Abstract: An optoelectronic device is disclosed. The device comprises one or more modified photocatalytic units, and a semiconductor surface. The modified photocatalytic unit is attached to the semiconductor surface such that when light is absorbed by the photocatalytic unit, an electric field is generated at sufficient amount to induce charge carrier locomotion within the semiconductor. In some embodiments a plurality of photocatalytic unit is attached to the semiconductor surface in oriented manner. The optoelectronic device can be operative in dry environment.

Abstract: Described herein are composite semiconductor substrates for use in semiconductor device fabrication and related devices and methods. In one embodiment, a composite substrate includes: (1) a bulk silicon layer; (2) a porous silicon layer adjacent to the bulk silicon layer, wherein the porous silicon layer has a Young's modulus value that is no greater than 110.5 GPa; (3) an epitaxial template layer, wherein the epitaxial template layer has a root-mean-square surface roughness value in the range of 0.2 nm to 1 nm; and (4) a set of silicon nitride layers disposed between the porous silicon layer and the epitaxial template layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a “Phone Log” in a telephone switchboard for recording the extension numbers, the phone numbers dialed by the extension numbers and the accumulated times. When there is an outside call, the telephone switchboard will first check the “Phone Log” whether the telephone number of the outside call is on the “Phone Log” or not; if the telephone number of the outside call is on the “Phone Log”, then the outside call (callback) is connected directly to the corresponding extension; otherwise the outside call will be connected to an auto-attendant for connecting. As the accumulated time of each of the records reaches a time limit, the related record will be cleared out. After the callback is picked up by the corresponding extension successfully, the related record is also cleared out.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate safety-oriented navigation through a local environment that presents emergency dynamics. The architecture can facilitate monitoring of deployed sensors constituting a sensor network, even for cases in which sensor locations are not known in advance such as for rapid or random deployment.

Abstract: Provided is a method of resecting a luminal structure, such as a colon. A first luminal structure and a second luminal structure are defined by severing the original luminal structure. The second luminal structure is secured to the distal end of an elongate body disposed within the second luminal structure. Refraction of the elongate body forms a circumferential fold in the second luminal structure and isolates a tissue mass between the circumferential fold and the distal end of the elongate body. The second luminal structure is then transected circumferentially at or adjacent the circumferential fold, thus severing the tissue mass. The tissue mass is then removed by retracting the distal end of the elongate body. The free end of the second luminal structure is approximated with the free end of the first luminal structure and secured by conventional surgical methods. Instrumentation for use with the inventive method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing or reducing the risk of cancer or the progression of premalignant dysplasia in a subject having a higher risk factor by administering a therapeutically effective amount of prostacyclin analog.

Abstract: The present invention exploits extreme sensitivity to initial conditions in ray-chaotic enclosures to create a method to distinguish nominally identical objects through their unique “wave fingerprints.” The fingerprint can be measured through transmission of a pulsed microwave signal as a function of carrier frequency and time. When internal components are re-arranged, the Electromagnetic Fingerprints (EMF) changes in significant ways. The EMF can be detected by direct injection measurements of the enclosure or through remote measurement.

Abstract: We have developed DNA and viral vectors that can be used, alone or in combination, as a vaccine against one HIV clade, subtype, or recombinant form of HIV or against multiple HIV clades, subtypes, or recombinant forms. Moreover, the vectors can encode a variety of antigens, which may be obtained from one clade or from two or more different clades, and the antigens selected and/or the manner in which the vectors are formulated (e.g., mixed) can be manipulated to generate a protective immune response against a variety of clades (e.g., the clades to which a patient is most likely to be exposed; with the proportions of the components of the vaccine tailored to the extent of the patient's risk to a particular clade or clades).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a monolithic implant for use in tissue engineering, the process comprising the steps of plasticizing at least one biocompatible material into a paste, extruding the paste through a die, and drying the extruded material to eliminate an aqueous and/or non-aqueous component. The invention also relates to a monolithic implant as thereby manufactured, and the use of such an implant as a scaffold for tissue-engineering and as a transplant tissue in reconstructive or replacement surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarized xenon gas manufacturing supply device that is provided with a polarization cell 6 that produces a polarized xenon gas by polarizing a mixture of xenon gas and a diluent gas that consists primarily of a high-boiling-point gas that has a boiling point higher than that of the xenon gas, and a condenser (9) that cools the mixed gas discharged from the polarization cell (6) and condenses and separates the high-boiling-point gas by using the difference in boiling points between the xenon gas and the high-boiling-point gas, wherein the supply device is constructed so as to re-vaporize the condensed liquid of the high-boiling-point gas produced by the condenser (9) and introduce it to the polarization cell (6). This polarized xenon gas manufacturing supply device makes it possible to continuously manufacture and supply highly polarized and highly concentrated xenon gas.

