Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and measuring a torsional wave in a rod, shaft or pipe using magnetostriction are provided. The magnetostrictive transducer includes at least one strip attached to a predetermined position of a rod member, an insulator disposed around the strip, a coil wound around the insulator, and magnets providing a bias magnetic field to the strip, wherein a plurality of strips are attached to the rod member at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, and one pole of the magnet is close to an end of a first strip among the plurality of strips, and another pole of the magnet is close to an end of a second strip among the plurality of strips.

Abstract: MEMS can be fabricated from fibers without the use of a matrix material. Devices can be built where fibers are attached only at a substrate edge (e.g. cantilevers, bridges). Motions can be controlled by adjusting the linkage between multiple fibers with weak coupling (e.g. base, tip, in-between). Driving mechanisms include base-forcing (magnetics, piezo, electrostatics) or tip forcing (magnetics). Mirrors may be formed on free ends of cantilevers to form optical scanners.

Abstract: A linear power amplifier system using pulse area modulation includes: an envelop/phase decomposer for decomposing an input signal into an envelop signal and a phase signal; a pulse area modulator for modulating the envelop signal such that an area of the modulated envelop signal is proportional to an amplitude of the envelop signal; a control signal generator for converting the modulated envelop signal into a control signal; an automatic gain adjuster for equalizing pulse height of the modulated envelop signal; a mixer for mixing the phase signal with the output of the automatic gain adjustor to produce a RF pulse train; a power amplifier for amplifying the RF pulse train, to generate an amplified RF pulse train; and a band pass filter for restoring the original input signal from the amplified RF pulse train. The output level of the power amplifier is controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retinal pigment epithelial stem cell isolated from a posterior region of the retinal pigment epithelium of an adult mammal. The invention also relates to a method of inducing differentiation of retinal epithelial stem and progenitor cells in vitro, wherein the cells of the invention are highly plastic, multipotential stem cells. The invention also includes methods for the treatment of retinal diseases and vision loss involving the transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells or cells differentiated from retinal pigment epithelial stem cells to the retina of a patient in need of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of use of glycosyltransferases and related novel compounds. The invention exploits the reversibility of glycosyltransferases to generate new sugars, unnatural biomolecules and numerous one-pot reactions for generation of new biomolecules having varied backbones such as enediynes, vancomycins, bleomycins, anthracyclines, macrolides, pluramycins, aureolic acids, indolocarbazoles, aminglycosides, glycopeptides, polyenes, coumarins, benzoisochromanequinones, calicheamicins, erythromycin, avermectins, ivermectins, angucyclines, cardiac glycosides, steroids or flavinoids. In preferred embodiments, the invention specifically relates to biosynthesis of anticancer (the enediyne calicheamicin, CLM), anthelmintic agents (the macrolides avermectin, ivermectin and erythromycin) and antibiotic (the glycopeptide vancomycin, VCM) natural product-based drugs developed by reversible, bidirectional glycosyltransferase-catalyzed reactions.

Abstract: A sandwich panel core that may be comprised of a lattice structure utilizing a network of hierarchical trusses, synergistically arranged, to provide support and other functionalities disclosed herein. Since this design results in a generally hollow core, the resulting structure maintains a low weight while providing high specific stiffness and strength. Sandwich panels are used in a variety of applications including sea, land, and air transportation, ballistics, blast impulse mitigation, impact mitigation, thermal transfer, ballistics, load bearing, multifunctional structures, armors, construction materials, and containers, to name a few.

Abstract: Antibodies, and particularly human antibodies, are disclosed that demonstrate activity in the treatment of demyelinating diseases as well as other diseases of the central nervous system that are of viral, bacterial or idiopathic origin, including neural dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury. Neuromodulatory agents are set forth that include and comprise a material selected from the group consisting of an antibody capable of binding structures or cells in the central nervous system, a peptide analog, a hapten, active fragments thereof, agonists thereof, mimics thereof, monomers thereof and combinations thereof. The neuromodulatory agent has one or more of the following characteristics: it is capable of inducing remyelination; binding to neural tissue; promoting Ca?? signaling with oligodendrocytes; and promoting cellular proliferation of glial cells. Amino acid and DNA sequences of exemplary antibodies are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for decreasing an inrush current which comprises a power system including a transformer, and a superconducting fault current limiter electrically connected to the transformer. A resistance value of the superconducting fault current limiter is calculated by using a variation of the inrush current and a variation of the voltage drop of the power system according to a value of insertion resistance. In the apparatus for decreasing the inrush current, the optimal resistance value considering both the decrease rate of the inrush current and the voltage drop by the insertion of the superconducting fault current limiter is decided as the resistance value of the superconducting fault current limiter. Accordingly, the power system is efficiently operated depending on the characteristics of the power system in which the superconducting fault current limiter is installed.

