Abstract: Archiral (2-hydroxy-3-oxo-cyclopent-1-enyl) acetic acid) alkyl, alkylphenyl and phenyl esters, and a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of both enantiomers of homocitric acid gamma-lactone and the corresponding salts from these esters are described. The method is based on asymmetric oxidation of esters, and the steps of basic and acidic hydrolysis and final acidic lactonization of the homocitric acid into homocitric acid gamma-lactone. The homocitric acid salts are obtained after basic treatment of homocitric acid gamma-lactone. The esters, conditions and reagents used in chemical conversion and separating products are important constituents affording efficient and simple method for production of homocitric acid gamma-lactone and homocitric acid salts.

Abstract: A hospital bed apparatus includes a supporting frame, a lifting mechanism, and a horizontally moving mechanism; the lifting mechanism includes two horizontal rods on two sides of a hospital bed, and a sheet is disposed between and connected to the horizontal rods; either one of the horizontal rods can be lifted so as to turn and reposition the patient on the sheet; the horizontally moving mechanism includes linearly displaceable transverse rods, and connecting rods pivoted to the transverse rods and the lifting mechanism; the sheet and the horizontal rods of the lifting mechanism will be moved outside of the hospital bed when the horizontally moving mechanism is actuated after the sheet have been lifted off the hospital bed together with the horizontal rods; thus, the patient can be shifted to another hospital bed.

Abstract: A composite article that can be used as a substrate for coated conductors is disclosed. The composite substrate has at least three layers in which one or more inner layers of Ni—W alloys with 9 at. %-13 at. % W and two outer layers of Ni—W alloys with 3 at. %-9 at. % W. The content of W element gradually decreases from the inner layers to the outer layers. The composite substrate can be prepared using a process of designing and sintering composite ingot, rolling composite ingot and then annealing composite substrate. The composite substrate have a dominant cube texture on the outer layer of the whole substrate which have a weaker magnetism and higher strength than that of a single Ni-5 at. % W alloy substrate.

Abstract: A microshaft forming method and apparatus for forming a microshaft without requiring high level of stillness required by conventional methods. The microshaft forming apparatus comprises an elongated electrode (1) to be formed into a microshaft, a forming plate (3) for forming the electrode (1), electrode rotating means for rotating the electrode (1) around the length direction (1a) of the electrode (1), a discharge machining power supply (5) for applying a voltage between the electrode (1) and the forming plate (3) to cause discharge between the electrode (1) and the forming plate (3), and electrode moving means for traversing the electrode (1) rotated by the electrode rotating means across the forming plate (3) from the side edge surface (3a) of the forming plate (3).

Abstract: A pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form the pump 1, 200 is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller 100, 204 is entirely sealed within the pump housing 2, 201 and is exclusively hydrodynamically suspended therein as the impeller rotates within the fluid 105 urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity 106, 203. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller 100, 204 having deformities therein such as blades 8 with surfaces tapered from the leading edges 102, 223 to the trailing edges 103, 224 of bottom and top edges 221, 222 thereof.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for performing fever triage. At first, a thermal image-detecting unit is used to detect a testee at a time-point and a position so as to form thermal image data. Meanwhile, a visible light image-detecting unit is used to detect the testee at the same time-point and position so as to form visible light image data. Thereafter, thermal image data are analyzed to determine if at least one fever-temperature block thereof is within a predetermined temperature range. Then, the fever-temperature block is analyzed to determine if it is corresponding to the skin portions of the visible light image data. Thereafter, if the result of the previous step is yes, then a warning signal is issued to indicate that the testee has fever.

Abstract: Lipidated glycosaminoglycan particles are prepared by reacting a glycosaminoglycan with at least one lipid to cross-link the carboxylic acid groups in the glycosaiminoglycan with a primary amine in the lipid. These particles can be used to encapsulate active ingredients, such as drugs for use in the treatment of pathological conditions in an animal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling myopia are provided. The devices and methods relate to the inventors discovery of the relationship between near work, the forces applied to the eye by the eyelids and myopia. The devices include a contact lens comprising a region that disperses force applied to the eye by an eyelid. The devices also include a device designed by measuring first wavefront aberrations of an eye before pre-near work and measuring second measured wavefront aberrations of the eye post-near work. The methods include a method for controlling myopia including identifying optical changes associated with near work and correcting the optical changes with an optical device.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device (20,70) includes a substrate (22), which is formed so as to define a multiplicity of micro-containers separated by electrically-insulating and ion-conducting walls (32). A first plurality of anodes (A) is disposed in a first subset (24) of the micro-containers, and a second plurality of cathodes (C) is disposed in a second subset (26) of the micro-containers. The anodes and cathodes are arranged in an interlaced pattern.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel sulfur-containing naphthalimide derivatives, and the preparation and uses thereof. The conjugated plane of naphthalimide derivatives of the invention is enlarged by incorporating 5-or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring and/or introducing S heteroatom, thus increasing the anti-tumor activity of naphthalimide. The compounds of the invention displays significant inhibiting activities to the proliferation of various tumor cells such as human lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, leucocythemia and the like. The inhibition of cell proliferation is dose-dependent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for forming a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester or a mixture thereof from a soap-comprising starting material, in which process a metal-ion forming agent is added to the starting material, whereby a mixture is formed, which contains an insoluble phase and a liquid phase, the insoluble phase is separated from the liquid phase, and an acid is added into the insoluble phase to form a fatty acid, or a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added to form a fatty acid ester, whereby two phases are formed, an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or, first, an acid is added and then a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added into at least a portion of the formed fatty acid to esterify the fatty acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal analysis method for vibratory interferometry to identify the vibratory characteristics of an object under test. A vibratory stroboscopic interferometric signal of an object under vibration is obtained. The vibratory stroboscopic interferometric signal is analyzed with a deconvolution operation to obtain a reformed vibratory stroboscopic interferometric signal.

