Abstract: A monolithic pair of nanoscale probes, including: a substrate having a cavity that extends from a surface of the substrate into its body; a dielectric layer formed on the substrate; a pair of nanoscale probe precursors formed over the dielectric layer; a plurality of sub-monolayers of electrode material selectively atomic layer deposited over the pair of nanoscale probe precursors. The dielectric layer includes a window that extends through it to the cavity of the substrate such that a portion of the dielectric layer adjacent to the window extends over the cavity. The pair of nanoscale probe precursors includes a pair of edges facing each other across the window. These edges correspond to tips of the pair of nanoscale probes. The sub-monolayers of electrode material include the pair of edges, so that a distance between the tips of the nanoscale probes is between about 0.1 nm and about 20 nm.

Abstract: An optical rheometer system includes a rheometer chamber that can retain a fluid sample to be measured. A light source is provided that creates a light beam incident on the fluid sample. A Peltier heating plate is provided that has a channel region located within the plate. The channel region is configured to substantially transmit a light beam emitted from the light source and incident on the Peltier heating plate. In one embodiment, a rotating optical plate is provided opposed to a first surface of the Peltier plate. The rotating optical plate is substantially transparent such that light from a light beam emerging from the channel region of the Peltier plate can pass through the optical plate and be recorded at a detector. Peltier elements in the Peltier heating plate are arranged to provide uniform heating of sample fluid located on the first surface of the Peltier heating plate. The Peltier elements are further arranged to permit light to pass through the channel substantially unattenuated.

Abstract: An armor composite material has been invented which contains a fabric which has been impregnated with shear thickening fluid. This invention offers a ballistic resistant material that is more flexible and less bulky than comparable, conventional ballistic fabric. The material in the alternative can be puncture resistant. The invented material offers superior ballistic performance and/or puncture resistance compared to conventional ballistic fabric-based materials of equal thickness. The invented material can be applied to applications requiring armor that is compact and/or flexible, such as body armor, protective clothing and flexible protective devices and shields, and stab resistant clothing and devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting control signal values for use in controlling a plant to conform a system parameter to a set-point are disclosed. To adjust control signal values, a reference trajectory for the set-point is generated based on a set-point tracking tuning parameter. A current disturbance value for the system parameter is estimated based on a robustness tuning parameter, a model prediction value resulting from a control signal value associated with the system parameter, and an actual system value associated with the system parameter. A future disturbance value is predicted based on the estimated current disturbance value and a disturbance rejection tuning parameter. The control signal value associated with the system parameter is then adjusted based on the reference trajectory, the model prediction value, the future disturbance value, and an aggressiveness tuning parameter.

Abstract: Coupling reactions, suitable for use in organic or aqueous media, are performed by contacting a 1,2,4,5-tetrazine with a dienophile. The dienophile may be covalently bonded to a protein, and the coupling reaction may be performed in biological media such as those containing cells or cell lysates. The reactions may be performed in the presence of primary amines, thiols, acetylenes, azides, phosphines, and products of Staudinger and/or Sharpless-Huisgen reactions Novel 3-substituted cyclopropene compounds and trans-cyclooctenes are exemplary dienophiles for these reactions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for polymorphism detection and separation. The methods are readily multiplexed, can be adapted to a variety of existing detection systems, and permit target amplification without PCR. The methods permit allelic variants selectively to be isolated, with or without contemporaneous detection, and finds particular utility in facilitating the construction of coisogenic cell collections in which the cells differ genotypically by single nucleotide changes targeted to defined loci.

Abstract: A powered orthosis, adapted to be secured to a corresponding body portion of the user for guiding motion of a user, the orthosis comprising a plurality of structural members and one or more joints adjoining adjacent structural members, each joint having one or more degrees of freedom and a range of joint angles. One or more of the joints each comprise at least one back-drivable actuator governed by a controller for controlling the joint angle. The plurality of joint controllers are synchronized to cause the corresponding actuators to generate forces for assisting the user to move the orthosis at least in part under the user's power along a desired trajectory within an allowed tolerance. One embodiment comprises force-field controllers that define a virtual tunnel for movement of the orthosis, in which the forces applied to the orthosis for assisting the user may be proportional to deviation from the desired trajectory.

Abstract: A method of depopulating livestock is provided. The method comprises restricting the livestock in a defined space, and depositing foam into the defined space, forming a foam blanket covering the livestock. The livestock can be avians, such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. A device for making medium expansion foam comprising a high expansion foam generator having a fan, and a shroud shielding the fan from ambient air intake. The shroud limits the amount of ambient air incorporated into the foam during operation. The device can include an alternative gas input positioned to direct an alternative gas to the fan. The alternative gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Gait training apparatus and method for use thereof for providing leg swing assistance to a patient. The apparatus comprises a support structure and one or more leg orthoses attached to the support structure, each leg orthosis comprising a thigh member attached to the support structure at a hip joint, and a shank member attached to the thigh member at a knee joint. Both members have respective connectors for securing them to the corresponding body parts of the patient. The hip joint and knee joint are each biased by biasing members. The support structure may comprise a frame defining a patient activity region, including a base, a back support, a pair of support handles, and a weight support member mounted above the activity region. A method of using the device comprises selecting parameters for the biasing members using information about the patient.

