Abstract: Adaptive learning of a multichannel prefilter response processes multiple audio signals prior to emitting them from a set of loudspeakers. The signals are filtered and mixed in such a way that the emitted signals will be reconstructed at pre-specified points in a room. This is done in a user selective way so that, at each location, only one of the source signals is reconstructed and the other signals vanish. A gradient descent adaptive filtering method is applied.

Abstract: Fragments of snapin important for interaction with cypin and thus regulating microtubule assembly are provided. Also provided are methods of use of said fragments and kits to facilitate said methods.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) film materials. The method includes mixing a relatively small amount of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) with larger amounts of MWNTs and CNFs, which enables one to produce highly flexible SWNT materials—advantageously without the need for bonding agents and at significantly lower costs compared to flexible SWNT materials. The method exploits SWNTs tendency to entangle together to form flexible films, using a small amount of SWNTs to wrap around and entangle the larger diameter MWNTs and CNFs together to form flexible films with highly beneficial mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties at a fraction of the cost of SWNT materials.

Abstract: A flame or heat flux protective coating composition, which includes a dispersion of fiberglass, hollow glass spheres, or a combination of both in silicone. A flame or heat flux protective sheet, which includes hollow glass spheres dispersed in silicone in a sheet form or fiberglass and silicone in a sheet form, wherein the fiberglass is dispersed in the silicone or the fiberglass is a woven cloth coated with the silicone is also presented. Articles incorporating the flame or heat flux protective coating or sheet form and methods for coating an article with the flame or heat flux protective coating composition are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis devices. Generally, such devices comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters; etc. Particular materials had to be developed for use with certain embodiments of the device disclosed herein. For example, a new composite material was made comprising nanocrystalline cellulose filler and a polysulfone polymeric material. A dialyzer comprising the composite membrane also is disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layer driver plate is disclosed for use in electromagnetic sheet metal forming operations. In one embodiment, the driver plate comprises a first layer characterized by low electrical resistivity and thickness for inducement and application of a suitable electromagnetic forming force, a second layer comprising an elastomeric material for compressing a sheet metal workpiece against a die surface and then regaining its original pre-forming structure, and a third layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer to protect the EMF force providing layer and to provide overall strength and durability to the EMF driver plate.

Abstract: An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aminoglycoside analogs having certain substituents at the 6 position of ring III which exhibit improved antifungal activity but possess minimal antibacterial properties. The compounds of the present invention are analogues of kanamycin B and kanamycin A. Also provided are methods of synthesizing and methods of using the compounds of the present invention. The compounds of the present invention are useful in treating or preventing fungal disease.

Abstract: Compounds of the hydroxytolan family kill tumor cells, inhibit tumor growth and development, and are thus useful in method for treating a tumor or cancer in subjects in need thereof. These compounds are also active in preventing or treating a variety of skin diseases and conditions. The most preferred hydroxytolan compounds are 4,4?-dihydroxytolan. (KST-201), 4 hydroxy 4? trifluoromethyltolan or 4? hydroxy 4 trifluoromethyltolan (KST-213), 3,4?,5-trihydroxytolan or 3?,4,5?-trihydroxytolan (KST-301) and 3,3?,5,5?-tetrahydroxytolan (KST-401). The compounds and methods of using them alone and in combination with ascorbate and certain cyclic compounds to inhibit the development, growth or metastasis of tumor/cancer or preneoplastic cells, or to prevent or treat skin disorders in a subject are disclosed.

Abstract: Polymers for photoresists and monomers for incorporation into those polymers are disclosed. The polymers comprise a photoacid generator (PAG) component and at least a second component that is photolytically stable and acid-stable. The polymers may also contain a third, acid-labile component. The photoacid generator is based on N-sulfoxyimides and related moieties that contain photolabile oxygen-heteroatom and oxygen-aromatic carbon bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectrically active p- or n-conductive semiconductor material constituted by a compound of the general formula (I) (PbTe)1?x(Sn2±ySb2±zTe5)x??(I) with 0.0001?x?0.5, 0?y<2 and 0?z<2, wherein 0 to 10% by weight of the compound may be replaced by other metals or metal compounds, wherein the semiconductor material has a Seebeck coefficient of at least |S|?60 ?V/K at a temperature of 25° C. and electrical conductivity of at least 150 S/cm and power factor of at least 5 ?W/(cm·K2), further relates to a process for the preparation of such semiconductor materials, as well as to generators and Peltier arrangements containing them.

