Abstract: The invention provides NO-releasing polymers and low molecular weight NO-releasing compounds which may be used to for the treatment of medical conditions associated with NO-deficiency. The NO-releasing polymers or the low molecular weight NO-releasing compounds may also be incorporated into medical devices. The invention further provides methods of controlled release of NO for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with NO-deficiency, wherein the treatment includes systemic or local administration of the NO-releasing polymers or the low molecular weight NO-releasing compounds.

Abstract: The OFDMA power allocation method provides for supporting absolute proportional rate constrains for scalable OFDMA systems. Network scheduling procedures implementing the prescribed method can provide absolute guarantees for satisfying the specified rate constrains while maximizing the throughput of the network.

Abstract: A Random Access Memory (RAM) is provided. The RAM includes a plurality of word-line drivers, at least a first tracking transistor and a second tracking transistor. Each word-line driver has an input node receiving a decoding signal, a power node receiving an operation voltage and a driving node driving a word-line. In an embodiment, the first tracking transistor has two channel terminal nodes respectively coupled to the driving node of one of the word-line driver and a channel terminal node of the second tracking transistor; wherein the first tracking transistor has electronic characteristics tracking those of a driving transistor of word-line driver, and the second tracking transistor has electronic characteristics tracking those of pass-gate transistor(s) in each cell of the RAM.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of well-defined rod-coil block copolymers consisting of P3HT donor and C60 acceptor chromophores (P3HT-b-P(SxAy)-C60) in a molecular architecture is reported for use in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. In thin films of the resulting block copolymer, reproducible self-assembly into well-defined “nanofibrils” is observed. This is the first example of a block copolymer containing a C60 derivative that shows exclusively a nanofibrilar structure. A substantial improvement in device performance is achieved when the block copolymer is used as a “surfactant” for controlling the interface morphology of the P3HT:PCBM donor-acceptor phase domains within the composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of compositions comprising RegIII and HIP/PAP proteins, including the use of such proteins as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Abstract: A reduction gear capable of satisfying, at high level, each of: realizing a high reduction ratio; preventing backlash by securing rotation smoothness; and carrying out compactification and weight saving of entire mechanism is provided. The reduction gear of the invention is a modified crown reduction gear, comprising: a pressing mechanism 16 operated to rotate; a fixed crown gear 2 fixed to an external member 15; a movable crown gear 1, wherein the difference in the number of teeth between the gears is one; and an output axis 3 flexibly attached to the gear 1. The gear 1 engages with the gear 2 at a slant by pressing-force provided from the mechanism 16. In this instance, contact locations of teeth of the gears 1 and 2 are dispersed at two places existing at both sides between which a gradient center line intervenes.

Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is disclosed to have a housing, several discharge wires, two roughened collection electrodes coated with TiO2 or SiO2 nanoparticles, two porous metallic plates, and two roughened glass plates coated with TiO2 or SiO2 nanoparticles. The porous metallic plates and the glass plates coated with TiO2 or SiO2 nanoparticles located above the collection electrodes are used to enhance the uniformity of the water film. When particles are introduced into the ESP, they are charged by gas ions generated by corona discharge, and then migrate to collection electrodes due to electrostatic force. Finally, particles are removed by uniform water film flowing downward along the collection electrodes. Furthermore, pulse jet passing through the small holes on the collection plates is used to clean discharge wires, maintaining electric corona strength and prolonging the operation life.

Abstract: Generating and using a high-speed, scalable and easily updateable data structures are described. The proposed data structure provides minimal perfect hashing functionality while intrinsically supporting low-cost set-membership queries. In other words, in some embodiments, it provides at most one match candidate in a set of known arbitrary-length bit strings that is used to match the query.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems of an optical sensor for spatially smart 3-D object measurements using variable focal length lenses to target both specular and diffuse objects by matching transverse dimensions of the sampling optical beam to the transverse size of the flat target for given axial target distance for instantaneous spatial mapping of flat target, zone. The sensor allows volumetric data compressed remote sensing of object transverse dimensions including cross-sectional size, motion transverse displacement, inter-objects transverse gap distance, 3-D animation data acquisition, laser-based 3-D machining, and 3-D inspection and testing. An embodiment provides a 2-D optical display using 2-D laser scanning and 3-D beamforming optics engaged with sensor optics to measure distance of display screen from the laser source and scanning optics by adjusting its focus to produce the smallest focused beam spot on the display screen.

