Abstract: The plasma fuel converter includes an electrically conductive structure for forming a first electrode and a second electrode is disposed to create a gap with respect to the first electrode in a reaction chamber. A fuel-air mixture is introduced into the gap and the power supply is connected to the first and second electrodes to provide voltage in the range of approximately 100 volts to 40 kilovolts and current in the range of approximately 10 milliamperes to 1 ampere to generate a glow discharge to reform the fuel. The high voltage low current plasmatron of the invention is low cost, has long electrode life, utilizes a simple power supply and control and eliminates the need for an air compressor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of a wide range of primary arylamines. The arylamines are prepared in two efficient, straightforward transformations: 1) an activated aryl group and an imine group are combined, in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, under conditions wherein the transition metal catalyst catalyzes the formation of a carbon-nitrogen bond between the activated carbon of the arene and the imine nitrogen; and 2) the resulting N-aryl imine is transformed, via any of a number of standard protocols, to the primary arylamine. The method of the invention may also be exploited in the preparation of vinylamines.

Abstract: A coated nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a substantially monodisperse nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of CdX, where x=S, Se, Te and an overcoating of ZnY, where Y=S, Se, uniformly deposited thereon, said coated nanoparticle characterized in that when irradiated the particles exhibit photoluminescence in a narrow spectral range of no greater than about 60 nm, and most preferably 40 nm, at full width half max (FWHM). The particle size of the nanocrystallite core is in the range of about 20 Åto about 125 Å, with a deviation of less than 10% in the core. The coated nanocrystal exhibits photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

Abstract: A combination of silicon processing technology advances and increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying phosphene generation in human retinas by surface electrical stimulation has now made it possible to conceive of a chronically implantable retinal prosthesis for the blind which will restore some useful vision to patients over at least several degrees of their former field of view. These thin, strong, and flexible epiretinal devices are constructed of or encapsulated in known biocompatible materials which will have a long working life in the eye's saline environment. The function of the implants is to electrically stimulate the ganglion cell layer at the surface of the retina using controlled current sources. Due to the exceptionally low mass of the implant and its flexible, nearly planar form, patient discomfort and fluid drag caused by the implant minimized.

Abstract: A method of high throughput pressure casting involving the steps of providing a mold vessel containing an infiltrant and a mold cavity; evacuating the mold cavity, and heating the infiltrant to form a molten infiltrant which isolates a reduced pressure in the mold cavity; transferring the mold vessel containing the molten infiltrant to a pressure vessel; applying pressure to the molten infiltrant to move it into the mold cavity; and cooling the molten infiltrant in the mold cavity to solidify the molten infiltrant. The mold cavity may contain a preform to produce a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A water-soluble semiconductor nanocrystal capable of light emission is provided. The nanocrystal including a semiconductor nanocrystal core having a selected band gap energy, a shell layer overcoating the core comprised of a semiconductor material having a band gap energy greater than that of the semiconductor nanocrystal, and an outer layer comprised of a molecule having at least one linking group for attachment of the molecule to the overcoating shell layer and at least one hydrophilic group optionally spaced apart from the linking group by a hydrophobic region sufficient to prevent electron charge transfer across the hydrophobic region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of time gated scattered light, for determining the location and composition of material within various organs of the human body. The systems and methods of the present invention provide for medical imaging in three dimensions of internal body structures for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: a water soluble semiconductor nanocrystal capable of light emission is provided, including a quantum dot having a selected band gap energy, a layer overcoating the quantum dot, the overcoating layer comprised of a material having a band gap energy greater than that of the quantum dot, and an organic outer layer, the organic layer comprising a compound having at least one linking group for attachment of the compound to the overcoating layer and at least one hydrophilic group spaced apart from the linking group by a hydrophobic region sufficient to prevent electron charge transfer across the hydrophobic region. The particle size of the nanocrystal core is in the range of about 12 Å to about 150 Å, with a deviation of less than 10% in the core. The coated nanocrystal exhibits photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 10% in water.

Abstract: In a computer-based method for use in speech cueing, speech elements initially delivered by a speaker are recognized. A sequence of video images is displayed showing the speaker delivering the speech elements. The displayed video sequence is delayed relative to the initial delivery of the speech elements by the speaker. In conjunction with displaying the sequence of video images, images of cues corresponding to the recognized speech elements are displayed with a timing that is synchronized with the delayed sequence of video images. Each of the cues comprises a representation of a human hand in a discrete position. Successive different cues are displayed in a manner to suggest to a viewer smooth motion between the successive cues. The speech elements are recognized based on an acoustic signal from the speaker as the speech elements are delivered.

Abstract: The Wilms' tumor gene associated with 11p3 locus on the human chromosome, as well as a method of analyzing cells for the gene is described and characterized. The gene encodes a transcription unit approximately 50 kb in size and a mRNA of approximately 3 kb, which is expressed in predominantly in kidney and gonadal tissue. The gene is alternative spliced producing four very similar mRNA transcripts. The polypeptides encoded by the Wilms' tumor DNA includes four “zinc fingers” and a region rich in proline and glutamine, suggesting that the polypeptide has a role in transcription regulation.

