Abstract: The present invention is crosslinked polymer particles, prepared from a free-radical activated reaction of an unsaturated coagent and low molecular weight hydrocarbons or certain polymers. This invention allows particles to be made from mixtures of coagents and saturated compounds. The invention is also a process for preparing crosslinked polymer particles.

Abstract: Methods and kits for decomposing organophosphorus compounds in non-aqueous media at ambient conditions are described. Insecticides, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents can be quickly decomposed to non-toxic products. The method comprises combining the organophosphorus compound with a non-aqueous solution, preferably an alcohol, comprising metal ions and at least a trace amount of alkoxide ions. In a first preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a lanthanum ion. In a second preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a transition metal.

Abstract: Disclosed are propylene-based polymers with improved melt strength, improved strain hardening characteristics and processes for producing the same. The processes include reacting a polyamine with a maleic anhydride-grafted-propylene-based polymer. The processes produce a rheology-modified propylene-based polymer with long chain branching by forming a polyimide linkage which couples polymer chains of the propylene-based polymer. The polyimide-coupled propylene-based polymer exhibits improved melt strength and improved strain hardening characteristics.

Abstract: A process for preparing a functionalised polyolefin is described. The process comprises the step of reacting: (i) a polyolefin, (ii) a compound containing a functional group, and (iii) a coagent compound having Formula I: Xn—Y—Zm??(I) wherein: Y is a core moiety; Z is a moiety containing a carbon-carbon double bond or a carbon-carbon triple bond; X is a moiety different than Z and the bond between X and Y may be a single bond or a double bond; n is a whole number greater than or equal to 0; m is a whole number greater than or equal to 2; and m+n equals a number up to the valence of Y; wherein: (a) when m is 2 and n is 0, the process comprises initially reacting the polyolefin and the coagent to form a product that is then reacted with the compound containing the functional group, and (b) the compound containing a functional group is substantially inert in free radical-mediated polymerization reactions and in free radical-mediated grafting reactions.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy system comprising a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy between a source and a load, the heat exchanger having a primary side associated with the source, and a secondary side for conducting a fluid associated with the load, wherein the secondary side of the heat exchanger is passively back-flushed upon consumption of a portion of the fluid. Passive back-flushing prevents fouling of the heat exchanger due to sediments, scale, and mineral deposits which may be present in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a solar collector having intergral control of the maximum temperature that it can reach, thereby avoiding excessive stagnation temperatures in the collector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for eye gaze tracking in human or animal subjects without calibration of cameras, specific measurements of eye geometries or the tracking of a cursor image on a screen by the subject through a known trajectory. One embodiment includes one uncalibrated camera for acquiring video images of the subject's eye(s) and optionally having an on-axis illuminator, and a surface, object, or visual scene with embedded off-axis illuminator markers. The off-axis markers are reflected on the corneal surface of the subject's eyes as glints. The glints indicate the distance between the point of gaze in the surface, object, or visual scene and the corresponding marker on the surface, object, or visual scene.

Abstract: A cast aluminum alloy containing up to about 0.35% by weight chromium is heated to a first elevated temperature to homogenize the casting and dissolve the chromium content in an aluminum-based matrix phase. The alloy is then heated at a lower elevated temperature to cause the precipitation of a portion of the chromium as an aluminum-containing and chromium-containing intermetallic compound. A suitable amount of chromium is retained in solid solution in aluminum. Thus, the concentration of dissolved chromium in an aluminum alloy may be controlled to fall within specified ranges which result in improvements in both the strength and ductility of the alloy. Impurity amounts of iron may also be precipitated as intermetallic particles from the aluminum matrix to enhance the ductility of the aluminum-based alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, comprising disposing in the medium a functionalized composite material such that the at least one analyte is absorbed by the functionalized composite material, the functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated by absorption of the at least one analyte; and measuring modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material; wherein modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material is indicative of the presence of the analyte in the medium. The invention also relates to an optical sensor for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, and a functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated upon absorption of one or more analyte.

