Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern a method and an apparatus for determining molecular structure. One embodiment comprises producing sample ions from a sample, cooling molecules of the sample ions by either embedding sample ions in superfluid droplets, such as superfluidic helium droplets, or subjecting sample ions in a cooled ion trap, to a selected temperature approaching absolute zero. Plural cooled sample ions confined in a diffraction zone are oriented using a laser, and a diffraction image is produced from oriented sample ions using an electron beam. Molecular structure is determined using collected images from different orientations obtained under different polarization directions of the orientation laser. Embodiments of an apparatus for determining molecular structure also are disclosed. The apparatus operation, data accumulation and processing are controlled by software.

Abstract: The invention is a method of training grapevines comprising dividing fruiting canes into three horizontal zones and two vertical zones. One aspect of the present invention is a method of training grapevines having a plurality of fruiting canes comprising: separating the fruiting canes into an upper canopy and a lower canopy, then dividing the upper canopy into a first upper cane section and a second upper cane section, restraining the first upper cane section to grow along a substantially horizontal first upper wire and restraining the second upper section to grow along a substantially horizontal second upper wire, and tying the lower canopy to grow along a substantially horizontal low wire. The method of training grapevines may also comprise defining a plurality of renewal canes. The renewal canes may be down to renewal spurs. The renewal spurs may have two buds. Each of the renewal spurs may be about 2.5 cm long.

Abstract: Electro-optic lenses, including liquid crystals, wherein the power of the lenses can be modified by application of an electric field. In one embodiment, the liquid crystal-based lenses include ring electrodes having a resistive bridge located between adjacent electrodes, and in a preferred embodiment, input connections for several electrode rings are spaced on the lens. In a further embodiment, liquid crystal-based lenses are provided that can increase optical power through the use of phase resets, wherein in one embodiment, a lens includes ring electrodes on surfaces of the substrates on opposite sides of the liquid crystal cell such that a fixed phase term can be added to each set of electrodes that allows for phase change across each group of electrodes to be the same and also be matched with respect to a previous group.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the inclusion of an image embedded in or on a single crystal diamond such that the image is part of the single crystal diamond structure. The disclosed methods use a combination of gemstone deposition processes and patterning processes to create single crystal gemstones with embedded color variations that can create externally visible two-dimensional or three-dimensional images in a seamless single crystal matrix without visible internal lines/interfacial boundaries. The image embedded image is differently colored from the surrounding diamond matrix. The color variation is accomplished by a change in the diamond growth conditions or treatment of the diamond.

Abstract: A foam comprising a nanocomposite comprising a bulk linear semi-crystalline polyolefin containing no cross-links or branched polymers; an organoclay; and a polymeric compatibilizer for enhancing physical interactions between the bulk linear semi-crystalline polyolefin and the organoclay, wherein the linear semi-crystalline polyolefin combines with the organoclay to form the nanocomposite is provided. Novel nanocomposites and methods of producing the nanocomposites and foams, such as flexible foams, are also provided. The resulting products are useful in a variety of applications, including thermoplastic flexible foam seals, thermoplastic foamed panels in vehicles, and thin-walled blow molded bottles.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for multi-modal or multimedia image retrieval are provided. Automatic image annotation is achieved based on a probabilistic semantic model in which visual features and textual words are connected via a hidden layer comprising the semantic concepts to be discovered, to explicitly exploit the synergy between the two modalities. The association of visual features and textual words is determined in a Bayesian framework to provide confidence of the association. A hidden concept layer which connects the visual feature(s) and the words is discovered by fitting a generative model to the training image and annotation words. An Expectation-Maximization (EM) based iterative learning procedure determines the conditional probabilities of the visual features and the textual words given a hidden concept class. Based on the discovered hidden concept layer and the corresponding conditional probabilities, the image annotation and the text-to-image retrieval are performed using the Bayesian framework.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing oligomers from an alkane. The process comprises (a) contacting an alkane under dehydrogenation conditions in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst such as an iridium catalyst complex comprising iridium complexed with a benzimidiazolyl-containing ligand to form olefins, and (b) contacting the olefins prepared in step (a) under oligomerization conditions with an oligomerization catalyst such as a nickel, platinum or palladium metal catalyst complex comprising the metal complexed with a nitrogen containing bi- or tridentate ligand to prepare oligomers of the olefins, and hydrogenating the olefin oligomers. In one embodiment, the ligands of the catalyst complexes in step (a) and step (b) can be the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for detecting non-cavitated caries lesions, including a measuring electrode having an electrically conductive tip. The tip is dimensionally configured to fit within a fissure and provide electrical contact with a patient's tooth. A reference electrode is also included, the reference electrode being configured for electrical contact with the patient's body. A measuring means is also provided for determining electrical conductance between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode, wherein the device is further configured to receive a current source for providing electrical current between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode.

