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: A multiple phase cell dispatch scheme, in which each phase uses a simple and fair (e.g., round robin) arbitration methods, is described. VOQs of an input module and outgoing links of the input module are matched in a first phase. An outgoing link of an input module is matched with an outgoing link of a central module in a second phase. The arbiters become desynchronized under stable conditions which contributes to the switch's high throughput characteristic. Using this dispatch scheme, a scalable multiple-stage switch able to operate at high throughput, without needing to resort to speeding up the switching fabric and without needing to use buffers in the second stage, is possible. The cost of speed-up and the cell out-of-sequence problems that may occur when buffers are used in the second stage are therefore avoided. A hierarchical arbitration scheme used in the input modules reduces the time needed for scheduling and reduces connection lines.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a singles ring yarn, firstly a first twist is supplied to a strand of traveling drafted fibers at a false twist device for producing a preliminary singles yarn. The false twist device rotates at a first speed for twisting the fibers. Immediately after the first twisting step, a joint twist of a second twist in the same direction as the first twist and a third twist in a reversed direction is supplied to the preliminary yarn for producing a final singles ring yarn. The second twist is produced by a rotatable take-up package onto which the final singles yarn is drawn. The reversed twist results in correspondence to the first twist, and the take-up package rotates at a second speed. The final singles yarn is then drawn onto the take-up package. Furthermore, a ratio of the first speed to the second speed is controlled for controlling the amount of a residual torque in the final singles ring yarn.

Abstract: A method of modeling muscular tissue with active finite elements. The motion and stress-strain distribution of the muscular tissue can be predicted using interconnections of the active finite elements. Each active finite element includes a motor element and at least one passive element, such as a dashpot or spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the formula wherein R is optionally substituted lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl; R? is alkyl or aryl; n is zero or an integer of 1 or 2; or an enantiomer thereof; or an enantiomeric mixture thereof. The compounds of formula (I) are bridged C2-symmetric biphenyldiphosphine analogs and, thus, may be employed as ligands to generate chiral transition metal catalysts which may be applied in a variety of asymmetric reactions. The compounds of the present invention are easily accessible in high diastereomeric and optical purity according to the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Arc plasma torch generated by a torch module installed on the bottom wall in the narrow section of a tapered S-band rectangular cavity, is used to seed microwave discharge where the microwave electric field is maximum. This tapered cavity is designed to support TE103 mode. With seeding, only low Q cavity and moderate microwave power (time average power of 700 W) are needed. The microwave-enhanced discharge increases the size, cycle energy, and duty cycle of the seeding arc-torch plasma considerably. This torch can be run stably without introducing gas flow or run just using airflow. Adding airflow can increase not only the size of the torch plasma but also its cycle energy, which may reach a plateau of about 12 J/per cycle for the airflow rate exceeding 0.393 l/s. This microwave plasma torch may have a radius of about 1.25 cm or more, a height of about 5 cm, and a peak electron density exceeding 5×1013 cm?3.

Abstract: Methods for forming structurally defined organosilicon carbohydrates are provided. Additionally, structurally defined organosilicon carbohydrates are provided. The structurally defined organosilicon carbohydrates may be formed by contacting a hydrolase enzyme with an organosilicon reactant and a carbohydrate reactant. The enzyme may catalyze the formation of an ester bond between carboxylic acid, ester, or amide functional groups of the organosilicon or carbohydrate reactant and alcohol functional groups of the carbohydrate or organosilicon reactant. The enzyme may catalyze the formation of an amide bond between carboxylic acid, ester, or amide functional groups of the organosilicon or carbohydrate reactant and amine functional groups of the carbohydrate or organosilicon reactant.

Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a housing and a mechanical sensor placed in the housing for sensing change of the pressure. A characteristic of the sensor varies in correspondence to the change of the pressure. The gauge also includes an optical fiber, at least part of which is in the housing with a first end connected to the sensor such that a characteristic of the fiber varies in correspondence to the variance of the characteristic of the sensor, and an optical signal generator connected to a second end of the fiber for emitting an optical signal into the fiber. The second end of the fiber is distanced from the sensor, and the fiber generates at least a first reflected optical signal towards said second end, which first reflected optical signal contains information relating to the variance of the characteristic of the fiber.

Abstract: A system utilizing a number of micro-strip antenna apparatus embedded in or mounted on the surface of a structure for enabling wireless communication of sensed and actuation signals. The micro-strip antenna apparatus may include smart materials or other substrates. If only a sensed operation is desired, the micro-strip antenna apparatus may be fabricated from only passive elements or materials. Furthermore, a micro-strip antenna apparatus is provided which enables simultaneous transmission/reception of sensing and actuation signals.

Abstract: A pipeline-based matching scheduling approach for input-buffered switches relaxes the timing constraint for arbitration with matching schemes, such as CRRD and CMSD. In the new approach, arbitration may operate in a pipelined manner. Each sub-scheduler is allowed to take more than one time slot for its matching. Every time slot, one of them provides a matching result(s). The sub-scheduler can use a matching scheme such as CRRD and CMSD.

