixed magnetic layer structure or the second fixed magnetic layer structure. The respective magnetization orientations of the first and the second fixed magnetic layer structures are oriented anti-parallel to each other, and the first fixed magnetic layer structure is a static fixed magnetic layer structure having a switching field that is larger than a switching field of the free magnetic layer structure.

Abstract: A method (100) and an apparatus (200) are disclosed for registering an input image and an atlas. The atlas is warped (130) using non-rigid registration. In particular, boundary displacements of structures in the atlas are calculated (132) which register those structures with equivalent structures in the input image. The boundaries of structures in the atlas are then warped (133) according to their respective boundary displacements using topology preserving propagation of boundary points of the structures.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method for merging a plurality of first digital pictures, wherein each first digital picture includes a plurality of pixel values. The method includes extracting details from the plurality of first digital pictures. The method further includes combining the pixel values of the plurality of first digital pictures to generate a combined digital picture. The method further includes modifying the combined digital picture with the extracted details to generate a merged digital picture.