Abstract: The invention relates to the novel identification of inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 4 (“PDE4”) as agents which can reverse inhibition of neural regeneration in the mammalian central and peripheral nervous system. The invention provides compositions and methods using agents that can reverse the inhibitory effects on neural regeneration by regulating PDE4 expression. A composition comprising at least one PDE4 inhibitor in an amount effective to inhibit PDE4 activity in a neuron when administered to an animal is provided. Methods for regulating (e.g., promoting) neural growth or regeneration in the nervous system, methods for treating injuries or damage to nervous tissue or neurons, and methods for treating neural degeneration associated with disorders or diseases, comprising the step of administering to an animal a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which inhibits phosphodiesterase IV activity in a neuron are provided.

Abstract: A medium access control (MAC) technique of a multihop sensor network. In the multihop sensor network, the MAC technique may contribute to significantly reducing transmission delay, and allow real-time services to be provided to all nodes by extending a guaranteed time slot (GTS) restricted to one hop in a personal area network (PAN) coordinator (PNC) to all nodes. Furthermore, the MAC technique may allow the number of available GTSs to be significantly increased, by using all 16 frequency band channels instead of using only a single frequency band and setting a multi-superframe.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are directed towards computing minimum mean squared error (MMSE) predictive-transform (PT) source coding integrated with subband compression to further improve the performance of low bit rate MMSE PT source coders.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a defect multiple-quantum-well structure for manipulation of reflection and transmission of light by way of optical control of spatial distribution of electric field across the defect multiple-quantum-well structure. The defect multiple-quantum-well structure includes a pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures and a central multiple-quantum-well structure. The central multiple-quantum-well structure is sandwiched between the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures. Each of the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures has a band gap profile, and the central multiple-quantum-well structure has a band gap profile. The band gap profile of the central multiple-quantum-well structure is greater than the band gap profile of each of the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a simplified approach for determining the output of a total covariance signal processor. A single set of offline calculations is performed and then used to estimate the output of the total covariance signal processor. A simplified approach for performing matrix inversion may also be used in determining the output of the total covariance processor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline organic polymer nanoparticles comprising a conductive organic polymer; wherein the crystalline organic polymer nanoparticles have a size of from 10 nm to 200 nm and exhibits two current-voltage states: (1) a high resistance current-voltage state, and (2) a low resistance current-voltage state, wherein when a first positive threshold voltage (Vth1) or higher positive voltage, or a second negative threshold voltage (Vth2) or higher negative voltage is applied to the nanoparticle, the nanoparticle exhibits the low-resistance current-voltage state, and when a voltage less positive than the first positive threshold voltage or a voltage less negative than the second negative threshold voltage is applied to the nanoparticle, the nanoparticle exhibits the high-resistance current-voltage state. The present invention is also directed methods of manufacturing the nanoparticles using novel interfacial oxidative polymerization techniques.

Abstract: A method for rendering a carboxyl-containing polymer surface resistant to microbial growth, the method comprising: (i) reacting the carboxyl-containing polymer surface with a metal borohydride in a solvent system comprising a water-soluble alcohol having one to three hydroxy groups and one to four carbon atoms, and optionally up to about fifty percent water, in a temperature range having a minimum of about 60° C. and a maximum of about 80° C., and for an amount of time sufficient for reducing carboxyl groups on the carboxyl-containing polymer surface to surface hydroxymethyl groups without altering the nature of the bulk of the polymer; and either: (iia) converting hydroxy groups of the surface hydroxymethyl groups to leaving groups and displacing the leaving groups with one or a combination of antimicrobial agents; or (iib) displacing the hydrogen atoms of the hydroxy groups of the surface hydroxymethyl groups with one or a combination of antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing heat in industrial systems where large sources of stored energy are called upon to meet a work load, storing the heat content of a hot working fluid by using the hot working fluid as a heat transfer fluid in vapor form and depositing its heat content on a heat storage medium and then removing the cooled and condensed liquid phase of that heat transfer fluid, and when hot working fluid again is needed, the liquid heat transfer fluid is returned to the heated storage medium and is reheated as it passes through the hot storage medium and then is returned to the working system to be used as a hot working fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a method of minimizing power consumed by each node in a wireless network when communicating with neighboring nodes. Unlike a conventional synchronous media access control (MAC), the present invention suggests an asynchronous MAC. Thus, the active duration of a node extends only when transmitting a large quantity of data and the extended active duration returns to the minimum active duration again after completing the data transmission.

Abstract: Provided is a method of supporting node portability in a sensor network, wherein data transmission to a portable node can be guaranteed since even when the portable node is assigned with a different address by being associated with another network, the newly assigned address is transmitted to a parent node or a sink node that was previously associated with the portable node.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fluorescent light from light elastically scattered/reflected from a material illuminated with a broadband illumination source includes a polarization discriminator, which separates the substantially polarized elastically scattered/reflected light from the unpolarized fluorescent light, and a spectrometer to analyze the full and separated reflectance spectra. A linear polarizer may be provided to polarize the illumination source. A method for separating fluorescence light induced in a material by broadband light from an elastic scattering/reflection component includes providing polarization discrimination to separate the components, the fluorescence light being substantially unpolarized, and spectrally analyzing the reflectance components. The method may include linearly polarizing the light source. A fluorescence spectra may be extracted from a minimum reflectance spectra or from a residual polarization reflectance spectra.

