Abstract: A method for producing a fluorine-containing substituted compound, the method including: introducing an organofluorine compound and an organolithium compound into a microreactor provided with a flow path capable of mixing a plurality of liquids, to thereby obtain a reaction product; and introducing, into the microreactor, the reaction product and an electrophile exhibiting electrophilic effect on the reaction product, to thereby obtain a fluorine-containing substituted compound.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic circuit that includes a stretchable base substrate having a plurality of stretchable conductors formed onto a surface thereof, with both the stretchable base substrate and conductors being bendable together about two orthogonal axes. The stretchable circuit also includes a stretchable sensor layer attached to the base substrate with a cavity formed therein which has a contact point exposing one of the plurality of stretchable conductors. The stretchable electronic circuit further includes a surface mount device (SMD) package with a conductor contact protrusion installed into the cavity, and wherein a substantially constant electrical connection is established between the conductor contact protrusion and the stretchable conductor at the contact point by tensile forces interacting between the stretchable base substrate and the stretchable sensor layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic layer configured to convert light into electrical power, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) layer having one to three periods disposed adjacent the photovoltaic layer, a metal layer, disposed adjacent the DBR layer, configured to reflect light passed through the photovoltaic layer to the DBR layer, and a phase matching layer disposed between the metal layer and the DBR layer, the phase matching layer configured to match a phase between the DBR layer and the metal layer over a selected wavelength band. The metal layer has a non-uniformed textured surface facing the phase matching layer. The photovoltaic device further includes an anti-reflection coating layer disposed on a top surface of the photovoltaic layer, and a substrate on which the metal layer is disposed. The substrate may be textured on a surface facing the metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of modulating physiological and pathological processes and, in particular, to a method of modulating cellular levels of oxidants and thereby processes in which such oxidants are a participant. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for diagnosing or characterizing a genetic predisposition to develop cancer, including cancers of the BAP1 cancer syndrome, are provided. Nucleic acids comprising a germline nucleic acid sequence encoding the BRCA1 associated protein 1 (BAP1) are sequenced or probed to determine if the nucleic acid sequence includes alterations that predispose a subject to develop cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the inhibition of modulation of T cell costimulatory pathway by a pathogenic agent, particularly, the inhibition of activation of a T cell costimulatory pathway by a pyrogenic exotoxin. The direct interaction of a superantigen with a specific site within the dimer interface of a CD28 family member is inhibited using immunomodulatory peptides. Specific antagonist immunomodulatory peptides comprise amino acid sequences derived from a dimer interface of a T cell co-stimulatory pathway member, or peptides which comprise an amino acid sequence which specifically binds to an amino acid sequence within the dimer interface of a T cell co-stimulatory pathway member. Compositions comprising said peptides and methods for the treatment of immune-related disorders are also disclosed. Such molecules may be used in screening for a test substance which specifically binds to the CD28 molecule and is capable of antagonizing pyrogenic exotoxin-mediated activation of Th1 lymphocytes.

