Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for determining at least one material property of a material sample (such as a bone sample) at at least one point. The system includes a transmitting ultrasonic transducer and a receiving ultrasonic transducer, both transducers being confocal transducers. The transducers are configured to receive the material sample therebetween such that the confocal point of the transducers are located at the at least one point in the material sample. A processor initiates an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducers that is transmitted trough the at least one point of the material sample when positioned between the transducers. The ultrasonic signal is received by the receiving transducing and the processor in turn receives a signal reflecting one or more measures of the received ultrasonic signal. The processor determines at least one ultrasonic parameter for the at least one point of the material sample based upon the transmitted and received ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are motuporamine mimic agents and methods of making and using same. Particularly exemplified are motuporamine mimic agents comprising cytotoxic activity and/or anti-metaplastic activity.

Abstract: A pre-ionized medium created by a capillary discharge results in more efficient use of laser energy in high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from ions. It extends the cutoff photon energy, and reduces the distortion of the laser pulse as it propagates down the waveguide. The observed enhancements result from a combination of reduced ionization energy loss and reduced ionization-induced defocusing of the driving laser as well as waveguiding of the driving laser pulse. The discharge plasma also provides a means to spectrally tune the harmonics by tailoring the initial level of ionization of the medium.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds of formula I: that are opioid receptor ligands. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds as well as methods for treating diseases associated with opioid receptor function by administering such compounds to a mammal in need of treatment. The invention also provides an improved method for isolating intermediate materials useful for obtaining compounds of formula I.

Abstract: Disclosed is a determination device for the size of a cutting block. The determination device includes the connection device mounted to a tibia to be placed at a top surface thereof along an upper line of a predetermined flexion gap; a body including a slide groove on a central portion of a front surface thereof, a bent part on an upper portion thereof to be placed at a precut anterior cortex of a femur, and a plurality of graduations provided on the body to determine the size of the cutting block; a slider to be slidably engaged with the slide groove of the body and including an indicating line on an upper portion thereof, and a guide to be assembled with the slider and come into surface contact with the top surface of the connection device at a lower portion thereof.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for transmitting data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system. A receiver sets the number of sub-streams of each column of a preceding matrix with respect to all precoding matrices of channels formed between the receiver and a transmitter and measures channel states with respect to sub-stream combinations whose number is equivalent to the number of set sub-streams. The receiver transmits data according to channel states to the transmitter after measuring the channel states with respect to the sub-stream combinations and antenna combinations representing sub-streams used upon data transmission of all the precoding matrices.

Abstract: A catheter delivery system for delivering a treatment substance to an occlusion in a lumen of a tubular vessel includes a tubular catheter and a treatment substance. The tubular catheter includes a central lumen passing between a proximal end and a distal end adjacent to an inflatable balloon. The treatment substance is in a form that is configured to be deliverable through the central lumen of the catheter into the lumen of the tubular vessel and to solidify in the vessel.

Abstract: A method of allocation a computer to service a request for a data set in a system having a plurality of computers. The method is implemented on a neural network having only an input layer having input nodes and an output layer having output nodes, where each output node is associated with a specific computer. Connecting the input nodes to the output nodes are weights w(j,k). The method includes the steps of receiving a request for data set “I” and inputting to the input layer a vector R(I) dependent upon the number of requests for the requested data over a predetermined period of time and selecting a computer assignment associated with of one of the output nodes to service the data request, where the output node selected is associated with a specific weight selected to minimize a predetermined metric measuring the distance between the vector entry R(I) and the weights(I,k).