Abstract: Processes for the living polymerization of olefin monomers with terminal carbon-carbon double bonds are disclosed. The processes employ initiators that include a metal atom and a ligand having two group 15 atoms and a group 16 atom or three group 15 atoms. The ligand is bonded to the metal atom through two anionic or covalent bonds and a dative bond. The initiators are particularly stable under reaction conditions in the absence of olefin monomer. The processes provide polymers having low polydispersities, especially block copolymers having low polydispersities. It is an additional advantage of these processes that, during block copolymer synthesis, a relatively small amount of homopolymer is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes, referred to herein as cell death-protective genes, which protect cells against programmed cell death by antagonizing the activities of genes which cause cell death. As described herein, a cell death-protective gene from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, called ced-9, has been identified, sequenced, and characterized. ced-9 is essential for C. elegans development and apparently functions by protecting cells which normally live during development from programmed cell death. Mutations which constitutively activate and inactivate the ced-9 gene are also described. ced-9 was shown to function by antagonizing the activities of the cell death genes, ced-3 and ced-4. As further described, the protein product of the human oncogene bcl-2 was found to have a similar sequence to the Ced-9 protein.

Abstract: A system, method, and product are provided to (1) embed a watermark signal into a host signal, thereby generating a composite signal, (2) optionally enable the composite signal to be transmitted over a communication channel, and (3) optionally extract the watermark signal from the transmitted composite signal. In one embodiment, the invention is a method for watermarking a host signal with a watermark signal. The watermark signal is made up of watermark-signal components, each having one of two or more watermark-signal values. The host signal is made up of host-signal components, each having one of two or more host-signal values.

Abstract: Group 4 metal-containing organosilicon dendrimers are described. Also described are methods for synthesizing the dendrimers. The dendrimers can be useful in several applications including as olefin polymerization and copolymerization catalysts and as silane polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: A cured silsesquioxane resin and method for its preparation are disclosed. By using a silyl-terminated hydrocarbon in the hydrosilylation reaction curable composition used to prepare the cured silsesquioxane resin, the cured silsesquioxane resin has improved strength and toughness without significant loss of modulus. A typical silyl-terminated hydrocarbon useful in this invention is silphenylene.

Abstract: A method is provided whereby cells having a desired function are seeded on and into biocompatible, biodegradable or non-degradable porous polymer scaffolding matrix, previously implanted in a patient and infiltrated with blood vessels and connective tissue, to produce a functional organ equivalent. The resulting organoid is a chimera formed of parenchymal elements of the donated tissue and vascular and matrix elements of the host. The matrix should be compression resistant and a non-toxic, porous template for vascular ingrowth. The pore size, usually between approximately 100 and 300 microns, should allow vascular and connective tissue ingrowth throughout approximately 10 to 90% of the matrix, and the injection of cells such as hepatocytes without damage to the cells or patient. The introduced cells attach to the connective tissue and are fed by the blood vessels.

Abstract: This is an electro-optic modulator having an electro-optic substrate such as lithium niobate, an optical waveguide defined within the substrate, an electrode structure including a microwave transmission line elevated from the substrate by conductive legs. In one embodiment, a low-dielectric constant buffer layer is disposed between the substrate and the transmission line. The conductive legs extend from the transmission line to a surface of the substrate toward the waveguide, through the buffer layer. The microwave transmission line is elevated from the substrate at a distance such that the electrical propagation velocity is at a maximum. The high electrical velocity is offset by a loading capacitance introduced by the conductive legs which slows the electrical velocity down on the transmission line to match the optical velocity. Pairs of opposing conductive legs provide a strong electric field for modulating the optical signal.

Abstract: Angiogenesis inhibitors are administered to patients in an amount effective to regulate normal, non-transformed vascularized tissue size and/or growth by regulating its vascular compartment. Examples of tissues that can be controlled include adipose tissue, intestinal polyps, muscle (including cardiac) tissue, and endometrial tissue. The response of these tissues to the angiogenesis inhibitors is dose-dependent, reversible, and common to a variety of different angiogenesis inhibitors (examples use TNP-470, angiostatin, and endostatin), based on studies in animal models of obesity, intestinal polyps, cardiac hypertrophy, and endometriosis. Initial studies conducted in an adipose tissue model (genetically obese mice and normal control mice) showed that the growth and mass of adipose tissue is under the control of microvascular endothelium. Expansion of adipose tissue was associated with endothelial cell proliferation. Inhibition of angiogenesis led to reduction in adipose tissue mass.

Abstract: This invention involves method and apparatus for guiding ablative therapy of abnormal biological electrical excitation. In particular, it is designed for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. In the method of this invention electrical signals are acquired from passive electrodes, and an inverse dipole method is used to identify the site of origin of an arrhytmia. The location of the tip of the ablation catheter is similarly localized from signals acquired from the passive electrodes while electrical energy is delivered to the tip of the catheter. The catheter tip is then guided to the site of origin of the arrhythmia, and ablative radio frequency energy is delivered to its tip to ablate the site.

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.