Abstract: A method for detecting a quantitative measure of a physiologic state of a human myocardium or coronary artery. Implementations of the method detect the extent of change of myocardial electrical impedance from a mean baseline value to provide diagnosis of the extent of ischemia, stenosis, tissue rejection, and reperfusion and the effectiveness of cardioplegia and ischemia pre-conditioning as well as the general effectiveness of coronary bypass surgery as measured by post-operative reperfusion. Electrodes are attached to the myocardium, baseline measurements of the mean myocardial electrical impedance are stored and the variance of the myocardial electrical impedance and a baseline value of mean myocardial electrical impedance are computed from the baseline measurements and stored. Mean myocardial electrical impedance values are periodically measured between each electrode pair over an interval of time and stored.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate having a horizontal surface, and an electrode layer on the substrate. The electrode has a plurality of vertical surfaces substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and light-harvesting rods are coupled to the vertical surface of the electrode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing self-assembling quantum nanostructures by nanoheating a substrate with one or more laser interference patterns.

Abstract: The present invention describes a transgenic mouse susceptible to neuromuscular disease. The present invention also includes methods for treatment of neuromuscular diseases by interfering with activity between androgen and androgen receptors exclusively in the muscle fibers.

Abstract: Single-dose controlled-release immunogenic formulations, such as vaccines, based on bioerodible polyanhydride copolymer or homopolymer microparticles for the control of immune response mechanisms are provided. The copolymer or homopolymer microparticles degrade by surface-erosion from in vivo hydrolysis of anhydride linkages at the surface of the microparticle, which results in controlled release of immunogen(s) to a patient.

Abstract: A process for producing organic acid esters using continuous countercurrent reactive distillation using acid catalysts in a structured packing in a single column (10) is described. In the reactive distillation an organic acid ester is formed by chemical reaction and can be purified to its final state within the single column. Organic acid esters are produced at relatively low cost, with less waste production, and in a less complicated manner than prior processes. Organic acid ester have uses as solvents, as intermediate chemicals, and in consumer products.

Abstract: Methods for modifying carbon nanotubes with organic compounds are disclosed. The modified carbon nanotubes have enhanced compatibility with polyolefins. Nanocomposites of the organo-modified carbon nanotubes and polyolefins can be used to produce both fibers and films having enhanced mechanical and electrical properties, especially the elongation-to-break ratio and the toughness of the fibers and/or films.

Abstract: A new class of imidazolines as 4-position acids or esters with very potent anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial activity is described. The synthesis of these imidazolines includes a multicomponent reaction applicable to a combinatorial synthetic approach. The combination of these two key characteristics provides an effective therapeutic drug in the treatment of septic shock as well as many other inflammatory (arthritis and asthma) and infectious disorders. The use of this novel class of non-steroidal agents as anti-inflammatory agents (for the treatment of asthma etc.), antibacterial agents and antiseptic agents is described. The compounds are also useful in the treatment of tumors (such as cancers). The imidazolines are potent inhibitors of the transcription factor NF-?B as well as potent activity against the Gram (+) bacterium B. subtillus and B. cereus with MIC values in the range of 50 ?m/mL.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystal devices comprised of a composite of an internal polymer network localized on the substrate surfaces and short-pitch dual-frequency switchable cholesteric liquid crystal that operate in two different modes including in-plane switching (amplitude modulation) and out-of-plane switching (phase modulation). The invention further provides a method of making a liquid crystal device demonstrating uniform lying helical axis where the device comprises a composite of an internal spatially ordered polymer network localized by in-situ photo-polymerization at the surface of the substrate. The invention can be used for flat panel displays, as well as spatial light modulators for applications such as optical waveguides, optical beam scanners, computer-generated holograms, and adaptive optics.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods for enhancing the ability of a power delivery system to withstand the occurrence of multiple failure events. Specifically, the invention is directed to a power delivery system employing a web-type network topology for a generator bus where at least two power generating sources, such as generators, are connected by an external ring, wherein the external ring is comprised of a plurality of ring segments. A first set of cables connects each power generating element with a central point and a second set of cables connects the center of each ring segment with the central point, wherein power is deliverable to the central point via at least one of the external ring, first set of cables and the second set of cables. Additional internal rings of cables may also be utilized to connect the first and second sets of cables.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for ranking a plurality of academic programs includes receiving a plurality of records corresponding to the plurality of academic programs, respectively, combining elements of the plurality of records to determine respective z-scores according to a predetermined metric, and ranking the plurality of academic programs according to the respective z-scores.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for investigating a region of interest with a radar. A radar signal is propagated to the region of interest. Sampled time-domain radar data scattered within the region of interest are collected. A likelihood function is calculated with the sampled time-domain data within a parametric model of the region of interest for a defined set of parameters. The set of parameters in varied to find an extremum of the likelihood function.

