Abstract: A single-canister underwater stereocamera system with a distance measurement function. In the camera system, a camera drive unit, holding two cameras on its camera base, is set in a parallel space defined between two support plates, and is operable by a motor unit, thus being movable along with the two cameras to the front or back. A lens drive unit, holding two lenses on two lens bases, is set in the parallel space to be operable by the motor unit so as to laterally move the two lenses to the left or right under the guide of a linear guide bearing. The motor unit controls the focus length of each of the two cameras and the moving distance of the two lenses at the same time. In the camera system, the actual distance of an underwater target object from the system is measured by sensing a rotated position of the encoder of the motor unit, taking advantage of the fact that the actual distance of the target object has a functional relation of 1:1 with the focus length of each of the cameras.

Abstract: A polyolefin-based nanocomposite and a method of preparing the same are disclosed. The polyolefin-based nanocomposite is prepared by melt kneading a mixture including (A) 40-99.8% by weight of a matrix polymer of polyolefin; (B) 0.1-30% by weight of a polyolefin compatilizer containing polar reactive groups; and (C) 0.1-30% by weight of a layered clay material having a quaternary ammonium ion bonded to the surface thereof. The quaternary ammonium ion contains (I) at least one alkyl group having at least 15 carbon atoms; and (ii) a substitutent having —Si—O—Si—linkage and at least one terminal reactive group.

Abstract: A printhead for an ink jet printer with an array 14 of ink ejection nozzles 22 formed from MEMS techniques. To protect the delicate nozzle structures, a nozzle guard 80 covers the exterior surface of the array 14. A corresponding array of apertures 84 is formed in the guard 80. To attach the guard 80 to the silicon substrate 16 carrying the nozzles 22, alignment formations 148 configured for engagement with complementary formations on a nozzle guard 80. For precise registration between the nozzles 22 and the respective apertures 84 in the guard 80, the alignment formations 148 may be formed using the same etching and deposition techniques used to form the nozzles 22.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel organic/inorganic-oxide multilayer materials. In particular novel organic/inorganic-oxide materials based on single or multiple atomic layers of tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide or other metal oxides interspersed between organic spacer layers is disclosed along with a method of preparing the materials, preferably via self assembly.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing (8) which contains a screw mechanism (9) and a motor (10) which is drivably connected to the screw mechanism (9), said screw mechanism providing a linear movement in response to a rotational movement of the motor, and comprising a screw (12) and a nut (13) one of which is supported rotatably with respect to the housing (8). The linearly displaceable member of the screw mechanism is drivingly connected to a pump mechanism for providing a flow of medium.

Abstract: A highly pure 2,4,4,6-tetrabromo-2,5-cyclohexadienone has been prepared in a single pot, eco-friendly procedure in yields of 91-94% from phenol. In this method, a mixture of alkali/alkaline earth metal bromide and alkali/alkaline earth metal bromate was employed as brominating agent in place of corrosive liquid bromine. The reaction between phenol and the brominating reagent was initiated by the action of a mineral acid or moderately strong organic acid. The crude product was further characterized by standard analytical and spectroscopic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an accurate method to identify and quantify the Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) antigen, the cause of Lyme Disease, in a sample of whole blood, body tissues and fluids of a subject, a human or animal subject. The qualitative method provides a quick, easy and accurate method of detection of the Bb antigen. The quantitative method allows for monitoring of treatment in conjunction with severity of clinical signs and symptoms.

Abstract: Cell membranes containing glycolipid-enriched membrane (GEM) and non-glycolipid-enriched membrane (non-GEM) domains are targeted using fusion proteins that are anchored in the cell membrane. Fusion proteins to target GEM (or non-GEM) domains are comprised of a selected fluorescent polypeptide, a membrane-targeting sequence of p56Lck (or pp60c-Src for non-GEM domains) and a linker inserted between the polypeptide and the membrane targeting sequence. Localization of fusion proteins in GEM and non-GEM domains is assessed using techniques including confocal microscopy, fluorescence-based techniques, and membrane fractionation. Using these techniques, compounds are screened for their effect on GEM and non-GEM domains of live cells. These fusion proteins therefore represent useful tools for studying subcellular trafficking and the function of discrete compartments in the plasma membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are Hansenula polymorpha mutants useful as host cells through which various proteins can be produced as being intact at high yield and a process for preparing recombinant proteins using the host cells. Using various vectors, Hansenula polymorpha is made to be a mutant which is deprived of methanol assimilating ability and incapable of utilizing methanol as a carbon source. This Hansenula polymorpha mutant is used as a high yield host to produce recombinant proteins without continuous feeding of methanol, with the aid of an expression cassette carrying a promoter capable of inducing the expression at a low concentration of methanol. Further, the mutant is also lacking in carboxypeptidase Y, protease Y and/or carboxypeptidase a activity, so the recombinant protein of interest is not degraded at its carboxyl terminal when being expressed in the cell. Thus, intact recombinant protein can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for treating waste gas containing PFC and/or HFC, comprising contacting a mixture of gas waste containing PFC and/or HFC, ozone, and water with an iron oxide catalyst at a temperature between 50 and 300° C. by gas-solid contact to perform an oxidation reaction for reducing the amount of PFC and/or HFC. An apparatus for treating waste gas containing PFC or HFC is also provided. The operational temperature in the present invention is much lower than the prior art, and thus provides lower energy consumption and little risk of fire. The present invention is suitable for the treatment of waste gas containing PFC and/or HFC, especially for the removal of perfluorocompounds from the waste gas generated by semiconductor and photoelectrical product manufacturing plants.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method to determine if asphaltenes are soluble or insoluble in a solution. The solution may be a petroleum oil, a mixture of petroleum oils, petroleum derived oils and mixtures or similar combinations in a solvent. The invention includes the steps of illuminating the solution with a laser, measuring the small angle scattered light as a function of angle away from the laser beam, and determining if the asphaltenes are soluble or insoluble in the solution.

