Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic sensor comprising: forming a projection on a surface of an insulating substrate formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material by removing an unnecessary portion of the insulating substrate from a surface region thereof or by depositing a thin film formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material on the surface of the insulating substrate; forming a pair of thin film yokes positioned to face each other with the projection interposed therebetween and completely electrically separated from each other, the thin film yokes being formed by depositing a thin film formed of a soft magnetic material on the surface of the insulating substrate having the projection formed thereon, followed by partially removing the thin film formed of the soft magnetic material until at least a tip surface of the projection is exposed to the outside; and depositing a GMR film having an electrical resistivity higher than that of the soft magnetic material on the tip surface of the projection and

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to antimicrobial surfaces comprised of hydrocarbon polymers with significant hydrophobic character which also contain an amino group with a pKa greater than or equal to about 8. In certain embodiments initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is used to coat a surface with an antimicrobial polymer.

Abstract: An antibody and vectorized antibody, capable of crossing the blood brain barrier, which catalyze hydrolysis of ?-amyloid at a predetermined amide linkage are described. The antibody preferentially binds a transition state analog which mimics the transition state adopted by ?-amyloid during hydrolysis. Also described are methods for sequestering free ?-amyloid in an animal's bloodstream or for reducing ?-amyloid or for disaggregating or preventing the formation of amyloid plaques in an animal's brain by administering ?-amyloid specific antibodies or by immunization with endogenous ?-amyloid epitopes.

Abstract: A differential amplifier and a method for generating a computer simulation model thereof are disclosed. The device is thermally stable through adoption of a ballast resistor to a differential structure of a unit transistor pair, such that the differential amplifier prevents heat effect phenomena, such as performance deterioration and device destruction by heating, and, at the same time, improves or maintains other performances, thereby achieving high gain, high efficiency, high linearity, and wide bandwidth characteristics. Therefore, the differential amplifier can be easily designed as undesired effects of parasitic resistor of emitter or via or bonding wire, etc. for the differential amplifier are reduced in a differential mode.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and kits for use in diagnosing genetically transmitted diseases that are associated with deficiencies in glycosylation of glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans. The methods and kits are also useful for monitoring the course of treatment of diseases that are associated with glycosylation disorders.

Abstract: Islanding in metal layers on a dielectric material can be reduced by using a wetting agent between the metal layer and the dielectric material. One embodiment of the present invention encompasses a method comprising the steps of depositing a ceria layer on the dielectric material and depositing the metal layer on the ceria layer, wherein the ceria layer is the wetting agent for the metal layer. Another embodiment encompasses a multi-layer ceramic capacitor comprising a repeat layer having a base metal electrode formed on a ceria layer, which is deposited on a dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing monodipersive polymeric microspheres is disclosed. The method can control the diameter distribution of the microspheres and make it homogeneous. The manufactured polymeric microspheres also have plural functional groups on the surface for depositing metal particles thereon through redox. Moreover, the metal particles can be distributed on the surface of the polymeric microspheres homogeneously.

Abstract: A unique flexible cover and a method are provided for creating such a flexible cover for a prosthesis, orthosis or other dynamic or flexible supporting device. One implementation of the method includes the steps of capturing an image of a target object comprising at least a portion of an existing body part of a person or another object, digitally processing and manipulating the image of the target object to form a representation, printing the representation onto a flexible cover, and applying the cover to a prosthesis, orthosis, or other object.

Abstract: A method for depositing a copper layer on a substrate is disclosed. The method is achieved by heating a plating solution located between a heating device and a target substrate. Through the process illustrated above, metal nano-particles come out from the plating solution and deposit on a substrate with high aspect ratio. Surfactant can be selectively added for obtaining ultra-thin continuous film, void-free copper connectors. Furthermore, a copper film would achieve a preferred (111) crystallization orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a promoter for inducing expression specifically in at least one site of roots and stem apices. By using this promoter, it is possible to synthesize a resistance substance against nematodes or soil pathogens in roots; synthesize a substance promoting the development of roots in the roots; produce a gene recombinant plant in which expression of a selective marker in the redifferentiated plant body is limited to roots when the plant is young, so as to suppress the expression when the plant is matured; or the like. Further, the capability of expression in stem apices can be used to develop a technique for suppress gene expression in vigorously proliferating cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming a metallic microstructure on a patterned surface of a substrate by a nonisothermal deposition (NTID) in an electroless plating solution. The substrate is immersed in the solution being heated by a heating device mounted on a bottom of an electroless plating reactor while the heated solution being cooled by a cooling device provided in the reactor, and thus a seed layer is formed the patterned surface of the substrate. The substrate is then immersed in an electroless plating solution with a back surface of the substrate lying on the bottom of the reactor, so that the exposed seed layer is thickened to form the metallic microstructure.

