Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing lignin content and improving lignin profiles. Also provided are the plants prepared by the methods of the invention. Such plants may exhibit improved digestibility relative to prior plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a series of oxidized cellulose esters suitable for use as a drug carrier in the development of biodegradable controlled and/or sustained release pharmaceutical, agricultural, and veterinary compositions, such as films, compacts, microspheres, and pellets. The esters are prepared by acylation of oxidized cellulose having at least 3% carboxyl groups. The resulting oxidized cellulose esters are soluble in aqueous alkaline solutions, water, and a variety of organic solvents.

Abstract: A scan cell is described for testing an integrated circuit. The scan cell may include circuitry adapted to operate in a non-test mode as a storage element and adapted to operate as a static random access memory (SRAM) cell in a test mode. For example, the circuitry may include one or more pass transistors and a flip flop. The scan cell may be one of a plurality of addressable scan cells in one or more grids for testing the integrated circuit. For example, the scan cells may be arranged in a single grid or may be partitioned into two or more grids. The scan cell may be used for reliability testing or for performance testing. The PRAS cell for performance testing may be staged, with a first pattern applied and then a second pattern applied. For example, one section of the scan cell may operate using a clock cycle of ?1 and another section of the PRAS cell may operate using a clock cycle of ?2 which is different from ?1.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for localized delivery of IL-12 to a desired site. The composition comprises liposomes carrying IL-12. The liposomes comprise phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl glycerol and cholesterol. The size and composition of the liposomes is such that there is minimal leakage into the systemic circulation. These compositions can be used for delivery of IL-12 to selected sites such as tumors.

Abstract: A permanent magnet array iron filter has a generally circular collar made of a high magnetic permeability material with a plurality of magnetic assemblies interiorly disposed longitudinally around an interior circumference therein. Each magnetic assembly has two magnets with opposite poles facing the center of the filter and a gap between the adjacent assemblies. This arrangement intensifies the resultant magnetic field and projects the field deeply within the interior region of the filter. Rare earth permanent magnets are used to maximize the magnetic field. The collar may be coated with a plastic coating to protect the filter. The collar has a gap to provide flexibility when sliding the filter over an oil filter. The thickness of the collar may be adjusted to meet the requirements of a particular application.

Abstract: A method for electroblowing fibers is provided which involves the steps of: forcing a polymer fluid through a spinneret in a first direction towards a collector located a first distance from the spinneret, while simultaneously blowing a gas through an orifice that is substantially concentrically arranged around the spinneret, wherein the gas is blown substantially in the first direction; wherein an electrostatic differential is generated between the spinneret and the collector; and collecting the fibers, and its use in preparing submicron scale fibers of various types, particularly hyaluronan fibers, and the hyaluronan nanofibers thus formed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for distributing data (e.g., content data) over a computer network and a method of arranging receiver nodes in a computer network such that the capacity of a server is effectively increased (e.g., the capacity of a server may be effectively multiplied many times over; the capacity of the server may be effectively increased exponentially). In one embodiment the present invention may take advantage of the excess capacity many receiver nodes possess, and may use such receiver nodes as repeaters. The distribution system may include node(s) having database(s) which indicate ancestor(s) and/or descendant(s) of the node so that reconfiguration of the distribution network may be accomplished without burdening the system's primary server.

Abstract: On a first intermediate layer provided on a substrate and having an excellent surface smoothness, are formed a second intermediate layer and an YBCO superconductor layer having excellent properties. An YBCO superconductor (10) having a critical current density (Jc) of 1 MA/cm2 or higher can be produced by forming a first intermediate layer (2), a second intermediate layer (3), an YBCO superconductor layer (4) and an Ag-stabilized layer (5) on the surface of a tape-shaped biaxially oriented Ni—W alloy substrate (1), wherein the first intermediate layer (2) has a thickness of 5 nm or less, has a surface smoothness, comprises A2Zr2O7, and is formed by repeating coating and provisional burning several times by the MOD method, the second intermediate layer (3) comprises a CeO2 film and is formed by the pulse plating method, the YBCO superconductor layer (4) is formed by the MOD method, and the Ag-stabilized layer (5) is formed on the YBCO superconductor layer (4).

Abstract: A vigilance monitoring system to determine the alertness of a driver of a vehicle. The system uses one or multiple sensors located at the driver-vehicle interface (steering wheel, accelerator, brakes). The sensor monitors the magnitude and frequency of the force (or displacement) exerted by a driver at the driver interface. A time derivative of the force or displacement profile is created. The variability of the time derivative of the force/displacement data from the general trend of the data as obtained by an optimized moving average of the data. An intelligent control system measures the variability and compares with an alertness rating scale to determine the alertness score of the driver and issue warning signals and actions as appropriate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for fabricating a reverse-staggered polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor, and more specifically a method for fabricating a reverse-staggered polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor wherein a phosphosilicate-spin-on-glass (P-SOG) is used for a gate insulating film. The method comprises the steps of: forming a buffer layer on an insulating substrate; forming a gate metal pattern on the buffer layer; forming a planarized gate insulating film on the gate metal pattern; depositing an amorphous silicon layer on the gate insulating film; crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon layer; forming a n+ or p+ layer on the polycrystalline silicon layer; forming a source/drain metal layer on the n+ or p+ layer; and forming a passivation layer on the source/drain metal layer.