Abstract: A micromechanical resonator having an actuator configured to provide an excitation, a second component configured to move within a plane at a second frequency in response to the excitation of the actuator, and a first component coupled with the second component such that the movement of the second component at the second frequency induces resonant excitation of the first component that is substantially completely out of the plane.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for neuronal protection in retinal cells in vitro and the protection of mammalian cells from reactive oxygen species in vivo are provided. Ultrafine nano-size cerium oxide particles, less than 10 nanometers in diameter, have been provided to decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) in retina tissue that generates large amounts of ROS. These reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in light-induced retina degeneration and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Cerium oxide nanoparticles have been used to promote the lifespan of retinal neurons and protect the neurons from apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro and in vivo. The neuronal protection in retinal cells is achieved by decreasing generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, cerium oxide particles are used to promote the longevity of retinal neurons in vitro and mammalian cells in vivo.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a biologically active biomatrix composition. In one embodiment, the biomatrix composition is derived from human amnions. The biomatrix is termed HuBiogel™. The composition of HuBiogel™ closely mimics naturally occurring basement membrane compositions and is capable of supporting a wide variety of cell types in vitro and in vivo. The HuBiogel™ biomatrix disclosed comprises, in one embodiment, laminin, collagen I, and collagen IV, and may further comprise any combination of the following: entactin, tenascin, fibronectin and proteoglycans. The biomatrix composition is essentially free of endogenous growth factors and proteolytic enzymes. Also described are two- and three-dimensional culture systems and physiological/pathological model systems utilizing the HuBiogel™ compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning microscope using a heterodyne interferometer, which can be used for mapping or imaging complex optical parameters such as physical structures and material properties of a sample under test. The heterodyne interferometer is designed to provide in- and quadrature-phase interference signal which can be used for extracting the phase and amplitude change induced on the probe beam. The phase and the amplitude of the probe beam, which is reflected from or transmitted through the sample, are modified by the physical structures and material properties of the sample. Therefore, by scanning the probe beam, local variations of the phase and amplitude can be mapped, and, thereby, three-dimensional microscopic physical structures and material properties can be imaged by processing the phase and amplitude values.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radio communication device, and more particularly to a method for estimating a channel and compensating for error occurring in the estimation procedure, for a device for performing a frequency domain signal processing, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) The channel estimation method in a radio communication system includes the steps of: transforming a received OFDM signal into a frequency domain; estimating a channel frequency response (CFR) value from a result value obtained through the transformation by using a pilot signal; transforming the estimated CFR value into a time domain through an extended Inverse Fast Fourier Transform scheme, and detecting a channel impulse response (CIR) value; detecting a delay path position of a channel; modifying a non-ideal autocorrelation function; and compensating the estimated CIR value for error, through use of the detected delay path position and the non-ideal autocorrelation function.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for plasma actuated high performance flow control. A specific embodiment of a plasma actuator can incorporate a power source; a first electrode in contact with a first dielectric layer and connected to the power source; a second electrode in contact with a second dielectric layer and connected to the power source; and a ground electrode. The power source drives the first electrode with a first ac voltage pattern with respect to the ground electrode and drives the second electrode with a second ac voltage pattern with respect to the ground electrode such that application of the first voltage pattern produces a first plasma discharge in a flow region, and a first electric field pattern in the flow region, and application of the second voltage pattern produces a second plasma discharge in the flow region and a second electric field pattern in the flow region.

Abstract: Methods for producing pathogen-inducible promoters for the expression of genes in plants are provided. The pathogen-inducible promoters are inducible by one, two, three, or more plant pathogens. Methods for producing R genes that are inducible in a plant by more than one plant pathogen are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for translating a high programming level language code such as C, C++, Fortran, Java or the like into a HDL code such as Verilog or VHDL. The system includes: a C-to-C source translator which reads user API from a translation-targeted high level language code marked with the user API, separates the translation-targeted high level language code into a hardware code part and a software code part, and stores the hardware code part and the software code part in separate files; a main compiler which compiles the stored software code part; a translator which translates the stored hardware code part into a HDL code including one or more block modules and one top module; a main core which executes the compiled software code part; and a dedicated hardware which executes the HDL code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a three dimensional structure having a hydrophobic inner surface. The manufacturing method includes anodizing a three dimensional metal member and forming fine holes on an external surface of the metal member, forming a replica by coating a non-wetting polymer material on the outer surface of the metal member and forming the non-wetting polymer material to be a replication structure corresponding to the fine holes of the metal member, forming an exterior by surrounding the replication structure with an exterior forming material, and etching the metal member and eliminating the metal member from the replication structure and the exterior forming material.

Abstract: There is provided a digitally controlled oscillator, which is capable of widening its operation range with maintaining its resolution and the maximum frequency at which it operates. The digitally controlled oscillator includes a phase compensation block, a coarse block, and a fine block. The phase compensation block 510 generating a PLL signal PLLCLK and a first clock signal CLK1 which has the same phase and frequency as the PLL signal, in response to a phase control signal DISABLE and a fourth clock signal CLK4. The coarse block 520 generating a second clock signal CLK2 and a third clock signal CLK3 which results from delaying the PLL signal PLLCLK and the first clock signal CLK1 for a given time, in response to a m(integer)-bit coarse A control signal COAR_A and an (m?1)-bit coarse B control signal COAR_B.

Abstract: The present invention provides gene sets, the expression of which is important in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of cancer, in particular of breast cancer.