Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphopeptide-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate complex, wherein the complex is formed at a pH of below 7.0. Methods of making such complexes are also provided. The complexes are useful in dental applications, in particular in dental remineralisation.

Abstract: The heat exchanger flow balancing system serves to substantially equalize fluid flow through essentially identical diameter heat exchanger tubes in a heat exchanger having a single inlet plenum, a single outlet plenum, and a series of equal diameter heat exchanger tubes extending therebetween. In one embodiment, a series of different diameter orifices are provided at the inlet end of each of the tubes, with those tubes farther from the single larger diameter inlet pipe to the plenum generally having smaller orifices. In another embodiment, each of the tubes is provided with a conical nozzle at its inlet end, with those tubes farther from the single inlet pipe to the plenum generally having smaller diameter nozzles. The effect is to substantially equalize fluid flow through all of the heat exchanger tubes, thus increasing the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: To provide a gaming terminal capable of effectively preventing breakage of a support mechanism of a lever-type operation device or the like and a method of providing notification, when a lever 6100 is rotated by a player during the running of a game, the angle of inclination is detected by an inclination detection mechanism 600a, and history information is updated based on the detected angle of inclination. Then whether the updated history information satisfies a predetermined warning condition is determined. A warning is issued to the player and the number of warnings is updated if the predetermined warning condition is satisfied, and the game being run is invalidated when the number of warnings reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: The recycled crumb rubber coating is a corrosion-proof coating for piping and the like. The coating is formed from recycled crumb rubber mixed with an epoxy resin and a hardener. Crumb rubber is first mixed with a liquid epoxy resin. An agent for reducing the viscosity of the liquid epoxy resin may also be added. A hardener is then added to this mixture. Finally, powdered crumb rubber is added and mixed to form the recycled crumb rubber coating. The total crumb rubber forms about 23-24 wt % of the coating, the balance being epoxy. The epoxy has liquid epoxy resin and a hardener in a ratio of about 2:1 by weight. The epoxy may also include a viscosity reducing agent of about 1% of the total weight of the liquid resin and the hardener. The crumb rubber may be a blend of powdered crumb rubber and mesh crumb rubber.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for flexible thin-film transistors. In one aspect, a device includes a polymer substrate, a gate electrode disposed on the polymer substrate, a dielectric layer disposed on the gate electrode and on exposed portions of the polymer substrate, a carbon nanotube network disposed on the dielectric layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed on the carbon nanotube network.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a method of using nanoparticle aggregates to form sensors and optical filters. Properly sized (60 and 200 nm) nanoparticle aggregates with cores having a sulfur-oxygen molecular species and a shell with a surface in contact with the core are obtained. Those nanoparticle aggregates have a first resonance profile to wavelengths between 350 nm and 1075 nm. A modified resonance profile for those nanoparticle aggregates is determined. The nanoparticle aggregates are then selectively sized by irradiating them with electromagnetic energy at sufficient intensity and spectral content to modify the first resonance profile towards the modified resonance profile. The resulting nanoparticle aggregates can be used as sensors or optical filters at a selected wavelength.

Abstract: A method of determining extrinsic calibration parameters for at least one sensor (102, 104, 106) mounted on transportable apparatus (100). The method includes receiving (202) data representing pose history of the transportable apparatus and receiving (202) sensor data from at least one sensor mounted on transportable apparatus. The method generates (204) at least one point cloud data using the sensor data received from the at least one sensor, each point in a said point cloud having a point covariance derived from the pose history data. The method then maximizes (206) a value of a quality function for the at least one point cloud, and uses (208) the maximized quality function to determine extrinsic calibration parameters for the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a subject suffering from exposure to a chemical threat agent are disclosed.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a preparation method of a wettability reversal agent, comprising: (1) adding an emulsifier into water to prepare a mixed solution of emulsifier; (2) adding compounds represented by formula (1-a), (2-a), (3-a), (4-a), (5-a), and (6-a) to the mixed solution of emulsifier to obtain a pre-emulsion, adding an initiator, and initiating a polymerization reaction. When the wettability reversal agent and reservoir protecting agent composition disclosed in the present subject matter are used in a drilling fluid, they can effectively prevent the permeation of the water phase and oil phase in the drilling fluid into the reservoir, reduce the filter loss of the drilling fluid, and thereby effectively protect the reservoir against damages from the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A passive semi-insert noise reducing device configured for insertion into the ear of a subject includes at least one muffler tube having a closed end and an opposing open end, the muffler tube being configured to be secured to the head of a subject. The at least one muffler tube is defined by an elongate hollow tubular section, including the closed end, and a transverse hollow tube at the open end that is configured for placement in the outer ear of the subject. The at least one muffler tube is defined by a length that produces quarter wave resonance in low audible sound frequencies. A soft sealing member disposed onto an exterior surface of the hollow connecting tube has a distal end surface that is substantially flush with the open end of the muffler tube.

