Abstract: Small particles, for example 5 ?m diameter microspheres or cells, within, and moving with, a fluid, normally water, that is flowing within microfluidic channels within a radiation-transparent substrate, typically molded PDMS clear plastic, are selectively manipulated, normally by being pushed with optical pressure forces, with laser light, preferably as arises from VCSELs operating in Laguerre-Gaussian mode, at branching junctions in the microfluidic channels so as to enter into selected downstream branches, thereby realizing particle switching and sorting, including in parallel. Transport of the small particles thus transpires by microfluidics while manipulation in the manner of optical tweezers arises either from pushing due to optical scattering force, or from pulling due to an attractive optical gradient force.

Abstract: An optical code-division multiple-access (O-CDMA) apparatus, network, and communications method. A transmitter data modulates a sequence of ultra-fast (˜1 ps) pulses. An encoder wavelength demultiplexes the pulses, separately phase-modulates the wavelength components according to a first CDMA code and wavelength multiplexes for transmission on an optical network. A receiver includes a decoder performing similar demultiplexing, phase-modulating according to a second CDMA code, and multiplexing. The receiver detects the resultant signal. If the two CDMA codes match, the detected signal replicates the data-modulated pulses. The apparatus may be formed in as few as one substrate. The encoder/decoder structure may be used to compensate the dispersion of a fiber. A short-pulse detector includes a Mach-Zehnder interferometer having two semiconductor amplifier regions in its two arms with differential delay/phase between them.

Abstract: Nanochannel electrophoretic and electrochemical devices having selectively-etched nanolaminates located in the fluid transport channel. The normally flat surfaces of the nanolaminate having exposed conductive (metal) stripes are selectively-etched to form trenches and baffles. The modifications of the prior utilized flat exposed surfaces increase the amount of exposed metal to facilitate electrochemical redox reaction or control the exposure of the metal surfaces to analytes of large size. These etched areas variously increase the sensitivity of electrochemical detection devices to low concentrations of analyte, improve the plug flow characteristic of the channel, and allow additional discrimination of the colloidal particles during cyclic voltammetry.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device is presented that can read very high density magnetic media and very high density CD ROMs. Both the magnetic and optical read heads comprise one or more cold cathode MEMS e-beam cells. The e-beams are deflected according to the data bit being interrogated and the state of that bit is determined by a detector. Large arrays of such cells can simultaneously read large areas of the memory media. Arrays of such MEMs detectors can comprise a plurality of “steerable” e-beam emitters that can be directed to interrogate specific data sites on the magnetic media. Thus, in some cases, the media can remain stationary. Densities of 200 gigabits per square inch or more and read speeds greater than 1000 times faster can be achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides an accurate estimate of the time and amplitude of arrival of the first arriving overlapping multipath components (rays) in wireless locating finding systems. Overlapping fading multipath components for mobile-positioning are resolved by exploiting the fact that multipath components fade independently. Although fast channel fading is usually considered a challenge to the location finding process, it is used as an additional tool to detect and resolve overlapping multipath rays. A projection technique is also provided that exploits all possible a-priori channel information into a adaptive filtering algorithm, thus providing needed robustness to divergence of the adaptive algorithm that might result from possible severe data matrix ill-conditioning and high noise levels, which are common in wireless location applications.

Abstract: A structure formed from one or more bi-material cantilevers, having a first portion and a second portion positioned end-to-end, wherein the first portion comprises a first material positioned on top of a second material, and wherein the second portion comprises the second material positioned on top of the first material.

Abstract: A dehydrated composition is provided that includes freeze-dried erythrocytic cells. Alcohol (e.g., sterol or cholesterol) is at least partially removed from erythrocytic cells including erythrocytic membranes. After removal of at least part of the alcohol, the erythrocytic cells have a low phase transition temperature range, an intermediate phase transition temperature range, and a high phase transition temperature range. The erythrocytic cells may be loaded with an oligosaccharide (e.g., trehalose) which preserves biological properties during freeze-drying and rehydration. A process for increasing cooperativity of a phase transition of an erythrocytic cell. A process for preserving and/or increasing the survival of dehydrated erythrocytic cells, including storing dehydrated erythrocytic cells having a residual water content equal to or less than about 0.30 gram of water per gram of dry weight erythrocytic cells.

Abstract: A dehydrated composition is provided that includes freeze-dried platelets. The platelets are loaded with trehalose which preserves biological properties during freeze-drying and rehydration. The trehalose loading is conducted at a temperature of from greater than about 25° C. to less than about 40° C., most preferably at 37° C., with the loading solution having trehalose in an amount from about 10 mM to about 50 mM. These freeze-dried platelets are substantially shelf-stable and are rehydratable so as to have a normal response to an agonist, for example, thrombin, with virtually all of the platelets participating in clot formation within about three minutes at 37° C.

