Abstract: Ligands that specifically bind to articular cartilage tissues are disclosed, including uses for targeting therapeutics towards articular cartilage tissue and new materials for articular cartilage. The ligands are effective in vivo to target therapeutic materials to articular cartilage.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is provided an interactive device comprising a display, a camera, an image analysing means, said interactive device comprising means to acquire an image with the camera, the analysing means detecting at least a human face on the acquired image and displaying on the display at least a pattern where the human face was detected wherein the interactive device further comprises means to determine a halo region extending at least around the pattern and means to add into the halo region at least one interactive zone related to a command, means to detect movement onto the interactive zone and means to execute the command by said device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the quality and/or degradation of a fluid, especially an oil, comprising a sensor consisting of at least one pair of electrodes which are distanced from each other. Said sensor is immersed in the fluid which is to be measured. The electrodes and the fluid form a capacitive element whose capacity varies according to the dielectric constant of the fluid. The sensor can provide an electric output signal representing said dielectric constant. The inventive device also comprises processing means which receive the output signal and which can determine the degree of quality and/or degradation of the fluid on the basis of said output signal. The invention is characterized in that the electrodes extend substantially on the same plane and in that the fluid surrounds the two surfaces of the electrodes on both sides of said plane.

Abstract: The local bending of a silicon nanowire induces tensile strain in the wire due to the stretching of the silicon lattice. This in turn enhances the mobility of the free carriers (electrons) in the direction of transport along the wire. Thus, for example, when Gate-All-Around MOSFETs are fabricated along the nanowire, the mobility enhancement will translate into an improvement in the performance (current drive, speed) of the silicon nanowire MOSFETs. In summary, a semiconductor device comprises a substrate and a nanowire in connection with the substrate at a drain and at a source region, and the nanowire is bent to achieve enhanced mobility of charge carriers.

Abstract: The injectable formulation for treatment by hyperthermia comprises a liquid carrier and heat-generating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles having a mean diameter not greater than 20 nm. Said injectable formulation is able to form in-situ a hyperthermic solid or semi-solid implant upon contact with a body fluid or tissue. Said hyperthermic solid or semi-solid implant may be useful for treating a tumor or a degenerative disc disease by hyperthermia.

Abstract: The present invention exploits the impact ionization induced by drain voltage increase and the onset of a bipolar parasitic in an ?-gate field effect metal oxide insulator transistor (called PI-MOS), in order to obtain a memory effect and abrupt current switching.

Abstract: Transducer (24, 240, 241) for reading information stored 1n an optical record carrier (1), comprising at least one solid-state single photon detector, for example a single photon avalanche diode (24) for acquisition of a 2D or 3D image of at least a portion of the optical record carrier.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for printing by superposing a metallic ink and transparent inks. These methods and systems are useful for color separating images into superpositions of a metallic ink and transparent inks both for design purposes and for the creation and authentication of security documents, such as banknotes, checks, diploma, corporate documents, passports, identity cards, credit cards, product labels, optical disks, CDs, DVDs, packages of medical drugs, cosmetics, and alcoholic drink bottles. By combining a metallic ink and transparent inks, one may create printed images behaving dynamically: an image viewed under specular reflection may be considerably different from the same image viewed under non-specular reflection. Patterns which are either dark or hidden become highlighted under specular reflection, yielding interesting visual effects. Metallic inks allow therefore to create visually appealing dynamically changing color images.

Abstract: An infusion pump comprising a substance and pushing fluid inlet, a substance outlet, a central chamber communicating with said inlet and said outlet, and injecting means for injecting a substance into a biological object, wherein the infusion pump further includes a pushing fluid outlet in communication with the central chamber in such a way as to allow a pushing fluid to exhaust the pump. The outlet of the infusion pump is advantageously connected to the proximal end of a catheter, the distal end being inserted into the biological object. A sensor, e.g., an optical device, is preferably placed at the outlet of the infusion pump and checks that the outlet is free of gas. The infusion pump is preferably remotely controlled so that it can be placed in limited access locations. It is also preferably computer controlled.

Abstract: In the present invention, we propose a method of creating fluorescent color images visible under UV light. It relies on the new colorants that can be achieved by superposing ink dots, possibly at a reduced size, in order to avoid quenching effects. It also relies on juxtaposed halftoning, which ensures that colorants are printed side by side and do therefore not overlap, thereby preventing quenching effects. It also support the selection of a fluorescent set of inks which comprises at least one ink whose emission spectrum yields a color different from the standard red, green and blue colors, for example a yellow color emitting ink. The method comprises the following techniques: (a) creating new colorants by superposing carefully selected amounts of the fluorescent inks, (b) mapping the gamut of the image to be reproduced into the gamut of the resulting fluorescent colorants and (c) creating the target fluorescent color image by juxtaposed halftoning of the fluorescent colorants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for coating surfaces with specially designed thioethers and amphiphilic thioethers that reduce protein adsorption and/or cell adhesion. This reduction may be achieved, for example, by controlling the spacing or length of pendant chains or hydrophilic blocks in an amphiphilic thioether. Techniques for determining spacing include adsorbing the thioether from a solution or a colloidal suspension, or controlling the degree of polymerization of the thioether. Techniques for controlling the length of the pendant chains include controlling the degree of polymerization of the pendant chains. Multiblock copolymers of poly(propylene sulfide) and poly(ethylene glycol) (“PPS-PEG”) represent an exemplary family of amphiphilic thioethers. Methods for coating surfaces with amphiphilic thioethers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates the calibration of printers and the color separation of input images into a set of inks by disclosing methods and systems for populating device-calibration lookup tables. The disclosed methods and systems rely on a comprehensive spectral prediction model predicting at a high accuracy the reflectance spectra of halftone ink patches. The spectral prediction model is composed of a first part predicting the reflection spectra as a function of physical (mechanical) surface coverages and of a second part comprising functions mapping nominal surface coverages to effective surface coverages for halftone patch wedges printed alone and halftone patch wedges printed in superposition with one or several solid inks. In addition, the disclosed methods and systems can be used to control printer actuation parameters in different types of printers e.g.

