Abstract: A resonate gate drive circuit for driving at least one power switching device recovers energy loss for charging and discharging the gate capacitance of the power switching devices. The gate drive circuit uses a current source to charge and discharge the gate capacitance with a high current, reducing the switching loss of the power switching device. The gate drive circuit comprises four semiconductor bidirectional conducting switching devices connected in a full-bridge configuration. An inductor connected across the bridge configuration provides the current source. The gate drive circuit may be used in single and dual high-side and low-side, symmetrical or complementary, power converter gate drive applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modification of butyl elastomers, particularly halobutyl elastomers, under solvent free conditions with a phase transfer catalyst in the presence of an alkyl metal salt of an oxygen or sulfur-based nucleophile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grafted liquid polymer comprising a polymer of a C4 to C7 monoolefin monomer and a C4 to C14 multiolefin monomer, a grafting material and a free radical initiator and to a process for the preparation of the grafted liquid polymer. More specifically, a liquid maleated butyl rubber composition is disclosed. The present invention also relates to grafted liquid polymer compositions which are curable in the presence of multifunctional amines. The compositions of the invention are used in a variety of applications, including injection molded fuel cells gaskets, adhesives, sealants or as polyurethane substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for assisting a subject to perform a motion such as a lift. The invention comprises a first anchor attachable to a first side of a joint of the subject's body, a second anchor attachable to a second side of the joint; and an elastic member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, such that articulation of the joint in a first direction causes deformation of the elastic member and storing of energy, and articulation of the joint in a second direction causes relaxation of the elastic member wherein the energy is released and assists the subject to perform a motion in said second direction. The invention may be used at a subject's waist, ankle, wrist, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, and/or at least one joint of the back and/or neck.

Abstract: A novel class of thermal hysteresis (antifreeze) proteins (THP) that have up to 100 times the specific activity of fish antifreeze proteins has been isolated and purified from the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Internal sequencing of the proteins, leading to cDNA cloning and production of the protein in bacteria has confirmed the identity and activity of the 8.4 to 10.7 kDa THP. They are novel Thr- and Cys-rich proteins composed largely of 12-amino-acid repeats of cys-thr-xaa-ser-xaa-xaa-cys-xaa-xaa-ala-xaa-thr. At a concentration of 55 ?g/mL, the THP depressed the freezing point 1.6° C. below the melting point, and at a concentration of ˜1 mg/mL the THP or its variants can account for the 5.5° C. of thermal hysteresis found in Tenebrio larvae. The THP function by an adsorption-inhibition mechanism and produce oval-shaped ice crystals with curved prism faces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting a biological molecule associated with enzyme activity in a sample. The invention is applicable to detecting a microorganism associated with an enzyme in a sample such as water, food, soil, or a biological sample. According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, a sample containing an enzyme of interest or a microorganism associated with the enzyme is combined with a suitable substrate, and a fluorescent product of the enzyme-substrate reaction is selectively detected. The fluorescent product is detected with a partitioning element or optical probe/partitioning element of the invention. In one embodiment the partitioning element provides for partitioning of only the fluorescent product molecule into the probe. The invention also provides an automated system for monitoring for biological contamination of water or other samples.

Abstract: Methods and compounds useful for the inhibition of convulsive disorders, including epilepsy, are disclosed. The methods and compounds of the invention inhibit or prevent ictogenesis and/or epileptogenesis. Methods for preparing the compounds of the invention are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials suitable as metal scavengers and catalysts. The materials are prepared by functionalizing silicate materials such as silica or SBA-15 with a thiol or amine, or other functionalizing agent, in a sol gel process. In a preferred embodiment, the metal is palladium and the functionalizing agent is a thiol. The material may be used as a catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura and Mizoroki-Heck coupling reactions. The catalyst materials have extremely low metal leaching, are very stable, and are completely recyclable.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring one or more optical properties, such as absorbance and refractive index, of a test medium such as a gas, a liquid, or solid material. The method comprises providing a passive optical waveguide loop comprising the test medium, launching in the optical loop an intensity-modulated light at a reference phase, detecting a phase of said light along the optical waveguide loop, and comparing the detected phase of said light along the loop with the reference phase, wherein the comparison provides information about one or more optical properties of the test medium.