Abstract: Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling.

Abstract: A targeting peptide that specifically binds to an IL13 receptor (e.g., wherein said targeting peptide is not an IL13 fragment) is described. The targeting peptide is optionally conjugated to at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the peptide specifically binds to the IL13R?2 protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cancer. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for diagnosing or predicting cancer in a patient. In one embodiment, a method for identifying a patient as having cancer comprises the steps of (a) providing a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded or fresh frozen sample of patient tissue; (b) steaming the sample in antigen retrieval buffer; (c) incubating the sample in hydrochloric acid (HCl); (d) incubating the sample with an affinity reagent specific for 5hmC under conditions to form a complex between the affinity reagent and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) present in the sample; (e) detecting the complexes formed between 5hmC and the affinity reagent with secondary detection reagents; (f) quantifying 5hmC levels; and (g) identifying the patient as having cancer if the 5hmC levels in the sample are reduced as compared to a control.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an organic light emitting diode array. The organic light emitting diode array includes a base defining a number of convexities spaced from each other, a number of first electrodes located on the convexities, a number of electroluminescent layers located on the first electrodes, a patterned second insulative layer located among the convexities to cover part of the base and expose the electroluminescent layers, and a number of second electrodes electrically connected to the electroluminescent layers. The first electrodes are parallel with each other and extend along a first direction. The second electrodes are parallel with each other and extend along a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include a biofilm in a container. The biofilm may be formed from one or more bacteria coupled to one or more substrates. The bacteria may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. The system may include one or more bacteria generators to provide bacteria to the biofilm and/or one or more air sources to provide an air bubble stream to the container and/or the bacteria generator. In some embodiments, bacteria may be preserved in a starvation phase. Bacteria may be incubated until they reach a starvation phase. The bacteria may then be preserved as beads or immobilized on a substrate. The preserved bacteria may be used in a system for the reduction of contaminants in water.

Abstract: Particles of a macro-porous ion exchange resin are dispersed in a solution of a transition metal compound, such as a compound of molybdenum, tungsten, or vanadium. The resin may be composed for anion exchange or cation ion exchange and, correspondingly, anions or cations of the metal are exchanged onto active ion exchange sites on the molecular chains of the resin. The resin is then carbonized and graphitized to form nanometer-size particles of transition metal carbide on particles of graphite. The composite metal carbide and graphite particles are electrically conductive and serve well as support particles for later deposited particles of a platinum group metal or other catalyst material in, for example, a catalytic electrode member in an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical agents comprising optically functional cross linked supramolecular structures and assemblies useful for tandem optical imaging and therapy. Supramolecular structures and assemblies of the present invention include optically functional shell-cross linked micelles wherein optical functionality is achieved via incorporation of one or more linking groups that include one or more photoactive moieties. The present invention further includes imaging and therapeutic methods using one or more optical agents of the present invention including optically functional shell cross-linked micelles having an associated therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A line-contact dry electrode comprises a conductive electrode base and at least one conductive contact member extending from the conductive electrode base. The conductive contact member includes a plurality of elastic conductive branches arranged intermittently to form a comb-like electrode able to comb and push away the testee's hair and contact the testee's skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of certain osmium containing complexes such as cytotoxic agents particularly for the treatment of cancer. There is also provided novel osmium containing complexes, as well as pharmaceutical formulations comprising such complexes.