Abstract: In one aspect, a technique is provided for protecting a data set with a parity set defined by a bipartite graph having a degree distribution that includes no parity symbol having a degree less than three. In another aspect, a parity set defined by an irregular bipartite graph is transmitted along with the data set, and corruptions in the data set are decoded using the data set and the parity set. In another aspect, a particularly useful degree distribution for the parity symbols is defined.

Abstract: The invention relates to chondroitinase ABC I and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to recombinant and modified chondroitinase ABC I, their production and their uses. The chondroitinase ABC I enzymes of the invention are useful for a variety of purposes, including degrading and analyzing polysaccharides such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). These GAGs can include chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, unsulfated chondroitin and hyaluronan. The chondroitinase ABC I enzymes can also be used in therapeutic methods such as promoting nerve regeneration, promoting stroke recovery, treating spinal cord injury, treating epithelial disease, treating infections and treating cancer.

Abstract: A gating apparatus for controlling the gap between two surfaces that includes an upper structure having a polished central region portion, an elastically deformable fulcrum structure, and an elastically deformable lever region. The upper structure can be fabricated from silicon using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) fabrication techniques. The gating apparatus also includes a lower structure coupled to the upper structure at the elastically deformable fulcrum structure. The upper structure, in response to a force, can bend about the fulcrum structure, thereby forming a variable gap between the polished central region portion and the lower structure. The variable gap can be used as a filter to filter fluids and mixed phase fluids. The structures can be made from a wide variety of materials including silicon, glass, ceramic, metal, and plastic.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel serotonin-gated anion channel that is permeable to chloride ions. Also disclosed are methods for the screening of therapeutics useful for treating serotonin-mediated cellular responses and conditions, as well as diagnostic methods for identifying such conditions.

Abstract: A device for bending a laser beam is provided. The device includes a beam deflection device that produces the beam having a selected number of addressable points. A soliton forming mechanism is positioned at the output of the beam deflection device so it receives the beam and increases the number of addressable points by a certain magnitude.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel ligands for transition metals. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of catalysts comprising these ligands in transition metal-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The subject methods provide improvements in many features of the transition metal-catalyzed reactions, including the range of suitable substrates, reaction conditions, and efficiency.

Abstract: Solid battery components are provided. A block copolymeric electrolyte is non-crosslinked and non-glassy through the entire range of typical battery service temperatures, that is, through the entire range of at least from about 0° C. to about 70° C. The chains of which the copolymer is made each include at least one ionically-conductive block and at least one second block immiscible with the ionically-conductive block. The chains form an amorphous association and are arranged in an ordered nanostructure including a continuous matrix of amorphous ionically-conductive domains and amorphous second domains that are immiscible with the ionically-conductive domains. A compound is provided that has a formula of LixMyNzO2. M and N are each metal atoms or a main group elements, and x, y and z are each numbers from about 0 to about 1. y and z are chosen such that a formal charge on the MyNz portion of the compound is (4-x). In certain embodiments, these compounds are used in the cathodes of rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polymers with lasing characteristics that allow the polymers to be useful in detecting analytes. In one aspect, the polymer, upon an interaction with an analyte, may exhibit a change in a lasing characteristic that can be determined in some fashion. For example, interaction of an analyte with the polymer may affect the ability of the polymer to reach an excited state that allows stimulated emission of photons to occur, which may be determined, thereby determining the analyte. In another aspect, the polymer, upon interaction with an analyte, may exhibit a change in stimulated emission that is at least 10 times greater with respect to a change in the spontaneous emission of the polymer upon interaction with the analyte. The polymer may be a conjugated polymer in some cases. In one set of embodiments, the polymer includes one or more hydrocarbon side chains, which may be parallel to the polymer backbone in some instances.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming semiconductor structures using tensilely strained gettering layers. The method includes forming a donor wafer comprising a tensilely strained gettering layer disposed over a substrate, and at least one material layer disposed over the tensilely strained gettering layer. Additionally, the donor wafer may possess a particle-confining region proximate the tensilely strained layer. The method also includes introducing particles into the donor wafer to a depth below the surface, and accumulating at least some particles within the tensilely strained gettering layer. Next, the method includes initiating a cleaving action so as to separate at least one of the material layers form the substrate. The tensilely strained gettering layer may accumulate particles and/or point defects and reduce the implantation dose and thermal budget required for cleaving.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting features of materials of interest. Reference data are analyzed to deduce relationships between the input data sets and output data sets. Reference data comprises measured values and/or computed values. The deduced relationships can be specified as equations, correspondences, and/or algorithmic processes that produce appropriate output data when suitable input data is used. In some instances, the output data set is a subset of the input data set, and computational results may be refined by optionally iterating the computational procedure. To deduce features of a new material of interest, a computed or measured input property of the material is provided to an equation, correspondence, or algorithmic procedure previously deduced, and an output is obtained. In some instances, the output is iteratively refined. In some instances, new features deduced for the material of interest are added to a database of input and output data for known materials.

