Abstract: Reversibly and irreversibly-linking amino-polysiloxanes, methods of making such amino-polysiloxanes, and systems and methods of using such amino-polysiloxanes for the containment and/or remediation of a release and/or spill of a crude oil, a petroleum product and/or a chemical is described. Gels and/or emulsions formed from the combination and/or contacting of such an amino-polysiloxane with these materials can be used to recover these oils or chemicals while allowing the amino-polysiloxane to be recovered and reused to clean up or contain additional materials. Such amino-polysiloxanes can be used as well for the selective uptake of one component of liquid mixtures when such mixtures contain more and less lipophilic components. Methods of making and using adhesive and sealants containing such amino-polysiloxanes are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a vascular endothelial function includes: a cuff, to be wound around a part of a body of a subject; a cuff pressure controller, configured to control a pressure of the cuff, and configured to apply continuous pressure stimulation; a cuff pressure detector, configured to detect the pressure of the cuff from output of a pressure sensor connected to the cuff; a pulse wave detector, configured to detect, from the output of the pressure sensor, pulse waves before and after the continuous pressure stimulation is applied; and an analyzer, configured to evaluate the vascular endothelial function by comparing the pulse waves detected before and after the continuous pressure stimulation is applied.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer. More specifically this invention is directed to a targeted retroviral vector comprising a cytokine gene that can be administered either alone or in combination with a targeted retroviral vector comprising a cytocidal gene for treating cancer in a subject. Also provided are a kit or drug delivery system comprising the compositions for use in the methods described.

Abstract: A method for immunizing a human or animal against pneumococcal infections, comprising by administering a vaccine comprising a purified recombinant caseinolytic protease P (ClpP) protein of S. pneumoniae in an immunologically effective amount to the human or animal.

Abstract: A culture medium is used for culturing neural cells. Each neural cell includes a neural cell body and at least one neurite branched from the neural cell body. The culture medium includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube structure located on the substrate. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced apart from each other. A distance between adjacent carbon nanotube wires is greater than or equal to diameters of the neural cell bodies. The carbon nanotube wires are capable of guiding extending directions of the neurites.

Abstract: A method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate having a Group III-nitride surface includes providing a chemical-mechanical polishing slurry composition. The slurry composition includes a slurry solution including a liquid carrier and an oxidizer including a transition metal or a per-based compound. The slurry solution includes at least one component that reacts with the Group III-nitride surface to form a softened Group III-nitride surface. The Group III-nitride comprising surface is contacted with the slurry composition by a pad to form the softened Group III-nitride surface. The pad is moved relative to the softened Group III-nitride surface, wherein at least a portion of the softened Group III-nitride surface is removed.

Abstract: A thermoelectric composite material includes a carbon nanotube structure and an electrically conductive polymer layer. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and spaces. The electrically conductive polymer layer is coated on surfaces of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A photodetector having a ridge-in-slit geometry is provided, where a semiconductor ridge is laterally sandwiched in a metallic slit. This assembly is disposed on a layer of semiconducting material, which in turn is disposed on an insulating substrate. These structures can provide efficient resonant detectors having the wavelength of peak response set by the ridge width. Thus a lateral feature defines the wavelength of peak responsivity, as opposed to a vertical feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified eukaryotic host cells that produce isoprenoid precursors or isoprenoid compounds. A subject genetically modified host cell comprises increased activity levels of one or more of mevalonate pathway enzymes, increased levels of prenyltransferase activity, and decreased levels of squalene synthase activity. Methods are provided for the production of an isoprenoid compound or an isoprenoid precursor in a subject genetically modified eukaryotic host cell. The methods generally involve culturing a subject genetically modified host cell under conditions that promote production of high levels of an isoprenoid or isoprenoid precursor compound.

Abstract: A viewing device synchronizer includes a viewing mechanism for viewing an object and a linking mechanism for linking a plurality of viewing mechanisms so that each is capable of viewing the object simultaneously. A movement mechanism moves a single viewing mechanism in any direction in order to view an object. A control mechanism moves any of the plurality of viewing mechanisms if the single viewing mechanism is moved. A directional pointing mechanism controls one or a plurality of the viewing mechanisms. A communication mechanism sends directional information for controlling the operation of the plurality of viewing mechanism from a single viewing mechanism.

