Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for implementing an all-optical OR logic gate. The apparatus includes an optical pulse generator, a Mode-Locked Fiber Laser (MLFL), a first optical splitter, a first optical delay line means, an optical control means, a first optical coupler, a second optical splitter, a second optical delay line means, a third optical splitter, an Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA), a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA), a second optical coupler, and an optical analyzer. The first optical splitter divides light output from the MLFL. The first and second optical delay line means acquire time delay. The optical control means controls intensity and polarization of the light. The first optical coupler generates the first input signal pattern as a probe signal. The second optical splitter divides light output from the first optical coupler. The third optical splitter divides the second input signal pattern.

Abstract: A flat portion 12a and a slope portion 12b are provided on a thread 12 of a multi-pitch screw 10 alternately. The flat portion and the slope portion are provided on the thread of a multi-pitch nut which fastens with this. Consequently, a screw and a nut capable of preventing loosening securely by step are achieved. This enables comfortable and quick feeding and when a torque from a driving source is interrupted, step-like self-lock is activated.

Abstract: Methods for identifying agents which enhance the activity of a caspase according to the invention are described, as well as methods for enhancing caspase activity and methods for enhancing apoptosis in a lymphocyte.

Abstract: Small heat shock proteins, e.g., Pyrococcus fuiosus (Pfu-sHSP and/or Pfu-tsHSP), confer thermotolerance on cellular cultures and on proteins in cellular extracts during prolonged incubation at elevated temperature, demonstrating the ability to protect cellular proteins and maintain cellular viability under heat stress conditions. Such heat shock proteins are effective to combat enzymatic aggregation and intracellular precipitation during heat stress, and thereby enable enhancement of the utility and stability of enzymes in various applications, e.g., Taq polymerase in PCR applications, digestive enzymes in microbial degradative applications, etc.

Abstract: Provided are a temperature-insensitive polymeric optical AWG device and method of manufacturing the same. The temperature-insensitive polymeric optical AWG device includes: polymeric grating channel waveguides interposed between free propagation slab regions on a substrate between the input and output waveguides and having different lengths; a plurality of hollow trenches formed by selectively etching a surface of the substrate under the polymeric grating channel waveguides and allowing the polymeric grating channel waveguides to freely thermally expand from the substrate depending on a temperature variation; and a shield layer shielding entrances of the hollow trenches so that the polymeric grating channel waveguides do not flow into the hollow trenches.

Abstract: A porous aluminum fluoride on which SbClxF5-x (wherein x represents a numeral of 0 to 5) is supported, SbClxF5-x being obtainable by supporting SbCl5, or the like on a porous aluminum fluoride and treating it with hydrogen fluoride. The resulting porous aluminum fluoride has a high activity as a fluorinating agent, a fluorination catalyst, or the like, is easy to handle, can be used for a flow-type reaction, and also can be used even at a high temperature.

Abstract: An intersection controlled by an intersection controller receives trigger signals from on-coming emergency vehicles responding to an emergency call. The intersection controller initiates surveillance of the intersection via cameras installed at the intersection in response to a received trigger signal. The surveillance may begin immediately upon receipt of the trigger signal from an emergency vehicle, or may wait until the intersection controller determines that the signaling emergency vehicle is in the field of view of the cameras at the intersection. Portions of the captured images are tagged by the intersection controller based on tag signals transmitted by the vehicle or based on detected traffic patterns that indicate a potential traffic violation. The captured images are downloaded to a processing facility that analyzes the images and automatically issues citations for captured traffic violations.

Abstract: Novel monoamidine, monoamidoxime and bisamidine curatives, co-curatives and cure accelerators are provided for use with perfluoroelastomeric compositions as well as novel synthesis methods for making monoamidine- and monoamidoxime-based curatives, co-curatives and cure accelerators. Also provided are diphenyl-based curatives, co-curatives and cure accelerators having sufficiently high molecular weight such that the melting temperature of the curatives, co-curatives and cure accelerators is no greater than about 240° C., and more preferably no greater than about 230° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved vectors for use in gene therapy. Utilizing the cancer specific DF3/MUC1 promoter to drive a replication essential gene, vectors are made conditionally replication-competent, permitting wider infection and expression of tumor cells. In addition, therapeutic genes and adjunct therapies further increase anti-tumor efficacy.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring heat energy of a combustible fluid in which light having wavelengths in the near-infrared is directed into a test cell containing the combustible fluid and portions of the light not absorbed by the combustible fluid and passing out of the cell are spatially dispersed by wavelength, forming a light spectrum that is projected onto a detector. The light spectrum is digitized and inputted into a data processing unit in which it is compared to the actual spectrum of the light source stored in the system to determine the absorbance spectrum of the combustible fluid. The system is spectrally calibrated by identifying known spectral features of the combustible gas absorbance spectrum. To correct for deviations in the original light source spectrum, a light source calibration system is employed.