Abstract: A bulk input differential logic circuit. The circuit outputs a large signal high enough to assert a logic High and Low by variations of the threshold voltage controlled by the bulk input signal and amplification of the sense amplifier. A boost circuit is disposed on the bulk input terminal, which may receive multiple bulk input signals. This makes it possible to use fewer circuit elements and smaller circuit area for a complicated logic operation.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via an interface surface and a sensing device. The interface surface contains information relating to the computer software and coded data indicative of a drawing field. When placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, the sensing device senses indicating data indicative of the drawing field and generates movement data indicative of the sensing device's movement relative to the interface surface. The indicating and movement data are received in the computer system from the sensing device. The drawing field is identified and then the computer software is operated at least partly in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the drawing field.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the position of an object are disclosed. A position detection system for locating an object including a resonator comprises an array of parallel conductors responsive to the magnetic field from the resonator, and a plurality of receivers each associated with a parallel conductor. The array of parallel conductors is configured to locate the object along a measurement path. The array of parallel conductors is orthogonal to the measurement path. The system further comprises a plurality of drivers each associated with a parallel conductor and configured to drive current through to produce an energizing field. The array of parallel conductors is provided with sinusoidally varying spacing and driven with sinusoidally varying current. In another embodiment, the array of parallel conductors is provided with constant spacing, and the receivers are configured with gain factors to produce reception similar to reception by sinusoidally spaced conductors.

Abstract: A microjet based control system helps control the feedback loop that is created by an impinging jet of a STOVL aircraft. A plurality of microjets circumferentially encompass the outer periphery of the impinging jet and each issues a jet flow toward the jet flow created by the impinging jet. A control system is connected to the microjets for adaptively controlling the microjets based on various operating parameters collected by various input devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure 3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine of formula I; more particularly the present invention relates to the said process using styrene; the synthetic strategy features a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (SAD) route to the target compound, using styrene, a readily accessible starting material gives the optically pure dihydroxy compound (ee >97%; the selective monotosylation of primary alcohol, nucleophilic displacement by cyano and subsequent reduction to amino group furnishes the desired 3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine in enatiomerically pure form, a key intermediate in the synthesis of variety of oxetine related anti-depressant drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic tool for detection of Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR). This invention also provides a method for development of the diagnostic tool. The method comprises the steps of performing overnight oximetry recordings in patients suspected of sleep disordered breathing. Spectral analysis is performed on the oximetry recordings to obtain a set of parameters which can be used in the construction of a classification tree and a trained neural network. The diagnostic tools of the present invention can be used for classification of a patient as having CSR or obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting and for reversing the dysfunctional response of vascular endothelial cells to an inflammatory stimulus in a subject in need of such therapy has been developed in which an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally other treatments is administered to the subject.

Abstract: A molecule surrounding surface (20) is set so as to be reflected in the spatial dimension of a molecule. A molecule surrounding space surrounded by the molecule surrounding surface is divided into a plurality of component spaces (22), by which the reaction characteristic of the molecule is characterized. Probe points are provided on a frontier surrounding surface (5) on the molecule surrounding surface, and a space occupied rate is derived for each of the component spaces. Electrostatic energies are derived for each of the probe points on the frontier surrounding surface, and the sum of the electrostatic energies on the frontier surrounding surface is derived as a enelectrostatic factor of each of the component spaces. In addition, van der Waals energies are derived for each of the probe points, and the sum of the van der Waals energies on the frontier surrounding surface is derived as a steric factor of each of the component spaces.

Abstract: The invention features methods for identifying compounds useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.