Abstract: A method of interfacing atmospheric pressure ion sources, including electrospray and desorption electrospray ionization sources, to mass spectrometers, for example miniature mass spectrometers, in which the ionized sample is discontinuously introduced into the mass spectrometer. Discontinuous introduction improves the match between the pumping capacity of the instrument and the volume of atmospheric pressure gas that contains the ionized sample. The reduced duty cycle of sample introduction is offset by operation of the mass spectrometer under higher performance conditions and by ion accumulation at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A convertible chair with upright and reclined configurations is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include a chair that collapses to form a dolly and expands to form a chair with upright and reclined seating configurations. Alternate embodiments include a base connected to a seat with a four bar linkage. In still further embodiments, one side of the four bar linkage is extended outside the pivoting joints, the extended portion being pivotally and slidingly engaged with the base. In other embodiments, the chair is configured to maintain the occupant's center of mass near the primary weight supporting pivot linkage.

Abstract: A fluidic device for cell electroporation, cell lysis, and cell electrofusion based on constant DC voltage and geometric variation is provided. The fluidic device can be used with prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. In addition, the device can be used for electroporative delivery of compounds, drugs, and genes into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells on a microfluidic platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel beta-secretase inhibitors and methods for their use, including methods of treating of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method of probing a plurality of analyzer molecules distributed about a detection platform is disclosed. The method includes contacting a test sample to the plurality of analyzer molecules, scanning the plurality of analyzer molecules at a rate relating to a carrier frequency signal, and detecting the presence or absence of a biological molecule based at least in part upon the presence or absence of a signal substantially at a sideband of the carrier frequency signal. A molecule detection platform including a substrate and a plurality of targets positioned about the substrate is also disclosed. Specific analyzer molecules adapted to bind a specific analyte are immobilized about a first set of the targets. Nonspecific analyzer molecules are immobilized about a second set of the targets. The targets positioned about the substrate along at least a segment of a scanning pathway alternate between at least one of the first set and at least one of the second set.

Abstract: One example embodiment of the present disclosure includes method and system to improve communication comprising an assembly fixedly positioned during use in close proximity to a user's ear. The assembly includes an accelerometer to detect the initiation and duration of the user's speech and an output presentation system. The output presentation system comprises a non-occlusive ear fitting that presents unintelligible noise that is unrelated to the sound-frequency or intonation of the user's current speech. The unintelligible noise is presented to the patient at a level less than 85 dB. The system further comprises a control arrangement to maintain presentation of the noise substantially throughout the detected duration of the user's speech, but substantially not at other times.

Abstract: A new approach to the production of coke. In this process multiple optimized value streams are produced from a coke facility located at mine mouth or locally at an existing plant. As part of the process, lower cost Indiana/Illinois Basin-type coals are blended with conventional metallurgical coals. The blending process is optimized to meet coke quality requirements and simultaneously to obtain a pyrolysis gas composition suitable for production of ancillary products including liquid transportation fuels, fertilizer, hydrogen, and electricity. By using lower cost Indiana/Illinois Basin coal it is possible to reduce net coal costs. This process provides a new direction and approach for the production of coke in the future that optimizes value over multiple product streams while reducing both business and technological risk.

Abstract: Power split drive (PSD) transmissions capable of energy recovery and suitable for use in automotive applications. Each PSD transmission includes a mechanical transmission system for mechanically transmitting mechanical power between a rotatable input shaft and a rotatable output shaft, and a hydraulic transmission system containing a fluid for hydraulically transmitting hydraulic power between the input shaft and the output shaft, and at least a third shaft operatively interconnected to one of the mechanical and hydraulic transmission systems. The hydraulic transmission system is operatively coupled by at least a first planetary gear train to the mechanical transmission system. According to the invention, the PSD further comprises means operatively associated with at least one of the mechanical and hydraulic transmission systems for storing and releasing energy within the PSD transmission, the energy storing and releasing means comprising a flywheel or an accumulator or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The disclosed system provides a functional programming construct that allows convenient modular run-time nonstandard interpretation via reflection on closure environments. This construct encompasses both the ability to examine the contents of a closure environment and to construct a new closure with a modified environment. Examples of this powerful and useful construct support such tasks as tracing, security logging, sandboxing, error checking, profiling, code instrumentation and metering, run-time code patching, and resource monitoring. It is a non-referentially-transparent mechanism that reifies the closure environments that are only implicit in higher-order programs. A further example provides a novel functional-programming language that supports forward automatic differentiation (AD).

