Abstract: A system (10) for relaxation, the system (10) comprising: electrodes (15) worn by a user to measure the electrocardiogram (ECG) of the user; a processor (18) to process the ECG to remove noise and analyse the ECG signal in the time and frequency domains, and compute an index of stress (33) from the processed ECG; and a multimedia device (14) to provide real-time biofeedback by communicating the index of stress (33) to the user together with a relaxation video (31) to cause the user to relax.

Abstract: Digital communication schemes using chaotic signals as carriers can be broadly classified into two categories. In the first category, the chaotic signals carrying the information have to be synchronously regenerated at the receiver, which may be applicable to low noise environment. The second category requires no synchronous regeneration of the carrying chaotic signals in the receiver. An example of the second category utilizes a specific bit structure, which may not be able to resist unintended reception because the fabricated bit structure can be relatively easily detected. This invention involves systems and methods for transmitting digital messages modulated as chaotic signals, and the demodulation methods. One individual chaotic signal generator having a specific chaotic characteristic value is responsible for generating a chaotic signal for each possible value of the digital message according to a chaotic algorithm.

Abstract: A method for producing a nanostructured austenitic sheet by consecutive martensite and austenite phase (?/??) transformations, in which the coarse grained austenite sheet transforms to nanocrystalline martensite by strain-induced transformation, and then generates reverse transformation to nanostructured austenite by warm rolling due to dynamic recrystallization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand sensory assessment device capable of point localization, two-point discrimination, vibration, and texture discrimination for assessing and training patients. The device possesses multiples of pins serving as contacting points that are capable of treating multiples points on a patients hand.

Abstract: PageRank (PR) is used by web search engine Google in ranking individual web pages. However, it is known that this value is also easily manipulated by methods known as spoofing. Further, the calculation of PR will require iterative cycles of computations to achieve a “steady” value. This would mean that huge computation resources are required to obtain reasonably reliable PR values for various web pages. This invention provides relatively accurate and simple methods for ranking the importance of a node in a network. The web graph or the network is first represented by an incidence matrix or a representation matrix W. The matrix W is then self-multiplied to obtain flow matrix. The flow capacity, or the rank of each node, is then obtained from the flow matrix.

Abstract: Decalcification can be performed by using acid or other agents. It may be difficult to decalcify large bone block within ours. This invention provides a bone-decalcifying agent including a calcium desolving agent for desolving calcium ions of bones, and a bubble-forming agent for generating microbubbles when the bone-decalcifying agent is exposed to ultrasonic vibration. It is found that bones may be decalcified in a relatively short time using the bone-decalcifying agent of this invention.

Abstract: A process for all-optically switching an incoming optical signal having at least a data packet is provided. The data packet including at least an address bit in its header, and the process includes receiving the data packet; processing the header optically; storing the decision made during the processing of the header; and switching the whole incoming data packet dependent upon the decision.

Abstract: This invention provides double-skin tubular structural members having fiber-reinforced polymer outer tubes, steel or otherwise generally metallic inner tubes and generally a bound aggregate such as concrete in between the tubes.

Abstract: A circuit board, for an electronic circuit having a passive circuit component, has a component region, a non-component region, and circuit wiring conductors on its surface. The component region includes a polymer composition comprising a mixture of polymer resin and filler material that, in combination with the circuit wiring conductors, forms the passive circuit component.

Abstract: The present invention provides bipyrimidinyl diphosphine compounds of the formula wherein R is optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R? and R? are independently optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; or an enantiomer thereof; or an enantiomeric mixture thereof. The compounds of the formula (I) are chiral atropisomeric bipyrimidinyl diphosphine compounds and, thus, may be employed as ligands to generate chiral transition metal catalysts which may be applied in a variety of asymmetric reactions, e.g., in palladium catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions. The compounds of the present invention are easily accessible in high enantiomeric purity according to the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying object movement and location with RFID device comprises two RFID gateways constructed by at least one RFID interrogator located inside and outside an entrance of a monitored zone independently, a portable RFID tag carried by the object capable of receiving and responding said signals emitted by said RFID interrogator, and a data processor connected with said RFID gateways capable of receiving said responses to identify said object movement as leaving or entering said entrance and said object location as outside or inside said monitored zone. There is also a corresponding method for identifying object movement and location with RFID device.