Abstract: A method for making a reinforcement device for a concrete structure includes the steps of (a) installing a plurality of parallel reinforcement rebars, and (b) embracing the reinforcement rebars with a cable unit by winding the cable unit around the reinforcement rebars. The cable unit has a plurality of wires twisted together.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining or identifying compounds that modulate the function of an isolated retinal pericyte or blood vessel, wherein a change in the contractile state of said pericyte or blood vessel is determined in the presence of a test compound, said change indicating that the test compound modulates the function of pericytes and/or blood vessels.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device (20) includes a microchannel plate (MCP) (22) having channels (24) formed therein, the channels having surface areas. Thin films (26) are formed over the surface areas and define an anode (34,38), a cathode (34,38), and a solid electrolyte (36) disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An isolated protein complex is provided which includes a growth factor, growth factor binding protein and vitronectin. Preferably, the isolated protein complex includes an insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 or insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 and vitronectin. Also provided are methods of modulating cell proliferation and/or migration by administering said protein complex for the purposes of wound healing, skin repair and tissue replacement therapy. Conversely, by using agents that disrupt growth factor protein complexes formed in vivo, growth factor-driven cell proliferation and/or migration may be suppressed such as for the purposes of treating cancers, psoriasis, atherosclerosis and wounds prone to hypertrophic scarring.

Abstract: The invention provides a kind of polymer grafted long afterglow phosphor which composed of alkali earth aluminate phosphor grafted by polymer through coordination bond and a method for producing the same. The method for producing a polymer grafted phosphor comprise two steps: the alkali earth aluminate activated by rare earth ions is coordinated with difunctional ligand to form a coordinated long afterglow phosphor; The coordinated long afterglow phosphor was dispersed in organic solvent at 40˜130° C., the ligand was initiated by initiator and could copolymerize with other polymerizable monomer to form the polymer grafted long afterglow phosphor. The formed phosphors have good water resistance and luminescent properties. They can be widely used in fields of luminescent coatings, paints and plastics.

Abstract: The invention provides an on-line sampling apparatus for the metal nanoparticle fluid of the vacuum submerged arc process and the method thereof, using the principle of the pressure difference between the vacuum pump and the vacuum chamber and the constant temperature design of the sample pipeline to make the sample precisely be caught and flow into the predetermined collector, and the disadvantage of the vaporization of the sample due to the temperature rise caused by the ambient temperature can be prevented. Further, the invention integrates with a particle size analysis apparatus to carry out real time measurement and data analysis of the nanoparticle fluid with real time process characteristics, wherein the nanoparticle fluid is caught from the nanofluid process line, thus, the optimal design work of the process and the system parameters and particle quality monitoring may be proceeded efficiently.

Abstract: Novel conjugates that are capable of inhibiting GSK-3 activity, a process of producing same, pharmaceutical compositions including same and methods of using same in the treatment of GSK-3 mediated conditions are disclosed. Methods of treating affective disorders using GSK-3 inhibitors are further disclosed.

Abstract: A reverse-phase cross coupling structure includes a base, which has a resonance chamber, resonators vertically arranged in parallel in the resonance chamber, and coupling portions respectively coupled between each two adjacent resonators, each coupling portion having a top recess and a coupling hole in the top recess, and an adjustment device, which comprises a cover plate fixedly covered on the base and has through holes corresponding to the coupling holes of the coupling portions and a plurality of adjustment screws respectively inserted through the through holes of the cover plate and threaded into the coupling holes of the coupling portions to the desired elevation to regulate the amount of the reverse-phase cross coupling of the resonators. This novel reverse-phase cross coupling structure is achieved only by base and adjustment device, it is not necessary to employ extra parts as in the prior designs.