Abstract: Provided is a method for treating and reducing the recurrence of genital tract infections such as gonococcal infections. The method comprises local application of IL-12 incorporated in polymeric microspheres. The invention relates to compositions comprising IL-12 and methods for using such compositions for treatment of genital tract infections. Infections that can be treated by the present method include those that are caused by N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis or both.

Abstract: An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes. The aqueous extract in embodiments including a water extract step is separated into acetic acid and hemicellulose sugar aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the oral administration of Bryostatins for the treatment of neuro-degenerative disease.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to triple-redundant sequential state (TRSS) machines formed as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate, such as CMOS, and computerized methods and systems of designing the triple-redundant sequential state machines. Of particular focus in this disclosure are sequential state elements (SSEs) used to sample and hold bit states. The sampling and holding of bits states are synchronized by a clock signal thereby allowing for pipelining in the TRSS machines. In particular, the clock signal may oscillate between a first clock state and a second clock state to synchronize the operation of the SSE according to the timing provided by the clock states. The SSEs has a self-correcting mechanism to protect against radiation induced soft errors. The SSE may be provided in a pipeline circuit of a TRSS machine to receive and store a bit state of bit signal generated by combinational circuits within the pipeline circuit.

Abstract: A machine (10) and method for the continuous folding of sheet material (15) into difference three-dimensional patterns is featured. The innovative machine and method folds sheet material by force converging the sheet to a final stage that imparts a final fold or pattern. Unique programming allows for the change of convergence sequencing and change of materials. A plain die fold multiplier is placed before the final stage to double the number of folds in the sheet material and halve the height thereof.

Abstract: A polymeric composition capable of releasing nitric oxide and modulating biological responses comprises a biocompatible polymer and S-nitrosated thiol bonded to the biocompatible polymer. The polymeric composition can have a thiol conversion of at least 40%. The polymeric composition can also have a nitric oxide recovery of at least 40% when under thermal decomposition conditions.

Abstract: A precursor for the deposition of a thin film by atomic layer deposition is provided. The compound has the formula MxLy where M is a metal and L is an amidrazone-derived ligand or an amidate-derived ligand. A process of forming a thin film using the precursors is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of complementary biasing circuits and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments and related implementations are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In this application, a set of orthogonal functions is introduced whose power spectral densities are all rectangular shape. To find the orthogonal function set, it was considered that their spectrums (Fourier transforms of the functions) are either real-valued or imaginary-valued, which are corresponding to even and odd real-valued time domain signals, respectively. The time domain functions are all considered real-valued because they are actually physical signals. The shape of the power spectral densities of the signals are rectangular thus, the Haar orthogonal function set can be employed in the frequency domain to decompose them to several orthogonal functions. Based on the inverse Fourier transform of the Haar orthogonal functions, the time domain functions with rectangular power spectral densities can be determined. This is equivalent to finding the time-domain functions by taking the inverse Fourier transform of the frequency domain Walsh functions.

Abstract: Improved semiconductor devices are fabricated utilizing nickel gallide and refractory borides deposited onto a silicon carbide semiconductor substrate. Varying the deposition and annealing parameters of fabrication can provide a more thermally stable device that has greater barrier height and a low ideality. This improvement in the electrical properties allows use of Schottky barrier diodes in high power and high temperature applications. In one embodiment, a refractory metal boride layer is joined to a surface of a silicon carbide semiconductor substrate. The refractory metal boride layer is deposited on the silicon carbon semiconductor substrate at a temperature greater than 200° C. In another embodiment, a Schottky barrier diode is fabricated via deposition of nickel gallide on a SiC substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of measuring the proliferative ability of individual patient cancer stem cells. The present invention provides a method for treating a cancer patient according to an assay of the individual patient's tumor's cancer stem cell sensitivity, by measuring the proliferative ability of cancer stem cells from the patient. By the methods of the present invention it is possible to treat individual cancer stem cells presented in tumor cells. Methods of detecting and enumerating cancer stem cells in hybrid spheroids comprised of fibroblasts and tumor cells are also provided by the present invention. The present invention also contemplates a method for drug and other treatment development, wherein the effects of a drug or combination of drugs or other treatments are determined on the individual patient's cancer stem cells.

