Abstract: The present invention provides optical network methods and systems. In one example, a method for handling packets in a node coupled to a ring and star subnetwork may include (a) receiving in the given node a data packet on the ring subnetwork, (b) detecting a failure on the ring subnetwork, (c) determining a new transmission path to the destination node, and (d) sending the data packet along the new transmission path. In another example, an EPON may include (a) a root coupled to a ring and star subnetwork, (b) ONUs coupled to the root via a splitter/combiner and a first fiber link, (c) a second fiber link coupled to a subset of ONUs and the star subnetwork, and (d) a WDM coupler on the first fiber link that separates a first waveband of wavelengths from a second waveband of wavelengths and guides the first waveband to the star.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes an anode portion having an anode and a cathode portion having a cathode. The anode is configured to support an electrically conductive biofilm matrix. A cation exchange membrane is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The anode portion and the cation exchange membrane define an anode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive an anolyte. The cathode portion and the cation exchange membrane define a cathode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive a catholyte. The microbial fuel cell is configured to achieve a Coulombic efficiency of at least 30% and/or a power density of at least of 4.7 ?W/cm2. The microbial fuel cell is a microelectromechanical system and can be fabricated in an automated production process.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the self-assembly of organometallics within a sacrificial amphiphilic template in order to produce uniform mesoporous carbon composites coated with the organometallic component.

Abstract: Described herein are novel cerebroside compounds, designated as Turbostatin 1, Turbostatin 2, Turbostatin 3, and Turbostatin 4. These compounds were extracted and isolated from the marine mollusk Turbo stenogyrus, and their structures elucidated. The new compounds exhibit significant cancer cell growth inhibition activity against a variety of murine and human cancer cell lines, and as such appear will be useful in the treatment of various forms of neoplastic disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds of the formula Gei-x-ySixSny, wherein 0.01<y<0.11, and 0.26<x<0.35, and semiconductor structures comprising such compounds. The present invention also provides novel semiconductor structures comprising silicon substrates, an SiGe buffer layer, and a Group III-V or II-VI active layer. The present invention also provides novel semiconductor structures comprising silicon substrates, an SiGe buffer layer, an SiGeSn template layer, and an SiGe, Ge, Group III-V, or Group II-VI active layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides prodrugs derived from the sparingly soluble anticancer isocarbostyril narciclasine, a component of various Narcissus species, said prodrugs having potential for use against animal and human cancers. Also disclosed is an efficient procedure for the synthetic conversion of narciclasine to several more soluble cyclic phosphate compounds, including “narcistatin”.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided comprising a substrate and a epitaxial layer formed over the substrate, wherein the epitaxial layer comprises B; and one or more element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf and Al and has a thickness greater than 50 nm. Further, methods for integrating Group III nitrides onto a substrate comprising, forming an epitaxial buffer layer of a diboride of Zr, Hf, Al, or mixtures thereof, over a substrate; and forming a Group III nitride layer over the buffer layer, are provided which serve to thermally decouple the buffer layer from the underlying substrate, thereby greatly reducing the strain induced in the semiconductor structures upon fabrication and/or operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing silicon-germanium hydride compounds of the formula (H3Ge)4-XSiHX, wherein x=0, 1, 2 or 3. The method includes combining a silane triflate with a compound having a GeH3 ligand under conditions whereby the silicon-germanium hydride is formed. The compound having the GeH3 ligand is selected from the group consisting of KGeH3, NaGeH3 and MR3GeH3, wherein M is a Group IV element and R is an organic ligand. The silane triflate can be HXSi(OSO2CF3)4-x or HxSi(OSO2C4F9)4-x. The method can be used to synthesize trisilane, (H3Si)2SiH2, and the iso-tetrasilane analog, (H3Si)3SiH, by combining a silane triflate with a compound comprising a SiH3 ligand under conditions whereby the silicon hydride is formed. The silane triflate can include HXSi(OSO2CF3)4-x or HXSi(OSO2C4F9)4-x wherein x=1 or 2. A method for synthesizing (H3Ge)2SiH2 includes combining H3GeSiH2(OSO2CF3) with KGeH3 under conditions whereby (H3Ge)2SiH2 is formed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for preparing semiconductor structures, comprising forming a Ge1-ySny buffer layer on a semiconductor substrate and forming a tensile strained Ge layer on the Ge1-ySny buffer layer using an admixture of (GeH3)2CH2 and Ge2H6 in a ratio of between 1:10 and 1:30. The disclosure further provides semiconductor structures having highly strained Ge epilayers (e.g., between about 0.15% and 0.45%) as well as compositions comprising an admixture of (GeH3)2CH2 and Ge2H6 in a ratio of between about 1:10 and 1:30. The methods herein provide, and the semiconductor structure provide, Ge epilayers having high strain levels which can be useful in semiconductor devices for example, in optical fiber communications devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for preparing semiconductor structures, comprising forming a Ge layer on a semiconductor substrate using an admixture of (a) (GeH3)2CH2 and Ge2H6; (b) GeH3CH3 and Ge2H6; or (c) (GeH3)2CH2, GeH3CH3 and Ge2H6, wherein in all cases, Ge2H6 is in excess. The disclosure further provides semiconductor structures formed according to the methods of the invention as well as compositions comprising an admixture of (GeH3)2CH2 and/or GeH3CH3 and Ge2H6 in a ratio of between about 1:5 and 1:30. The methods herein provide, and the semiconductor structures provide, Ge layers formed on semiconductor substrates having threading dislocation density below 105/cm2 which can be useful in semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Methods are described for addressing the bowing and/or warping of flexible substrates, attached to a rigid carrier, which occurs as a result of the thermal challenges of semiconductor processing. In particular, viscoelastic adhesives are provided which can bond a flexible substrate to a rigid carrier and mediate the thermal mismatch which often is present due to the distinctly different materials properties of most flexible substrates, such as plastic films, with respect to rigid carriers, such as silicon wafers. Assemblies are also provided which are produced according to the methods described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating or limiting development of age-related macular degeneration, as well as methods for identifying compound suitable for such use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cyclodepsipeptide compounds having antineoplastic and/or antimicrobial activity, preferably Kitastatin 1. The present invention is further directed to methods of inhibiting cancer cell growth and/or microbial growth in a host inflicted therewith by administering cyclodepsipeptide compounds to the inflicted host.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing chemical and/or biological analytes includes a deflectable arm of a microcantilever at least partially embedded within a sensing element. A gaseous or liquid medium which may include the analyte being detected is introduced to the sensing element. The sensing element undergoes volumetric expansion or contraction in the presence of the analyte sought to be detected, typically by adsorbing the analyte. The volumetric change of the sensing element causes the deflectable arm to deflect. The deflectable arm includes at least one measurable physical property which changes when the arm deflects. Detecting means are provided to measure the change in the physical property to determine the presence and amount of analyte present. An array of microcantilevers in which each microcantilever is dedicated to detecting a particular analyte which may be included in the medium, is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves use of the compounds narciclasine (2a) and 7-deoxy-narciclasine (2c), which are obtained via isolation from the medicinal plant species Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae), as precursors in a novel synthesis method in which each of these compounds are selectively hydrogenated to produce trans-dihydronarciclasine (1a) and 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine (1c). Also described herein is a novel synthesis method for producing sodium narcistatin (11) from narciclasine (2a). Further described herein are certain novel 3,4-cyclic phosphate prodrugs, including sodium-7-deoxynarcistatin (8), sodium-7-deoxy-transdihydronarcistatin (9), and sodium transdihydronarcistatin (10).