Abstract: Amino acid sequences and corresponding nucleic acid sequence of retinoid metabolizing protein found in human, mouse and zebrafish are described, as well as methods of using same.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving communications between humans and devices. The invention provides a method of modulating operation of a device, comprising: providing an attentive user interface for obtaining information about an attentive state of a user; and modulating operation of a device on the basis of the obtained information, wherein the operation that is modulated is initiated by the device. Preferably, the information about the user's attentive state is eye contact of the user with the device that is sensed by the attentive user interface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compounds and methods for treating protein folder disorders. In certain embodiments the invention provides compounds and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, tauopathy, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Lewy body disease, dementia, Huntington's disease and prion-based spongiform encelopathy. The invention further provides compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting tau protein, A? protein or ?-synuclein protein aggregation.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for separating a mixture of proteins in a biological sample. Methods for detecting and profiling proteins in biological samples by the separation method and kits are also provided. These methods are particularly useful in assessing damage to cells such as cardiac and skeletal muscle cells and in the early clinical diagnosis of myocardial damage by detection of myofilament proteins in serum of a subject.

Abstract: Peptides and mimetics of selected domains of mammalian serum amyloid A isoform 2.1 (SAA2.1) and compounds and compositions thereof are provided that enhance the effect on macrophage cholesterol ester hydrolase activity and/or inhibit acyl CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase activity. Methods of using these compositions in the treatment and/or prevention of atherosclerosis as well as coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of analyzing an ultrasound signal. The method comprises obtaining a time series of sequential data frames associated with an ultrasound signal reflected from and/or backscattered from a fixed location of a material under investigation, each data frame comprising a plurality of samples of the ultrasound signal, and subjecting to an analysis a sequence of one or more samples of the ultrasound signal, or a sequence of at least one parameter derived from one or more samples of the ultrasound signal, wherein a result of the analysis is related to one or properties or characteristics of the material. In one embodiment the method may be used for detecting, diagnosing, and/or assessing cancer and/or abnormalities in biological tissue.

Abstract: Reverse peptides and mimetics of a mammalian serum amyloid A isoform 2.1 (SAA2.1) domain or a portion thereof and compositions and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are provided that enhance the effect on macrophage cholesterol ester hydrolase activity. Methods of using these reverse peptides, mimetics thereof and compositions in the treatment and/or prevention of atherosclerosis as well as coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of tuberculosis (mycobacterial infections) by the use of KshAB complex inhibitors, or a KstD molecule, or a HsaAB complex, or a HsaC molecule, or a HsaD molecule. The application also includes a method for identifying an inhibitor or modulator of the previously mentioned molecules and complexes.

Abstract: Preparation of butyl rubber based graft co-polymers from halobutyl elastomers using phase transfer catalysts in the presence of a solution of an alkali metal salt of an oxygen or sulfur nucleophile that is bound to a polymeric substrate. Graft co-polymers can be produced of a butyl polymer (isobutene-co-isoprene) and polymeric substrates such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polysilanes, polysiloxanes, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyphosphazenes, polyferrocenes or their hybrids.

Abstract: A method for assessing muscle damage in a biological sample obtained from a subject is disclosed. The method involves obtaining a biological sample from a subject being assessed for muscle damage, and evaluating the sample for the presence or absence of a myofilament protein modification product. Preferably, the myofilament protein modification product is a chemical adduct of a myofilament protein. The method can also be used to assess the extent and/or type of muscle damage in a subject by studying the profile of myofilament protein modification products detected in the sample taken from the subject. The invention further provides a method for screening for an agent which modulates the level of a myofilament protein modification product an present in a biological sample or for a calcium sensitizing agent. The invention is applicable to cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle.

Abstract: A resonate gate drive circuit for driving at least one power switching devices recovers energy loss for charging and discharging the input capacitance of the power switching devices. The gate drive circuit charging and discharging the gate capacitor with a high level current, so the switching loss of the power switching devices can also be reduced. The gate drive circuit can clamp and keep the voltage across the gate capacitor to a certain level while the power switching devices turn on, and it can also clamp and keep the voltage across the gate capacitor to almost zero while the power switching devices turn off. The gate drive circuit comprises four small semiconductor bidirectional conducting switching devices connected in full-bridge configuration. An inductor is connected to the two junctions of the full-bridge configuration to help switching the current direction. A capacitor in series with the inductor is necessary for some applications.