Abstract: An artificial joint apparatus used as an artificial joint inserted into a bone is provided. The artificial joint apparatus includes: a body having a stem having a shape substantially corresponding to a space within the bone, into which the stem is inserted, and a head formed integrally with the stem; and a jacket made of a plastic material and surrounding an outer surface of the stem of the body. The jacket is constructed with an outer layer containing a bone-friendly material and an inner layer mainly made of a plastic material. Since the plastic jacket of an artificial joint apparatus has a bone-friendly material, it is possible to promote a growth of a bone contacted thereto. In addition, the bone is grown into a space where the bone-friendly material is dissolved, so that the jacket and the bone can be securely adhered. Since the bone-friendly material also exists in an inner portion of the jacket it is possible to continuously accelerate a bone in-growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cells of at least one strain of bacteria belonging to the Bacilli class for the production of a composition that is intended to prevent vertebral compression syndrome in fish from the salmonid family.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for separation and characterization of gas-phase ions. The device incorporates an ion source, a field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) analyzer, an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) drift tube, and an ion detector. In one aspect of the invention, FAIMS operating voltages are electrically floated on top of the IMS drift voltage. In the other aspect, the FAIMS/IMS interface is implemented employing an electrodynamic ion funnel, including in particular an hourglass ion funnel. The present invention improves the efficiency (peak capacity) and sensitivity of gas-phase separations; the online FAIMS/IMS coupling creates a fundamentally novel two-dimensional gas-phase separation technology with high peak capacity, specificity, and exceptional throughput.

Abstract: Sonic excitation is used to locate, without contact, an object or defect beneath a surface. Defects may include, for example, damage and flaws in load bearing concrete structures wrapped in plastic, fiberglass or composite sheathing, while buried objects amenable to detection include landmines or above-ground mines.

Abstract: A microcontact printing tool having a print unit including a stamp head with a stamp and a wafer chuck for retaining a substrate. The stamp contained by the stamped head movable relative to the substrate by an actuator and a stage. A plurality of sensors detect the position of the stamp relative to substrate. A method of using the printing tool that includes a real-time feedback for consistent and accurate application of force during the printing of the substrate. The stamp head includes a pressure chamber carrying the stamp. The stamp backing is deflected prior to contact of the stamp with the substrate to form a minimum point and the stamp backing and the stamp is returned to a plane to create a printing propagation contact. An apparatus and method of producing the stamp on a stamp backing. The apparatus has a master backing and a stamping backing in close proximity and the stamp material drawn in through a vacuum. The stamp is separated from the master by use of a parting fluid.

Abstract: Multiphasic reactions, especially those reactions using a phase transfer catalyst, are conducted in microchannel apparatus. Advantageously, these reactions can be conducted with two, planar microlayers of reactants in adjacent laminar flow streams. Microchannel apparatus and methods for conducting unit operations such as reactions and separations in microchannel apparatus is also described. Microchannel apparatus can provide advantages for controlling reactions and separating products, solvents or reactants in multiphase reactions.

Abstract: Polycapillary chromatographic column contains a set of parallel channels isolated from each other, walls of the channels on the inside are covered with sorbent, and are joined with walls of adjacent channels on the outside by fusing. Feature of a column is that it is produced as set of modules of a various level, thus the module of the lowest level represents hexagonally packed and having in cross-section shape of a correct hexagon set of the channels which are produced by joint drawing of a bundle of monocapillaries in the softened condition. The module of each higher level represents hexagonally packed and having in cross-section shape of a correct hexagon set of modules of the previous level, growing out by their joint drawing in the softened condition.

Abstract: A method is designed to fasten a mold shell with a mold seat without causing the mold shell to crack. The method involves a first step in which a metal shell is formed on a model by electrocasting. The metal shell is then provided with at least one nut therewith by soldering through electrocasting. The metal shell is separated from the model and is then provided with a metal layer of a thickness by arc spraying, with the metal layer circumventing the nut. The mold seat is provided with at least one through hole. The mold shell is fastened with the mold seat by a bolt which is engaged with the nut via the through hole of the mold seat.

Abstract: An optical element is formed from a molded body which is formed using an impact consolidation phenomenon in which mechanical impact is applied to ultra fine fragile particles which are supplied onto a substrate so that the ultra fine fragile particles are pulverized and bonded to each other. In the optical element, d6/?4<4×10?5 nm2 holds, in which d (nm) represents the average radius of a part of the molded body, such as a pore (void) or a different phase, having a refractive index different from that of a primary component of the molded body, and in which ? (nm) represents the wavelength of light transmitting through the molded body.