Abstract: An optical coupler for parallel coupling from a single mode optical fiber, or fiber ribbon, into a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide for integration with silicon optoelectronic circuits. The optical coupler incorporates the advantages of the vertically tapered waveguides and prism couplers, yet offers the flexibility of planar integration. The optical coupler may be fabricated using wafer polishing technology or grayscale photolithography. The optical coupler can be packaged using epoxy bonding to form a fiber-waveguide parallel coupler or connector.

Abstract: An electro-optical switch implemented in coupled photonic crystal waveguides is disclosed. The switch is proposed and analyzed using both a finite-difference time-domain (“FDTD”) method and a plane wave expansion (“PWM) method. The switch may be implemented in a square lattice of silicon posts in air, as well as in a hexagonal lattice of air holes in a silicon slab. Switching occurs due to a change in the conductance in the coupling region between the photonic crystal waveguides, which modulates the coupling coefficient and eventually causes switching. Conductance may be induced electrically by carrier injection or optically by electron-hole pair generation. The electro-optical switch has low insertion loss and optical crosstalk in both the cross and bar switching states.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to Prox1 of vertebrates (pfam05044.5; NM_002763.3) and two continuous cell lines for their production are disclosed. These antibodies are particularly useful in immunoassays to detect the presence of Prox1 protein in vertebrate tissues and cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and method for enhancing fertilization. Fertilization enhancement is achieved by effectively delivering bioactive molecules with a lipid anchor (GPI-linked proteins) to the surface of epididymal or ejaculated sperm. The process may be facilitated or promoted in the presence of Clusterin/ApoJ, a well-known lipid carrier. The acquisition of these molecules, such as Sperm Adhesion Molecule 1 (SPAM1) can significantly impact sperm maturation and function.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for operating connectorless, free-space data porting optical structural composites with integrated optical or electrical busses are disclosed. Optical transceivers and fiber optic/coaxial cable are embedded into a foam-core composite sandwich structure which is infiltrated with vinyl ester resin. The embedded busses are composed of a signal source producing an optical free space signal, which is shone onto an optical/electrical bus containing a transceiver for converting this signal into another electrical or optical signal which then is imprinted upon a coaxial or fiber optic cable buried in the composite structure. The signal traverses the composite structure, then a transceiver converts the electrical/optical signal into a free space optical signal which shines out of the composite structure to an outside free space optical receiver. The optical free space signal is oriented to be received and transmitted at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the composite material.

Abstract: An electrically-pumped terahertz (THz) frequency radiation source (or detector), including an optical gain (or absorption) material with two electrodes electrically coupled to the optical gain material. The optical gain (or absorption) material is formed substantially of at least one group IV element and doped with at least one dopant, which has an intra-center transition frequency in a range of about 0.3 THz to 30 THz. Also, a method of manufacturing electrically-pumped THz frequency radiation sources (or detectors).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing optical components in a three-dimensional photonic crystal lattice. A first resist (9) is coated on a substrate (10) and exposed to an e-beam (11), to produce an imaged area (12). Another resist coating is applied to thicken the resist (13) and an interference exposure (15) is used to image the result. This is developed to form periodic voids (16), which may be filled with a materials having a high refractive index to form a pattern (18 and 12) when the resist (13) is removed.

Abstract: A terahertz (THz) frequency radiation source to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band within a range of about 3 ?m to 3000 ?m. This source includes: a broad bandwidth emitter to generate a broad bandwidth emitted wavelength band within the wavelength range; a first planar waveguide optically coupled to the broad bandwidth emitter to transmit the broad bandwidth radiation; a disk resonator evanescently coupled to the first planar waveguide with a resonance wavelength band within the emitted wavelength band; and a second planar waveguide evanescently coupled to the disk resonator to transmit radiation in the narrow wavelength band. The emitted wavelength band has a bandwidth greater than or equal to about 0.01 times a mid-band wavelength. The resonance wavelength band has a resonance wavelength bandwidth of less than or equal to about 0.25 times the emitted bandwidth. The narrow wavelength band is substantially equal to the resonance wavelength band.

Abstract: A directional R.F. circulator directs radio frequency signals without an external biasing magnetic field. Layers of ferromagnetic materials and insulating materials form a laminated nano-structure. The layers are selected to have a thickness smaller than the wavelength of the radio frequency signals, and smaller than the skin depth of the signals in the material. The ferromagnetic materials and insulators form a resonant cavity having a resonant frequency near the operating frequency for the signal. A plurality of connectors are located around the periphery of the laminated ferromagnetic material to provide input and output ports for the device. This circulator is compatible with semiconductor thin-film processing, and may be integrated onto a monolithic integrated circuit. A method of forming a directional R.F. circulator is also disclosed.

Abstract: Shipworms are important destroyers of wood in the marine environment. Wood users have long sought methods for preventing or limiting their attack. The invention is directed to compositions and methods for preventing or limiting cellulolytic degradation by inhibiting cellulolytic organisms, in particular symbiont organisms. The invention discloses methods and compositions to inhibit the growth of a shipworm symbiont responsible for wood degradation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of downregulating mRNA encoding osteopontin comprising administering to a cell or mammal an amount of astrogorgiadiol effective to downregulate production of mRNA encoding osteopontin. The invention also provides methods of treating osteoporosis and autoimmune disease comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of astrogorgiadiol. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising astrogorgiadiol and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent are also provided.