Abstract: The present invention relates to bio-engineered photosystems, specifically photosystem II (PSII) having an alternative electron transfer pathway that enables electron flow from PSII to a water-soluble protein electron carrier. The present invention further relates to methods and systems for electron transfer using the bio-engineered photosystems. Such photosystems may be utilized for electrical energy production, hydrogen production and/or reduction of carbon-based gases (for example, CO2 and CO) to liquid fuels.

Abstract: A composition that rapidly passivates copper-containing surface to yield a uniform layer of insoluble copper oxide, the composition being useful in chemical-mechanical planarization of copper-containing surfaces is disclosed. The composition is a solution having a pH of equal to or greater than 9 and having an oxidation potential sufficient to oxidize the surface to form non-soluble copper oxides. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the composition.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of amphiphilic/bipolar corroles, optically active isomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful for prevention of a cardiovascular disease or disorder in a subject susceptible to develop such a cardiovascular disease or disorder.

Abstract: A light detection system which comprises an active region between a back contact layer and a front contact layer is disclosed. The active region comprises a quantum well structure having a quantum well between quantum barriers, wherein the quantum well comprises foreign atoms that induce an excited bound state at an energy level which is above an energy level characterizing the quantum barriers.

Abstract: A novel class of antimicrobial polymeric agents which are designed to exert antimicrobial activity while being stable, non-toxic and avoiding development of resistance thereto and a process of preparing same are disclosed. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing same and a method of treating medical conditions associated with pathological microorganisms, a medical device, an imaging probe and a food preservative utilizing same. Further disclosed are conjugates of an amino acid residue and a hydrophobic moiety residue and a process of preparing same.

Abstract: The device for jitter measurement and a method thereof are provided. The device for jitter measure includes a signal retrieving module, a signal amplifying module, an edge detecting module, and a time-to-digital converting module. The signal retrieving module receives a signal-under-test, and retrieves a first pulse signal having a pulse width equal to a period of the signal-under-test. The signal amplifying module amplifies the pulse width of the first pulse signal and thereby generates a second pulse signal. The edge detecting module detects a rising edge and a falling edge of the second pulse signal, and generates a first indication signal and a second indication signal according to the respective detected results. The time-to-digital converting module converts the pulse width of the second pulse signal existed in time domain to a digital signal according to the first indication signal and the second indication signal.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: A scheme for reconstructing multiband signals that occupy a small part of a given broad frequency range under the constraint of a small number of sampling channels. The multirate sampling scheme (MRS) entails gathering samples at several different rates whose sum is significantly lower than the Nyquist sampling rate. The number of channels does not depend on any characteristics of a signal. The reconstruction method may or may not rely on the synchronization between different sampling channels. The scheme can be implemented easily with optical sampling systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enhancing performance of fans and propellers using outsized Gurney flaps. Specifically, the current invention proposes the application of ‘outsized Gurney flaps’ (OGFs) to the trailing-edges of fan blades. According to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention, the Gurney flaps are larger than 10% of the fan blade chord length. Attaching OGFs is not only non-obvious; it seems counterintuitive, because it is akin to placing a large bluff body onto a flow. Preliminary experimental data acquired at Reynolds numbers typically exist during fan operation on idealized blade profiles showed a 100% increase in the generated lift and 40% to 60% increase in aerodynamic efficiency. This translates to significant improvements in fan performance at a given rpm, and/or significant saving in power and noise reduction for the same aerodynamic performance.

Abstract: The present invention is of a method of dynamically generating human embryoid bodies which can be used for generating lineage specific cells and cell lines. Specifically, the present invention can be used to generate ESC-differentiated cells for cell-replacement therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of avicins and avicin mixtures that enhance topical, percutaneous, transmucosal, transepithelial, transendothelial or transdermal transport of agents including diagnostic molecules, therapeutic drugs and cosmetic materials.