Abstract: A series of paraffin compounds, the phase change materials (PCMs), were microencapsulated in an interfacial polymerization process to form the double-shell microcapsules with relatively low shell permeability. The inner shell is formed through the reaction between polypropylene glycols and bifunctional polyisocyanates and the outer through the reaction between bifunctional polyisocyanates and polyamines added in the continuous aqueous phase. The so prepared microencapsulated paraffin compounds emulsion can be used as the medium for temperature management in many fields.

Abstract: An optical fiber device has at least two cores within the same cladding having different characteristics. The characteristics include including strain optic coefficient, thermo-optic coefficient, thermal expansion coefficient, photo-sensitivity and refractive index. One or more cores can have a Bragg grating.

Abstract: Metal chelates are useful for improving the contrast of X-ray, ultrasound, radionuclide and magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, the metal complexes must be stable and inert so that toxicity resulting from dissociation in the body can be minimized. This invention provides 16-member ring metal chelates that can provide a charge balanced metal complex having improved stability, especially for gadolinium(III) and samarium (III).

Abstract: A Pipelined-based Maximal-sized Matching (PMM) scheduling approach for input-buffered switches relaxes the timing constraint for arbitration with a maximal matching scheme. In the PMM approach, arbitration may operate in a pipelined manner. Each subscheduler is allowed to take more than one time slot for its matching. Every time slot, one of them provides the matching result. The subscheduler can adopt a pre-existing efficient maximal matching algorithm such as iSLIP and DRRM. PMM maximizes the efficiency of the adopted arbitration scheme by allowing sufficient time for a number of iterations. PMM preserves 100% throughput under uniform traffic and fairness for best-effort traffic.

Abstract: (?)-EGCG, the most abundant catechin, was found to be chemopreventive and anticancer agent. However, (?)-EGCG has at least one limitation: it gives poor bioavailability. This invention provides compounds of generally formula 10, wherein R1 is selected from the group of —H and C1 to C6 acyl group; R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from the group of —H, —OH, and C1 to C6 acyloxyl group; and at least one of R2, R3, or R4 is —H. The derivatives of (?)-EGCG that is at least as potent as (?)-EGCG. The carboxylate protected forms of (?)-EGCG and its derivatives are found to be more stable than the unprotected forms, which can be used as proteasome inhibitors to reduce tumor cell growth.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding an organic material into a powder includes a first grinding member with a first grinding surface and a second grinding member with a second grinding surface. The first and second grinding members are rotatably positioned adjacent each other for grinding an organic material between the first and second grinding surfaces. The first and second grinding surfaces include radii defining of sectors. The sectors include rows of teeth parallel to respective radii.

Abstract: A luminescent sensory material for the detection of the presence of organo-halogen compounds is described. This material is based on a platinum chromophore functionalized with pyridylacetylide ligands, as shown in Formulae I and II below. These complexes exhibit positive luminescence upon exposure to the vapors of organ-halogen compounds like CH2Cl2 or CHCl3 with high selectivity over non-chlorinated common organic vapors. Direct relationships between vapor concentration and luminescence intensity are established using thin films prepared from these complexes.

Abstract: A vertical micro-injection machine includes a plasticizing unit, in which a feeding channel is provided and a screw or a plunger for transporting the molten material is provided in the feeding channel; an injection unit adapted to receive a metered amount of molten material from the plasticizing unit; an injection mold adapted to receive the metered amount of molten material from the injection unit; at least two thrust cylinders adapted to close the injection mold before injection and open the injection mold after injected parts solidified; and the injection unit includes an injection cylinder, the injection cylinder is connected with the feeding channel of the plasticizing unit, and a vertically reciprocating plunger is provided in the injection cylinder, which can expel air above the molten material in the injection cylinder by its upward advancement and then push the molten material into the injection mold.

Abstract: Most of the dielectric ceramic compositions consist of three or more different lead-based or non-lead ceramics. These materials and their solid solutions can give high dielectric constants (er>10000) but the disadvantage is large fluctuations in the dielectric constant with increasing or decreasing temperature. Most applications of these materials are therefore concentrated on the utilization of their dielectric constants at a specific temperature. This invention provides a dielectric composite of the general formula (x)[Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3]:(1?x)[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3] having improved stability of dielectric constant in the working temperature range.

Abstract: The current major way of making nanofibers is electrospinning. However, the minimum fiber diameter is limited to be about 300–500 nm, which is not compliant with the physical definition of nano structures (in the region of 1 to 100 nm). Futher, the productivity is relatively low. This invention provides a method for manufacturing a nano-sized di-block polymer including at least a hard-segment polymer and a soft-segment polymer. First, a sample containing the hard-segment polymer, the soft-segment polymer, and a catalyst is dissolved in a first solvent. Then the dissolved sample is cast on substrate, and then the first solvent to is removed form a dried sample. Finally, the nano-sized di-block polymer is formed by crew-cutting.