Abstract: A bistable electrical device that is convertible between a low resistance state and a high resistance state. The device includes at least one layer of organic low conductivity material that is sandwiched between two electrodes. A buffer layer is located between the organic layer and at least one of the electrodes. The buffer layer includes particles in the form of flakes or dots of a low conducting material or insulating material that are present in a sufficient amount to only partially cover the electrode surface. The presence of the buffer layer controls metal migration into the organic layer when voltage pulses are applied between the electrodes to convert the device back and forth between the low and high resistance states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a library of compounds, wherein each of the compounds resides on the exterior portion and is encoded by coding tags confined in each of successive zones on the interior portion of a solid support. Following screening of the compounds, the coding tags can be cleaved, and then characterized by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A device for processing gases includes a cylindrical housing in which an electrically grounded, metal injection/extraction gas supply tube is disposed. A dielectric tube surrounds the injection/extraction gas supply tube to establish a gas modification passage therearound. Additionally, a metal high voltage electrode circumscribes the dielectric tube. The high voltage electrode is energizable to create nonthermal electrical microdischarges between the high voltage electrode and the injection/extraction gas supply tube across the dielectric tube within the gas modification passage. An injection/extraction gas and a process gas flow through the nonthermal electrical microdischarges within the gas modification passage and a modified process gas results. Using the device contaminants that are entrained in the process gas can be destroyed to yield a cleaner, modified process gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system of tissue or background suppression for the acquisition of image data from blood flow or tissue perfusion. Background suppression with minimal effects upon inflowing spins is achieved through a series of spin locking low level RF pulses that cause adiabatic demagnetization of tissue with a relaxation time T1-rho that is intermediate between T1 and T2 relaxation times. In this regard, the effective transverse magnetization of static tissue resulting from the application of a series of low level RF pulses is reduced and, with the spin locking, longitudinal magnetization regrowth is minimized. As such, inflowing spins to an imaging volume may be directly imaged with significant background tissue suppression. The present invention is particularly applicable to time-of-flight MRA and MR perfusion imaging.

Abstract: Electrochromic salts. Electrochromic salts of dicationic viologens such as methyl viologen and benzyl viologen associated with anions selected from bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide, and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide are produced by metathesis with the corresponding viologen dihalide. They are highly soluble in molten quarternary ammonium salts and together with a suitable reductant provide electrolyte solutions that are used in electrochromic windows.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for measuring characteristics of hydraulic features in rivers and streams that are unwadeable. The apparatus consists of a tripod base, a horizontal boom that articulates on the tripod, a carriage configured to travel on the boom, and a measuring rod that can be moved vertically on the carriage. These components are designed to be portable, carried by hand or in a raft, and are adapted to be assembled on rugged terrain. The measuring rod is configured to accommodate sensors to measure characteristics such as channel topography, water surface topography, air-water mixing, velocity pressure differentials, and lift and drag forces. The apparatus can be adapted for measurement and monitoring in harsh environments such as volcanic lakes, fumaroles, and hot springs. The invention can be utilized for sampling air quality, weather, water quality, fluid mechanics (gas or liquid), soils, sediments, volcanic gases and hydrothermal fluids.

Abstract: A portable radioactive-material detection system capable of detecting radioactive sources moving at high speeds. The system has at least one radiation detector capable of detecting gamma-radiation and coupled to an MCA capable of collecting spectral data in very small time bins of less than about 150 msec. A computer processor is connected to the MCA for determining from the spectral data if a triggering event has occurred. Spectral data is stored on a data storage device, and a power source supplies power to the detection system. Various configurations of the detection system may be adaptably arranged for various radiation detection scenarios. In a preferred embodiment, the computer processor operates as a server which receives spectral data from other networked detection systems, and communicates the collected data to a central data reporting system.

Abstract: A portable gamma ray detection apparatus having a gamma ray detector encapsulated by a compact isolation structure having at least two volumetrically-nested enclosures where at least one is a thermal shield. The enclosures are suspension-mounted to each other to successively encapsulate the detector without structural penetrations through the thermal shields. A low power cooler is also provided capable of cooling the detector to cryogenic temperatures without consuming cryogens, due to the heat load reduction by the isolation structure and the reduction in the power requirements of the cooler. The apparatus also includes a lightweight portable power source for supplying power to the apparatus, including to the cooler and the processing means, and reducing the weight of the apparatus to enable handheld operation or toting on a user's person.

Abstract: A compensating multi layer material includes two compensating layers adjacent to one another. A multi-layer embodiment of the invention produces subwavelength near-field focusing, but mitigates the thickness and loss limitations of the isotropic “perfect lens”. An antenna substrate comprises an indefinite material.

Abstract: The present invention provides plant fiber expansion (FE) genes that encode FE polypeptides, such as phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPcase), expansin, endoglucanase, xyloglucan endoglycosyltransferase (XET), and pectin methyl esterase (PME). The invention further provides fiber-specific promoters. Still further, the invention provides molecular strategies for modulating fiber quality and yield in fiber producing plants by modulating expression of FE genes or mutant forms of FE genes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating, preventing, modulating, attenuating, or inhibiting a disease or a disorder associated with inflammation related to NF-?B activation in a subject which comprises administering to the subject at least one curcumin compound. Also disclosed are combination therapies comprising the administration of at least one curcumin compound and at least one ROS inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding fluorescent indicators, which contain a sensor polypeptide inserted within a fluorescent moiety, are provided, as are polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides. Also provided are circularly permuted fluorescent polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding the circularly permuted fluorescent polypeptides. In addition, methods of using the fluorescent indicators and the circularly permuted fluorescent polypeptides are provided.