Abstract: Described herein are novel compounds having antineoplastic and antimicrobial activity, obtained via structural modifications of resveratrol and combretastatin A-4, methods for synthesis of these compounds, and their use in pharmaceutical composition and for use in the treatment of mammals having cancer. Examples of the novel compounds are: (Z)- and (E)-3,4?,5-trimethoxystilbene (4a, 4b); (Z)- and (E)-3,5-dimethoxy-4?-hydroxystilbene (14c, 14d); (Z)- and (E)-3-hydroxy-4?,5-dimethoxystilbene (14g, 14h); (Z)- and (E)-3,5-dihydroxy-4?-methoxy-stilbene (14k, 14l); sodium resverastatin dibenzyl phosphate ((Z)-3,5-dimethoxy-4-[O-bis(benzyl)phosphoryl]-stilbene) (14m); and sodium resverastatin phosphate (14n).

Abstract: The present invention relates to algal species and compositions, methods for identifying algae that produce high lipid content, possess tolerance to high CO2, and/or can grow in wastewater,, and methods for using such algae for lipid production, wastewater remediation, waste gas remediation, and/or biomass production.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for combinational equivalence checking for threshold logic circuits are provided. In this regard, one or more inputs may be received at a threshold logic gate. The threshold function of the threshold logic gate may be recursively decomposed into a first function and a second function using cofactors of the threshold function. A Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate may be generated based on the recursive decomposition of the threshold function. The generated Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate may be a maximally factored form representation of a minimal sum of products (SOP) for the threshold logic gate. A logical equivalence of the threshold logic gate may be verified with one or more other logic circuits based on the generated Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate.

Abstract: Combretastatin A-4 has been previously selected for pre-clinical development as antineoplastic agent. However, it is essentially insoluble in water. New water soluble derivatives of combretastatin A-4 and its qualified analogs have been discovered and synthesized through a multistage process using other derivatives of combretastatin A-4 as intermediates. These water soluble derivatives are herein denominated as “Combretastatin A-4 Prodrugs”.

Abstract: A new and more efficient synthesis of combretastatin A-3 (2a) was completed (8.4% overall yield) starting from methyl gallate and isovanillin with aldehyde 5 and phosphonium salt 8 as key intermediates. Conversion of combretastatin A-3 (2a) to a series of diphosphate prodrugs (lOa-lOl) containing selected anions was achieved. Both the diphosphate sodium (lOa) and potassium salts (lOc) displayed aqueous solubility in excess of 220 mg/ml at room temperature and good cancer cell line inhibitory activity.