Abstract: A method of making a porphyrin is carried out by: (a) condensing (i) a 1,9-bis(N,N-)dialkylaminomethyl)dipyrromethane of Formula II: with (ii) a dipyrromethane to produce a reaction product; then (b) oxidizing the reaction product; and then (c) optionally demetallating said reaction product to produce the porphyrin. The reaction is particularly useful for making substituted porphyrins with a wide range of substituents at the A and/or B (the 5 and/or 15) positions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for identifying biopolymers, such as strands of DNA, as they pass through a constriction such as a carbon nanotube nanopore. More particularly, the invention is directed to such systems, devices and methods in which a newly translocated portion of the biopolymer forms a temporary electrical circuit between the nanotube nanopore and a second electrode, which may also be a nanotube. Further, the invention is directed to such systems, devices and methods in which the constriction is provided with a functionalized unit which, together with a newly translocated portion of the biopolymer, forms a temporary electrical circuit that can be used to characterize that portion of the biopolymer.

Abstract: A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the sensor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. Additionally, the state of the material may be measured by displacement of the container to improve the accuracy of the plateau temperature measurement. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature, measured at a threshold state of the material, corresponding to that phase change.

Abstract: A tracking system is provided for a roof-mounted solar array. The system includes a sensor mechanism for sensing an orientation of the sun relative to the solar array, and a controller connected to the sensor mechanism that generates a signal that represents an optimal tilt angle of the solar array relative to the orientation of the sun. An actuator connected to the controller receives the signal from the controller and adjusts the tilt angle of the solar array in response to the received signal.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulation for the prophylaxis, pretreatment and treatment of a poisoning caused by exposure to (either singly or as a mixture of agents) organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitors, vesicating agents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and aflatoxin B1. This invention is characterized by active substance comprised of a metaloporphyrin molecule with an associated metal moiety (Cu, Mg) of suitable purity and chemical composition to provide a bioavailable oral dosage form to attain predictable concentrations in target tissues and bodily fluids (plasma, bronchial secretions, etc.) sufficient to counteract the effects of toxic substances through chemical complexation or catalysis of toxin degradation. Although these metaloporphyrins are semisynthetic products of chlorophyll, the preferred starting material is chlorophyll a (Chla) extracted and purified from Spirulina pacifica or other sources.

Abstract: Fe—Al—Cu catalysts have numerous industrial applications, for example, as catalysts in a water gas shift reactor. A method of producing a Fe—Al—Cu catalyst comprises the steps of providing an organic iron precursor, dissolving the organic iron precursor in a solvent solution, adding an aqueous solution comprising aluminum nitrate and copper nitrate to the organic iron pre-cursor-solvent solution, precipitating a gel comprising Fe—Al—Cu by adding a base, and drying the gel to form the Fe—Al—Cu catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides dipyrrin substituted porphyrinic macrocycles, intermediates useful for making the same, and methods of making the same. Such compounds may be used for purposes including the making of molecular memory devices, solar cells and light harvesting arrays.

Abstract: A new method was discovered to analyze continuous spectral curves to determine relative hemoglobin oxygen saturation, using spectral curves collected from a continuous range of wavelengths from about 530 nm to about 584 nm, including spectra from transmitted or reflected light. Using isosbestic points and curve areas, a relative saturation index was calculated. With this method, noninvasive, in vivo measurement of relative oxygen saturation was made using light reflected from blood vessels in the eye and to map and measure relative changes in hemoglobin oxygen saturation in primate retinal vessels and optic nerve head in response to controlled changes in inspired oxygen and intraocular pressure (IOP). This method could also measure oxygen saturation from other blood vessels that reflect light sufficient to give a clear spectra from the blood hemoglobin. Changes in blood oxygen saturation can be monitored with this method for early detection of disease.

Abstract: A compact and aesthetically-pleasing self-closing door hinge comprises a gravity-assist feature and preferably a spring-assist feature, wherein the spring may be easily adjustable, replaceable, and even left out of the hinge. The preferred embodiment is reversible for easily changing from a right-opening to a left-opening door, and includes hinge lift-off capability, wherein the door and the blade connecting the door to the hinge body may be lifted up off the body of the hinge without any significant disassembly of the hinge. The spring is preferably placed around the gravity-assist cams of the hinge, rather than above or below the cams, which arrangement significantly reduces the overall height of the hinge with only slightly increased diameter of the hinge main body. The preferred hinge has no bolts or other fasteners visible or protruding out from the main housing of the hinge, and the preferred hinge has no exposed spring sleeve.