Abstract: A gain-controlled transimpedance amplifier circuit that comprises a first gain unit including an input for receiving a first current and an output, a current source for providing a second current, a second gain unit including an input and an output, a first impedance unit of a first impedance coupled in parallel with the second gain unit, and a comparator including an output, a first input coupled to the output of the first gain unit, and a second input coupled to the output of the second gain unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable length packet switching system. The variable length packet switching system includes at least two switching means, a plurality of multiplexing units and a plurality of demultiplexing units. The switching means switch ATM cells or variable length packet data in parallel. The multiplexing means are arranged upstream of the switching means for multiplexing data inputted from a line card to the switching means in packet units and dividing a packet into packets of a number corresponding to the number of the switching means. The demultiplexing means are arranged downstream of the switching means for combining packets inputted after being switched in parallel by the at least two switching means and outputting the combined packet converted into a format adequate to the line card.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secure quantum digital signatures. In one embodiment, a digital signature user creates a plurality of identical “public” keys having one or more bits and a corresponding quantum mechanical one-way function. Quantum digital signature recipients use a “swap test” to check the validity of a copy of the key, and compare the test results with others. The quantum digital signature user sends a signed message over any channel, including an insecure channel. The recipients evaluate the signed message, and quantify the number of incorrect keys. The message is deemed valid and original, or forged and/or tampered with, when the number of incorrect keys is less than a lower threshold, or exceeds an upper threshold, respectively. For an intermediate number of incorrect keys, the recipients determine message authenticity by comparing observations. Hardware useful for application of the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A composite metal object comprises ductile crystalline metal particles in an amorphous metal matrix. An alloy is heated above its liquidus temperature. Upon cooling from the high temperature melt, the alloy chemically partitions, forming dendrites in the melt. Upon cooling the remaining liquid below the glass transition temperature it freezes to the amorphous state, producing a two-phase microstructure containing crystalline particles in an amorphous metal matrix. The ductile metal particles have a size in the range of from 0.1 to 15 micrometers and spacing in the range of from 0.1 to 20 micrometers. Preferably, the particle size is in the range of from 0.5 to 8 micrometers and spacing is in the range of from 1 to 10 micrometers. The volume proportion of particles is in the range of from 5 to 50% and preferably 15 to 35%. Differential cooling can produce oriented dendrites of ductile metal phase in an amorphous matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the use of tools on underground pipeline systems including a socket having a polygonal open end, a pliable socket insert having a polygonal outer circumference corresponding to the polygonal socket opening adapted to fit snugly into the polygonal opening and flush with the open end of the socket and a locking device by which the socket insert is maintained within the socket during use. The socket insert is provided with a plurality of pliant inwardly extending projections which deform to the size and geometry of the tool to be employed when the socket is pressed onto the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are acid- and bile salt-resistant Lactobacillus isolates having the ability to lower cholesterol. The present Lactobacillus isolates or their sub-cultured offspring or mutants derived therefrom can be used in the preparation of various food products, and in the manufacture of medicaments for use in the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases and for use in lowering serum cholesterol.

Abstract: A high frequency module for converting a high frequency wave in a free space to a high frequency wave in a planar waveguide includes two metal plates, a dielectric substrate and a planar waveguide disposed on the dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate between the two metal plates has the planar waveguide disposed thereon, and the planar waveguide protrudes either in a through hole bored in one of the two metal plates, or in a hollow space defined by the other of the two metal plates on the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fabricating an integrated circuit entail directing a vapor flux toward a substrate surface from a plurality of directions associated with a plurality of azimuth angles, and selecting a deposition angle of the vapor flux, relative to a normal incidence, to obtain a substantially conformal film. The surface feature can be associated with, for example, one or more vias and/or one or more trenches.