Abstract: A system and method for self-selection by pairs of mutually-interested individuals among current or sometime visitors to participating social venues, including interactive client devices provided on a pay-to-use basis at each venue and connected via an external network to servers hosting a secure database storing user information together with software to manage the interactions between devices and database. The method comprises displaying on client devices digital photo and/or other data created by first user for the purpose of self-introduction; allowing second user to respond to first user's displayed self-introduction; and establishing, without requiring the disclosure of any user identity or access information, a link for subsequent communications between those users.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protected alcohol or derivative thereof, a surface-modified organic-inorganic hybrid glass, and preparation methods thereof. More specifically, disclosed are a protected alcohol or derivative thereof and a surface-modified organic-inorganic hybrid glass, which are prepared by allowing a silane compound, having vinyl or a vinyl derivative, to react with an alcohol or derivative thereof or with an organic-inorganic hybrid glass, in the presence of an acid catalyst, a transition metal catalyst and an organic solvent, so as to introduce an organic group thereto even at room temperature, as well as preparation methods thereof. The disclosed invention allows a functional group to be effectively introduced into alcohol or a derivative thereof or into an organic-inorganic hybrid glass, not only high temperatures but also room temperature, and thus is highly effective in introducing compounds having a thermally sensitive functional group, for example, natural compounds or proteins.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treatment of urinary incontinence. The method includes the steps of providing to a person or animal, in the vicinity of a pubo-urethral ligament of the person or animal, a composition including collagen macromolecules that have hydroxyphenyl side groups substituted thereon, which are reacted to form dihydroxyphenyl linkages. In an embodiment, the collagen macromolecules are gelatin macromolecules. In another embodiment, the hydroxyphenyl side groups are tyramine side groups and the dihydroxyphenyl linkages are dityramine linkages. The composition can be injected into a space between a urethra and a pubis of the person or animal wherein the pubo-urethral ligament is disposed in the space. The method is advantageous, for example, based on being minimally invasive.

Abstract: A frequency selective surface-based (FSS-based) device (200) for processing electromagnetic waves providing at least a third-order response. The FSS-based device includes a first FSS (202), a second FSS (210), and a high quality factor (Q) FSS (206) interposed between the first and second FSSs. A first dielectric layer (204) and a second dielectric layer (208) separate the respective FSS layers. The first and second FSSs have first and second primary resonant frequencies, respectively. The high Q FSS has a lower primary resonant frequency relative to the first and second primary resonant frequencies. The overall electrical thickness of the PSS device can be <?/10. The high Q FSS has a loaded quality factor of at least thirty at the lower primary resonant frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve includes an expandable support member for positioning in an atrial chamber. The expandable support member includes at least one anchoring portion for anchoring in at least one opening that extends from the atrial chamber and a main body portion located adjacent the at least one anchoring portion. The main body portion has a cage-like structure and is adapted to conform to a size and shape of the atrial chamber. An expandable ring is selectively connected to the main body portion. The expandable ring is adapted to engage an annulus of the diseased cardiac valve. A prosthetic valve is attached to the expandable ring. The prosthetic valve is adapted to replace the diseased cardiac valve. A method for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to eubacterial tmDNA sequences and the corresponding tmRNA sequences. The present invention is further directed to alignments of eubacterial tmDNA sequences and the use of the sequences and sequence alignments for the development of antibacterial drugs. The present invention is also directed to the use of the sequences for the development of diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. In the method, a vertical alignment layer having a first area and a second area is formed on a substrate. A first plasma gas is sprayed onto the first area with first spraying conditions under atmospheric pressure. A second plasma gas is sprayed onto the second area with second spraying conditions under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method that includes comparing a subject color medical image to normal color medical image data; and identifying abnormal pixels from the subject color medical image. Another embodiment includes a computer readable medium comprising machine readable instructions for implementing one or more steps of that method. Another embodiment includes a device that has a field programmable gate array configured to perform one or more of the steps of that method. Another embodiment includes a device that has an application specific integrated circuit configured to perform one or more of the steps of that method.

Abstract: Traumatic insult to the brain leads to a degradation of low molecular weight of cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) and generation of high molecular weight complexes in the cortex and hippocampus, as assessed by both N-terminal and C-terminal specific antibodies. The formation and release of CB1 oligomers was dramatically increased into CSF within 1 hour following traumatic brain insult. Novel CB1 receptor-based, prognostic markers of traumatic brain injury and other forms of brain injury are disclosed. A method of repopulating damaged neural cells by proliferation of a subgroup of neural progenitor cells is described. Targeting CB1 receptors for therapeutic neuroprotection in TBI is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna for microwave tumor ablation provides coaxial antenna conductors surrounded by an insulated sleeve of length and size promoting destructive interference of axial microwave energy passing inside and outside of the sleeve to limit the tail of SAR power toward the skin.

Abstract: An antiviral agent comprising an altered MAB1, MAB2, MAB3, or OLE1 gene, gene homologs or related genes is disclosed. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of creating a virus resistant organism comprising creating a transgenic organism comprising an antiviral agent selected from the group of altered MAB1 genes, MAB2 genes, MAB3 genes or OLE1 genes, homologs of these genes, related genes and combinations of these genes and homologs.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Aglaonema, denominated ‘UF-742-3’, has small to medium size and upright plant growth habit, vigorous and dense growth habit, very freely clumping habit, dark green-colored leaves with large grey green-colored venal areas covering over half the leaf surface, and white colored petioles.