Abstract: A device for measuring the skeletodental relationship of a human skull directly from a cephalometric radiograph or from a hand tracing of the craniofacial structures includes a flat transparent plate-like structure. The plate-like structure has a generally rectangular shape with a zero point and two protractors spaced one below the other and superimposed on a zero point. The protractors include radial lines from 0° to 90° for a first of the protractors and from 90° to 0° for a second of the protractors. Further, the 0° line in the first protractor is parallel with the 90° line in the second protractor. The 0° line in the second is parallel with the 90° line in the first. Further, three vertical scales are provided on the right hand edge and top of the device with two of the scales on the right hand edge, but ascending in different directions.

Abstract: A dice gaming machine executes a dice game using a plurality of dice. Gaming values are bet with respect to bet areas making up a betting board. Each bet area is associated with a winning condition based on the spots on the dice and a payout magnification ratio. The prize in the dice game is determined based on the amount of gaming values bet on a bet area whose winning condition is satisfied, and a payout magnification ratio. Once acceptance of bets is ended, the dice gaming machine carries out a lottery. The dice gaming machine changes the payout magnification ratio for the bet area(s) based on the lottery result. Changing of the payout magnification ratio is adopted in the terminal(s) constituting the dice gaming machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing or treating allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, anaphylaxis, and asthma, which comprises administering an extract of Laurencia undulata in a therapeutically effective amount to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides artificial universal base capable of base pairing nonspecifically with any of four kinds of natural nucleic acid bases (A, T, G, and C) without the function to specifically recognize pairing natural nucleic acid bases for base pair formation. Universal base capable of base paring nonspecifically with four kinds of natural nucleic acid bases, wherein the universal base has a structure represented by the following chemical formula: wherein R represents a monovalent group other than a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: Converting cyclic amines to lactams using gold supported catalysts.

Abstract: SM-based actuators (110) and release mechanisms (100) therefrom and systems (500) including one or more release mechanisms (100). The actuators (110) comprise a SM member (118) and a deformable member (140) mechanically coupled to the SM member (118) which deforms upon a shape change of the SM member triggered by a phase transition of the SM member. A retaining element (160) is mechanically coupled to the deformable member (140), wherein the retaining element (160) moves upon the shape change. Release mechanism (100) include an actuator, a rotatable mechanism (120) including at least one restraining feature (178) for restraining rotational movement of the retaining element (160) before the shape change, and at least one spring (315) that provides at least one locked spring-loaded position when the retaining element is in the restraining feature and at least one released position that is reached when the retaining element is in a position beyond the restraining feature (178).

Abstract: Methods comprising mixing at least one nano-porous particle into a homogeneous solution of a polymer and a diluent at an elevated temperature to form a mixture; and cooling the mixture to solidify the polymer. Membranes comprising at least one nano-porous particle; and a polymer; wherein the at least one nano-porous particle comprises pores ranging from about 0.1 nanometers to about 10,000 nanometers in size.

Abstract: A driving support system with plural dimension processing units (DPUs) for indicating a condition of a surrounding area is disclosed. The driving support system of a vehicle includes plural image capturing devices disposed around the vehicle; at least a dimension processing unit (DPU) connected with the plural image capturing devices for receiving images from the plural image capturing devices and then producing plural related depth maps; a controller connected with the DPU for receiving the plural related depth maps and then producing an indicating data; and a display device connected with the controller for displaying the indicating data around the vehicle in a vertical view.

Abstract: A method for fabricating AlxGa1-xN-cladding-free nonpolar III-nitride based laser diodes or light emitting diodes. Due to the absence of polarization fields in the nonpolar crystal planes, these nonpolar devices have thick quantum wells that function as an optical waveguide to effectively confine the optical mode to the active region and eliminate the need for Al-containing waveguide cladding layers.

Abstract: Novobiocin analogues and pharmaceutical composition containing such compounds useful for the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative disorders and autoimmune disorders, as well as cancer.

Abstract: A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat neurological structures to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. Depending on the dosage of HIFU applied, it can have a reversible or irreversible effect on neural structures. For example, a relatively high dose of HIFU can be used to permanently block nerve function, to provide a non-invasive alternative to severing a nerve to treat severe spasticity. Relatively lower doses of HIFU can be used to reversibly block nerve function, to alleviate pain, to achieve an anesthetic effect, or to achieve a cosmetic effect. Where sensory nerves are not necessary for voluntary function, but are involved in pain associated with tumors or bone cancer, HIFU can be used to non-invasively destroy such sensory nerves to alleviate pain without drugs. Preferably, ultrasound imaging synchronized to the HIFU therapy is used to provide real-time ultrasound image guided HIFU therapy of neural structures.