Abstract: Acoustic echo control and noise suppression is an important part of any “handsfree” telecommunication system, such as telephony or audio or video conferencing systems. Bandwidth and computational complexity constraints have prevented that stereo or multi-channel telecommunication systems have been widely applied. The advantages are very low complexity, high robustness, scalability to multi-channel audio without a need for loudspeaker signal distortion, and efficient integration of echo and noise control in the same algorithm.

Abstract: Acoustic echo control and noise suppression is an important part of any “handsfree” telecommunication system, such as telephony or audio or video conferencing systems. Bandwidth and computational complexity constraints have prevented that stereo or multi-channel telecommunication systems have been widely applied. The advantages are very low complexity, high robustness, scalability to multi-channel audio without a need for loudspeaker signal distortion, and efficient integration of echo and noise control in the same algorithm. The proposed method of processing multi-channels audio loudspeakers signals and at least one microphone signal, comprises the steps of: transforming the input microphone signals (y1(n), y2(n), . . . , yM(n)) into input microphone short-time spectra, computing a combined loudspeaker signal short-time spectrum [X(i,k)] from the loudspeaker signals, (x1(n), x2(n), . . .

Abstract: A method and computing system are proposed for deducing ink thickness variations from solid-state multi-sensor measurements performed online on a printing press or printer. The computed ink thickness variations enable controlling the ink deposition and therefore the color accuracy. Ink thickness variations are expressed as ink thickness variation factors incorporated into an ink thickness variation and sensor response enhanced spectral prediction model. The ink thickness variation computing system comprises multi-channel sensor devices (e.g. red, green, blue, near infra-red), a processing module, and a computing system. The multi-channel sensor devices are replicated over the width of the print sheet. Preferably embodied by Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), due to their high-speed acquisition capabilities, they provide responses according to the reflectance of small area segments within a print sheet.

Abstract: The invention concerns microgranules produced from calcium phosphate materials. The invention also concerns a method for producing said microgranules. The inventive microgranules are characterized by a very narrow particle size distribution.

Abstract: It is possible to determine the types and values of stator and rotor errors in magnetic circuits in a synchronous machine by measuring the induced voltage (ui) for the terminals of measurement loops which can capture an image of the induction in the measurement gap, then by treating said signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices. Processes are disclosed for implementing suspended single crystal silicon nano wires (NWs) using a combination of anisotropic and isotropic etches and spacer creation for sidewall protection. The core dimensions of the NWs are adjustable with the integration sequences: they can be triangular, rectangular, quasi-circular, or an alternative polygonal shape. Depending on the length of the NWs, going from the sub-micron to millimeter range, the NWs may utilize support from anchors to the side, during certain processing steps. By changing the lithographic dimensions of the anchors compared to the NWs, the anchors may be reduced or eliminated during processing. The method covers, among other things, the integration of Gate-All-Around NW (GAA-NW) MOSFETs on a bulk semiconductor.

Abstract: A device for transporting magnetic or magnetizable microbeads (25) in a capillary chamber (14) comprises a permanent magnet (10) or an electromagnet (11) for subjecting the capillary chamber to a substantially uniform magnetic field, to apply a permanent magnetic moment to the microbeads (25). At least one planar coil (22) and preferably an array of overlapping coils are located adjacent to the capillary chamber (14) for applying a complementary magnetic field on the microbeads parallel or antiparallel to said substantially uniform magnetic field, to drive the microbeads. An arrangement is provided for switching the current applied to the coil(s) (22) to invert the field produced thereby, to selectively apply an attractive or repulsive driving force on the microbeads (25). The device is usable to transport microbeads for performing chemical and biochemical reactions or assay, as is done for instance in clinical chemistry assays for medical diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The disclosed method and system may be used for creating advanced protection means for secure items (e.g. bank notes, identity documents, certificates, checks, diploma, travel documents, tickets) and valuable products (e.g CD-ROMs, DVD's, prescription drugs, products with affixed labels, watches). Secure items are authenticated by shape level lines. The shape level lines become apparent when superposing a base layer comprising sets of lines and a revealing layer comprising a line grating. One of the two layers is a modified layer which embeds a shape elevation profile generated from an initial, preferably bilevel, motif shape image. By modifying the relative superposition phase of the revealing layer on top of the base layer or vice-versa (e.g. by translation or rotation), shape level lines grow and shrink dynamically. In the case that these shape level lines are present, the secure item is accepted as authentic. Otherwise the item is rejected as suspect.