Abstract: A method of simulating a formation of an incision or a deformation in a physical object. The method comprises spatially simulating a physical object in a simulation space using a volumetric arrangement of a plurality of prismatic elements, each the prismatic element having at least one adjustable parameter simulating a physical property of a respective segment of the physical object, measuring a movement of at least one simulation tool in the simulation space, selecting at least one of the plurality of prismatic elements according to the measurement, adjusting at least one adjustable parameter of at least one selected prismatic element according to the measurement, and spatially simulating an incision or deformation formed in the physical object in response to the movement using the adjusted volumetric arrangement.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a single-track vehicle including a front assembly and a rear assembly, said system comprising a robust controller including an inner loop which closes on a roll angular rate {dot over (?)} of said rear assembly and reduces parametric uncertainty associated with said vehicle, and an outer loop which closes on a roll angle ? of said rear assembly, and wherein the robust controller outputs a steering torque signal for controlling a steering angle in said front assembly; a roll angle sensor for measuring the roll angle in the rear assembly; a roll rate gyro for measuring the roll angular rate in the rear assembly; and a motor for applying the steering angle to said front assembly responsive to the steering torque signal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of reducing the antigenicity of a proteinaceous compound while maintaining the compounds biological activity, as well as proteinaceous compositions with biological activity but reduced antigenicity. These methods and compositions have significant benefits to a subject in need of such compounds and compositions. Also included are modified toxin compounds that are truncated and/or possess reduce antigenicity. Such designer toxins have therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventative benefits, particularly as immunotoxins. Methods of treating cancer using these immunotoxins are provided.

Abstract: A utilization-enhanced shared bus system and bus arbitration method are disclosed. An arbiter arbitrates among multiple masters according to active requests sent from the masters. The arbiter sends a passive request to one of the masters in an idle period of the shared bus according to respective status of the masters. Accordingly, the master that receives the passive request may access a shared resource in the idle period.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating microbial infections associated with an emergence of resistance of a pathogenic microorganism to an antimicrobial agent, following treatment with antimicrobial agent are disclosed. The methods are effected by using a polymer which exhibits antimicrobial re-sensitizing activity, for re-sensitizing the pathogenic microorganisms to the antimicrobial agent, in combination with the antimicrobial agent. Further disclosed are novel polymers having an antimicrobial re-sensitizing activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for measuring biomarker analytes indicative of various diseases comprising an array of sensors sensitive to volatile organic compounds. Particularly, the system is composed of a random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) coated with non-polar small organic molecules in conjunction with learning and pattern recognition algorithms. Methods of discriminating between breath samples of healthy individuals and of lung cancer patients are disclosed.

Abstract: In a data storage and retrieval system wherein data is stored and retrieved in pages, said data comprising connected nodes arranged such that each page stores only complete nodes, said connected nodes being connected via a plurality of overlapping tree structures, a method of minimizing page retrieval in the face of changing relationships between nodes comprising: selecting at least two of said overlapping tree structures; incrementally adjusting a page node structure dynamically based on real time workload, separately according to each selected tree structure, to form modified partitions for each tree structure, each modified partition being so as to minimize page faults; for each modified partition calculating a modification gain to indicate which partition has provided a greater minimization of page faults; and selecting the tree structure and modified partition corresponding to the best modification gain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to applications of TiO2-containing, macro-sized nanostructures in the fields including photocatalysis, information writing-erasing-rewriting, microfiltration, controlled drug release, and tire making. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of photocatalytically decomposing organic pollutants. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of mixing a solution containing organic pollutants and a plurality of TiO2-containing, macro-sized nanostructures to form a mixture and exposing the mixture to UV irradiation to decompose the organic pollutants.

Abstract: An analog variable-frequency controller includes a first current generator, a second current generator, a clock generator and a light/heavy load selector. The first and second current generator receive a load current signal and then output a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal, respectively. The clock generator generates a corresponding switching frequency according to the first voltage signal or the second voltage signal. The light/heavy load selector, connected with the first current generator, the second current generator and the clock generator, receives a control signal for controlling the clock generator to receive the first voltage signal or the second voltage signal. The abovementioned controller is implemented by an analog circuit, which has a lower circuit complexity, lower cost and is easy to be integrated into a switching converter.