Abstract: Fish bone can be ground into nano-scale particles and then mixed with surimi to form a marinade that can be injected into boneless fish fillets or otherwise added to boneless fish fillets to increase the highly bioavailable dietary calcium content, reduce drip loss and cook loss, improve yield, demonstrate improved texture after frozen storage, and/or provide other benefits. The reintroduction of fish bone back into boneless fish fillets can utilize a conventionally discarded natural resource and reduce waste.

Abstract: A fungicidal compound that includes an aminoglycoside, or salt thereof, having the formula: where R1 is a H; a C1 to C20 branched or straight alkyl; an unsubstituted phenyl; a substituted phenyl, wherein phenyl group may be C1 to C6 alkyl substituted; or a polyethylene glycol —(CH2CH2O)nR5— unit, wherein n=1 to 10 and R5?H or C1 to C20 branched or straight alkyl; R2 is a H; a C1 to C20 branched or straight alkyl; an unsubstituted phenyl; a substituted phenyl, wherein phenyl group may be C1 to C10 alkyl substituted; or a polyethylene glycol —(CH2CH2O)nR5— unit, wherein n=1 to 10 and R5?H or C1 to C20 branched or straight alkyl; R3 is H or OH; and R4 is OH or NH2.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Ribes sanguineum, ‘Oregon Snowflake’, characterized by its compact and densely branched growth habit and highly dissected leaves.

Abstract: Methods of pre-methylation of foreign DNA to improve genetic transformation in cyanobacterium. Two Type II methyltransferase-encoding genes, i.e., M (sll0729) and C (slr0214), were cloned from the chromosome of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (hereafter Synechocystis 6803) and expressed in E. coli that harbors the integrative plasmid pBS-SPtK or pJU105. After pre-methylation in E. coli, the integrative plasmids were extracted and used for transformation of Synechocystis 6803. The results showed that expression of slr0214 in the integrative-plasmid-harboring E. coli cells before DNA preparation resulted in orders of magnitude higher efficiency in the following integrative transformation of Synechocystis 6803.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to processors and methods of operating the same. In particular, this disclosure relates to components for correcting soft errors in a processor. In one embodiment, a processor includes an instruction decoder and an exception handler. The instruction decoder is configured to receive one or more soft error correction instructions and decode the one or more soft error correction instructions. Additionally, an exception handler is configured to execute the one or more soft error correction instructions so as to correct one or more soft errors. In this manner, the processor is capable of correcting soft errors that are the result of radiation strikes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: A sensor that can be used for in-situ structural health monitoring with a triboluminescent material provided on a portion of an optical fiber that may be embedded in materials to be structurally monitored. Damage to the monitored material may result in a triboluminescent emission from the triboluminescent material that can be guided via the optical fiber. Analysis of the triboluminescent emission may provide information on the occurrence, severity and location of damage in a structure.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of carbon-based structures, particularly graphene substructures and ribbons, from oligo- and poly-alkyne starting materials.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to generate a radio frequency waveform and a sensor circuit configured to measure a property of the radio frequency waveform during a predetermined sampling period to determine whether an arc event has occurred. The generator also includes a controller configured to determine a total charge and/or total energy deposited by the radio frequency waveform during the predetermined sampling period associated with the arc event. The controller is further configured to adjust the output of the electrosurgical generator based on at least one parameter to limit arcing.

Abstract: Pulse width modulation is provided for controlling a resonant power converter, particularly for dimming of light emitting diode arrays without loss of efficiency. Dynamic oscillation due to the beginning of a pulse width modulated pulse burst is limited by shortening of the first and/or last pulse of a pulse bust such that the first pulse of a subsequent pulse burst close to or to connect with a full load steady-state voltage/current trajectory of the power converter. Pulse shortening made be made substantially exact to virtually eliminate dynamic oscillation but substantial reduction in dynamic oscillation is provided if inexact or even performed randomly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for monitoring the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time, and a control system for adjusting stimulation parameters to maintain stimulation in the neural fulcrum zone based on detected changes in the physiological response to stimulation.

Abstract: Majority and minority logic can be implemented by voltage controlled switching of magneto-electric layers of magneto electric magnetic tunnel junction (ME-MTJ) devices. A ME-MTJ device includes an exchange bias-controlled switching element and a pinned ferromagnetic layer on an antiferromagnetic layer. In one case, the switching element includes a magneto electric (ME) layer on a free ferromagnetic (FM) layer, and is separated from the pinned FM layer by an insulator. To implement a majority or minority logic gate a single ME-MTJ device may be used where the device is provided with three electrodes contacting the ME layer in an overlaying relationship with the ME layer. The orientation of the pinned FM layer indicates whether the gate is a majority or a minority logic gate.