Abstract: Implementations and techniques for coupled asymmetric quantum confinement structures are generally disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a gradient bioceramic coating comprising a rare earth oxide, a broadband laser method for preparing the bioceramic coating, and the use of the bioceramic coating in the field of medical materials.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the formation of extracellular matrix in culture. Cells in culture secrete most of the collagen into the media as unprocessed procollagen, i.e., the cells do not convert procollagen to collagen. In contrast, normal extracellular matrix deposition involves procollagen processing to collagen, fibril assembly and deposition into the cell layer to form a collagenous extracellular matrix. The addition of certain growth factors and the addition of a thin layer of a certain volume exclusion agent on top of the cells dramatically enhances the conversion of procollagen to collagen and will increase the amount of collagen and extracellular matrix associated with the cells. This invention advances bioengineering of connective tissues for medical applications that require an extensive and functional extracellular matrix with high tensile strength such as those in the cornea stroma, skin, tendons, ligaments, articular cartilage and the intervertebral disks.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for digital up-down conversion using an Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter are provided. The method for digital up-down conversion for frequency conversion in a mobile communication system using plural frequency converts, includes IIR-filtering, by a magnitude response IIR filter having the same magnitude response as in Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filtering, an input signal and a stable filter coefficient calculated according to a Levinson polynomial; and receiving, by the magnitude response IIR filter, the IIR filtered signal, and performing IIR filtering by a phase compensation IIR filter having a filter coefficient compensating for a non-linear phase to a linear phase.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or treating anxiety, comprising betulinic acid or derivatives thereof are provided. Methods for preventing or treating anxiety with betulinic acid or derivatives thereof are also provided. The invention further provides betulinic-acid containing preparations of plants of the family Marcgraviaceae having anxiolytic activity and methods for making such extracts and using them to prevent or treat anxiety in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to proteins expressed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and not by BCG and their use as diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: A composition includes a first polymer having monomers each containing an imidazole group, and a second polymer, the first and second polymers being a polymer blend. The first polymer, the second polymer, or both may be cross-linked. The carbonized composition, polymeric and carbon membranes (either in the form of a flat sheet or a hollow fiber) made from the composition are also described. The polymeric and carbon membranes can be used to separate and purify gases or liquids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a weight bearing member having at least one powered joint are provided. A system includes a velocity reference module for receiving myoelectric control signals from a user during a non-weight bearing mode for the powered joint and generating a velocity reference for the powered joint based on the myoelectric control signals. The system further includes a volitional impedance module for generating a torque control signal for actuating the powered joint based at least on the velocity reference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for OLED lighting panels are provided in which a light extraction block is optically coupled to a light source. The light extraction block includes a plurality of non-parallel light emitting surface normals. At least one light diffusing layer covers a surface of the light extraction block. The light diffusing layer may be positioned, for example, on a light emitting surface of the light extraction block and/or on a mating surface of the light extraction block. The plurality of light emitting surface normals may be located on different non-parallel light emitting surfaces of the light extraction block, or on different points of a curved emitting surface. All of the light emitting surfaces and/or the mating surface, of the light extraction block may be covered by a light diffusing layer. The optical emission intensity and/or the optical emission color from the plurality of light emitting surface normals may be substantially equal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound characterized by comprising a linker, an oxygen-concentration-responsive phosphorophore which is linked to a first end of the linker, and a fluorophore which is lined to a second end of the linker. In the compound, it is preferred that the triplet level of the phosphorophore be lower than that of the fluorophore. The compound can be used as an oxygen-responsive luminescent probe.

Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus that can detect in an inexpensive way that a bill housing part is full with bills. The paper sheet processing apparatus includes: a bill housing part that houses a bill in a stacked manner; a placing plate arranged in the bill housing part and moves as a bill is stacked and housed; a magnetic body magnetized and disposed on the placing plate; a magnetic sensor that detects an amount of magnetism from the magnetic body; and a control part that determines whether the amount of magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, devices and methods for detecting esterase activity. The present invention also provides devices and methods of detecting esterase inhibitors, for example, organophosphates. In particular, the present invention provides a biosensor comprising Neuropathy Target Esterase (NTE) polypeptides. Further, the present invention relates to medicine, industrial chemistry, agriculture, and homeland security.

Abstract: An objective-type dark-field illumination device for a microfluidic channel is provided and includes an optical stop having a pair of symmetric curved slits used to adjust the optical path and inner numerical aperture of a dark-field light source generated by the device. The dark-field illumination can focus on a smaller spot to illuminate a sample in the microfluidic channel by matching a pin-hole combined with a transmitter objective lens. The optical path and smaller spot is advantageous to solve the problem of a traditional dark-field illumination that may generate background light noise scattered from inner walls of the microfluidic channel to lower the image contrast. Therefore, the signal or image resolution of capturing the scattered light and/or emitted fluorescent light emitted from the sample in the microfluidic channel can be enhanced. Meanwhile, the device can simultaneously excite and detect multiple fluorescent samples with different excited wavelengths in the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A method of fabricating epitaxial semiconductor devices includes: (a) forming an etch limiting film that includes a sacrificial layer on an epitaxial substrate; (b) growing epitaxially layers of a semiconductor structure on the sacrificial layer; (c) forming on the semiconductor structure a layer of a device substrate that can be magnetized, and a patterned passage unit that extends from the device substrate to a depth as deep as the sacrificial layer such that a plurality of semiconductor units are defined in the semiconductor structure and the device substrate; and (d) separating the semiconductor units from the epitaxial substrate by etching laterally the sacrificial layer through the patterned passage unit while a magnetic attraction force is applied to the device substrate.