Abstract: The present invention is directed toward biomarkers that identify characteristics of algae. The invention is further directed toward biomarkers that serve to identify algae species and strains of algae species as well as detect the presence of algal toxins. Additional embodiments feature methods utilizing algal biomarkers and polypeptides that can serve as biomarkers.

Abstract: Packets out-of-sequence problem can be solved by using a window flow control scheme that can dispatch traffic at the cell level, in a round robin fashion, as evenly as possible. Each VOQ at the input port has a sequence head pointer that is used to assign sequence numbers (SN) to the cells. Also a sequence tail pointer is available at each VOQ that is used to acknowledge and limit the amount of cells that can be sent to the output ports based on the window size of the scheme. Each VIQ at the output port has a sequence pointer or sequence number (SN) pointer that indicates to the VIQ which cell to wait for. Once the VIQ receives the cell that the SN pointer indicated, the output port sends an ACK packet back to the input port. By using sequence numbers and the relevant pointers, the packet out-of-sequence problem is solved.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer novel video streaming scheme is described in which each peer stores and streams videos to the requesting client peers. Each video is encoded into multiple descriptions and each description is placed on a different node. If a serving peer disconnects in the middle of a streaming session, the system searches for a replacement peer that stores the same video description and has sufficient uplink bandwidth. Employing multiple description coding in a peer-to-peer based network improves the robustness of the distributed streaming content in the event a serving peer is lost. Video quality can be maintained in the presence of server peers being lost. The video codec design and network policies have a significant effect on the streamed video quality. The system performance generally improves as the number of descriptions M for the video increases, which implies that a higher video quality can be obtained with the same network loading.

Abstract: The present invention relates methods for the biosynthesis of tetrodotoxin (TTX) involving the steps of obtaining a culture possessing one or more of a Vibrio species, such as through a seed culture, inoculating the culture and tissue extract from a textrodotoxin-bearing organism in a fermenter medium, and isolating and purifying tetrodotoxin from said fermenter, resulting in a yield of TTX of about 0.5 g TTX/L in about 3 to 5 days, such TTX being at least 90% pure.

Abstract: A temperature-regulating fiber may include a spun phase change polymeric material that may include a plurality of phase change polymer blocks. The fiber may have a fixity ratio of at least 80% and a recovery ratio of at least 74%.

Abstract: This invention provides a deodorant capable of releasing deodorant agents at certain temperatures and having improved adherence to textiles. The deodorant of this invention includes polymer particles formed by reacting a main monomer of (N-substituted alkyl)acrylamide, a functional monomer for bonding the polymer particles to a fibrous substrate, and a cross-linking agent. A deodorant agent is loaded to the polymer particles.

Abstract: Synthetic polyphenolic compounds of formula (I), their modes of synthesis, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are provided herein. Use of the compounds and compositions described herein for inhibiting proteasomal activity and for treating cancer is also provided.

Abstract: A composition for preparation of a hollow fiber porous membrane including 40-60 wt. % a polymer matrix, 20-30 wt. % an organic mixed solution, and 20-40 wt. % a water-soluble substance. The polymer matrix is a polymer capable of dissolving in an organic solvent and melt processing. The organic mixed solution is a mixture comprising 60-90 wt. % a first liquid soluble to the polymer matrix and 10-40 wt. % a second liquid insoluble to the polymer matrix. The water-soluble substance is a water-soluble polymer, a low molecular weight water-soluble particle, or a mixture thereof. A method for producing the hollow fiber porous membrane using the composition including a) preparing the organic mixed solution, b) mixing the components of the composition, c) applying melt spinning, d) drawing, and e) washing. The hollow fiber membrane has high strength, large flux, and low cost.

Abstract: Transferring data (such as files) on an end-to-end, high-speed packet-switched network connection (a “virtual circuit”) or on a circuit. An out-of-band path is used for signaling and status messages (control). The same, or a separate, out-of-band path may be used to retransmit chunks of data that were received with errors or that were not received at all. By simplifying the data being sent over the high-speed (virtual) circuit, the resources of the (virtual) circuit are used efficiently since less overhead is required. Further, since the size of the file to be transferred can be predetermined, and since any retransmissions can be made over a path other than the (virtual) circuit, the (virtual) circuit that best meets the needs of the data transfer can be selected, thereby further increasing the efficiency with which the (virtual) circuit is used.