Abstract: Method for assembling into turbine sets turbine components having internal cooling passages. The turbine components are classified according to flow capability through the internal cooling passages and turbine sets are assembled in which the turbine components have the same flow capability classification.

Abstract: The invention relates to heparinase III and mutants thereof. Modified forms of heparinase III having reduced enzymatic activity which are useful for a variety of purposes, including sequencing of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans (HLGAGs), removing active heparan sulfate from a solution, inhibition of angiogenesis , etc. have been discovered according to the invention. The invention in other aspects relates to methods of treating cancer and inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis using heparinase III, or products produced by enzymatic cleavage by heparinase III of HLGAGs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis and processing of materials, including nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Methods and devices are presented for controlling the growth and/or assembly of nanostructures, in some cases using small channel-type environments (e.g., microfluidic channels). In these micro-scale environments, forces can be applied to nanostructures during their growth process, for instance, to control the rate and/or direction of growth of the nanostructures. These forces can also be used to direct the assembly of nanostructures into ordered configurations such as strands or other assemblies having micro- and macroscopic length scales. In some embodiments, multiple forces are applied simultaneously to direct the growth and/or assembly of nanostructures.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the modulation of the permeability of the epithelial cell barrier complex. In particular, the invention provides compositions and methods for using polysaccharides, preferably glycosaminoglycans, and agents that modify cell surface glycosaminoglycans, preferably glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes to modulate intercellular junctions. The compositions and methods provided can be used to facilitate the delivery of biologically active molecules.

Abstract: An ankle interface may include a leg connection attachable to a user's leg, a foot connection attached to the user's corresponding foot, and a transmission system coupling the leg connection and the foot connection with at least two degrees of freedom and actuating at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to fluorescent metal sensors for detecting metal ions, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a color image into a plurality of regions includes converting the image to a three-dimensional color space, generating a histogram for each dimension in the color space, using the histogram for each dimension to generate a plurality of connecting-boxes in the three-dimensional color space, and computing a normalized variance value of each connecting-box in order to form clusters of connecting-boxes corresponding to regions of the image. An illustrated application for the image segmentation method is in an object recognition system suitable for aligning a probe of an atomic force microscope with a feature of a sample.

Abstract: A system for modulating and demodulating signals that provides a new class of signal modulators and their corresponding demodulators. The modulation scheme embeds in an information signal a carrier signal by modulating the oscillatory rate of the carrier signal. The invention generalizes the possible carrier signals to any signal which can be generated by a dynamical system that have a known exponentially convergent observer, as in certain chaotic systems.

Abstract: A substrate having a surface with reversibly switchable properties. The surface comprises a nanolayer of a material that switches from a first conformation state to a second conformation state when an external stimulus is applied. When the nanolayer is in the first conformation state, the surface is characterized by a first property, and when the nanolayer is in the second conformation state, the surface is characterized by a second property.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides ion-exchange and gas-diffusion membranes, fabricated by a layer-by-layer approach, for use, e.g., in electrochemical cells; a process for making membrane electrode assemblies fabricated using porous frameworks, LBL composite membranes and LBL carbon-Polymer electrodes; and the application of the membrane and electrode assemblies to a variety of devices, both electrochemical and otherwise.