Abstract: The present invention provides polymer micelles with cross-linked ionic cores as delivery vehicles for therapeutics, diagnostics, nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules and the like. The present invention provides additionally methods of synthesis and uses for such micelles.

Abstract: Compounds comprising an aza-dibenzo moiety and a condensed aromatic moiety having at least three benzene rings are provided. In particular, the compounds may comprise an azadibenzofuran, azadibenzothiophene, or azadibenzoselenophene joined directly or indirectly to an anthracene. The compounds may be used in the electron transport layer of organic light emitting devices to provide devices with improved properties.

Abstract: A photosensitive optoelectronic device having an improved hybrid planar bulk heterojunction includes a plurality of photoconductive materials disposed between the anode and the cathode. The photoconductive materials include a first continuous layer of donor material and a second continuous layer of acceptor material. A first network of donor material or materials extends from the first continuous layer toward the second continuous layer, providing continuous pathways for conduction of holes to the first continuous layer. A second network of acceptor material or materials extends from the second continuous layer toward the first continuous layer, providing continuous pathways for conduction of electrons to the second continuous layer. The first network and the second network are interlaced with each other. At least one other photoconductive material is interspersed between the interlaced networks.

Abstract: Methods and systems to implement and operate software-defined radios (SDRs). An SDR may be configured to perform a combination of fractional and integer frequency synthesis and direct digital synthesis under control of a digital signal processor, which may provide a set of relatively agile, flexible, low-noise, and low spurious, timing and frequency conversion signals, and which may be used to maintain a transmit path coherent with a receive path. Frequency synthesis may include dithering to provide additional precision. The SDR may include task-specific software-configurable systems to perform tasks in accordance with software-defined parameters or personalities. The SDR may include a hardware interface system to control hardware components, and a host interface system to provide an interface to the SDR with respect to a host system. The SDR may be configured for one or more of communications, navigation, radio science, and sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biosensor comprising an electrically conductive substrate, with a first layer comprising Ruthenium Purple formed on the substrate, a second layer comprising polyaniline or a derivative thereof comprising one or more non-polar substituents formed on the first layer, and a third layer comprising one or more enzymes trapped within a matrix formed on the second layer. The biosensor is for use in the detection of analytes such as purines and derivatives thereof, particularly in the detection of hypoxanthine.

Abstract: A blue phase liquid crystal composition includes a chiral dopant, a positive liquid crystal component and a negative liquid crystal component. The positive liquid crystal component includes at least one positive liquid crystal material, has a positive dielectric anisotropy and has no blue phase properties with respect to the chiral dopant. In addition, the negative liquid crystal component includes at least one negative liquid crystal material, has a negative dielectric anisotropy and has no blue phase properties with respect to the chiral dopant, so that the blue phase liquid crystal composition has a dielectric anisotropy between 0.5 and 14 and a blue phase temperature range larger than 3° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for ambulatory, real-time detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) providing an overall accuracy that refers to detection of AF, irrespective of the duration of AF and beat-to-beat classification.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique to widely spread the frequency spectrum of switching noise generated by a switching action and to reduce the noise level at a particular frequency. A switching regulator (6A) includes a computing unit with computing function. First, in the computing unit, a pulse-width-modulation processing unit (PWM) (2a) performs pulse-width-modulation processing of receiving a feedback signal corresponding to the output of a detector 1 to determine an on-duty cycle of a pulse signal. Subsequently, for the signal and data obtained by the PWM (2a) to be subjected to further modulation processing for spectrum spreading, a branching processing is performed by making changing-over unit (2d) randomly select asynchronous-modulation processing unit (ASM) (2e) or pulse-position-modulation processing unit (PPM). When the PPM is selected, another branching processing is performed by making the changing-over unit (2d) select a first PPM (2f) or a second PPM (2g) depending on the on-duty cycle.

Abstract: Core-shell nanoparticles having a core material and a mesoporous silica shell, and a method for manufacturing the core-shell nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: Protein hydrogel monomers incorporating bio-active proteins and methods for producing the same are provided. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a protein hydrogel monomer including a bio-active protein and two alpha helices that are adapted to interact with alpha helices on other monomers to form coiled-coil junctions.