Abstract: A mobile robot generally including a first suction module, a second suction module and a hinge assembly pivotably connecting the suction modules together. Each of the suction modules includes a support frame defining a vacuum chamber and a vacuum unit supported on the support frame and communicating with the vacuum chamber. The vacuum unit includes a rotating impeller and an exhaust cowling surrounding the impeller. The impeller has an axis of rotation and is adapted to draw air from the vacuum chamber into the impeller in a direction generally parallel to the impeller axis of rotation and to discharge the drawn air in a direction substantially perpendicular to the impeller axis of rotation. The exhaust cowling is adapted to redirect the discharged air, whereby a thrusting force is applied to the support frame in a direction opposite of the direction of the drawn air from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An optical technique to improve the imaging of a target inside suspensions of scattering particles includes the illumination of the scattering particles with circularly polarized light. The backscattered light from the host medium preserves the helicity of incident light, while the backscattered light reflected from the target is predominated with light of opposite helicity. Based on the observed helicity difference in the emerging light that originated at the target and that backscattered from the medium, the present optical technique improves the image contrast using circular polarization. This approach makes use of polarization memory which leads to the reflected light from the target accompanied by weak diffusive backscattered light. Using the present technique, improved imaging of the artery wall is achieved and plaque composition can be assessed through a blood field associated with the artery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the development of a nanoporous alumina template comprising a multilayer metal film structure that allows for the in situ removal of an electrically insulating barrier layer, thus exposing an electrode at the pore bases. An exemplary multilayer thin film precursor is developed herein which contains an aluminum anodization layer, a diffusion barrier and an electrode. Aluminum anodization in an acidic electrolyte solution with a subsequent voltage pulse sequence produces a nanoporous alumina template with a barrier free conductive electrode surface. The nanoporous template of the present invention provides an efficient means for electrodeposition of nanomaterials.

Abstract: A method for producing an adsorbent, having the steps of combining a first sludge and a second material to form a mixture, thermally drying the mixture, and pyrolizing the mixture using at least four temperature zones wherein each temperature zone is set between about 600° C. and 1,100° C. The first sludge is a municipal sludge or an industrial sludge, and the second material is a compost material or one of municipal sludge or industrial sludge differing from the first sludge. The compost material is at least one of tobacco waste, waste paper and wood char, or a combination thereof. Further, the drying can happen in two stages. Each stage can include two separate temperatures.

Abstract: A laser medium includes a single crystal of chromium-doped LiScl-xInxGe1-ySiyO4, where 0?x?1 and 0?y?1. Preferably, x and y are not both 0. A laser, such as a tunable near infrared laser, can contain the laser medium.

Abstract: A method is described to improve and produce purer Cr4+-doped laser materials and lasers with reduced co-incorporation of chromium in any other valence states, such as Cr3+, Cr2+, Cr5+, and Cr6+. The method includes: 1) certain crystals of olivine structure with large cation (Ca) in octahedral sites such as Cr4+:Ca2GeO4, Cr4+:Ca2SiO4, Cr4+:Ca2GexSi1-xO4 (where 0<x<1), and/or 2) high-temperature solution growth techniques that enable the growth of the crystals below the temperature of polymorphic transitions by using low melting point solvent based on oxide, fluoride and/or chloride compounds. Purer Cr4+-doped laser materials are characterized by a relatively high concentration of Cr4+-lasing ion in crystalline host that makes these materials suitable for compact high power (thin disk/wedge) NIR laser applications.

Abstract: An optical device for sensing an incident optical wave within a wavelength range includes a first array and a second array of electrodes superposed on a substrate, and a sensor connected to the contacts. The arrays are interdigitated. Each array includes its own parameters: contact width, contact thickness, groove width, and a groove dielectric constant. A structure associated with the arrays resonantly couples the incident wave and a local electromagnetic resonance or hybrid mode including at least a surface plasmon cavity mode (CM). For coupling the CM, an aspect ratio of contact thickness to spacing between electrodes is at least 1. A preferred structure for coupling a hybrid mode for high bandwidth and responsivity includes a higher dielectric constant in alternating grooves. The substrate may include silicon, including silicon-on-insulator (SOI). An SOI device having a alternating grooves with a higher dielectric, e.g., silicon oxide, provides 0.25 A/W and 30 GHz bandwidth.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymeric beads for removing arsenate from water, as well as methods for preparing and using the beads are disclosed.

Abstract: A data routing method and system, the data routing method including: locating a destination node using a destination locating packet; establishing a preliminary route including anchor nodes based on a route where the destination locating packet is transmitted to the destination node; determining a link cost between neighbor nodes of each of the anchor nodes, and also between the anchor nodes and the neighbor nodes of each of the anchor nodes; generating minimum cost information with respect to a route consuming a minimum cost from the destination node to a source node using the link cost; and forming a data route from the destination node to the source node using the minimum cost information.