Abstract: The present invention features substantially pure HDAC9, HDAC9a, HDAC9(?NLS), HDAC9a(?NLS), an HDRP(?NLS) polypeptides, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. The present invention also features vectors containing HDAC9, HDAC9a, HDAC9(?NLS), HDAC9a(?NLS), and HDRP(?NLS) nucleic acid sequences, and cells containing those vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of synthesizing trioxymethylene from formaldehyde by the catalytic action of an acidic ionic liquid. In the method, formaldehyde solution with a concentration of 30˜80 wt % is used as reactant, and an ionic liquid is used as catalyst. The cation moiety of the catalyst is selected from either imidazoles cation or pyridines cation, and the anion moiety of the catalyst is selected from one of p-tolyl benzene sulfonate, trifluoromethyl sulfonate, and hydrogen sulfate. In the present invention, ionic liquid is used, for the first time, as a catalyst to synthesize trioxymethylene from formaldehyde. The catalyst can be circularly used for continuous sampling.

Abstract: Provided are a surface emitting laser device having an optical sensor, and an optical waveguide device employing the same. The surface emitting laser device having an optical sensor includes a surface emitting laser formed on a substrate and generating a laser beam to output it to outside, and an optical sensor formed adjacent to the surface emitting laser on the substrate and receiving external light. In the surface emitting laser device having the optical sensor, and the optical waveguide device employing the same, the surface emitting laser and the optical sensor are simultaneously integrated, however, the performance of the surface emitting laser is unaffected by the optical sensor and the optical sensor operates separately, exhibits high performance, and can respond within a wide wavelength band.

Abstract: An anode plate for a field emission display device (FED) is disclosed, which has a substrate; an anode conductive layer formed on the substrate; at least one interspacing conductive band having a plurality of internal gaps for connecting the anode conductive layer and external cable lines, wherein the interspacing conductive band covers a part of the anode conductive layer; and a fluorescent layer located on the anode conductive layer, to serve as a source of luminescence for a field emission display device. The field emission display device includes the anode plate aforesaid as is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal associated with a polydentate ligand. The polydentate ligand stabilizes the nanocrystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for characterizing and using polysaccharides. Low molecular weight heparin products and methods of use are described. Methods for characterizing purity and activity of polysaccharide preparations including glycosaminoglycans such as heparin are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a mobile communications device such as a cell phone includes apparatus for communicating with base stations and apparatus for communicating with satellites. Signals received from satellites and the base stations are combined to provide the necessary information to calculate the location of the mobile communications device.

Abstract: Wireless audio data transmitting and receiving apparatus using human body is disclosed. An audio signal outputted from a portable audio player is converted by the digital audio interface technology without a wire or an antenna, is transferred through human body using only a single signal electrode at high speed, and the audio signal transferred through the human body is received to listen through an earphone. Thus, the inconvenient wire is removed to improve the convenience to use and the antenna which has a difficulty due to the size and the installation is not required. Moreover, since additional encoding and decoding for the reduction of the transfer rate are not required so that the high speed transfer is enabled and the power consumption can be reduced, components and/or a battery can be reduced in size and can be minimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically adjusting display parameters relying on visual performance and its method. The present apparatus includes a display, a detecting system and a control system. The detecting system is disposed in a predetermined position to detect visual performance of a user operating the display. The control system adjusts the display parameters according to the visual performance variation of the user. As such, the user can comfortably operate the display for long and the visual fatigue is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are substituted phenoxyacetic acids useful in the treatment of chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, and methods of treatment employing the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, as well as methods for their synthesis.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds and methods for the ex vivo or in vivo expansion of NK T cells, CD1d-reactive T cells, and J?Q+ T cells, and the modulation of their activities. These compounds and methods have diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: An aerosol of a powder composed of helium carrier gas and particles of a hexagonal aluminum nitride is charged through a transfer pipe 3 into a film deposition chamber 4 whose interior is depressurized by gas evacuation using a vacuum pump 5 to maintain a degree of vacuum of 200-8000 Pa during supply of the carrier gas and the aerosol is blown from a nozzle 6 provided on the end of the transfer pipe 3 inside the film deposition chamber 4 to impinge on a substrate fastened to a substrate holder 7 to make the impact force of the particles at collision with the substrate 4 GPa or greater, thereby transforming the crystal structure of the aluminum nitride from hexagonal to cubic to deposit cubic aluminum nitride on the substrate.