Abstract: A blood pump actuator to generate a driving force for driving a blood pump is disclosed. The blood pump actuator includes: a motor unit having a stator and a rotor, and rotating to generate a rotating force; a cam unit to convert the rotating motion of the motor unit into a rectilinear reciprocating motion; and a bellows unit having a bellows, which is expandable and contractible and contains a fluid therein, and an upper bellows plate and a lower bellows plate respectively attached to the upper and lower ends of the bellows, wherein the lower bellows plate moves upwards and downwards in a vertical direction according to the rectilinear reciprocating motion of the cam unit engaging with the lower bellows plate, and the bellows repeatedly expands and contracts according to the vertical movement of the lower bellows plate.

Abstract: Highly efficient ventilation fans for exhausting air out from underneath roofs, and for being portable in use and application. The fan can include optimized airflow blades having a twisted configuration that can move at a rotational speed operation of up to approximately 500 rpm. The approximately 15 inch diameter twisted blades can be premolded on a hub that together form a single molded unit of plastic. They can also be fabricated using metal. The unit can be mounted in an exhaust outlet having a conical diffuser on or adjacent to a roof. Alternatively, the fan can be portable for use most anywhere there is a need for ventilation and moving of air. The blades can rotate by a solar powered motor, where the blades and motor can generate up to approximately 1040 cfm while using no more than approximately 16 Watts.

Abstract: Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) is identified as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. The invention provides diagnostic and treatment methods useful in connection with cancers expressing LMW-PTP and, optionally, EphA2 receptor. Also provided is a screening method that utilizes changes in the amount and/or activity of LMW-PTP to identify candidate cancer therapeutic agents that effectively target the oncoprotein EphA2.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing data are provided. An expert system receives input from at least a first source. Data is imported and analyzed by an expert system, wherein the expert system makes at least one first decision, which characterizes the data based on a rule base. The at least one first decision is displayable and modifiable by a first input from a first source. In response to the first input from the first source, the rule base may be re-applied to make at least one second decision, wherein the at least one second decision is different from the at least one first decision, or the at least one first decision may be accepted. The at least one first decision or the at least one second decision is then displayable and modifiable in response to a first input from a second source.

Abstract: A new class of micro- and nano-particulate paramagnetic spin probes especially useful for magnetic resonance imaging techniques, including electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The probes are lithium phthalocyanine derivative compounds. Also provided are suspensions and emulsions comprising lithium phthalocyanine derivative probes. Also provided are noninvasive methods for measuring noninvasive methods of measuring oxygen concentration, oxygen partial pressure, oxygen metabolism, and nitric oxide concentration in a specific tissue, organ, or cell in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A phase contrast quadrature interferometric method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The method includes probing a substrate exposed to the sample with a laser beam. The substrate includes a reflecting surface with a first region having recognition molecules specific to the target analyte and a second region without recognition molecules. The method also includes probing the first and second region, and measuring time dependent intensity on a photodetector at one or both of a pair of quadrature angles of a reflected diffraction signal. The apparatus includes a laser source, a platform for receiving the planar array, an objective lens offset from the platform by approximately a focal length, and a split photodetector means for measuring a first quadrature and a second quadrature in a signal resulting from reflection of the laser beam.

Abstract: This chemical vapor synthesis process was designed so that a metal carbide precursor and a secondary metal precursor are separately or together fed into each evaporator in a reactor by specially designed precursor feeders, either simultaneously or sequentially. The reduction and carburization of the vaporized precursors by gaseous mixtures produces carbide-metal nanocomposite powders. The product can be a very uniform mixture of the constituent powders or a uniform agglomerate, which is important to ensure a high quality of bulk cemented metal carbide product after consolidation and sintering. These nanocomposite powders can be readily characterized using XRD, carbon analyzer and TEM.

Abstract: Regioregular polymers of C4-C20 alpha-olefins of Mn greater than 1000 g/mol, are obtained.

Abstract: A high-fill-factor and large-aperture tip-tilt micromirror array is disclosed. Electrothermal actuation can be used to obtain a large scan range, and the actuation engine can be hidden underneath the mirror plate for high fill factor. In one embodiment, inverted-series-connected (ISC) bimorph actuators can be used to achieve tilt and piston scanning. Embodiments can be used to implement optical phased array technology for steering active and passive electro-optical systems based on MEMS mirrors.

Abstract: A medium access control (MAC) technique of a multihop sensor network. In the multihop sensor network, the MAC technique may contribute to significantly reducing transmission delay, and allow real-time services to be provided to all nodes by extending a guaranteed time slot (GTS) restricted to one hop in a personal area network (PAN) coordinator (PNC) to all nodes. Furthermore, the MAC technique may allow the number of available GTSs to be significantly increased, by using all 16 frequency band channels instead of using only a single frequency band and setting a multi-superframe.