Abstract: Assume a decision strategy that is optimal for a primary objective function(s). Without unacceptably affecting the value of the primary objective function(s), Robustness Enhancing Optimizer (REO) modifies the optimal strategy's decision variable values to maximize the likelihood that implementing the new strategy in the real world will be satisfactory (will satisfy optimization problem constraints in the real world). Modification is via linked system parameter sensitivity analysis and multi-realization optimization. REO creates new realizations by changing system parameter(s) in a selected manner (for example, multiplying by a selected factor smaller or larger than 1 proportionally reduces or increases the parameter). REO is especially valuable where probability density functions or statistically-based realizations are unavailable, or where one wants to increase the robustness of satisfying constraints for multiple realities in a particular setting.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-channel encoding and decoding method and apparatus capable of encoding and decoding residual signal by removing redundant information between a plurality of channels without a downmixed signal. In the method and apparatus, a reference signal which is to be used for encoding from a plurality of channel signals, the phase differences between the respective channel signals and the reference signal, gains which are the ratios of the amplitudes of the respective channel signals to the amplitude of the reference signal, and residual signals which correspond to differences between predicted signals and the actual channel signals, are encoded or decoded. The predicted signals are obtained by applying the phase differences and gains to the reference signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the longitudinal position of a tapered displaceable element positioned between two substantially orthogonally laterally opposing displacement sensors. A change in the longitudinal position of the displaceable element causes the sensors to each measure their distance to the displaceable element which relates directly to the local thickness and thus the longitudinal position of the displaceable element. The system factors out errors in measured lateral proximity position of the displaceable element since an erroneous proximity to one sensor is equal and opposite to an erroneous proximity to the other.

Abstract: Nucleic acid vectors encoding light-gated cation-selective membrane channels, in particular channelrhodopsin-2 (Chop2), converted inner retinal neurons to photosensitive cells in photoreceptor-degenerated retina in an animal model. Such treatment restored visual perception and various aspects of vision. A method of restoring light sensitivity to a retina of a subject suffering from vision loss due to photoreceptor degeneration, as in retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration, is provided. The method comprises delivering to the subject by intravitreal or subretinal injection, the above nucleic acid vector which comprises an open reading frame encoding a rhodopsin, to which is operatively linked a promoter and transcriptional regulatory sequences, so that the nucleic acid is expressed in inner retinal neurons.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for nucleic acid detection.

Abstract: There is provided a system and methods for segmenting datapath resources such as reorder buffers, physical registers, instruction queues and load-store queues, etc. in a microprocessor so that their size may be dynamically expanded and contracted. This is accomplished by allocating and deallocating individual resource units to each resource based on sampled estimates of the instantaneous resource needs of the program running on the microprocessor. By keeping unused datapath resources to a minimum, power and energy savings are achieved by shutting off resource units that are not needed for sustaining the performance requirements of the running program. Leakage energy and switching energy and power are reduced using the described methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel silicon-germanium hydride compounds, methods for their synthesis, methods for their deposition, and semiconductor structures made using the novel compounds.

Abstract: Rubus idaeus Linnaeus ‘Nantahala’ is a new and distinct variety of raspberry that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Late season ripening to follow ‘Heritage’. 2. Fruit is medium size, 3.5 g. 3. Fruit is firm, very attractive, uniform and conical to ovate. 4. Consistent and moderate yields.