Abstract: An reversible engine (10) is disclosed having a conduit system (11), a first electrochemical cells (12), and a second electrochemical cell (13). The conduit system (11) includes a first conduit (15) extending from the first electrochemical cell (12) to the second electrochemical cell (13), and a second conduit (16) extending from the second electrochemical cell (13) to the first electrochemical cell (12). The heat engine (10) also includes a heater (18) mounted in thermal communication with the conduit system (11) adjacent the second electrochemical cell (13), a cooler (19) mounted in thermal communication with the conduit system (11) adjacent the first electrochemical cell (12), and a regenerative heat exchanger (20) thermally coupled to the first and second conduits (15) and (16) for the transfer of heat therebetween.

Abstract: Asymmetric derivatives of furamidines with one of the phenyl rings of furamidine replaced with a benzimidazole have been found by quantitative footprinting analyses to bind GC containing sites on DNA more strongly than to pure AT sequences. These compounds have been shown to bind in the minor groove at specific GC containing sequences of DNA in a highly cooperative manner as a stacked dimer. Compounds of the present invention find use in selectively binding mixed sequence DNA, and may also be used in methods of regulating gene expression, methods of treating opportunistic infections and cancer, as well as in methods of detecting certain sequences of DNA.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to submitting auction bids via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting auction bid transactions over a network.

Abstract: A fast semi-automatic prostate contouring method is provided using model-based initialization and an efficient Discrete Dynamic Contour (DDC) for boundary refinement. The user initiates the process of the preferred embodiment by identifying four (4) points on the prostate boundary, thereby scaling and shaping a prostate model, and then the final prostate contour is refined with a DDC. The method of the present invention has particular application during the pre-implant planning phase of a brachytherapy procedure. However, this method also has uses in any phase of dose planning in the brachytherapy procedure or any other therapy approach.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical clock recovery using optical filters with fixed reflective wavelengths is provided. In the apparatus, a first filter receives an optical signal and extracts one out of two spectral lines corresponding to two side peaks that are second in magnitude to a peak and exist at both sides of a peak on the spectrum of the received optical signal. A second filter extracts a spectral line corresponding the largest peak on the spectrum of the received optical signal. An attenuator equalizes the power levels of the two spectral lines extracted by the first and second filters. A beating generation unit receives signals corresponding to the two equalized spectral lines and generates beating between the equalized spectral lines, thereby recovering a clock component.

Abstract: A multi-layered wire structure includes a substrate, a plurality of first conductive lines formed in a first layer over the substrate extending in parallel to each other in a first direction, a plurality of second conductive lines formed in a second layer over the first layer extending in parallel to each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a plurality of sets of third conductive lines formed in the second layer extending in the first direction, each set of third conductive lines corresponding to one of the first conductive lines, and a plurality of sets of conductive paths formed between the first layer and the second layer, each set of conductive paths corresponding to one of the first conductive lines and one set of third conductive lines and electrically connecting the corresponding first conductive line to the corresponding set of third conductive lines.

Abstract: Plant material enriched in secondary metabolites is produced in tissue culture under conditions that organogenically produce a proliferation of shoots and leafy material, and harvesting the leafy material and shoots while in a green, actively-growing, non-senescent stage. Of particular interest is plant material that produces alkaloids, especially material from poppy (Papaver sp.) that will yield economically attractive levels of morphinane alkaloids, particularly thebaine.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light emitting semiconductor package on a semiconductor wafer 252 which includes a plurality of light emitting devices 254 residing on or in a surface of the semiconductor wafer, the method comprising the steps of: forming at least one first hollow cap 256, each first hollow cap 256 formed to provide: a central portion 260 and first perimeter walls extending from the perimeter edge of the central portion with the free edges of the first perimeter walls adapted to be bonded to the surface of the semiconductor wafer 252 to provide a first cavity; at least one region 258 of the central portion 260 which is substantially transparent or translucent to electromagnetic radiation; aligning the at least one first cap with a corresponding at least one light emitting device using a tool having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the wafer; bonding the at least one first hollow cap 256 to the semiconductor wafer 252, the central portion overlying at least one of the plurality of light