Abstract: A method and system for treating cardiac arrhythmias which includes inserting one or more electrodes into a patient's neck, and connecting the electrodes to the vagus nerve in the patient's neck. A cardiac monitoring device detects a cardiac arrhythmia. A controller connected to an electrical power source provides electrical power to the electrodes to apply electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve when a cardiac arrhythmia is detected.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices including modified endoscopes that employ fiber optic technology and multiple extrinsic optical sensors for enablement of simultaneous determination of change rates of biological analytes in vivo with single-cell resolution. The devices employ dynamic oscillatory actuation to determine the gradient of analytes of interest along one or multiple directions with respect to the cell. The change rate or flux of the analyte of interest can be easily determined by applying the first Fick's law that relates the flux with the concentration gradient. The dual operation mode of the device markedly increases measurement sensitivity and accuracy.

Abstract: A zinc oxide-carbon nanotube composite is provided, the nanotube composite being selective and sensitive for detection of hydrogen peroxide, which is important for screening for early cancer detection, monitoring cardiovascular disease, detecting onset of food spoilage, and enzymatic reactions that produce hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct. Also provided are methods using said zinc oxide-carbon nanotube composite.

Abstract: Cross-linked proteins and peptides, and methods of making and uses of such cross-linked proteins and peptides. The cross-linked proteins and peptides have rigid, distance-matching bismethylene aryl cross-linking moieties. Compositions comprising the cross-linked proteins and peptides can be used as pharmaceutical delivery formulations. The cross-linked proteins and peptides can have improved properties, such as cell permeability, as compared to the parent protein or peptide.

Abstract: An epoxide agent for an epoxy resin system, the epoxide agent comprising at least one non-acid functional rosin moiety and at least one epoxide moiety. Another embodiment is a curing agent for an epoxy resin system comprising at least one non-acid functional rosin moiety and at least one moiety that is reactive with an epoxy.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide bioresorbable and biocompatible compositions for bioengineering, restoring or regenerating tissue or bone, comprising a three-dimensional porous or non-porous scaffold material comprising a calcium phosphate-based ceramic having at least one dopant therein selected from metal ion or ion dopants and metal oxide dopants, wherein the composition is sufficiently biocompatible to provide for a cell or tissue scaffold, and resorbable at a controlled resorption rate for controlled strength loss, depending on dopant composition, under body, body fluid or simulated body fluid conditions. Preferably, the at least one dopant is selected from the group consisting of Zn2+, Mg2+, Si2+, Na+, K+, Sr2+, Cu2+, Fe3+/Fe2+, Ag+, Ti4+, CO32?, F?, MgO, ZnO, NaF, KF, FeO/Fe2O3, SrO, CuO, SiO2, TiO2, Ag2O and CaCO3, present in an amount between 0 and about 10 w %, from about 0.5 to about 5 w %, or from about 1 to about 3 w %, and methods of using same.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for simulating physical active semiconductor components using in silico active semiconductor components. To simulate charge degradation effect(s) in a circuit simulation, a simulated defect signal level is produced. More specifically, the simulated defect signal level simulates at least one charge degradation effect in the in silico active semiconductor component as a function of simulation time and a simulated input signal level of a simulated input signal. As such, the charge degradation effect(s) are simulated externally with respect to the in silico active semiconductor component. In this manner, the in silico active semiconductor component does not need to be reprogrammed in order to simulate charge degradation effects.

Abstract: This technology is a method and apparatus for the semi-continuous measurement of the concentration of constituents of airborne particles which couples a laminar flow, water condensation particle collector to a microfluidic device for assay of particle chemical composition by electrophoresis. The technology has been used for the assay of sulfates, nitrates, chlorides, and organic acids contained in fine and submicrometer atmospheric particles. For these compounds the apparatus and method described is capable of one-minute time resolution at concentrations at the level of micrograms of analyte species per cubic meter of air. Extension to other analytes is possible.

Abstract: The invention generally related to a method for preparing a layer of graphene directly on the surface of a substrate, such as a semiconductor substrate. The layer of graphene may be formed in direct contact with the surface of the substrate, or an intervening layer of a material may be formed between the substrate surface and the graphene layer.