Abstract: A method of personal identification includes switching between visible and near infrared light, acquiring palmprint image and palm vein image from a person under the visible and the near infrared light, extracting sub-images from the palmprint image and the palm vein image based on a region of interest, extracting multiple features from the sub-images, and matching the extracted multiple features with stored information in a database to authenticate the person.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods and systems for transmitting signals in a building utilizing the reinforced steel bar structure in the building. The methods and systems allow the transmission and receipt of signals in residences and offices in older buildings while avoiding system reconfiguration, high cost cabling, and over-invasive installation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to LED lamps suitable for forming automotive lighting systems, made of high power lambertian LEDs and a TIR collimator lens. In the present invention, a novel TIR collimator lens is developed to collect the light emitted from the LED source and through a pillow lens array; redistribution occurs to form a light pattern meeting ECE requirements.

Abstract: In the present invention, methods and systems for fabricating novel LPFGs are taught. Fabrication is preformed by focusing a CO2 laser beam having a diameter of 30 to 40 ?m onto a fiber, such fiber being fixed and weighted on either ends. The variations of transmission spectrum and polarization dependent (PDL) loss of the CO2 laser-grooved LPFGs with different fabrication parameters as functions of applied as functions of applied tensile stain are demonstrated and evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuzzy system that provides a measure of global cardiovascular risk based on the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. The fuzzy system is of multiple input single output (MISO) wherein the inputs are the values of risk factors and the output is the measure of global cardiovascular risk.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a singles ring yarn, a method and apparatus is invented which utilizes double belts as a false twist device and incorporates it in the conventional ring spinning machine for producing a singles ring yarn. In this invention, a double-belts is applied thus two twisting points, instead of one twisting point, are adopted for the yarn false twisting to improve the false twist efficiency. Accordingly, a ratio of the velocity of the belt to the delivery speed of the yarn is controlled and the wrapping angle of the yarn on the belts is adjusted in order to obtain the desired property of the final singles ring yarn. The said invention can enhance the strength of fiber strand at the spinning triangle and thus ensure the yarns spun in a normal condition at low twist multipliers, which is unable to be obtained by the conventional ring spinning machine.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated fibre optic strain gauge (10) for measuring strain of a host structure (5), the strain gauge (10) comprising: a mount (20) to be operatively attached to the host structure (5), the mount (20) having a void (19) separating a first section (17) of the mount (20) from a second section (18) of the mount (20); a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) (30) recorded within a core of an optical fiber (11) to measure strain and temperature, the first FBG (30) being located transverse to the void (19) and a first end portion of the first FBG (30) is operatively attached to the first section (17) of the mount (20) and a second end portion of the first FBG (30) is operatively attached to the second section (18) of the mount (20), the end portions of the first FBG (30) being pre-strained by an amount larger than a predetermined operational range of the first FBG (30); a second fiber Bragg grating (FBG) (40) recorded within the core of the optical fiber (11) to measure temperature, the temperature measur

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing porous natural or synthetic material scaffolds with keratin for improving cell affinity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of making biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable biomaterials and keratin nonwoven fibrous articles by electrospinning fibers from a blend of biomaterials and keratin dissolved in organic solvents includes generating a high voltage electric field between oppositely charged biomaterials and keratin fluid in a syringe with a capillary tip and a metallic collection roller and causing a jet to flow to the roller as solvent evaporates and collecting fibrous membranes or scaffolds on the roller. Keratin increased the cell affinity of biomaterial scaffolds which have potential medical applications.