Abstract: In a cross-wound bobbin (1), the helical lines along which the yarn (4) is wound have a different inclination in adjacent layers. The winding ratios are selected such that the quantity drawn off is greater if the unwinding point is moving from the unwinding end to the bottom end, compared to the quantity drawn off if the unwinding point is moving from the bottom end to the unwinding end.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical film with array of microstructures, having a first optical surface and a second optical surface for receiving an incident light. The optical film comprises at least a transparent microstructure formed on the first optical surface, wherein the microstructure further comprises: a first side for scattering the incident light; and a second side for collimating the incident light.

Abstract: Provided is an optical deflector for deflecting radiation beams. The optical deflector includes: a peripheral region having a first effective refractive index; and a deflection pattern region having a predetermined shape and a second effective refractive index, wherein the second effective refractive index differs from the first effective refractive index. Here, due to the deflection pattern region having the predetermined shape, the radiation beams are deflected in a direction starting from a certain point. By using the optical deflector, the locus of a light source can be designed in one of various forms, such as a straight line, a circle, an ellipse, or a parabola.

Abstract: A teleoperator system with telepresence is shown which includes right and left hand controllers (72R and 72L) for control of right and left manipulators (24R and 24L) through use of a servomechanism that includes computer (42). Cameras (46R and 46L) view workspace (30) from different angles for production of stereoscopic signal outputs at lines (48R and 48L). In response to the camera outputs a 3-dimensional top-to-bottom inverted image (30I) is produced which, is reflected by mirror (66) toward the eyes of operator (18). A virtual image (30V) is produced adjacent control arms (76R and 76L) which is viewed by operator (18) looking in the direction of the control arms. Use of the teleoperator system for surgical procedures also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-linear optical material having a dendrimer structure; and, more particularly, to a non-linear optical material having organic chromophores at the ends and formed based on ester linkages and/or ether linkages. Since the non-linear optical material of the present invention is formed based on ester linkages and/or ether linkages, it is very stable. Also, because it is a dendrimer structure, it has the properties of a polymer while having a strong connection ability at the ends, and this makes the non-linear optical material easily adopt organic chromophores easily. As it is stable thermally and optically, it can be applied to optical communication usefully.

Abstract: A multiparameter acoustic signature inspection device and method are described for non-invasive inspection of containers. Dual acoustic signatures discriminate between various fluids and materials for identification of the same.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of multi-level combinational circuits with cyclic topologies. The techniques, applicable in logic synthesis, and in particular in the structuring phase of logic synthesis, optimize a multi-level description, introducing feedback and potentially optimizing the network.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope probe provides an indentation testing function in a direction along an axis. The probe has a tip and an arm structure holding the tip. The arm structure has one end mounted on a fixed stage, the other end coupled to the AFM tip, and a hollow frame having a shape symmetric with respect to a plane including an axis on which the two ends are positioned.

Abstract: A probe card is used in conducting a visual test for a target test object through simultaneous contact of the probe card with each and every electrode pad of the target test object. The probe card includes a plurality of probes composed of conductive wire strands and having elastically deformable contact parts so curved as to make contact with electrode pads of a target test object. The contact parts are oriented in one and the same direction and extend in a parallel relationship with one another. The probe card further includes a first insulating block for fixedly securing one end parts of the probes, a second insulating block for fixedly securing the other end parts of the probes and a mounting plate for holding the first and second insulating blocks in such a manner that the contact parts of the probes protrude outwardly.

Abstract: A method for converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen and carbon monoxide through catalytic partial oxidation is described. The process comprises a reactor containing both an electrically heated catalyst as a start-up device and novel-metal-washcoated metallic monolith catalysts and a heat exchanging device. The partial oxidation reaction becomes ignited in less than 1.5 minute when the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen-containing gas mixture is in contact with an electrically heated catalyst. The reaction takes place over the metallic monolith catalyst washcoated with noble metal (typically Pd/alumina-cerium oxide). The near complete conversion of hydrocarbon fuels with high hydrogen and carbon monoxide selectivities is achieved by preheating the feed mixture heat-exchanged with hot product gas stream.