Abstract: A pressure sensor (30) for sensing a fluid pressure in harsh environments such as the air pressure in a tire, by using a chamber (58) partially defined by a flexible membrane (50), the chamber (58) containing a fluid at a reference pressure, such that the flexible membrane (50) deflects due to pressure differentials between the reference pressure and the fluid pressure; and, associated circuitry (34) for converting the deflection of the flexible membrane (50) into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure; wherein, the membrane (50) is at least partially formed from a metal ceramic material. Metal ceramics can be deposited as a thin membrane with sufficient flexibility for sensing pressure while providing corrosion and wear resistance. Furthermore, these materials are generally well suited to micro fabrication processes and electrically conductive so they can be used in capacitative and resistive type pressure sensors.

Abstract: In an apparatus for identifying software components having an object and use-case information related to a model domain in a software component developing system, the object and use-case information is inputted in an input section. A UDA table creation section makes use-relation between an object and a use-case transmitted from the input section into a UDA (Use-case Data Access) table. A clustering engine creates at least one identified component by normalizing affinity values between use-relation factors in a UDA table prepared in the UDA table creation section and by performing a clustering only for a value greater than or equal to a threshold among the normalized affinity values.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection includes a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The first conductive trace defines a first conductive periphery and is deposited on a first surface. The second conductive trace defines a second conductive periphery and is deposited on a second surface. The second surface is spaced apart from the first surface by a gap distance and in parallel relation so that a spark gap is defined by the gap distance between the first conductive periphery and the second conductive periphery.

Abstract: A three dimensional object creation system that prints objects layer by layer, the system printing at least part of each of multiple layers simultaneously, wherein each layer is defined by a plurality of voxels arranged in a regular array and wherein the voxels of each layer are printed so as to be offset by half a voxel relative to the voxels of adjacent layers in a first direction, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction or both the first and second directions.

Abstract: Multi-ordered spectral data is obtained from various known substances and is stored in a spectral library. The identification of an unknown material is accomplished by correlating the sample's multi-ordered spectrum against all or a portion of the spectrum in the library, and finding the closest match.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods and systems for enabling telephones to be controlled through computer systems. Employing the invention involves the use of one or more control interfaces which are capable of being used to interact with a computer system or network, each interface comprising sheet material such as paper which has coded data printed on it and which allows it to be used to interact with the computer system by use of a sensing device operated by a user. Through this interaction, data from the control interface can be transmitted to the computer system to effect an operation relating to the functioning of the telephone. In this way, the computer system can invoke functions such as the making of outgoing calls, and the receiving and sending of text information such as short messages or retrieved telephone numbers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel multi-functional methacrylic copolymers that exhibit cationic pH-sensitive behavior as well as good water solubility under acidic conditions. The copolymers are constructed from tertiary amine methacrylates and poly(ethylene glycol) containing methacrylates. The copolymers are useful as gene vectors, pharmaceutical carriers, and in protein separation applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. Modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation are also provided. Finally, screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid beamforming apparatus and method are proposed for a communication system. The hybrid beamforming apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, a plurality of FFT, a plurality of hybrid weight-coefficient generators and a plurality of adders. In each of the hybrid weight-coefficient generators, the weight coefficient for each subcarrier is calculated by a time-domain correlation matrix and a cross-correlation vector, which is calculated by a frequency domain signal and a training signal. The hybrid beamforming apparatus and method according to the present invention can enhance immunity for multipath effect with lower system complexity.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zerconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5–10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A printhead module for a printhead assembly is provided comprising at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, and a support member supporting the printhead integrated circuits. The support member has a plurality of longitudinally extending channels for carrying different printing fluids for the printhead integrated circuits, the support member, and therefore the number of channels provided, is selectable to meet specific requirements as to the number of said printing fluids to be employed for printing.