Abstract: This invention discloses biocompatible polymers prepared from monomers (IV), and (IVa), or derivatives thereof, for which the variables are described in the claims and specification. These polymers may be bioresorbable and thus useful for manufacture of medical devices. Therefore, methods for preparing these polymers and medical devices prepared therefrom are also encompassed by this disclosure.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes an anode compartment with an anode and an anode biocatalyst and a cathode compartment with a cathode and a cathode biocatalyst, with a membrane positioned between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment, and an electrical pathway between the anode and the cathode. The anode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing oxidation of an organic substance, and the cathode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing reduction of an inorganic substance. The reduced organic substance can form a precipitate, thereby removing the inorganic substance from solution. In some cases, the anode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing oxidation of an inorganic substance, and the cathode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing reduction of an organic or inorganic substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reducing accumulation of viral genomes in a target cell. In particular the present invention provides compositions and methods for combating viral infection through RNA interference. Specifically the present invention provides cellular microRNA mimics for treating virus-infected subjects.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell comprising a catalyst layer and a method of making the same. The catalyst layer can include a plurality of catalyst nanoparticles, e.g., platinum, disposed on buckypaper. The catalyst layer can have 1% or less binder prior to attachment to the membrane electrode assembly. The catalyst layer can include (a) single-wall nanotubes, small diameter multi-wall nanotubes, or both, and (b) large diameter multi-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or both. The ratio of (a) to (b) can range from 1:2 to 1:20. The catalyst layer can produce a surface area utilization efficiency of at least 60% and the platinum utilization efficiency can be 0.50 gPt/kW or less.

Abstract: The present invention is related to bait which is water resistance, especially for fire ants. Its water resistance, anti-oxidation and the use of fire ants favorite eating formula which can mix with different toxic substances, and the production is easy and low cost, suitable for use in Taiwan or other humid areas to control fire ants.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, peptides, and antibodies for use in applications including diagnosis and therapy. The peptides target lung cancer and were identified by phage display. Targeting phage PC5-2 and synthetic peptide SP5-2 were both able to recognize human pulmonary tumor specimens from lung cancer patients. In SCID mice bearing NSCLC xenografts, the targeting phage was able to target tumor masses specifically. When the peptide was coupled to liposomes containing the anti-cancer drugs vinorelbine or doxorubicin, the efficacy of these drugs against human lung cancer xenografts was improved, the survival rate increased, and the drug toxicity was reduced.

Abstract: A method of compensating for distortion in text recognition is provided, which includes extracting a text region from an image; estimating the form of an upper end of the extracted text region; estimating the form of a lower end of the extracted text region; estimating the form of left and right sides of the extracted text region; estimating a diagram constituted in the form of the estimated upper end, lower end, left and right sides, and including a minimum area of the text region; and transforming the text region constituting the estimated diagram into a rectangular diagram using an affine transform.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for treating treat gastrointestinal disorders using electrical stimulation. In one advantageous form, the method uses mucosal EGG (mEGG) to analyze a patient's natural gastric electrical activity. The mEGG can be measured anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. From the mEGG, one can determine whether a patient is a good candidate for gastrointestinal electrical stimulation. For example, analysis of the frequency, amplitude and a ratio of frequency to amplitude can be used to determine who should receive gastrointestinal electrical stimulation, and at what the various stimulation parameters should be. The present method can be used to treat various disorders relating to gastrointestinal electrical activity. Ideally, the gastric electrical stimulation is delivered at a desired frequency and amplitude to effectuate normalization of gastric electrical current/activity, thereby treating disorders associated with gastric electrical activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of micro-scale or millimeter scale devices and to the use of multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices with particular embodiments relate to shredding devices and more particularly to shredding devices for use in medical applications. In some embodiments, tissue removal devices include tissue anchoring projections, improved blade configurations, and/or shields or shrouds around the cutting blades to inhibit outflow of tissue that has been brought into the device.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the expression of LIM kinase 1 in a cancer cell comprising; providing an oligonucleotide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; providing a cancer cell comprising an mRNA encoding LIM kinase 1; and introducing the oligonucleotide into the cancer cell, wherein the oligonucleotide decreases the expression of LIM kinase 1 in the cancer cell. The method also provides compositions of an antisense RNA LIM kinase 1 that can be administered to an individual for the purpose of inhibiting a protein kinase pathway and which further comprises methods for treating and monitoring the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. A kit may be used in the detection and treatment of cancer.