Abstract: Among other things, methods, systems, apparatus for performing on-the-fly apportionment are described. In particular, spectrum data associated with a particle is acquired in real-time. The acquired real-time spectrum data is analyzing in real-time to classify the particle. Analyzing the data in real-time includes comparing the acquired spectrum data with a library of known mass spectral fingerprints to obtain a match.

Abstract: An air-balanced engine assembly is configured to operate efficiently while producing a reduced level of harmful emissions. The engine assembly includes a two-stroke internal combustion engine with multiple power cylinders and intake and exhaust manifolds that fluidly communicate with the cylinders. The engine assembly also includes an air balancing assembly with valves that control intake air flow from the intake manifold to the cylinders. The valves cooperate to balance intake air flow among the cylinders and are configured to substantially equalize trapped equivalence ratios among the cylinders.

Abstract: There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising a first isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a FGF-9 polypeptide and optionally one or more isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes another angiogenic polypeptide. There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an isolated FGF-9 polypeptide and one or more other angiogenic polypeptides. The compositions provided herein may be useful for controlling angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis.

Abstract: An OFDM beamformer of a signal receiving system receives multiple frequency-domain sample signal vectors each transformed from arrival signals received by a corresponding antenna element of an antenna array, and includes: multiple signal splitters each splitting a corresponding frequency-domain sample signal vector into a data signal subvector and a pilot signal subvector based on predetermined position information; a weight generator generating an estimated auto-correlation matrix and an estimated cross-correlation vector based on the data signal subvectors, the pilot signal subvectors, and a reference pilot signal vector associated with a desired user, and generating an optimal weight vector based on the estimated auto-correlation matrix and the estimated cross-correlation vector; and a combining unit combining, based on the optimal weight vector, serial data signals converted from each data signal vector by a corresponding parallel-to-serial converter to generate an estimated data symbol output correspondi

Abstract: An aptamer specifically binding to C-reactive protein (CRP) is provided. The aptamer includes a following nucleotide sequence: 5?-angngggngnntgnnt-3?, wherein n is a nucleotide selected from a, t, c and g.

Abstract: Inflammatory bowel diseases are represented by two idiopathic disorders, which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is restricted to the colon and involves uncertain and inflammation of the lining (mucosa) of the large intestine. Crohn's disease, on the other hand, can involve the mucosa of the small and/or large intestine and may involve deeper layers of the bowel wall. The present invention is a combination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and one or more antioxidants (e.g., N-acetylcysteine) for treating such inflammatory bowel diseases.

Abstract: Ionic liquid (IL)-mediated sol-gel hybrid organic-inorganic materials present enormous potential for effective use in analytical microextraction. One obstacle to materializing this prospect arises from high viscosity of ILs significantly slowing down sol-gel reactions. A method was developed which provides phosphonium-based, pyridinium-based, and imidazolium-based IL-mediated advanced sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid materials for capillary microextraction. Scanning electron microscopy results demonstrate that ILs can serve as porogenic agents in sol-gel reactions. IL-mediated sol-gel coatings prepared with silanol-terminated polymers provided up to 28 times higher extractions compared to analogous sol-gel coatings prepared without any IL in the sol solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming system that can allow a game to be appropriately advanced even by an inexperienced dealer by way of navigating the dealer in game advancement, thereby allowing fraud to be avoided and cost to be reduced. An image input device, which captures images for displaying to players playing the game at a plurality of stations, captures an image of a side of a game portion on which the dealer is positioned to include card placement areas. Then, a controller performs image recognition processing of comparing image data of the card placement areas captured by the image input device with comparative image data stored in memory. Thereafter, in a case in which image recognition processing results in an image showing a card being included, the score of the card game is calculated based on recognition results of the images showing cards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal single switch driving system for power wheelchairs, which can be attached to any wheelchair joystick and remotely controlled, by any single switch available for persons with disabilities.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a large-area carbon nanotube film includes a reactor chamber, a helical-shaped substrate, and a supporter. The reactor chamber includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are aligned on an axis of the reactor chamber. The helical-shaped substrate and the supporter are located wholly inside the reactor chamber. The supporter is moveable along the axis of the reactor chamber, and the helical-shaped substrate is supported by the supporter.