Abstract: A fault current limiter (FCL) for limiting a fault current in a power line during a fault condition. The FCL includes a magnetic coupling circuit for monitoring current in the power line through magnetic coupling; a sensing circuit for sensing the current in the power line and providing a signal indicative of the sensed current; a control circuit receiving the signal indicative of the sensed current in the power line and determining whether the sensed current indicates that the fault condition exists; and high and low impedance paths that are connected in parallel. The high impedance path includes a discharging impedance circuit for limiting the fault current. The low impedance path includes a reactor circuit and a switching unit having an ON state for conducting current through the low impedance path and an OFF state for conducting current through the high impedance path.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for multiplexing a sync node and a gateway of a wireless sensor network, which is capable of allowing communication of the wireless sensor network to be normally performed by multiplexing paths of the sync node and the gateway of the wireless sensor network even in the case where any one of the sync node and the gateway abnormally operates and by transmitting upstream data and downstream data through a path selected among the duplexed paths according to characteristics of the wireless sensor network.

Abstract: The system and method for least mean fourth adaptive filtering is a system that uses a general purpose computer or a digital circuit (such as an ASIC, a field-programmable gate array, or a digital signal processor that is programmed to utilize a normalized least mean fourth algorithm. The normalization is performed by dividing a weight vector update term by the fourth power of the norm of the regressor.

Abstract: A motor coordination testing device includes a signal generator and a signal retrieving device. The signal generator includes a first electronic protractor, a second electronic protractor, a first support rotatably coupled with the first electronic protractor, and a second support rotatably coupled with the second electronic protractor. The signal retrieving device is electrically connected to the signal generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to constructs and in particular genetic constructs comprising polynucleotide sequences capable of release in covalently closed, circular form from a larger nucleotide sequence such as, but not limited to, a genome of a eukaryotic cell. Preferably, once released, a polynucleotide sequence is reconstituted in a form which permits expression of the polynucleotide sequence. In one embodiment, the reconstituted polynucleotide sequence comprises a coding sequence with all or part of an extraneous nucleotide such as, but not limited to, an intronic sequence or other splice signal inserted therein. Expression and in particular transcription of the coding sequence involves splicing out the extraneous sequence. The release and circularization is generally in response to a stimulus such as a protein-mediated stimulus. More particularly, the protein is a viral or prokaryotic or eukaryotic derived protein or developmentally and/or tissue specific regulated protein.

Abstract: A bobbin includes a stratiform composite structure. The stratiform composite structure includes an amorphous carbon structure and a carbon nanotube film structure composited with the amorphous carbon structure. The amorphous carbon structure and the carbon nanotube film structure are combined by van der Waals attractive force and covalent bonds therebetween.

Abstract: A system for assessing the microvascular fitness of a sample of stored red blood cells. The system has a network device having at least one network unit. The network unit has a single inlet and a single outlet for the sample and a plurality of microchannels. The plurality of microchannels receive the sample from the single inlet and drain the sample into the single outlet. The network unit includes an aspiration pressure means for providing movement of liquid sample through the at least one network unit. The system further includes an analysis unit that receives the network device therein. The analysis unit includes a sensor for capturing measurements related to the sample and a processor capable of comparing the captured measurements to measurements stored in a database of healthy red blood cells to determine the microvascular fitness of the stored red blood cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to IR photodetectors with gain resulting from the positioning of a charge multiplication layer (CML) between the cathode and the IR sensitizing layer of the photodetector, where accumulating charge at the CML reduces the energy difference between the cathode and the CML to promote injection of electrons that result in gain for an electron only device. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to inclusion of the IR photodetectors with gain into an IR-to-visible up-conversion device that can be used in night vision and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process for extracting oil of kenaf seed (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), wherein the SFE process utilizes a supercritical fluid and is conducted in a pressure ranging from 200 to 600 bars with a temperature ranging from 40 to 80° C.

Abstract: A gearbox for an irrigation system can comprise a housing, a worm gear within the housing and a bull gear within the housing and configured to engage the worm gear. The housing can be configured to receive a removable cartridge. The cartridge can include a diaphragm and a vent. The diaphragm can define a chamber configured for expansion and contraction and configured to be positioned inside the housing to relieve pressure build-up within the housing. The vent can be configured to allow air to flow between the atmosphere and the chamber.