Abstract: An optical fiber with long period fiber gratings includes an optical fiber axis, a core region extending along the fiber axis, the core region having a core refractive index, a cladding region surrounding the core region, the cladding having a cladding refractive index, and a plurality of microholes perpendicular to the fiber axis with a portion of the core region removed, the plurality of microholes are spaced apart by a grating period.

Abstract: An enzymatic process for preparing aliphatic polycarbonates via terpolymerization or transesterification using a dialkyl carbonate, an aliphatic diester, and an aliphatic diol or triol reactant. A catalyst having an enzyme capable of catalyzing an ester hydrolysis reaction in an aqueous environment is subsequently added to the reaction mixture. Next, polymerization of the reaction proceeds for an allotted time at a temperature ?100° C. Finally, the copolymer is isolated from an the catalyst via filtration.

Abstract: A thermal storage system includes a thermal storage device that includes an aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material, a thermal collector in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a first heat exchanger, and a thermal service device in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a second heat exchanger. The aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material is configured to convert between solid and liquid states.

Abstract: A single fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer comprises an optical fiber having a core region and a cladding surrounding the core region, and a micro-cavity having part of the cladding and the core region removed, wherein the micro-cavity is adapted to receive a light beam and separate the light beam into a first light beam that propagates through the micro-cavity in an unguided mode, and a second light beam that propagates through the core region in a guided mode.

Abstract: A method of fabricating silicone composite with a layer of antimicrobial coating, the method includes forming an antimicrobial mixture by adding a calculated amount of antimicrobial agent to a solution of water and alcohol, depositing the antimicrobial mixture in a container with a thickness of 0.1 ?m to 10 ?m, evaporating the water and alcohol of the antimicrobial mixture to form the layer of antimicrobial coating, adding silicone resin on top of the layer of antimicrobial coating and allow the silicone resin to permeate and crosslink with the layer of antimicrobial coating and removing the silicone composite with the layer of antimicrobial coating from the container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward biomarkers that identify characteristics of algae. The invention is further directed toward biomarkers that serve to identify algae species and strains of algae species as well as detect the presence of algal toxins. Additional embodiments feature methods utilizing algal biomarkers and polypeptides that can serve as biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of making a coated cellulosic textile, whereby a silk peptide is polymerized with a building block to develop a silk peptide/building block nanoparticle, said nanoparticle then being used to coat the textile. The resultant textile exhibits a high level of wrinkle recovery angle and/or tear strength, all without the use of N-methylol compounds, including ureas and formaldehydes.

Abstract: A method for encoding data, the method comprising: creating m parity bits from k data bits based on a parity-check matrix (40), the parity-check matrix (40) including a data portion (41) and a parity portion (42), the parity portion (42) includes sub-block matrices, each sub-block matrix being any one from the group consisting of: zero matrix, identity matrix and permutation matrix; and forming a codeword containing the k data bits and the created m parity bits; wherein an upper diagonal is defined in the parity portion (42) starting from the first sub-block matrix in the second column extending to the second last sub-block matrix in the last column, and each sub-block matrix on the upper diagonal is an identity matrix or a permutation matrix, and the sub-block matrices (44) above the upper diagonal are zero matrices; each column from the second column to the third last column of the parity portion (42) contains one or more identity matrices or permutation matrices below the upper diagonal (45) and the remain

Abstract: A noncontact method for measuring currents flowing through superconductive wires connected in parallel is provided.

Abstract: A textile for providing traditional Chinese medicine therapy to a wearer using electronic stimulation includes at least two conductive paths that are made from conductive textile material, the conductive paths are separated by nonconductive textile material, at least one pair of electrodes attach to the conductive paths corresponding to specific part of body or acupoints according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, and an electronic stimulation signal controller configured to conduct electronic stimulation signals to the electrodes via the conductive paths.

Abstract: A solid-state laser emitting material for use in conjunction with a light source includes a polymer matrix functioning as host materials, containing laser dye of rhodamine 590 or rhodamine 610 as gain materials and nano-submicron particles as scatters therein. The lowest lasing threshold of the laser emitting material is approximately 5 mJ/cm2 for 585 nm emission and 2 mJ/cm2 for 630 nm emission.