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 a resonant gate drive circuit for a power switching device, such as a MOSFET, that uses a center-tapped transformer to increase the driving gate voltage approximately twice as high as the supply voltage. The gate capacitance of the power switching device is charged and discharged by a constant current source, which increases the switching transition speed of the power switch. The circuit is suitable for driving a pair of low side switches with 50% duty cycle or less, such as in a variable frequency resonant converter, push-pull converter, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention yields a triallyl phosphate (TAP)-mediated, rheology-modified polymer being prepared in a reaction from a reaction mixture made from or containing (a) a free-radical, chain-scissionable organic polymer and (b) TAP, wherein the TAP-mediated, rheology-modified polymer has extensional viscosity at Hencky strains above one greater than that of the free-radical, chain-scissionable organic polymer and/or a Relaxation Spectra Index (RSI) greater than that of the free-radical, chain-scissionable organic polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting a biological molecule associated with enzyme activity in a sample. The invention is applicable to detecting a microorganism associated with an enzyme in a sample such as water, food, soil, or a biological sample. According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, a sample containing an enzyme of interest or a microorganism associated with the enzyme is combined with a suitable substrate, and a fluorescent product of the enzyme-substrate reaction is selectively detected. The fluorescent product is detected with a partitioning element or optical probe/partitioning element of the invention. In one embodiment the partitioning element provides for partitioning of only the fluorescent product molecule into the probe. The invention also provides an automated system for monitoring for biological contamination of water or other samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical sensors and systems and methods employing the sensors for detecting one or more compounds of interest in a test medium. In one embodiment an optical sensor comprising a long period grating and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) film is exposed to a test medium such that one or more compounds of interest are selectively partitioned into the solid phase microextraction film. At least one optical property of the sensor exposed to the test medium is compared with at least one corresponding optical property of the sensor in absence of the test medium; wherein a difference in the optical property is indicative of one or more compounds of interest in the test medium. The methods and systems may employ long period grating sensors with or without SPME films, and fiber loop ring-down spectroscopy to measure optical properties of the sensor.

Abstract: The perinuclear theca 32 (PT32) protein is disclosed and shown to interact with tyrosine kinase c-Yes. PT32, c-Yes, fragments thereof, and molecules that bind thereto can be used in methods of enhancing fertility, treating or diagnosing diminished fertility and abnormal spermiogenesis, in providing contraception, and in identifying contraceptive and fertility-enhancing agents. Transgenic, non-human animals also are disclosed.

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. 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 present in a biological sample or for a calcium sensitizing agent. The invention is applicable to cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, the facet cap comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the shim portion within the facet joint. The invention also provides a method for treating scoliosis, comprising implanting at least one spinal facet cap into at least one facet joint of a subject in need thereof.

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: A colonic cleansing kit comprises an osmotic colonic evacuant, and an oral rehydration mixture. The oral rehydration mixture comprises sugar, and salt. The sugar comprises a glucose containing saccharide, and the salt comprises sodium.

Abstract: DC-DC converters have high side and rectifier circuits, and output capacitor. High side circuit connects between input voltage and output voltage, and has primary winding and auxiliary section that operate transformer properly. Auxiliary may have switches or combination of switches and capacitors. High side circuit converts electrical into magnetic energy through transformer primary, which is then transferred to output through rectifier circuit. It also transfers energy directly to output voltage. Converters have high efficiency, fast dynamic response and high current output. Converters can have large duty cycle and large input voltage and output voltage conversion ratio. High side circuit can be half-bridge, full-bridge or forward converter. Rectifier uses inductors on either side of the secondary, and diodes or synchronous rectifiers, to rectify output voltage. Multi-phase interleaved circuits utilize shared switches to reduce size.