Abstract: A method for detecting protein crystals comprises: illuminating a sample with a laser to produce multiphoton excitation; collecting an emission spectrum; and determining whether the sample comprises protein crystals.

Abstract: A method to bond carbon nanotubes to a surface. The mechanism of this bonding is studied, and shows that intercalation of alkali ions is possibly the central mechanism. Bonding pull-off forces of 4-5 N/cm2 were measured. This bonding also provides improved interfacial properties for other phenomenon, including improved thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging device for endoscopy in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises an annular illumination tube comprising an annular illumination fiber for illuminating a body vessel during endoscopy. The device further includes a first imaging tube comprising a first imaging fiber for gross examination and navigation through the body vessel. The first imaging fiber is disposed within the annular illumination tube. The device further comprises a second imaging tube comprising a second imaging fiber for cellular imaging. The second illumination fiber is disposed adjacent the first imaging tube and within the annular illumination tube.

Abstract: A decoder adopted to receive a signal transmitted in a communication system, includes one or more of a module adopted to pre-process a received signal to reduce the effect of interference-plus-noise on the received signal before filtering the received signal, and a module adopted to post-process the result of filtering the received signal.

Abstract: An apparatus usable in an image encoding and/or decoding system includes a segmentation unit to convert a first image of a first resolution into a second image of a second resolution, to segment the second image of the second resolution with one or more blocks of a binary mask layer having a foreground and a background, and to convert the segmented second image into a third image of a third resolution as a segmented image.

Abstract: A system and methods for providing guarantees about faithful execution of databases that run under the control of an untrusted entity—such as a cloud computing service provider—that is different than the owner of the data and applications being outsourced; or runs on a server that may be compromised by unauthorized users. Specifically, the system and methods establishes that an untrusted database is being faithfully hosted and provides indemnity for the service provider from false claims, enabling the server to prove its innocence against untrue claims of faulty operation. The invention also provides assured provenance for all changes made to the database.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a precoding matrix codebook includes a matrix group generator to generate a first group of unitary matrices based on a vector-based codebook for precoding of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication scheme; a matrix group extender to extend the first group of unitary matrices to generate a second group of unitary matrices; and a matrix group selector to select a group of columns corresponding to a communication rank from each of the unitary matrices that are elements of the second group so that the columns are optimized based on a distance between the columns corresponding to the communication rank.

Abstract: A method of improving a resolution of an image using image reconstruction is provided. The method includes acquiring scan data of an object and forward projecting a current image estimate of the scan data to generate calculated projection data. The method also includes applying a data-fit term and a regularization term to the scan data and the calculated projection data and modifying at least one of the data fit term and the regularization term to accommodate spatio-temporal information to form a reconstructed image from the scan data and the calculated projection data.

Abstract: Provided is an image-resolution-improvement apparatus and method which can increase the resolution of an input image at a high magnification to thereby obtain a high-quality final image. The apparatus includes a textured-region-detection unit to detect a texture region in an input image; and a final-image-generation unit to synthesize a first intermediate image and a second intermediate image, which are obtained by applying different interpolation techniques to the texture region and a non-texture region excluding the texture region and generating a final image.

Abstract: The present application relates to Nanoparticle bioengineering techniques were used to produce a non-toxic polypyrrole composition having two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures that can optionally be co-polymerized with carboxylic acid moieties to possess hydrophilicity. Likewise, such polypyrrole/carboxylic acid structures may be further modified with neural growth factors to create treatment surfaces that can promote growth an differentiation of cells such as neurons.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for transforming a two-dimensional image of an object into a three-dimensional representation, or model, that recreates the three-dimensional contour of the object. In one example, three pairs of symmetric points establish an initial relationship between the original image and a virtual image, then additional pairs of symmetric points in the original image are reconstructed. In each pair, a visible point and an occluded point are mapped into 3-space with a single free variable characterizing the mapping for all pairs. A value for the free variable is then selected to maximize compactness of the model, where compactness is defined as a function of the model's volume and its surface area. “Noise” correction derives from enforcing symmetry and selecting best-fitting polyhedra for the model. Alternative embodiments extend this to additional polyhedra, add image segmentation, use perspective, and generalize to asymmetric polyhedra and non-polyhedral objects.